What does your spot in the marching show mean?
This page is dedicated to explaining how that whole process works. This information comes straight from the band handbook that all students sign upon entering the program.
There are currently three types of spot assignments:
1. Starter
2. Front Ensemble
3. Alternate
Starters vs. Alternates
The Atascocita Military Marching Band is a unit of the school that represents the school at football games, parades, pep rallies, and community functions. Additionally, the marching band competes in UIL competitions and other competitive events. Each student is an integral part of the marching band and every student is equally important.
Starter spots are chosen on the basis of attendance, instrumentation, attitude, marching ability, playing proficiency and the student’s academic grade history. Additionally, choices must be based on instrumentation of the entire band and whether the student has played off their music within the allotted timeframe. Regardless of the original “block” that is chosen, alternates will gain spots when someone loses their spot. Once an opening occurs, an alternate will be placed in that spot based on the above qualifications. Each student “earns” his/her starter or alternate spot every day through their actions or inactions.
This policy is not to punish those who cannot be at marching rehearsal, but it's to reward those who are at marching rehearsal. There are two types of absences during marching season: “Approved” and “Unapproved”. They will dictate whether the student maintains his or her marching spot. There are only three “Approved” reasons for missing a rehearsal that will reserve the student’s spot.
Any other absences are considered “Unapproved” and the student will lose his/her spot. Some examples of unapproved absences include, but are not limited to, being late after the Drum Majors call the band to attention, doctor’s appointments, dentist/orthodontist appointments, therapist appointments, vacations, work, illness (whether absent from school or not), family trips, non-school related activities, etc.
Because the marching band is a visual event, and due to the possibility of ineligible students, there must be a reserve pool of students, called “alternates”, who are ready to jump into a spot and learn that spot quickly. This ensures that the band will not have any “holes” in the drill for any of its competitions or performances.
All alternates will march in ALL football games if drill allows us to do so.
Alternates are no less a part of the band than any other person. They will rehearse with the band during inside rehearsals, participate in all pep rallies and parades, and travel with the band to all trips and competitions. For football games, everyone, including alternates, will meet with the band before the game, ride to the games with the band, be dressed in the same uniform as the rest of the band, march in with the band, sit with the band, play in the stands with the band, and leave with the band at the end of the game. This is similar to a competitive sports team—everyone is in this together.
Every member of the Atascocita Military Marching Band is an integral part of our band program. For that program to continue and to surpass its previous levels of achievement, everyone must work together.
Starter spots are chosen on the basis of attendance, instrumentation, attitude, marching ability, playing proficiency and the student’s academic grade history. Additionally, choices must be based on instrumentation of the entire band and whether the student has played off their music within the allotted timeframe. Regardless of the original “block” that is chosen, alternates will gain spots when someone loses their spot. Once an opening occurs, an alternate will be placed in that spot based on the above qualifications. Each student “earns” his/her starter or alternate spot every day through their actions or inactions.
This policy is not to punish those who cannot be at marching rehearsal, but it's to reward those who are at marching rehearsal. There are two types of absences during marching season: “Approved” and “Unapproved”. They will dictate whether the student maintains his or her marching spot. There are only three “Approved” reasons for missing a rehearsal that will reserve the student’s spot.
- If the student has a scholastic reason for missing rehearsal (i.e. making up a test or quiz, tutoring, etc.) and has discussed this with the director at least 24 hours before the rehearsal in question. (NOTE: Tuesdays are the days for scholastic issues to be resolved, so this exception will only be allowed in EXTREME circumstances as decided by the director.)
- If the student is involved in another HISD sanctioned activity (so that our students can be involved in other activities as well as band) AND that student has made arrangements with the director in advance. This includes band private lessons run through the band.
- If there is a death in the immediate family.
Any other absences are considered “Unapproved” and the student will lose his/her spot. Some examples of unapproved absences include, but are not limited to, being late after the Drum Majors call the band to attention, doctor’s appointments, dentist/orthodontist appointments, therapist appointments, vacations, work, illness (whether absent from school or not), family trips, non-school related activities, etc.
Because the marching band is a visual event, and due to the possibility of ineligible students, there must be a reserve pool of students, called “alternates”, who are ready to jump into a spot and learn that spot quickly. This ensures that the band will not have any “holes” in the drill for any of its competitions or performances.
All alternates will march in ALL football games if drill allows us to do so.
Alternates are no less a part of the band than any other person. They will rehearse with the band during inside rehearsals, participate in all pep rallies and parades, and travel with the band to all trips and competitions. For football games, everyone, including alternates, will meet with the band before the game, ride to the games with the band, be dressed in the same uniform as the rest of the band, march in with the band, sit with the band, play in the stands with the band, and leave with the band at the end of the game. This is similar to a competitive sports team—everyone is in this together.
Every member of the Atascocita Military Marching Band is an integral part of our band program. For that program to continue and to surpass its previous levels of achievement, everyone must work together.
Front Ensemble
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The front ensemble is an incredibly integral part of ANY marching band, whether it's corps, military, or show band. The front ensemble spots are assigned to gifted percussion students who perform at high levels on keyboard percussion and auxiliary percussion equipment.
The Atascocita Military Marching Band front ensemble percussion spots will perform at all football games and will perform at all band contests as well. Front ensemble spots are designed for students who will not necessarily march the show, but they will play percussion instruments that are not designed to be able to be marched with (i.e. concert bass, gong, marimba, etc.) |
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To continue in the front ensemble as a performing member, those students must attend all rehearsals after school and all football game and contest performances.
Color Guard?
...coming soon...