west shore school district proposed band merger presentation

Proposal to Merge Marching Bands

Presented by Dr. Tammi Jones, Director of Secondary Education

February 12, 2015

W E S T S H O R E S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

W E S T S H O R E M A R C H I N G B A N D S

Introduction and Purpose

!This proposal is a forward thinking, visionary measure aimed at achieving and maintaining an elite status among high school marching bands.

!Combining the Cedar Cliff and Red Land Marching Bands would: - Blend our resources of funding, parental support, experienced

staff, and student talent to create a united band and a unique educational experience.

- Provide a more dynamic visual presentation with a fuller musical presence which could become a beacon of a collaborative effort in WSSD.


Band Competitions

!Circuits to compete in would include Cavalcade, Tournament of Bands and US Bands.

!We would continue to host the Sound of the Patriots and Cedar Cliff Spotlight.

!There would be direct local schools as competitors of similar size to our potential combined total.

!We would be hopeful to have the honor in the future to be invited to venues such as the Rose Parade, Macys Parade or other Bowl events for which we currently dont meet the size criteria as stand-alone programs.


Football Games

!Several options were considered for band performance at football games, such as the band only playing at home games for both teams, pep bands from each school travelling with their respective teams, and flexible scheduling to ensure representation at some home and some away games.

!Of these options, little support exists for the feasibility of the small pep band.

!While the remaining options present drawbacks, they both provide the football teams with some representation.


Student Participation

! All interested students would have a place in the Marching Band and no student would be turned away.

! Students would be given an equal opportunity to advance and would be placed according to ensemble needs. - 8th grades students would continue to require an evaluation and

recommendation for participation.

!In accordance with current practice of all competitive marching bands, students may be asked to switch instruments based upon individual strengths, talents and identified needs of the band program.


Student Transition

!A handbook to outline procedures and protocol for a combined marching band program would be developed.

!A student leadership team comprised of equal representation from both schools would be developed to: - Serve as an ongoing voice of the students to staff and

administrators. - Conference, using diplomacy to problem-solve, share history, and

make decisions on traditions, pep band music, and other relevant topics.


Band Boosters

!Booster support is instrumental to the success of any marching band program. They will continue to be relied upon to play a crucial role in the programs journey as we look to celebrate the students achievement and success and attain the vision of becoming a locally or nationally recognized large marching band program.


Informational Meetings

! March 2014 - Initial presentation at a Board study session to discuss the merger

concept. - Due to timing, the decision was tabled pending further discussion. - Discussions then continued over next several months with students,

staff, and community. - In June and July, two open informational meetings were held by

representatives of the band to further explore and discuss the merger concept.

! November 2014 - A follow-up presentation was provided at a Board study session. - The Board requested additional information to be gathered regarding

the students perceptions as well as to begin initial discussions pertaining to the logistics of a combined program.


Student Survey

!Student survey data - 162 students were surveyed - Results were organized in three groups: ! Current seniors ! Marching Members in grades 9-11 ! Non-Marchers


Seniors Leaving costs to the district aside, would you support combining the

Red Land and Cedar Cliff marching band programs into a united West Shore Marching Band?

Cedar Cliff Answered 6

Red Land Answered 11

1

5

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

No

Yes

2

9

0 2 4 6 8 10

No

Yes


Grades 9-11 Leaving costs to the district aside, would you support combining the




19

13

0 5 10 15 20

No

Yes

15

30

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

No

Yes


Non-Marchers Leaving costs to the district aside, would you support combining the




8

20

0 5 10 15 20 25

No

Yes

5

27

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

No

Yes


Seniors Would a united West Shore Marching Band increase, decrease,

or have no effect on your potential to become a better musician, leader, and student?



1

1

4

0 1 2 3 4 5

No Effect

Decrease

Increase

7

1

3

0 2 4 6 8

No Effect

Decrease

Increase


Grades 9-11 Would a united West Shore Marching Band increase, decrease,

or have no effect on your potential to become a better musician, leader, and student?



11

7

14

0 5 10 15

No Effect

Decrease

Increase

19

9

15

0 5 10 15 20

No Effect

Decrease

Increase


Grades 9-11

Would combining the bands increase, decrease, or have no effect on your future participation in marching band?



11

11

10

0 5 10 15

No Effect

Decrease

Increase

17

12

16

0 5 10 15 20

No Effect

Decrease

Increase


Non-Marchers

Would combining the bands increase, decrease, or have no effect on your future participation in marching band?



19

5

8

0 5 10 15 20

No Effect

Decrease

Increase

25

12

6

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

No Effect

Decrease

Increase


Seniors

In your opinion, would a united West Shore Marching Band benefit the quality of the show produced by the marching band?



1

5

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

No

Yes

3

8

0 2 4 6 8 10

No

Yes


Grades 9-11

In your opinion, would a united West Shore Marching Band benefit the quality of the show produced by the marching band?



9

22

0 5 10 15 20 25

No

Yes

11

33

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

No

Yes


Seniors

Do you think a united West Shore Marching Band would benefit, hinder, or have no effect on the overall experience of marching band?



1

5

0 2 4 6

No Effect

Hinder

Benefit

2

3

6

0 2 4 6 8

No Effect

Hinder

Benefit


West Shore Marching Band Directors

Example of Band Staffing

Cedar Cliff High School Director of Bands

Red Land High School Director of Bands

Program Coordinator (Assistant Director)

Boosters: West Shore, Cedar Cliff

& Red Land Logistics

Visual Caption Head

Percussion

Caption Head

Winds

Caption Head

Guard

Caption Head

Visual Techs Percussion Techs Winds Techs Guards Techs

Members

Ensemble Coordinator (Assistant Director)


Rehearsals

!Both Cedar Cliff and Red Land would be utilized for rehearsals. - Majority of rehearsals would preferably be held at the West Shore

Stadium pending its availability. - Some rehearsals would be separately scheduled into smaller

ensembles of the full group such as Winds at one location and Percussion and Guard at another location in order to provide specific drill instruction or to work on particular challenges or the unique needs of each group.


Budget Considerations

!Current Funding - This proposal has not been set-forth as a cost-savings measure.

As such, the recommendation during year one would be to maintain the current level of funding provided to each program until final costs can be determined.

!Equipment - Regardless of combined or separate band programs, there are

known equipment needs for both programs. - It is anticipated that the costs are quite similar in a combined band

model as to those needs in a separate band program.


Uniforms

!The West Shore Band would eventually necessitate a new West Shore Band uniform. - In the interim, the existing uniforms could be feasible as a

temporary solution. - The current uniforms are entering seven years of usage with a

planned replacement scheduled for both programs in 2017. - The proposed colors include navy blue and white with red and

gold accents, evoking a flame-like image.


Final Thoughts

!Regardless of a decision to maintain separate marching bands or to combine the marching band programs, it has become apparent that priority must be given to assigning a staff member to the high schools curricular program who will then also serve as a leader in the marching band program.

!Combining the bands is a unique opportunity to embark in a new direction with our historically well-renowned marching band programs.

west shore school district proposed band merger presentation

Documents

w e s t s h o r e s

n d s band boosters

n d s band competitions

n d s introduction

r c h i n g b

n d s student participation

n d s football games

n d s student transition