Because the success of an ensemble depends on the work and dedication of each and every member, we will establish the following principles in order to maintain discipline and achieve a level of quality that will reflect positively on every member of the ensemble, the music program as a whole, as well as the Clarksville school community.
Arrival at Rehearsal
General Ensemble Rehearsal Policies
Night Rehearsals
Sectional Procedures
Each week all students enrolled in band will have a "sectional" or homogeneously grouped small rehearsal. These rehearsals will be a pull-out from a different class, rotating each week for five weeks. This rotation is designed so that students do not miss more than 2 classes from each subject per quarter. This means less than 5% of their instruction will be affected by attending sectionals.
The sectional schedule is posted on the calendar of this website, on the band room door (white board calendar), and provided at the beginning of each year in paper format. Students are responsible for attending their sectional without being reminded. If a student is in school and forgets to attend sectionals, they will automatically be moved to the lowest chair in their given part. For example, if first chair trumpet misses a sectional, he or she will be moved down to the lowest chair of trumpet playing 1st part.
Sectional Procedures
To be considered fully prepared for sectionals, students need to have:
Grading for sectionals will be as follows:
Helpful Suggestions
When Sectionals Conflict with a Test....
When sectionals conflict with a test, you are still required to be at sectionals. Both Mr. Boggs/Flinchbaugh, your classroom teachers, and I have created a way for you to attend your sectional, but still make-up the test without a penalty from your other teachers.
If a test is scheduled for the same period as your sectional, please notify both your classroom teacher and me at least 2 days in advance. On the day with the conflict, you will be allowed to miss your normal, daily band class (periods 3, 9, or 10) to go make-up the test. You will are still required to attend the sectional. In addition to this solution, some classroom teachers allow you to make-up tests before/after school, during lunch, or 8th period study halls. Conflicts do occasionally happen. Please be responsible by communicating with your teachers. We will help you find a solution!!
Arrival at Rehearsal
- Arrive at rehearsals on time with everything you will need. This includes, but is not limited to, your instrument and all Band music, a sharpened pencil, and all necessary accessories (such as mutes, reeds, oils, and so on).
- Take responsibility to get your instrument out and ready to play, adjust your chair and stand so that you can see the director, and put your music in order as soon as possible after entering the band room.
- Do not eat, drink, or chew gum while you are in rehearsal.
- No cell phone / iPod use during rehearsals at all.
- Sit or stand as appropriate with good playing position at all times.
- Do not talk or play while the conductor is on the podium. At all.
- When the conductor raises the baton, instruments should be raised to playing position.
- Stop immediately after a cut off and listen attentively for directions.
- Play at your absolute best at all times.
- At the end of rehearsal, clean your area so that it is cleaner and neater than before you arrived, pack up your instrument and music, and arrive at your next class on time.
- Make sure that your chair is neatly in the arch that it is supposed to be.
- Pack your instrument quickly and safely.
- Put your instrument back into a cubby and all music next to your instrument.
General Ensemble Rehearsal Policies
- Do not touch any instrument other than your own unless instructed to do so.
- Have a lesson book and/or fingering chart at every rehearsal. Students are expected to purchase and have the appropriate method book
- Make sure that your name is on your instrument case and music at all times. Students will be required to have a name tag on their instrument (or the school instrument that they are using). Percussionists must have a name tag on their Stick Bag at all times.
- Have a pencil (not a pen!) at every rehearsal.
- Prepare for each rehearsal. Make sure that your instrument is in working order and that you have your music -- and have it prepared!
- Your instrument and music must go home every day so that you may practice.
Night Rehearsals
- We will have occasional after-school or night rehearsals before concerts and/or festivals.
- Each and every rehearsal will be announced far in advance in writing.
- After-school or night rehearsals will usually run from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. In order for the ensemble to be fully prepared and to perform at a high level, attendance is required at all after-school and night rehearsals.
- Students must be picked up within 15 minutes from the scheduled end of a rehearsal.
Sectional Procedures
Each week all students enrolled in band will have a "sectional" or homogeneously grouped small rehearsal. These rehearsals will be a pull-out from a different class, rotating each week for five weeks. This rotation is designed so that students do not miss more than 2 classes from each subject per quarter. This means less than 5% of their instruction will be affected by attending sectionals.
The sectional schedule is posted on the calendar of this website, on the band room door (white board calendar), and provided at the beginning of each year in paper format. Students are responsible for attending their sectional without being reminded. If a student is in school and forgets to attend sectionals, they will automatically be moved to the lowest chair in their given part. For example, if first chair trumpet misses a sectional, he or she will be moved down to the lowest chair of trumpet playing 1st part.
Sectional Procedures
- Arrive within the first 10 minutes of the period after you have checked in with your teacher. On minute 11, you are considered late.
- When you arrive in the band room, quietly enter, unpack, get your music out and ready to go.
- Begin warming up softly and playing through scales. You may also practice sections of your music softly.
- After sectionals, pack up quickly and straighten your area. Your area should always be neater and straighter than when you arrived.
To be considered fully prepared for sectionals, students need to have:
- Instrument
- All accessories needed to play instrument
- Book(s)
- Concert Music
- Tuner/metronome
- Pencil
Grading for sectionals will be as follows:
- 3 - On time and fully prepared
- 2 - Late but fully prepared
- 1 - Not prepared
- 0 - Unexcused absence
Helpful Suggestions
- To more easily remember your sectionals, take the time at the beginning of the school year to write your sectional schedule throughout your agenda book. This way, you will see it every morning in homeroom and it will remind you of what day/time to be in the band room for sectionals.
- Post your sectional schedule inside your locker.
- Check the homepage of this website. The sectional schedule is located toward the bottom of the page.
- Set yourself a reminder on your electronic device. Even though you can't use them during the school day (other than at lunch), it will help you remember your schedule.
- When you drop off your instrument in the morning, check the dry erase calendar on the band room door. This calendar has the period number and sectional letter on the appropriate day of the week.
- Remind your friends: if you see a student who is in your sectional, remind them that you have sectionals that day and what period it is at. No, it's not your responsibility to remind friends but yes, it is a nice thing to do.
When Sectionals Conflict with a Test....
When sectionals conflict with a test, you are still required to be at sectionals. Both Mr. Boggs/Flinchbaugh, your classroom teachers, and I have created a way for you to attend your sectional, but still make-up the test without a penalty from your other teachers.
If a test is scheduled for the same period as your sectional, please notify both your classroom teacher and me at least 2 days in advance. On the day with the conflict, you will be allowed to miss your normal, daily band class (periods 3, 9, or 10) to go make-up the test. You will are still required to attend the sectional. In addition to this solution, some classroom teachers allow you to make-up tests before/after school, during lunch, or 8th period study halls. Conflicts do occasionally happen. Please be responsible by communicating with your teachers. We will help you find a solution!!