Marching Band at Tallwood High School will be a part of the student’s overall first semester grade. All Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble members will be required to march. Those students who do not wish to march may participate in the Concert Band and will have multiple assignments as the marching portion of their grade.

A student may be exempt from Marching Band if they are playing on a fall Varsity Sports team at Tallwood High School or are enrolled in at least 4 Advance Placement classes. These are the only two exemptions from the Marching Lions.

It is however possible to make everything work. There are students in the Marching Lions who are currently playing a varsity sport at Tallwood and taking 4 AP classes. The Director of Bands and the coaching staff at Tallwood will work together so that all students can participate in their respected activites. It is the student’s responsibilty to work out a rehearsal/practice schedule with both the Director of Bands and the coach. Once a student makes the choice of participating in the Marching Lions, they will be treated just like every other member and will be graded as such.

The attendance policy for the Marching Band is quite simple. All rehearsals, performances, and activities listed in the calendar are MANDATORY. When joining the Marching Band, you accept the rehearsal/performance calendar as your personal responsibility. Realize that successful performances can only be achieved through effective rehearsals. Absences from rehearsals have a significant effect on the band’s ability to progress. Since we must perform as a complete group, it is imperative we rehearse as one.

After school rehearsals are held on Tuesday from 2:30-5:30pm and on Thursdays from 5:00pm to 8:00pm unless otherwise specified. The Percussion Section and Color Guard will rehearse on Mondays, after school from 2:15-4:00pm, in addition to regular rehearsal. This year, the Color Guard and percussion musicians will have several rehearsals scheduled separately. Please consult the calendar for exact rehearsal times.

Saturday rehearsals will be held on occasion, scheduled by the Director.

All of these rehearsals are MANDATORY and the following guidelines apply:

Preparation

You are required to be prepared for each rehearsal so that rehearsals may begin on time. That means that you are on the field with your instrument, music, pencil, drill, and other necessary materials, ready to start. Section leaders will begin warm ups ten minutes before rehearsal is scheduled to begin.

Absences

An absence from rehearsal occurs when a student misses a complete rehearsal or when he or she is more than thirty minutes late. Excused absences from rehearsal are limited to the following:

• Personal illness which confines you at home (excused absence from school)
• Death in the family
• Religious holidays (please notify the Band Director in advance)
• Other prearranged absences approved by the Band Director (written notice is required at least two weeks in advance, this includes any sports-related absences).

Unexcused absences include reasons not listed above. Remember that you have regularly scheduled rehearsals which have been given to you in advance. Please make sure to take care of any personal business/appointments on days in which rehearsal is not scheduled. Work and/or Doctor Appointments are not excused.

Tardiness

Unexcused tardiness to rehearsal will not be tolerated. Thursday’s rehearsal is scheduled later during the evening so that all students can take care of any academic responsibilities after school. The schedule is sent out early and in advance so that all personal business can be tended to on days there is not a Marching Band activity.

If you believe that a conflict is unavoidable, see the Director as far in advance as possible. Often times, options can be worked out with other teachers that will make it unnecessary to miss Marching Band rehearsal. (i.e. Driver Ed meetings…with advance notice are always flexible for athletes and band members.)

Unexcused absences and tardiness will result in disciplinary action.

• Unexcused tardiness first offense: Student conference with Band Director and 15 points off total participation grade.
• Second offense: Phone call to parent and 15 points off total participation grade.
• Third offense: Suspension from one performance, DETENSION AFTER SCHOOL,15 points off total participation grade, and no higher than a B in class.

Subsequent offenses will be dealt with accordingly, and may lead to expulsion from the group and 69/E in class:

• Unexcused absence first offense: Student conference with Band Director, phone call to parent and 15 points off participation grade.
• Second offense: Suspension from one performance, 15 points off participation grade and no higher than a B in class.
• Third offense: Expulsion from the group and a grade of an 69/E in class.

If you miss a rehearsal for any reason, the staff reserves the right to prohibit you from marching in the next performance, if they feel that you are not adequately prepared. Several missed rehearsals may result in your expulsion from the group and failure in the class.

Communication

Communication of absences must be done directly through the Band Director only! For example, you cannot tell someone to tell the Director that you will be absent. Even if the reason is legitimate, this will be considered an unexcused absence. The communication must be made in person from student to Director and all advance absence requests must be provided in writing from a parent. If you are sick at home, it is helpful if you or your parent call in to notify the Director that you will not be present at rehearsal. The Band Office phone number is 648-5700×58743. Absences due to illness must be followed up with a note from home confirming the validity of the absence.

The success of the Tallwood High School Marching Lions is dependent upon the dedication and attendance of all members of the group. Rehearsal absences and tardiness have a significant effect on the band’s ability to progress. The attendance policy, as stated in the Band Handbook, is aimed at providing a positive working and learning environment for all students in order to attain the highest level of achievement and performance.