2011 Rebel Regiment Color Guard

&

2012 Byrnes Winter Guards

Color Guard Code of Conduct

                Many color guard and marching bands have a method of behavior or a school of thought. The Rebel Regiment has a long-standing history of success paired with class and the Color Guard is included in that history. Our code of conduct is partially borrowed from drum corps color guard and winter guard and looks heavily towards the Santa Clara Vanguard Color Guard. The SCVCG is one of the most respected color guards in DCI with a tradition that reaches back over 40 years. While our code of conduct is not a strict regiment, it contains qualities that will guide you in marching band, winter guard, high school, college and in life.

1. Respect. We treat our practice field, equipment, friends, members, directors, instructors, competition, and any places we visit with respect. We do not sit on the field, tear the grass, spit, or act foolishly at rehearsal. You must treat your fellow members and especially your captains/lieutenants with trust and respect. Often they are called to lead you and you must do as they say. Behave with respect and you will receive it in return. We are a group and we must respect each other’s thoughts, feelings and space. If you disrespect the instructors or your fellow members, you will be removed from the color guard program.
2. Always be on time. Being on time means being early. You cannot come into rehearsal five minutes late because we have already begun rehearsing. If you can be five minutes late, you can be five minutes early. The start time of rehearsal is the moment where we being spinning, not the moment that you arrive, take a drink, unroll your flag and saunter into block. Always be early, no matter what. Call if there is an emergency or problem so we know where you are.
3. Always give your best. If you give 100% you will find that you improve quickly and that performances are easier. The instructors always give their best so make sure you give your best in return. There may be other people out there more talented than you, but don’t let them work harder than you.
4. You must know where your equipment is at all times. Whether you are carrying it or lining it up, you keep track of your flags, weapons, water bottle, dot book and any other objects you need. We always line our equipment neatly when we are rehearsing or after a show/performance.
5. At rehearsal, when you are not being working with, you stand at attention or pistol (these positions will be explained to you). While the band staff or Mr. McIntyre is speaking from the tower, you are silent and still. When another group is being worked with or if the band is working in small groups, you should be spinning. You will learn the times you should be spinning or at pistol. When in doubt, look at your section leader or captain.
6. You are responsible for your own routine. Do not try to tell another member what to do or fix them. Instructors are there for a reason. Captains and lieutenants may be asked to help certain members, but only they are responsible for helping instructors. Concentrate on improving yourself; that is the quickest way to make the group better.
7. Do not have cell phones at rehearsal, EVER. If you have a family medical problem or emergency, special permission will be granted by the instructors. Cell phones must be either silent or off, no rings or vibrations and phones are never to be brought out to the marching fields. If you repeatedly have cell phones at rehearsal, they will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day and we will speak with your parents.
8. Never lean your equipment on fences, walls, trucks, buses, etc. Always line up your equipment neatly on the ground, in your flag bag or on the truck. Be responsible! If your flag is lost, ripped or damaged, you are responsible for paying for it. Your costume also needs to be treated with care and respect. Often, we wear complex and uniquely designed costumes. You must take care not to rip, tear, damage or stain your costume.
9. We walk everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE, in twos. You will have a partner for the year and you will line up with the color guard, with or without equipment. When we walk, we do not talk, look around, or goof off. You are always being looked at, and in particular at shows, you are getting focused for your performance. Being silent and keeping up with the line help you focus on your team and having the best show that is possible.
10. We always expect perfect show hair and makeup. You will be instructed on the particular style or method of hair and makeup, but you are expected to arrive early enough to football games or marching events to have your hair and makeup done to perfection. The band takes time polishing their instruments and shoes to be inspected; the color guard must look perfect as well. Instructors are often around to help you with these tasks.
11. Do not whine or complain. It may seem harsh as a rule, but we do not have time to listen to all of your complaints and pains. Color guard is tough; if it was easy, everyone would make it and everyone would do it. You have to meet that challenge with a toughness of your own. Expect to get hit with equipment. Expect to get bruises and cuts. Expect to run. We will never, ever put you in danger or under physical threat. You have to trust the instructors and we will trust you to be tough.
12. If you have questions, ask. Whether you speak with captains, lieutenants, or instructors, we are all happy to answer any questions you have and we will get to it in due time. Often, we are stressed for time at rehearsal or have a specific list of tasks to accomplish. It may seem like we are ignoring your questions, but we will get to it. Do not get frustrated – someone will help.
13. Do not talk during rehearsal. If you have any questions, raise your hand and we will help you. Do not speak amongst yourselves. Any talking disrupts the pace of rehearsal and distracts those around you from hearing what the instructors have to say. 
14. Dress appropriately. For summer practices, you need to wear comfortable, flexible clothes that you can breathe and sweat in (this also includes proper undergarments: ladies are required to wear SPORTS BRAS at all rehearsals). You may need pants or long-sleeves for the morning, but make sure you wear layers underneath. For fall rehearsals, wear comfortable and flexible clothes. DO NOT WEAR JEANS or street clothes. For winter guard, wear comfortable, flexible BLACK clothes. Dance attire is always appropriate. If you would like a store to purchase dance clothes, ask an instructor.  FOR REHEARSAL, HAIR MUST BE PULLED BACK INTO A BUN.
15. Image: In our program, we respect everyone’s sense of individual personality and we welcome all of those personalities into our family unconditionally. However, the expression of personality may not be extended to body modification because it affects the overall image and look of the guard. Guard members MAY NOT have tattoos, facial piercings of any kind (including tongue, lip, eyebrow, etc), or color their hair to unnatural colors  (i.e. no green, purple, blue, white, crayola red, etc.) Any ear piercings other than lobes must be either removed or covered with a bandage for performances. If you have questions about this policy, please see Jen.
16. Focus. At rehearsal, you can escape everything else in your world. We all come from different walks of life and color guard unifies us for so much of our free time. Enjoy your time with each other. Always take corrections to heart and remember them. Retention helps you perform better. When an instructor makes a correction on someone else, take that correction to yourself and make sure you remember that information. You cannot just do what you personally want, you have to do what the group does, all exactly the same.

Attendance Policies

                Attendance is required at all scheduled rehearsals. We may add rehearsals during the season that are not currently on the schedule and attendance is required at these practices as well. We provide you with the rehearsal and performance schedule well ahead of time so you can coordinate family trips, appointments, and work schedules –please take advantage of this notification and BE RESPONSIBLE. If you know in advance that you have a conflict, you need to let the instructors AND the captains know at least a week in advance, in writing. DO NOT SCHEDULE DOCTOR’S OR OTHER APPOINTMENTS DURING REHEARSAL TIME. This is a Rebel Regiment Band policy as well as the Color Guard policy. There are several other days in the week to schedule appointments. DO NOT MISS REHEARSAL FOR AN APPOINTMENT. Willful skipping of rehearsal will result in the student being removed from the Friday night football game with a possibility of removal from the ensemble. Furthermore, any absence that is considered “unexcused” by District Five Schools will be considered “unexcused” by the Band and Color Guard Programs. Any student with “unexcused” absences may be dismissed from the color guard program.

                Arriving late to rehearsal, late returning from water breaks, and leaving rehearsal early all count towards your attendance at rehearsal. You need to be involved every moment that you can be. Instructors are always watching how you choose to use your attendance at rehearsal, and these three actions will count against you.