This handbook has been designed to help students and parents gain a better understanding of the entire band program at CCHS. 

Click Here for Band Forms

FAQ: The following are some of the most commonly asked questions about the band program:

Q: How long is Marching Band season?

            A: Marching Band season ends in early November with only three parades to follow. The schedule is provided by Band Director.

Q: Can you do band and sports?

            A: Yes, The band and athletics programs need to know WELL IN ADVANCE of conflicts. There is always room for Academics, Athletics, and Music.

Q: Will my grades suffer from doing band? Will I have time to study?

            A: Fact: When you dedicate your time to your studies and also to your band activities, your grades are usually higher.

Q: What is Band Camp?
A: Band Camp usually is scheduled at the end of August. The Band Camp schedule will be mailed to you after you sign up to the Band program. We all have to do Band Camp and it is mandatory. The field-show must be learned prior to the start of school so we can perform at the early Football games.  Band Camp is not all work. We do have fun. 

Chicopee Comprehensive High School Marching Band, Concert Band & Color Guard Schedule 2006-2007

Student’s Musical Responsibilities

The primary focus of any band is music. Music is rehearsed in class. The band director will provide additional help for all students requesting assistance. It is important for a student’s musical development to consistently practice. It is a student’s responsibility to practice outside of class time to improve individual playing skills.

l       STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE THEIR INSTRUMENTS HOME FOR PRACTICE. This is their homework.

l       STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PURCHASE OF THEIR OWN REEDS, MOUTHPIECES, MALLETS, DRUMSTICKS, ETC. INSTRUMENT, CASE, REEDS, MOUTHPIECES, OIL, AND OTHER INSTRUMENT MATERIALS MUST BE BROUGHT TO ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES. IT IS A STUDENT’S JOB TO MAINTAIN THEIR INSTRUMENT IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION AND SEEK REPAIR IF NEEDED.

l       IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT AND CARE FOR THEIR INSTRUMENTS, ALL NSTRUMENTS MUST BE STORED IN APPROPRIATE INSTRUMENT CASES.

Every student must provide his or her own instrument. The following information is provided for the instrumental purchase or rental:

Falcetti

1755 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01129

Phone: 413.543.1002

Gerry’s Music Store

80 Lamb St

S.Hadley

Phone: 413. 534.7402

www.gerrys-music.com

Flexible rent program for students involved in the music

17 private teachers available Monday through Saturday

For some instruments rent is available through the school. The student must contact the Band Director and sign the contract for instrumental rental. Students who rent their instruments through the school ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PURCHASE OF THEIR OWN REEDS, MOUTHPIECES, MALLETS, DRUMSTICKS, etc. Students must maintain the best care of rental instruments.

STUDENTS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED TO STUDY PRIVATELY. PRIVATE LESSONS WILL INCREASE THE STUDENT’S TECHNICAL ABILITY AND MUSICAL AWARENESS. LESSONS ARE OFFERED AT THE MUSIC STORE LISTED ABOVE AND PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY IN PRIVATE INSTRUCTION.

Band Member & Color Guard
 Rehearsal and Performance Responsibilities

l      Attendance is a NECESSARY and MANDATORY part of band. Students are expected to be at all rehearsals and performances on time and ready to begin at the designated start time for an individual activity.

l      All members are required to attend band rehearsals every Thursday from 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM. Any changes in rehearsals schedule will be announced.

l      Students are required to have the following material at all rehearsals: instrument, music, pencil, reeds, mouthpieces, oil, etc. Even if the drill and music are memorized, students must carry all materials to ensure good rehearsal procedure.

l      Students must dress appropriately for marching rehearsals. Comfortable sneakers and SOCKS should be worn. To avoid injury do not wear sandals or shoes with heels. Proper marching technique requires that flat shoes be worn. Protect yourself from blisters on your feet by wearing socks. As the weather gets colder, prepare accordingly: warm gloves, hats, etc  

l      Students must remain with the band all the time. Students must travel to and from performances on the bus. Parents who would  like to dismiss their children from the performance site must fill the permission slip and give it to Mr. Raymond at least one week prior the performance.

l      Dismissal from football games occurs only after the game has been completed and is done as a band, not individually.

For Safety and liability concerns:

l      1. Students are not permitted to leave rehearsal early.

l      2. Students are not permitted to leave the rehearsal site, even during breaks.

l      3. Students are not permitted to have friends or visitors at rehearsals.

                              VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

l       ALL SCHEDULING CONFLICTS INVOLVING BAND EVENTS (BOTH REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES) MUST BE BROUGHT TO MR. RAYMOND ATTENTION AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE CONFLICT. PLEASE MAKE ALL EFFORTS TO AVOID THE CONFLICTS.

BAND CAMP, MARCHING BAND

All Band and Color Guard members are required to attend all scheduled band camp dates.

l      Band Camp will take place at CCHS. The dates and time schedule will be mailed to you after you sign up for the band program.

l      All Band and Color Guard members must submit  ONE copies of the following forms on the first day of Band Camp to Mr. Raymond:

                        1. Medical Form (provided below)

                        2. Student and Family Information Form (provided below)

l      Activities for Band Camp will include:

      Introduction, marching techniques, music rehearsals, marching basics, uniform distribution.

Marching Band uniform requirements:

l      *Black shoes (need to buy - $19.95)

l       Uniform

l      *Gloves (need to buy - $9.95 - $1.10)

*All stared items can be purchased at band camp – see Mr. Raymond

Uniform Procedure

l      Students will be assigned band uniform. Each student is responsible for his/her uniform and is expected to appropriately store and care for all uniform and uniform parts. Each student is responsible for dry cleaning of his/her uniform at least one time a year.

Medical History

l      All concert band, marching band, and color guard members must complete in details a Medical history form in order to participate in ANY band activity, including band camp, evening rehearsals, concert performances, parades. BAND and COLOR GUARD STUDENTS MUST HAVE A MEDICAL HISTORY ON FILE.  It is important that in case of emergency the staff can provide the care possible. Please complete two copies of the medical form and return no later than first day of camp to Ms. Borowiec. ( 1st copy is for Ms. Borowiec; 2nd copy is for Band Parents Organization)

l      Student who has not submitted a complete, up-to-date medical history will not be permitted to participate in band activities. Inability to participate because of non-complete medical history will result in appropriate grade deduction as indicated in the attendance contract.

CCHS BAND & COLOR GUARD ATTENDANCE POLICY

l      In order to ensure the CCHS Band & Color Guard best performances, attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory. Any conflicts with performances schedule must be brought to Ms. Borowiec attention at least two weeks before the conflict.  It is also important for students to be in time and ready (instrument, music, dressed appropriately, equipment) to begin a performance. In order to start on time the student must arrive at least 15min prior to rehearsal and 1 hour prior to performance. Any student not prepared to begin on time will be considered late.

“To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is unacceptable” G. Park, UMASS

PENALTIES  FOR  ATTENDANCE, DISCIPLINE and PERFORMANCE  VIOLATION

ATTENDANCE

l      Unexcused absence (or greater than 20min. late) to rehearsal will result in half of letter grade deduction.

l      Unexcused absence (or greater than 20min. late) to performance will result in one letter grade deduction.

l      The only acceptable excuses for missing rehearsals and performances are:

- Documented illness

•         Calendar religious holiday

•         Death in the family

DISCIPLINE

l      Inappropriate language – 10 push ups

l      Insubordination will result in one letter grade deduction off your term grade.

PERFORMANCE (in classroom; concert and marching performance)

l      OFF TASK will result in one letter grade deduction off your term grade.

GRADING

l      Band is a half of year course.

l      MID-TERM  GRADE

l      Performance and attendance – 70% ( see attendance policy)

l      Writing tests – 30%

l      FINAL  EXAM  GRADE

l      Final exam – concert performance  – 70%

l      Final Writing exam – 30% (test on Music Theory)

l      Please note:  Final exam is Winter concert in Fall semester and Spring concert in Spring semester. Students will not be able to make-up a concert performance. Any unexcused absence or tardy for a concert performance is the equivalent of a skipping the major part of the final exam.

AVERAGE GRADE

Mid-Term grade – 80%

Final Exam – 20%  

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

l      Parental involvement is critical for the success of the band program. All parents are encouraged to become active members of the Band Parents Organization. The main goals of the Band Parents Organization are:

•         Raise funds to support the band program

•          Encourage the  students in a supportive, positive way

•         Participate in all events

•         Fundraisers throughout the year require 100% participation from students and parents. Parents with specific talents or contacts that may enhance the band program are encouraged to discuss them with the band director or Band Parents Organization.

•         Parents are strongly encouraged to attend all performances and events in which the band participates.

Please feel free to support our band members.

 Cheer hard and loud for the CCHS Band.

•         * Parents are encouraged to wear blue and gold during parades.

Band Parents Organization

l      Band Parents Organization Meetings will be held the second Thursday of each month at 5:30pm at CCHS cafeteria.

l      Financial Responsibilities. Student Accounts and Fundraising credits.

            Fundraising is provided to minimize the out of pocket expenses for special events and trips.

l      The essential purpose of the fundraising credit system is to help students pay fees for major band activities including band camp, marching season, travel fees, field trips, band jacket purchase, color guard uniform purchase, and fees for any other organized competitions or events. Each band and color guard students will have a student’s account where his or her fundraising credits will be held. Students earn fundraising credits when they participate in fundraising events. Parents, who participate in fundraising events, raise credits for their children. It is strongly recommended that all students and their families participate in all of the fundraising activities of the Band Parents Organization

The following policy includes general rules regarding how fundraising credits may be applied:

l      BPO Credits will be applied to band camp, marching season, Band Day at UMASS, the annual band banquet, show sets for concerts or other events designated by the BPO.

l      Student credits will be applied to band trips, uniform expenses, or other events designated by BPO.

l      Carryover & Transfer. Students may carry forward unused credits from one year to the next. Unused credits of graduating seniors will be given up and recovered by the BPO. Unused credits of a student who leaved the band will be given up to the BPO. Credits may not be transferred from one student to another or from one family to another.

l      Band Parents Organization carries the financial responsibility regarding students’ personal accounts and BPO account. BPO is responsible for establishing any requirements for fundraising participation.

If you have any questions please contact Ms. Borowiec at CCHS during school hours:

CCHS Music Department

617 Montgomery St

Chicopee, MA, 01020

413-594-3534  

If you have any questions please contact Ms. Borowiec at CCHS during school hours:

CCHS Music Department

617 Montgomery St

Chicopee, MA, 01020

413-594-3534  

10/30/2007