North Henderson High School Band Handbook
Expect more than you think is possible, care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe.
Rules
-No Phones or hats
-No food or drink (except water)
Marching Knights
All members of the Marching Knights are required to participate in Band Camps. Percussion and color guard members will be auditioned and selected at the end of the school year; upon selection, full participation in the Percussion/Color guard Camp is expected. Leaders and Drum Major(s) will be chosen or auditioned at the end of the school year as well, with participation in the Officer Camp being expected. All sections and Members are required to attend Full Band Camp.
The Marching Knights perform at all home football games, selected away games, the Hendersonville Christmas Parade, Apple Festival Parade, Festivals, Competitions, and other related events. A calendar will be distributed at the beginning of the school year, which will contain all required dates and events for the Marching Band. This calendar is intended to notify Band Members of every event each year; if an event is listed on the calendar, the Band member and his or her parents have been notified of it.
The Marching Knights practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3:30-5:30pm. The rehearsals will last through football season and the playoffs. Attendance at all practices and performances is mandatory, and the school attendance policy applies.
Grade policies are covered in the Grading Policy section of this handbook.
Concert Bands
Students in the Concert Bands will play bi-weekly tests, some of which will be used to determine their chair position in the ensemble. Membership in a Concert band is not necessarily permanent, and is dependent on the student’s test scores (playing tests), discipline record, attendance at after school rehearsals and performances, and overall adherence to the policies and procedures in this handbook.
Required performances for the Concert band include MPA, Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Pre-Festival Concert, Spring Concert, and all other performances dictated by the Director.
After school rehearsals are rare, but will be set by the Director if needed, students will be notified of all rehearsals in a timely manner and attendance is part of the semester grade. See the “Rehearsal Policies” section of this handbook for further information regarding absences, etc.
Absences
We all get sick, but there are good and bad reasons to miss rehearsal beyond that. Keeping in mind all the band classes are school classes and not extra-curricular activities, the school attendance policy applies. Marching band takes Wednesday’s off for two reasons, to provide an appointment day for students, and to provide for church commitment. Emergencies are emergencies, but they do not happen on a weekly basis. The band cannot function without its members.
The school attendance policy applies to all band classes; just because you have a note, it is still an absence and you missed work. A note simply means you were not cutting class. More than five absences will result in absence recovery.
School sponsored absences are always excused, unless it is an extracurricular activity. Again, band is a class, other after school functions are not.
Performances
All performances are REQUIRED. Excused absences from performances are very rare. All members of the North Henderson Band are required to attend the complete performance. The Band Functions as a unit, and is required to attend performances as such.
Instruments
School-owned instruments and mouthpieces can be checked out to students who do not own their own instruments. A rental fee (which most Band programs assess) will not be assessed for the use of these instruments. However, students will be responsible for the proper care and maintenance of their instrument, whether it be school or personally owned, so that the instrument is in proper playing condition to best serve the ensemble. This includes oiling valves, having quality reeds and mouthpieces, cleaning instruments, etc. School-owned instruments that are damaged as a result of the neglect of the student must be repaired at the expense of the student. School-owned instruments that are lost or stolen as a result of the neglect of the student that instrument is assigned to, must be replaced at the expense of the student.
Uniforms
Marching Band uniforms, including Shakos, jackets, pants, and plumes will be issued at the beginning of the year and kept at school before performances. The uniform will be checked out by the student for each game and returned afterwards, the student is responsible for his/her own Band t-shirt, black socks, black marching shoes, and athletic shorts to go underneath their uniform. Any damage to a uniform due to a Band Member’s neglect or abuse must be paid for by that member.
Band students should have good hygiene at all times. Students who do not display proper hygiene may be addressed by the Band Director or referred to the Guidance Department or Administration as it is a danger to their health and/or the health of other students when wearing Band uniforms. This is not only for the individual in question, but for the cleanliness and care of the uniform, which will be worn for years to come by other students.
Uniform Behavior
When in uniform, Band members are required to conduct themselves in a “uniformed fashion”, including but not limited to: no cursing, no use of tobacco and/or alcohol, no dancing that is deemed provocative or inappropriate by the Band Director, no leaving the full group unless dismissed, no gum chewing, etc. “Uniform” includes any clothing students are required to wear by the Band, whether it be for Marching, Concert, Jazz, or any other Band ensemble.
Payment Policy
Payments for any and all associated band fees and trip payments may be made by check, cash or PayPal. Payments made with cash should be submitted to the Band Director in a sealed envelope with the name of the student written on the outside of the envelope with a note of what the payment in being applied to (i.e. Marching Band Fees, Trip Payment #1, etc.). The Band Director will provide a written receipt when the payment is received.
Payments made by check should have the student’s name and what the payment should be applied to and noted on the memo line. Checks should be submitted to the Band Director and a written receipt will be issued. Checks should be made payable to the North Henderson Band Boosters, Inc. if a check is returned for non-sufficient funds, there will be a $20 charge allowed by the state of North Carolina in addition to the face amount of the check for collection.
Payments made via PayPal will automatically have a minimum $5.00 service fee applied.
See reverse for grading policies -
Grading Policies
Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble
The Following is the approved grading policy for the North Henderson High School Band.
On a 100% grading scale, the following percentages apply:
Performances: 40%
Final Exam: 20%
Playing Tests: 20%
In Class (tests, preparedness, participation, etc.) 20%
These grades will be affected by attendance, tardiness, attitude, preparation or quality.
Marching and Jazz Bands
On a 100% grading scale, the following percentages apply:
Rehearsals: 33%
Performances: 33%
Camp Attendance/Participation: 33%
These grades will be affected by attendance, tardiness, attitude, preparation or quality.
Please keep in mind that marching band in the state of North Carolina is a pass/fail course, passing is a 4.0, and failing receives no credit. Anything below 70% is failing.
Be sure to sign and return the agreement on the back of this handout!
North Henderson Band Handbook Agreement
I understand and agree to the policies and procedures described in the 2024-2025 North Henderson High School Band Handbook.
___________________________________________
Student Name (please print clearly)
_______________________________________________ __________
Students Signature Date
_______________________________________________ __________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
**This form is required to be returned to the Band Director by Friday, August 16, for a test grade! Questions about this document should be addressed to Mr. Sigmon at 697-4500.
Expect more than you think is possible, care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe.
Rules
-No Phones or hats
-No food or drink (except water)
Marching Knights
All members of the Marching Knights are required to participate in Band Camps. Percussion and color guard members will be auditioned and selected at the end of the school year; upon selection, full participation in the Percussion/Color guard Camp is expected. Leaders and Drum Major(s) will be chosen or auditioned at the end of the school year as well, with participation in the Officer Camp being expected. All sections and Members are required to attend Full Band Camp.
The Marching Knights perform at all home football games, selected away games, the Hendersonville Christmas Parade, Apple Festival Parade, Festivals, Competitions, and other related events. A calendar will be distributed at the beginning of the school year, which will contain all required dates and events for the Marching Band. This calendar is intended to notify Band Members of every event each year; if an event is listed on the calendar, the Band member and his or her parents have been notified of it.
The Marching Knights practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3:30-5:30pm. The rehearsals will last through football season and the playoffs. Attendance at all practices and performances is mandatory, and the school attendance policy applies.
Grade policies are covered in the Grading Policy section of this handbook.
Concert Bands
Students in the Concert Bands will play bi-weekly tests, some of which will be used to determine their chair position in the ensemble. Membership in a Concert band is not necessarily permanent, and is dependent on the student’s test scores (playing tests), discipline record, attendance at after school rehearsals and performances, and overall adherence to the policies and procedures in this handbook.
Required performances for the Concert band include MPA, Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Pre-Festival Concert, Spring Concert, and all other performances dictated by the Director.
After school rehearsals are rare, but will be set by the Director if needed, students will be notified of all rehearsals in a timely manner and attendance is part of the semester grade. See the “Rehearsal Policies” section of this handbook for further information regarding absences, etc.
Absences
We all get sick, but there are good and bad reasons to miss rehearsal beyond that. Keeping in mind all the band classes are school classes and not extra-curricular activities, the school attendance policy applies. Marching band takes Wednesday’s off for two reasons, to provide an appointment day for students, and to provide for church commitment. Emergencies are emergencies, but they do not happen on a weekly basis. The band cannot function without its members.
The school attendance policy applies to all band classes; just because you have a note, it is still an absence and you missed work. A note simply means you were not cutting class. More than five absences will result in absence recovery.
School sponsored absences are always excused, unless it is an extracurricular activity. Again, band is a class, other after school functions are not.
Performances
All performances are REQUIRED. Excused absences from performances are very rare. All members of the North Henderson Band are required to attend the complete performance. The Band Functions as a unit, and is required to attend performances as such.
Instruments
School-owned instruments and mouthpieces can be checked out to students who do not own their own instruments. A rental fee (which most Band programs assess) will not be assessed for the use of these instruments. However, students will be responsible for the proper care and maintenance of their instrument, whether it be school or personally owned, so that the instrument is in proper playing condition to best serve the ensemble. This includes oiling valves, having quality reeds and mouthpieces, cleaning instruments, etc. School-owned instruments that are damaged as a result of the neglect of the student must be repaired at the expense of the student. School-owned instruments that are lost or stolen as a result of the neglect of the student that instrument is assigned to, must be replaced at the expense of the student.
Uniforms
Marching Band uniforms, including Shakos, jackets, pants, and plumes will be issued at the beginning of the year and kept at school before performances. The uniform will be checked out by the student for each game and returned afterwards, the student is responsible for his/her own Band t-shirt, black socks, black marching shoes, and athletic shorts to go underneath their uniform. Any damage to a uniform due to a Band Member’s neglect or abuse must be paid for by that member.
Band students should have good hygiene at all times. Students who do not display proper hygiene may be addressed by the Band Director or referred to the Guidance Department or Administration as it is a danger to their health and/or the health of other students when wearing Band uniforms. This is not only for the individual in question, but for the cleanliness and care of the uniform, which will be worn for years to come by other students.
Uniform Behavior
When in uniform, Band members are required to conduct themselves in a “uniformed fashion”, including but not limited to: no cursing, no use of tobacco and/or alcohol, no dancing that is deemed provocative or inappropriate by the Band Director, no leaving the full group unless dismissed, no gum chewing, etc. “Uniform” includes any clothing students are required to wear by the Band, whether it be for Marching, Concert, Jazz, or any other Band ensemble.
Payment Policy
Payments for any and all associated band fees and trip payments may be made by check, cash or PayPal. Payments made with cash should be submitted to the Band Director in a sealed envelope with the name of the student written on the outside of the envelope with a note of what the payment in being applied to (i.e. Marching Band Fees, Trip Payment #1, etc.). The Band Director will provide a written receipt when the payment is received.
Payments made by check should have the student’s name and what the payment should be applied to and noted on the memo line. Checks should be submitted to the Band Director and a written receipt will be issued. Checks should be made payable to the North Henderson Band Boosters, Inc. if a check is returned for non-sufficient funds, there will be a $20 charge allowed by the state of North Carolina in addition to the face amount of the check for collection.
Payments made via PayPal will automatically have a minimum $5.00 service fee applied.
See reverse for grading policies -
Grading Policies
Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble
The Following is the approved grading policy for the North Henderson High School Band.
On a 100% grading scale, the following percentages apply:
Performances: 40%
Final Exam: 20%
Playing Tests: 20%
In Class (tests, preparedness, participation, etc.) 20%
These grades will be affected by attendance, tardiness, attitude, preparation or quality.
Marching and Jazz Bands
On a 100% grading scale, the following percentages apply:
Rehearsals: 33%
Performances: 33%
Camp Attendance/Participation: 33%
These grades will be affected by attendance, tardiness, attitude, preparation or quality.
Please keep in mind that marching band in the state of North Carolina is a pass/fail course, passing is a 4.0, and failing receives no credit. Anything below 70% is failing.
Be sure to sign and return the agreement on the back of this handout!
North Henderson Band Handbook Agreement
I understand and agree to the policies and procedures described in the 2024-2025 North Henderson High School Band Handbook.
___________________________________________
Student Name (please print clearly)
_______________________________________________ __________
Students Signature Date
_______________________________________________ __________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
**This form is required to be returned to the Band Director by Friday, August 16, for a test grade! Questions about this document should be addressed to Mr. Sigmon at 697-4500.