Welcome to the Plano Band Instrument Check-Out Extravaganza which occurs in June. Instrument check-out details will be announced through
your respective band staff (senior high or high school) and sent through your email address provided through CHARMS, so please keep your
profile updated!
This event is exclusive to: Oboe, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Tenor and Bari Saxophone, Horn and Mellophone, Bass Trombone,
Euphonium and Baritone, Tuba and Sousaphone.
WOW!!!!! Yes, I know, too much for words for sure, but we'll give it a try!!!!!
YES!! You too can experience the joys of having one of Plano's very own, district approved and bid purchased, PISD instrument!!!
The handiest and dandiest instruments you've ever seen,... guaranteed to be able to produce a sound,
however, we are not responsible for actual sound, much less the overall quality o' sound, THAT MY FRIENDS, much like the didgeridoo,
is up to you!
WHAT ELSE?...you may ask. Well, thank you for your question,...Next question, please!!
NO, REALLY! WHAT ELSE? Again, thank you for your question. Accompanying said instrument will be, perhaps, a MOUTHPIECE! or a LIGATURE!
or a NECK Strap, nay...even perhaps a SEAT STRAP!
AMAZING!!! How can this get any better!? Thank you for your question, thrice-ly! Because, we like you AND our bosses are on vacation,
we will throw in...CASES!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!! AND, much like the magic golden ticket Mr. Wonka provided,
some of you may get awarded with reed remnants or slide grease residue!! HO!!! Too much!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Yes, I know, I know!! Me too.....is this really all? HECK NO! Show up on that day and your instrument usage fee will
also give you access to your very own...PLANO BAND LOCKER!!!!! "Boom goes the dynamite!!!!!!!!"(Please note, locker assignment for
non-PISD instrument usage membership will be at band registration in August)
IS THIS FOR REAL? Very good question, even again, thank you for your question! YES, this is for real!!! To make it even more real,
you will experience MICHAEL A. HERNANDEZ! Whoa?!!? What does this mean?? Is this the catch?
AH, YOU GOT ME! Yes, the catch is that Hernandez will be there, checking everything out.
WHAT WILL HE DO? Genius!!! Thank you for your question! Here's what he'll do...
1. He will write
2. He will sort papers
3. He will stare at you
4. He will check off names
5. He may even speak!!!!!!
6. He will continue to stare at you, if need be.
7. He will point to the locker room
8. He may ask you to sign paperwork
9. Is he really still staring at you? Walk away slowly, make no sudden moves.
COOL! I GET IT! OKAY, ONE MORE...and you're welcome for the question: WHAT HAPPENS RIGHT BEFORE THE SCHEDULED START TIME?
Absolutely nothing!!! We don't open till time time posted.
WHAT HAPPENS AT 1 MINUTE AFTER THE SCHEDULED TIME? Nothing! We're closed!! See you at band camp!!!! Have a great summer!!!!!!!!
Concert Band Auditions
Welcome to the most exciting and enriching two years of your life. Music at Plano Senior High School is nationally
recognized as one of the finest and most brilliant experiences of its kind. The scope of our music programs allow the wealth
of talent in our members an opportunity to hone abilities, acquire life skills, produce world-class music performances, and create
wonderful life long memories.
All wind and percussion musicians, reflecting the diverse racial and cultural composition of Plano, go through an evaluation process
designed to help seat our musicians in aptitude-based ensembles whose goal is to provide enriching musical experiences.
The overview of the auditioning is organized into three sections:
Audition Process
Auditions require preparation. Specific requirements and information are distributed by your respective band director
approximately 3 to 4 weeks prior to the audition, including information forms, PISD forms and fees, etc..
All prospective Plano Band students are expected to audition on the audition date.
Audition Schedule
Dates are scheduled specific to the calendar year with the intent of keeping the same relative date. Auditions are done behind
screen at Plano Senior High School with audition times viewed as approximate and varying according to specific section membership size.
Once determined, the audition schedule can be found here
Audition Results
Results are expected within two weeks of the audition date. Make-up auditions due to very specific and excused circumstances will factor in
to final posting. Results will be sent to all campuses and posted accordingly by their band directors. The results of these auditions are
for wind and percussion concert band seating. Colorguard and drumline auditions are group-specific and not included in this process. Please
refer to the colorguard and drumline coordinators for that specific information.
Band Membership and Organization
Band at Plano Senior High School is both a class and an activity. Instruction on a band instrument
is available to anyone who wishes to enroll, but membership in the Plano Senior High School Band is
reserved to those who pass the entrance audition, maintain proper standards of conduct, and fulfill
their financial obligations.
Students who are members of the Plano Senior High School Band will be expected to participate in ALL
activities of the organization, including rehearsals, performances, and trips.
Attendance
All band students must abide by the Plano Senior High School attendance policy. Attendance is required at
all rehearsals, sectionals, and performances. Students will be given a daily participation grade for all
rehearsals and a test grade for all performances. Absences will be excused in the following cases:
Death in the family
Medical emergency or illness
Religious holiday observance
Private music lessons (except marching band)
Absences will be unexcused in the following and/or similar cases:
Family trips
Jobs
Personal business or entertainment
Class Tutorials (unless approved in writing 24 hrs prior)
All requests for excused absences from before or after school rehearsals are to be REPORTED IN WRITING. If an absence is
anticipated, a written request for an excused absence should be submitted at least two days in advance. Circumstances may
justify an excused absence for reasons other than those listed above. In the case of illness or family emergency, an
explanatory telephone call or email prior to the rehearsal or performance is appropriate.
Absence information is not to be relayed through another student.
Failure to notify in writing will constitute an unexcused absence that will result in a grade of a zero (0) for daily participation
as well as being removed from any performances that week. (Note: All performances are test grades).
One unexcused absence or excessive tardiness may result in being removed from a performance resulting in a failing grade.
Members may be removed from performances if rehearsals are missed due to illness, lengthy school absences, and/or excessive tardiness.
Any member removed from a performance due to excessive excused absences will not have his/her grade affected.
Sectionals
Weekly Sectionals & Chamber Ensemble Coachings: Each section of the bands attends one ectional session starting in December through April. Students will also be assigned to
chamber ensembles. Students will be expected to perform these ensembles at UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest and/or the Plano Percussion Chamber Music Festival.
Class Room Materials
All students are required to bring two pencils (not pens) to class daily.
All students must purchase and bring to class daily:
Woodwind players: a minimum of six (6) good reeds, cleaning swabs as needed, and cork
grease. (double reed players need (3) good reeds and a small container for
water)
Brass players: valve oil (slide cream and water bottle for trombones), and appropriate mutes
as needed.
Percussionists: Appropriate sticks/mallets in mallet bag, music binder, and drum pad. Refer to percussion website for
implement requirements.
All trumpet and trombone players must purchase a straight mute for concert season. Jazz
trumpet and trombone players must also purchase a cup mute and a plunger mute.
Marching Season: All students are required to purchase a marching flip folder and lyre to bring to marching
rehearsals and performances.
Marching Season: All students are required to bring their marching drill cards to every marching
rehearsal.
Grading Policy
1. Grades are based on the following formula:
25% Daily Grades - daily class rehearsals, daily classroom materials, written quizzes, functioning instruments, and instrument storage cleanliness.
75% Test Grades - all performances, sectional rehearsals, weekly playing tests, written tests, and initial classroom materials
2. Tests will be given over a variety of materials such as:
3. If a student misses a test due to an excused absence, that test must be made up within five (5) school days or a grade of zero (0) will be recorded and averaged into the final six weeks grade. If a student misses a test due to an unexcused absence, there will be no opportunity to make up the test, and a grade of zero (0) will be recorded and averaged into the final six weeks grade.
4. All materials must be mastered. Therefore, if a student fails any part of a test, he/she is given five (5) school days to master that section and must retest in order to remove the failing grade from the grade book. It is the student's responsibility to arrange for retesting. A student will only be allowed one opportunity to retest for mastery.
5. The "No-Pass-No-Play" rule effects all Fine Arts classes, including band. If a band student fails
a regular level course in any given six weeks he/she will NOT be eligible to participate in
any band activities for the next three (3) weeks. These participation-type activities include:
football game performances, UIL Marching Contest, Region/State auditions and/or performances,
UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest, UIL Concert and Sight- Reading Contest, and/or musical festivals
(Trip). Daily band rehearsals in class and local concerts at school are exempt because they are
considered to be an "extension of the classroom activity." Ineligible students are expected to
attend all rehearsals.
6. A comprehensive, written and performing semester exam will be given at the end of each semester. First semester performance exams will take place the week before final exams during each band class. Second semester performance exams will take place during March and will act as band placement tests for the following year. All written semester exams will be given during designated class exam time during final exam weeks.
7. Throughout the semester, region etude testing (or etude equivalency) will serve as a cumulative audition score at the end of the first semester. This cumulative score will predicate any reseeding of bands for the second semester.
Band Rehearsal Procedures
Proper rehearsal procedure is the only way any musical group can improve and reach its potential. We attempt to emulate the best
example possible in this area, the professional wind band.
Entrance into the band hall, during school hours, is made through the south entrance. Book bags are placed in and around the jazz ensemble riser set up and not underneath or around your chair.
At the beginning of each rehearsal (when the tardy bell rings during daily rehearsals, otherwise at the predesignated start time), students should be in the band room.
Students should be in their proper chairs with their instruments, with all required music (check board for rehearsal order), pencils in each folder, calendars
(for any possible date changes) and any other equipment required one minute following the tardy bell.
Instrument cases should be closed and placed in assigned lockers at the start of each rehearsal with locker doors latched closed.
Cell phones are not permitted during class time. Cell phone will be picked up if texting or interruptions as a result from cell phone occurs.
Tardies will be handled according to school policy. GO TO THE BATHROOM ON YOUR OWN TIME! Failure to
meet these criteria will result in the student being counted tardy.
Conduct Rules and Regulations
1. Respect (a) others and (b) school and personal property
2. Talk only at appropriate times
3. No eating, drinking, or chewing gum in any rehearsal or Fine Arts (D) Building
4. Any and all food consumption occurs outside of the Fine Arts (D) Building
5. Bring all materials to class
Consequences of Misconduct
1. Warning/Conference with director
2. Detention
3. Telephone call to parent
4. Referral to appropriate sub-school principal
5. Removal from class
Posture should always be that which encourages greatest playing efficiency. Remember, we are playing high-level music which demands your best efforts. Both feet should be flat on the floor to establish proper body balance. The back should be straight to permit free use of the arms and proper breathing. The instrument should be held properly to allow the easiest playing technique with the least fatigue. Proper posture and instrument position have been developed through centuries of experimentation to produce the best results with the fewest problems. It is essential that we use this knowledge to enhance our performance.
Music
Every person is expected to bring their folder and music to EVERY rehearsal. This will be checked periodically. All changes in the music and major rehearsal suggestions should be marked
in these parts. Please handle music carefully and responsible. Failure to bring music to rehearsal will result in a grade of zero (0) for daily participation
Honors Program
The Plano Band Honors Program offers core music curriculum coursework in both individual and seminar-like classes emphasizing discussion, projects, research, presentations, and live music
performances as both performer and spectator. Earning honors status provides students advanced college credit at prestigious universities. Many highly competitive colleges and universities
recognize the Plano Band Honors Program for admissions and/or advanced standing. Each band student may apply to enroll in band for honors credit. In order to receive honors credit for band,
the student must complete additional assignments for each semester enrolled. These assignments help prepare students for a rigorous music program at the university level. All students who plan
to pursue a degree in music are encouraged to enroll in honors band. See a director for a packet of information containing requirements and an application for honors band if you are interested.
Student Financial Obligations
All student members and families of the Plano Senior High School Band are asked to contribute a Plano Band Booster approved amount per year to help finance the activities of the Band Booster Organization. This money goes directly
to the students through additional instruction, supplies, refreshments, and equipment. Without this contribution from each family the Band Boosters will be unable to provide the necessary clinicians,
instruction, supplies, equipment, and refreshments for a program of excellence. The continued financial support of family contributions has been monumental for the success of the Plano Senior High School
Band through its many years of excellence.
This contribution has been included in the trip payment schedule as in past years. Students and families will be given the opportunity to raise funds for their trip and booster contribution through
various fundraising activities. Funds for the booster contribution may be fundraised or paid "out-of-pocket."
Fundraising
Each year students and families of the Plano Senior High School Band are given the opportunity to raise funds for student trip costs and family financial contributions through a variety of fundraising
activities. Fundraising dates, materials, and procedures will be presented to students during rehearsal time and to parents at band booster meetings. The following are the fundraisers that the Plano
Band will offer throughout the school year:
1. SCRIP - On-going
2. Magazine Sale
3. Cookie Dough Sale
4. Pizza Sale
Equipment and Uniforms
Our equipment and uniforms represent a large investment on the part of the Plano Independent School District. It is everyone's responsibility to see that they receive proper care.
Instruments, equipment, and uniforms will be issued to individual students who are expected to care for them as if they were their own. All normal up-keep and maintenance is the responsibility
of the student. Students will be responsible for any deductible fees on insurance claims. Instruments will be issued and returned in good playing condition. No one may play another person's
instrument without permission. Instruments are to be properly cased and stored when not in use. Anyone who damages equipment through carelessness or neglect will be required to pay for its repair.
There is a small uniform cleaning fee for using school owned uniforms, but each student will be required to return the uniform in the condition in which it was issued (complete and
undamaged.)
All band members are responsible for purchasing the following items:
Students must pay for a replacement uniform part before receiving any additional uniform pieces. Example: Students will not be loaned a bow tie if it is lost; they must purchase a new one from the band.
Cleaning of White Uniform Pants
The Plano Band Staff has decided to implement the white pants exclusively as part of our permanent performance marching band uniform. With the dazzling and spectacular look our
white pants bring to the Plano Marching Wildcat Band, a level of responsibility in their upkeep comes to the forefront. We are going to require that each member be responsible
for at least 3 cleanings of our white uniform pant throughout the marching season. The following cleaning minimum schedule will optimize the effectiveness of the pants by insuring
that they are at their whitest and brightest.
This represents a minimum cleaning schedule. Should a student's pants become unsightly, every effort should be made to rectify so that a professional, clean uniform is always present during performances.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE WHITE PANTS MUST BE DRY CLEANED.
Suggested Cleaning Schedule:
August (uniforms issued)
Week of September 28 - Clean for Pre-UIL Marching Contest
Week of October 12 - Clean for UIL Region Contest
Week of October 26
Personal Instruments
The quality of literature and the performance standards held by the Plano Senior High School Band demand high quality instruments. Many students find it both musically and financially rewarding to
own an investment-quality instrument. One distinct advantage of owning an instrument of this type is the tone production and ease of use. Instruments of this quality must be chosen carefully. Please
ask the staff to assist in this decision.
