The Seneca Valley Band Handbk Intrductin 2 Definitin f a Bander 2 The Seneca Valley High Schl Bands 2 Cncert Bands 2 Jazz Ensembles (I and II) 3 Cncert Band Perfrmances 3 Winter Cncerts 3 Spring Cncerts 3 Memrial Day Ceremny 3 Cmmencement 4 PMEA Bands 4 The Seneca Valley Raring Raider Marching Band 4 Auxiliaries 4 Marching Band Eligibility Requirements 4 Marching Band Cmmitment 5 Perfrmances 6 Rules 7 Spring Band Trip 7 Marching Band Attire 8 Transprtatin T and Frm Events 9 Marching Band Student Leadership Psitins 9 Scial Media Plicy 10 Scial Media Tips/Reminders: 10 The Rbert K. Matchett II Schlarships 10 The Seneca Valley Band Bsters 11
INTRODUCTION Welcme t the Seneca Valley Band Prgram. This is a high caliber, n fluff Band prgram, where learning and perfrming great musical literature is ne f ur primary gals. The mst enjyable part f perfrming music is playing it at the highest level pssible. That is what we attempt t d each and every day. Alng the musical jurney here at Seneca Valley, students will have the pprtunity t play in several different ensembles and perfrm really great music. We encurage each and every student t seize these pprtunities fr they may nly ccur nce in yur lifetime. Yu will make friends and acquaintances that will last a lifetime and will learn t wrk tgether as a successful team. The Seneca Valley High Schl Band Prgram (Grades 9-12) cnsist f three levels f cncert bands, tw levels f jazz ensembles, the Raring Raider Marching Band, and varius chamber grups that are frmed each year. The purpse f this handbk is t prvide answers t questins that cmmnly arise regarding the activities f these grups. DEFINITION OF A BANDER One f the areas f greatest cnfusin ver the years has been defining wh is a part f the Seneca Valley Band prgram. A Bander is any student wh is a member f any f the cncert bands, jazz ensembles r the Marching Band, which cnsists f musicians, Pm Pns, and Clr Guard. This may als include eighth grade musicians wh are invited t participate in the marching band. THE SENECA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BANDS Members f the bands will be intrduced t varius styles f band literature apprpriate t their level f ability. Private instrumental lessns utside the schl are strngly encuraged. Banders may btain names f qualified private teachers frm the Band Directrs. All members are required t perfrm in the cncerts and adhere t the dress cde. Cncert Bands Freshman Band Symphnic Band Wind Ensemble Grade(s) 9 th 10 th 12 th 10 th 12 th Classes/week 5 5 5 Credits 1 credit 1 credit 1 credit Eligibility N auditin N auditin Auditin/Invitatin Music Level 3 3 ½ 4 5 6 Page 2
Freshman Band Symphnic Band Wind Ensemble Cncert Wear Males Black suit White dress shirt Lng tie Black scks Dress shes Black suit White dress shirt Lng tie Black scks Dress shes Black suit White dress shirt Black bw tie Black scks Dress shes Cncert Wear Females Lng black dress r Lng black skirt with a dress bluse Dress shes Lng black dress r Lng black skirt with a dress bluse Dress shes Lng black dress r Lng black skirt with a dress bluse Dress shes JAZZ ENSEMBLES (I AND II) Jazz Ensemble I & II Grade(s) 9 th 12 th Classes/week 3 Credits 0.6 credit Eligibility Auditin/Invitatin Placement Based n ability Emphasis Imprvisatin Cncert Wear Band Directr discretin Page 3
CONCERT BAND PERFORMANCES All members are required t perfrm in the cncerts. Separate cncerts will be held n different nights fr the Jazz Ensembles and the cncert bands including perfrmances by the Freshman Band, Symphnic Band and the Wind Ensemble. A dnatin is cllected at the dr fr the Jazz cncert and tickets are sld at the dr fr the cncert bands. Details n cncert dates, times and lcatins will be available n the band web site and the Schl District calendar. WINTER CONCERTS These tw cncerts are typically held in early December. SPRING CONCERTS The spring cncerts are held in late April r early May. MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY The current year Wind Ensemble members perfrm in a lcal cmmunity n Memrial Day. Cncert wear fr males is a suit, dress shirt, lng tie, scks and dress shes. Fr the females, the cncert wear is a dress r skirt with a bluse and dress shes. COMMENCEMENT All members f the incming Wind Ensemble are expected t perfrm at the graduatin ceremny at the end f the current schl year. Cncert wear fr males is a suit, dress shirt, lng tie, scks and dress shes. Fr the females, the cncert wear is a dress r skirt with a bluse and dress shes. PMEA BANDS Banders may elect t auditin fr the District 5 Hnrs Band and Hnrs Jazz Band. Additinal infrmatin abut these pprtunities will be available fr the Band Directrs. All participants in the Hnrs Band are required t wear a band unifrm withut the hat. If yu are nt in Marching Band yu will be fitted fr a unifrm befre the cncert. Page 4
THE SENECA VALLEY ROARING RAIDER MARCHING BAND The Marching Band is cnsidered ne f the finest marching bands in Western Pennsylvania. It cnsistently wins awards fr its perfrmances at lcal, reginal, and natinal events. Participatin in the Marching Band is an extracurricular activity which requires a significant cmmitment f time and effrt, but which will prvide great satisfactin fr a jb well dne. Attendance at practices, band camp, and perfrmances is mandatry. (See marching band cmmitment belw) The Marching Band cnsists f several units. In additin t the musicians, wh are divided up int sectins there are tw auxiliary units: Pm Pns and Clr Guard. Each unit participates in the Marching Band activities, but als has its wn requirements. AUXILIARIES Tryuts Bth the Clr Guard and Pm Pns try-uts are held in May fr the next year s squad. Additinal infrmatin can be fund in the Auxiliary Infrmatin Packet fund n the band website. Summer Sessins Thrughut the summer tw practices are held each week fr the auxiliaries. MARCHING BAND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS As an extracurricular activity, all Banders must meet all eligibility requirements fr participatin as utlined in the Student Athletic Manual established by the district. Schl Attendance Banders must be in schl n the day f the perfrmance r if the perfrmance is n a Saturday it wuld be the previus schl day by 10:53 a.m. If the Bander has early dismissal, they must return with a signed dctr s nte in rder t participate. Any Bander that is absent fr a ttal f 20 days r mre during a single semester is nt eligible t participate in extracurricular activities until they have attendance fr 60 days fllwing their last absence. Summer schl des nt cunt twards attendance. Banders wh have been suspended frm schl r wh are serving in-schl suspensin are nt eligible t participate in practices r events. QPA A 1.3 QPA must be maintained in rder t participate. Musicians Any instrumentalist in Grades 9 thrugh 12 may be a member f the Marching Band. Eighth grade musicians may als be invited t participate by the Band Directrs based n ability and need fr specific instruments. They must als participate in a curricular instrumental ensemble. (unless they are in V-Tech) Auxiliaries All members are required t auditin each year in May. Page 5
MARCHING BAND COMMITMENT All members f the Marching Band (musicians and auxiliaries) are expected t attend every practice and every even. Students may nt miss any band functin unless it is a pre apprved "nce in a lifetime" event, serius illness r death in the family. Wrk, Dr. Appintments, and ther activities are NOT valid excuses and may result in dismissal frm the band.. Drug Testing The district has mandatry drug testing fr anyne invlved in extracurricular activities. Students MUST be drug tested prir t the start f Band Camp in August. Drug testing dates are published n the district website. Pay t Participate There is a fee payable t the district fr participating in extracurricular activities. Students MUST be pay this fee prir t the start f Band Camp in August. The payment can be made during the drug testing times. Summer Sectinal Rehearsals/Practices Instrumentalists may be required t attend an evening sessin fr their sectin. The auxiliaries have tw weekly practices thrughut the summer. Band Camp begins apprximately 2 weeks befre the start f schl. Exact dates are annunced by the Band Directrs and are put n the Band Calendar fund n the website. Percussinists reprt ne week earlier s they are prepared t prvide a slid fundatin fr the rest f the band. Music is distributed at the end f the previus schl year and all musicians are expected t be able t play their music well prir t the start f camp. Auxiliaries shuld have learned their rutines during the summer. Band camp runs frm 7:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day. Any deviatin will be annunced by the Band Directrs. Yu may nt leave Band Camp fr any reasn (including lunch). Items t bring t Band Camp (if applicable t their functin) 1. Cmpleted health (turned in n later than the first day f camp.) 2. Refillable wide-muth water bttle with yur name and sectin. Bring filled each mrning. It can be refilled thrughut the day. 3. Sunscreen and hat t avid sunburn 4. Cmfrtable clthes and tennis shes (NO sandals) 5. Inhalers and/r ther medicatins (must be listed n the health frm). 6. Instrument, lyre, flip flder, music and pencil. 7. Lunch 8. Pker chips fr field markers Page 6
Band Pictures Prfessinal phtgraphers will be present ne day during Band Camp t take pictures f each individual Bander, the Band Sectins, the Bands by grade, and a full Band pictures. SENIORS MUST HAVE THEIR PICTURE TAKEN FOR THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM. Purchasing pictures is ptinal. Many Band parents rder a pin. These are typically available fr Pie Fest. Pictures will be in full unifrm withut the hat. In-Seasn Band Rehearsals The Marching Band rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday thrughut the ftball seasn. Practices start at 2:40 p.m. and end in time fr the Banders t ride the activity bus hme. Additinal practices r lnger practices may be scheduled and annunced at the discretin f the Band Directrs. All members are expected t attend all rehearsals. (See marching band cmmitment abve) PERFORMANCES Pie Fest The Band Bsters spnsr a Pie Festival at NexTier Stadium (weather permitting) during the secnd week f Band Camp. This is a fundraiser fr the Bsters and als serves as an pprtunity fr the Marching Band t perfrm its pre-game and halftime shw befre an audience. Tickets will be sld at the dr. Additinal details will be available n the Band Bster website. Ftball games The Marching Band perfrms at all hme and away varsity ftball games thrughut the regular seasn and playffs. Mst ftball games take place n Friday evenings but certain away games (and make-up games) may be n Thursday r Saturday. Reprt times will be annunced by the Band Directrs and psted n the band website. Butler Cunty Band Festival This event is held n a weekday evening in mid-september, usually at the Butler Area High Schl ftball stadium. Marching bands frm all ver Butler Cunty perfrm. Tickets may be purchased in advance r at the event. Parents are encuraged t purchase tickets in advance because the prceeds g t the Seneca Valley Band Prgram. Tickets purchased at the gate benefit the Butler Area High Schl. Hmecming Parade The Marching Band marches in the Hmecming Parade and then takes the field t perfrm their halftime shw. This event is the Thursday befre the Hmecming Ftball Game. Cmmunity Hliday Parades The Marching Band typically attends the Grve City Hmecming Parade, the Evans City Hallween Parade and the Zelienple Christmas Parade. The Band Directrs will prvide infrmatin in advance regarding which parades will be attended. Page 7
Special Events The Marching Band may be invited t participate in special events. Examples are cllege ftball games r special parades. These will be annunced by the Band Directrs. RULES 1. Be n time every time. 2. All Banders are t stay in sectins in the stands. 3. Nn-banders are nt permitted t sit with Banders in the stands. 4. Travel release frms must be given t the bus chapernes if the Bander is nt taking the bus back t the schl after the perfrmance. 5. Banders must bey chapernes and listen fr special instructins. 6. Banders must meet their rides utside the band rm immediately after each perfrmance. 7. Musicians with hair belw their hat must have it neatly tucked inside their hat during all perfrmances. 8. Neither fd nr gum is permitted while in unifrm unless prvided by the Bsters. 9. When barding the bus, musicians must be dressed with band pants, black shes, high black scks and black t-shirt. 10. Auxiliary units must be dressed in their unifrms prir t barding the bus. 11. All Banders must bey bus drivers instructins regarding nise levels. 12. All Banders must be seated n the bus while it is in mtin. N standing is permitted fr yur safety. 13. All bus windws are t be clsed befre leaving the bus. 14. All trash is t be picked up and discarded befre leaving the bus. 15. Check buses fr items left behind. Bring all items int the band rm. 16. N hairspray is t be used n the buses at any time. 17. N media devices are permitted withut earphnes. 18. N PDA s (public displays f affectin) allwed. SPRING BAND TRIP Each year the Band participates in a Band trip. The timing, destinatin, activities and which bands will participate will be decided upn by the Band Directrs with apprval frm the Schl Bard. A Band Bster will serve as a Trip Crdinatr. Payment Each bander ging n the trip is expected t pay the full assigned cst. A nn-refundable depsit, which is applied t the cst f the trip is required t reserve a spt. Additinal payments int the individual Bander s trip accunts are required as annunced each year. It is critical that these payments are made n a timely basis s the Band Bsters can make timely payments t the travel agency assisting with the trip. Fundraising pprtunities are available. Chapernes The Band Directrs and Trip Crdinatr will select the trip chapernes. Online applicatins are accepted in late fall. Chapernes are selected based n their level f participatin in the Band Bster rganizatin. Page 8
Cde f cnduct - The trip is cnsidered a schl event and all Banders must adhere t all schl rules at all times. Failure t fllw schl rules may result in disciplinary actin including parents being cntacted t pick up their Bander immediately and ntificatin f the schl administratin. Family attendance families are encuraged t attend the trip; hwever, during the trip, the Banders are the respnsibility f the Band Directrs and Chapernes. They must remain with the grup at all times and must participate in all activities. Families are welcme t visit with the Banders at the events when the Bander is nt participating but they may nt remve them frm the grup. Families are encuraged t stay at a different htel frm the Band. MARCHING BAND ATTIRE Unifrm Fittings Returning members are given the pprtunity t keep their unifrm frm the previus marching seasn when they cmplete the band database frms at the end f the schl year. They must be tried n during the fitting ALL BANDERS MUST ATTEND A SCHEDULED UNIFORM FITTING. Typically the instrumentalist fittings ccur n a drug testing date. These dates will be n the band calendar and emailed ut alng with mre details regarding the fittings. Auxiliaries will have their wn fitting schedule. Musicians will need t purchase a pair f dinkles (the nly she allwed fr musicians). Payment will be cllected during the unifrm fittings but the shes will be rdered during Band Camp. Banders are given the pprtunity t purchase wl uter band jackets. This is the nly time these can be rdered. N ther jacket is permitted t be wrn ver the band unifrm in the cld weather. During cld weather, Banders are permitted t wear plain black glves and black earmuffs while in the stands. New Banders will need t purchase a band duffle bag. This can be used every year they participate in the marching band. This will be taken t every perfrmance. Page 9
Payment must be made at the unifrm fittings. Pricing will be annunced befre the fittings. 1. Unifrm fee f $15 2. Dinkles (if needed) 3. Duffle bag (if needed) 4. Wl jacket Auxiliaries must rder jackets with the flap Unifrm Respnsibilities Marching Band unifrms are expensive. Yu will be required t help pay fr any parts that are lst r damaged. Musicians must get their unifrms dry cleaned thrughut the seasn. Any unifrm returned prir t the spring band trip must be dry cleaned. All unifrms shuld be dry cleaned prir t yur participatin in the spring trip. All parts f the unifrm are t be brught t each event, regardless f weather cnditins (including the raincat). Plumes will be stre by the Band and distributed and cllected at each perfrmance. TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM EVENTS The Band prvides transprtatin frm the schl t and frm mst away events (exceptins are the lcal parades and the Wind Ensemble s Memrial Day Cncert). Arrival and Pick-up at schl Parents/guardians are respnsible fr getting their Bander t schl and picking them up afterwards. Please be n time t avid having everyne wait fr yu. Parent Transprtatin frm an Event Parents/guardians may prvide transprtatin hme frm an event as lng as they prvide a Seneca Valley Travel Release frm t their bus attendance persn. Parents must meet their Bander at the bus t sign them ut with the bus chapern. Banders cannt be released t siblings r a friend s parent/guardian. THE BUSES WILL LEAVE ONCE ALL EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN LOADED AND BANDERS ARE PRESENT EVEN IF THERE IS A TRAVEL RELEASE FORM. PARENTS MUST BE ON TIME TO PICK UP THEIR BANDER. Page 10
MARCHING BAND STUDENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS Banders selected fr leadership rles will set an example fr the Band thrugh their prfessinal behavir, wrk ethic and psitive attitude. They will assist the Band Directrs and Chapernes as requested. These leadership rles are selected by the Band Directrs. Field Directrs They lead the Marching Band in all shws and parades, cnducting all music and teaching music and marching t new Banders. The Field Directrs are respnsible fr leading the Band delegatin during visits with ther bands at ftball games. Field Directrs are selected by auditin in the spring f their junir year. Band Captains They are respnsible fr rganizing the Marching Band leadership meetings and fr wrking with Sectin Captains t assist ther Banders in learning their music and marching. They are expect t prvide encuragement thrugh mtivatinal pep talks. Sectin Captains They prvide musical leadership t their individual musical sectins. The captains are expected t lead sectinal rehearsals. They assist members f their sectin in learning their music and marching and ensuring that all members f the sectin fllw instructins. They are t prvide encuragement thrugh mtivatinal pep talks. Clr Guard Captains are extensins f the Clr Guard spnsr and assist the spnsr in chregraphing, teaching and critiquing f the rutines. Pm Pn Captains are extensins f the Pm Pn spnsr and assist the spnsr in chregraphing, teaching and critiquing f the rutines. Page 11
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY As the District has stated, it is a privilege t participate in interschlastic activities and with that privilege cmes certain respnsibilities. As an advcate fr technlgy, the District als recgnizes the rle scial media plays in cmmunicatin and utreach. It is the expectatin that Seneca Valley Marching Band students will use scial media platfrms in a psitive and respectful manner t engage with family, friends, and the cmmunity at large. Disrespectful, insulting, abusive, and/r threatening cntent be it riginal r re-tweeted r liked has n place in Seneca Valley Marching Band and will nt be tlerated. Students wh pst cntent r ffensive cmmentary aimed at peers, teachers, ther marching band members, and/r directrs will be subject t disciplinary actin which may include suspensin frm all marching band activities. Remember: it is a privilege t represent the Seneca Valley Marching Band and we hld ur students t the highest standards fr integrity and ethical decisins. SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS/REMINDERS: Nthing is really private! Even thugh yu may utilize privacy tls, everything yu pst is public infrmatin. Yur cntent is yur thumbprint! Once yu pst it, it is frever and it is yu. Yur audience is glbal. Cnsider the apprpriateness as yur audience is yung, ld, and everywhere. And they are watching. Wh is watching? Clleges and prspective emplyers ften review scial media sites t gauge the character f the student. THE ROBERT K. MATCHETT II SCHOLARSHIPS The Band Bsters spnsr a schlarship prgram fr Banders wh will be pursuing further educatin in music r dance after graduatin. The Schlarship prgram is named fr Mr. Matchett wh retired in 1999 after serving as the Band Directr at Seneca Valley fr 37 years. Banders may apply in the spring f their senir year after they have been accepted int an apprpriate prgram. Details are available frm the Band Directrs. THE SENECA VALLEY BAND BOOSTERS The Seneca Valley Band Bsters is a vlunteer rganizatin sanctined by the Schl District and cmprised f the parents and legal guardians f Banders. It functins under a set f by-laws (which are available t members n the bster website) and is led by an Executive Bard that is cmprised f fficers elected by the membership. A variety f cmmittees chaired by Band Bster members help t carry the varius functins t supprt the Band prgram. The rganizatin wrks in cperatin with the Band Directrs and the auxiliary spnsrs t imprve the instrumental music and auxiliary prgrams f the schl thrugh a better understanding f the gals and purpse f the Bands by prviding mral supprt and financial assistance whenever pssible. Page 12