Heritage High School Bands - Lynchburg Virginia

MARCHING BAND INFORMATION

BAND DIRECTOR

The Director of Bands at Heritage High School is Mike Hand. Mr. Hand is from Lynchburg and a product of the Lynchburg City School system. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Education and he is presently pursuing his Masters degree from Liberty University in the area of Educational Administration and Supervision.

Entering his fifteenth year as a Director of Bands, Mr. Hand’s ensembles have received continuous Superior ratings on the local, state and national levels including Sweepstakes winner at the 2003 National Adjudicators Invitational National Concert Band Festival. His reputation as “builder of bands” has seen Hand build three band programs from mediocrity into levels of state and national recognition.

Mr. Hand has served as District Chairman of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director Association and has been a member of the Virginia and Georgia state council of review for music education. He has been twice named as a Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and been cited by the National Band Association and the Walt Disney Foundation for teaching excellence in instrumental music education.

Mr. Hand is a much sought after adjudicator and clinician along the east coast and is a member of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director’s Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, South Carolina Band Directors Association, National Education Association and the National Band Association.

BAND CAMP

Attendance at Band Camp is mandatory. This is where, in two weeks, we learn the music and drill for the show. Please note the dates of Band Camp on the schedule at the end of this information package so that families can avoid conflicts with vacations, trips, camps, etc.

Band Camp is an intense two weeks! We learn marching basics, how to play while marching, and we begin memorizing our music. You will meet your section leader and you will make many new friends.

Band Camp is from 8 AM until noon, we break for lunch until 2 PM, followed by afternoon practice from 2 PM until 5 PM. During the lunch break, you are not under the responsibility of the Band Directors so you must be careful and safe.

You will need cool clothes, a cap, sunglasses, and a cooler of water or Gatorade. A snack is a good idea, too. Breakfast before camp is VERY important.

Each member has his or her own special “spot” in the show. It is almost impossible to learn drill with holes in the band. As you can see, your attendance is necessary for the welfare of the band.

UNIFORMS

All instrumentalists and colorguard will need to obtain a uniform for the marching season. Uniforms include a hat, a coat, two pairs of pants and a plume for instrumentalists and a single top and pants for the drum majors and colorguard. Students are required to contribute toward the cost of purchasing and maintaining these uniforms. The students’ contributions toward these costs are due during the first week of Band Camp. We will take the formal band picture for the football program during this time.

Instrumentalists will need to purchase white socks, white marching shoes and white gloves (percussionists do not wear gloves). The shoes are expected to last for several years. Colorguard and drum majors will need to purchase matching shoes. A “shoe day” will be designated at camp when students may order shoes from the selected vendor at a negotiated cost. Payment is due on the “shoe day.”

The instrumentals’ uniforms should be returned to the band room and hung up after each event to maintain the freshness of the fabric. Instrumentalist’s uniforms will be dry cleaned several times during the season at no additional cost to the student/parent.

Absolutely no eating is allowed while in uniform. Dry cleaning will not remove many common food stains from these uniforms.

At the discretion of the Band Director, drum majors and colorguard may procure their uniforms from the Boosters if there are no plans for future use by the band. Otherwise, all uniforms must be returned in good condition. Uniform damage beyond normal wear and tear will be charged to the individual student.

REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES

All rehearsals and performances of the BOMM are mandatory. Band takes a big commitment of your time, so be sure that you can make the commitment before you agree to join. Rehearsals after school during the fall are from 2:45 PM until 5 PM every day. We usually do not rehearse on Fridays “if” we have a football game. We work as a team and expect everyone to be there! The band will perform at football games, band competitions, parades, and other community events. A football schedule is provided in this application package. A competition schedule will be provided during the summer.

The welfare and success of the band depends upon everyone realizing that attendance is required for rehearsals and performances. Cutting a rehearsal or performance is grounds for dismissal from the band. Of course, sickness or a sudden family emergency is excused. If you have to miss a rehearsal or performance, contact the Director as soon as possible. If the emergency prevents this, you must support your absence with a phone call or a note from your parents.

SEE SCHEDULE OF REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES

OVERNIGHT TRIPS

Usually once during the football season, the Marching Band will take a weekend overnight trip to perform in a competition. An optional spring trip may be planned for all bands (Marching, Symphonic, Concert and Jazz). Details for these trips will be provided prior to the event. The Band Boosters have typically paid most of the costs for overnight trips. This practice will continue, if funds are available. No student contribution is required for the overnight trip this fall. This is a savings of $100 compared to last year. Student contributions may be required for an optional spring trip. Students are responsible for money for incidentals (“spending money”) on all trips.

BEHAVIOR

We hold band members to high standards of personal behavior at rehearsals, performances, and on trips. All school rules apply at all times. Drinking, drug-use, or smoking will result in automatic dismissal from the band. The Band Director, parents, guidance, or principal as warranted will address other lapses in behavior. Members of the BOMM should be aware that they represent our school, the community, and often times the State of Virginia, as well as the band. We expect students to be the polite and mature ladies and gentlemen that we know they truly are and that they will always be proud to wear the Heritage name with pride.

STUDENT LEADERS

The band has to operate with student leaders called Drum Majors, Band Captains, and Section Leaders. Their instructions are to be followed as if given by the Directors. Be sure your attitude allows you to take instructions from your peers. Remember that we are all working toward the common goal of having a great band!

BECOMING A MEMBER

Membership is by permission of the Band Director. There is no formal tryout. Recommendations by your previous Band Director are usually sufficient. If during the previous year you were a member of the BOMM and successfully completed the year in good standing, you are also eligible.

The previous year’s members can be invited to participate by the Director or Assistant Director. If you are a rising 9th grader and have successfully completed the band program at Dunbar or Sandusky Middle Schools, or if you are transferring to Heritage from another school, you are eligible to participate.

If you are transferring to Heritage, please come for an interview with us as soon as possible! Anyone in guidance can help you set this up. The Director will receive a list of rising 8th graders from your Directors, and if they recommend you, you will receive an invitation to join as an 8th grader. We welcome all new students!

HOW TO JOIN

If you would like to become a member of the Big Orange Marching Machine, fill out the attached application form, participation agreement and family service pledge. Please return these forms to Heritage High School, as soon as possible.

Students and parents are required to sign the participation agreement and complete a family service pledge to participate in the Band Booster Service Program. A participation agreement is required for each student. Since service points are based on the number of students per family, only one family service pledge form is required per family. Students that participate in Marching Band without submitting this agreement are responsible for paying the entire cost of participation. This cost is expected to be over $850.
 

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BAND BOOSTERS OF HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL
3020 Wards Ferry Road, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502