Welcome to the Lake Highlands HS Band Program!

Directors Levi Chavis, Director of Bands/Fine Arts Coordinator James Rees, Associate Director/Private Lessons Coordinator Aaron Singleton, Associate Director Andrew Smit, Associate Director, Percussion Danny Martinez, Assistant Director, Guard

Director’s Contact Information Levi Chavis (469) 593-1057 levi.chavis@risd.org James Rees (469) 593-1059 james.rees@risd.org Aaron Singleton (469) 593-1093 aaron.singleton@risd.org Andrew Smit (469) 593-1183 andrew.smit@risd.org Danny Martinez (469) 593-1060 danny.martinez@risd.org

….Why Band??? BAND TEACHES… Discipline Hard Work Cooperation Setting/Attaining Goals Academic Support Leadership Networking Responsibility Performance Marching Band provides PE Waiver

STUDENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Drum Major Section Leader Drill Assistant Loading Crew Librarians Uniform Crew

MARCHING BAND TIMELINE Early May – High school band auditions Late May – Marching music is passed out Early June – Mini camp (ALL) Last Week of July – Percussion/Guard/Leadership Camps, Summer Band begins August – Summer Band and 1st Performance September – Football season begins October – Marching Contests November – End of football/Playoff games

DRUMLINE BATTERY Snares Tenors Basses FRONT ENSEMBLE Mallet Instruments Auxiliary Percussion PERSONNEL Membership is based on auditions Mr. Smit will communicate all details

COLORGUARD/WINTERGUARD During the fall season, the colorguard is part of the marching band. Includes Dance, Flag, and Rifle. Selected through audition No experience necessary! We teach you all you need to know. Winter Guard is an indoor activity which takes place November through March. PE Credit Mr. Martinez will communicate all necessary information.

SUMMER BAND MARCHING – Teach/Review/Drill Fundamentals PLAYING – Work on school songs and marching show music. Get a head start on region music! Students audition for a spot in the competition show. We learn the beginning of our marching show.

8 HOUR RULE UIL Rules allow 8 hours of practice time outside of class time each week once school starts. These 8 hours include required pre-scheduled rehearsal time. The following are not included under the 8 Hour Rule: Performances Warm-up for performances Competitions Warm-up for competitions Social time determined by students Summer Band UIL allows 8 hours for EACH organization that a student is part of (i.e. a student can be in band and choir and rehearse 8 hours a week outside of school time for each organization).

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE ONCE SCHOOL BEGINS… We rehearse before school Monday – Friday From 6:45AM to 8:15AM Always check the website at www.lhabc.org for more information Wind Ensemble & Drum Line (Fall), 1st Period Symphonic Band & Front Ensemble (Fall), 2nd Period Concert Bands 1 & 2, 3rd Period Jazz Band, 6th Period

SCHEDULING/REHEARSAL QUESTIONS Can I still be in band if I’m… In Athletics? Other Musical Groups? Drill Team/Cheerleader? Working a part-time job? Trying to be the Valedictorian? Participating in other clubs/activities? The answer to all of the above is…YES!

Balance! Band kids are currently participating in the following sports/clubs at LHHS: Basketball Football Highlandettes Cheerleading Wranglers Baseball Softball Soccer

Balance, continued! Golf Wrestling Track Swimming Tennis Choir Musical Tech Theater Along with part-time jobs and various clubs on campus including African Dance, TAFE, etc.

OTHER QUESTIONS Will freshmen march? -Yes Will all band members march in competition block? -No. There will be a pre-determined instrumentation set by the directors. Members of the competition block will be selected based on their playing and marching skills. -There is a place for everyone. We may have an alternate group. They do not march at competitions, but will be utilized in a suitable contributing role. -All band members WILL perform at football games, pep rallies and parades. Can scheduling conflicts be resolved? -Yes – 98% of the time with communication!

MARCHING PERFORMANCES Schedule handed out in June Football games (Thursday and Friday evening) September 27 – Varsity Revue (tentative) September 29 – Marching Contest October 13 – Marching Contest October 24 – Region 3 UIL Marching Contest October 27 – UIL Area Marching Contest On even numbered years, we have the opportunity to advance to Area then to State through the UIL competition

Concert Band All students audition in December to determine what band they will perform in… Wind Ensemble, Directed by Mr. Levi Chavis Symphonic Band, Directed by Mr. James Rees Concert Band 1, Directed by Mr. Aaron Singleton Concert Band 2, Directed by Mr. James Rees Additional sectional/full band rehearsals TBA UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest is in April Additional concerts include: Holiday Concerts, Winter Concerts, Mid-Winter Concert, Pre-UIL Concerts, Chamber Music Festival, Jazz Band Concerts, Festival Performances, Recording Sessions and Spring Concerts

Jazz Band We currently have two performing jazz ensembles. Jazz Band I, directed by Mr. Wingfield/Mr. Singleton, meets as a class every day during 6th period. Jazz Band II, directed by Mr. Wingfield, meets once a week after marching season and is mostly made up of Freshmen and Sophomores. The Jazz Bands perform in concerts throughout the year, including “An Evening of Jazz” and “Jazz Under the Stars”. The Jazz Bands travel to local competitions in the spring.

SPRING BAND TRIP Every year we take a spring trip Every fourth year, we take an out-of-state trip Cost of trip is determined at the beginning of the school year

FEES *these prices are based off of 2017-2018 band fees and may change for the 2018-2019 year* New RISD Band Student Fees: $525 Payment plans are available starting EARLY! June instead of August Use of RISD Musical Instruments: Non - Percussion $100 Percussion $125

…FEES WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: Custom marching show music & drill Colorguard/Band costumes and props Additional marching instruction Internationally recognized clinicians for students Sectional teachers Basic repair and upkeep of band equipment Copy machine maintenance and usage Sheet music Entry fees for contests Prizes, awards, team building supplies Transportation Food for over 20 events General Supplies This fee does not cover the cost of the spring trip or the out of state trip Fees should not prevent anyone from participating in the program.  Payment plans are available!

FUNDRAISERS The following are a few examples of fundraising activities that we do in order to keep student expenses to a minimum. Snap-Raise! Mattress Fundraiser Corporate Sponsorships Northpark Gold raffle March-a-Thon Donation Campaign Homecoming Mums NEW opportunities coming soon!

Other Topics School-owned instruments (Double Reeds, Low Saxes, French Horn, Mellophone, Tuba, Sousaphone, Euphonium, Marching Baritone, Percussion Step-up Instruments Eligibility Private Lessons

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT! Positive reinforcement for students Attend rehearsals and performances Fundraising Volunteer Services Band Club Board Committees Chaperones Uniform Personnel Truck Drivers Corporate Sponsors Tutors

LH AREA BAND CLUB (LHABC) The Lake Highlands Area Band Club (LHABC) is proud to support our kids in the Lake Highlands Bands. Every year we provide chaperones, volunteers, fundraising and special events that help our kids have the best experience they can in band. Anyone with a child in the LH cluster may join the club.

Charms Office Assistant is used for communication. MORE INFO… Charms Office Assistant is used for communication. THE BAND WEBSITE www.lhabc.org

Welcome to our family!!