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The Athens Drive H.S. Winter Guard is the indoor complement to the Color Guard unit of the Marching Band.  The purpose of the Winter Guard is twofold:  to develop the skills of existing guard members and to recruit new students to join the group.  Like the Color Guard, this indoor group is dedicated to achieving the highest quality of visual performance through dance and the manipulation of equipment such as flags, rifles, and other props.  The group rehearses from December through late March and performs in a series of competitions beginning in early February.  The Winter Guard is open to girls and boys; no previous experience with equipment is necessary to participate.  The group is a formal part of our entire band program.  The instructors for the guard will be Jennifer Mason and Brandon Thorne. 

Four orientation/introductory rehearsals will be held on 11/20 (3-5pm); 11/23 (5:30-8:00pm); 12/1 (5:30-8:00pm) and 12/3 (5:30-8:00pm) in the lower gym.  These rehearsals are required for all members—those returning and those who are new.  There is no commitment required to attend these rehearsals and they will provide an excellent forum for parents and students to ask questions and discuss the season in detail.  A formal commitment will be required by 12/3 with a non-refundable $50 deposit (see form below). 

I.  Qualifications

A.  Winter Guard is open to all current seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

B.  During the orientation/introductory rehearsals, overall skill level will be accessed.  Although all students demonstrating a cooperative, positive attitude are welcome to participate in the group, skill level and overall attitude will determine the amount of performance time assigned to each student.  In other words, younger students may not be performing in the entire production.

C.  Members are expected to be neat in appearance, positive and cooperative at all times.

II.  Attendance

It is important to realize that because the group is so interdependent (that is, everyone depends on everyone to be there), any absence or tardy hinders the progress of the group.  All Winter Guard members are expected to be at every rehearsal and performance.  A tentative rehearsal schedule is included at the end of this information packet.  

Once the schedule is officially agreed upon and confirmed, conflicts with any of the dates must be presented in writing to an instructor.   Email addresses and phone numbers will be distributed at the orientation rehearsals.  The instructor reserves the right to restrict a student from performance due to excessive or unexcused absence.

III.  Performance Expectations

Guard members will be expected to know the choreography before being permitted to perform.  This policy will be enforced in the interest of the individual student as well as the entire unit.  A member who does not demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in performing part of the show may be asked to perform less work. 

IV.  Behavior

As a member of a very special group, all Winter Guard members are to conduct themselves in the most dignified and responsible manner at all times.  This high standard of behavior shows others that you respect yourself and the students who perform and depend on you.  All school rules apply to the unit.

V.  Fair Share Expense

There is a “fair share obligation” for participating in the Winter Guard because the program is not funded by the county.  In order to cover the cost of the instructors, choreography, uniforms, competition entry fees, and select equipment, each guard member will be assessed $350.  Symphonic Band students attending the National Concert Band Festival will be assessed $150.  Guard members will also be expected to pay for a few incidentals (unitard) not to exceed $30.  Travel to competitions will be the responsibility of each student; however, details will be coordinated with the parent advisors.  Carpools will be arranged to offset expenses.  There may also be a food/lodging expense for the AIA Championships in Virginia Beach.

The $350 obligation may be paid in full at the beginning of the season (12/3), or may be divided up in the following manner:  $50 on 12/3; $100 on 1/8; $100 on 2/5; and $100 on 3/12.  Symphonic Band students are expected to make the deposit (12/3) and pay the balance by 4/9.  Financial assistance is available through the booster organization for students who demonstrate need; however, assistance is often contingent on willingness to participate in fundraising activities and past record of service.  No student should be discouraged to join due to the financial obligation; we will assist every family willing to contribute their “fair share.”

VI.  Commitment

Upon deciding to participate in Winter Guard, each student--new and returning--must complete the attached form and submit it to the guard parent advisors with at least a $50 deposit by Thursday, Dec. 3^rd (checks made payable to the Athens Drive Band Boosters).  Students/families with a credit in their band account can have this deposit deducted by indicating so on the form.  The $50 will be used toward the overall Winter Guard assessment.

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this letter or our band program, please do not hesitate to contact me (email is easiest).  We look forward to seeing you on November 20^th.

Intent Form

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ADHS 2009-10 WINTER GUARD INTENT FORM

(please print clearly)

Student’s name _______________________________       Grade (09-10 yr) ________

Student’s Address ______________________________________________________

City ___________________________________      Zip  _______________________

Home phone ______________________       Subdivision _______________________

Email (where you would like correspondence) ________________________________

Parent(s) Names ________________________________________________________

This is to verify that my child(ren) is intending to be a member of the 2009-10 Winter Guard.  I have read and understand the information regarding scheduling and financial commitment and agree to be a cooperative participant.

                           Signed (parent) ___________________________________

____  $50 Deposit (non-refundable) enclosed/attached.

____  Please deduct the $50 from my band account (must have credit).

THIS FORM MUST BE RETURNED BY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3RD IN ORDER TO BE GUARANTEED A POSITION IN THE 2009-10 WINTER GUARD.