Marching Band Handbook

Attendance at all rehersals, football games, and competitions is mandatory. we will excuse extreme illness (with doctor's note) or death in the immediate family. If you leave school early and will miss rehearsal, the DIRECTOR needs to be notified by a PARENT/GUARDIAN via email and/or Remind. It is much better to "take it easy" than it is to miss a rehearsal. We reserve the right to pull students from performances if rehearsals are missed. 

If you miss an entire school day you are not to attend Marching Band after school. If you sign-out for doctor's appointments, etc. during the school day you may (and should) return to school for Marching Practice. 

If at all possible, please don't schedule doctor's appointments, orthodontist visits, dentist appointments, etc. on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during Marching Season. Please let Mr. Hamrick know ASAP of existing appointments. 

It is imperative that all members of the Warhorse Regiment are in good standing with the school as far as discipline. Students will be removed from the group for serious violations of school rules (drugs, violence, honor code violations, etc.). 

It is also a requirement that students are mature, well-disciplined,  and trustworthy students when involved in the Owen Bands. Honestly, there is really no threshold for serious misbehavior! We reserve the right to remove you from the ensemble should any serious issues arise, including (but not limited to):

• Fighting

• Insubordination

• Illegal substances (all tobacco/alcohol/vaping/drug paraphernalia is illegal for High School students)

• Excessive absences (with or without parent/guardian contact)

• Missing a performance without PARENT/GUARDIAN contact. 

• Title IX Violations 

• Theft

• Vandalism

• Violation of Band Policies and Procedures

• Honor Code Violations

Removal from ensembles is not necessarily automatic (there is a procedure involved). However, many of the above rule violations carry with them suspension from school. Since you are not allowed to participate in events when you are suspended, depending on the violation, you could miss too much rehearsal time to "catch up", especially at the beginning of the season or if you have other unrelated absences. 

We rarely (if ever) have any issues whatsoever related to any of these issues. 

1. There should be at least 1 adult chaperone per bus.

2. Only band students, school personnel, band staff and chaperones are allowed to ride the bus.

3. Students will return from performances on the same bus they leave on.

4. Students may return home with a parent if they have arranged to do so. A note from the parent is required, and needs to be given to his/her chaperone prior to the competition/away game. 

5. There will be NO co-ed seating/couple seating on the bus after dark on ANY trip. Do not ask.

6. Students should stay in their seats while the bus is in motion.

7. Loud, boisterous, or indecent behavior will not be tolerated.

8. There is to be no smoking, drugs, alcoholic beverages, or weapons of any kind on band trips. 

9. No windows or doors (especially back doors) should be opened or closed without permission from the bus driver. Also, as per school policy, nothing should ever be thrown out of the windows at any time.

10. Upon arrival at a destination, students are to stay seated until given permission from the director or head chaperone.

11. No music without headphones!! This protects your right to listen to your choice of music and protects others’ rights not to listen to your choice of music.

12. Always be courteous!!!!! There is never an excuse for being rude.

1. Transportation to and from events (practices, football games, OHS for competitions) is your responsibility. Please make arrangements to be on time arriving and being picked up from events. Please see the director for information about carpooling if this is going to an issue. 

2. Please keep up to date with the Band Remind and the Band.us site. This is our most effective means of communication and it is imperative that students AND parent/guardians belong to the REMIND. The Band.us site is used more for general information while the Remind is used for timely reminders, last minute changes, trip communication, etc. 

3. During Marching Band season, other activities (both school and extracurricular) should be scheduled around band events. It is not fair for only some students to be at rehearsals. We need you there!

1. We are blessed to be one of the only groups that runs concession stands on both the home and away sides for Home football games. This is the reason why our "fair share" dues are the lowest in Buncombe County and why we don't generally do any other fundraising from August to November. If we didn't have the concession stands, students would likely need to pay between $200.00 to $300.00 more to have the same experience in Marching Band (some bands near us pay over $500.00 per student for marching band).

2. To this end, we ask that all parents commit to helping in the concession stands during football season. Leonard and Nikki have things running so well that even the band director can figure it out (and that's saying something!). See CHARMS for sign-up information. Many hands make light work!

3. Also, we would love to have you travel to Band Competitions and come to Football Games to support the efforts of the Warhorse Regiment! It means a lot to have a large "cheering section" at games and especially at competitions. Even though your student may tell you that you don't "have to be there", they're secretly glad you've come!

4. There are also opportunities at games and competitions to help us on and off the field. We are always under a "time crunch" on Friday nights and we have a set amount of time for set-up on competition days. The "Pit Crew" is an important part of our success and a great way to get involved! It doesn't require any special skills and isn't difficult (plus you get the "best seat in the house" right in front of the Band as they perform! 

5. Band Booster meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month during Marching Season beginning at 6:30 in the Band Room. This is a great way to stay connected to the organization and share ideas. Mr. Hamrick always has a "state of the Band" report and then there's a brief amount of business. Please come out and support the efforts of the Band!

1. Competition days are generally all day events. Students should not plan other activities on contest days. 

2. When we practice before a competition, students should plan accordingly, wearing athletic clothes to rehearse in and then changing. 

3. Remember that you are responsible for black socks, bibbers, marching shoes, and black t-shirts for all performances. 

4. Many of the same guidelines for football games also apply to Competitions. We sit together as a group and move together as a group. No one should be off "by themselves". 

5. Especially on competition days use the "talk to three before you talk to me (the director)". Chances are someone other than the director can answer your question. 

6. As a general rule, we all travel together to (and from) marching competitions. There is equipment to be unloaded, uniforms to be put away, etc. when we return and ALL band members are needed (and expected) to assist with this process. If you find it necessary to leave from a competition, there is a procedure to be followed. Please contact Mr. Hamrick directly for this procedure. 

1. Never play your instrument unless instructed by the Director or Drum Major.

2. You will sit in your section with the band. Non-band members are not allowed to sit with the band.

3. When entering the stands, everyone will remain standing in place at “stand by” until seated by the director.

4. Anyone returning tardy from a break could lose their break time at future games.

5. No food, drinks, gum, etc. allowed in the stands (other than 3rd Quarter Break). This is to keep uniforms and equipment clean.

6. At away games, students should travel in groups of at least 4 or more.

7. No profanity or obscene gestures will be tolerated! No PDA with members of the band or members outside the band. You are a representative of the band, the school, and your community.

8. Any directions given by the Director, Drum Major, Student Leaders or Band Staff are to be strictly followed.

9. EVERYONE stays to clean up the stands until you are dismissed by your Section Captain. Section Captains will check in with the director before dismissing their section. 

10.   The Band usually performs post-game, and when there are special events at half-time we will perform pre-game. Students are expected to be present for the entire game, including post-game and clean-up. Although there is a procedure for being dismissed early (contact Mr. Hamrick directly) we ask that students not plan on leaving the game early. 

1. At NO time will a student appear in public in partial uniform (unless instructed). We will either BE in uniform or NOT in uniform.

2. NO other hats except the band hats are to be worn with the uniform.

3. Never run in uniform unless it is written in the show.

4. If you are in uniform, you will ALWAYS be accompanied by another band member, known hereafter as a “2”. This includes anywhere the band is located. Do not be without a “2” when in uniform, whether changing or using the restroom, during 3rd quarter breaks at football games anywhere. This is for your safety and security.

5. There will absolutely no public displays of affection while in uniform. This includes in the stands on 3rd Quarter Break. 

6. It is your responsibility to take good care of your uniform. Uniforms generally remain at school.

7. You are financially responsible for lost or damaged uniforms or uniform parts.

8. Visible jewelry is not to be worn with the uniform. Please do not ask for exceptions. This includes ears, noses, etc. 

9. Heavy make-up is not allowed in uniform (it rubs off on the collar). Color Guard is exempt from this. 

10. Shoes are to be kept clean. Everyone will wear black socks with the band uniform that are calf length.

11. Long hair is to be pulled back (with a hair tie/bobby pins, etc.) and put up in the hat.

12. A plain, black T-shirt will be worn under the uniform jacket as part of the dress code. The exception to this will be with official Band Tour Shirts. The two are NOT interchangeable, however. Listen carefully to directions for which shirt to wear. 

13. For the duration of the Marching Season (August-December) hair should not be any color other than a "natural" color. Hair can be dyed different colors following the conclusion of the marching season (after the Black Mountain Holiday Parade). 

14. Students other than color guard are responsible for having their own bibbers, approved marching band shoes, black socks, and a black t-shirt (plain). Uniform Jackets, hats, plumes, etc. are provided by the school. We will place the order for Marching Band shoes and bibbers at the May booster meeting.