Band Handbook

If you don't have a handbook for band, by golly you should make one now! In the seventeen years I've taught, I've always had a handbook for my band program. It has changed over the years. I have stolen from other great programs and have actually paired it down and have settled on what I'm using now. I've used it for the last three years - just making minor adjustments at this point. I will share mine in this post. Steal away - take what you need and make it work for your program. 

Why should you have a band handbook in the first place? 

Your students, parents and administrators need to know the inner workings of your program. They need to know how your program is structured, what the mission of your program is, what the procedures are, what rules and consequences you have in place, how grades are given, what costs are involved and what supplies are needed, what the uniform is, what contests and performances will each student be required to participate in and ways in which communication will happen. The handbook also offers documentation that you have communicated all of the above as students and parents must sign a contract as receipt of the handbook. The handbook offers concrete policies that you have created and have had approved by your administration. It can serve as a legal document. Note: be sure to have your associate directors read over the handbook and make edits if necessary. Your team needs to be 100% on board with everything in the band handbook. Once they have spellchecked and made any edits, you then need to give your handbook to your administration to approve - your campus principal and your Fine Arts Director (if you have one). 

What are musts to include in your handbook? 

1. Cover page - include the logo, name of program, director names and director contact information

Here is mine (pre-signatures):

I used to have the letter on the inside first page, but learned I can just put it right on the first page and save on space. 

2. A brief statement of your program's mission and/or vision. I'm sure your program is more than just coming to class and playing an instrument every day. 

3. Descriptions of each ensemble/class offered. 

4. A list of daily rehearsal procedures. What are your expectations when students walk in the room for class?

5. A list of rules. What are the non-negotiables? 

6. Discipline procedures. What are the general steps you will take when handling misbehaviors?

7. A statement regarding illegal behaviors. This is important to have in writing. You might think it will never happen. But when it does, it will be good to have your policies in writing. Ours states that illegal activities may be reported to the proper authorities and may result with removal from the program.

8. Grading policy. Make sure it is in alignment with the district policy, but it is important to state that outside of class performances are graded activities as they are an extension of the classroom and are a large part of a performance-based class. Explain how performances will be graded (Our students are given three test grades for performances. One for attendance. They have five points deducted for every minute they are late. One is for attire. Points are deducted for each uniform piece that is not correct. One is for etiquette. Points are deducted for playing or talking out of turn, etc.). Also explain how participation grades are earned, what sectionals are and how they are graded, and how will written and playing tests be assessed. 

9. If you do a special trip, you need to include a section regarding that. Are there any requirements for this trip? If so, make sure to list them in writing in your handbook. For instance, we do an end of the year contest trip. The contest is in conjunction with a fun destination. Students must have participated in every required performance throughout the year, be eligible with grades and behavior, fulfilled all of their financial obligations (paid their band fees) and attended all required rehearsals  in order to attend the contest trip. 

10. Financial obligations. What will your parents be required to pay for their child to participate in your program? Is there a course cost? If so, what is that course cost and what exactly does it cover? If a student uses a school/district-owned instrument, is there a fee? If so, what is that fee? Are there exceptions made for families with financial hardships? If so, what are they? What other supplies are needed? 

11. Uniform. Make sure to clearly explain what parents need to purchase for their child to be in uniform for performances. 

12. Contests. I make sure to explain what solo and ensemble contest is as we require EVERY student to play a solo and an ensemble at a solo and ensemble contest. Many students are afraid to perform a solo for a judge. 

13. Communication. Make sure to explain all the ways you will communicate with students and parents. There are many different ways to communicate. Make sure your parents sign up and complete their contact information for all the ways you will send information to them. I send emails through Charms, messages through Remind and posts to our Facebook page and Instagram. 

14. Calendar(s). Make sure to have the calendar(s) (We have one for our beginners and one for our advanced bands) so that parents can tear it/them off and post somewhere like their refrigerator. 

15. Supply List(s)

16. Electronic sites - one-sheet with all the different social media platforms and other electronic sites used for the band with log-in information.

What forms should be added to the back of your handbook?

1. Contract - statement of receipt of handbook.

2. District's electronic communications system policy and administrative regulations form (photo permission form)

3. District medical form

4. Travel forms (permission slips)

The above forms need to be filled out and turned in to you within the first couple of weeks of school. You need to keep track and make sure EVERY student turns all of them in. You then need to file all of them. The medical form and travel forms should be kept in binders for each ensemble so that you can grab those binders and take them with you when traveling anywhere with the students. We have one binder for the beginners, one for concert band, one for symphonic band and one for honors band. When the jazz band goes on a trip, we take the symphonic and honors band binders (only symphonic and honors band students are allowed in jazz band). 

As promised, here is a link to our website where I've uploaded the handbook we are using this upcoming year as well as all of the other forms. Note: it is still a work in progress. Click (here).

I've done a lot of work on our band website this past week. I'm still working on it too. I hope it can be a great resource for our students and parents. My goal is to train the parents to go more electronic. I'd love to figure out a way to have all of the forms be filled out and stored electronically. I will try to work with our district's technology department to see if there is a way to make that happen in the near future. Anyway, feel free to look this blog and our band website more. I hope you can find something to help you with your current band program. :)