New London High School Band

(1) Ensembles

Enrollment in band at New London High School gives students the opportunity to learn, perform and experience many types of music at various different functions. Students enrolled in the band or percussion program for academic credit are required to perform with both the Marching Band and Concert Band. Marching Band runs August through November, in November it turns into concert band. Band Camp will run the week prior to the first day of school and is mandatory

The band program exists for the following purposes:

To represent, symbolize and advance the public image of NLHS and its community.
To provide a venue for students wanting to continue developing their musical skills.
To share the love of music and music making.
To actively work at building school spirit in the NLHS community.

NLHS Marching Band (band and percussion)

The marching band and color guard perform:

at home football games
at various marching band competitions
at selected local parades

Rehearsals for marching band take place during class and after school Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 2:30 to 4:30. If other rehearsals will be needed, they will be announced as early as possible.

Marching Band Instructional Staff

The director selects the student instructional staff of Drum Major(s), Head Drill Instructor and section leaders. Any student may see the director if he or she is interested in a position on the instructional staff. The assignment of these positions is based on the following qualities: leadership, musical knowledge, maturity, work ethic, reliability, attitude and responsibility. These positions will be assigned in the Spring of the previous year. Instructional staff positions are on a constant provisional basis; failure to do the job will result in removal and reappointment of the position.

Drum Major (DM) – The DM is the musical and spiritual leader of the band, not just the conductor at performances. The DM is in charge of the band’s function and operation at rehearsals and performances when not under the direct control of the director. As a student leader the DM is expected to lead by example, this includes working to foster a positive environment, striving for excellence and learning all music and drills.

Head Drill Instructor (HDI) – The HDI is responsible for ensuring a consistent and cohesive instruction of band members in their basic marching skills and continued refinement. The HDI acts as a liaison between the Section Leaders and the director in working to teach and improve the drill. As a student leader the HDI is to lead by example as well as actively correct any issues getting in the way of instruction.

Section Leaders (SL) – The SLs are in charge of the musical and marching performance of their section. They manage operation, communication and cooperation on a daily basis - acting as liaison between the director, DM and HDI. The DI is also the section leader.

Conduct Guidelines

As a member of the NLHS Marching Band, it is always our responsibility to represent the band in a professional and respectable manner. The following guidelines have been established for this purpose. Respect for the band will often dictate proper conduct.

The uniform is to be worn correctly at all times. It is the individuals responsibility to adhere to this policy. We are either in full uniform or waist uniform.
No swearing or obscene gestures will be made. No running in uniform.
Never leave any part of your uniform or instrument unattended.
While in uniform our focus is always performance.
We will respect our competitors and watch them perform, if possible.
At rehearsals and performances play only when asked to do so by the Director or DM.

Uniforms

Marching Band uniforms are kept in the small ensemble room at all times. Students should dress at the school in the dressing rooms, unless otherwise instructed. Students are responsible for all items included in their uniform.

Marching Band Uniform:

School issue Black band pants, Green short coat- Gold sash, hat and plume

Student purchase Black marching shoes, Black socks

Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble

The Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble perform:

Formal concerts.
School assemblies.
Graduation (Regular and Adult Ed.)
National Honor Society assembly.
Community outreach programs. Parades.
For elementary and middle schools.

Rehearsals for concert band will occur during school hours after marching season has ended. Dress rehearsals will occur after school two weeks prior to a concert. The concert band will travel to a band festival in the Spring. Principal players of a section will be chosen by the director and are responsible for the musical development of the section - calling additional sectionals if necessary. Principals are chosen based on musicality, attitude and reliability.

Varsity Band

The varsity band performs: Schedule is TBA. Varsity band will perform at home basketball games during the basketball season and is dependent upon interest.

NLHS basketball games. School assemblies.

Small Ensembles

Small Ensembles are voluntary and perform at any or all concerts, school assemblies and various other community opportunities. Unlike the other ensembles, the students arrange, conduct and run the rehearsals. The director will provide music and supervision. Rehearsal times are by arrangement. Students in small ensembles receive extra credit.

(2) Procedures/Rules

Rehearsal Procedures

Rehearsal time is the most important part of the band experience. Because of the complexity of the various types of music, the diversity of the instruments and their specific problems, as well as a different personality for each student, it is imperative that there be specific guidelines that will insure efficient and productive rehearsals. Be Professional!

Promptness – Be on time! Be ready to play when the scheduled rehearsal time begins. Assemble your instrument prior to the starting time.
Preparation – Have your instrument, music and pencil. Read the chalkboard upon entering the band room. Place music in order.
Respect and Courtesy – Do not talk while the director is talking. Subdued talking is permitted with the director’s permission or when the director leaves the podium. Playing during rehearsal should only occur when directed to do so by the director. Questions should be initiated with a raised hand.
Neatness – Return your instrument and music to its proper location when the rehearsal is finished. Throw away trash in the wastebaskets. Percussion related stuff should be put away.
Cooperation – Be patient and understanding with your fellow band members, they are hopefully trying just as hard as you are.
Posture – Sit up while playing. It affects your attitude, breath support, tone quality and concentration.

Performance Procedures

Always report to the designated meeting place and time (rain or shine). If plans change you will get a phone call. If in doubt, call your section leader.
Uniforms, for Marching Band, will be stored at the school at all times. Students are asked to dress in the dressing rooms at the school. Socks and gloves should be brought home and washed, and then returned for the next performance.
The attire for Concert Band is all black. Black pants (or skirt) and black shirt (or blouse). No tie. Black shoes and socks.
Arrival time before a concert is generally 1 hour; use this time to warm up and tune.

Band Room / Class Procedures

Each student will be given a lockable cubby upon request.
Each student is responsible for keeping an orderly cubby.
Instrument and music must be locked in your cubby or in your possession.
The director, based upon a consistent level of musical skill, reliability and attitude, will determine part assignments.
Music must be returned at the end of the year.
Only use pencil to write on the music.
All pencil marks must be erased when handing in the music at the end of the year.
Reed players will be given 2 reeds any additional reeds can be purchased from the director for $1.

(3) ATTENDANCE

Band members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances (during and after school). Absences due to religious holidays or medical emergencies are acceptable and will be excused when accompanied by a note in advance and when the circumstances have been previously discussed with Mr. Morgan. All excuses MUST be in writing!! Excessive excused absences will be treated as unexcused absences (definition of excessive is at discretion of Director). To contact Mr. Morgan in the event of a sudden emergency, call him at 428-5666, or email at MorganS@newlondon.org

Each member of the NLHS Marching Band is unique and deserves 100% attention and direction. Missing a rehearsal or performance has a negative effect on the entire “band family”.

To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late is unacceptable.

Attendance Policy

I Performances:

A) Unexcused absence

An unexcused absence from a performance may result in failure for the marking period.

B) Excused absence

Extreme emergency, illness or religious observance – work is not an excused absence. Credit

for an excused absence from a performance can be made up with a paper or task to be

completed within one week of the missed performance, otherwise it will become an unexcused

absence. It is the responsibility of the student to follow through on make up work. The director

will select the paper’s topic and length.

C) Tardy

Unexcused tardies to a performance will result in deduction of term grade.

II Rehearsals:

A) Unexcused absence

An unexcused absence from a rehearsal will result in a letter grade deduction from the term

grade.

B) Excused absence

Extreme emergency, illness or religious observance – work is not an excused absence.

All material covered at the rehearsal is deemed important. The student should see their

section leaders for missed material and make an appointment with the director to

play it for a grade. Failure to do so within a week will result in an unexcused absence.

C) Tardy

Unexcused tardy to rehearsal will result in deduction of term grade.

(4) Grading

Quarterly Grading

Grading will be kept quarterly and is a separate issue from attendance. In other words, a student can earn a passing grade in all areas and fail the quarter with an unexcused absence. Any student earning a below a “C” grade for any quarter grade is subject to non-participation in any extra-curricular band activity (including the spring festival).

The bottom line: Work hard, be respectful of others, have a good attitude and improve.

The band grade is broken into the following 4 areas:

1) Performance (see Music Department Performance Rubric)

Tone Quality This is how mature your overall sound is and considered the most

important fundamental in serious musical performance. Practicing long tones will

improve tone quality.

Technique / Pitch Accuracy This is playing the right notes at the right time with clarity

and precision. Practice of scales, arpeggios and technical exercises improves technique.

Pitch accuracy includes intonation which is the ability to play in tune. An out of tune

performance can obscure all other aspects of musical playing. Therefore the

conscientious musician must strive to adjust the notes that are not in tune.

Rhythmic Accuracy/ Tempo Consistency This involves being able to play rhythmic

passages accurately and maintaining a steady tempo during a piece of music. Practicing

music while listening to a metronome will help improve tempo consistency.

Interpretation involves expression, dynamic contrast and proper phrasing. In the

communication of music it is important to perform with understanding and expression.

Solo literature and melodic etudes will improve interpretation

2) Attitude / Participation (see self assessment form)

Attitude, Discipline, Responsibility, Respect, Dependability, Preparation. Since each

of these is vital to the success of our program the band member must do everything that is

expected of him/her. (Being on time, having your instrument and music each day, not

chewing gum, not talking, taking care of your instrument, etc…) Involvement in the band

program will help develop each of these character traits.

3) Attendance (see attendance policy and calendar)

4) Tests/Quizzes, reflection (see Music Department performance/writing rubrics)

Practice outside of rehearsals

Each band member is expected to practice his/her instrument outside of the rehearsal setting on a regular basis. Each piece of music is considered to be a homework assignment and the student must see to it that this assignment is completed before each rehearsal. A minimum of four, separate ½ hour, practice sessions per week is expected. This expectation is consistent with the New London Board of Education Homework Policy, which requires 120-150 minutes of weekly outside preparation for each high school class. Students should practice at home or obtain a pass from the director to practice during any study period.

Individual practice can be a lonely, unpleasant and unguided procedure. Here are some suggestions to help you in your daily practice:

Establish a definite time to practice each day. Make it a habit like eating dinner.
Find a quiet place to practice, away from distractions.
Use a proper warm-up procedure.
Start each session with long tones (8 beats). Pay attention to posture, embouchure, breathing and tone quality.
Limber up fingers by playing scales and exercises, slowly at first then speed up when it can be played cleanly.
Practice the assigned lesson or music next. When unable to play a particular passage, stop. Make yourself slow it down then build to the proper speed. Do it again to reinforce it.
Work on range in both directions for ease in obtaining good tone and articulation on the first attempt.
Do not allow yourself any careless mistakes. Be fussy… try to perfect it.
Do something tangible as a reward for a good practice session.

Parent’s/Guardian’s Guide to Ensure a Student’s Success in Music

Read and make sure you and your child understand the Band Handbook.
Show an interest in the music study of your child.
Arrange a regular time for him/her to practice that is free from distraction. Keep a log of his/her practice sessions. (Are they putting in four ½ hour sessions per week?)
Keep the instrument in good repair and provide the necessary equipment (reeds, valve oil, music stand, metronome etc…)
Make sure your child is on time for practices, performances and lessons. Give written notice of expected absences outside of the school day.
Discuss with the band director anything that will help him understand the needs of your child and make him aware of anything that might take away from the child reaching his/her full musical potential.
Attend concerts and performances by your child.
Attend music booster meetings and volunteer to help with parent activities