• Marching Bands Policies
• Pep Band Policies
• Scarlet Bands Policies

Marching Band Policies
Attendance
·	All scheduled rehearsals and performances are mandatory. In the event that you must miss all or part of a scheduled event (including a rehearsal) you must fill out the excuse web form.
·	Missing rehearsal for study is not an acceptable excuse. Part of your commitment to the band is being able to plan your study schedule around the band schedule.
·	While we strive for maximum attendance, we do know that the average band member is a busy person. All we ask is that you do not take our flexibility for granted and notify us of any conflicts.
·	While we urge you to avoid any scheduling conflicts with our rehearsal and performance times, we are willing to try to work around any schedule roadblocks you may encounter. Please see the director to discuss an arrangement that will keep you involved in band.
·	The members of the staff are flexible and are willing to work around your conflicts.
Registration
	All members must register with the University Registrar for CFA MU 091 for zero credits. If you wish to receive credit for Marching Band, then also register for CFA MU 191 for 1.0 credit in addition to CFA MU 091 for zero credits.
Rehearsals
	Proper footwear must be worn at rehearsals. Sneakers, athletic shoes or marching shoes are the only acceptable shoes at rehearsals.
	Wear comfortable clothes, such as t-shirts and sweats.
	Rehearsals will begin and end on time.
	The staff makes a commitment to using your time as efficiently as possible by carefully planning and preparing for each rehearsal. To that end, we ask the same of band members. Evening rehearsals begin at 6:30 PM. You should arrive early enough to ensure that you can begin practice on time.
	Talking during rehearsal must be limited to matters involving rehearsal and must not disrupt the efforts of the instructors.
	The following items must be brought to every rehearsal: instrument, towel, red book, dot book, pencil, and music stand.
Travel
	The band will travel to off campus locations, including overnight trips. On such occasions, it is imperative that while having fun, you conduct yourselves as gracious guests throughout the trip, and make sure that your actions do nothing to taint the reputation of Boston University.
Travel Procedures
	You will sign up in advance for the bus you will ride and for your rooms (overnight trips). The band's Vice-President will coordinate this.
	Bus loading time will always be announced at rehearsals and posted on the bulletin board and the web site.
	Many people use the bus trip to sleep or study. Everyone on both busses must be mindful of this and act accordingly.
	During the entire duration of the trip, every member of the BU Band is an official representative of Boston University and is expected to act accordingly.
	The buses do not wait for anyone. If you are late for a bus, you will be left behind. However, this does not relieve you of your performance responsibilities for the trip - it only makes transportation your problem. Find a ride and catch up.
Uniforms
	A significant amount of money has been invested not only in the uniforms, but also in uniform storage. Uniforms are to be stored in the designated uniform lockers at all times, and are to be arranged by hanger number. You can find your hanger number on the back of your nametag.
	Uniforms are to be neatly hung in the lockers, not in garment bags. At the end of each performance, the uniform lockers will be checked to ensure that all of the uniforms have been returned.
	Hats are to be stored upside down in their boxes. Outside of the hat box, hats should never be placed down on their tops.
	Shoes, gloves, and hats should be kept in your locker. Garment bags will be stored by your section leader.
	Everyone will receive 1 free pair of white gloves. If you need additional gloves, or if your section leader or a member of the staff has deemed your gloves unfit for performance, you may purchase additional pairs of gloves for $3.00 each.

Guidelines for Uniform Dress

• Uniforms must look neat at all times. Wrinkled uniforms are not acceptable.
• Make sure the bottoms of the pants legs are hemmed and NOT dragging on the ground!! If you have problems with your pant legs, speak with a sister of Tau Beta Sigma to rectify the situation.
• Shoes are to be white (POLISHED) "band" shoes. Socks are to be high and white.
• ONLY WHITE T-shirts are to be worn underneath the band coat - (NO text or graphics below chest level).
• Jackets are always to be completely zipped and hooked - unless otherwise told.
• Hair is to be up in the hats - including "tails"; hair must be over the collar. Hair bands and barrettes need to be neutral, red, or white.
• No jewelry. Only wedding rings and very small earrings are acceptable.
• Conservative make-up (including nail polish) only.
• No smoking, drinking, or use of tobacco in uniform - PERIOD.
• Sunglasses may not be worn during any performance.
• Options for short trips 1) Remove the coat and hat or 2) Wear the coat completely: snapped collar and zipped up all the way. The rule is: If you have the coat on, wear it as a uniform or take the coat completely off and carry it. One or the other - no middle ground - ever!

Alternative Uniforms

• For either travel or stand still performance, the band might wear an alternative uniform. You will be instructed when either of these following options are to be worn:
• Sneakers, white socks, blue jeans or blue jean shorts, and BUMB T-shirts.
• Sneakers, white socks, khakis or khakis shorts, and BUMB T-shirts.

Facility

• The university has provided the band with a very nice area to store our equipment. Anyone caught defacing equipment, walls or lockers, or in any way dong harm to the room will be removed from the program and subject to university disciplinary action.
• The large rehearsal area is a shared room with other university programs. You will always leave the room in a better condition than you found it. You will also be aware that it is a shared space and be respectful of the other programs.
• Food and beverage may be consumed in the band room as long as the room remains clean and all food items (including wrappers and bags) are disposed of properly.

Instruments

• Please remember that you are responsible for any loss or damages beyond normal wear to an instrument signed out to you. All instruments will be kept in closed, latched cases and stored in the appropriate space.

Keys

• Anyone caught with an un-authorized key to the band room will be immediately removed from the program and will be subject to university disciplinary action. Please do not test this policy.

Discipline

• We have very few discipline problems in this band because of the quality people in it. Their pride is built on superior performance, self-discipline, hard work, a genuine respect for other people, and high standards of personal conduct.
• As a member of this band, it is YOUR responsibility not only to maintain these standards, but also to help raise them. The only kind of discipline that really works is SELF-DISCIPLINE. Think seriously about the fact that you are being treated like a mature, responsible person, and be sure that your actions always justify our confidence and trust in you.

Personal Performance and Positive Participation

Your effort to make a positive contribution to the group over the course of the entire season is key to the success and growth of our program. This includes at rehearsals, in performance, on the buses, on trips, etc.

In the event that a member exerts a negative effect on the band (in any aspect), we will deal with the problem as listed below:

1. Discussion of the problem with the student: "Shape up - or else". If the problem continues, or reoccurs:
2. Clear written warning. If the problem continues, or reoccurs:
3. Expulsion from the band and possible university action.

It is possible to combine all three steps into one due to a unique and unusually severe action. There are some things for which a warning just won't do. In that type of situation, we proceed directly to step #3.

Special Concerns

In accordance with University policy, THE USE OF ANY ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TOLERATED WITHIN THIS GROUP. This goes for any time this band is gathered for a function (rehearsals, performances, on buses, on trips, etc.) 90% of the band is under the legal age to consume any alcoholic beverage, so we are talking about all forms of illegal substances - not only drugs. Failure to comply with this policy will mean dismissal from the band. Because this policy is a university policy and not just a band one, you could also face disciplinary action from the university. In other words - be good!! This advice is sincere and in your best interest!

Reminders And Hints

• Be on time for ALL rehearsals and report times.
• Watch your language. "Questionable" vocabulary is inappropriate.
• No drinking, smoking, or use of tobacco in uniform at anytime!
• Any time you are at a band "function", you are official representatives of Boston University. Please act accordingly.
• You are asked, at all times, to clean up after yourself and leave places the band utilizes even cleaner than you found them.
• Please to do not play any instruments outside of the band room unless we are rehearsing as a band. This includes going to and from marching rehearsals.

Part of being in the band means accepting the responsibility of holding yourselves to these guidelines, regardless of circumstances.