CDO Band Handbook 2015-2016 Excellence Dedication Passion Pride Family Mr. Daniel Bitter Band and Guitar Canyon del Oro High School 25 W. Calle Concordia Tucson, AZ, 85704 520-696-5616 dbitter@amphi.com Goals: Students enrolled in the Canyon del Oro Band program will learn valuable musical skills through the rehearsal and performance of music, as well as through listening to, writing about, and analysing music. Student Conduct: Since band is a highly visible extension of Amphitheater Public Schools, all school rules and policies are in effect during band events. We are a unique organization that exists as both an academic subject and a competitive team. As such, we will strictly adhere to all district policies outlined in the CDO Handbook for Students and Parents. In addition, CDO band students are representatives of the band program, CDO High School, and the city of Tucson. Students are expected to behave in a manner that reflects the high standards of character associated with those communities.
General Rules and Policies: Respect school and personal property. Much of the equipment used during marching band is very expensive. Students are liable for any damage, caused intentionally or through negligence, to the equipment of the school or of other students. Uniforms: Respect facilities Proper care of CDO facilities and facilities is which we are guests is essential. Always leave the space cleaner than when you entered. Wear appropriate clothing to all rehearsals Any rehearsal may include physical activity, so students should dress in clothing that allows for comfortable movement and a decent body temperature. This includes closed-toed shoes. Electronics Cell phones and other electronics should be turned off at the beginning of each rehearsal and all events. Uniforms are an essential piece of equipment to our marching performances. They are also expensive and time consuming to repair and replace. Detailed uniform procedures will be outlined during the marching season. Students are expected to keep their uniforms in good repair in the garment bag, and not to store any other items in the garment bag with the uniform. This includes shoes and gloves. Instruments: Students are expected to keep instruments in functioning working condition. That includes keeping on hand all required materials for the instrument to work: Valve oil, reeds, sticks, mallets, etc. If an instrument breaks and requires repair, repairs are to be taken care of in a timely manner. Attendance Requirements: Each evening rehearsal, class period, football game, and marching festival is a graded assignment. Students are expected to be ready for instruction at the specified call time. This means arriving early enough to allow adequate time to prepare and be ready to participate at that call time.
For daily 1st period rehearsals, students are expected to be in the band room by the bell. Students should read the board for instructions, then head to the rehearsal location and be ready to participate by the designated start time. Students who are not ready to participate at the designated time will be marked tardy. Absences: For evening rehearsals, students are expected to be ready to participate with all of the required materials by the designated start time. Students who are not ready to participate at the designated time will be marked tardy. At every rehearsal and performance, students will need their drillbook, flip book, instrument, water, closed toed shoes, and a pencil. These materials are required for all band rehearsals and performances. Late arrival will result in points deducted. Attached is a printed calendar with all of the dates for the season. All absences require completion of an absence form, detailed below. An excused absence from an event will result in an alternate assignment. Rehearsal Absences: Absence from a scheduled rehearsal requires the completion of a Rehearsal Absence Request Form no later than 24 hours before the rehearsal. Any absences submitted after this deadline will not be excused. Performance Absences: Absence from a scheduled performance (football game, competition, parade, etc.) requires the completion of a Performance Absence Request Form no later than two weeks before the performance. Absences submitted after this deadline will not be excused. (Absence requests for the first two performances of the 2015 season will continue to be accepted until August 21) Emergency Absences: Any emergency that arises does not require the completion of an absence request form. All emergency absences may be exempt from the normal rules, and should be handled directly through Mr. Bitter. If an emergency arises that requires a student be absent from a rehearsal or performance, that student should contact Mr. Bitter immediately. Unexcused Absences: All non-emergency related absences that do not have the required form will be counted as unexcused. Unexcused absences will result in a zero. Sports It is understood and encouraged that students should be well-rounded and may also participate in other activities that conflict with rehearsal times. Any student involved in a sport or activity that will cause consistent attendance/participation issues should contact Mr. Bitter at the beginning of the season.
Media Policy: Through the course of the school year the band program will collect various forms of media- this includes photographs as well as video and audio recordings. For the sake of sharing the musical accomplishments of our students and increasing contact with the community, the band program would like to be able to share photos of students involved in the music-making process or other band activities. These will be shared in school publications, community newsletters, as well as via social media. Grading: All grades will fall into several categories: Participation, Playing Tests, Written Tests, Rehearsal Attendance, In Class Assignments, Homework, Performance Attendance. Participation- Students missing required materials or otherwise unable to effectively make and learn music in class on a daily basis will lose participation points. Playing Tests- Students will be notified at least 1 week in advance of playing tests. If a student wishes to improve their grade on a playing test, they may contact Mr. Bitter to schedule a make-up time. Written Tests - Written tests will cover concepts taught in class, and may be given periodically. Homework- Homework assignments may include listening to recordings, getting paperwork signed, etc. Assignments completed late will result in loss of points. Performance Attendance - Performance attendance is the most heavily weighted of all the categories. Learning and rehearsing all work towards great performances. Additionally, the entire group relies on each member to perform, so absence from performances will impact grades heavily.
Marching Band Dates 2015 All dates are required and can be found at doradobands.wordpress.com Tuesday Night Rehearsals (6:00pm-9:00pm) August: 4, 11, 18, 25 September: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 October: 6, 20, 27 November: 3, 10 Thursday Afternoon Sectionals for Percussion and Guard Only (4:00pm-6:00pm) August: 13, 20, 27 September: 3, 10, 17, 24 October: 1, 8, 22, 29 November: 5, 12 Friday Evening Rehearsal during Fall Break (6:00pm-9:00pm) October: 16 Football Games (Times vary) Home: Sep. 18, Sep. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 23 Away: Aug. 28, Sep. 4, Sep. 11, Oct. 30 Competitions (All Day) NAU Band Day: Oct. 9, 10 UA Band Day: Oct. 17 Ironwood Ridge Invitational: Oct. 24 State Festival: Nov. 7 State Championships: Nov. 14 Final Performance and Last Day of Marching Band (6:00pm-8:00pm) Parent Show: Nov. 17
Handbook Agreement I have read all the policies as outlined in the 2015-2016 CDO Band Handbook and agree to follow all rules and policies of the CDO Band. I have read and understand the Absences portion of band handbook, and understand the deadlines and procedures for requesting absences. I understand that attendance is mandatory at all CDO Band rehearsals and performances as listed in the band calendar, and that absences must be approved by Mr. Bitter within the appropriate timeframe. Student Name: Student Signature: Date: Parent Name: Parent Signature: Date:
Band Shoe, Glove and Shirt order form Students who don t already own a pair of black marching band shoes are required to own a pair. Shoe Cost: $22 Students who don t play percussion are required to purchase two pair of black marching band gloves. Sizes are Small, Medium, and Large check with someone older about what size of glove you should order. Glove Cost: $4 All students are required to have 1 current CDO Band show shirt. Students are advised to purchase two. Additional shirts will be available for purchase for family/friends who want to have a 2015 2016 Impressions of the Southwest shirt. Shirt cost: $8 per shirt If you are not ordering shoes, leave shoe size blank. If you do not need gloves, leave glove size blank. Write the number of shirts that you need next to the size that you need. IE: if you want two medium shirts for yourself and one large for a parent, write the number 2 next the M and the number 1 next to L. Student Name: Student Grade: Shoe Size: Shirt: XS: Male Size Female Size S: Glove Size: M: L: XL: 2x: Total Cost of Shoes, Gloves, Shirts: Total: Make Checks Payable to CDO Band Boosters
Performance Absence Request Form Name: Date Submitted: I am requesting to be excused from on the following date. Reason for requesting this excused absence: Student Signature Parent Signature This form must be returned to Mr. Bitter two weeks in advance in order to be excused from any performance. Rehearsal Excuse Form Name: Date Submitted: I am requesting to be excused from on the following date. Reason for requesting this excused absence: Student Signature Parent Signature This form must be turned in to Mr. Bitter 24 hours in advance in order to be excused from any rehearsal.