Concert Season

During Concert Season, we are able to set marching aside and put our focus squarely on the music. Event dates will be posted in Charms.

CONCERT ENSEMBLES

Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble performs music of the highest degree of difficulty. Performances will include a holiday concert, UIL Contest, one or more invitational festivals, two or more spring concerts, and special events. Each student is required to have a 90-minute individual section rehearsal once a week along with an extra full woodwind/brass/percussion section rehearsal. Schedules for these rehearsals will be determined by the students democratically at the end of marching season. In addition, extra rehearsals and clinics are scheduled during the spring competition time. You will be given a complete calendar in December for all spring events. Wind Ensemble members must do everything possible not to miss any rehearsal during the year. There will be a special Wind Ensemble commitment letter to sign in addition to this Handbook before becoming a member.

Wind Symphony

Wind Symphony is the second ranked band. The band attends all UIL music competitions. The band rehearses during the regular school day and each member is required to attend a 60 minute individual section rehearsal and 15-minute individual listening each week outside of the school day. You will be given a complete calendar in December for all spring events. Other rehearsals and clinics will be scheduled as needed. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory.

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is the third ranked band. The band attends all UIL music competitions. The band rehearses during the regular school day and each member is required to attend a 60 minute individual section rehearsal and 15-minute individual listening each week outside of the school day. You will be given a complete calendar in December for all spring events. Other rehearsals and clinics will be scheduled as needed. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory.

Concert Band

The Concert Band is the fourth ranked band. The band attends all UIL music competitions. The band rehearses during the regular school day and each member is required to attend a 60 minute individual section rehearsal each week. You will be given a complete calendar in December for all spring events. Other rehearsals and clinics will be scheduled as needed. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory.

REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Each of the concert ensembles will perform at various times throughout the year. Students are required to participate in all rehearsals and performances. Unexcused absences will result in a grade of zero and possible student removal from the organization. (See general attendance policies.) Performances of the concert ensembles will include but are not limited to the following:

Winter Concert
Pre-UIL Concert
UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest
Band Festival (Spring Trip, subject to pandemic conditions)
Spring Concert

Extra Full Band Rehearsal – Section Rehearsals – Listenings

Students will have weekly section rehearsals for fundamentals of instrumental technique, region music preparation, solo and ensemble preparation, and UIL Contest. Section rehearsals will begin after marching season and will be held the rest of school year. All students in the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band will have a weekly out of school band rehearsal in the spring. This is due to the length of the music of the contest programs. These rehearsals are mandatory and essential. Listenings are 15-minute slots for students to come in and pass off music including solos and UIL contest music. The syllabus will detail when these will take place and how often.

CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES

Concerts and performances are frequent with all bands. Students should consult their band calendar for dates and times. Periodically, the schedule will change, and updates will be sent home. Concerts are considered to have three parts: warm-up, performance, and listening. The concert begins for the student at the warm-up time. A concert concludes when the last group concludes, and directors have given permission for students to be dismissed. A general report time will be given for all students to don the uniform.

All concerts are a group effort thus attendance is required.
All concerts are an extension of the classroom and will be graded accordingly.
Students should be punctual and prepared for each performance.
In the event a performance causes a student to miss another class, the student is responsible to make up all missed work in a timely manner.
The appropriate dress for all concerts will be the dress uniform.

Concert Etiquette

Avoid entering or leaving during a performance.
Do not move once a performance has begun.
Applause is welcome but whistling or cheering or calling out of names is considered inappropriate for a formal concert.
Talking should be avoided during a performance.
Attention should be directed to the performers.
After performing, students must stay in the concert uniform. Boys may remove the bowtie but must wear the coat in an appropriate manner.

REGION BAND GUIDELINES

Any student who wishes to advance in the TMEA All-State process will be allowed to do so. This will be covered in class.

CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION

All band members in the band program will prepare and perform a solo for a grade.
All members in the program will go to solo and ensemble contest.
Grades will be issued for preparation and participation in the Solo and Ensemble process.
Students must use an approved accompanist and pay for it.

CONCERT SEASON ATTENDANCE

Attendance from members is essential to have and maintain high quality concert ensembles. The Band is dependent on ALL members. Unlike most other classes where individuals are accountable only for their own success or failure, band student’s success is, in a large part, dependent on the full participation of all the members. The following attendance policies will affect the student’s grades and chance to participate:

All absences from rehearsals must be made up regardless of the reason for absence. Makeups must be completed by the end of the grading period.
An unexcused absence from a rehearsal or performance may result in the removal of a student to a lower band.

ELIGIBILITY

Most of the work our students do outside of marching is considered curricular and NOT SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY. Free concerts, section rehearsals, concert rehearsals, and private lessons are all considered curricular. Events that are considered Extra-Curricular include:

Any event with paid admission
Any event that is inter-school competitive

Should a band student become ineligible for extra-curricular functions, he/she will still be eligible for curricular functions. Ineligible students will be given alternate assignments during contest preparation time.