The following is an outline of the Jr. High Band
Program and what is expected from each student.
Use this page to reference as you need it.
Tests
Any Band Test that is given, may/will be retaken over and over until you reach the grade you,
or your director, desires. The only stipulation is that you wait at least three days after taking the
test before you retake it. This gives you the time needed to practice and prepare the music for a
better performance.
Music Folders
Assigned Music Folders will be numbered and will be kept in your lockers while they are at
school. Binders should be facing down while the music folder is in your locker so that your music
doesn't fall out.
Your Music
Everyone will be given an individual piece of music. Please do not share, put your name on
your music and have it here in class everyday. Do not plan on the person next to you to have their
music here for you to use. Music will be checked periodically to see if you have your music, with
your name on it.
Students will be responsible for having their music with them everyday. Do not share music,
HAVE YOUR MUSIC WITH YOU!! Students will not be allowed to use the copy machine in the office.
Reeds, Valve Oil, Pencils, and Accessories
All reed instrumentalists will need three good reeds in your case at all times. All brass players
should have slide grease and a bottle of oil in their case at al times. Maintenance of your instrument
should take place at home, not in the bandhall during class. A well maintained instrument will never
need its valves oiled or slides greased during class.
All students will need to have a pencil at their stand during class. Pencils will be checked periodically
to see if you have yours.
All other accessories will be expected to be in your possession during class. Neckstraps, instrument
stands, mutes, etc. will be checked periodically to see if you have yours.
Director's Office and Music Library (TELEPHONE)
Students will not be allowed inside the director's office of in the music library without the permission
of a band director. Do not ask to use the phone! Students will not be allowed to use the telephone in the
bandhall. The only time a student may use the phone will be when they stay to work with a director after
school. If you stay after school to practice on your own, it will be your responsibility to inform your parents
what time to pick you up.
Students In The Bandhall Before and After School
Before School - When a director is having a sectional rehearsal or is testing, students not involved
that day will only be allowed in the bandhall to put their instrument into their locker and then they must
leave.
If there are no sectionals or testing that week then only baritone or tuba students may stay in the
bandhall to practice in the morning. There will be a list on the director's door for those who wish to sign
up for retakes or individual help with the director. Students that have scheduled a time for help may also
be in the bandhall to work with a director. All other students, put your horn in your locker and then leave.
After School - Any student may sign up and stay after school for individual help with a director. Any
student may stay after school to practice on your instrument on your own.
Please do not ask to use the phone. The only time a student may use the phone will be when they
stay to work with a director after school. If you stay after school to practice on your own, it will be your
responsibility to inform your parents what time to pick you up.
There will be no drinks, eating food, or chewing gum in the bandhall at any time. There will be no
running or horseplay at any time. The students will not be allowed to stand around and talk, if you wish
to stay you must practice. Those not practicing will be asked to leave.
Morning Passes
All students will be issued a morning pass in order to enter the hallway to put your horn in the
bandhall every morning. All students are being asked to be dropped off at the entrance back by the
cafeteria. This is where you will enter the hallway with your pass. You will not be allowed to enter
the building at the entrance next to the bandhall. After your instrument is stored in to your locker you
will be asked to exit back out and return to the cafeteria. You may not walk around the building and
through the other hallways. The only reason for a student to stay in the bandhall in the morning is if
they are involved in testing, section rehearsals, or they play the baritone or tuba and they want to practice
as outlined above under students in the bandhall, before and after school. YOUR MORNING PASS WILL
BE ISSUED TO YOU AS YOUR INSTRUMENT NAME TAG! LEAVE IT ATTACHED TO YOUR INSTRUMENT
CASE. DO NOT LOSE IT!
Pep Rally
Only the Symphonic Band Members will perform at the Pep Rallies. The Band Uniform for Pep
Rallies is the Pep Rally Band T-shirt and Blue Jeans. All Band Students will wear their Pep Rally Band
T-shirts, on every Pep Rally Day, to show their spirit and their pride in the Mercedes Junior High Band.
Every band student will receive a free Pep Rally Band T-shirt.
(Symphonic Band Members - NO UNIFORM, NO PLAY)
On Pep Rally Days a set up crew will be needed. Anyone wishing o do this will be issued a pass
to get out of class early to come and help us set up the hairs and stands in the gym. EVERYONE will
help to stack the chairs and stands into the the racks after the Pep Rally is over. Those that set up the
chairs and stands before will also help to roll back the chairs and stands on the racks to the bandhall.
Percussion will take care of all the percussion equipment, setting up and tearing down.
Band Uniform
We will wear the same uniform that we wore last year for all of our Band Concerts and Performances.
All band members will wear their Orange Band Polo Shirt and Black Dress Pants on performance days.
Blue Jeans are not acceptable. Students may wear Black Jeans if they look new and are not faded.
All students will also need to wear Black Dress shoes and Black Socks. Tennis shoes will not be
allowed. Boys may wear black boots and girls may wear black hose instead of socks. If you have
outgrown your Orange Band Polo Shirt, we will reorder shirts and you will need to purchase another
one at that time. (NO UNIFORM, NO PLAY)
Tardies
TO BE EARLY IS TO BE ON TIME
TO BE ON TIME IS TO BE LATE
AND TO BE LATE IS TO BE SORRY!
Any student that is late must bring with them a note, from their parent, guardian, or teacher, stating the
reason they are tardy. Please do not bring the director a note that says "Please excuse my child for
being tardy." We already know that you are tardy, we want to know why so that we will know whether or
not to excuse your tardy. If the student does not bring a note, the tardy will be unexcused. If there are no
extenuating circumstances that made you tardy to a public performance, and you are more than 15
minutes late, you will not be allowed to perform at that concert.
Elimination from the Annual Band Trip
The band will take a trip at the end of the year, if it is approved by the MISD School Board. All band
members in a performing group are eligible to go on this trip. The following discrepancies will
eliminate band students from going on this trip.
1) Any student that is suspended or expelled from school.
2) Any student that does not participate at their band's UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest.
3) Any student that fails a band class for any of the 6 week grading periods.
4) Any student sent to ISS from band for any reason.
5) Any student sent to ISS from any other class, a total of three times.
6) Any other major infraction the director feels is necessary to eliminate the student
from this trip.
IF WE CANNOT TRUST YOU TO BEHAVE IN SCHOOL
WE WILL NOT TAKE YOU OUT OF TOWN WITH US!
