November 3, Dear Ladies in Waiting and Parent,

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1 November 3, 2016 Dear Ladies in Waiting and Parent, I am delighted you are auditioning for the Lovejoy High School Majestics Dance Team. The Majestics Dance Team is a wonderful organization for students interested in performance and dance. It is demanding, challenging and fun, it is growing, creativity and limelight!!! Your daughter will be greatly impacted by this opportunity should she make the esteemed performance group. For the Majestics, we will be conducting auditions in December. There are many reasons why we do an early audition and all of them are to benefit the best growth of the future of the Majestics. Here are some of the points on which we hope to make an impact: More students available to audition without the overlap of other activities Providing an opportunity for Rookie Majestics to begin working closely together to grow as a future Baby Majestics class and learn the necessary tools for becoming a Majestic. To integrate the Rookies into the Majestics during the Spring Show and utilize them as backstage and performance support for the current Majestics dance team Establish a repoire with the new girls and set forth the expectations of being a Majestic. To learn traditional aspects of Majestics in advance of the school year. If you make the team this December, you will become a ROOKIE Majestic;; which means, your official Majestic year does not begin until the school year. In the spring, the Pre-Dance Class becomes the Pre-Majestics class, and only those students continuing in Majestics will remain. Any students not making the team or choosing not to tryout will be moved into the Studio I class to grow into the Studio Dance department. The spring semester for Rookie Majestics is used to continue to prepare the girls for the demands of becoming a Majestic. All new Rookies must be enrolled. You may have many questions. Please attend an information audition meeting on Monday, November 9, 2015 at the LHS Library meeting for answers to your questions and many others. I am looking forward to the Majestics Dance Team. It is going to be an exciting year. Sincerely, Fela Lowrance Majestics Dance Team Director

2 Lovejoy High School Drill-Dance Team Auditions Congratulations on your decision to audition for the Lovejoy High School Dance Team! To tryout, complete and return the student information and the tryout permission form to Ms. Lowrance or Mrs. Willis no later than Friday, December 4, 2015 Calendar of Scheduled Events Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Packets Available for distribution Monday, November 9, 2015 Tryout Meeting 6:00pm LHS Library Friday, December 4, 2015 Return Completed Forms to Ms. Lowrance or Mrs. Willis Tuesday, December 8, :30 6:30 LHS Workshop I Wednesday, December 9, :30 6:30 LHS Workshop II Thursday, December 10, :30 6:30 LHS Workshop III Friday, December 11, :00 9:00 LHS Auditions RESULTS LISTING THE TEAM WILL BE POSTED Via the internet on Friday evening one hour after students are released from tryouts. Required Summer Camp Dates Line Camp August 2 6, 2016 REQUIRED for all Majestics August 9 10, 2016 REQUIRED for all Majestics All Majestics are required to attend summer camp. New Member Auditions 1 P age

3 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS You MUST be a current freshman, sophomore, or junior student at Lovejoy High School. 2. You are eligible to attend all workshops regardless of academic eligibility. 3. All eligible candidates may tryout with no regard to current academic eligibility. 4. You must have a current Physical on file with the Lovejoy High School Trainers. You may pick up the appropriate UIL physical form from the athletic trainer. WORKSHOPS 1. Only those students auditioning for the Lovejoy Majestics Dance Team will be admitted. ALL workshops and the auditions are closed to the public. This includes family, friends and dance instructors. No one will be allowed into the rehearsal area. 2. Video of workshops is prohibited. 3. A tryout music link will be provided for all candidates. 4. Candidates must wear appropriate dancewear for workshops. This might include leotards, jazz pants, t-shirts and tights. Athletic shoes or dance shoes (Dance sneakers or jazz shoes) will be worn at all times. Bare feet and flip flops are NOT acceptable. Hair will be pulled off shoulders and out of the face. NO gum will be allowed and jewelry must be removed, including naval rings. 5. Workshops will begin on time, please be prompt. AUDITIONS 1. Only those students auditioning for the Lovejoy High School Majestics Dance Team will be admitted into the gym. 2. All candidates will have an assigned individual number. Numerical order is determined by height in order that students in a group are of an equal height for high kick purposes. Each group will consist of 3-5 dancers. Judges know the candidates by number only individual names are not used. 3. Candidates should wear appropriate drill team performance make up: Brown eye shadow, blush, eyeliner, mascara and RED lipstick. 4. JEWELRY (including naval rings or nose rings) is not permitted 5. Hair must be in a low bun. Please pin loose hair and bangs away from the face. 6. Candidates must wear the following attire for auditions: Conservative and modest black leotard or camisole (black sports bra), black booty shorts/sliders and dance shoes (dance sneakers or jazz shoes). 7. Tattoos and other visible body art will be covered. Body art will be expected to be covered for costuming purposes if your daughter makes the dance team. It is preferred that students not have tattoos or body art while a Majestic. 8. The audition will begin promptly, please be on time. New Member Auditions 2 P age

4 JUDGING CRITERIA 1. All candidates will be judged on the following categories: Poise, Right and Left Splits, Kick Technique and Coordination, Jazz Technique and coordination, Showmanship, and Memory. 2. The judges will know the candidate by number, names will not be used. 3. Each candidate must remain at the audition until the final group has performed in the event call-backs are necessary. 4. Any student receiving an 80% or higher from the cumulative judges scores, will earn a position on the team. The total sum of three judge s scores will be divided by 3 for a cumulative score. Example: Judge 1 total: 77; Judge 2 total 82; Judge 3 total 81= Sum of scores 240 divided by 3 = Results will be posted on Friday, December 11, 2015 One Hour after Auditions commence. 6. If you do not make the Majestics Dance Team, you may schedule a post audition conference with Principal Theresa Dodson and Fela Lowrance. MANDATORY NEW TEAM MEETINGS ALL LHS MAJESTICS AND PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND Deposits All deposits will be made online through Revtrack. Majestic Hat February 15, 2016 $85.00 Summer Line Camp & Clothes March 11, 2016 $ Dance & T s April 15, 2016 Balance in full Summer Line Camp & Clothing May 13, 2016 $300 or full balance Final Camp & Clothes June 10, 2016 Final Balance SUMMER LINE & BOOT CAMP August Summer Camp (REQUIRED) August 2 6 & 9 10, 2016 It is important that all students who make the Dance Team plan to attend summer line camp. To miss line camp is to miss learning all field choreography and pep rally routines, which can be as many as 4 8 dances. In addition, the student will also miss learning competition material from acclaimed choreographers. The student will also miss on an opportunity to meet and bond with her fellow teammates. If a girl must miss camp, she will be required to attend and sit out of the first football game performance and pep rally performance as well as have the responsibility to learn all material on her own time. Special accommodations for practices will not be made for those who miss summer camp. New Member Auditions 3 P age

5 Estimated Fees for This is an estimated cost for the items needed, the final cost will be provided at the first team meeting in March. Some of the items are one time purchases and will not need to be replenished each year your daughter continues on the team. The first year of Majestics is generally the most costly. Required Purchase Items: Summer Camp & Choreography Fee $350 Football season, contest choreography, Retreat. Even if you do not attend camp, we will be paying for your daughter to learn routines and choreography. Every Majestic is required to share the fees for new material. UNIFORM (estimated cost: $325, the uniform pieces are used all three years): Sequin Performance Hat White Drill Team Boots and *Black Tall Boots Black Long sleeve leotard Red briefs Tights Red Lipstick: Covergirl Ever Red Lip Stain Game Day Spirit Shirt Annual Cleaning Fee PEP RALLY/BASKETBALL (estimated cost $100, this is used all three years): Pep Rally Top Pep Rally Bottoms PRACTICE ($350 $400 first year, some items are repeated annually): 3 Tops Black Jazz Pants Brown Capri Pants Brown Booty Shorts Black Booty Shorts Tan Jazz Shoes Black low-top Converse sneakers Black Sports Bra Majestics Team Sweats (monogrammed with name) *Competition: $ (estimated hotel, travel & meals not confirmed or finalized. There will be some fund-raising opportunities) New Member Auditions 4 P age

6 Lovejoy High School Majestics Dance Team Drill Team Constitution NAME AND MEMBERSHIP The name of this organization shall be the Lovejoy High School Majestics Dance Team. Membership in this organization is restricted to sophomores, juniors and seniors attending Lovejoy High School. All members will be selected through a spring audition each year. Members must maintain and exhibit an excellent attitude toward school policies, a willingness to conform to the specific standards of the team as well as emulate the expectations of the Lovejoy Student Profile. CODE OF ETHICS As a member of the Lovejoy High School Majestics Dance Team, I will demonstrate proper behavior during and after school hours. I will take pride in being a member of this organization and will honor and respect my position as well as other members of the team. I realize that I am a role model to and an example of Lovejoy High School and will strive to maintain the integrity of this dance team in the eyes of the public. I further understand that it is a privilege to be a Majestic, not a right; I will treat my position accordingly. CHARACTER EXPECTATIONS 1. Majestics team members are expected to set and demonstrate high moral and ethical standards for themselves at all times. 2. In order to preserve the respect of the drill team in the eyes of the public, there will be NO overt public display of affection (PDA) with boyfriends during school, school sponsored activities or dance team performances. 3. All members are expected to maintain social media interactions that are a positive reflection of the Majestics organization and the Lovejoy High School student body. 4. Any use of tobacco products, alcohol, or drugs while a member of the team will not be tolerated. Constitution 1 P age

7 DRILL TEAM SELECTION PROCESS 1. Any Lovejoy High School freshman, sophomore or junior student is eligible to audition for the Majestics. 2. Any student auditioning for a position on the Majestics will be expected to attend a 3 day workshop. This workshop will review jazz and kick technique, teach the tryout routines and prepare students for the audition process. 3. There will be one tryout at the conclusion of the workshop. A panel of three professional drill/dance judges will be selected to score each individual. 4. Any student scoring a cumulative 80% or higher will be selected for the team. A cumulative score is determined by the sum of three judges scores and dividing by Students will be scored in the following categories: Showmanship, Right and Left splits, Memory, Kick technique, Dance technique, Judges overall impression. 6. There are not a maximum or minimum number of students expected to make the team. Students must earn the cumulative 80% score in order to receive a spot. 7. Judges scores will be final. Parents may request through the director to review their child s score the week following the tryouts. If the campus is on a holiday break, the first week students return to campus, appointments will be scheduled. An appointment with the director, administrator and your daughter will be scheduled to review the scores. A rank will not be posted. All requests must be made through the principal s office with Theresa Dodson or Chris Mayfield. 8. Any two-year veteran junior Majestic in good standing will not be required to audition for her third or Senior year of Majestics. A two year veteran is considered in good standing unless one of the following criteria is applied: a. 5 or more demerits b. 10 or more tardies to Majestics rehearsals. c. Academic failure for one or more six week grading periods d. School-related disciplinary actions (in/out of school suspension, insubordination, etc) Constitution 2 P age

8 PRACTICE PROCEDURES ALL PRACTICES ARE MANDATORY. 1. Eligibility for practice and performance will follow the guidelines established by U.I.L. 2. The dance team will meet during 1st period everyday unless dismissed by the director. 3. Members must arrive to practice on time. Morning practice will be scheduled from 6:45am 9:10am every day. Students will have most of first period to dress for school. 4. Proper dance attire must be worn at all times. 5. MAKE UP TESTS AND TUTORIALS ARE ENCOURAGED AFTER SCHOOL. This is NOT an excuse to miss practice. It is the student s responsibility to arrange time with the teacher. An extra-curricular activity is a privilege that one commits to and therefore; the student is expected to prepare for the added responsibilities the position requires. 6. Summer Camp All team members are expected to make every effort to participate in summer line camp. Summer Line Camp is an important building block for a successful year. Any member who must miss camp, for whatever reason will be expected to attend the first football game in uniform, but will not be permitted to dance during half time or in the first pep rally. The individual will also be responsible for learning any choreography and material taught during camp. Special practices will not be formally arranged for those who miss camp. PERFORMANCE PROCEDURES 1. All Majestics must be eligible to perform. The Lovejoy High School Majestics follow U.I.L. Side by Side Guidelines with respect to academic eligibility in that a student must pass in order to participate. a. Pep Rallies Only students eligible may dress out and perform at pep rallies b. Ineligible Majestics may not travel with or participate in Majesticsrelated performances. c. Ineligible Majestics may travel on a field trip activity; however, they may not perform in uniform. d. If a Majestics is ineligible two or more six week periods, she may be placed on probation and not permitted to participate in activities until academics become a priority and grades improve. e. If a Majestics Officer becomes ineligible, she will be placed on full six weeks probation and not permitted to perform as an officer. Should she fail an additional six weeks grading period, she will be demoted from her office and placed back into the line. Constitution 3 P age

9 2. It is possible to be selected as a Majestic and not dance in every performance: football games, competition, the Spring Show or other performances selected by the director. 3. Tryouts will be held prior to every performance and some girls may be required to sit out of a performance until they are able to demonstrate the necessary skills required. Skills generally include memory, technique and showmanship. 4. The director will determine whether or not a Majestic may perform based on the following criteria: memory of routine, technique and showmanship. 5. During football season, performance tryouts will be held every week before the game, generally on Tuesdays. a. If a member misses tryouts for ANY REASON, including illness or another excused absence, she will not be permitted to perform that week. b. The team member will be expected to attend class and participate for the remainder of the week as well as attend the game on Friday. 6. If a drill team member misses two consecutive days of practice, the day before a performance, or the day of the performance during football and basketball season, she will be pulled from the routine. 7. All members will attend every scheduled drill team activity whether they are performing or not, unless academically ineligible. As a member of the team, each student is responsible to support her fellow team mates, even when not performing. 8. Members will be on time for every performance. 9. All Majestics must ride school transportation to and from scheduled performances. Buses will be left spotless. We will always respect the bus driver and do as he or she asks. 10. Majestics are not permitted to talk with family members or friends while in stand formation during football games or basketball games. If an emergency arises, you must clear it with the director or assistant director. 11. Majestics may not receive food or drinks while in stand formation. Each member may bring a bottle of water to the game in her drill team bag. 12. Majestics may not use their cell phones, music devices or any other electronics during games. 13. If one of the following actions should occur at any given time during the year, then the drill team member will NOT be eligible to participate in the team s next performance. A. Receiving 5 or more demerits in one week. B. Arriving late to a performance. C. An unexcused absence the day after a performance. D. An unexcused absence for a performance. E. In school suspension Constitution 4 P age

10 SPECIAL PERFORMANCES The Majestics may perform at special activities such as Competition, Spring Show, Camp and other venues approved by the director. The team might not attend a competition every year. The director will make this decision on a year to year basis. The Majestics take one big trip every three years. The next big team trip will be in the school year. Additional performances may be added to the list if necessary. All members will be expected to participate in all activities and performances. LEADERSHIP TEAM The Majestics will have a leadership team comprised of dance officers, sergeants, and class representatives. The number of dance officers and sergeants can vary each year pending the size of the team. All dance officer and sergeant positions are auditioned; only returning members are eligible to tryout. Class Representatives are selected annually by each class. These positions are nominated and voted upon. DEMERITS Discipline is essential for a drill team to run properly. In order for the Lovejoy High School Majestics Dance Team to function in this manner, the team will operate on a merit/demerit system. A drill team member will receive demerits for the following actions: PRACTICE: Hair not pulled up properly 1 Wearing jewelry (include naval rings) 1 Incorrect practice uniform 1 Inappropriate practice shoes (no flip flops, etc) 1 Chewing gum during practice 1 Tardy to practice 1 Cell phone use during practice 1 PERFORMANCE: Colored Nail Polish (American or French Manicure is OK) 2 Cell phone usage 2 Wrong Uniform 3 Unapproved jewelry 3 Missing uniform pieces 3 More than 5 minutes late to a performance 5 Missing school transportation to a performance 5 Constitution 5 P age

11 Chewing gum, eating in uniform or during a performance 5 OTHER: Inappropriate Public Display of Affection (PDA) while in school or on a school sponsored activity 2 Detentions 3 Inappropriate internet content 10 In School Suspension 10 Discipline Procedures at school 10/20 (probation) Behavior that is disrespectful to the director or leadership team 20 (probation) Behavior that is disrespectful to teachers and administrators 20 (probation) Academic Dishonesty 20 (probation) Insubordination 20 (probation) The following situations are possible grounds for automatic probation or dismissal from the team. The director and administrations will determine the punishment on an individual basis. Probation and 20 demerits Dismissal from Team Insubordination Suspension from school Failure to follow Constitution Truancy Academic Dishonesty Forgery Excessive behavior Problems in school Severe school discipline Excessive absences and tardys in drill team Continuous failing of classes Smoking anytime, anywhere in or out of uniform Hazing Inappropriate Internet content Use of alcohol, drugs and Receiving 25 demerits in one semester. tobacco MERITS Merits may be earned at the director s discretion once a Majestic has earned 15 or more demerits. Examples of opportunities to earn merits can include dancerelated community service, assisting faculty, assignments from Ms. Lowrance. All Merit activities must be approved by Ms. Lowrance before the student assumes the responsibility for the position. Constitution 6 P age

12 ACCOUNTABILITY ACTIONS Demerits: Football Season 1 st 5 Demerits Pulled from next performance, attend practice, attend game in uniform 10 Demerits Pulled from next performance, attend game in Majestics sweats 15 Demerits Performance probation until you earn 5 merits. Competition Season 10 Demerits Pulled From 1 routine Spring Show Season For every 10 demerits earned, you will be pulled from a routine in the following order: Opener, Finale, Senior, Guy/Girl, Squad Tardies For each minute late, the Majestic will run laps at the end of practice. If you are running late, call your sergeant and the punishment will be reduced in half; however, if you abuse this privilege, Ms. Lowrance will revoke it. All demerits, merits, tardies and absences are included in officer tryout notebook. As a reminder, any junior earning 10 or more demerits or failing a six weeks will be required to re-tryout for the Majestics dance team. Should a member accumulate 20 demerits in one semester, she will be placed on probation. The member is on probation for 3 weeks and until 10 of the 20 demerits are worked off. Receiving 25 demerits in one semester will result in dismissal from the team. A member will not be allowed to work off demerits until she has reached 15 demerits. At that time she will be allowed to earn a total of 10 merits. The director will determine how merits will be earned. When do demerits begin: First Semester First Monday of the second week of school Second Semester First day students return from the Winter Break Constitution 7 P age

13 DRILL TEAM UNIFORMS 1. Game uniforms and pom pons are provided by the Lovejoy Independent School District. 2. Every member will treat her issued school uniform with care and respect. 3. No alterations are to be made without written consent from the director. Alterations are to be handled by the director, not an individual. 4. NEVER visit any shopping or eating establishment while in the field uniform. 5. Each member will be required to sign a uniform contract upon receiving her uniform. 6. Damages to uniform, lost items, lost pom pons are at the expense of the individual. 7. Each uniform should be clean, free of debris and dirt for any performance. 8. Boots should be clean and polished. 9. NEVER dry clean uniforms. Dry cleaners will damage the sequins. There are no sequin-friendly dry cleaners. 10. All Team members will be charged a $50 cleaning fee for uniforms to be professionally cleaned and refurbished by our school drill team uniform vendor, Custom Design, at the conclusion of each year. Constitution 8 P age

14 Lovejoy High School Majestics Dance Team Audition Form and Statement of Agreement Name: Grade Level (circle) Sophomore Junior Senior Home Street Address: City: Student Birthday: Home Phone Number: Zip Code: Student Cell Phone: Mom Cell Phone: Dad Cell Phone: Mom/Female Guardian: Dad/Male Guardian: Student Address (please print): Mom Address: Dad Address: Statement of Agreement I have read the Lovejoy High School Majestics Constitution and Tryout Expectations. I understand that by signing this agreement, it serves as my commitment to uphold and respect the expectations set forth by the organization, the director, and the administration of Lovejoy High School. I understand that if I make the Majestics Dance Team, it is a privilege to participate in an extra-curricular activity; therefore I will be held at a higher level of accountability. Student Signature: Mother s Signature: Father s Signature: Date: Date: Date: Return to Ms. Lowrance by Friday, December 4, 2015