2015-­‐2016      

Class  of  2019  New  Member  Information  Packet        

CONCERT  BAND    •    SYMPHONIC  BAND    •    WIND  ENSEMBLE      

MARCHING  BAND    •    COLORGUARD  •    JAZZ  BANDS    

WINTER  GUARD    • INDOOR  DRUMLINE  

 Information  for  rising  ninth  graders  about  joining  

the  Milton  High  School  band  program      

WHAT  IS  HIGH  SCHOOL  BAND?    

When  students  join  the  MHS  Band  program,  they  are  placed  into  one  of  three  concert   band   classes   that   meet   daily   as   part   of   the   six   period   academic  schedule.    Unlike  middle  school  band,  each  of  the  three  band  classes  has  a  mix  of  9th-­‐12th  grade  students,  and  they  are  ability  based.    Most  freshmen  are  placed  into  the  Concert  Band  (intermediate),  but  some  advanced  players  will  be  placed  into   the   Symphonic   Band   (advanced)   and   Wind   Ensemble   (mastery).     All  students  who  sign  up  for  band  class  will  receive  class  placement  materials  and  information   at   NMS   and   EPMS   early   in   the   spring.     Band   class   placement  auditions  will   take  place  on  Thursday,  April  2nd   from  4:00-­‐8:00PM   at  MHS.    The   class   placement   hearing   is   nothing   to   worry   about;   we   have   a   place   for  everyone,  regardless  of  ability  or  experience  and  want  to  make  sure  everyone  is  put  into  the  correct  class.    Nobody  will  be  “cut.”  

 

 Above:  The  MHS  Wind  Ensemble  performs  at  the  annual  fall  concert.  All   three   bands   perform   3-­‐4   concerts   a   year   and   regularly   participate   in  GMEA  Large  Group  Performance   Evaluations.       Students   enrolled   in   band   classes   also   have   the   option   to   take   a  private  lesson  during  their  band  class  once  a  week  with  a  private  lesson  instructor.  

THE  MILTON  HIGH  SCHOOL  MARCHING  BAND    

   

MARCHING  BAND  REGISTRATION  INFORMATION      

All  band  students  must  sign  up  for  band  class  to  be  eligible  to  participate  in  the  extra-­‐curricular  Milton  High  School  marching  band.    Marching  band  begins  in  July  with  practices  at  the  school  and  at  our  marching  band  camp.    Once  school  begins,  the  marching  band  rehearses  after  school  from  August  through  the  end  of   football   season   in   early   November.     While   all   prospective   members   are  required   to   attend   a   few  practice   sessions   in   the   spring,   these   are   not   formal  “auditions”   and  nobody  will  be   “cut.”    The  practice   sessions  are  used   to  place  each   student   on   the   appropriate   drum   (for   percussion),   give   the   students   an  opportunity   to   perform   with   the   high   school   band,   and   play   on   a   marching  instrument  (for  brass  players).    For  the  colorguard  (flags),  the  auditions  will  be  a  time  to  get  everyone  familiar  with  the  flag  equipment  used.    To  be  a  member  of   the   colorguard,   no   experience   or   band   class   is   required,   so   feel   free   to  encourage  your  friends  not  currently  in  band  to  audition  for  this  group.    The  mandatory  marching  band  interest/informational  meeting  for  parents  will  take  place  on  Tuesday,  March  31st  at  7:30PM   at  MHS.    Registration   for  both  marching   and   concert   bands   is  Monday,  May   4th   from   4:00–8:00PM   in   the  MHS  band  room.      

 

MARCHING  BAND  WOODWIND  AND  BRASS  SECTIONS  Flute,   Clarinet,   Bass   Clarinet,   Alto   Sax,   Tenor   Sax,   Baritone   Sax,   Trumpet,   French  Horn   (Mellophone),   Trombone,   Baritone,   Tuba   (Sousaphone).   Mr.   Shumick   will  speak  individually  to  oboe  and  bassoon  players  about  other  instruments  that  they  can  play  so  they  can  be  involved  in  marching  band.    

     

Students   must   attend   a   music   rehearsal   from   4:30-­‐6:00PM   on   Tuesday,  April  28th  in  the  MHS  Orchestra  Room.    At  this  time,  all  returning  and  new  members   will   play   as   a   full   ensemble   for   the   first   time,   music   will   be  distributed,  and  school-­‐owned  marching  instruments  will  be  checked  out  for  summer  practice.    As  long  as  the  student  is  registered  by  a  parent  at  the  band  registration   session   on   Monday,   May   4th,   a   spot   in   the   group   will   be  reserved.     At   the   conclusion   of   Marching   Band   season,   students   have   the  opportunity   to   participate   in   the   Milton   Jazz   Bands,   which   rehearse   from  November  until  May  after  school,  once  a  week.  

 

 Above:  The  new  look  of  the  Milton  Marching  Band  uniforms  that  will  debut  in  the  fall  of  2015  

 

MARCHING  BAND  PERCUSSION  SECTION  Snare  Drum,  Quads,  Bass  Drum,  Cymbals,  Front  Ensemble  

 

   

In  order  to  be  a  part  of  the  marching  band  percussion  section  (drumline),  all  interested   students   must   attend   practice   on   Monday,   April   27th   and  Tuesday,   April   28th   from   4:30-­‐7:00PM   at  MHS   (this   is   the   day   after   the  NMS  DC  trip).    During  these  rehearsals,  all  returning  and  new  members  play  on  their  choice  of  percussion  instruments.    Music  and  other  materials  will  be  distributed  several  weeks  in  advance  at  NMS/EPMS.    At   the  end  of  the   two  days,  a  finalized  list  of  participating  students  and  their  assigned  drum  will  be  posted.    Nobody  will  be  “cut.”    This  audition  is  a  way  to  make  sure  everyone  is  placed  on  the  instrument  they  are  best  suited  for.    Percussionists  will  then  be   assigned   a   spot   in   the   front   ensemble   (mallet   percussion,   drumset,  auxiliary  percussion),  or  the  marching  battery  (snare  drum,  bass  drum,  quads  or  cymbals).  Students  who  participate  in  the  fall  marching  band  percussion  section   also   have   the   opportunity   to   participate   in   the   Indoor   Drumline,  which   begins   rehearsals   at   the   conclusion   of   the  marching   band   season   in  November.    

 Above:   Pictures   from   the  Marching   Band’s   performance   in   New   York   City   at   the   NYC  Veterans  Day  Parade  in  November  2014  

     

MARCHING  BAND  COLORGUARD  SECTION  Flags,  Weapon,  Dance  

 

 All   band   students   and   non-­‐band   students   are   eligible   to   participate   in   the  Milton   High   School   Colorguard.     Members   of   this   group   do   not   have   to  enroll   in   a  band   class.     The   guard   performs  with   the  marching   band  as   an  auxiliary  unit  utilizing  flag,  rifles,  sabre  and  dance.    Members  are  required  to  attend  all  rehearsals  and  performances.  To  become  a  member  of  this  group,  students   must   attend   auditions   on   the   week   of   April   27th   in   the   MHS  cafeteria   from   4:30-­‐6:30PM   (begins   the   day   after   the  NMS  DC   trip).     No  experience   is   required!    Students  who  participate   in   the   fall  marching  band  colorguard   also   have   the   opportunity   to   participate   in   the   winterguard,  which   begins   rehearsals   at   the   conclusion   of   the  marching   band   season   in  November.  

 

 Above:  The  fall  2014  Colorguard  before  a  competition  in  October  

 

WHAT  ARE  SOME  OF  THE  BENEFITS  OF  PARTICIPATING  IN  OUR  AWARD-­‐  WINNING  BAND  PROGRAM?  

   

120+  instant  friends,  even  before  school  begins   Gaining   an   identity   by   being   a  member   of   a   smaller   group   in   a   school    population  of  2,000  students   Being   surrounded   by   the   brightest,   friendliest,   and   best   group   of    students  at  Milton   Gaining  confidence  in  oneself  and  his/her  abilities   Learning  the  value  of  teamwork  and  discipline   Establishing  time  management  skills   Being  a  part  of  a  successful  musical  ensemble   Eligible  for  participating  in  other  ensembles  including  Jazz  Bands,  Milton    Indoor  Drumline  and  Winterguard     Enjoying  great  seats  at  all  MHS  football  games   An  exciting  and  wonderful  high  school  experience   Fun,  Fun,  Fun!  

 

 Above:   The   2014   MHS   Marching   Band   after   winning   the   Grand   Champion   award   at   the  McEachern  High  School  Marching  Invitational      

IMPORTANT  DATES  FOR  JOINING  THE  2015-­‐2016  MILTON  BAND  PROGRAM  

 The   band’s   calendar,   which   includes   all   events,   practices,   concerts,   and   other   activities   is  posted   to   the   band   website,   www.miltonband.org/calendar.     For   the   most   up-­‐to-­‐date  dates/times,   check   this   calendar   often.     It’s   a  Google   calendar,   so   you   can   sync   it   to   your  personal/home  calendar  as  well.    Spring  2015-­‐  Sign  up  for  band  when  you  select  your  high  school  courses.    All  students  will   register   for   “Intermediate  Band  I”  and  then  be  placed   into  the  correct  ensemble  after  class  placement  auditions  

 FOR  STUDENTS  WHO  SIGN  UP  FOR  BAND:  

Tuesday,  March  31st     7:30  PM     Marching  Band  Interest  Meeting  for  Parents  @  MHS  (required)          

Thursday,  April  2nd       4:00-­‐8:00  PM     Band  Class  placement  hearings  @  MHS  (required)            

Monday,  April  27th    -­‐  Tuesday,  April  28th       4:30-­‐7:00  PM     Marching  Band  Percussion  Auditions  @  MHS            

Tuesday,  April  28th       4:30–6:00  PM     Marching  Band  Brass  and  Woodwind  Rehearsal  @  MHS  

(current  8th  graders  must  attend)    

       

Monday,  April  27st  through  Thursday  April  30th       4:30-­‐6:30  PM     Colorguard  Auditions  @MHS            

Monday,  May  4th       4:00–8:00  PM     Marching  Band  and  Concert  Band  Registration  @  MHS  

 MANDATORY  SUMMER  REHEARSAL  SCHEDULE:  

Tuesdays  during  June  and  July     4:00-­‐6:00  PM     Colorguard  optional  rehearsals  @  MHS            

Sunday,  July  12th       7:00  PM     Marching  Band  Parent  Meeting  @  MHS  (Band  Camp  info)-­‐-­‐  for  all  parents          

July  13th    –  July  17th           Marching  Band  Rehearsal  @  MHS  (Required  for  all  members)          

July  19st  –  July  24th           Marching  Band  Camp  @  Reinhardt  University  (Required  for  all  members)          

July  27th  –  August  7th           Marching  Band  Evening  Rehearsals  @  MHS  (Required  for  all  members)          

Saturday,  August  1st           OLD  SOLDIERS  DAY  PARADE  in  Alpharetta    

 The   Marching   Band   performs   at   the   annual   Old   Soldiers   Day   Parade,   all   home   and   away  football  games,  the  Fulton  County  Marching  Band  exhibition,  the  White  Columns  Invitational  (the  competition  we  host  here  at  MHS),  and  2-­‐3  competitions  a  year.      

 

PARENT  VOLUNTEER  OPPORTUNITIES    

With   a   program   as   large   and   vibrant   as   ours,   there   are   many   volunteer  opportunities  for  all  parents,  regardless  of  your  specific  talents.    All  parents  are  expected   to   contribute   time   so   that   the   program   runs   smoothly.   Examples   of  volunteer  opportunities  to  choose  from  include:    

Working  concessions  at  Verizon  Amphitheater  –  this  is  our  largest  fundraiser  

Range  of  jobs  at  our  marching  competition-­‐  White  Columns  Invitational     Organizing  and  planning  other  fundraisers  such  as  Jazz  ala  Mode,  Taste  of  Alpharetta  

Chaperoning   Equipment  Crew  –  from  building  props  to  moving  equipment   Feeding  the  students  on  Friday  nights  and  before  competitions   Spiritwear  sales-­‐  Friday  lunches,  football  games,  registration   Football  program  –  from  selling  ads,  to  layout,  to  selling  at  games   Band  Banquet  in  May  –  organize  and  decorate   Hospitality  –  after  concerts  and  other  special  events,  both  baking  and  serving  

Photographers   Sewing  –  alterations  to  uniforms  and  sewing  flags   Uniforms  –  both  marching  and  concert  –  fit  students,  distribute  and  maintain  

Medical  –  need  nurses  and  other  health  care  professionals  for  all  practices  and  games  

Volunteer  sign  up  will  occur  the  same  time  as  registration.      

HOW  MUCH  ARE  MARCHING  BAND  FEES?  Marching  fees  are  variable  based  on  the  exact  number  of  optional  uniform  items  you  may  purchase.    (e.g.,  some  people   get   show   shirts   for   parents,   or   two   sets   of   under   uniforms)     These   are   the   estimated   costs   for   a   new  marching  band  member:  

Uniform  Items:    

Marching  Shoes     $35     These   shoes   are   worn   with   the   marching   band   uniform   to   football  

games/competitions/parades.    

Under  Uniform     $28/set     This  is  a  Marching  Band  shirt  and  shorts  that  all  marchers  wear  under  the  uniforms.    2015  Show  Shirt     $12/each     This   shirt   will   have   the   2015   Show   theme   design,   and   is   worn   to  marching   camp,  Old  

Soldier’s  Day  parade,  pep  rallies,  etc.    

Uniform  Maintenance  Fee     $50     This  fee  covers  dry  cleaning  the  marching  uniforms  throughout  the  season,  purchasing  

gloves   for  all  marchers,  and  any  repairs  and  replacements  that  may  be  needed.     It  also  pays   for   dry   cleaning   and   maintenance   of   the   concert   uniform   Tuxedos   and   Concert  Dresses.  

 

Color  Guard  only:     $173     This  amount  covers   the  warm  up  suit/sports  bag/gloves/shoes/tank  top/show  shirt   for  

Color  Guard  members.    Returning  Guard  members  cost  =  $64,  since  warm  ups  &  sports  bags  are  only  purchased  the  first  year.  

 

 Other  Costs  for  Marching/Color  Guard:  

 

Band  Parent  Obligation:     $250     Our  outstanding  Marching  program  requires  a  lot  of  money  to  perform  at  the  high  level  

that  we  enjoy  at  Milton  High  School.    This  money  goes  to  help  cover  many  instructional,  equipment  and  general  expenses  required  to  run  the  marching  band  program.  

 

Band  Camp     $400     July   19-­‐24,   2015:  One  week   of   camp   at  Reinhardt  University   in  Waleska,  Georgia,  with  

extensive  staff   instruction,  where  the  students  will   learn  how  to  march,   learn  the  show  music  and  drill,  and  have  a  great  time.  

 

Performance  Dinners     $95     A   team   of   parent   volunteers   will   feed   the   entire   marching   band   before   every   football  

game,  competitions,  during  the  mini-­‐band  camp,  etc.    During  the  2014-­‐2015  season,  there  were   19   meals   provided,   in   addition   to   snacks   for   several   of   the   longer   bus   rides   to  competitions.  

 

Concert  Band  Costs:   (Boys  only)    $26       Your   student  will   be   sized   and   given   a   Tuxedo   (boys)   or   Concert  Dress   (girls)   for   the  

school  year,  which  will  be  worn  at  all  concerts.    BOYS  are  required  to  purchase  a  Tuxedo  Shirt  and  studs  to  wear  with  the  Tuxedo  they  are  issued.  

 

Band  Trip  to  Florida  (TBD)   (Estimated)    $400     Details  to  follow.    

 Total  cost  for  new  members  of  the  Milton  Marching  Band  Program  2015-­‐2016:  

Girls  -­‐  $870  Boys  -­‐  $890  

Color  Guard  -­‐  $918      

Payment  1  (May  4th)  -­‐  $450.00  Payment  2  (June  12th)  -­‐  $420.00  (Girls),  $440  (Boys),  $480  (Colorguard)  

 Florida  trip  payment  (optional)  (July  12th)  -­‐  $400.00  *  

*  Trip  cost  is  an  estimate.    Final  details  and  pricing  will  be  discussed  at  interest  meeting  on  March  31st