|
|
|
|
|
ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
Every band student must maintain a passing grade (70 or higher) in all subjects in order to participate in band. Mr. Vise will review 6 and 9 week progress reports. In addition, students may be asked to collect grades and teacher signatures at 3 week intervals, especially prior to contests. Based on these grades, students may be required to attend band study hall sessions.
AUDITIONS - CONCERT SEASON At the end of the marching season, all students are required to audition for placement in the Symphonic and Concert Bands. Students will be advised as to the specific audition requirements, and will sign up for audition time slots. Auditions for UIL Solo & Ensemble, Region Band, Region Jazz, and Region Orchestra will be detailed on the Concert Season page when information is available. You might also download A Parent's Guide to Competitions to learn more about the different events throughout the band year.
AUDITIONS - MARCHING SEASON While students do not have to audition to be in the marching band, they do have to earn a position on the field. During the three weeks of Band Camp (leading up to the start of the school year), students will try out for marching positions in the competition show. They will be notified early during Band Camp as to what the audition will entail. Some students may be assigned alternate or doubling positions until a time that their skills reach a certain level of proficiency. All students will be included in every rehearsal and every performance, however some may be playing from the sidelines as alternates. Many percussion instruments do not march, but instead make up what is known as the Pit or Front Ensemble, performing together with the band on the field sidelines. This takes considerable skill to coordinate play with the musicians out on the field. Auditions for Drum Line, Cymbal Line, and Drum Majors are held in the spring. Incoming percussion players from the middle schools will be invited to percussion workshops during the spring in preparation for percussion auditions.
Band Mini-Camps | June 9-11, 2009
Band Member Mini-Camp (optional but recommended) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., LTHS Incoming Brass and Woodwind students will learn fundamentals of playing and marching, as well as coordination of playing with movement skills. New members will also meet the student leaders of our band and become acquainted with the facilities and procedures. This camp provides incoming freshmen and new members the opportunity to acquire skills needed to be successful in our fall marching program. Band New Member Mini-Camp is encouraged but optional.
Percussion Mini-Camp (required) 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. All percussionists, including Front Ensemble, Cymbals, and Battery, will learn fundamentals, warm-ups and exercises, cadences, and fall show music. Percussionists will also learn marching fundamentals and coordination of playing and marching. Percussion Mini-Camp is required for all members.
Bring/Wear:
NOTE: Lunch is not provided. Students may bring lunch or eat off campus. Band Camp | August 3-21, 2009 | Lake Travis High School Participation REQUIRED
Times listed are subject to change. Everything Day | Monday, August 3, 2009 | Band Hall
Forms will be available this summer on the
Forms & Files
page of this website. You must complete and bring the following
forms to Everything Day. You will also need to bring separate
checks for Fair Share, Band Trip Deposit, Band Store, and Strait Music orders.
Band Camp Week 1 | Tuesday-Friday, August
4-7, 2009
Band Camp Week 2 | Monday-Friday, August 10-14, 2009 Continue work on fundamentals while putting the show on the field
Band Camp Week 3 | Monday-Thursday, August 17-20, 2009 Continue putting show on field
Family Exhibition and Dessert Picnic | Friday, August 21, 2009
As the fall competition show is put "on the field," we will coordinate all musical and visual aspects of the show. The band will continue to strengthen all fundamental elements of playing and movement. Detailed sectional rehearsal will continue, as will rehearsing of football and drill team music. Private lesson teachers will be in to sign up students for lessons. Week 3 culminates in the annual Band Family Exhibition on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m.
During all weeks, we will learn to work together and build the
BANQUET
The end of year banquet is held in May. Students are recognized for yearly accomplishments and presented with their contest awards. Seniors are given a hearty send-off with acknowledgements and a multimedia slide show of the year in pictures. Senior parents honor their children further with display boards of pictures of their child. The event is catered, and tickets for the band members are paid for by the Band Parent Organization. Parents may purchase tickets to attend the event.
BAND BUDDIES
At the beginning of each year, underclass band members (freshmen and sophomores) are designated as little sisters/brothers, while upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) are designated as big sisters/brothers. Assignments are made between one big brother/sister and one little brother/sister. During the marching season, the brother/sister buddies may bring each other a small gift (under $5, typically candy) approximately four times: first football game (marching), Homecoming, last football game, and one other scheduled time. Students are given a list of the dates at the beginning of the year.
CAR DECALS
The Lake Travis Cheer Boosters take orders each fall for car decals. Decals may be ordered for band members, along with other spirit groups throughout the school. Our decals feature the Cavalier Band logo, and you will receive two decals/stickers for your order. They can be applied to cars, uniform cases, scrapbooks, etc. Fill out the form below and bring with your payment to E-Day.
]Download the Cavalier Band Decal Order Form.
COMPETITIONS
In addition to performing at all home and away football games, the band also competes in a number of marching band competitions during the fall. Most of these take place on Saturdays, primarily in October. Details of each competition will be posted to the Marching Season page of this site as the competition approaches.
During Concert Season, band members also compete in region and area competitions, both as a group and as soloists or members of ensembles. Details are posted on the Concert Season page of this site as they are set.
Please visit the Calendar for a full listing of scheduled rehearsals, competitions, and performances. Events are also listed on the website's home page as dates approach.
]Download and read A Parent's Guide to Competition.
FAIR SHARE EXPENSES
Prior to the start of band camp, parents will receive a packet of band information in the mail. Included in this packet is the Fair Share billing, which is a detailed listing of all expenses each family is asked to pay in support of their band student. Fair Share expenses include marching shoes, t-shirts, gloves, away game/competition meals, water, instrument rental fees, spring trip deposit, and other expenses. Payment of Fair Share expenses is due at the beginning of band camp. Visit the Forms & Files page of this site for more details on Fair Share.
FOOTBALL GAMES
Home Games: The call time for home games is typically 5:30 p.m. (please refer to posted schedules on Marching Season page of site). Students may go home or may choose to stay between the end of school and call time. Either way, they are on their own regarding dinner. Families with students participating on the field at football games are given priority for purchasing reserved seat season tickets for home games, and they may request seating near the band. There is also a large unreserved seating section near where the band is seated. To purchase tickets, visit the Athletic Office, and watch the LTISD website for information about season ticket availability. Away Games: On away game days, the band will be bused to the away game, either at the end of the school day or, in some cases, prior to the end of classes. Students are served dinner (paid for in Fair Share payment). Students must wear their black show t-shirts and black socks. In most cases, the students are bused in charter buses, as the yellow school buses are tied up with regular district transportation. Students are required to return to school on the bus; only in special instances, pre-approved by Mr. Vise, will students be allowed to go home with a parent. All Games: As the students return to the band hall following games, they go through a briefing session, to include discussion of the performance, putting away uniforms, unloading and putting away instruments, and instructions. Parents, please be patient. You will be waiting a minimum of 30 minutes, and as much as an hour for your student once they return to the band hall.
LETTER JACKETS
To be eligible for a letter jacket in band, students must fulfill one of the following:
All students ordering letter jackets must be current LTHS band members in good standing. All orders must be approved by the director. Eligible students are fitted for jacket size and receive order packets in December or March, with jackets delivered approximately two months following their order.
LOCKERS
Instrument cages in the instrument room of the band hall are available. Students should bring their own lock to secure their instrument and other band-related items.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
In an effort to protect our students and ensure that they have a safe, enjoyable experience in the Cavalier Band, the Lake Travis ISD requires physical examinations for each and every marching band member. Visit the Forms & Files page of this site to download the UIL exam form and have your doctor complete the form.
In addition, each band member is required to have a medical information form on file with the band before participating.
Please be advised that the Lake Travis Band does not have designated medical staff traveling with the band. When traveling, emergency care is provided by the emergency crews on site for the event. At home, the emergency staff includes the athletic trainers at LTHS and the EMS crews at the games. LT Band Parents are not trained medical personnel; we will, however, escort band students needing medical attention with their medical forms to make sure medical treatment is received. Should you expect your child to require medication, please provide such in accordance with school policy which states (Student Handbook page 45): Prescription Medication: A student who requires prescription medication during the school day must bring a written request from their parent or guardian and the medication, in its properly labeled bottle, to the school nurse. All distribution of medications will be administered through the school nurse's office. Students that require the use of prescription medication while away from school will need to have a parent or guardian available at the event to properly administer it. Non-Prescription Medication: High school students may carry and self-administer their own nonprescription medication if the following criteria are met: 1. The medication must be in the original and properly labeled container and easily identifiable. 2. The student must bring a written request and the medication to the school nurse who will verify that the strident knows how to properly self-administer it. 3. The student cannot share their medication with another student. 4. The student should not bring any medication to school which can be administered at home for adequate dosing.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos from various band events are posted in the online Photo Gallery, accessible from the left column of each web page. Parents may request their students’ picture not be posted by signing the appropriate slot on the roster form. If there is a delay in posting at the start of the year, note that this is likely due to not having all authorization forms turned in. No student names are posted with the photos. To submit photos for the Photo Gallery, you may email a limited quantity (due to email size restrictions) to webmaster@laketravisband.com or send an email to the same address for instructions on delivering a CD of photos. To save gallery photos, right click on the photo, choose "Save Picture As..." and save it to your computer.
PINNING CEREMONY
The annual Lake Travis Cavalier Band Pinning Ceremony is a traditional ceremony to mark the beginning of a new band year. The event takes place during a regularly-scheduled Thursday evening rehearsal. Students dress out in full uniform, and parents join their children on the field to present them with their band pin and stars (representing each year the student has participated).
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Morning Rehearsals: The marching band meets during 1st period, 8:45-10:15 a.m. Most mornings, the students will be required to attend rehearsal beginning at 7:30 a.m., and will march through 1st period. They will often be given a break prior to 2nd period in order to clean up, pack up, and prepare for the rest of the day.
Evening Rehearsals: A Full Band Rehearsal is held each Thursday evening, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Sectionals: Sectionals are scheduled for each band section, and all members of the section are expected to attend. Sectionals are usually scheduled immediately after school on a set day of the week, and last approximately one hour. For all rehearsals, students are expected to be in place, ready to play, at the posted start time. All schedules are subject to change at Mr. Vise's discretion, and students will be notified directly of upcoming changes.
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
Held during a home football game (see Calendar), all Seniors in the band and their parents take the field and are introduced to the home team crowd. This is a special event for Seniors since it's one of their last performances on the home field.
SERVICE HOURS
Volunteer service performed for a school organization (i.e., band, choir, football, etc.) does not count toward Cavs in Service, but may count toward NHS hours. Only when band students are not required and choose to volunteer to play for a 501(c)(3) organization do the hours qualify for Cavs in Service. Please check the Cavs in Service and National Honor Society web pages of the Lake Travis High School website for specific guidelines.
SPRING BAND TRIP
The band takes a trip together every spring. This trip serves as an affirmation for all the hard work the students have put forth all year long. Trips are typically rotated in and out of state each year. In-state trips have traditionally been to the Texas coast. Students and parent chaperones are transported on charter buses for an approximately four-day trip. Instruments are taken, and the band performs at a local competition or event. Out-of-state trips are by plane(s) and last approximately four days. Many chaperones and a very well orchestrated schedule make the transport of a large group of students and their instruments go smoothly. The band does perform at a competition or in concert. The students vote the prior year to choose the destination. The band trips are optional; an average of 97% of students participate. If finances are an obstacle, parents may speak with Mr. Vise. An initial trip deposit is paid through the Fair Share payment. Monthly installments are scheduled, or payment in full may be made. See the Spring Trip page of this website for specific details.
STUDY HALL
A Band Study Hall is provided on Thursdays from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. during the marching season, unless there is an identified school activity conflict. Please see the Band Study Hall rules that follow. Staffed by volunteer parent tutors and covering a multitude of subjects, the study hall is designed to help all students succeed in their school work, from "A" students to those who are needing more assistance. Students whose grades are borderline (less than 80% in any subject) may be required to attend study hall. Students are allowed (but not required) to stay on campus on Thursdays during the gap between school dismissal and band rehearsal. Food is NOT provided. Supervision is only provided within the Band Study Hall. If students choose to stay but not attend study hall, they are expected to be quiet in the hallways and respect all school rules. Parents are encouraged to volunteer their time to assist in the Study Hall. For information on participating or with any Study Hall questions, please contact Pam Kuhn, pamjkuhn@gmail.com, 433-6674. ]Download Study Hall Rules and Form
TEXAS MUSIC SCHOLAR RECOGNITION
The Texas Music Scholar recognition is given by TMEA each year to students who have met given academic and musical criteria during the school year. Every year we have several students who receive this award. These are the students who consistently participate at a higher level and meet the criteria through their desire to be better musicians, students, and citizens. In the spring, the Band Parents Awards Chairman will track the students and submit names of those who qualify. Students do not apply individually. For more information on the criteria, visit http://tmea.org/050_Programs/musicscholar_r.htm.
UIL Patch Orders
More patches are available on the Southwest Emblem site, including Texas State Solo & Ensemble patches as well as patches from previous years.
UNIFORMS
Marching Season Students are fitted with marching uniforms and shoes during Band Camp. Uniforms do not come home with students; part of the Fair Share payment at the beginning of the year goes toward the uniform cleaning. Students should arrive at each dress out session with their black show t-shirt and black socks. Show t-shirts are designed each year to reflect the theme of the fall contest show. Band students are required to order at least one; two are suggested. These shirts are ordered on the Fair Share form at the beginning of each band year. Another suggestion is to keep one extra pair of black socks in the band locker. Concert Season During concert season, the Symphonic Band members wear specific concert uniforms: long black dresses for the girls, and tux coats and slacks for the boys. Girls must check out a dress once the Symphonic Band roster has been announced. Boys must purchase their own black tux bow tie, cummerbund and a white dress shirt, and may also provide their own tuxes. Some tux coats are available for checkout from the band hall. All members wear black shoes. Concert Band members are asked to wear dress-up attire, to include a dress shirt, tie and coat for the boys. Girls should wear nice dresses or pant suits. Jazz Ensemble members are asked to wear black slacks and shirts (ties optional) or black dresses.
|
Can't find the answer? Email your question to:
|
|
