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What is the daily routine for a marching band student at Sparkman?

 

Mornings

High School
High School students arriving at school prior to 7:30 a.m. should report to the lunch room or other designated area determined by Sparkman High School.  At 7:30 band students will be allowed to enter the band room and put their instruments in the designated storage area.  Band students are allowed to remain in the band room until the bell rings to go to first block.  Non-band students will not be allowed to enter the band room unless they need to see the directors.

If a section would like to arrive early to rehearse before school starts they must see Mr. Raney and schedule a day to arrive.  Students should enter the back door of the band room for early morning sectionals.

9th Grade
Students should ......

Class Time

High School
Students should always assume they will be rehearsing outside during marching season unless there is a designated sign hanging up on all entry doors stating otherwise.  If there are no outside rehearsals for the day then students should come in and immediately sit in their designated seat with their instrument.

When rehearsing outside students are allowed to dress out in typical gym clothes.  Students should always adhere to the MCBOE dress code.  Students will be given 7 minutes to dress for marching and will assemble in their sections outside the band room door so sectional leaders may take attendance.  Any student that does not dress out in a timely manner will not be allowed to dress out.  Section leaders will report any missing student to the band director and the band director will verify the student's absence/presence during the rehearsal.

Students will form a block in the road and march to the practice field under the direction of the drum majors.  STUDENTS MUST NOT CROSS THE ROAD AT ANY TIME WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION.  Upon the arrival to the practice field students will join the remainder of the band and rehearse. 

Announcements will be given at the end of class and students will walk back to the high school and prepare for their next block.

9th Grade
Students should immediately report to the 9th grade band room while Mr. Albert takes attendance.  Students should always assume they will be rehearsing outside during marching season unless the director tells them otherwise upon entering the band room.  During outside rehearsals students will report to the practice field as soon as they dress out.  One of the drum majors will assist the 9th grade band in warming up on the field prior to rehearsal.

If there are no outside rehearsals for the day then students will assemble their instruments and travel to the High School as a group for inside rehearsals.  Students should be aware they may have to walk from one school to the other in the rain and should make appropriate plans.  Woodwind instruments should keep their instruments in the case while traveling across the street in the rain.

Percussion and Color Guard
Both percussion and color guard students will report directly to the 9th grade band room unless special events are scheduled.  These students will also be allowed to dress out before rehearsal each day.

After School Events

All Students
Students are allowed to enter the band room after school to gather their belongings and take their instruments home.  If there are after school rehearsals scheduled then the student should dress out (if necessary) and report to the designated rehearsal area.

For the protection of personal and school owned property, the band room doors will be locked after school when the directors are not present.  Students should make every effort to gather their belongings as soon as possible after school to alleviate the possibility of being locked out of the band room.

Football Home Games

All Students
Students should check the calendar for call times.  The time posted on the calendar for events is usually the call times for students.  All students should arrive 15 minutes early to ensure they are dressed and ready to begin upon its call time.

Students will find their section leader outside and assemble in groups.  Section leaders will take attendance and report to Mr. Raney within 10 minutes of the call time.  Students will then gather and warm-up before entering the stadium.

Students are expected to remain with the band for the full event in order to receive full credit.  At the end of the game students should enter and exit the band room in a timely manner in order to allow everyone a chance to gather their belongings.

Away Performances

All Students
Students should arrive for away events in the same manner as they did for home games.  Instead of warming up the students will load their instruments and equipment in the appropriate area.

Students will be assigned to a specific bus for all away trips.  Chaperones will obtain a list of students that should be on the bus and report any student who is missing.  All students must travel to the event together on the bus; however, students may be checked out by the student's parent or legal guardian after the event is completed.  Please refer to our travel policy.

Upon arrival at the away event students should remain on the bus until instructed to unload by the directors.  Students should immediately assemble their instrument and make their way to the designated staging area for warm-up.

Upon the return from any away trip, students should make themselves available to help in any way to allow a speedy departure.