Mandarin High School
Marching Mustangs

General Information and Policies
*Please read completely

1. Band Rehearsals – The full marching band rehearses after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45pm to 5pm during football season. The first regularly scheduled rehearsal is Tuesday August 19.

Mon Drumline/Guard 2:45 – 5:00)/Officer Mtg,
Sectionals 2:45-3:30
Tues 2:45 – 5:00 Full Band
Wed Drumline/Guard ONLY 2:45-5:00
Thurs 2:45– 5:00 Full Band

The band will march to the rehearsal lot. Step Off will be at 2:45 Tues/Thurs. Students will be considered tardy if not in this formation.

Students must have a 2 quart cooler, pencil, music (in flip folder), instrument, band shoes, and dressed in a white shirt for rehearsals.

Game Day: “Continuity” Run throughs will be conducted on Game Day the usual report time will be 4:45pm. Step Off to the rehearsal lot will be at 5pm.

2. Colorguard and Drums – All Guard and Drumline members will have sectionals every Mon and Wed. We will also meet over the summer at various times (check calendar).

3. Thursday Night LIVE! is a rehearsal for all members. We will rehearse music from 6-8pm in the summer. Students who are out of town on either of those rehearsals are asked to call the band office at 260-3911 x148 and leave a message. Wear light clothes, tennis shoes, bring water in a fliptop jug, pencil, Instrument, and music.

4. Marching Shoes – Cost for the shoes for all band members (including guard) is $25. All Marching members will be sized for their shoes during band camp. At that time you will be able to purchase shoes. Make checks payable to “MHS Band Boosters”. Black marching shoes from the prior years are acceptable.

5. Uniforms – All uniforms will be fitted during regular band camp rehearsal. The uniform rental fee is included in the fairshare. The fee also includes a new marching T-shirt, cap, and 1 pair of gloves. Students must purchase black socks and black band shoes, and a flip folder (available at any band music store). The student must also purchase any additional pairs of gloves or T-shirts as needed.

6. Music and Equipment – All instrumentalists will be provided with a packet of music. Students will need to provide their own lyre and flip folder. Take your instrument with you to the music store to have the lyre fitted. Students should also own a tuner and a metronome. The band has certain larger instruments to loan students. These instruments are checked out at the beginning of the year and returned at the end of marching season. Any damage beyond normal wear and tear will be charged to the student's school account.

7. Sectional Rehearsals – Sectionals are run by the section leaders or the directors. All students are required to attend sectionals. Areas of concentration will be warm-ups, fundamentals, marching, music, stands tunes, and memorization tests. Sectionals will be called by the section leaders.

8. Attendance – You must attend all practices and performances; this includes being early and attentive. You will not be excused from rehearsal for work. Please schedule doctor’s appointments, etc. outside of the rehearsal time if possible. Students with an absence may be placed on alternate status. This is not intended to punish the student but to provide all students with a positive band performance through preparation. In order to execute a band show, it is imperative that all members are present. Each member is vital to our organization and all members are dependant upon each other.

9. Doubles– In order to provide all students with positive performance opportunities, a system of “doubles” will be utilized. Students who are new at learning performance fundamentals perform a portion of the show and switch with another player for the other portion. Initially, a march and play-off system will be used to evaluate marching and playing ability. Students may become a double

10. Unannounced Performances: We can expect many requests for our Marching Band to perform and represent Mandarin High School and Duval County. All performances that are given to you now on the Marching Performance Schedule.

11. Lettering- Students must attend all rehearsals and performances (see Marching Performance Schedule). After the second full year has been completed, the member has earned a letter.

12. Fair Share is Required for all members
Non-refundable  Non-transferable
 Excess funds will not carry over to the next school year.

What is Fair Share?

Fundraising opportunities are provided to raise the money needed to meet the annual budget for the program. Each band member is expected to do his/her "fair share" of the fundraising - minimum $275.00. In lieu of, or in addition to, fundraising participation, TAX DEDUCTIBLE donations are always welcome.
The fair share will cover the band's planned operating expenses for the entire year. Budgeted items include instruments, music, repairs, travel, MPA entry fees, uniform purchases, auxiliary equipment, marching equipment, transportation, All-State fees, student awards, clinicians/staff etc. The student's fair share requirement will cover all regular expenses.
Ample fundraising opportunities are provided for students and their families to earn the fair share. Virtually all fundraising profits will be applied to the student's individual fair share account. Once a student has raised or paid his/her required fair share, he/she may choose to work for another student or for the general fund. Those who prefer to pay the fair share instead of fundraising may do so, following the scheduled deadlines. The deadline dates for payments or for fundraising accomplishments are listed clearly in the schedule, and will be on the website. Budget payment plans will be available through Ms. Chaffin

 Fees and fair share payments are non-refundable. The annual budget is based upon the needs of the band program divided equally among the program enrollment. Failure to participate in the band program will not relieve the student of his/her responsibility. Failure to maintain academic eligibility will not relieve the student of his/her responsibility. Appeal of this policy may be submitted in writing to the Band Director.

Payment Procedure
a. Fair Share payments must be handled through the school. Therefore all Fair share payments must be in cash or cashier’s check (Payable to Mandarin High School Bands). Receipts will be issued for all payments.

b. When paying with cash, put the money in a sealed envelope. On the outside of envelope, write the amount, student name, and purpose of payment.

c. Meet deadlines or contact the director for other arrangements.

13. Fundraising- Fundraising may be used to offset fair share, assist other students in offsetting fairshare as well as supplement the booster account.

14. Physicals: All Students are required to have a physical. This physical must be completed prior to the first day of school. Forms are available on the MHS school website.

15. Code of Conduct - All members are expected to act in a dignified manner treating each other with respect. This includes members of other bands and schools. Students are to follow Duval County’s Code of Conduct at all times.

16. Good Standing Good standing means that the student is debt free to the band and has attended all obligations and has at least 70 bonus points.