C.E. Jordan High School Winterguard Handbook
Please feel free to contact us as any time should you have questions or concerns about anything listed here.
Attendance Policy and Schedule
As a member of the C.E. Jordan High School Colorguard, you will be expected to attend ALL REHEARSALS AND COMPETITIONS! It is unfair to the rest of the ensemble if one person misses a rehearsal or competition and still receives the same privileges as everyone else. As a member, you must understand that every rehearsal is crucial. If you have to miss a rehearsal, you must let one of the instructors know where you are. Excessive absences or tardiness will be discussed with individual members if any problems arise.
If you have an extreme case, please talk to one of your instructors; we will do our best to work with you if possible.
Purchase a calendar and write your rehearsals and competitions in it at the start of the season.
Also remember that if you miss a rehearsal or part of a rehearsal, you are responsible for learning everything that you missed BEFORE the next rehearsal. (See “Responsibilities and Expectations for Members” section)
Personal Property / Borrowed Property / Property of C.E. Jordan High School Colorguard
Equipment will be issued to each member by the C.E. Jordan High School Winterguard for the duration of the season. During the season, members are responsible for taking care of and maintaining this equipment. C.E. Jordan High School Colorguard will provide tools to maintain this equipment including screwdrivers, end-caps/crutch-tips, saber tips, etc. It is each member’s responsibility to make use of these tools throughout the season to maintain their equipment. Any member who fails to turn in their equipment at the end of the season, or whose equipment shows considerable damage beyond regular “wear and tear”, will be charged for the replacement or repair of aforesaid equipment. This applies especially to any equipment that we may be borrowing from another program (i.e. curves and sabers borrowed from Fortitude Independent).
Personal Equipment that a member chooses to utilize during the season with C.E. Jordan High School Colorguard is solely the responsibility of the member. C.E. Jordan High School Colorguard will not be held responsible for damages to personal equipment.
C.E. Jordan High School Colorguard is not responsible for any personal property of members. We recommend that you keep jewelry, watches, money, wallets, etc, somewhere safe and not out in the open at rehearsals, competitions, events. Do not leave these items at our designated storage area at shows and expect it to be safe.
Purchasing Your Own Equipment
Although you will not be asked to purchase your own equipment for use in the show, some performers often want to buy their own rifle, saber, etc. for use at home or during the off-season. If you would like to do this, your instructors would be happy to discuss what equipment they prefer and what they find to be the best value. You will not be allowed to spin your own personal equipment in the show; equipment bought at different times or from different companies spins differently. Because we are trying to achieve spinning with the exact same style, slight differences in equipment may impair our ability to meet this goal.
Dress Code and Rehearsal Etiquette
Dress code for rehearsals is as follows:
• your hair must be pulled back and out of your face, and it must be secure so that you are not tempted to mess with it during rehearsal.
• For indoor rehearsals only: your ankles must be visible (any tights, capris, or pants that tie up to become capris are acceptable)
• you must wear gloves if you have equipment in your hands!
• You must wear sneakers or dance sneakers any time you are outside! You may wear socks, dance paws, ballet slippers, or go barefoot for indoor dance rehearsals if you like. Once we pick up equipment, you must have sneakers or dance sneakers.
• you must wear your show footwear for any full run-throughs.
• if you choose to wear shorts, it is recommended that you wear tights or leggings underneath
• You may wish to purchase knee pads to wear to practice, these are, however, optional
• Dress in layers, as the weather gets colder, you will want to start the rehearsal in warm clothing, and wear less as your body warms up
• Bring a coat in case of rain or cold weather – we will rehearse in bad weather at one point or another
• If we are outside and the sun is out, you must wear a hat or a bandanna! Visors are not acceptable; your head must be covered. Failing to follow this rule may result in you having to wear the “chicken hat”
Rehearsal etiquette:
• be respectful and quiet when any instructor, staff member, volunteer, or guest instructor is speaking. Listen when other members ask questions, the answer will likely apply to you as well.
• you are expected to have all of your equipment with you at every rehearsal. This includes gloves, show shoes, dot book, drill book, and your journal in addition to your flag/rifle/sabre/etc.
• If you have a problem with something any volunteer, or guest instructor is asking you to do, just do it, then speak to an instructor about it later. Exceptions to this are if you feel that you are being put in physical danger. In this extreme case, stop and speak to an instructor immediately.
• If you have an issue with anything, please wait until a break and speak to an instructor then. Do not complain to someone else first.
• Remain quiet and focused during rehearsals. We love to have fun, but this can only happen if our work gets done first. If the person next to you asks for help, help them quietly.
• Do not tell other people what to do!!! Do not help someone unless they have specifically asked for you help! If you think someone is doing something wrong, ask a “constructive question” and your instructors will fix any problems.
• Equipment maintenance should happen at home and during breaks. If, however, you need to fix or re-tape your equipment right away do so quickly and quietly without disturbing anyone else. If you have a tear in your flag silk, try to wait until a break to inform an instructor. If it is a very large tear and you cannot spin with it, simply use one of your other flags until the next break when you can inform an instructor.
• Do not chew gum!
• If you have a knee brace, ankle brace, inhaler, etc. bring it to every rehearsal and have it accessible!
• You must have your dot book tied to you at all times while we are doing drill! You do not have to wear you dot book during run-throughs.
• Bring your own bottle of water or Gatorade to rehearsals and a healthy snack if you would like for breaks. You must stay hydrated. Just because it is cool or we are inside does not mean you don’t need water. Do not share drinks! NO SODAS WILL EVER BE ALLOWED AT REHEARSAL! If you need to eat before rehearsal, you must be done with your snack/meal before rehearsal starts! Do not bring a sandwich for a snack and expect to have enough break time to eat the whole thing. We recommend peanuts, trail mix, sunflower seeds; your body needs more protein when you are active!
Uniform and Competition Etiquette
Please note that your gloves and your shoes are a part of your uniform. Failing to bring one of these items will result in your inability to perform with the rest of the group. If your uniform sustains any damages during the season, please inform one of your instructors immediately, and we will see that it is repaired.
You will be responsible for your own gloves, shoes, and make-up. We use tan gloves, it is up to you what brand you would like to order. We recommend having two pair just in case one wears out or is misplaced We will set aside some rehearsal time to demonstrate, and practice applying make-up for the show. You will also be responsible for your own undergarments; these will be discussed later after the uniform for the season’s show is selected. Often we recommend a bodysuit to wear under your uniform. Information on what color and where to purchase these will be provided after the uniform for the season has been selected.
You will be responsible for the care of your uniform over the course of the season. You must provide a hanger for your uniform and hang it up when it is not in use (i.e. at home during the week). If you need to wash your uniform, you may do so by hand washing it or running it through the gentle cycle. We recommend washing uniforms with Woolite because it is gentle. Hang it up to dry. DO NOT PUT YOUR UNIFORM IN THE DRYER!
You will be given a set time by which you must be in uniform and ready for warm up. This means that your uniform, shoes and gloves are all on, and that your hair and make-up is completed. If you need to know if your hair or make-up is right, you must ask before this time; you will not have the opportunity to make any changes after this. If you need help with your hair and/or make-up, make arrangements with another member beforehand. Do not bring bobby pins, hairspray, gel, or make-up to warm-up; there will be nowhere to put these items when you are done.
While we value the support of friends and family, we cannot allow anyone who is not a member or an instructor to come through warm-up with us. Friends, family, and alumni are invited to wait with our props to help us set up for the show, or to support us from the bleachers.
When in uniform, you are a representative of C.E. Jordan High School. As such, you must follow these rules:
• Never stand with your arms crossed or folded across your chest, or with your hands on your hips
• Never swear or use foul language
• Never speak poorly of anyone – only positive comments/language
When we are at a show site, these rules apply whether or not you are in uniform:
• Never swear or use foul language
• Never speak poorly of anyone – only positive comments/language
• Be respectful to everyone – other bands, colorguard parents, show hosts and volunteers
• Be helpful to other bands/colorguards if you can be
• Always be supportive to other bands/colorguard. Tell them “good luck”, “good job”, clap for the moments you appreciate in their show. Often audiences are much quieter than they should be, especially when watching beginning bands. Help these bands build their pride and confidence by supporting their achievements.
Performances
You are expected to be quiet and focused during warm-up time. Be quiet during transit times as well as a courtesy to other guards/bands that are warming up and especially in holding while other bands are performing. Once we enter warm-up, you are expected to be focused and in character until we reach the bus parking lot following our performance. If you have an inhaler, make arrangements with an instructor to hold it for you during the performance.
No one leaves the bus parking lot until everything is rolled, folded and put away and back on the truck!
Bring healthy snacks to eat during the day, you cannot spend a whole day at a competition without eating, especially if you expect to perform well. Drink plenty of water or Gatorade to stay hydrated during the day – avoid sodas, especially before your performance. Nothing feels worse than performing right after eating greasy pizza and a big Coke.
Retreat Block Etiquette
You will be expected to sit/stand still and be attentive and quiet for retreat. Applaud for everyone equally. You may be proud of or upset by your own score or placement, but there will be no celebrating or show of emotion at retreat!!! We do not participate in colorguard to receive a high score or to be placed over someone else. Our goal is to be better than we were yesterday! Retreat is a place where you will see and be seen by every other band and spectator from the rest of the day; represent your school the way it deserves to be represented!
Responsibilities and Expectations for Members
As a member of C.E. Jordan High School Winterguard, there is much that is expected of you by your instructors as well as the other members.
It is expected that you will:
• Wear clothes that are appropriate for rehearsal and for the weather, and that comply with the dress code.
• Bring all of your equipment to every rehearsal.
• Turn off all cellular phones during rehearsal and leave them in your bag(they may never be clipped to your side). If you have an extreme circumstance and must leave your cell phone on, please speak to an instructor before rehearsal begins.
• Put your gloves on when you pick up any equipment.
• Have your show shoes/footwear at every rehearsal to be worn during run-throughs.
• Maintain your equipment. It is expected that you will make adjustments as needed at home and on breaks. Having to spend time maintaining your equipment during rehearsal wastes valuable time. All flags must have both end caps taped in the required color, all rifles must have pads that are in tact and taped in white, rifle bolts must be screwed on tight, rifle straps must be kept tight with strap screws taped in the same color as the strap, sabers must have tips that are in tact and taped in the same color as the tip. (you may want to buy your own roll of tape. Sabre tips will be provided to you) All of your equipment will be inspected on Thursday nights before a show!
• Rehearse at home between group rehearsals. You are each responsible for remembering the choreography that you have been taught, and to learn any choreography that you may have missed during an absence BEFORE the next rehearsal. We do not have time to re-teach the choreography.
• Take criticism in a positive and constructive manner. Do not whine, complain, or make excuses about anything that we are correcting. Understand and remember that we want to make you better. Simply nod and take the correction. If you have a problem, you may speak to an instructor during a break.
• Treat your instructors, volunteers, chaperones, and other members with respect at all times.
• To give 100% at all times! Don’t ever settle and do less than what you are capable of doing!
Any failure to successfully meet these responsibilities will result in a verbal reprimand, and in any extreme cases, your being asked to leave the room in which we are rehearsing until the situation has been rectified. Rarely, other disciplinary action may be taken – i.e. additional repetitions of equipment technique, additional conditioning, etc. Should you have any issues, personal or with any other instructor, volunteer, member, etc. please speak to an instructor privately during the following break. Do not complain to other members about problems you have with any other instructor, volunteer, member, etc.
What You Can Expect From Your Instructors
• You can expect to always be treated with respect
• Your instructors will always ask things of you that they believe will benefit the group as a whole (i.e. changes in the show or choreography, cleaning up rehearsal space, helping another member, etc.)
• Your instructors will be prepared for activities, rehearsals, competitions, etc.
• Your instructors will listen and be accessible to you (at rehearsal, by phone, or by email)
• Your instructors will make choices that will benefit the group as a whole
• Your instructors will help you if it is within their power to do so, if they believe it to be in your best interest, if it is in the best interest of the group, and if you communicate with them about your needs.
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