Gloucester High School Marching Band & Color Guard

BAND & COLOR GUARD FEES	BAND TRIP INFO	BOOSTER MEETINGS
COLOR GUARD 2008-2009	COMPETITIONS, GAMES, CONCERTS & OTHER EVENTS	FINANCIAL INFO
FORMS	UNIFORM INFO	FUNDRAISER INFO
PERFORMANCE GUIDE	MEDICAL RELEASE FORMS	MARCHING/JAZZ SHOES
PAYMENT INFORMATION	PERFORMING GROUPS	VOLUNTEER INFO
PRACTICE TIPS	PROMOTIONAL SALES	STUDENT ACCOUNTS

UNIFORMS
All Marching Dukes will be issued a uniform. Each uniform consists of a jacket, adjustable pants and hat. The purchase price of our uniforms were $300 so we ask that they be treated with the utmost care. Uniform jacket sleeves and pants may be hemmed to improve the fit, however the material must not be cut. Uniforms are worn at all marching band performances and during the District concert competition. However in some parades such as the Guinea and Homecoming, the band director may elect to have the uniform limited to the black “Docker’s” pants and the white Marching Dukes polo shirt and marching shoes – depending upon the weather. Dress for the concerts will be the black “Docker’s” pants, white Marching Dukes polo shirt and marching shoes. *Mr. Emory is checking into formal outfits (tuxedos for the boys and long black gowns for the girls) and will ask for funding from the School Board. If funding is not available, the purchase of the formal outfits will be at the expense of the student/parents. A FINAL DECISION HAS NOT BEEN MADE ON THIS MATTER. ALL AVENUES WILL BE EXPLORED. UNIFORM FITTING SCHEDULE – SEE CALENDAR If your student cannot be at practice on the assigned night, please contact the uniform chairman and arrangements will be made for another time. If the student is playing a GHS Fall Sport they still need to be fitted for a uniform and the rental fee must be paid before the fitting. ALL UNIFORMS MUST BE FITTED BEFORE LABOR DAY!**
Marching Dukes (Field Show) Uniform rental	$100.00 Payable on fitting night

Fall Sport & Color Guard (Indoor/Outdoor)	$65.00 Payable on fitting night
(Checks payable to "GBCGB")

Items needed in addition to the Uniform...
Marching Dukes Polo Shirt -order from Boosters & pay when ordered	$20.00

Black Marching Shoes -order TBD	$30.00 (Checks Payable to "Chuck Batt")

*BLACK (“Dockers” – No Wrinkle) PANTS-purchase from JC Penney, Kohls, etc., before September 8, 200**8	$29.00 approx.

White Tux/cummerbund and bowtie for boys	$15.00

BLACK SOCKS! (No knee high hose or any other color of socks)

SHORTS (any kind - MUST BE WORN UNDER PANTS! Students may have to change into their uniforms on the bus for competitions!)

*Black Pants: Before September 3, 2008- all GHS Band students need to purchase a pair of Dockers classic black pants to wear with GHS polo shirts, black marching shoes and black socks. This attire is required when the GHS band uniform is not worn. They are the Dockers Classic, black, no wrinkle pants. Students may choose either pleated or flat front slacks. These pants are readily available from a variety of sources including J. C. Penney's, Kohls and other department stores. At J.C. Penney, most sizes may be purchased for under $30 from the store or ordered out of the catalog either by phone or over the Internet.

DON’T WANT TO WAIT IN LINE TO PAY FOR YOUR UNIFORM RENTAL—EXPEDITE YOUR FITTING BY MAILING YOUR CHECK TO THE BOOSTER MAILING ADDRESS BY AUGUST 1^st TO ASSURE IT IS RECEIVED BEFORE THE FITTING -- YOU WILL BYPASS THE LINE TO PAY AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE FITTING.

PAYMENT FOR THE UNIFORM RENTAL IS DUE AT FITTING UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE. – ALSO, ANY OUTSTANDING FEES FROM 2005-2006 MUST BE PAID BEFORE UNIFORMS WILL BE ISSUED.

RETURNING STUDENTS MUST BRING/WEAR POLO AT THE FITTING TIME!

BAND TRIP INFORMATION Click here for 2009 Band Trip Information

PRACTICE TIPS

PLEASE BRING WATER FROM HOME wear cool, comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that are of a light color. Water will not be provided at practice during the summer !

Percussion – Sneakers and socks required at all times – shorts or loose fitting pants recommended (please make sure pants are a reasonable length for marching).

STUDENT ACCOUNTS

Each student has been assigned an account and payments (checks) towards the trip can be mailed to the Booster P. O. Box at any time throughout the year. It is imperative that your student’s name is on each check to assist in the record keeping. Students can earn most or all of the cost of the trip through fundraisers held throughout the year.

NOTE: Funds received from fundraisers are non-refundable and may only be used for the band trip. Any unused portions after the student’s senior year revert back to the band booster general fund. Deposits made by the student/parent are refundable in LIMITED situations (i.e. death in the family or a doctor’s excuse). Any funds, which have already been paid to the travel agent or other organizations, WILL NOT be refunded. Please call Debbie Kelly for any additional information regarding this issue.

FUNDRAISERS

Students earn a minimum of 60% of all PROFITS from ALL fundraisers. This goes directly into their student accounts and can be used for deposits and payments for the band trip. Remember the remainder of the fundraiser profit goes to the Band/Color Guard Boosters to support the Band/Color Guard students for the expenses of drinks, buses, treats, supplies, etc. Look for car washes, fruit sales, etc. information in this site.

PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES

Football games: Arrive at the Band room by 6:00PM on the evening of home games to dress for the performance. The band will proceed to the stadium at 6:45 to prepare for the pre-game. After the pre-game show, sit in the designated sections as directed. The band seating area is for BAND members, ONLY! Standing on the platform in front of the band area is not considered being in the band seating area. Stay with the group. The boosters will supply water during the first half of the game. Students are NOT allowed to have food or drinks brought to them by friends or parents. (The 3rd quarter you are allowed to go to the concession stand.) Stay in UNIFORM! WEAR IT PROPERLY AT ALL TIMES, YOU MAY TAKE OFF YOUR HAT WHILE IN THE STANDS, HOWEVER KEEP TRACK OF IT. (Know your hat number)

Restroom requests will be monitored by the chaperones to ensure that no one “wanders off” After the halftime performance, students will be given a break during the 3rd quarter. You will be required to be back in your seat before the clock hits 0:00. The band will play during the 4th quarter in the stands.

Band members are required to stay with the BAND for the entire game. After the game, the band will march back to the band room to change. Remember uniforms are to be kept in the lockers in the band room – they should be hung up neatly therefore ready to go for the next performance.

NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE STADIUM PRIOR TO THE END OF THE GAME WITHOUT ONE OF THE DIRECTORS OR CHAPERONES.

While in uniform, band/color guard members represent the band program at GHS, the school and the county. Students are expected to act in a mature, controlled manner at all times. Improper behavior or language will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action.

BAND / COLOR GUARD SCHOOL FEES

The band fees are to be paid directly to Mr. Emory and the check should be made out to GHS. Again, please see that your student’s full name is on the check along with a note for what it is for. This is a fee paid directly to the school to cover the cost of bus transportation for competitions, parades and sheet music.

Band / Color guard fee (NO Instrument rental needed)	$TBA
ALL Percussion students	$TBA
GHS Instrument rental & fee	$TBA

FORMS
Uniform rental fees are $100.00($65.00 if participating in a Fall Sport). Information to order band jackets available in the Band Room. You must have these fees paid before band season begins!

MEDICAL RELEASE FORMS
REMINDER: All students traveling with the Band must have current Medical Release Form signed by a parent/guardian and on file in the Band Office. You MUST have this form before practice begins!

BOOSTER MEETINGS
Come be a part of the planning - see how we WORK TOGETHER to help and support the Students & Directors! Mark your calendars –after you check our schedule in this website. The purpose for our existence is to support our students!

COMPETITIONS, GAMES, PARADES & CONCERTS
The GHS Band is planning an exciting show for the Fall and a successful marching season! Come support them by your presence whenever and wherever they perform.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

There are many opportunities to be involved with the band. It's because of the our volunteers that make each year a successful and memorable event for your child. Please don't hesitate to sign up - even if it's for one event! Listed here are brief descriptions of areas that parents are needed during the year. We ask that each parent volunteer at least once during the year to help at a football game, competition, concert, etc.

    Football games: Parents to work in the concession stand, at the promotions table, sit in the stands with the band. WE are always in need of those who can French braid hair (girls must have their hair braided for football games and competitions) and those who can help with the pit equipment.

    Competitions: Parents are needed for all competitions to chaperone. Each bus will have 2 or more chaperones. Again, we need those who can French braid hair before we leave, people who can help with pit equipment, loading on the U-Haul at the school and going to the competition to help unload it and get it on the field for competition. Chaperones help the students with their uniforms and are a great support at the competitions.

    Concerts: Parents are needed at the concerts to help hand out programs, set up refreshment tables, etc.

    Color Guard Competition: The Color Guard is hoping to host a competition at GHS this year. Again, we need support from everyone. It will require pretty much the same as the State Marching Competition.

    District Festival: GHS hosted the event this past year and it was a great success. It is possible that we may host it again in the near future. This is a two day event. Volunteers will be needed for concessions, registration desk, and other duties.

    Parades: Chaperones to ride the buses to and from the parade and to help students and directors as needed. Also, we need people to help with the pit equipment.

Our volunteer coordinators (1^st Vice Presidents) will be available at the Booster meetings and have sign up sheets available. In addition to the volunteer coordinators each grade will have a coordinator that will get information to the students and parents about events. They will also help the volunteer coordinators recruit parents to help at these events.

PAYMENTS
ALL CHECKS SENT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE THE STUDENTS FULL NAME AND WHAT THE CHECK IS FOR (rental fee, trip, fruit, pizza, etc.).

CHECKS MUST BE MADE OUT TO:

"GBCGB"

MAIL TO:
GHS BAND & COLOR GUARD BOOSTERS
P.O. Box 155
Gloucester, VA 23061

FINANCIAL NEED
If there is a financial need, please state the need in written form and mail the request or the need for arrangements to the Boosters. Remember the Band/Color Guard Boosters are here to support the program.

PERFORMING GROUPS and GUIDELINES

As a member of the Gloucester High School Band, students are required to rehearse and perform with the respective groups. The performing groups include the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Field Show Marching Band, Parade / Community Events Marching Band, and the Jazz Ensembles.

The band grade is significantly impacted by the student’s attitude, the quality of a student’s participation, and by attendance at after-school rehearsals/performances. Work, out-of-season GHS sports conditioning, rec league sports and other avoidable conflicts are not considered excuses for missing a Band activity. The schedule is given well in advance. If any changes to the schedule are necessary, ample notice will be given.

WIND ENSEMBLE

This group is made up of students who place in the higher chairs of the respective sections. This group plays at all concerts, the District Festival and an occasional special event.

SYMPHONIC BAND

This group is composed of the entire band membership. Performances include all concerts and the District Festival.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

This group is made up of advanced players. Students must play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass guitar, piano or drum set. Guitar players must be able to read music (chord symbols, not tab) Students must also take a Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band class in addition to the Jazz Class. This group performs at many community events through out the year as well as concerts and festivals.

EXPLORATORY JAZZ

This class is open to younger band students or any band student who wants to play their “other” instrument. For example, a clarinetist who marches alto saxophone can play the alto in this jazz class. Like students in the Jazz Ensemble, these students are required to take Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band class.

MARCHING DUKES (FIELD SHOW)

This group is made up of ALL BAND MEMBERS who do not participate in a FALL sport at GHS (Football, cross-country, golf, cheerleading, girls’ tennis and field hockey). Pre-season drills and conditioning for other sports cannot conflict with this group’s activities. Performances include all home football games, parades and field competitions.

MARCHING DUKES (PARADES / COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS)

All members of the band perform with this group. The practice and performance schedule is very light. Usually, there are only three parades scheduled: In December, the Gloucester and Williamsburg Holiday parades and the Daffodil parade in April. Other community events may be scheduled. If the band competes in a parade on the Spring trip, this group will also perform.