1. Welcome to the Lake Highlands HS Band Program!

2. 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

3. Director’s Contact Information
Levi Chavis (469)
James Rees (469)
Aaron Singleton (469)
Andrew Smit (469)
Danny Martinez (469)

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

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

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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).

11. REHEARSAL SCHEDULE ONCE SCHOOL BEGINS… We rehearse before school
Monday – Friday From 6:45AM to 8:15AM
Always check the website at 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

12. 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!

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

14. 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.

15. 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!

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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

21. …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!

22. 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!

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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. Charms Office Assistant is used for communication.
MORE INFO…
Charms Office Assistant is used for communication.
THE BAND WEBSITE

27. Welcome to our family!!