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 four types of spot assignments:
1. Starter
2. Front Ensemble
3. Alternate
4. Color Guard
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 football games - until competition time comes and the drill allows for 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.
Close to competition time, alternates will be excused from after-school practices so that the competition block can be addressed. All alternates need to be ready to be called up to practice at any time if a starting spot becomes lost and must be replaced.
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 football games - until competition time comes and the drill allows for 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.
Close to competition time, alternates will be excused from after-school practices so that the competition block can be addressed. All alternates need to be ready to be called up to practice at any time if a starting spot becomes lost and must be replaced.
Here are some frequently asked questions about alternates:
Do alternates still attend band competitions?
Yes! Alternates might not march in the competition drill at competitions, but they are still a part of the band and travel with the band and do all the things that the band students do.
DO ALTERNATES MARCH AT ALL FOOTBALL GAMES?
Alternates will march at MOST football games.
- Alternates march with the band for the first 4 to 5 games on the field.
- For the next 3 to 4 games, alternates will perform from the side of the field to accomodate the competition drill.
- For the last games of the season and the playoff games, the band has finished competition season and alternates will be placed back into a full production with the band.
Do alternates still need to attend band practice?
Yes, for the first 5 to 6 weeks of when school starts. Once the band begins the official competition season at the end of September, alternates will be dismissed from band practice for the next three to four weeks, and will ne notified when to return to band practice once competition season ends.
My child is an athlete (i.e. varsity football) who plays in the band but isn't marching at all. Do they still attend band competitions?
Yes! Alternates might not march in the competition drill at competitions, but they are still a part of the band and travel with the band and do all the things that the band students do.
Since alternates don't march the competition drill, why do I still need to pay for all the fees and items?
That's a great question! Because alternates DO march at football games, and they DO march at playoff games, and they DO participate with the band as a fully dressed-out member of the band even at competitions. Uniformity is a great big deal for marching band, and we would like even our alternates to have the same gear as the rest of the performing members. All alternates are an equal member of the AHS band, and they are expected to equally meet the requirements of the rest of all band students in the program. Fair Share Fees cover all the meals and expenses of the program for ALL band members - starters, front ensemble, alternates, and color guard.
why was my child selected to be an alternate?
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.
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...