Color Guard

Fundraising 

All students are encouraged and expected to participate in fundraising efforts to raise funds toward their  Individual dues/fees. There will be multiple fundraising opportunities offered to students throughout the year.  It is important that students participate in as many as possible/necessary so that expenses incurred from running  a band and guard program can be off-set. 

The guard may host multiple fundraisers during the year to go toward the general account. These may include,  but are not limited to: bake sales, car washes, online sales, etc. These are in place to help lower the dues/fees of  each student. 

Attendance 

In order for the guard to reach its highest level of achievement, and for the performers and the show to progress  in a timely fashion, a strict attendance policy must be enforced. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is  MANDATORY. All conflicts must be pre-arranged and approved by the Director prior to the start of the season. 

Because color guard and marching band is judged on uniformity and precision, please understand that any  absence has a direct impact on the entire program. When students miss valuable information or choreography  the group’s ability to portray uniformity is compromised/lessened. 

For the safety of all students, directors must be aware of who is (and who is not) in attendance at rehearsals and  performances. Therefore, parents/guardians will be required to provide written documentation of why a student  was absent from rehearsal. 

The director reserves the right (when necessary) to schedule additional rehearsals or amend the existing  rehearsal schedule. Adequate time and notice will be given to the guard when changes/additions are needed. 

Behavior, Positive Attitude and Teamwork 

In order for the group to move and function smoothly, it is of utmost importance that members of a team work  from a standpoint of positivity. One member’s bad attitude can be responsible for negatively impacting the  whole team. Likewise, a good attitude can be just as contagious and beneficial to the team. Students are to do  their absolute best to maintain a positive attitude in the way they interact with each other, the staff and the  parents as they work through rehearsals, travelling and the season overall. 

Each member is responsible for impacting the team in a positive manner. Everyone has an off day now and again, but if a student’s behavior begins to display a consistently negative outlook  toward rehearsal, performance or other members and staff, this will be noted in the student’s classroom grade and a  parent meeting may be necessary. If there is no improvement in the student’s behavior, this could lead to the student  having a lesser role in the show or dismissal from the program. 

Excused absences 

Excused absences include, but are not limited to contagious illness or fever, major family events (weddings, funerals),  or religious obligations. All absences other than illnesses need to be pre-approved by the Director. The Director will  determine the validity of all excused absences. 

In the case of illness, if a student is absent from school due to illness, he or she will not be expected to attend rehearsal on that day. HOWEVER, to be granted an excused absence an email or phone call to the director from the parent/ guardian is still expected prior to the missed rehearsal. If a student is not contagious or running a fever, they are highly  encouraged to attend rehearsal to watch and stay current with all information. 

Unexcused absences 

Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to work, practice for other activities (unless pre-approved by the  Director), professional concerts/plays, routine doctor appointments, vacations, lack of transportation, or homework.  All unexcused absences may be reflected in the student’s allowance to perform and will be noted as part of his or her  class grade. Repeat violations will lead to a lowering of the student’s participation in the show, and could lead to  dismissal from the show and group entirely. 

Tardiness 

If a student is going to be late to a rehearsal, it is the responsibility of the student and parent to contact a captain or  director. If this is not done, the student may be required extra conditioning or other consequences at the director’s  discretion. Avoid this by arriving early to the rehearsal site. Excessive tardiness will lead to a lowering of the student’s  participation in the show, and could lead to dismissal from the show and group entirely. 

Injury 

The Director should be notified immediately of any health or physical ailment. As with any physical activity, minor  injuries can and probably will affect a few students. A doctor’s note should always be obtained in the case of a major  physical injury. Students will be required to attend rehearsal while injured so they can take notes on changes and other  information being given by staff. 

Often, minor injuries such as sore muscles, bruises, or small cuts/abrasions will not affect a student’s ability to  participate. If a student suffers a minor injury during a regular rehearsal, the severity of the injury will be assessed by  the director and, dependent on the severity, that student may be permitted to sit out for ONE rehearsal. After one  rehearsal, a doctor’s note is required. Students should report major injuries immediately so that proper medical  attention may be given and parents/guardians can be called. 

If an injury requires a student to miss a prolonged period of participation, the Director and designers of the program  may need to adjust the student’s spot in the show. The guard cannot, for example, compete in major competitions  with a “hole” in the show due to injury. In such a case, the show would be adjusted so that the show and performers  can appear as prepared and polished as possible.

Conditioning 

Modern competitive color guard is a VERY physical activity. Performing a complete show requires a great deal  of physical preparation from every student. Students will be required to participate fully in any callisthenic and  stretching regimen prescribed for the guard by the Director or staff. Activities include, but are not limited to  dance class, yoga, running and strengthening. 

Students will be kept properly hydrated. During all summer and fall rehearsals, students are REQUIRED to bring  a water jug to every rehearsal. Often, we will be outside where water fountains are not available. 

Equipment 

All guard members are required to take care of their guard equipment and to keep it in good repair. Lost or  excessively damaged equipment will be the student’s responsibility to repair or replace. For safety and liability  purposes, guard members ONLY should be allowed to use color guard equipment. 

All guard members will be charged an initial equipment fee. This will cover the use of a rifle, a flag and a pole.  Students will not own this equipment unless other arrangements for payment have been made. 

Students who have been selected to be on the rifle line will be required to purchase their own rifle (about $38).  Lost or damaged rifles are the responsibility of the member and must be replaced/repaired immediately so as  not to impede valuable rehearsal time. 

Sabers will be issued to students on the basis of individual achievement and trust as this piece of equipment  requires a high attention to detail and is very expensive to repair/replace. 

Rehearsal Attire 

Comfortable athletic clothes that allow the performer to move unhindered are required. All school rules  regarding modesty apply—especially since the guard will be stretching and performing detailed dance  positions—be sure all clothing fits correctly and is not revealing. 

When the weather turns cooler, dressing in layers is more appropriate than wearing a large coat. 

Shoes must be worn at all times, unless the guard is inside receiving a dance class. A light, flexible cross-training  or running shoe is highly recommended. NEVER wear flip-flops or sandals to rehearsal. And, in general, any type  of “slip on” shoe is not advisable. 

The guard may be asked, for important rehearsals, to wear all black. This is so a look and feeling of uniformity  can be achieved in the rehearsal setting. When the performers are dressed the same, it becomes much easier  for the staff to deliver information and notes more effectively. 

Uniform 

Our uniforms are the “wearable art” for our show. Great care must be taken by the performer to keep them in  good condition and very clean. Also, it is our uniform that tells the world who we are: We Are Ben Davis!  So, when travelling and appearing as a group (whether at home or at another show site), pride must be taken in  how the uniform and the guard are presented to the public.

Warm-Ups will be worn while at shows/competitions. This includes the show shirt or a Ben Davis guard/band  shirt, jacket and pants. When changing into uniform early, warm-ups must be worn OVER the uniform. 

Hair and make-up designs will be determined by the director/designers. All students must comply with the look.  Uniformity in the group’s appearance is part of how the guard is judged and evaluated. Please follow the  instruction of the staff to their exact specifications. 

Please maintain a hairstyle in your personal life that can be adapted to a uniform look during the performance  season. 

NO jewelry will be worn while in uniform. 

Do not eat or drink (other than water) while in uniform. 

For safety reasons, and for reasons of uniformity and professionalism, members are encouraged to wear contact  lenses rather than glasses for all performances. 

In General… 

It takes a lot of pride to make a successful color guard—from the students, the parents and the staff. The pride to  do what is right and correct for the group means, even when it’s not easy, rules must be followed for the good of  the group and because we are putting the group’s success above our own individual wants and needs.  The success of the BDCG depends on all of us! 

Alexx Freeman

Director of Color Guard

alexander.freeman@wayne.k12.in.us