8th Grade Band

All SEP band performances are required. All performance dates can be found on the google calendar above. To have our most successful performance results, we must have all members present putting forth their best effort. The SEP Band attendance expectations are as follows:

Excused Absences: 

Absences such as family emergencies or illness are considered excused absences. In all cases, the director should be notified in advance of the absence via phone, email, or writing from a parent or guardian. If the circumstance does not allow contact before the absence, communication should be made as soon as possible. Students will be allowed to make up missed points. He/she must speak to the director immediately upon their return about making up those points in their grade. The make up work must be completed within the week following a missed performance. 

Unexcused Absences:

Unexcused absences include simply not showing up, forgetting the performance, WORK… Students will not be allowed to make up lost points due to unexcused absences.

Make up assignments for missed EXCUSED absences:

Students will perform selected sections of the pieces performed at the missed concert for the director.

All students in the 8th and 9th grade bands are required to wear self-provided, solid black, dressy attire for performances. The goal of performance attire is to look like a classy, professional instrumental ensemble and not draw attention to individual performers. 

Acceptable clothing: pants/slacks, skirts that fall below the knees, long black socks or black hose, nice black shirts with sleeves, and black shoes. 

Unacceptable clothing: jeans, shorts, skirts above the knee in length, leggings, sweatpants, t-shirts, sweatshirts, sleeveless shirts/spaghetti straps, short socks, nude hose, any article that has other colors, stripes, shoe strings, writing outside of the just black. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you already have clothes that fit the outlined requirements above, we encourage students NOT to purchase new clothing for concerts. If you do not already have clothes that fit the requirements, check consignment stores before going and buying brand-new clothing items. Marching Band shoes (if 9th graders have them) are OK to wear.

What if I am not in a financial position to purchase these items at this time?

No worries! Please contact your band directors if your student is in need of assistance in gathering these items.  We may have a few extra clothing items that we can lend out.  Please contact us ASAP so we can get your student squared away prior to concert night.  We will do our best to ensure every student looks and feels their best.

ALSO, if you have black dressy tops and/or pants or shoes that your student has outgrown, we will gladly accept a donation of these items for others to use. Please contact a director if you can help.

Why does it matter so much that my student is dressed so specifically?

As students get older, we aspire to higher quality performances and productions. Part of an elevated level of performance is an elevated look to our ensembles. We also find that our students have an elevated mindset and achieve at a higher level when dressed professionally!

Students enrolled in 8th grade band are assigned to attend large group rehearsals on Black days or Gold days.  Each group rehearses every other day with Mrs. Hillabolt during 8th period.  In the week before a concert, the bands rehearse together to prepare for the performance. This typically occurs during 7th and 8th period, and students will be excused from their classes.

Each student is assigned an individual or small group lesson.  Lessons are 15 - 20 minutes long and will occur at least once every two weeks, and ideally, weekly.

Lessons will be scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays of each week. Wednesdays will be left open for EXCUSED lesson make-ups. 

We are very flexible and understanding when conflicts arise as long as they are communicated to us at the time of their occurrence. Make up lessons can be done in person or through video submission. The make up must be done by midnight on the Sunday of your lesson week. Students may only make up ONE unexcused lesson each quarter. Unexcused absences are when a student forgets, or chooses not to come. Excused absences include illness, field trips, tests in class and the student being prohibited to attend by the teacher.