The goal of the Irmo High School Color Guard Program is to provide an opportunity for students to participate in representing their school, to grow as individuals and team members, to teach performance skills, and to build self‐confidence and self‐esteem. Group activities require that an individual put aside their personal feelings for the good of the group. Our motto is the old adage “UNITED WE STAND; DIVIDED WE FALL.” What is required of one is required of all. When each individual is willing to give up a small part of himself/herself, the group benefits as a whole. Personal sacrifice and understanding the dynamics of a team will be crucial to becoming the best color guard member possible.
Rehearsal and Performance Policies & Procedures 1. Arrive 15 minutes early to every rehearsal. 2. No chewing gum is allowed at any time during rehearsal. 3. All members must bring a water jug that holds at least one gallon. The jug should be full of water before practice starts. Members are not permitted to share water jugs. 4. Appropriate rehearsal attire is required. You should be in rehearsal attire before practice. “Appropriate rehearsal attire” includes: -comfortable workout attire / gym/tennis shoes with socks / knee pads / gloves -hair must be pulled back and secure -No jewelry should be worn at rehearsal. Stud earrings are acceptable. 5. Students should have their necessary equipment. 7. You are never to be in “partial uniform.” The uniform is either entirely on, or entirely off. 8. You are not to run in uniform. 9. You are not to eat in uniform. 10. You must be on your best behavior while at a performance venue. Making negative comments about other performing groups is not permitted. 11. You may not leave the performance venue early unless you have it approved in advance with one of the staff members. 12. You may not go anywhere alone while at a performance venue. You must always be with another guard member. 13. Cell phones are only permitted on down time. Members should take responsibility for their own electronic devices and should not expect staff or parents to be responsible for them.
Attendance Each member plays an integral role in the color guard program. All other activities and appointments must be scheduled around rehearsal and performance dates and times. Social plans, dental/doctor/optometry appointments, jobs, group project meetings, and other appointments or commitments of this nature cannot interfere with rehearsals or performances. The calendar provided outlines all rehearsals and performances. The majority of our rehearsals will be at Irmo High School. 1. Attendance at every rehearsal and performance is mandatory. 2. Excused Absence Policy a. Each member is allowed 2 excused absences during each color guard season. Although summer camps, clinics, or intensives are not mandatory, all members are highly encouraged to attend. b. An absence is excused if both of the following criteria are met: i. The member’s parent or guardian notifies an instructor one week in advance of the absence, or the member’s parent or guardian notifies the instructor of a sudden, serious family emergency. ii. The absence is not related to any of the following events or activities: social plans, dental/doctor/optometry appointments, jobs, studying, and other appointments or commitments of this nature. c. Illness is an excused absence. i. If you attend school, you must attend rehearsal ii. If you do not attend school, you may not come to practice. 3. Unexcused Absences a. All other absences not addressed in the Excused Absence Policy are unexcused. b. After one (1) unexcused absence, will result in a phone call to the member’s parents/guardians to discuss the reason for the unexcused absence and to give notice that the member has been put on probation. c. Should a member on probation incur an additional unexcused absence, totaling two (2) unexcused absences, the member will be asked to leave the color guard.
Communication Irmo band and guard staff are dedicated to providing accurate and up to date information for all members. Guard staff will be communicating via the website www.irmoguard.weebly.comfor all important information. Parents and members should use this source for information relating to all guard activities including report times, locations, dates, equipment, funding, etc. Further, Irmo band and guard staff are dedicated to the safety and well-being of all members. Again, it is imperative for parents to communicate when their student will be absent.
Financial Obligations Each member will be responsible for paying all pay‐to‐play fees. These costs will be communicated to the member and his or her parents/guardians in a timely fashion. Fundraising through the band booster organization is available to color guard members in order to off‐set the pay‐to‐play costs of participating in color guard. A monthly payment system will also be in place so that parents may pay monthly.
Student Injury The color guard activity is an extremely physical activity, one that involves full-body participation. It is not uncommon that students may encounter injuries, some minor and some major. It is extremely important that guard members and parents follow the established procedures when any injury occurs: 1. Notify a guard staff member immediately of an injury 2. If the injury is serious, parents must take student to doctor for proper evaluation and treatment 3. Inform staff of any news of diagnosis, treatment, etc. 4. If the injury is serious, students must provide a doctor's note clearing them to rehearse / perform
Discipline Guard is a sport of the arts, but still a sport nonetheless. It may be necessary for the color guard instructors, band directors, or other band staff to discipline a member of the guard, just like a coach would discipline members of his or her team. Examples of disciplinary action include spins, running laps, throwing tosses, arriving early or staying late at practice, and assigning the member additional duties for the remainder of the season. In all situations where discipline is warranted, every attempt will be made to instill responsibility for his or her actions in the member and to use a form of punishment that will further enrich the member’s overall color guard experience.
Parent Participation Parents are a vital part of the success of any team, and this is definitely true of color guard. We need chaperones, sewers, make-up artists, cooks, prop builders, bus drivers, equipment loaders, and cheerleaders! These roles will ensure the confidence and the success our team needs. Parents are expected to assist with flags, costumes, props, and make-up. We are a family!
Guard Form Requirements Guard members and their parents are required to complete several important forms. These forms will be posted on this web site under the IMPORTANT FORMS tab. Students will not be allowed to participate fully until these are complete.