Our Norms

Our band program operates on a “15 - minute rule.” This means that each student is expected to be EARLY to every call time / start time by at least 15 minutes in order to be considered on time to the event.

• This teaches our students the importance of being punctual to all events in life. And,

• Also allows us to be efficient with our time by being able to start on time since everyone should be on time (early).

• • • In the event you are running late please make sure you communicate with BOTH your section leader AND your respective band director ASAP.

• • • If a student is going to be absent for any or part of a scheduled event, parents should email the students respective band director ASAP notifying of the reason and provide the necessary notes after the student returns.

• Leaders will need to arrive 30 minutes early.

• This would be either an email from your parents giving general (but specific) details on the reason for the absence or tardiness or a doctor’s note (preferablly).

• Parents, please remind your students of when they have upcoming appointments and absenses. Majority of the time, the forget or don't know.

• Just like a job, early notice of absences is ideal / required.

• This is important so we can ensure that our students are where they’re supposed to be. 

• This also helps the directors plan on how to make our classes and rehearsals more efficient.

• Music is one of the only subjects where everyone in the room needs to be Present, Engaged, Contributing, and Successful at the same level in order for the whole group to achieve high standards of excellence.

• An English test can be made up. You can get Math and science notes from the teacher. You can read ahead for your history class. You can't replicate the effectivness of a rehearsal without every student present.

• When one or more students are missing the entire group must go back to catch those students up and attempt to get back on track. If it is a different combination of students missing the group will get further behind and makes it harder for the whole group to push forward. The snowball effect isn't a fallacy in the case, it's a reality.

• 90% of events on the calendar will say who is required to be in attendance. The remaining 10% are usually for those who are auditioning for something specific or are audition qualifiers.

• If you are unsure if an event is required, reach out to the directors and ask.

• • Your presence and voice are vital to the support of your band and mariachi students as well as all of the music boosters who show up and show out for our students daily! The boosters need YOU to help Strategize, Organize, and Mobilize their supports! 

• • All parents of Heights High School Music students are considered Heights Music Booster Parents. This is not limited to Music Booster Board members. All Band, Guard, Percussion, and Mariachi parents are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings to assist in supporting our music students!!!

• There will be moments throughout the year where you will be given paperwork that needs to be returned to the Directors ASAP.

• Assume that it needs to be returned immediatly to prevent delays on your submission and avoid last minute challanges from not submitting certain documents.

• Usually, the only completed paperwork you would have to hold for extended time would be your Band Registration Packet that needs to be submitted on Band Registration Day unless discussed with Mr. Whorton prior. Everything else needs to be submitted the next day.

• •  A student practicing their instrument/music on their own is our version of homework, and it is assigned DAILY. Even on the days you don't have band class or rehearsal.

• • EVERY student should have a regular practice schedule of at least a total of 4 hours a week in order to maintain their skills. 

• • Student-lead rehearsals is considered "practice."

• • Director-lead rehearsals do not count as “practice.”

    • • If you are practicing during Director-lead rehearsals you are holding everyone in the room behind.

• • Please ensure your student is practicing, outside of director-lead rehearsal times to maintain and progress.

• • There will ALWAYS be something for your student to practice and improve, be it basic fundamentals or technical musical excerpts. 

Depending on the season, students will have any combination of:

• 3 - 5 movements of our Marching Show music or 

• 2 - 3 Winter Concert pieces or

• 3 UIL concert pieces or

• additional Spring Concert Pieces

• Solos

• Ensembles

• TMEA All-State etudes

• Fundamental Packets.

Every students have plenty to practice and there will ALWAYS be a next performance or audition to be preparing for!

• • • The Directors recommend the TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome app, Korg TM-70T, Boss DB-30, or Boss DB-90 

• • • Use your metronome 100% of the time up to 2 weeks before a performance date. Then decrease to 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% of the time as you get closer to the performance date.

• This will ensure that you have everything you need for rehearsal in the case that you forget that it is an A day or B day.

• 1 inch, 3-ring, Binder 

  • • preferably black to match the music stand

    • can be larger than 1 inch

    • NOT A FOLDER, a BINDER

• 2 pencils

  • • never pens or markers

    • we erase and change a lot

• At least 1 highlighter

  • • any color

    • you can have as many colors as you want, just try to keep the usage of each color consistent.

• Plenty of sheet protectors

  • • usually about 50 should be enough for the whole year

• Write your name CLEARLY somewhere on the outside of your binder

• All Items plus your sheet music must be neat in sheet protectors in your binder

  • • Put all "in-season" music in the front, "out-of-season" music should be in the back or not in the binder at all

    • Music from Previous years should not be in the binder at all

      • • • Stand tunes are fine

          • Previous years marching shows, winter concert Pieces, or UIL music needs to be removed

• • Don’t share water bottles / jugs (including waterfalling)

  • WASH YOUR HANDS

  • Keep a safe distance if you are experiencing symptoms of being sick such as sneezing and coughing