For a full, detailed version of the handbook that includes grading policy, required events and more, please click here.
CMS Band Expectations
A CMS Band member should exhibit the highest standards of character, honesty, and integrity in everything that he or she does. Every CMS Band member is expected to follow the guidelines outlined in the CMS Student Handbook and those guidelines of the CMS campus.
Consequences for misbehavior may include:
Digital Media
It is important that we all remember that each family member, student, and staff, are constantly representing the attitude and quality of this program. When statements are made via Internet (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, forums, YouTube, etc) you symbolize the beliefs and opinions of the entire program. This being said, there are consequences for any kind of inappropriate behavior. No negative comment about our program or ANY other program should ever be made in public or on any site or video. This is disrespectful to your group and any group you decide to mention.
Attendance Policy
All band students must abide by the CMS attendance policies. Attendance is required at all rehearsals (in class and advisory), sectionals, and performances.
A major part of the music curriculum is the development of performance skills. Therefore, “unexcused” absences from a sectional, rehearsal, or performance, which are integral to developing these skills, will lower a student’s grade.
**Sectionals, rehearsals and performances require interaction from members of a group and cannot "truly" be made up. Therefore “unexcused” absences from these events will lower a student’s grade.
Directors must be notified in advance about any conflict or emergency regarding an absence or tardy. Notification the day of a performance or event is not acceptable, unless there is an emergency.
Absence or tardy arrival will be EXCUSED in the following cases:
Conflict with another school activity, documented in advance. This will be resolved between the band directors and the sponsor of the conflicting activity.
Academic Requirements (No Pass, No Play)
Excerpted from TEA-UIL Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities Handbook:
“A student who receives, at the end of any grading period (after the first six weeks of the school year), a grade below 70 in any class (other than an identified class eligible for exemption) or a student with disabilities who fails to meet the standards in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) may not participate in extracurricular activities for three school weeks. An ineligible student may practice or rehearse, however. The student regains eligibility after the seven calendar day waiting period has ended following a grading period or the three school week evaluation period when the principal and teachers determine that he or she has earned a passing grade (70 or above) in all classes, other than those that are exempted.
All schools must check grades for all participants at the end of the first nine weeks of the school year. From that point, grades are checked at the end of the grading period whether it is six,nine, or twelve weeks in length. Students who pass remain eligible until the end of the next grading period. All activity coaches and directors are responsible for obtaining official grade reports from the individual the principal designates as the keeper of official grades before the student represents the school. This provision applies to all grading periods. It also applies to all three-school week evaluation periods for ineligible students.”
Instrument Maintenance and Repair
Regular cleaning and maintenance of the instrument by the student will prevent many common problems and repairs. However, in the event that a repair must be done, do not attempt to fix the instrument on your own! Contact the band director immediately. If your child’s band director cannot fix the problem, then he or she will send it in to Bell's Music Shop for repair. Instruments are usually sent-in and returned once per week. For emergency repairs, please go Bell’s Music Shop to take care of these matters quickly:
Bell’s Music Shop (Keller, TX) Bell’s Music Shop (Haslet, TX)
536 Keller Pkwy, 13325 US-287
Keller, TX 76248 Fort Worth, TX 76179
School-Owned Instruments
We are very lucky in GCISD to have professional grade instruments for our band programs. When a student is issued one of these instruments, they are to handle and use it with the utmost care. There will be a $200.00 rental/usage fee for the school year collected at registration. Any damage beyond normal wear and tear is the financial responsibility of the student. The instruments provided are oboe, bassoon, tenor and bari sax, french horn, euphonium, tuba, and percussion.
Step-Up Instruments
In many cases, students are ready for a step-up (professional) model instrument after the first or second year of band. A well-cared-for professional instrument is far superior to a brand new beginning or intermediate line of instrument. As a general rule, if your child is placed in either the Honor Band or Symphonic Band, then he or she is ready for a step-up instrument.
The following instruments require a step-up model for advanced students: flute, clarinet, saxophone, cornet/trumpet, and trombone. Please do not buy any step-up model off the shelf. Please contact your child’s band director for a list of district-approved step-up models. More often than not, used models of the district-approved instruments can be found for a reasonable price.
Band Uniforms
Band T-Shirt/InformalUniform:
Each band member will have a Band T-Shirt as a part of his or her informal band uniform. This shirt will have a school band logo. The informal uniform consists of the Band T-Shirt and blue jeans (no excessive rips or tears) with close-toed shoes. Jean appearance should adhere to the CMS Handbook. All band students are required to order a Band T-Shirt.
Formal Concert Uniform:
The Advanced Band students will be required to wear a formal uniform for concert performances. Students will purchase this uniform in 7th grade to wear for both 7th and 8th grade performances. The formal concert uniform consists of:
Boys: Black dress pants, black button down dress shirt, long black socks (no patterns), black dress shoes (close-toed, NO tennis shoes).
Girls: Concert black dress, long black socks/hose (no patterns), and solid black dress shoes (close-toed, NO tennis shoes).
For a full, detailed version of the handbook that includes grading policy, required events and more, please click here.
CMS Band Expectations
A CMS Band member should exhibit the highest standards of character, honesty, and integrity in everything that he or she does. Every CMS Band member is expected to follow the guidelines outlined in the CMS Student Handbook and those guidelines of the CMS campus.
Consequences for misbehavior may include:
- First Offense - a warning issued.
- Second Offense - seating may be changed and student will be counseled following class as to what behavior modifications need to take place.
- Third Offense - parent contact will be made. Band detention may be assigned. (Band detention includes service work in band hall i.e.. Cleaning, organizing, etc.) Students also may be asked to pack up his or her instrument and given an alternative assignment.
- Fourth Offense - Student/Parent Conference
- Fifth Offense - Office Referral
- Serious Offense - as outlined in the CMS Student Code of Conduct and 5 Phase Plan, serious offenses warrant an immediate office referral with school consequences.
Digital Media
It is important that we all remember that each family member, student, and staff, are constantly representing the attitude and quality of this program. When statements are made via Internet (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, forums, YouTube, etc) you symbolize the beliefs and opinions of the entire program. This being said, there are consequences for any kind of inappropriate behavior. No negative comment about our program or ANY other program should ever be made in public or on any site or video. This is disrespectful to your group and any group you decide to mention.
Attendance Policy
All band students must abide by the CMS attendance policies. Attendance is required at all rehearsals (in class and advisory), sectionals, and performances.
A major part of the music curriculum is the development of performance skills. Therefore, “unexcused” absences from a sectional, rehearsal, or performance, which are integral to developing these skills, will lower a student’s grade.
**Sectionals, rehearsals and performances require interaction from members of a group and cannot "truly" be made up. Therefore “unexcused” absences from these events will lower a student’s grade.
Directors must be notified in advance about any conflict or emergency regarding an absence or tardy. Notification the day of a performance or event is not acceptable, unless there is an emergency.
Absence or tardy arrival will be EXCUSED in the following cases:
- Medical emergency or personal injury
- Death in the family
- Religious holiday
Conflict with another school activity, documented in advance. This will be resolved between the band directors and the sponsor of the conflicting activity.
Academic Requirements (No Pass, No Play)
Excerpted from TEA-UIL Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities Handbook:
“A student who receives, at the end of any grading period (after the first six weeks of the school year), a grade below 70 in any class (other than an identified class eligible for exemption) or a student with disabilities who fails to meet the standards in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) may not participate in extracurricular activities for three school weeks. An ineligible student may practice or rehearse, however. The student regains eligibility after the seven calendar day waiting period has ended following a grading period or the three school week evaluation period when the principal and teachers determine that he or she has earned a passing grade (70 or above) in all classes, other than those that are exempted.
All schools must check grades for all participants at the end of the first nine weeks of the school year. From that point, grades are checked at the end of the grading period whether it is six,nine, or twelve weeks in length. Students who pass remain eligible until the end of the next grading period. All activity coaches and directors are responsible for obtaining official grade reports from the individual the principal designates as the keeper of official grades before the student represents the school. This provision applies to all grading periods. It also applies to all three-school week evaluation periods for ineligible students.”
Instrument Maintenance and Repair
Regular cleaning and maintenance of the instrument by the student will prevent many common problems and repairs. However, in the event that a repair must be done, do not attempt to fix the instrument on your own! Contact the band director immediately. If your child’s band director cannot fix the problem, then he or she will send it in to Bell's Music Shop for repair. Instruments are usually sent-in and returned once per week. For emergency repairs, please go Bell’s Music Shop to take care of these matters quickly:
Bell’s Music Shop (Keller, TX) Bell’s Music Shop (Haslet, TX)
536 Keller Pkwy, 13325 US-287
Keller, TX 76248 Fort Worth, TX 76179
School-Owned Instruments
We are very lucky in GCISD to have professional grade instruments for our band programs. When a student is issued one of these instruments, they are to handle and use it with the utmost care. There will be a $200.00 rental/usage fee for the school year collected at registration. Any damage beyond normal wear and tear is the financial responsibility of the student. The instruments provided are oboe, bassoon, tenor and bari sax, french horn, euphonium, tuba, and percussion.
Step-Up Instruments
In many cases, students are ready for a step-up (professional) model instrument after the first or second year of band. A well-cared-for professional instrument is far superior to a brand new beginning or intermediate line of instrument. As a general rule, if your child is placed in either the Honor Band or Symphonic Band, then he or she is ready for a step-up instrument.
The following instruments require a step-up model for advanced students: flute, clarinet, saxophone, cornet/trumpet, and trombone. Please do not buy any step-up model off the shelf. Please contact your child’s band director for a list of district-approved step-up models. More often than not, used models of the district-approved instruments can be found for a reasonable price.
Band Uniforms
Band T-Shirt/InformalUniform:
Each band member will have a Band T-Shirt as a part of his or her informal band uniform. This shirt will have a school band logo. The informal uniform consists of the Band T-Shirt and blue jeans (no excessive rips or tears) with close-toed shoes. Jean appearance should adhere to the CMS Handbook. All band students are required to order a Band T-Shirt.
Formal Concert Uniform:
The Advanced Band students will be required to wear a formal uniform for concert performances. Students will purchase this uniform in 7th grade to wear for both 7th and 8th grade performances. The formal concert uniform consists of:
Boys: Black dress pants, black button down dress shirt, long black socks (no patterns), black dress shoes (close-toed, NO tennis shoes).
Girls: Concert black dress, long black socks/hose (no patterns), and solid black dress shoes (close-toed, NO tennis shoes).
For a full, detailed version of the handbook that includes grading policy, required events and more, please click here.