Dance Team 101 What You Need to Know Before Auditions
Purpose Originally established to provide entertainment at football games during halftime To provide overall spirit and support to campus and community events
Dance Styles Modern Contemporary Jazz Pom Lyrical Hip Hop
Developing Leaders, Ladies, & Legacy High Standards Morals & Values Responsibility Independence Teamwork Commitment Communication Professionalism
Summer Expectations Dance team members are required to attend summer camp to prepare for the upcoming year. Return to school for dance team is usually the last week in July. Dancers may travel to camp or have camp at school daily. It is expected that once camp begins, dancers are back for the new school year. Therefore, all vacations and summer travel must be before the last week in July. Ex: Just like football players have preseason camp. Dancers that cannot attend camp and commit to this expectation should not audition for dance team.
Football Season Dance Team members attend all Varsity football games in regular season and playoffs. Games may be scheduled for Thursday, Friday, or Saturdays. In the event of playoffs, games may be during a holiday or break. Absences from these games will be at the director's discretion. Dancers stay after school, eat a meal, ride the bus to/from the game, and are picked up from the school by parents. Dancers perform at pre-game, in the stands, and at halftime. Placement of dancers (front row/back row) is the director s decision and may be based on seniority (years on the team) or ability (dance skill level). Not every dancer is guaranteed to be in every routine.
Competition/Contest Season Dance team compete at various routines at regional, state, and national competitions. Contest season runs from December to March with competitions held on some Fridays, but mostly Saturdays. Teams and officers (student leaders) compete in various categories such as jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, prop, pom, hip hop. Dancers are selected for routines mostly based on technical ability level. Not every dancer will be in every routine. Contest days typically begin at 6:00 am meeting at the school to ride the bus and can go until 10:00 pm or later travelling back home to school. Parents and dancers should block off Saturdays during contest season.
Spring Show This is a end of the year dance concert and our show is called Montage. It is a fundraiser for the booster club so dancers and families sell tickets to family, friends, and community to attend. Various routines are performed as well as some solos, duets, trios, and ensembles from competition season and/or throughout the year. Parents will be asked to selling work the show selling tickets or other items. Held on a Friday and/or Saturday in the spring.
Demerits, Constitution, & Extracurricular Code of Conduct Demerits: invisible consequences for incorrect behavior or action; 10 demerits total is probation, 20 is removal from the team; examples are inappropriate fighting, use of electronic media, ISS, ECO, missing a performance or practice, public display of affection, out of dress code, disrespect to an adult. Constitution: rules and guidelines regarding absences, grades, membership; these are team rules specific to Manvel Dance Team. Alvin ISD Code of Conduct: outlines consequences for inappropriate conduct and behavior by students in extracurricular activities. Consequences include probation and removal from the team. Please see our website to read each of these documents: www.alvinisd.net (Schools -->Manvel HS Extracurricular Majestics Dance Team Documents)
Merits Invisible positive rewards for dance team members going above and beyond what is required. Merits are awarded at the discretion of the directors and leadership team (officers and socials) Merits do not roll over from year to year.
Booster Club - Majestics Parent Association Booster Club is an active parent group design to get parents involved with dance team. All parents with daughters on the varsity team become members of the booster club. Booster clubs supports the dance team through active contributions of time and resources. There is a booster club board consisting of parents in leadership to represent the entire group. Their responsibilities are divided for checks and balance. Additionally they make sure all needs are met.
Parent Involvement Committee Volunteers Costuming - Assist with rhinestoning, sewing or costume care Banquet - Assist with planning of the end of the year banquet Props - Building, organizing and transporting props Snack/Drinks - Organize snacks and drinks for football and competition Chaperoning at the games - Escort Majestics to the bathroom, monitor Majestics section
Finances Majestics Dance Team requires a financial commitment and investment on each family. Fundraisers are provided to help alleviate cost, but it does not cover the total cost. (garage sale, junior dance clinic, brochure fundraisers, chocolate sales, etc.) Cost Breakdown - Practice clothes, summer camp, activity and booster fees, individual solo fees, outside dance classes *A detail list is provided in the audition packet
UIL Eligible Each Majestics/JV Dancer must be academic eligible to participate in an extracurricular activity. No grades below a 70 If a student fails there is a inactivity or sit out time period (normally last about 3 weeks), however dance team members are not guaranteed their original spot upon their return to performing. Time in School Rule - A student must be present ½ a school day if an extracurricular event happens during the school week. (Friday night football games)
Time Commitment - Varsity Varsity Time Commitment Summer - Summer starts the last week in July. Summer Camp, Summer Team Practice Morning Practice 6:15AM-1st Period at least 3 days a week during fall semester. 4 to 5 days a week during spring semester. Saturday Practices - 4 to 6 Saturday practices in the spring for competition season (use of the gym floor) Fall Semester - Football season including playoffs (Games over the thanksgiving break), Community Events Spring Semester - 3 Regional Competitions, Spring Show, Community Events
Time Committment - Junior Varsity In class Practices Morning Practice with varsity occasionally December competition only 1-2 basketball game performances in the spring Assist with campus musical in the spring Guest performers in spring show
Hierarchy Hierarchy is the protocol system within dance team. Dance Officers - Complete an audition process to earn the position. They are leaders of the team. Oversee technique, choreography and communication with squad members under the direction of the directors Social Committee Members - Complete an application to earn the position. They organize and oversee the social activities of the team. They are the heart and soul of the team. 3 year Member - Varsity members on the team for 3 years. These members are knowledgeable in the policies, procedures and expectations of the team. Mentors Returner - Members returning back to a team after 1 year. New Member - 1st year on team JV Dance Team member -?
High Expectations & Standards 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year On campus, off campus, classroom, school events, social media Don t be the exception to the rule