Summer Band Camp – Our summer practices are in the books. I am exhausted but also have a feeling of accomplishment. I hope every student feels the same way. All that hard work pays off in the end. Despite being tired every day, the band showed up ready to work and maintained a positive attitude. We have already completed 108 hours of rehearsal! Once school starts, there are roughly 80 hours of rehearsal during the semester! We are over halfway through learning our marching band show!
Band Practice 8/15-8/20 – We begin our 6:30am-9:10am practices on every B day this week. Tuesday, 7th period STARTS at 6:30am in the stadium. Doors will be open by 6:15 at the latest for students to get inside to get instruments and equipment. All students will have a job to do for each practice. There is a lot of “stuff” to get outside and set up.
Monday – No practice, band room closes at 3:30
Tuesday – 6:30am practice, and 4:00pm-7:00pm practice (winds and percussion)
Wednesday – No practice, band room closes at 4:00pm
Thursday – 6:30am practice, and 4:00pm-7:00pm COLOR GUARD ONLY practice
Thursday – Uniform fitting and portraits 4:00pm-5:00pm (all that missed it 3 weeks ago)
Friday – No practice, band room closes at 4:00pm
Saturday – 6:30am-10:30am practice, 10:30am-11:30am Semi-Trailer loading practice
BandRaiser – We are over a quarter of the way to our goal. To get there, every student must provide 10 or more email addresses and phone numbers. I need every student to dig deep and find more contacts. Call someone and tell them about what we are doing. Write personal texts, emails, social media messages, etc. to politely ask for a donation to The Pride of Lamar! We are asking for donations to help fund the band program for the school year. This is critical to our ability to provide a high quality experience for our students. Share this link to everyone you know on social media to help us achieve our goal!
Schedules and the First Week – There are always schedule issues during the first week. Mr. Riley has been working diligently to make sure the band students have the correct classes. The most efficient way to get it done is to email Mr. Riley zriley1@aisd.net The counselors will be emailing students with updates. Every student should check their school email at least once per day.
Band App – Students and parents all need to set up their Band App accounts. We communicate primarily through this app. The main Lamar Band app page is required of all students. The other pages are specific for certain groups. ALL the links can be accessed here.
https://band.us/nc/bfo0Eec208Yf3
Band Registration Day – If you missed our band registration day, all forms and fees can be turned in this week to Mr. Lang. Contact lamarbandboosterclub@gmail.com to find out what you missed from our booster club. To pay band fees with credit/debit card, use this new link.
Attendance Policy – ALL before and after school practices are required. There will be a participation grade in the gradebook. The following excerpt is from the Lamar Band Handbook.
All band students are required to attend all practices and events. All practices outside of school hours are considered classwork, which is 35% of the overall grade in band. Band is a performance based, co-curricular activity that follows the instrumental music TEKS. Therefore, performances at marching band contests, football games, concerts, and other events are 40% of the overall grade in band. Approved absences are the decision of the band directors. Parents will fill out the absence request form.
For ALL absences, the following procedure must be followed by all students and parents:
- Director must be notified in advance.
- A Lamar Band Absence Request Form must be filled out and on file.
- For illness, a parent note or doctor’s excuse must be submitted.
- Although cleared by the school office, absences from a band activity the same day must be cleared with the director as well – please call or email directors.
- In extreme cases, a phone message may be left on the band office answering machine, WITH a follow-up personal call or email. Follow-up is the sole responsibility of the student/parent.
Marching Band
One unexcused absence from any rehearsal during the week will result in the student being banned from the next football game. Points will be deducted from the daily grade. Any additional unexcused absences in a week will result in being banned from future football games. Directors will decide whether or not the student will be allowed to retain their marching show performer assignment. Being tardy will be a deduction from the daily grade. 2 tardies will result in being banned from the next football game.
Non-Marching Band
The attendance policy applies in the same way for rehearsals in any other band sub-group. Instead of consequences of a football game, the group’s next performance or public event will be considered.
Examples of excused absences:
- Students who are home sick must have an email from a parent/guardian.
- Religious events are excused with an email from a parent/guardian.
Examples of unexcused absences:
- Missing rehearsal for work is an unexcused absence.
- Non-school sponsored activities, teams, organizations, or jobs must not conflict in any way with the practice/performance schedule of the band.
- Transportation issues of any kind are unexcused.
- Any absences due to medical issues must be accompanied with a doctor’s note.
- Birthday or birthday parties are unexcused.
Students in other school activities (athletics, fine arts, etc.) must plan ahead to avoid conflicts. However, other group organizations that may change schedules or make demands of students on short notice will not be allowed to interfere with long scheduled rehearsals or performances of the band. Students who find themselves involved in such activities may have to make a choice to drop one or the other if such conflicts arise.
Varsity marching band assignments are at the discretion of the directors. Excessive absences could result in the loss of a varsity marching position. It is highly encouraged that medical and dental appointments be scheduled on afternoons that we do not practice.
Band Activity Fees – Pay your fees online here. Lamar High School Activity Fees.
Communication
Alan Lang, dlang@aisd.net | Kolby Kelly, kkelly4@aisd.net
Zack Riley, zriley1@aisd.net | Midori Eng, midori.lwe@gmail.com
Booster Club, lamarbandboosterclub@gmail.com
Band room phone: (682) 867-7006