Forward
from The Official Handbook of the Lincoln-Way Central Bands (1976)
Music is the most widely used art. Just about everyone listens
to music on television, radio, movies or records. And, central
to the appreciation and understanding of music is music performance.
The student who has learned to play an instrument will always enjoy
music more than if he had not. Our Band performs superior
music in order to give its members a worthwhile musical experience
and heritage.
The purpose of the Lincoln-Way East Bands is not only to serve the
school and the community but also to furnish each member with an
invaluable experience. The disciplines of a good band, both
marching and concert, are often similar to those acquired in athletics.
Both develop coordination, cooperation, teamwork and self-discipline
to a degree not possible in academic subjects. The Band is
no haven for a lazy student. It demands and develops concentration
so essential to success in any field of endeavor.
One must not forget that the Band helps to develop character and
provides the members with an ideal outlet for their energies.
The Band gives each and every member a place "to hang his hat,"
a place to belong. In addition to the rewards from discipline and
hard work, one also belongs to the Band because it is fun.
There can be a genuine excitement in making music, in playing a
beautiful concert, in being part of a precise competition field
show, in leading the parade. The Band member is always where
the action is, and not just watching but making the action.
In cooperation with the school, the community, the athletic department,
the faculty and the other students of the school, the Band has a
unique function. Our obligations both during and outside of
school hours are many but our rewards are also many. In a
typical classroom the students' major concern is to learn what they
can, and earn as high a grade as possible for themselves.
In the Band program you gain much personally too, but you have an
important function to perform for others that is most significant.
You are now in the limelight of the school and the public as you
have never been before.
If some of the regulations included in this handbook seem a bit
strict, especially when your directors insist that they be followed
exactly, bear in mind that this is absolutely essential to your
development and to the success of your Band. It is not possible
to have a good Band without the full cooperation of all its members
at all times! In a regular class, if your work is not good,
you hurt only yourself; in the Band, you hurt the whole group.
Your obligations are demanding . . . but the rewards are many.
As a dedicated Band member, something happens to you so that the
organization becomes YOUR BAND - you are intensely proud of it!
Attendance
By virtue of being a member of the Marching Griffins, attendance
at all performances and rehearsals is both necessary and mandatory.
Absence and tardiness detract from the overall effectiveness of
the entire Band. The successful Band member NEVER has an unexcused
absence or tardiness. The Marching Griffins organization is
committed to providing the best educational and musical experience
for each and every member. It is essential that every member
be equally committed to his or her peer members in the organization.
Those who are not willing to give such commitment should not request
to participate.
The only excused reason for absence is your personal sickness or
a death in the family. A member with an unexcused absence
from a rehearsal will not be allowed to participate in the next
competition or public performance. If a member has more than
one unexcused absence from rehearsal he/she will be automatically
dropped from the Marching Griffins roster and replaced. If
a member has an unexcused absence from any performance he/she will
be automatically dropped from the roster and replaced. It
is suggested that members do not try to work part-time jobs during
the season. Please understand that you will not be excused
from a rehearsal because of a job.
Upon arrival at rehearsals and performances, each member of the
Marching Griffins organization must "sign-in" to the event.
Most often, sign-in sheets will be located at the podium.
If a student has not signed-in he/she will be marked absent from
that event and an attendance form must be submitted.
When a student must be absent from or tardy to an event, the student
or parent should discuss the conflict immediately with the Director.
After discussion with the director, written correspondence should
be submitted on an official Attendance Form which is located outside
the Music Office. Reason for absence or tardiness along with
a parent/guardian signature must be included. This should
be done at least 48 hours prior to the absence, except in the case
of emergencies. In such a situation, a form should be submitted
immediately upon the student's return to the next event.
Rehearsal
Etiquette
Discipline is the cornerstone of any successful team. Rehearsal
time is to be an environment of learning not an outlet for socialization.
If you need to socialize with your friends come early or stay late.
Each member will be expected to treat the staff and fellow members
of their team with respect. Come to rehearsal prepared and ready
to work hard. The staff will try very hard to end the rehearsal
on time; the stated ending time is when the learning will stop not
the time you should expect to leave the parking lot. Allow time
to hear announcements and put equipment away after the stated ending
time.
Code
of Conduct
At some point before a student's first performance with the Marching
Griffins, a student and at least one parent must attend a mandatory
Code of Conduct meeting in which the policies of the organization
and the school are presented and agreed upon. This meeting
may include an outside speaker and/or special presentations which
are geared toward preparing the Marching Griffins for the upcoming
season. At that meeting, this Handbook and the official Lincoln-Way
East Code of Conduct, the school Travel Policy, and an indemnity
agreement will be reviewed and signed by each member and a parent.
The Lincoln-Way East High School Music Department does not condone
or permit any type of initiation or "'hazing" of students.
Students involved in initiations and/or "hazing" will
be dropped from the music organization immediately and subject
to appropriate discipline up to and including suspension or expulsion.
All students are obliged to report to responsible school officials
knowledge of any violations or potential violations of this policy
by fellow students. No student may retaliate against another
for making such a report.
Student
Leadership
Drum Majors
The Drum Majors are very likely the most visible part of the Lincoln-Way
East Marching Griffins program and are the main student representatives
to the public and community. The Drum Majors will be chosen
by the Directors through audition and recommendations. Though
the Lincoln-Way East Drum Majors are chiefly in charge of conducting
the ensemble during performance, it is widely considered that their
most important duties concern the overall appearance, professionalism,
and morale of the Marching Griffins performance block. These
students should represent the epitome of Marching Griffins membership
in every way.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be chosen by a simple majority vote
of the members of the Lincoln-Way East Band. The following
officers will be elected:
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Junior Representatives (2)
Sophomore Representatives (2)
Section
Leaders
One Section Leader and, if necessary, at least one Section Assistant
will be chosen for each of the performing sections of the Marching
Griffins. These students will be chosen by the Directors and
instructional staff. Position decisions will be based upon
several factors including, but not limited to: performance
ability, previous experience, leadership qualities, recommendations,
and a formal audition. Seniority may not necessarily be taken
into consideration.
Section Leaders and Section Assistants will be responsible
for holding sectional rehearsals outside of regularly scheduled
rehearsals. In general, these student leaders will be the
core of the leadership team established by the Directors on an annual
basis. These students will be responsible for reporting directly
to the Directors and instructional staff on matters pertinent
to the overall performance of the organization.
Line Leaders
Student Line Leaders will be chosen from the membership of
the Marching Griffins. These students will be chosen by the
Directors and instructional staff. Position decisions will
be based upon several factors including, but not limited to:
leadership qualities, previous experience, recommendations, performance
ability. Seniority may not necessarily be taken into consideration.
Line Leaders will be specifically responsible for assisting the
Section Leaders in any capacity the Section Leaders deem necessary
with regard to each individual section's performance. This usually
entails special assistance with all aspects of marching technique
but may include other areas as well. Line Leaders will march
at the end of a line when the Marching Griffins are in parade performance.
Student Leadership, and the willingness of the membership to respect
and follow that leadership is one of the keys to the Band's success.
Student leadership authority is delegated by the directors.
Student leaders are to be obeyed without question or hesitation.
Complaints about student leadership are to be brought only to the
Directors for action. Obviously, every student selected for
a leadership role must understand all Band rules and regulations
and must adhere to them absolutely. Leadership by example
is the first rule. Fairness is essential. What is good
for one is good for all and no individual, from the Drum Major to
the least member, is exempt from the rules.
The
Marching Band Uniform
There is a great deal of responsibility and respect that accompanies
anyone who wears the Lincoln-Way East uniform. All members
will be expected to act in accordance with set guidelines for uniform
wear. A set of uniform policies will accompany each uniform
when the uniform is assigned during the Summer months. Everyone
must be in full uniform for all performances of the Marching Griffins.
Members who are not in full uniform will not be permitted
to perform. The full dress uniform includes:
Hat
and plume
Jacket
Bib Pants
Official Band T-shirt
Black gloves (for wind players and cymbal players)
All-black dress socks
Black Drill Master shoes
ALL
OR NOTHING
The Band uniform is always to be worn in its entirety when in public
except when the Directors have deemed it appropriate to remove only
the coat. In such a situation, every member will have a uniform-front
T-shirt under the jacket which will ensure that all members are
still maintaining the "uniform" look. Uniform jackets
are never to be placed on the ground or any place where they may
be in danger of getting dirty.
UNIFORM T-SHIRT
Every performing member must wear the official Uniform T-shirt under
his/her uniform. Anyone who is not wearing that specific shirt
will not be allowed to perform and may be subject to any disciplinary
action the Directors deem fit.
CARE OF WHITES
The uniform is equipped with a removable cloth collar liner.
This liner should be removed, washed and replaced after each uniformed
appearance. In addition, the gloves must be washed on a regular
basis. Oil and other body residue left in gloves will cause
corrosion and wear on the finish of instruments.
THE HAT AND PLUME
The uniform hat and plume should be treated with respect at all
times. Never should these items be placed in a position where
they might be mishandled, damaged or destroyed. Each member
is responsible for his/her own hat. The hat should always
be carried with the top side up so that the plume stands straight.
Never should the hat be carried so that the plume is dangling
below the hat.
RESPECT FOR THE UNIFORM
The uniform is to be respected at all times. No unbecoming
actions of any kind (scuffling, rough games, gum chewing, etc.)
are permitted. The uniform is a symbol of dignity, prestige,
stature and the tradition that is the Lincoln-Way East Marching
Griffins. Wear your uniform proudly!
Summer Uniform
The summer performance uniform is worn when weather conditions suggest
that the formal dress uniform would not be appropriate. This
uniform consists of the following:
band
"golf" shirt with the Griffin logo
black dress slacks (completely black, not blue)
all-black dress socks
black Drill Master shoes
Travel
The Lincoln-Way East Marching Griffins are an extensive traveling
organization and as such are considered "ambassadors"
of the entire Lincoln-Way community. All rules and policies
of Lincoln-Way Community High School District #210 shall be followed.
Anyone found in direct violation of any policies and rules will
be subject to disciplinary action at the discretion of the Directors.
Disciplinary action may include immediate return of the student
to the custody of his/her parents at the family's expense and may
also include immediate dismissal of the student from the Marching
Knights organization. A permission form must be signed by
each student and at least one parent for the student to travel with
the Marching Griffins.
We want all parents to feel comfortable that their students are
in good care. Since the Marching Griffins organization is
so large it can become difficult to keep track of each and every
member who travels with the group. Therefore, all members
must travel to a performance venue with the Marching Griffins.
If, however, a student would like to return home with a parent or
guardian after a performance, a Travel Release form must be filled
out and signed by the parent. The student must then submit
the Travel Release form to the respective bus chaperone. No
student will be allowed to return with someone outside of the Marching
Griffins organization without one of these forms properly completed.
Band
Camp-Click here for more information
Music Boosters
The Lincoln-Way East Music Boosters are a vital part of the success
of the entire Lincoln-Way East music program. Monthly meetings
are scheduled on a regular basis. It is highly recommended
that all parents and music program supporters actively participate
in this group.
Traditions
The Lincoln-Way Community Marching programs have traditions that
have been developed and maintained over many years. While
they are important to the character and morale of the membership,
traditions will never supersede or infringe upon the rules and policies
set forth in this Handbook. It is the hope that all Marching
Griffins members will want to learn these traditions, keeping in
mind that the traditions were once new concepts years ago.
By nature, it seems, we are all "creatures-of-habit" and
cringe at the thought of change in our everyday lives. It
is necessary, however, that all members be open to new ideas which
will ultimately benefit the entire organization. Strong programs
sustain their "greatness" by adapting and adjusting to
new ideas and concepts while still holding on to those things which
define their very essence. The key seems to be a fine balance
between keeping the old and welcoming the new.
