General Information
Principal:
Dr. Jill Martin
Administrator in charge of Performing Arts:
Julie Williams
Director:
David Williams
Staff:
Chad Collver – Percussion
Jackie Emmons – Color Guard
Kim Bowers – Arranger / Visuals
Do You Have What It Takes?
Class enrollment
All participants in Marching Band must be enrolled in a band class in order to participate in Marching Band. Rarely are exceptions made, and then only under extreme circumstances and on an individual basis.
Member in Good Standing
All members must be in good:
1. Academic Standing – The Pride of Doherty Marching Band policy states that if you have 2 or more F’s (or the equivalent); you are considered academically ineligible to perform with the marching band. Eligibility checks will be made every week.
2. Behavioral Standing – Marching band members represent the marching band program. Any behavior that provides a negative view towards the program could be grounds for dismissal.
3. Financial Standing – Members must be current with their financial obligations. Please see the director with any concerns.
Required Paperwork
Please be sure to have the following paperwork turned into the Band Office. This must be done on or before June 15th.
1. General Information Form (1/2 page, return with $25 registration fee)
2. Field Trip Release Form (1 full page)
3. Commitment Form (1/2 page)
4. Physical Form (2 pages)
5. Press Release (1 page, used to publish names and pictures online)
Are You Prepared?
Equipment
All instruments and equipment must be in good working condition. Fortunately, Graner Music is located directly across Barnes Road from Doherty High School. Parents, please ensure your child’s positive experience by keeping the instrument working properly. This includes having quality reeds, valve oil, neck strap, etc. All instrument cases should have a name tag.
Instrument Care
Be sure to maintain your instrument and keep it in proper playing condition. Check for loose screws, corks, pads, etc. If you notice something wrong, please see the director. It might be fixable without having to go to the repair shop. Do not play anyone else’s instrument.
Physical Fitness
Marching Band is a very physical activity. Conditioning is a must. All members will participate in conditioning exercises, including stretching, crunches, push-ups, jumping jacks, running, and other physical activities. Be sure to eat healthy and drink lots of water. Soda will only dehydrate you quicker, please limit the amount you drink. Members with asthma who have an inhaler should have it on them at all times.
Word from the Accountant
Marching Band Fee
All members of the Marching Band (including Color Guard) will be assessed a fee of $150. This fee covers the cost of our marching program, including transportation to and from most events, equipment, band shirt, dry-cleaning during the summer, staff, music, and drill. The fee does not include marching shoes, or dry-cleaning needed during the year. Please contact Mr. Williams with any concerns you might have.
Get Your Shoes!
New members, and veterans needing new marching shoes, will be required to purchase the Plus One marching shoe through the band office. The cost ranges each year from $20 to $25. Shoes will be ordered during band camp.
Color Guard and Drumline
Those members involved in Color Guard or Percussion can be assessed a slightly higher fee. This fee covers the cost of special uniforms and parts (gloves, shoes, headbands, etc.), as well as sticks, mallets, and other equipment specific to Color Guard or Percussion.
Let’s Get Together And Fundraise!
Why do we need to Fundraise?
The District 11 Budget amounts are not sufficient to meet the needs of The Pride of Doherty Marching Band. More than 90% of the budget must be made through fees and fundraising. These funds will be used to keep the band fees low, replace and repair school owned instruments, purchase music and drill, and hire quality staff members. These fundraisers are also provided for an opportunity for members to raise money for their member accounts. 90% of the funds raised will go into that member’s band account, with the remaining 10% going to the General Fund. Some fundraisers will be 100% into the member account. The General Fund is used to pay for entry fees, transportation, and purchase of equipment, music, and supplies. Many hands make light work, and fundraising benefits everyone.
Your Member and Their Account
Each member in the Doherty Band Program has an account within the Band General Fund. Funds through fundraisers and other activities go into this account. These funds do not belong to the member, but are set aside to be used by that member for band related fees and expenses.
Required vs. Recommended
Some fundraising events are not required, but highly recommended to help the member fulfill the financial obligation of the program. However, there are 2 fundraisers each year that are required participation.
March-A-Thon (10 Hour Marching Band Rehearsal)
This event is designed to raise money for the individual member’s Band Fee. ALL MEMBERS OF THE PRIDE OF DOHERTY MARCHING BAND WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE MARCH-A-THON. Members go out and receive pledges for completing 10 hours of marching band rehearsals. Some members have raised their entire Band Fee with this one event. There is no set limit of how much you may raise. This fundraiser is used also as a one-day camp during the year. We learn a lot of the marching show on this day.
Craft Fair
This event is the largest fundraiser of the year. Funds from this event go directly into the General Fund. ALL MEMBERS OF DOHERTY BANDS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ASSIST IN SET UP AND TEAR DOWN. Members will be required to help vendors set up Saturday morning, and tear down Sunday afternoon.
What to Wear? What to Wear?
The Uniform
Members are issued a marching band uniform for the season. This uniform is cleaned during the summer. Each member should treat this uniform with care and respect. Members should wear dark gym shorts under their pants to facilitate quick, modest changes. A dark colored shirt should be worn under the jacket (brighter colors might show through the neck of the jacket). Members will be required to purchase the Plus One marching shoe through the band office if they don’t have them already.
What Does It Look Like?
The Pride of Doherty uniform:
Jacket – Blue, with green and silver trim and a silver Vestee (which is not to be dry cleaned)
Pants – Bibber style black pants
Cape – Green and white, with Band Logo
Shako – Blue and black with silver trim and Band Logo, green Plume
Gauntlets – Black with green and silver trim, silver DHS
Color Guard Uniforms
The Color Guard uniform changes yearly and depends on many factors, including number of members, show design, and routine. Members of this group will have specific purchases required for make-up, hair, etc.
Early is On Time, On Time is Late
Attendance is Important
Regular attendance is mandatory to the success of any program. It is important that all members be there to save time while learning and rehearsing the marching show. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If one person is missing, the entire band suffers.
Excuses, Excuses
Excused absences must be cleared BEFORE the rehearsal or performance; otherwise the absence will be unexcused. Missing rehearsals or performances for work is not excusable, regardless of reason. I encourage members to participate in athletics. There is some flexibility with attendance assuming the other activity is equally flexible. A member will be excused from rehearsal for an athletic competition, but all other practices must be cleared before the rehearsal.
Summertime, and the Living’ is Easy....
Band During the Summer
There are 2 different summer opportunities offered at Doherty. Please refer to the summer schedule included for the dates and times. The success of our 2007 depends greatly on the attendance of members at these summer camps and classes.
1. Rookie Camp
This camp is for New Members to The Pride of Doherty Marching Band. All new members will be required to attend. During this camp we will learn basic and advanced marching techniques, as well as work on parade music and show music.
2. Band Camp
This camp is required for all competitive members of The Pride of Doherty Marching Band. Members who do not attend this camp will not have competitive marching responsibilities for the 2007 season.
Color Guard and Drumline, Part II
The Color Guard and Drumline will be having additional camps during the summer. These camps are designed to learn and practice fundamentals and techniques specific to their area. Please refer to the summer schedule included for dates and times.
Survival of the Fittest
Here are some helpful tips to surviving band camp:
Even though water will be supplied, members are urged to bring their own water bottle. Be sure to write their name on the bottle.
The body is a machine. Just like a car needs oil and gas, our bodies need food and water. Skipping a meal does not work, and could make you sick. Please do not show up for morning rehearsal without some kind of breakfast.
Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect……………
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
Typical Rehearsal Schedule
A typical rehearsal schedule consists of regular class rehearsals, sectionals after school, Thursday evening rehearsals (5:00pm – 7:00pm), and Saturday mornings (8:00am – 12:00). The start times are when the rehearsal starts, not when the member should be arriving. Please remember, 5 minutes early is 10 minutes late, so arrive 15 minutes before call time.
After Rehearsal
Each rehearsal will end as close to the scheduled time as possible. Sometimes rehearsals can go a few minutes later to finish if we are close to reaching our goal for the day. Announcements are made at the end of rehearsals, then members meet with Section Leaders to review important times and dates for the week. 1 or 2 sections also help the Front Ensemble move their equipment back to the band room.
It’s All About Location
The Pride of Doherty Marching Band practices on the lower field just east of the Varsity Football practice field. This is a great area to rehearse because it gives the director and staff a chance to view the drill from a higher perspective (on scaffolding, on the track). Parents and family are always welcome to come watch rehearsals.
Saturday isn’t Part of the Weekend Anymore
Saturday rehearsals are an important part of the rehearsal schedule. This is the only day we can get 4 solid hours of marching band rehearsal, without interruptions. These rehearsals will start after school starts, and will not be part of the Band Camp. Members with employment commitments should discuss with their employer this schedule to resolve conflicts before they arise.
Parents: They are as important as the Members
Band Parent Organization
The football players have the “12th Man”; basketball players have the “6th Man”. The Marching Band has the Band Parents. This organization of volunteers is a driving force behind The Pride of Doherty Marching Band program. They help with fundraising, donating and providing refreshments for band activities, chaperoning competitions and trips, helping move equipment to and from the field, issuing uniforms, uniform repairs, and cheering loudly for the Band at the many band functions throughout the year.
What to Wear, Where to Sit, What to Do
The band has made available “Band Apparel”. These items are available to purchase through the Band Office. Band Parents usually sit next to the band in the stands at football games. At competitions, they sit wherever they can as a group. Strength in numbers!! There are many activities parents can help out with, and there are always sign up sheets being passed around at meetings and concert. Be sure to get on the email list. Email is a very effective way to communicate all of the information. The regular Band Parent meetings are scheduled for the first Thursday of each month, starting in September, at 7:00pm, immediately following the Thursday evening rehearsal. It’s a great way to meet the parents, get involved, and support The Pride of Doherty Marching Band.
You know you’re a band parent when….
You carry spare gloves, socks, and duct tape in your purse, car, fanny-pack
You follow yellow buses around a LOT!
You can’t pick out your child anymore, because they all look alike!
Your car can make it to school on its own!
The band calendar RULES your life!!
You plan laundry days around band performances
You find yourself humming the marching show while at work
You can name a dozen high schools from around the state, but only because you’ve seen their marching band
Please don’t hesitate to ask a “Veteran” parent questions.
They may know the answer because they asked it as well.
Welcome to The Pride of Doherty Marching Band!