Commentary

From Mr. Chester

 

Greetings parents:

 

Parents, friends, and family will not want to miss this special occasion as we commence with our competitive season.  Parents or other designated family members will be asked to join their child as we pin them with the Hillwood Band Insignia Badge.  Band members will be called to the stage along with their parents or family members who will assist in "pining" the student.  We encourage family members to take pictures or film this event.  This is a very special event that you won't want to miss.  We will also induct our newest members into Modern Music Masters, also known as TRI-M into our Hillwood Band Chapter #5738.  Join us for light refreshments and a stand still performance inside the lobby of our first movement of the 2009 competitive marching band show.
 
Band members will have a call time of 4:00 PM on Friday.  Uniform and instrument inspection will take place at 5:00 PM.  Color guard members will wear a modified uniform consisting of the black shirt that was worn from last Friday's football game, a black unitard (on loan from the band) and the black kullerswift shoes.
 
Band members will need to have the appropriate undergarments and the black under armour. (Shirts shirts for those students who ordered one will be here on Friday ready to wear.)  Footwear will be the black MTX's.

 

I hope to see you all at this event.

 

Warmest Regards,
Michael Chester
Music Director and Conductor,
The Hillwood High School Band

 

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Additional Comments

 

Attendance Issues
 
We have had some issues recently with members and their attendance at activities that are on our calendar.  The calendar is on the website for your convenience.  All rehearsals and performances are considered mandatory unless otherwise stated.  Since we do not get the luxury of rehearsing our music or drill during class hours it is critical that students be at all rehearsals and performances.  Our policy (which is also policy for all co-curricular and extracurricular activities) is that two weeks notice must be given for all mandatory scheduled events, rehearsals, and performances.  Recently we have had a few members who have sprung up conflicts the day of our rehearsal or who have had to leave early without adequate notice. 

 

 In order for us to be the best we need to have everyone present at all times.  Please help us with this.

 

The contracts that parents and students signed state the following:
 
 1. ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

We the undersigned understand that student attendance is required at all dates (camps, rehearsals, performances, etc.) as given and outlined in the Hillwood Competitive Band Program's season calendar.  Students and parents will be given a minimum of a two-week notice for any and all required dates in which attendance is required.  We understand that a student member's failure to attend required dates (camps, rehearsals, performances, etc.) may result in suspension from performances or removal from the program.  We also understand that from time to time changes to the performance calendar may occur due to unforeseen circumstances (inclement weather, cancellation of school, etc.) and that adequate communication will be given to both parents and students in such an event.  In those instances where two-week notice is not possible, no suspensions or terminations will occur. 

 

 Furthermore we understand that it is both the student and parent's responsibility to clearly communicate all attendance problems in writing (written note or email, etc) a minimum of two-weeks prior to occurrence, with the understanding that absence (excused or not) from rehearsal may affect the part assigned with the Hillwood Competitive Band Program.  Failure to communicate attendance problems could result in performance suspension or removal from the program.  All known conflicts must be made in writing to the Director of Bands.

 

2. ABSENCE POLICY DUE TO RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS, ILLNESS, OR FAMILY EMERGENCY

 

We understand that in regards to religious holidays that students will be excused from all events as outlined in the Hillwood Competitive Band Program calendar that are in direct conflict with religious holidays.  Students and parents are required to give a minimum of two-week notice for all absences due to religious holidays.  Furthermore we understand that situations may occur in which student members may be absent due to sickness or family emergencies (death in the family, etc) and that such absences will be excused at the Director of Bands discretion.  In such situations students and parents must contact the Director of Bands as soon as possible.