Age
NGHSB has programs for all home schooled students from Kindergarten through 12th grade.  Parents can participate in NGHSB programs for only the $60 registration fee and do not have to pay tuition.

Attendance
Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Students missing more than two rehearsals within a concert period or missing a rehearsal prior to a performance may have their seating changed or be denied permission to perform.

Bad Weather Policy
If Reinhardt University is closed for bad weather, then we will NOT have classes. These class days will NOT be made up.  Many of our families come from various counties; please use your own discretion during inclement weather.

Character
NGHSB has student guidelines that every student is expected to follow. As we wish to do all to the glory of God, we require all our students to exhibit the following minimal personal virtues:
Kindness
Punctuality in attendance and work
Truthfulness
Courtesy and respect toward others
Modesty in dress
Diligence in effort and attention
Respect for and obedience to those in authority

Concert Dress Attire
Boys: black pants, long-sleeve white dress shirt or white tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, black shoes.
Girls: black pants or mid-calf black skirt, long-sleeve white dress shirt or white tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, black shoes.
Girls' hair accessories should be black or white.

Code of Conduct
Students are expected to behave in a respectful, obedient fashion while participating in NGHSB classes and concerts at Reinhardt University or other performing venues. Reinhardt University's School of Music is our host and we are privileged to meet at this location. Any abuse of the facility could cause us to lose this privilege; therefore, abuse of the facility and disrespectful conduct or attitude is grounds for immediate dismissal without refund. Our desire is to be pleasing to the Lord and not a stumbling block to each other. This code of conduct will be enforced before, during, and after band anywhere on the property.  Students and families shall remain only in the areas designated for practice or performance.  The following behavior will result in immediate disciplinary action:

Foul language or unwholesome talk (Eph. 4:29)
Roughhousing
Disruptive behavior during rehearsals
Disrespect for those in authority
All other behavior as deemed inappropriate by the director

Damage done to the facility or its equipment will be the financial responsibility of the people involved in causing the damage.

Dress Code
"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." - Philippians 4:5
Everyone (including family members of students) must come properly dressed to NGHSB. Your children will be dismissed from a practice or a performance if not dressed properly. No tank tops, midriff tops, "short shorts," boxers (that show), or tight clothing is allowed.

Facility Care
The atmosphere of our music program must be one of order, discipline, and cooperation. No running or roughhousing will be permitted.  No building wandering is permitted by parents or students. Only the students of NGHSB are allowed in the classroom during their class time.  All parents and guests need prior approval, from the instructor, to sit in a class.  Please remember we are guests at Reinhardt University and other venues. Let's work together to leave the building in the same condition as we found it. This will help minimize our impact on the building.

During classes, families may wait quietly in:

1. *Falany Hall lounge area (by classrooms)
2. *Falany Hall Lobby area (when there isn't a concert/program)
   
3. Food and drinks are only allowed in the lounge area.
4. Closed water bottles are allowed in classrooms and carpeted areas. Be sure to take them with you when you leave.
5. If you go into a restroom, please help and pick up the extra paper in the floor. Let's show respect to Reinhardt, to the beautiful facility, while being good examples to our children!
6. Instrument cases and bags are Not to be left in the hallways.
7. Do not stand in the hall and talk. The professors are working in their offices while we are there and Reinhardt students are still able to use the practice rooms.
8. Dr. McIntire gave us an additional room. He gave us Room #207 upstairs. (at the top of the marble stairs-off the lobby) This room is for parents to take their children to when you are waiting. He said that there is a computer up there and a projector screen that parents can use so the kids can watch movies quietly.You must stay with your child if they are in this room.
   Please do Not allow the children to play the piano in that room or touch any of the equipment. Adults are the only ones allowed to touch the computer and projector screen and please,be conservative with your movie choices. What you may allow your children to view others may not. So, ask the other parents in the room if they would allow their children to see the movie. If there is any disagreement or hesitation, then do not show the film. Be prepared! Bring quiet things for the kids to do. (No pens, markers, etc.)
9. Currently there are no conflicts with our practices on Friday.

Fees
A Student Registration Fee of $60 is due with the Registration Form.

The Registration Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

The Tuition Fees are due in full the first day of class. However, they may be paid in full upon enrollment or may be paid by using the following payment plan: 50% of Class Fees paid by the first class in September; the remaining 50% of Class Fees paid by the first class in January. If you desire to pay monthly or weekly, please make those arrangements with the treasurer. 

Discount

To keep the program affordable for all, families with 3 or more students enrolled in the same class will only be charged for two tuition fees per class. (See the Registration Form for more information).

Instrument Care
Students are encouraged to take care of and clean their instrument.

Students should never play or handle another student’s instrument, case, or accessories.
Instruments and cases should not be left where people will be walking.
Students, other than the percussionists, should never touch the percussion equipment. Reinhardt University is allowing NGHSB percussion students to use their percussion equipment on site.

Instruments
All beginner band students must attend the instrument fitting in August.
As a rule, each family is responsible for providing their own instruments.  However, Reinhardt University will allow NGHSB percussionists to use the university's percussion equipment on site.  All percussionists must have at least a year of experience playing the piano or other instrument in order to play percussion in the beginner band.

Music and Copyright Policy
North Georgia Home School Band complies with copyright laws and follows the publisher’s requirements for music use by the members of NGHSB. Everyone participating (teachers, students, students' families, etc.) in any NGHSB activity is required to govern themselves according to the law and according to the policies of NGHSB. Music issued by NGHSB remains the property of NGHSB. No teacher, student or family members may keep or copy the music issued to them by NGHSB in any form. All music must be returned to NGHSB. North Georgia Home School Band assumes no responsibility for actions of teachers, students or family members in violation of the above-mentioned laws. A $5 fee will be charged per sheet of music not returned, as we will have to purchase that music once again.

Parental Supervision

WE ARE NOT A DROP-OFF SERVICE!

Every student and/or child must be supervised by an adult at all times.  Please watch your children when they are inside and outside the building or in the parking lot.  North Georgia Home School Band and/or Reinhardt University will not be held responsible in case of any injuries.

There are offices that are open and working inside Reinhardt University's School of Music while we are there. Children are not allowed to run around the hallways at any time.

If you leave while your student is in class, you must arrange for another parent to be in charge of your student until you return.  So, please let your child know that you are leaving and that "Mrs. So-and-so is responsible for you."

Do NOT use the playground located beside the Waleska United Methodist Church (Hagan Chapel at Reinhardt).  Cline Park is a public park. It is located directly across from the main entrance of Reinhardt University on Bartow Street.

Students driving themselves to classes are expected to monitor their own behavior appropriately.

Practice Minutes
NGHSB students are required to practice a minimum amount to meet the goals for their class. 

The practice times for the various groups are:

 50 minutes per week for Recorder for the Fall Semester. (The practice time increases to 100 minutes per week for the Spring Semester.)
 75 minutes per week for Beginning Band for the Fall Semester. (The practice time increases to 150 minutes per week for the Spring Semester.)

150 Minutes per week for Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, Jazz Band and Choir

Practice minutes are counted when a student:  practices his/her own band exercises assigned by the music director, takes private lessons on his/her band instrument, or studies music theory in private lessons or in a self-paced instruction program.

Each student is asked to write in the amount of minutes he/she practiced at home on a "Practice Minutes Sheet." The Practice Minutes Sheet is found on a clip board at the check-in desk.  If a student is absent a week, please make sure the student writes in his/her practice minutes for the week he/she was absent. **Practice Minutes are collected and calculated at the end of class, one week prior to the concert for Achievement Awards.

Student Requirements
All students are required to:
Dress modestly
Be on time to class and concerts
Be respectful of teachers and other students with words and actions
Bring all materials that are needed and required for their classes (music education book, pencil, 1-inch black binder with plastic sheet protectors for sheet music, instrument)
Practice the required practice minutes for each class and complete other assignments given to you by your instructor each week

Write in your practice minutes on the clip board every Friday
Wear “concert dress” to concerts.

*Experienced students needing to be placed in a class should come prepared to audition with our directors at the beginning of the season. 

Volunteer
Due to the number of students involved and a desire to keep the cost of the band programs reasonable, we find it necessary to require all families to be involved in the operation of the band program. Approximately 10 hours per family/per year is all that is needed to operate the band in an efficient manner.  We will have a volunteer list at the open house/instrument fitting in late August.  If you have health problems that prevent you from working, an exception will be made for you. If you are healthy but too busy to help, you will be charged $80 per year to be of help in a different way. Please be sure to indicate this by checking the appropriate box on the Enrollment Form.

Non-Discrimination Policy
North Georgia Home School Band holds to the truth that all people, regardless of race, are created in the image of God. Therefore, we will not discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color or national origin. All students are precious to us and will receive just treatment and equal opportunity for advancement.