GRADES
     Any student who can do all the things necessary to be a Graham Band member, and can show respect for his/her fellow band members and his/her teachers should receive a good grade. You can earn a lower grade by:
failing to prepare music to a acceptable level of proficiency
failing to memorize music on time
missing practices or rehearsals
excessive tardiness
failing inspection
failing to turn in materials on time
absence from a performance

ABSENCES
     Absences from rehearsals must be for legitimate reasons and must be approved in advance by the director. Students will be excused for sickness when absent from school, doctors appointments or for a death in the family.
     Absences for any other reasons could result in a lower grade or loss of membership in the Graham Band. Students and parents should realize that every student is dependent on every other student to do his/her part so that our performances will be the best possible. This is especially true for competitions. We spend too many hours in preparation not to have everyone present at our performances.
     If you are to be out due to illness please call the school so we will know where you are and so that you will not lose your marching position or chair.
     Two-week notice will be provided for all "called" rehearsals. An unexcused absence will result in a drop of one letter grade for the next six weeks.

CHAIR AUDITIONS
     There will be one chair audition for chairs each year. It will be held sometime in November and will determine the chairs for the remainder of the school year.
     Freshmen will be listed at the end of the returning band list in the order in which they sat in eigth grade band.
     Seating in concert band is also determined by the same audition. If a student would like to advance in his/her section, they may challenge the student one seat ahead of them. They must be prepared to play all twelve major scales, the chromatic scale, and sight read. Students challenging others must provide three days notice.

SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS/SUPPLIES
     If you play a school instrument (baritone, tuba, tenor saxophone, percussion or ANY other instrument), you are responsible for the general upkeep of that instrument. The band will pay for all major repairs; however, if you caused the damage to the instrument being repaired, you are responsible for the repair bill.

BAND UNIFORMS
Click here for Demoulin's recommended care of uniforms…
     Band uniforms with the possible exception of some drum major uniforms, are the property of the GHS Band. It is the responsibility of the student to keep the uniform clean and well maintained. There will be a uniform deposit which will be returned when the uniform is turned in UNLESS the uniform is in need of cleaning. Your uniform is very expensive, PLEASE take care of it!

Replacement costs of uniform parts:
Coat: $115.00
Pants: $55.00
Cape: $30.00
Helmet: $40.00
Plume: $9.00
Shoulder Cord: $9.00
Raincoat: $40.00

INSPECTION
     Inspection will be held before each performance to insure that each student is properly wearing his/her uniform and has all the necessary equipment for a performance. You will fail inspection if:
you are missing any part of your uniform.
your shoes are dirty.
your instrument is dirty.
your flag is dirty and/or wrinkled.
you do not have your flip folder and music.

Inspection is a large part of your grade. Take it seriously.

BAND TRIPS (See 2008 Addendum)
     Students may ride the bus of their choice. This is a privilege and a student who is misbehaving will be assigned a bus and a seat. All students must sign up and turn in trip permission forms as required by our school district before they will be allowed to travel with the band.
     All students are expected to ride to all band functions with the band. Students not returning with the group may leave only with a parent or guardian. A parent or guardian must come and get students and will be responsible from that moment on. If a member does not return with the group he/she must make arrangements for someone to be responsible for equipment and instrument.
     There will be NO smoking, chewing, or dipping of tobacco on any bus for any trip, or at any time while in uniform. The use of alcohol or any other drug before or during a trip will be dealt with as provided in the school district policy and would be considered a very serious disciplinary problem by the director.
     Roll call will be taken on each bus after every stop in which band members disembark. On overnight trips, students will not be allowed out of their rooms after the specified time. All rooms will be checked before the lights go out.
     Students will be given a detailed schedule for trips other than ball games. Please have someone waiting to pick up a member after a trip. Because contests and ball games do not run of schedule, it may be impossible for the band to arrive home as scheduled.
     Students are responsible for their own instrument, equipment, luggage, uniform, etc. on any trip and should see that it is loaded and unloaded properly.
     Student leaders will be responsible for checking each member's equipment, instrument, music, and uniform before that member is allowed to board the bus. Students may not board the buses until they have been inspected. The band will not stop to eat unless this has been announced in advance.

Band Bus Traveling Rules 2008 Addendum

Home Games - ALL students must ride the buses to and from Mitchell Stadium.

Away Games and Competitions - ALL students are expected to ride the buses to and from all away games and competitions.  If an extenuating circumstance arises which requires a student to not ride the bus home, Mr. Brown must be notified prior to leaving GHS.  All students must remain with the band until the entire band leaves the stadium or competition site (this will generally be at the end of the game/festival or after awards are announced in our band class).  At that time, all students must return to the Uniform Trailer to turn in their uniforms.  Any student approved to not ride the bus home must have a parent or guardian notify their assigned bus chaperone when they are leaving the bus/uniform trailer area.

PICKING UP A STUDENT AFTER PRACTICE
     Students will be dismissed on schedule on much as possible. Please be prompt when picking up students.

INSURANCE
     Band members are not required to carry school insurance, but it is strongly recommended that they do unless another health policy covers him/her.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
     Students will be expected to get to the band room in a timely fashion. Students arriving late will be marked as tardy. Three unexcused tardy's result in time in Saturday school. Band students will have two minutes upon entering the music department to get their equipment and be seated. Any student called down twice for talking or other disruptive behavior will be referred to the office for disciplinary action. Students need to be responsible for the condition of the band room and instrument room. No food or drinks will be allowed in the band room. A student caught littering in the band room will be asked to pick up the entire band room. Students are expected to keep their instruments in their cases and in the assigned areas. All reed players need to have two reeds in good condition at all times and brass players need to have valve oil or slide oil at all times. An instrument not in good playing condition will be sent to the repair shop at the students expense.