Towson High School Marching Band Handbook

Communication

Email and Remind text messages are the primary communication methods for official band business. Emails will automatically be sent to parents and students. Band emails are typically send by Ms. Trudy from MarchingGenerals [at] gmail.com. All band members (and parents) should join Remind. Click below to join...

DISCIPLINE

We expect to have very few discipline problems in this band because of the quality of the people in it. Band members work very hard to maintain the band’s excellent reputation. Their pride is built on superior performance, self-discipline, hard work, a genuine respect for other people, and high standards of personal conduct.

As a member of the band, it now becomes YOUR responsibility to maintain these standards—and even help to raise them a notch higher! The band has become what it is now because its members and leaders won’t settle for anything less. The only kind of discipline that really works is self-discipline. Think seriously about the fact that you are being treated like a mature, responsible individual, and be sure that your actions always justify our confidence and trust in you.

Discipline problems during extracurricular events may result in the individual being removed from the organization. All discipline problems will be dealt with according to the policies set forth by the administration as explained in this handbook.

TRAVEL GUIDELINES

• Report time and bus loading time will always be announced at rehearsals.
• Never leave trash on the bus! It is the responsibility of everyone riding a bus to see that it is clean at the end of a trip.
• Buses will not wait for anyone. If you are late, you will be left behind. This does not, however, relieve you of your performance responsibilities. It just makes transportation your problem. If you cannot find a ride, you will be counted as absent.
• Inappropriate clothing, language, or behaviors including alcohol or drug use, or any form of public indecency on a bus, at a hotel, or at any time you are traveling with the band will not be tolerated. You will be immediately expelled from the band and sent home at your expense.
• Always double check to make sure you have everything you need before we depart for a performance. This includes your instrument, music, and all parts of the uniform.

SPECIAL CONCERNS

All school rules and BCPS policies apply to the extracurricular activity entitled the Towson High School Marching Generals Marching Band. Failure to comply with these rules and policies will result in immediate dismissal from the band. You will also face disciplinary action from Towson High School and Baltimore County Public Schools.

EXPECTATIONS

• Music must be memorized BEFORE band camp. Rookies and veterans are responsible for music memorization of music. Sectionals will be held in the summer before camp begins.
• Come prepared to all rehearsals and sectionals with music, lyres, dot-books, flip folders, instruments/flags, reeds, valve oil, sticks etc...always bring whatever you need for a successful practice/performance. Label everything with your name!
• Show respect for the rest of the band by paying attention at all times while others are talking or giving instruction, especially band director(s) and student leadership.
• Be ready to work hard and focus at all rehearsals. Marching band isn’t easy, but the only way to improve is to take responsibility for your part. There are no benchwarmers in the Marching Generals!
• Have a good attitude! Our job is to increase school spirit. Show your pride for The Best Band Within 50 Miles of the Chesapeake Bay by setting a great example for everyone, working hard, and having fun!

UNIFORM INFORMATION

• All band members will be issued a numbered uniform jacket, pants, and hat on the day of each performance; all must be returned before leaving the grounds of Towson High after each performance. Parent volunteers will record the distribution and return of uniforms. You must purchase Dinkles (special marching shoes) and wear them at every performance.
• You are responsible for the appearance of your uniform at all times, as well as for the chain of possession. It’s not enough to drop off your jacket, pants, and hat in the uniform room and assume they will be marked as returned. Verify that the parent volunteer has indicated your uniform was returned (with the correct jacket, pants, and hat numbers) after each performance. Know all numbers—they are YOUR responsibility.
• In the event that any part of your uniform does not meet the standards for performance, you will be asked to remedy the situation immediately or you will not be allowed to perform—PERIOD! If you are not allowed to march, you must still sit in the stands during the game/performance. Habitual uniform misuse will require us to take the uniform from you, causing you to withdraw from the band. If you lose any part of the uniform, you must purchase a replacement.

UNIFORM DRESS GUIDELINES

1. Uniforms must look neat at all times. Wrinkled uniforms are not acceptable.
2. Socks must be black and long enough to cover ankles.
3. ONLY the band camp T-shirt may be worn under the uniform jacket.
4. Uniform coats are always to be completely zipped and hooked unless otherwise instructed by staff or drum majors.
5. Long hair should be in two French braids. Jewelry and sunglasses may not be worn while performing.
6. The Uniform consists of the following: long black socks, dinkles, bibbers, T-shirt, Jacket, shake and plume.

Rehearsals

1. Rehearsals will be held twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday after school from 2:30pm – 4:30pm starting the first week of school.
2. Tennis shoes or soft-soled shoes must be worn during field show rehearsal at all times. Sandals and open-toed shoes are not allowed. NO bare feet!
3. If school is closed, closes early, or if after-school activities have been cancelled due to inclement weather, the Marching Generals will not practice that day. If you will be unable to attend a practice, you should let either Mr. Rhen know 2 weeks in advance by completing the "Online Absence Form" (see button below...).
4. Attendance will be taken and all members are required to attend every rehearsal.
5. Bring your instrument (in good playing condition), music, drill book, and a pencil to each rehearsal.
6. Your section leader and band directors are NOT your mother, but they will be if they have to be. Don’t be that person!
7. Upon arrival in the rehearsal room, promptly go to your seat, make sure you have everything you need, and start quietly warming up.
8. Due to the effects of high-volume capability, percussionists must warm-up quietly on practice pads or muted surfaces when in the rehearsal situation unless otherwise directed.
9. Full attention and silence should be given to the directors/drum major(s)/student members as required.
10. At no time during rehearsals will individuals chat or play instruments while we are working on the music.
11. At the end of rehearsal, all instruments, music, and materials must be put away neatly. CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF!

PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE POLICY

1. Prior permission must be obtained before missing any performance. In order for your excuse to be considered by Mr. Rhen or Mr. Olin, you must complete the "Online Absence Form" (see button above) at least two weeks prior to the absence. Failure to complete this form will result in your being counted absent.
2. If you are late to a performance, you must sign in on the performance late sheet. Failure to do so will result in your being counted absent. It is your responsibility to sign in.
3. If you become ill or a last-minute conflict arises and you must miss a performance, contact Mr. Rhen. Telling a friend or your section leader to tell them is not acceptable.
4. WORK IS NOT AN EXCUSE.

EXPECTATIONS

• Music must be memorized BEFORE band camp. Rookies and veterans are responsible for music memorization of music. Sectionals will be held in the summer before camp begins.
• Come prepared to all rehearsals and sectionals with music, lyres, dot-books, flip folders, instruments/flags, reeds, valve oil, sticks etc...always bring whatever you need for a successful practice/performance. Label everything with your name!
• Show respect for the rest of the band by paying attention at all times while others are talking or giving instruction, especially band director(s) and student leadership.
• Be ready to work hard and focus at all rehearsals. Marching band isn’t easy, but the only way to improve is to take responsibility for your part. There are no benchwarmers in the Marching Generals!
• Have a good attitude! Our job is to increase school spirit. Show your pride for the best band within 50 miles of the Chesapeake Bay by setting a great example for everyone, working hard, and having fun!

TERMS TO KNOW

FORWARD MARCH

We use a “roll step” technique when marching forward. The heel hits on the downbeat with the toe pointed up as high as possible. Then, we roll the foot through, trying to make our motion in the lower body as smooth as possible.

BACKWARD MARCH

We will use the “platform” technique when marching backward. On beat 4, we initiate motion by pushing up onto your platforms and stepping back with the LEFT foot on beat 1 of the next measure. Say “Up, Back.” We remain on platform (five toes and the ball of the foot) as we backwards march.

FORWARD AND BACKWARD SLIDES

Sliding requires the use of the “turret” technique which is as follows: lower body technique remains the same, upper body turns so that our shoulders remain square to the front sideline. When moving towards the 50 yard line and/or front field in the drill, use a forward slide technique. Switch to a backward slide technique after crossing the 50 yard line or when moving back field (unless otherwise specified by a director/student leader). When going from a slide to a forward or backward direction change, shoulders should never move from their position. Use platform technique when doing a backwards slide march.

TOUCH AND GO

A technique used to change direction 180 degrees where on count 8 you do a touch step, a step with the right foot that has no weight on it, holding for beat 1 and then stepping back with the right foot on 2.

COVER DOWN

In a drill set and in a parade block, you will be asked to cover down. This means center your body directly behind the person in front of you so that you are staring directly at the person’s head in front of you. This is the only way to achieve straight lines.

DRESSING

Dressing the form means lining up our body so that it fits into the shape that is being made. In order to ensure that you’re are directly in line with someone to the left or right of us, align the shoulders. To dress a curvilinear form, shoulder to shoulder, adjust your position to ensure that you are on the imaginary curvilinear line that describes the form and that no one is sticking in or out.

INTERVALS

When we refer to intervals, we’re talking about the space between you and the people on either side of you. One interval/step is defined as 22 and 1/2 inches which is derived from 8 steps per 5 yards. If we’re “at a 3”, there should be 3 steps between you and the other person. If unsure of what an interval in a particular set is, look around at the people in the section and try to match what everyone else’s spaces look like. In general, you will never be closer than 2 steps apart, and never further than 4 steps apart (except for color guard).

HORN ANGLES

Playing position: All brass instruments will be held at a 10 percent elevation. Clarinets will make a 45 degree angle away from the body. Flutes will be held parallel to the ground. Alto saxes will be held straight up and down. Tenor and Bari saxes are held at a slight angle next to the body.

HORN POPS

All brass instruments will be held at a 45 degree angle. Clarinets will make a 60 degree angle relative to the body. Flutes will be held parallel to the ground, and you will lean your head, shoulders, and upper body back (“lean back”). All saxes will raise instruments to 45 degree angle relative to the body, as well as lean head, shoulders, and upper back slightly back.

TURRET

It is important to constantly play straight to the audience. Your shoulders should never move during direction changes. Shoulders should constantly be squared towards the audience.

"They say that down at Ramblewood…"

In the Marching Generals, spoken cadence or cadence call is a traditional call-and-response song sung by band personnel while running or marching. These cadences are called jody calls or jodies. Our jody calls were created by "M.C. Grath" and they live on today, in his memory. Be sure to memorize all of these prior to your arrival at camp and sing/shout them as loudly as possible whenever the jody caller decides to sound.