Shs Scorpions 4

Speedwell High School
Marching Scorpions
Marching Band Handbook
2019-2020
9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Opening Letter
1
Program Objectives
2
Resources
3
2019 Calendar
4-7
Policies and procedures
8
Band camp 2020 schedule
9
Administration trip letter
10
Parent/Student trip letter and forms
11
Local business donation trip letter
12
General trip letter
13
1
Marching Scorpions
400 Speed St - New York, NY - (540)613-0440 - www.shsms.com
August 2020
Dear Parents and Students,
WELCOME to the 2020-21 edition of Speedwell High School’s Marching Scorpions! I am looking forward
to an exciting season ahead with road trips to away football games, competitions, a performance in
central park, and taking our second trip to Disney World to perform in Magic Kingdom’s Electrical
Parade!
This season, our show is entitled “LOVE”. The show is not mainly focused on romantic love, but more on
compassion and kindness to everyone around us. Featuring musical selections from Elvis, Bob Marley,
Dear Evan Hansen, and more, we hope that you “LOVE” our show this year, and that it inspires you to
show compassion to everyone you know!
Please review the contents of this handbook carefully as it covers many of the basic procedures,
logistics, and operations of our organization. I ask that you pay special attention to the season
schedule, indicating our marching rehearsals, games, and competitions. I also ask that after reviewing
the information, both student(s) and parent(s)/guardian(s) complete, sign, and return the program
contract at the end of the handbook. This should be returned to Ms. Unroe’s Office by Friday, August 19
(final day of pre-season camp).
Again, I am looking forward to a fantastic year of rehearsals, performances, parades, and special
events for our program. On behalf of our staff, I would like to welcome both returning and new
members of our program. We are very excited that you have decided to join our family!
Sincerely,
Erica Unroe (She/Her/Hers)

Director of Bands
2
Program Objectives for...
... STUDENTS
Strive to be the best you can be, in everything you do
By communicating and discussing the probability of making mistakes, and subsequently
learning from those mistakes, we learn from ourselves. We can never reach perfection, so the
SHSMS strives for positive progress and self-growth as musicians and people.
Be prepared for rehearsals and events
Responsibility is emphasized in our program. In adult life, you are expected to take
responsibility for your actions, and be prepared to fully execute and be present for the
commitments in your life. We believe in preparing students for these real-world experiences as
early as possible.
Treat others with respect
The environment and family that we have here at SHS is very close-knit. We spend an
immense amount of time together. It is of the utmost importance that we focus on keeping an
open-mind, and treating others with kindness and respect. We are a family, and we must be there
for each other.
…. PARENTS
To support students in their endeavors
Whether this is by fundraising, advice, opinions, or literally being chaperones on band
trips, parents should be a strong support system for the students of SHS.
Strive to be the best you can be, in everything you do
Much like the students, parents can learn from the band’s lessons as well. Being a solid
example to students is of utmost importance in our program.
3
RESOURCES
Want to learn more about music online?
SightReadingFactory.com
https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/
MusicTheory.net
https://www.musictheory.net/
Incredibox.com
https://www.musictheory.net/
Noteflight
https://www.noteflight.com/
Interested in Private Lessons?

NYU School of Music Student private lesson coordinator
whatsername@nyu.ny.edu
Apply to Avenue’s
https://www.avenues.org/en/nyc/private-music-lessons/
Music to your Home
info@musictoyourhome.com
Sage Music Lessons
https://www.sagemusic.co/
Be involved within NYC?

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 23, 2019
NYC High School Honors Music Festival
March 29, 2019
Jam of the Bands on Broadway
April 27, 2019
Need equipment/repairs?
JL Woodwind repair
225 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018
J Landress Brass LLC
153 W 36th St 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018
4
August 2019-2020
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3
Music
Rehearsal
(4-6pm)
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Pre-Band *BAND *BAND *BAND *BAND *BAND
Camp CAMP CAMP CAMP CAMP CAMP
Potluck (9-9) (9-9) (9-9) (9-9) (9-9)
(3-6pm)
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
*BAND *BAND *BAND *BAND *BAND
CAMP CAMP CAMP CAMP CAMP (9-12)
(9-9) (9-9) (9-9) (9-9) *SHOWCASE
(2-3)
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
*Music FIRST DAY *Marching *Marching
Rehearsal OF SCHOOL Rehearsal Rehearsal
(4-5) *Marching (4-6) (4-6)
Rehearsal
(4-6)
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
*Music *Marching *Marching *Marching *HOME
Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal FOOTBALL
(4-5) (4-6) (4-6) (4-6) GAME
(5pm)
* Denotes Mandatory Event

5
September 2019-2020
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
*Music *Marching *Marching *Marching *HOME
Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal FOOTBALL
(4-5) (4-6) (4-6) (4-6) GAME
(5pm)
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
*Marching *Marching *Marching *HOME SOME
Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal FOOTBALL COLLEGE
(4-6) (4-6) (4-6) GAME BAND
(5pm) DAY!
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
*Music *Marching *Marching *Marching *Marching *CLINIC @
Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal SOME
(4-5) (4-6) (4-6) (4-6) (4-6) PLACE
(6am)
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
*Music *Marching *Marching *Marching ANOTHER
Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal COLLEGE
(4-5) (4-6) (4-6) (4-6) BAND
DAY!
29 30
*Music
Rehearsal
(4-5)

6
October 2019-2020
1 2 3 4 5
*Marching *Marching *Marching *HOME *CLINIC @
Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal FOOTBALL SOME
(4-6) (4-6) (4-6) GAME PLACE
(5pm) (8am)
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
ALL NY JAZZ ALL NY JAZZ *Marching *Marching *Marching *HOME- *CLINIC @
AUDITIONS AUDITIONS Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal COMING SOME
(4-6) (4-6) (4-6) FOOTBALL PLACE
GAME (7am)
(5pm)
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
*Music *Marching *Marching *Marching
Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal
(4-5) (4-6) (4-6) (4-6)
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
*Music *Marching *Marching *Marching *Marching *CLINIC @
Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal Rehearsal SOME
(4-5) (4-6) (4-6) (4-6) (4-6) PLACE
(8am)
27 28 29 30 31
*Marching *Marching *Halloween
Rehearsal Rehearsal Marching
(4-6) (4-6) Rehearsal
(4-6)

7
November 2019-2020
1 2
*HOME
FOOTBALL
SENIOR
NIGHT
(5pm)
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
*Marching SPEEDWELL
Rehearsal TREE
(4-6) LIGHTING
(6pm)

8
Grading Policy
70% - Participation (Excused/Unexcused absences, presence at rehearsals, preparedness)
30%- Performances (Attendance at performances is mandatory, unless previously discussed)
Attendance Policy
Class: All classes are MANDATORY. All excused absences must be discussed with Ms. Unroe at
least 1 week before the absence, and a written excuse must be turned in up to 2 class periods after the
absence. In the case of Family Emergency, or Illness, absence must be reported to Ms. Unroe before the
class starts. (I understand that your health and family are very important). Students are allowed 1
unexcused absence and 1 mental health day.
Rehearsals: All Rehearsals are MANDATORY. All excused absences must be discussed with Ms.
Unroe at least 1 week before the absence. In the case of Family Emergency, or Illness, absence must be
reported to Ms. Unroe before the class starts. (I understand that your health and family are very
important). Students are given 1 unexcused absence and 1 mental health day.
Concerts/Performances: ALL PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY. All excused absences must be
discussed with Ms. Unroe AT LEAST 2 weeks in advanced. All other absences (With the exception of
illness and family emergencies) will reduce final grade by 2 letters.
Football Game Performance Procedure

1.5 hours before: FREE dinner in cafeteria provided by band families
1 Hour before: REPORT TO BAND ROOM. Dress in uniform and prepare instruments
● Black shoes, bibbers, Show Shirt, Jacket, Gauntlets, Gloves, Shako, Plume, Lyre, Flip
Folder, Instrument
30 minutes before: Line up outside back Band Room Doors
25 minutes before: Equipment crew(s) depart to stadium
20 minutes before: Band, Drumline, Guard cadence to stadium
10 minutes before: PREGAME
Post-game: March back to band room, unload, pack up, return uniforms, and have a great night!
Classroom/Rehearsal Protocol
Set Up: unless instructed otherwise, chairs will be set up in an arc with assigned chairs, stands,
and instruments.
Disclaimer: All classes will be set up differently, without standard arcs. Set-up, instruments, and
structure may vary, but students will be told ahead of time on canvas what to expect from the next
class period.
Supplies: Instruments, music, a pencil, and an electronic device (tuner AND phone) is required
for every rehearsal. Some may be used more than others depending on the activities within that period
Practice: Our ensembles are voluntary, so we expect students to be practicing and prepared for
every rehearsal. If it is becoming prevalent that a student is not practicing, it will be handled
accordingly.
9
Band Camp 2020

Where will it be?
When will it be?

August 5-9, 12-16
Schedule
August 4 - Pre-Band Camp potluck at this random park 3pm
August 5 - Band Camp 9am-9pm
Popsicles: TBA
Dinner: The This Family
Popsicles are
August 6 - Band Camp 9am-9pm provided by former
Popsicles: TBA students or Alumni
Dinner: The Someone Family
of the program.
Popsicles: TBA These spots can be
Dinner: The Who Family claimed starting
Dinners are August 8 - Band Camp 9am-9pm
the week before
Popsicles: TBA
provided by parents, Dinner: The Notsure Family pre-band camp
guardians, or band August 9 - Band Camp 9am-9pm potluck.
boosters for the Popsicles: TBA
Dinner: The Whatever Family
evenings of band August 12 - Band Camp 9am-9pm
camp. Spots can be Popsicles: TBA
reserved starting the Dinner: The Whatsitooya Family
week before the Popsicles: TBA
pre-band camp Dinner: The Idontevenknowanymore Family
potluck. August 14 - Band Camp 9am-9pm
Popsicles: TBA
Dinner: The Yart Family
Popsicles: TBA
DInner: The Yeehaw Family
August 16 - Band Camp 9-12, Showcase 2-3
10
Marching Scorpions
December 2020
Dear Speedwell Administration,
We would like to inform you that, this year, the Speedwell High School Music Program will be
traveling to Orlando, Florida to visit Disney World. The band will leave on Thursday, February 2nd, and
arrive back to New York on Sunday. Throughout the trip, we will visit Magic Kingdom, Hollywood
Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
In preparation for this trip, students will participate in fundraisers, and discuss budgeting and
time management for this trip. In addition to this, in Hollywood Studios on Saturday, February 4th,
students will participate in the Instrumental Soundtrack Session. The session will include
sight-reading and learning music from various Disney films in a film-scoring studio, and fully
experience what it’s like to be a professional musician in the world of movie music. It will not only give
them experience in a new environment, and teach them new things about the “behind the scenes” of
movie music, but also expose them to future career possibilities as a musician.
`In total, this trip will cost each student $625 dollars. This cost will cover the full trip for 2
administration members, and half of the cost of each chaperone attending. It also includes three meals
a day, hotel, busses, and a three-day park-hopper pass.
After sharing this information with you, I would like to request your permission to take this
once in a lifetime trip as a band program. We would be able to pay for 2 busses to provide us
transportation throughout the entire trip. In addition to this, I would like to invite two members of the
Administration staff to join us on this exciting trip! Your trip and expenses will be completely paid for,
with the exception of souvenirs and extra meals.
We hope that you are as excited about this trip as we are! We also look forward to hopefully
having you join us to Disney World! Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

Director of Bands
11
Marching Scorpions
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We would like to inform you that this year, the Speedwell High School Music Program will be
traveling to Orlando, Florida to visit Disney World. The band will leave on Thursday, February 2nd, and
arrive back to New York on Sunday, February 5th. Throughout the trip, we will visit Magic Kingdom,
Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
time management for this trip. In addition to this, in Hollywood Studios on Saturday, February 4th,
students will participate in the Instrumental Soundtrack Session. The session will include
sight-reading and learning music from various Disney films in a film-scoring studio, and fully
experience what it’s like to be a professional musician in the world of movie music. It will not only give
them experience in a new environment, and teach them new things about the “behind the scenes” of
movie music, but also expose them to future career possibilities as a musician.
a day, hotel, busses, and a three-day park-hopper pass.
After sharing this information with you, I would like to request that, if you are able, you would
consider being a chaperone for this trip to ensure that our students are safe, healthy, and most
importantly, that they have fun! If you are interested, please check the “Yes” box at the bottom of this
sheet.
Our first trip meeting will be on Tuesday, December 7th, along with the 2021 Marching Band
Show announcement ceremony. All interested should attend, as this meeting will cover important
information regarding our spring trip. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Director of Bands
Please return this slip to Ms. Unroe BY December 10th, 2020.

By signing below, I confirm that I am interested in participating in the spring trip, and have read the
information stated above.
Printed name__________________________________________________________________________________
Signature ___________________________________________________________ Date _____________________
I am interested in being a Chaperone for the 2021 Spring Trip YES____ NO___
12
Marching Scorpions
December 2020
Dear Local Business,
I hope that this letter reaches you well. My name is Erica Unroe, and I am the band director at
Speedwell High School. We would like to inform you that this year, the Speedwell High School Music
Program will be traveling to Orlando, Florida to visit Disney World. The band will leave on Thursday,
February 2nd, and arrive back to New York on Sunday, February 5th. Throughout the trip, we will visit
Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
time management for this trip. In addition, in Hollywood Studios on Saturday, February 4th, students
will participate in the Instrumental Soundtrack Session. The session will include sight-reading and
learning music from various Disney films in a film-scoring studio, and fully experience what it’s like to
be a professional musician in the world of movie music. It will not only give them experience in a new
environment, and teach them new things about the “behind the scenes” of movie music, but also expose
them to future career possibilities as a musician.
a day, hotel, busses, and a three-day park-hopper pass. For some students in our area, this fee is a bit
overwhelming, financially. Our students, and giving them a quality education, and exciting
opportunities are very important to us. Because of this, we are reaching out to ask you to consider
donating or financially assisting us and our students through this financial process. Any and every
donation helps.
In return, we would like to offer to advertise your business logo on our equipment trucks, and
Front ensemble carts, to be seen by everyone who engages with our marching band. In addition to this,
our students will be very grateful to your contributions, as this trip is one that students are very
excited for.
Thank you again for considering us!
Sincerely,

Director of Bands
13
Marching Scorpions
February 2021
To whom it may concern,
On behalf of the Speedwell High School band program, I would like to sincerely thank you for
your support regarding our 2021 spring trip to Florida. The students had a very memorable time at
Disney World, and learned an immense amount about music in the real world during our Instrumental
Soundtrack Recording Session.
Because of your gracious efforts in helping our band program, our students are safe, healthy,
and had fun on this trip. The entire trip occurred smoothly, thanks to our bus drivers, trip advisors,
hotel staff, chaperones, and administration. In addition to this, because of the donations we received,
all of our students’ trips were entirely paid for. No student, chaperone, or administration member had
to pay out of pocket for our trip. We can not express how grateful we are to you.
Thank you again for your kind donations and for your support of the Speedwell High School
band program!
Sincerely,

Director of Bands

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Speedwell High School

Marching Band Handbook

Dear Parents and Students,

Erica Unroe (She/Her/Hers)

Program Objectives for...

Interested in Private Lessons?

Be involved within NYC?

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

* Denotes Mandatory Event

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

* Denotes Mandatory Event

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

* Denotes Mandatory Event

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

* Denotes Mandatory Event

Football Game Performance Procedure

Band Camp 2020

When will it be?

Dear Speedwell Administration,

Erica Unroe (She/Her/Hers)

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please return this slip to Ms. Unroe BY December 10th, 2020.

Signature ___________________________________________________________ Date _____________________

Dear Local Business,

Erica Unroe (She/Her/Hers)

To whom it may concern,

Erica Unroe (She/Her/Hers)

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Signature _______________________________________ Date _