Attendance
To have and maintain a high-quality instrumental music program, member attendance is essential. We have established the following attendance guidelines for participation in ensembles that meet exclusively outside of the school day. Participation in these ensembles is a choice and with that choice, a high level of commitment is expected.
For absences during the regular school day, please contact the Buchanan Attendance Office (559) 327-3037) or Alta Sierra Attendance Hotline (559) 327-3500.
Student performer
Attendance Expectations
These expectations apply to the following ensembles that primarily meet outside the school day: Marching Band, Symphony Orchestra, Winter Guard, & Winter Percussion.
Attendance. All rehearsals and competitions are mandatory. Performances are very complex and demand the full attention of all performers in the group. When one person is absent, it affects the whole ensemble. A student may be dismissed from the ensemble if they have excessive absences.
Missing Rehearsal due to Illness. If a student is going to miss rehearsal because they are ill:
Please send an email to notes@becmusic.org AND the director of the ensemble.
Communicate with us as soon as it is anticipated that the student will miss rehearsal.
The absence must be communicated by the parent or guardian of that student. Texts/BAND App messages from students or parents/guardians are not acceptable to excuse an absence. Students should also communicate the absence to their section leader.
Missing Rehearsal due to Family Emergency. Reasonable effort should be made to contact the director/lead instructor in cases of family emergency before the rehearsal or as soon as it is reasonable to do so.
Missing Rehearsal the Week of a Competition or Performance. Any student who misses a rehearsal the week of a competition or performance, regardless of the reason, may be ineligible to perform in that competition/performance, at the discretion of the director. The performances/shows are constantly changing and evolving, even from rehearsal to rehearsal.
Extended Illnesses or Injuries. A student who misses two weeks of rehearsals before the first competition/performance or one week of rehearsals after the first competition/performance due to an illness or injury may be dismissed from the group at the discretion of the director.
Participation at Rehearsals. If a situation arises that prevents a student from fully participating in rehearsal (i.e. sitting out of rehearsal for more than 15 minutes), the student will be asked to call their parents to be picked up from rehearsal. We do not have the staffing to supervise students who are unable to rehearse with the rest of the group. If a student needs to leave the rehearsal field/floor/area for any reason, they must let their director/lead instructor know before doing so.
The One-Absence Rule. Students are permitted one excused absence during the season for a specific, pre-approved & unavoidable conflict. The one-absence rule does not apply the week of the show. This absence be communicated at least one week in advance.
Attendance at shows & performances is expected from the beginning of the scheduled itinerary until the very end. Missing a show or performance is grounds for dismissal from the ensemble. If you have a circumstance that requires you to leave immediately after a performance, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Appointments and routine non-emergency professional visits (Dentist, Eye Doctor, etc) should not be scheduled at the same time as a rehearsal or performance.
We appreciate a heads up when you will be missing a school day in which your ensemble is rehearsing during a class period (i.e. Winter Percussion or Marching Band during 6th period).
Any anticipated absences must be submitted via the Excused Absence Request below as soon as you become aware of the anticipated absence, but no less than one week before the absence.
If it is less than one week before the absence, you must speak with a director in person before submitting an Excused Absence Request.
