The Foothills Pops Band is a volunteer concert band dedicated to the continued musical education of adult musicians and the performance of “fresh arrangements of familiar tunes” for the community. 
 

MEMBERSHIP:           

The Foothills Pops Band is open to any adult who plays a band instrument, has previous playing experience and who can play the music we rehearse. This is determined by self-audition or referral from another band member or the conductor. Typically, you must be able to sight-read high school level music proficiently. As a prospective member, you are invited to play with us for 2 rehearsals before making a final decision about membership.

SECTION LEADERS: 

Your section leader is a person who wants to see our band thrive.  He/she wants you to be a productive member.  He/she strives to keep you informed and wants you to keep him/her informed.  His/her aim is to see that every part is covered and that each member is satisfied with his/her role within the section. Seating is determined by the section leader and conductor.  Where several members of a section are capable of playing all parts, parts may be rotated by the section leader or conductor. The conductor always needs to be kept informed about these decisions, so as to not cue people who just wave back smiling. The section leader is a sort of “straw boss” informally chosen by the members of the section as their leader- not necessarily 1^st chair.

ATTENDANCE: 

Preparation for our formal season of concerts is intensive.  As we only have 5-6 rehearsals per concert, you are expected to attend all rehearsals. New members are not accepted within four weeks of a concert without special consent from the personnel director and conductor; and anyone who misses more than one of the last four rehearsals or the dress rehearsal prior to the concert may not be allowed to play the performance.  A prior arrangement for missed rehearsals with the conductor and personnel director is necessary to keep everyone happy and informed of your volunteer commitment. Our music selection depends on it! 

There is no formal policy for expelling members, however members who prove to be undependable or lack the musicianship necessary, may be asked not to play the upcoming concert.  Soloists in the band will be those who are proven to be most dependable in attendance and musicianship. 

BE PROMPT: 

Late arrivals for rehearsals and concerts are very disruptive.  Everyone needs to be in their chair and ready to play by 7:00 PM or the announced special starting time.  We need to be warmed up and tuned well before every concert.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES: 

If your address or phone has changed, please take the responsibility to notify our Personnel Director.  We are constantly updating this information and we need your input to maintain current records.

MUSIC, STANDS, MUTES, ETC.: 

If you take music home to practice (we encourage this) you must return it to the band for rehearsal.  Contact a fellow member to return it for you, or bring it yourself.  There is no excuse for not getting your music to rehearsal or concert! Not having the proper parts can cause real problems for the band-not to mention the bill you will receive for permanently missing music. 

Check with your section leader as to what is expected from members of your section.  Your section leader can tell you what mutes are needed.  Stands are may or may not be provided for rehearsals and concerts.

OUR FINANCES: 

Grants come from the City of Fort Collins Fort Fund and wherever else band members can plead our cause.  Our Valentine’s Dance also provides a good portion of our funding for the year.  Please support the band with a membership to the Foothills Pops Music Association.  Memberships range from $25.00 to whatever you or your friends and neighbors or employers can afford. See Phil Ulrickson for a funding request to take to your employer.

OUR REHEARSAL HALL: 

We are very fortunate to have good rehearsal spaces in such convenient locations.  Rehearsals will be held at Lucile Erwin Middle School in Loveland EXCEPT for a few dates when we will be using the Mountain Range Shadows clubhouse at 8401 Mummy Range Drive.  Those dates are listed below in our “schedule” section below.  Whether we are at the school, church or some other location, the following simple rules concerning the use of the rehearsal space are the obligation of all the band members.
·         Do not abuse the premises.
·         Do not smoke anywhere in the building.
·         Leave the room in the same condition as we found it.

Lucile Erwin Middle School:    4700 Lucerne Avenue; Loveland
To get there, come down Taft Hill (becomes Wilson in Loveland). Turn Left at W 43rd street. Turn Left at the first street (Lucerne Ave). Lucerne Avenue will take you there, only 2-3 blocks.
 

OUR CONCERT SPACES: 

We are even more fortunate to have the Lincoln Center for our performances.  The Lincoln Center takes care of our door ticket sales and tracks our advertising when selling the tickets. The Mini-Theatre is very difficult to get booked; but due to our past seasons of performing there, we now have some priority when booked a year in advance.  The Mini-Theatre is a self-serve community theater.  This means we are responsible for the physical set-up and take down of our chairs, stands and percussion instruments.  The Lincoln Center will provide all these to us, but we must retrieve and return these items to designated areas of the Lincoln Center and requires a one-month advance notice of our needs.  Lighting and curtains are also our responsibility and can be arranged with independent contractors to set up and strike down.  All this will require some of the band members to arrive early and leave late to make sure this is all accomplished.  Volunteers are highly welcomed!

The set-up and take down in the Canyon West Room for the Big-Band performance is entirely taken care of by the Lincoln Center Staff with a one-month advance notice of our needs.

CONCERT DRESS: 

Men must wear a black suit, white shirt with a black butterfly bow tie.  Women must wear long black skirts with black blouses or a long black dress or black fashion pant suits.  Only if absolutely necessary may women wear short solid black dresses; and this should only be if you are not in the front row, as the audience is at knee level only 5 feet away and has commented on the distraction of short skirts.  Men and women must wear black footwear.

CONCERT DEPORTMENT:

Once we take our places for a concert, we need to stay seated.  Only those who have specific duties to perform can move about.  However, at the beginning of the concert, after the opening announcements thanking our sponsors are made, we will stand as the conductor walks on stage. We will also stand whenever the conductor directs us to.  After each piece is played, as a common courtesy we will sit still while acknowledging the audience applause.  When the applause subsides we may then adjust our music for the next piece.  (No folders should be seen over the stands from the audience.  Leave them backstage or put them sideways on the stand.)  

Smoking & drinking (this primarily applies to dances and outdoor concerts) when in band formation is not permitted. If you must have a water bottle on stage, keep it well hidden (preferably, one with a straw as opposed to the tilt up kind).

BOARD MEETINGS: 

Meetings of the Board of Directors are open to everyone.  If you are interested in attending, listen for announcements at rehearsals and let a board member know you plan to attend.  Meetings are frequently changed because of scheduling conflicts and you will be informed of any change, if we know you are coming.

YOU ARE A SUPER SALESPERSON:

The FPB always welcomes dependable and dedicated musicians.  Many times our best referrals come from our own band members.  Help recruit good dependable players!