1. McCullough Junior Color Guard Auditions 2015-2016

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=yxG_pw6lE3M&feature=yout u.be 2013-2014 Performance

3. What is Color Guard?? The McCullough Guard will be in its 8th year of competition in the Texas Color Guard Circuit. The group rehearses after school (therefore it does not count as a PE credit) beginning in September and ending in March. The performance/competition season runs from January through the end of March.

4. Important Dates May 4 th Audition Packet is due! Refer to the checklist for required paperwork. May 5 th and 6 th Audition Clinic in the gym, 4:30-6 PM May 7 th Audition in the gym, 4:30-6 PM May 8 th Results posted on the website by 5 PM TBA Summer Clinic September (date TBA) Mandatory Parent Meeting

5. Auditions Student HAS to be zoned to attend McCullough Junior High in the 2015- 2016 school year. All transfer requests must be approved prior to trying out. Late additions will only be considered for students who moved into CISD after the audition date. – Students will not be allowed to join in the fall or spring if they did not audition.

6. What Goes On At The Clinic? Tuesday and Wednesday: The candidates will be taught basic skills and be taught a short combo. Thursday: Students will have a few minutes to review beginning at 4:30pm. Students will audition in groups of about 4-6. * These practice sessions are closed to the public.

7. What Do I Turn In? Member information form Contract and fee agreement form Copy of most recent progress report or report card Medical Release Form Due by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 4 th to the McC front office. NO LATE FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

8. Pick-Up and Drop-Off Guard candidates need to be dropped off and picked up in the car line near the gyms on the west side of the building under awning. Do not arrive before 4:15. Guard candidates need to wait in the gym hall until called into the gym.

9. Auditions Enter gym in groups of four to five, candidates will perform the skills and combo they have learned as a group. Each group will perform and then exit the gym. After all groups have had their turn, we will meet with the candidates for final announcements and then they will be dismissed.

10. What do I wear for the clinic and auditions? -Solid black, or dark colored t-shirt (long enough so that the stomach is not showing at any time). -Gym shorts or yoga style capris -No jeans, baggy sweats, tights or full length pants -Sneakers -No Jewelry!!! -Hair pulled back neatly and out of face.

11. Performance & Alternate Positions There will be one team consisting of both performance and alternate positions. –The number of performance positions will not exceed 30 (per TCGC restrictions). Members may forfeit their performance spot throughout the year due to poor work ethic & attitude, ineligibility, and poor attendance. Alternate positions are very important! If a member becomes ineligible or unreliable, we will need to fill that spot so that there is not a hole in the show. – On performance days these members are essential in helping as floor crew

12. RESULTS The results will be posted on the McCullough Guard website, Thursday afternoon following auditions. Please do not email the coach to determine if a girl has made the squad.

13. Physical Exams Physical Exams In order to audition, you must turn in a medical release. Upon making the team, you must turn in a completed physical dated after April 15, 2014 prior to participating in the summer clinic.

14. Projected Expenses Contest Entry Fees$25 Writer/Technician$67 Travel$40 Equipment- Poles and/or silks$30 Costume$100-150 T-shirt $10 Team Jacket and Pant$57 Rifle (optional)$35 Duffle Bag (optional)$20 *All prices are subject to change *Due dates will be announced in the fall

15. Projected Expenses Possible Additional Expenses: Big/Lil Sister gifts, electrical tape, strapping tape *All costs are subject to change and are due on given due dates. All payments will be made on the McCullough Web Store. You can access this from the McCullough school website. Projected total for the year $350 One fundraiser will be available in September. PLEASE REVIEW EXPENSES PRIOR TO AUDITIONS!

16. If you make the team: Summer Clinic TBA! (sometime in Aug) There will be a mandatory parent meeting at the beginning of the year. We will discuss the fundraiser, order guard shirts, discuss rifle orders, and get information about the upcoming school year. A payment of approximately $130 will be in September.

17. Rehearsal = Mandatory -September – November rehearsal every Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. -December – March rehearsal every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 -Members are required to be at practice if they are at school. Unexcused absences may result in members losing their performance spot and possible dismissal. Doctor’s notes are required from your child’s physician. Dates/times announced at this time are tentative!

18. Rehearsal = Mandatory Any member who must miss a rehearsal for any reason must contact the director. – We are not informed by the nurse of students who go home ill or who are not present each day. – Members who have conflicts with other school activities must also notify the director. All practices and events are subject to change due to other organizations, inclement weather, and unforeseen circumstances. We will always inform the members and parents of any changes as soon as possible.

19. Member Expectations Individuals who make the team are expected to represent our school and organization with the utmost values and character. It is kind of like being a principal, preacher, or teacher. Your actions are under a microscope at all times. Understand this in advance, not after making the squad.

20. Expectations Your child has elected to become involved the McC Guard program. With that choice there are greater expectations of her as they are now part of our organization, and she represents the entire program. McC Guard members fall under the regular student code of conduct, but also fall under our expectations as stated in the contract. These expectations are clearly articulated. With this expectation, teachers will routinely come to coaches/sponsors with feedback, encouragement, concerns, etc. Please be aware of this prior to enrolling your son/daughter in our organization.

21. Expectations Consider if your child has a social media account, such as Facebook, Instagram SnapChat, Knocking Live Video, Vine, Tumblr or Twitter, or a phone with picture taking abilities. This needs to be actively monitored! Inappropriate uses of these accounts or devices (on or off campus) may likely result in dismissal from the team. Any extreme behavior with social media accounts will result in automatic dismissal! This includes every day of the year including summer, weekends, and holidays!

22. Examples of inappropriate use of online or texting behavior include but is not limited to: Sexting Disparaging other members of the organization Disparaging parents/guardians within the program, leaders of the group or the group as a whole Bullying Spreading rumors and the like Our goal is to let you know about this now and prevent it in advance, preventing any unnecessary drama.

23. Please understand……… This sort of thing happens every year and we will find out. Other students and parents/guardians are eager to let us know when this happens. Please be aware of where your kids are online and what they are doing. Periodically, we will talk with the kids and warn them of the dangers they face online and the consequences of poor choices in both real life and cyber-life.

24. Expectations Rehearsal: members are expected to be at every rehearsal in the correct attire. Practice: members are expected to take their equipment home after each rehearsal and practice at home, especially on the weekends. Doctor and dentist appointments are to be scheduled around guard rehearsals- remember we do not have a class period You must have a doctor’s note for injuries!!

25. Expectations Other commitments (sports, dance, extracurricular, etc.) do not automatically supercede McCullough guard requirements! – Conflicts with other school activities will be handled on a case by case basis. If you can’t be present, you do not need to audition. If a member has an unexcused absence from rehearsal, it is highly probable she will sit out for the next major performance.

26. Expectations Our guard program is a full year commitment. It requires more work and responsibility than that of the average student. Please consider the commitment level prior to auditioning.

27. Grade Expectations With the time commitment of guard it is crucial that students do not lose sight of his/her first priority at school, academics. If a student does not meet UIL eligibility grade requirements, he/she will be ineligible to participate in performances for a period specified by UIL regulations. – students must still attend and participate in rehearsals. Please refer to the McCullough Athletics website for a calendar of UIL grade check dates. ALL courses count toward eligibility.

28. Guard Parent Expectations Encourage positive relationships among the entire group Provide transportation to and from rehearsal at times specified Provide transportation to and from McC on performance days at the times specified Follow, support, and respect guidelines (ex-do not schedule appointments. during rehearsal, communicate absences and conflicts with director)

29. Guard Parent Expectations Stay updated via email and the guard website on upcoming events and announcements – Email is our primary means of communication. If this is an issue, please speak with the director ASAP. Support your child academically so that she may stay eligible Set a positive example with your actions, words, and communications with each other both in and out of McCullough JH events

30. Expectations Please read and review the Guard Contract provided in your audition packet PRIOR to completing any forms or turning in any paperwork. It is imperative you understand the expectations, commitment, and effort this program entails. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

31. If your child is trying out for McCullough Color Guard, please ensure all parental parties, whether here or not, understand the guidelines, requirements, and tryout procedures of our organization in advance of auditions.

32. Thank you so much for coming tonight! We look forward to working with them during the course of audition week.