Quince Orchard High School Marching Band 2015-2016 School Year Directors Patrick Fay Robyn Kleiner Brigitte Kirchhoff Director Assistant Director Assistant Director MISSION STATEMENT The purpose of the QOHS Instrumental Music Department is to provide its students with a quality music education through performance based experiences. Students are held to a high standard of professionalism and expected to perform at their highest capability.
School District Policies Academic Eligibility Students must adhere to the county academic eligibility policy. A 2.0 is the minimum GPA for all classes in which the student is scheduled in the previous grading period. It is not the students overall GPA. School Attendance Students must attend all of their scheduled classes in order to participate in a practice or contest on that day. If the principal or designee grants an excused absence in advance for a prescheduled activity, or an unforeseen emergency, the student may participate on that day. Hazing Hazing is prohibited at all times. Hazing involves any act that subjects teammates to mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. In some instances hazing constitutes a criminal act. Hazing may lead to immediate dismissal from the band. Drug and Alcohol Students are expected to adhere to the MCPS Drug and Alcohol policy. Any violations will be handled at the discretion of the directors and the administration. Behavior and Attendance Members of the QOMB are expected to carry themselves with pride and dignity. Any time spent with the marching band IS time in school, and all school rules apply. Consistent attendance is crucial for the success of the QOMB. Students are expected to be present for all rehearsals, home games, and competitions. A performance schedule is released in May, and a full rehearsal schedule is released in August. Students who are not present at rehearsals or performances will not perform in the NEXT CONSECUTIVE PERFORMANCE. Any exception will be made at the sole discretion of the director. Avoid and Eliminate Conflicts with Organization and Communication. Those who participate in the marching band are traditionally excellent students and very busy people. Many have jobs, participate in sports, help around the house, and are involved in church and community activities. They are able to "do everything" by going over the rehearsal schedule carefully and eliminating conflicts before they happen. After school job schedules must not conflict with the scheduled activities of this group. If you have a job, make a copy of the calendar and provide it to your employer as soon as possible. Tests such as SAT's, ACT's, PSAT's and their review classes should be scheduled around planned trips/performances. Routine medical appointments and road tests are no exception! Band Camp Band camp is the most crucial part of the marching band season, as students will learn the entire half time show, pre-game, stand tunes, as well as participate in bonding activities. BAND CAMP IS MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS. Please schedule any family vacations, appointments, or other engagements around the schedule provided.
Daily Band Camp Packing List: (Be careful not to bring items of value.) Music, Instrument & Mouthpiece, Flags, or drumsticks Instrument supplies - Extra Reeds (at least 3-4), Valve Oil, Cork Grease Sneakers and socks (Bring extra socks and foot powder!) Hat - everyone must wear a hat during the day! Sunglasses & Sunscreen Rain gear (we are on the field rain or shine) Schedule: Wednesday 8/12-Friday 8/14-10am-4pm- Guard and Percussion (new and returning members) Thursday 8/13-10am-2pm - Student Leadership Day (student leaders only) Friday 8/14-10am-12pm - New Member Day FULL BAND CAMP BEGINS (all members must be present) Monday 8/17-8:30am-3:30pm Tuesday 8/18-8:30am-8:30pm Wednesday 8/19-8:30am-3:30pm Thursday 8/20-8:30am-8:30pm Friday 8/21-8:30-3:30pm - 5pm-10pm- Band pizza party- Watch DCI Finals Wednesday 8/26-2:45pm-5:00pm, - 6pm - Freshman Picnic performance Thursday 8/27-7am Freshman orientation performance Friday 8/28-2:45pm-5pm - Rehearsal - 6:30 - Parent Preview/Ice Cream Social Rehearsal Attire You must wear sneakers and socks for all practices. Any other type of shoe is unacceptable as it does not allow control and support which opens the possibility for injuries to occur. Cross training and walking shoes are best as they allow the foot to flex. Canvas shoes do not provide adequate support. Shorts, track pants, and sweat pants are all acceptable attire, depending on the weather. You need to be free to move, and we need to see your feet and legs move to teach you! No Jeans...No baggy pants or shorts...no pants with hems that drape over the shoes or drag on the ground. If you wear jeans, they will restrict your ability to perform your show. All members, including winds and percussion, do more than just "march." We move in ways that jeans/baggy pants do not allow. Dress appropriately for the weather: Sunglasses, hats, and plenty of sunscreen are recommended for sunny, hot days. In cold weather, dress warmly in layers. The temperature will drop during evening rehearsals in the fall. Bring appropriate rain gear for days that may be inclement. Stay warm and dry so you can stay focused. Trip and Transportation Policies Members get on the bus at school and they get off the bus at school. The school provides transportation to and from all events. Members are not permitted to drive. Parents are not allowed to take students home from performances. Extenuating circumstances should
be addressed with the Band Director when they will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Permission slips will be distributed and MUST be filled out. You are an active representative of the band. Your attitude, conversations, and actions at all marching band events will reflect directly on the entire organization. Points to Remember: Be professional in everything you do both on and off the field. Always be courteous to fans, the public, and other marching band members. You never know whom you might be talking to. Remember that please, thank you, and smiles are always a wonderful gesture. Vulgar or abusive languages are never appropriate in any circumstances. Parents and family members: please remember that spectator self-discipline and sportsmanship are as important to us as the band's performances. It is a good policy to be silent during performances and give each band a big round of applause, as each member/organization is giving their best effort. Season Fees Season fees for the 2015 QOMB season are $500. It is crucial that on-time payments are made, so that students are given necessary resources including drill, music, equipment, etc. Fees are broken into three payments below: Payment 1 $200 DUE MAY 1 Payment 2 $150 DUE JULY 15 Payment 3 $150 DUE AUGUST 17 (Beginning of band camp) Payments may be dropped off at QO or mailed to the address below. IF AT ANY TIME, THERE ARE FINANCIAL ISSUES, please notify the Director, who will work to accommodate. Quince Orchard High School ATTN. P. FAY 15800 Quince Orchard Road Gaithersburg, MD 20878 Banquet and Awards The annual banquet/award ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the season. The date will be scheduled in late August. This is where we recognize students for their accomplishments as a group, and outstanding individuals. Uniforms The appearance of the QOMB uniform is extremely important. Even one member in a soiled or wrinkled uniform detracts from the general effect of the whole band, just as much as marching out of step or playing the wrong notes. The cooperation of each band member is needed to keep the band looking its best. Parents will be on hand to help you when you need it, and we will have a uniform crew to help with storage and transportation of uniforms, but it is your ultimate responsibility to keep your uniform looking its best. The uniforms are on "loan" to you. They must last for many years and for many future band members. Please use common sense!
Members should always be uniform in wearing the uniform. Members will always be in FULL uniform (all pieces), full uniform, no shako, or half uniform. All students should follow instructions to remain in the correct usage of uniform parts. Fold Pants matching along creases and hang evenly on hanger. Uniform bags are for Jacket, and Pants ONLY. No shoes, T-shirts, gloves, socks, etc. These are your responsibility and can cause unpleasant odors and dirt on uniforms. Take soiled and/or dirty items you wear under your uniforms home for laundering and be sure they return for your next performance. Keep dirty shoes away from your uniform. Do not wash your uniforms at home. Wash gloves regularly to keep them clean. Inspect your uniform regularly and let a uniform mom know if there is something that needs attention. Shoes must be kept clean and shiny for every performance. Use a damp cloth to clean and a dry one to polish. Kiwi and other brand shoe polishes work well. "Kiwi Wipes" in the little packages work VERY well on our marching shoes as a final touch. Uniform Supplies - The following are items that each band member must supply. Fittings/orders for shoes and gloves will be done at band camp. Winds And Percussion: One pair of BLACK MARCHING BAND SHOES* Label each shoe inside with your name in permanent marker. Several pairs of BLACK UNIFORM GLOVES* (Winds and Drum Majors only), it is recommended to purchase at least two pairs, and set aside one pair just for Championship weekend. At least two pair of LONG BLACK SOCKS (NO no-show or ankle socks no skin can be showing) ALL BLACK T-SHIRT (no writing on it) for under the uniform jacket (or can be "Show Shirt") LONG SLEEVE BLACK THERMAL SHIRT for under jacket in cold weather LONG UNDERWEAR for those chilly evenings RED ARMY JACKETS are used for away games and other events and are provided by the band for each new student. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that this jacket last through their QOMB career. Performances The QOMB will perform at all home football games, school events and pep rallies, as well as several competitions. These performances are mandatory. The band will also take a smaller, voluntary group to away football games. A TENTATIVE performance schedule can be found at the back of the packet. These dates are subject to change as the MCPS Athletic schedule is finalized. Football games are generally considered a full evening event, meaning you should not plan events for that evening other than football. Families should consider all Saturday competition days as FULL DAY OBLIGATIONS, and not schedule ANY other events. In the (likely) event that QO makes the playoffs, additional performances and rehearsals may be scheduled. These will occur across the month of November, and go no later than the first week in December.
Parent Volunteers It takes an immense amount of parent support for our band program to be successful. We would like to see each student s parents volunteer a minimum of 10 hours. Many parents give much more than that. Volunteer opportunities range from on field support at competitions and football games, to fundraising, to administrative work that can be done on a flexible schedule. Communication Most of our communication within QOMB is done through our yahoo group. In order to stay up to date on all information, please register for this group ASAP. To join, please do the following: 1. Visit the marching band website at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/qohs/departments/music/marching band/ 2. On the right hand side of the page click the purple yahoo butto n to join the QO Band. Yahoo Email group. CLICK HERE 3. Follow the steps and confirm your email address.
PLEASE DETACH AND SIGN BELOW. I agree to adhere to all of the policies stated above. Parent/Guardian Signature Date Student Signature Date