The
2007-2008

Rebel Brigade

Handbook

This Handbook contains information of extreme importance!  
Schedules, Guidelines, Forms, etc.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND  
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!

FORWARD
 

          The band program at Boone County forms a vital and important part of the total high school experience. The Rebel Brigade represents a large, colorful, visible and highly disciplined segment of Boone County High School

          The performance of the Rebel Brigade at sporting events, concerts, parades, contests as well as many other community events, adds a great deal of color and life to the Florence community.

           The main emphasis of the Rebel Brigade is on musicianship.  Our main goal is not to win contests and collect trophies.

           Our main goals are simple: 

1.     improve every time we perform

2.     build good individual character

3.     build strong self-discipline

4.     prepare our students for life by teaching important life skills

The success of the Rebel Brigade will lead to the success of its members and vise-versa.

WELCOME TO THE REBEL BRIGADE FAMILY!

The Table of Contents

1…             Welcome To the Rebel Brigade

2…             Rebel Brigade Staff Page

3…             It Takes More Than One Person to Make A Band

4…             Attendance Policy

5…             Attendance Policy – Guard Specific

6…             Request for Excused Absence Form

7…             Instrument Information

8…             Grading Policy

9…             Grades and Eligibility Requirements

10…           Uniforms

11…           Rehearsal Technique/Rehearsal Etiquette

13…            2007 Rehearsal Schedule

15…           Color Guard Summer Rehearsal Schedule

16…            2007 Performance Schedule

17…            The Band Boosters

18…           Booster Meeting Schedule

19…            Chaperone Background Check Procedure

21…            Instructions for Filling out Forms

22…            Permission to Travel Form

23…            Medical Treatment Authorization Form

24…            Parent/Student Acknowledgement Form

Welcome to the Rebel Brigade:

Tradition…       A time-honored practice or set of such practices

           To those of you who are new to the Rebel Brigade: 

We look forward to having you participate in the most active and exciting activity in the entire Boone County School District.  You need to realize, as we do, that YOU are the future of the Rebel Brigade.  We encourage you and your family to take an active part in the Rebel Brigade experience.  It is an activity that takes some extra effort, but extremely rewarding.

 To our returning Rebel Brigade members:

 Are you ready for another outstanding year?  Are you ready to begin writing the new chapter in the Rebel Brigade History book?  We guarantee you that this is going to be an extremely special year!

 This year, you will be a member of the largest marching band in Northern Kentucky and one of the largest in all of Kentucky!  We will be attending shows throughout Kentucky and Ohio, as well as traveling to the Bands of America Regional Championship in Ypsilanti, Michigan and the Bands of America Grand National Championship in the RCA Dome of Indianapolis, Indiana.

 You know what it takes to achieve success as a member of the Rebel Brigade.  We count on you to guide our new members and provide them with a positive environment so we can continue the successes of our past and build towards an even more successful future.  We expect you to continue our high achievement both on and off of the competition filed.

 The attitudes you bring with you to summer rehearsals and camps are the attitudes that our band will live with during the upcoming marching season.  Keep this in mind as you prepare for the year.

Boone County Rebel Brigade

Directors and Feeder School Directors

DIRECTOR

Dave Webber, Boone County High School
Phone:  859-282-5649
david.webber@boone.kyschools.us

 
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Tom Mueller, R.A. Jones Middle School
Phone:  859-282-4610
tom.mueller@boone.kyschools.us

 
COLOR GUARD COORDINATOR

Jennifer Kessel
kesselj@gmail.com

 
PERCUSSION COORDINATOR

Durran Alexander
durran@cox.net

 

FEEDER SCHOOL DIRECTORS

R.A. Jones Middle School
Tom Mueller
Phone:  859-282-4610
tom.mueller@boone.kyschools.us

  Camp Ernst Middle School
Michelle Gibbs
Phone:  859-534-4000
michelle.gibbs@boone.kyschools.us

Ockerman Middle School
Terry Wyatt
Phone:  859-282-3240
terry.wyatt@boone.kyschools.us

It Takes More Than One Person to Make a Band!

It takes a group of dedicated students and even more dedicated parents to make a band program great!

The Boone County High School Band Boosters is an organization dedicated to the support and advancement of the Boone County Band program. With increasing numbers comes the obligation for new uniforms, music, and more instruments, etc. The Boone County School System does not fund these items.

As the parent/guardian of a Boone County band student, you have the unique opportunity of promoting a band program of which we can all be proud. We need every parent to become involved in the Boone County Band Boosters. Each parent/guardian of a band student is already a member. No membership fee is required. All that we ask is that you share with us your ideas, time and energy. Everyone has something to contribute and we need each and every one of you!  

10 Ways a Parent Can Show Support and Interest

A ttend performances.

E ncourage home practice.

P rovide lessons when possible.

B e an active Boone County Band Booster.

A ttend meetings.

G et involved in the total scope, not just the marching band.

A sk your child to play for you.

G ive a word of praise or accomplishment.

A sk if they “know their part” or “have done their share.”

S ee your child as an individual and as a valuable band member.

Attendance Policy

In order to perform in the most efficient manner we must have every student at all rehearsals and performances. Absences prevent the student from learning and hold back the entire organization. Every member is crucial to our maximum achievement. With proper planning, conflicts can be avoided.  

The following policies apply regarding attendance. Individual needs will be addressed as they occur. This system is subject to modification by the directors. Students should feel free to talk to Mr. Webber or Mr. Mueller whenever problems arise.  

Excusable absences are those that would be accepted by the school for regular attendance accounting records. (Illness, Death in Family, Immediate Family Wedding)  

In order to obtain an excused absence the following procedure must be followed:

1)      Fill out the Request For Excused Absence Form

2)      You may obtain excuse forms by Band Room Office

3)      Turn in to the band office at least one week prior to absence

The Director must approve the request as an acceptable excuse

ATTENDANCE 
SPECIFIC TO COLOR GUARD  
 

Although rehearsals are scheduled during the month of June, we understand that this is a month of family time. With this in mind, we remind Color Guard members and parents that if you are in town, you are expected to attend scheduled rehearsals.

Regardless, all Color Guard members are responsible to know their individual specific parts.  If you are going to miss a June rehearsal, be sure to fill out the Request For Excused Absence Form and return it to Jennifer Kessel at least one week prior to the absence.

If members miss rehearsals, un-excused, they will have to sit out one performance for each missed rehearsal.

Once camps start in July, you are reminded that all rehearsals are absolutely mandatory and excuses will not be accepted.

Boone County Rebel Brigade

EXCUSED ABSENCE REQUEST FORM

THIS FORM SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED ACTIVITY  

Date               

Student’s Name                                                                          Grade         

Instrument or Section                                                                                                

I am requesting permission for my son/daughter to be excused from the activity listed below according

to the policies outlined in the band/vocal handbook regarding excused absences.

                                                                                            on                                              

 INDICATE THE SPECIFIC EVENT OR REHEARSAL HERE                                        DATE OF THE EVENT

Briefly state the reason you are requesting your student be excused from this commitment below.

 Parent’s Signature                                                       Phone #                                             

REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCE GRANTED BY ____________________________________ ON                                 

THIS FORM WILL BE KEPT ON FILE FOR REFERENCE DURING THE ENTIRE SEASON

COLOR GUARD MEMBERS, TURN IN TO JENNIFER KESSEL.  ALL PERCUSSION AND WIND PLAYERS, TURN IN TO MR. WEBBER OR MR. MUELLER.

INSTRUMENT INFORMATION

SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS 

Any student using a school owned instrument of any kind, must check that instrument out through the band office.  There is a $75.00 usage cost for the use of school owned instruments.  This usage cost must be paid before any instrument may be checked out and/or used.  The cost covers maintenance costs for the instrument.  Any maintenance cost in excess of the $75.00 usage cost will be incurred by the student.  All checks are payable to Boone County High School Band.

INSTRUMENT CARE INFORMATION 

·        Do not touch or play anyone else’s instrument

·        Do not leave instruments out of the case while in your locker

·        Always latch the case shut

·        Keep the instrument clean and in good playing condition

·        Instruments are delicate, so take care of them

·        Instruments will be periodically inspected to insure you are taking care of them

There is no “getting by” with an instrument that does not work properly.

A “bad instrument” produces a “bad sound” which results in a “bad band”

GRADING POLICY

          Members of the Rebel Brigade who are enrolled in the band at Boone County High School will receive a grade that will be averaged in to their grade for either Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. 

          Members who are not enrolled in the band at Boone County High School will receive a Progress Report that will be sent home every two weeks starting at the end of band camp.  Continued participation, for these students, will be based upon an acceptable Progress Report. 

The Grade/Progress Report will be based on the following criteria: 

Rehearsal Participation

·        Students are required to have music/routines memorized by assigned dates

·        Students are required to be actively involved in all rehearsals

·        Students are required to participate in a mature manner

·        Students are required to follow the guidelines of the Boone County Rebel Brigade Handbook at all times 

Evaluation Tools

·        Students will be evaluated by staff members at all rehearsals

·        Students will be given periodic performance assessments

·        Attendance will be taken at all events 

Results of Non-Acceptable Participation

·        Students enrolled in band at Boone County High School will receive lowered grades that will reflect the lack of proper participation

·        All students will be subject to removal from the show if participation is not at a suitable level, and will remain out of the show until participation is brought up to the suitable level as deemed by the Rebel Brigade Staff

·        All decisions concerning removal from the show will be discussed with both the student and guardian prior to removal

GRADES AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

          We are very proud of the fact that our students not only excel on the performance field, but also in the classroom. 

          We demand that our students maintain respectable grades. 

          Below, you will find an explanation of the Boone County Rebel Brigade Eligibility Requirements: 

·        Grades will be checked weekly beginning at the end of the 2^nd full week of school

·        Any student who has a “D” on the grade sheet must immediately enroll in after-school tutoring to insure the grade is brought up.  The tutoring is free to the student

·        Any student who has an “F” on the grade sheet must immediately enroll in after-school tutoring as well as sit out performances until the grade is brought up.

·        The tutoring must not interfere with the after-school rehearsal schedule of the Rebel Brigade. 

Students will also be responsible to the Boone County High School Eligibility Policy as set forth by the SBDM Committee.  You will receive this policy at the start of school. 

          This system was not developed to punish students, but rather to help them stay out of academic difficulty. 

          Several members of the Rebel Brigade offer help to fellow students in all types of classes. 

AGAIN, THE REBEL BRIGADE WILL NOT TOLERATE STUDENTS WHO DO NOT APPLY THEMSELVES IN THE CLASSROOM!

UNIFORMS  
 

The Boone County Band Booster Organization is charged with the responsibility of maintaining the uniforms.  Each member will be provided with a uniform.  Shoes and gloves will be ordered at Pre-Camp.  

          Part of the band fee that each member pays for band goes towards the cleaning of the band uniforms.  All uniforms are cleaned and pressed by the Band Boosters.  No student is to clean his or her own instruments.  Uniforms are kept in the Bandroom.  No one is allowed to take a uniform home.  

          It is very important to the overall look of the band that each individual band member be fit properly in his/her uniform.  

1.     Members will be informed of the fitting schedule  

2.     Bring marching shoes to the fitting  

Uniform Rules 

1. Wear black socks

2. Hang uniform neatly on the hangar supplied  

3. Do not alter a uniform my yourself  

4. Uniforms are kept in the appropriate cabinet  

5. Be sure to put your name inside your shoes  

6. Shoes must be clean and polished prior to all performances  

7. A t-shirt, WITH SLEEVES, must be worn under uniform  

8. The wearing of gym shorts is also advisable  

9. NO TYPE OF JEWELRY IS ALLOWED  

10. Hair must be tucked up in hat and not below the collar  

BY PUTTING ON THE UNIFORM OF THE REBEL BRIGADE, YOU TAKE ON AN AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY.  YOU ARE REMINDED TO REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND WHOM YOU REPRESENT AT ALL TIMES.