Ellet High School

Band

Handbook

2008/2009

Rev. 4/11/08

Enclosed you will find information pertaining to the care and overall maintenance of the Ellet Band member.

Staff

Director – Mr. Grom

Assistant Director – Miss Jacobs

Color Guard Director – Mrs. Rousculp

Percussion Instructor – Patrick Wagner

Phone Numbers

Ellet Music Office – 330-794-4132

Ellet High School Main Office – 330-794-4120

Ellet Fax – 330-794-4130

Mr. Grom at Home – 330-836-1553

Course Offerings

Marching Band

The Ellet Marching Orangemen is one of the most visible performance organizations at Ellet High School . The group performs at Ellet football games and community events as well as OMEA and TOB sanctioned contests.

Rehearsals begin toward the end of July with a pre-camp rehearsal week. Band Camp is held in early August ending with a preview performance for families and friends. Rehearsals are held three days a week between camp and the start of school. Once school starts rehearsals are held on Mon. and Wed. after school.

All, instrumental, participants are required to be enrolled in Band A.

Concert Band

The Ellet Concert Band is a concert ensemble that performs all styles of band music and classical repertoire. The Concert Band performs approximately once per month at assemblies, evening concerts and OMEA sanctioned events. All members must be enrolled in Band A.

Jazz Ensemble

The Ellet High School Jazz Ensemble is the most highly awarded group at Ellet High School . The Ellet Jazz Ensemble has received numerous awards and trophies throughout the region with countless members receiving awards and scholarships.

The Ellet Jazz Ensemble performs throughout the Akron area as well as the rest of Ohio and Kentucky .

Members must be enrolled in Band A or Orchestra (bass players).

Color Guard

The Ellet Color Guard is an auxiliary offering of the Ellet Marching Band. The Color Guard provides visual interpretation of the music performed by the band through the use of flags, sabers and rifles.

The C.G. has the same rehearsal and performance schedule as the Ellet Marching Band.

Other Opportunities

Indoor Marching Percussion

The Ellet Indoor Percussion Line performs through the winter and spring semester. This group is primarily current percussion line members but may include others by audition. The drum line competes in MEPA sanctioned events throughout Ohio .

Winter Guard

The Ellet Winter Guard is a winter color guard performance group that performs and competes through the winter/spring semester. The group is primarily current color guard members but may include others by audition. The winter guard competes in MEPA sanctioned events throughout Ohio .

Solo/Ensemble Contest

The students may choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble contest. This contest is sanctioned by OMEA and offers the students an opportunity to perform a solo or small ensemble for an adjudicator. The music must be selected from a list. These are largely student run groups and involve a small fee.

See the director for details.

Scholastic Composers Contest

This event is sponsored by the Children's Concert Society. The students compose a piece of music based on a predetermined set of guidelines and submit it for evaluation by the composition staff at The University of Akron.

Student Leaders

President

The student president is elected by the students and serves as the student voice at all Band Booster meetings. This student is expected to coordinate all student activities and assist with fundraisers.

Secretary

The student secretary is responsible for all communications between the officers and the students.

Treasurer

The student treasurer handles all funds collected for student events. This officer is also expected to assist with fundraisers.

Field Commander

The field commander is the student leader/conductor for the marching band. The field commander conducts performances and assists with rehearsals. The field commander also coordinates the music performed from the stands and at pep assemblies.

Auditions are held in May and the student is required to attend a leadership camp.

Attitude and Demeanor

Members of the Ellet Band program are expected to always conduct themselves with Pride, Class and Dignity. All students represent Ellet High School , The City of Akron, their Parents and most importantly the Band. The conduct of the students, staff and parents should always reflect themselves and Ellet in the best possible light.

P erform and rehearse to the best of your ability at all times.

R espect others and their property.

I nquire about what you can do to make the band its best.

D emonstrate respect for all chaperones and instructors.

E levate yourself to excellence.

Student Awards

The following awards can be earned by the students and are awarded during the spring banquet.

Special Awards

Special awards can be earned by students who exhibit a high level of musicianship, dedication and honor. These students demonstrate a selfless pursuit of excellence having a clear positive impact on the other students.

Senior Awards

John Philip Sousa Award

Named for the great band leader/composer John Phillip Sousa, this award is presented to the senior who demonstrates the highest level of musicianship, scholarship and diligence through their participation in the band. It is awarded only when a student meets the standards established by John Phillip Sousa and is nationally recognized as the highest honor bestowed upon a band student.

Louis Armstrong Award

Named for the great jazz innovator Louis Armstrong, this award is given to the jazz student who lives up to the standards established by Louis Armstrong. The student receiving this award is one who embraces improvisation and the contribution of others to jazz music.

Regardless of Class

Outstanding Musicianship

This award is given, regardless of class, to the student who demonstrates great leadership and musical growth throughout the school year.

Band Service Awards

Service Bars

Service bars are awarded to middle school students who participated in marching band.

Letter

A band letter is awarded to all students who satisfactorily complete their 1 st year of band/color guard.

Pin

A pin is awarded to all students who satisfactorily complete their 2 nd year of band/color guard.

Medal

A medal is awarded to all students who satisfactorily complete their 3 rd year of band/color guard.

Senior Award

Seniors receive a framed certificate in recognition of their service and leadership as a member of the band/color guard.

Summer Rehearsal

Pre-camp

Pre-camp is held the week before band camp. The focus of pre-camp is on fundamentals and music. Pre-camp is held at Ellet and runs from Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm .

Pre-camp is required although accommodations are made for those completing summer school.

Band Camp

Band camp is held the first week of August. Band camp is held at Ellet High School , Sunday – Saturday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm .

At band camp we focus on marching fundamentals, learning the marching drill and coordinating the drill with the music.

In addition to rehearsals we have activities to encourage team work and pride. The week ends with a preview performance for family and friends.

Post-camp

Our post camp rehearsals are held three days a week from 8:00am-3:00pm between camp and the start of school.

After School Practices

Once school begins the entire band holds full rehearsals every Monday and Wednesday 3:30pm-5:30pm .

All rehearsals are required and graded. Accommodations are made for Athletes. All band/color guard members participating in band and athletics must communicate clearly about schedules with all coaches and directors.

Performances

Participation in all performances is mandatory and graded.

Performance Attire

Marching Band

Full Uniform : Hat, plume, jacket, trousers, black socks, and marching shoes. Musicians are without make-up and jewelry. Hair must be concealed in the hat.

Summer Uniform : Band polo, navy shorts (mid thigh, no designs or patterns), white socks and white marching shoes.

Concert Band

Concert Attire :

Men - White collared dress shirt, tie, black dress pants, black socks and black shoes. No athletic or casual shoes and no white socks.

Ladies – all white top, long black skirt or black dress pants and black shoes. No short skirts/shirts, front lace or low rise pants.

Dress Up :

Men – Dress shirt, tie, dress pants, dress shoes and dress socks. No denim, carpenter pants, pants with buckles, straps, chains or pants that droop. No athletic shoes.

Ladies – Dresses, skirts, dress pants, blouses and dress tops. No athletic shoes or denim. Your coverage should be such that you are able to play your instrument appropriately and move equipment without having wardrobe failure.

Jazz Ensemble

Use the dress up policy.

Fund Raisers

There are fund raisers throughout the year in which all band/color guard members are required to participate. These fund raisers generate the monies that fund all aspects of the band program (music, transportation, equipment, instruments etc.). Below you will find a partial listing of the bands annual fund raisers.

Tag Day

Craft Show

Fruit Sale

Candy Sale

Bingo

Spaghetti Dinner

These fund raisers are organized by the Ellet Band Boosters Inc. and are assisted by the student officers.

Instrument Rental

All students playing instruments owned by APS or the Band Boosters are required to pay an Instrument Rental fee. The fee is $15 per semester. Monies will paid to the Ellet Band Boosters Inc. and the boosters will then forward the appropriate funds to APS.

Please find the rental form in the forms portion of the handbook.

FORMS

Band Schedule

Tentative

Rev. 4/18/07

July

August

September

October

More dates for the year will follow. Please watch and listen for more dates and times.

Band Camp

2008

General Outline

Sunday

Get to know you and rehearsal 1:00pm – 4:00pm .

March to Community Center and Cook Out on patio 4:30 – 6:00

Bowling at Eastgate lanes 7:00 – 9:00pm .

Pick–up students at Eastgate after 9:00pm .

Monday – Thursday

Rehearsal from 8:00 am – Noon .

Lunch Noon – 1:00pm

Rehearsal 1:00 – 5:00pm

Friday

Rehearsal 8:00 am – Noon ; Lunch Noon – 1:00 ; Rehearsal 1:00 – 5:00

Dinner 5:00 – 6:00 pm .

Rehearsal from 6:00 – TBA.

Skit night 10:00 – 11:00 pm .

Lock-In students will sleep in gyms. Bring sleeping bags.

Breakfast 7:00 – 8:00 am .

Rehearsal 9:00 – Noon .

Lunch Noon – 1:00.

Rehearsal 1:00 – 3:00 .

Break and Tailgate Party 3:00 – 5:00 pm .

5:00 pm Preview in Stadium.

This is the plan for band camp this year. The details will continue to develop through the spring and summer. Please stay tuned for the final plan.

Band Grading Policy

Musicianship 50%

Tone 10

Pitch 10

Rhythm 10

Articulation 10

Phrasing/Dynamics 10

Participation 25%

Practice Records/After School Practice 12.5

In Class Participation 12.5

Performance Attendance 25