MissionStatement
Article I -- Name
Article II -- Membership, Charter membership, School membership
Article III -- Government, Officer responsibilities, Manager duties, Elections, Ad hoc committees, Campaigning
Article IV -- Funds, Dues, Monies received, Disbursement of funds, Audit
Article V -- Meetings, NCalendar, September, December and January meetings
Article VI -- High School Audition, High School instrumentation, Junior/Middle School Audition, Junior/Middle School instrumentation
Article VII -- Student Responsibilities
Article VIII -- Conductors, Conductor Duties
Article IX -- Publications, Advertisements
Article X -- Limitation of Responsibilities of Elected Officers
Article XI -- Fiscal Administrative membership year
Article XII -- Student Eligibility/Rules
Article XIII -- Teacher Eligibility
Article XIV -- Rules of Order
Article XV -- Amendments
Article XVI -- Retaining NJAB Status upon Teachers Changing Schools
Article XVII -- Dissolution Statement
Article XVIII -- The Organization of the Concert Festival in January
Article XIX -- Managerial Responsibilities
Article XX -- Ratification of the NJAB Handbook and its By-Laws
Audition Hosts Handbook

The North Jersey Area band has adopted the following mission statement on Music Education from the New Jersey Music Educators Association. Permission was given by the NJMEA by President, Mr. Jim Kain, director of Bands, West Morris Central H.S.

Mission Statement of the NJAB:
The Purpose of Music Education is enhanced by the preparation, audition, and performance of selected students within the selected Northern New Jersey Schools. This enhancement includes: The preparation for audition, The rehearsal of advanced band music, The exposure to advanced conductors and The performance of said music in a concert setting.

North Jersey Area Band Constitution and By-Laws (revised November 1998) The following format was an adopted copy of the NJMEA Consitution and By-Laws (revised 12/94) with permission granted by NJMEA, Region I, 1997 President, Mr. Jim Kain, Director of Bands, West Morris Central H.S.

Article I - Name
This organization shall be known as the North Jersey Area Band and referred to as the NJAB. NJAB is incorporated as a non profit, independent corporation under Title 15, Section 1-12 of the New revised Statutes of the State of New Jersey.

Article II - Membership
Section 1 - Charter Membership
A defining purpose of NJAB is to allow students to have a Region I audition and performance experience within the confines of a much smaller participating membership. NJAB was designed in 1960 to be approximately half the size of Region I, allowing for more students from the north New Jersey area to experience a high caliber, select performance experience in both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands. Schools are added and dropped from the NJAB with a general school membership number of (+/- 40) high schools and (+/- 23) junior/middle schools. (Approximately half the size of the participating, 80 member NJ Region I schools).

Section 2 -- Member Schools
High Schools:
Boonton, Butler, Chatham, Dover, Hackettstown, Hanover Park, High Point, Hopatcong, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Kittatinny, Lakeland (Waneque), Lenape Valley (Stanhope), Livingston, Montville, Morris Hills (Rockaway), Morris Knolls (Denville), Morristown, Mountain Lakes, Mount Olive, Newton, Parsippany, Passaic Valley (Little Falls), Pequannock, Randolph, Roxbury, Sparta, Wayne Hills, Wayne Valley, West Orange, West Essex (North Caldwell), West Morris Central (Chester), West Morris Mendham, Whippany Park, Vernon.

Junior/Middle/Intermediate Schools:
Boonton, Byram, Chapel Hill (Lincoln Park), Dover, East Hanover, Florence M. Burd (Andover), Jefferson Township, Kittatinny (Newton), Little Falls, Long Valley, Memorial Junior (Whippany), Mount Olive, Mountain Lakes, Pearl R. Miller (Kinnelon), Pequannock, Richard Butler (Butler), Rockaway Valley (Boonton), Schuyler Colfax (Wayne), Sussex, Thomas Jefferson (Rockaway), Valleyview (Denville), Walter T. Bergen (Bloomingdale).

Any music teacher within the NJ Region I jurisdiction holding a New Jersey BS or college degree in Music Ed. Can be voted in as a member of the NJAB. Schools are included through the doctrine of past practice and the newly elected. A waiting list of schools who wish to become members will be established, recorded by the Recording/Corresponding secretary and reviewed by the general membership at the December meeting. A vote will be taken to add or delete schools from the NJAB at the January meeting. SEE ARTICLE XIII

Section 3
Any of the above schools accredited music student(s) may be eligible to audition for that years December audition upon their return of the NJAB formal application with an accurate signature from: The students Parent/Guardian, Music Director and Principal/Superintendent of their school. The school must be a current participating NJAB member and their director must be represented at the December audition. Upon completion of the audition and acceptance into that years Junior High, High School Symphonic or Wind Ensemble, the student may be an active member of the NJAB. For that school year only. SEE ARTICLE XII

Section 4
Any of the above mentioned schools may be warned, suspended, or lose NJAB membership status for the following offenses:

• Financial debt occurred by lack of full school dues payment and/or student audition payment for that year or past years.
• The absence of the above schools director or preapproved substitute for the purposes of judging the December audition.
• The lack of participation in the NJAB for two consecutive years.
• Any unapproved action taken by a NJAB school or it's students within the business of the NJAB.

Article III - Government
The officers of the NJAB shall be the: President, Vice President, treasurer, recording/Corresponding Secretary and Junior/Middle School Liaison. Their terms shall run for two consecutive years and they will be voted in by the general membership during the January meeting. The Vice President should move to the Presidents position after two years of service. The Treasurer and recording/Corresponding Secretary are not obligated to move to Vice President and can be voted back in to serve more than two consecutive years if they and the general membership so desire. The Junior/Middle school Liaison will be elected by the Junior/Middle school membership annually. At no time do any of the officers and membership receive stipends. Their duties include (and have fallen under the doctrine of past practice from the NJAB inaugural season on 1964-1965) the following:

Section 1 - President
The President shall preside at all meetings and be responsible for the general administration of the duties of the chief executive office of the NJAB, including the coordination and supervision of NJAB activities such as:

• The September meeting to preside over the cuts (now called inclusions) of the solos, scale and sight reading requirements. The December meeting to assist and administer the audition process.
• The NJAB membership, its practice and requirements.
• The NJAB auditions, first rehearsal and its site.
• The NJAB Festival and it's site (2nd or 3rd week in January)
• The NJAB Festival officers/conductor/managers dinner (Saturday night, 2nd or 3rd week in Jan.)
• The January meeting agenda and the elections of officers, conductors, and managers.
• The delegation of contacting future conductors. /LI>
• The delegation of concert program, ticket, recording, photographing, (Pins and distribution) etc.
• The appointment of other chairpersons and committees as necessary.
• The review of given music selection to insure quality of high standards and a good diversity of styles and musical periods.
• The Emergency Postponement/cancellation phone number for all of the NJAB membership.
• The Final Say: All NJAB decisions must be brought to the President for approval.

Section 2 - Vice President - Audition Chair Person

• Coordinate with the audition site host and the NJAB President for rooms, music stands, food for judges, judges forms, parking, rehearsal rooms for the Junior, Symphonic and Wind Ensemble.
• The organizing and mailing of the NJAB inclusions, scales, and administrative paperwork necessary for auditioning students.
• Prepare each judges packet to distribute and collect at the conclusion of judging.
• Secure enough judges (+/- 44) and moderators (+/- 22) for the audition as needed. (Moderators can be Music Ed. College students).
• Distribute the audition packet to all Article II High Schools in (late) September or (early) October.
• Delegate and/or tabulate, announce, print, and mail all audition scores at the completion of the audition in a timely manner.
• Distribute the audition results in December. (to include rehearsal site rehearsal and concert times and expectations). Assist in any NJAB duties deemed by the NJAB President.

Section 3 - The Junior/Middle School Vice President
The Junior/Middle School Vice President will attend all meetings called by the NJAB to act as a representative of the Junior/Middle School membership. This representative will distribute minutes of these meetings to all Junior/Middle Schools, keep current records of all participating NJAB Junior/Middle Schools, as well as keep a current list of any schools within the NJAB area wishing to join. The Junior/Middle School Liaison will assist the Junior/Middle School Manager and the NJAB President.

Section 4 - Treasurer
The Treasurer will collect, distribute, and maintain needed monies/accounts as deemed by the NJAB President. He/She will keep an accurate and current accounting of all deposits, withdrawals, and current assets at all times. Maintain the insurance policies and records of such policies for both the NJAB December audition and January festival. Act as ticket agent and handle/control all ticket sales for the concert. Give a written NJAB Treasury report to the NJAB officers at the January meeting. Give an oral NJAB treasury report at the September and January meetings. Assist in any duties NJAB deemed by the NJAB President.

Section 5 - Recording/Corresponding Secretary
The Recording/Corresponding Secretary will record the minutes of each meeting, duplicate said minutes and mail to the NJAB school membership. Duplicate and mail the audition packet to membership in late September or early October of each year. Duplicate and mail the audition packet results to membership in December of each year. He/She is responsible for notating any additions/deletions or changes in NJAB policy in these By-Laws. Notification of the general NJAB school membership prior to each of the three meetings. Maintain a current log of schools on the NJAB waiting list as well as schools on probation or suspension. Assist in any duties NJAB deemed by the NJAB President.

Section 6 - The Junior/Middle School Manager
The Junior/Middle School Manager will include the following duties: Mail the Junior/Middle School audition packets in the first weeks of September, (this list shall include solo inclusions, scale requirements, and nominating forms). Receive, review, and collate all NJAB Junior/Middle School student nominating forms, together with the Junior/Middle School Vice President, Choose a conductor from a given list of nominees. Mail to all the NJAB Junior/Middle Schools a list of accepted nominees, permission slips, directions to the audition and rehearsal sites by the second week in November. Collect and keep record of all permission slips and all NJAB Junior/Middle School fees for the NJAB calendar year. Organize audition materials for the judges, Coordinate needed rooms for the audition with the NJAB audition host. Prepare the concert folders for each student, arrange parts per conductors request. Create a seating chart. Coordinate with the festival host for percussion needs and chair placement. Maintain student attendance during the festival. Collect, review, correct, and record all needed information for the NJAB concert program and give this information to the NJAB program committee (person). Purchase and review the protocol for the Junior/Middle School conductors gift. Coordinate all of the above with the Junior/Middle School Vice President and NJAB President.

Section 7 - Elections of NJAB Officers
Sub Section 7a - Elections of officers for the NJAB will take place during the NJAB festival luncheon meeting *(10am approximately, the 2nd or 3rd week Friday morning in January). (The site to be announced 2nd week in September). A majority vote will prevail and attending nominees will be asked to leave the room during this vote. All elected officers will be responsible for the above duties in Article III. All members unable to attend this meeting, but want to be considered for an NJAB officer position, must send their nomination wish to the NJAB Recording/Corresponding Secretary no later than January 1. A snow date of 10 am, approximately, the 2nd or 3rd week Saturday morning in January. ALL NJAB OFFICERS ASSUME THEIR DUTIES DIRECTLY AFTER THE JANUARY MEETING! Sub Section 7b - NJAB Officer Vacancies. A person shall be appointed by the President upon approval of the NJAB officers to fill any vacancies. If for any reason the acting President cannot fulfill his/her duties, the Vice President will be promoted to that duty and the Recording/Corresponding Secretary will be promoted to the Vice Presidents position. A Recording/Corresponding Secretary would then be asked from the current NJAB membership to serve the remainder of the NJAB term.

Section 8 - Election of NJAB Conductors and Managers
Elections of NJAB conductors and Managers will take place during the Festival luncheon meeting (10 am, approximately, the 2nd or 3rd week Friday morning in January). (The site to be announced 2nd week in September). (A snow date of approximately 10 am, the 2nd or 3rd week Saturday morning in January). All nominees should be of the highest musical caliber. A formal nomination must be made by an NJAB current member. Seconding endorsement(s) must be made by the NJAB membership. A majority vote will prevail and attending nominees will be asked to leave the room during this vote.

If the nominee is not able, a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd runner-up conductor will be chosen. All outside or by proxy nominees must be receivevd by the NJAB Recording/Corresponding Secretary no later than January 1. It is recommended that a college professor or the like, conduct the NJAB Wind Ensemble. Past practice has included: a famous band arranger/ composer (D. Shaffer, Robert Smith, Jay Bocook) every other year. A famous band conductor the following year. It is recommended that a current teaching member of the NJAB conduct the Junior High school and High School Symphonic Band with exceptions for special anniversary or event years. The managers of all bands are responsible to receive and deliver the concert program from the directors to the NJAB officers for approval. See ARTICLE VIII for further details. A monetary ceiling should be p[laced on the amount the NJAB is willing to spend on a Wind Ensemble conductor at the January meeting by the NJAB officers.

Section 9
Ad Hoc Committees may be established or assigned by the President to research needed information. (i.e. a folder instead of pin committee; a scholarship committee etc.)

Section 10 - Campaigning
The NJAB opposes organized campaigning or the solicitation of funds for the purpose of election, conducting, or managing duties. A simple letter of application followed by a brief resume sent to the NJAB Recording/Corresponding Secretary will notify the NJAB Officers of your intentions.

Article IV - Funds
Section I - Dues
All dues shall be paid by the NJAB School and student membership (1998-1999 student dues are $5.00 per application and $20.00 per school application). These fees may change based on the treasurers report in future years by the means of a general membership vote at the January meeting.

Section 2 - Monies Received
Any monies received from any source whatsoever shall be rendered to the NJAB Treasurer and properly receipted. A complete financial report will be submitted to the NJAB President at the beginning of each school year, (September), and the end of the NJAB Festival in January by the NJAB President.

Section 3 - Disbursement of Funds
Funds of the NJAB shall be disbursed by the Treasurer in accordance with an annual budget adopted by the NJAB Officers. Annual expenses shall be submitted with proper voucher and receipts. All bills will be reviewed and approved for payment in January by the NJAB President.

Section 4 - Audit
A treasurer statement will be presented at each of the three NJAB meetings. This statement should include but not limited to: complete financial activity of the NJAB from June 30 to present.

Article V - Meetings
Section I - NJAB Calendar
The NJAB will hold three official general membership meetings. The first meeting will be held in September to establish the solo inclusions, scale requirements, and sight reading for the December audition. The second general membership meeting will be held in December one hour prior to the auditions to establish audition procedures. The third meeting will be held on the Friday morning during the festival in January. See ARTICLE XIV.

Section 2
The purpose of the first meeting in September (CUTS or inclusion meeting) is to establish:

• the section of each solo that should be included in the audition
• to review and edit the scale ranges and requirements of each instrument
• the sight reading selections for each instrument
• the percussion requirements and needs for the audition and first rehearsal
• to suggest items to help facilitate a smooth running audition process in December

Section 3
The purpose of the second meeting in December is to establish the proper procedures for that days audition. Announcements of current, up-coming events can be made at this meeting. Attendance must be taken. If a NJAB high school director is not present and did not offer an approved substitute, that director's school will be placed on a one year warning notice. To be specific, that director's students will be allowed to audition and be placed within the NJAB Symphonic or Wind Ensemble for that year only. A letter will be sent to the offending schools administration warning of possible NJAB dismissal. If this directors unexcused absence happens again at any time in the future, that school will be dismissed from the NJAB.

Section 4
The purpose of the third meeting (to be held the 2nd or 3rd week in January) will be to discuss any general membership business of the NJAB. Attendance must be taken. Important topics include:

• The election of NJAB officers and conductors for next years ensembles
• The NJAB Treasury report
• The requisition of the NJAB high school solo auditions inclusions site and host
• Requisition of the NJAB Festival/Concert site and host
• Current NJAB school registration and student audition fees
• Requisition people for the NJAB ticket, programs, pins, photos, and recording committees
• Requisition of a high school judges audition tall people
• Any suggestions pertaining to the betterment of the NJAB
• Any amendments to this handbook and By-Laws document
• A list of concerns should be sent to any of the officers for agenda purposes prior to this meeting

Article VI - Auditions
Section I - High School students grades 9-12
Solos, scale requirements, sight reading, group auditions (a minimum of 10 of half of those auditioning on the same instrument must be present during the instruments audition for the sake of fairness, a true sense of standard and time efficiency).

INSTRUMENTATION OF THE HIGH SCHOOL NJAB WIND ENSEMBLE AND HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONIC BAND

NJAB ensembles shall consist of three performing groups, a Junior High/Middle School Concert Band, a High School Wind Ensemble, and a High School Symphonic Band. The High School students with higher scores shall be placed in the Wind Ensemble. High School auditioned instrumentation shall be as follows:

High School Wind Ensemble:

1 Piccolo	1 Alto Clarinet opt	2 Euphoniums (Baritones)
4 Flutes	2 Bass Clarinet	2 Tubas
2 Oboes	1 Contra Alto Bass Cl opt	1 String Bass opt
1 English Horn opt	1 Contra BBb Bass Cl opt	5-6 Percussion (1 snare, 1 Timp, 1-2 Mallets, 2-3 traps)
2 Bassoons	4 Saxes (2 Alto, 1 Tenor, 1 Bari)	1 Eb Sop. Clarinet optional
5-6 Cornets / Trumpets total	1 Piano/Synth opt	9 Bb Clarinets (2-1sts, 3-2nds, 4-3rds)
4-5 French Horns	3-4 Trombones

Any other non-standard W.E. instrument requested is optional and subject to availability

High School Symphonic Band:

1 Piccolo	up to 4 Alto Clarinet opt	4 Euphoniums (Baritones)
12 Flutes	4 Bass Clarinet	6 Tubas
4 Oboes	1 Contra Alto Bass Cl opt	1 String Bass opt
1 English Horn opt	1 Contra BBb Bass Cl opt	5-6 Percussion (1 snare, 1 Timp, 1-2 Mallets, 2-3 traps
4 Bassoons	8 Saxes (4 Alto, 2 Tenor, 2 Bari)	1 Eb Sop. Clarinet optional
13 Cornets / Trumpets total	1 Piano/Synth opt	24 Bb Clarinets (6-1sts, 8-2nds, 10-3rds)
8 French Horns	9 Trombones

Any other non-standard W.E. instrument requested is optional and subject to availability.

Note: Bb Cornets/Trumpets = 4,4,5,OR 3,3 (2 first trpts, 2 second trpts), 3-3rd Cor.
Note: French Horns = (if 4 parts) 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4, (if 3 parts): 1,1,2,2,2,3,3,3
Note: If variation of any parts are required due to the select nature of the literature or the director's discretion, the ensemble's manager will determine the changes with the director upon final approval of the NJAB officers.

Section 2 - High School Audition Procedures
THE DATE, SITE, AND TIME WILL BE CHOSEN AND ANNOUNCED AT THE THIRD MEETING, (JANUARY).

Time schedule: 8:30 a.m. - Director's Meeting, 9 a.m. - Auditions begin. NO ON-site applications will be accepted. All applications will be distributed in late September, early October with a series of deadlines clearly notated on them. Instructions for that day's auditions will be presented by the President and Vice President to the judging membership the morning of auditions.

(Please review the scale sheet, Solo inclusions sheet and judges criteria sheets for 1998).

The prepared solo was selected by the ALL-STATE BAND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE.

Cadenzas will not be accepted.

There will be two (2) NJAB member judges in each of the required rooms (+/- 22 rooms). The judges can be high school music teachers or one high school music teacher and one NJAB pre-approved private music instructor. When possible, 1 moderator per room. (Moderators can be college music students or professional music teachers.) All auditions will be "BLIND" (judges are not permitted to face or see the students auditioning). Students and judges are not to communicate except through the moderator. The moderator must not identify any student prior to or after the audition. No more than a three-point spread (inclusive) shall exist between the high and low judges score within a ten-point caption. No more than a five-point spread (inclusive) shall exist between the high and low judges score within a twenty-point caption. Moderators shall ascertain point spreads, resolve discrepancies, and seek further assistance from the NJAB Vice President or President if necessary. The tabulator(s) will compute the final scoring sheet on the basis of the scores received from the audition room. The tabulation room will be open only to the NJAB officers and tabulators.

Ties in the final scoring are broken in the following preferential order:

1. Solo Interpretation
2. Solo Total Score
3. Sight Reading Total Score
4. Sight Reading Interpretation.

Section 3 - Junior/Middle School Audition
The Junior/Middle School students are selected based on the band director's recommendation and an equal percentage from each school (based on current NJAB Junior/Middle School enrollments). Students will be auditioned using scales, solo inclusions, (Selected by Region I Band Division), and sight-reading. The audition is for chair placement only. Unlike high school, students audition one person at a time.

Junior/Middle School Concert Band:

1 Piccolo	up to 4 Alto Clarinet opt	5 Euphoniums (Baritones)
15 Flutes	4 Bass Clarinets	6 Tubas
2 Oboes	1 Contra Alto Bass Cl opt	1 String Bass opt
1 English Horn opt	1 Contra BBb Bass Cl opt	5-6 Percussion 1 snare, 1 Timp., 1 Mallets, 2-3 traps
4 Bassoons	10 Saxes (6 alto, 2 Ten., 2 Bari)	1 Eb Sop. Clarinet optional
12 Cornets / Trumpets total	1 Piano/Synth opt	28 Bb Clarinets (6-1sts, 8-2nds, 10-3rds)
8 French Horns	9 Trombones

Any other non-standard W.E. instrument requested is optional and subject to availability.

Note: Bb Cornets/Trumpets = 4,4,5,OR 3,3 (2 first trpts, 2 second trpts), 3-3rd Cor.
Note: French Horns = (if 4 parts) 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4, (if 3 parts): 1,1,2,2,2,3,3,3
Note: If variation of any parts are required due to the select nature of the literature or the director's discretion, the ensemble's manager will determine the changes with the director upon final approval of the NJAB officers.

Article VII - Student Responsibilities
The Junior/Middle School Concert Band, High School Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band perform in the concert concluding the NJAB January festival. Due to limited rehearsal time, students are required to attend all rehearsals and the concert. No absences will be permitted. The rehearsal schedule, unless changed and announced on/or prior to the December audition, is: The audition date until 4 p.m.; the Tuesday before the concert 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; the Thursday before the concert 4-9 p.m.; the Friday before the concert 9a.m. - 4 p.m.; the Saturday before the concert 4-9 p.m.; If the conductors desire, there may be a rehearsal on the day of the concert up to 2 p.m. Weather changes will also be announced by the managers and given on the NJAB emergency phone line.

Student membership in the NJAB is from September-June of the given school year. Students are responsible to bring a music stand, given NJAB music, a #2 pencil to the rehearsal and to maintain and return all given music in its original folder at the completion of the January concert. Failure to return music when requested will result in a monetary fine to the school of the offending student.

Student behavior during rehearsals and the entire concert is expected to be at the most professional standard. Student attire is to be formal for the concert and announced at the rehearsals by the managers.

Any Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior accepted into the Area Band and is dismissed for any offense or quit on their own accord will be ineligible to audition in any future years. If a Senior is dismissed for any offense or quits on their own accord his/her school will be placed on a one year probation. To be specific…that school will proceed through the NJAB auditions for the following year and will remain a NJAB member as long as that schools accepted student members remain in NJAB.

Article VIII - Conductors
The conductors will be nominated and voted upon by all band directors present at the January meeting. The conductors will be contacted a minimum of six months prior to the NJAB concert by the NJAB officers and/or designated managers. The conductors are to send a program of desired selections for the concert three months prior to the concert to the NJAB President for approval. (For reasons of not repeating a selection within a four-year period, to keep selections within the grade 4-5 national high school standard and to keep the selections varied, i.e. March, Orchestral transcription, Contemporary, Traditional). Each year the conductor for the next year should be contacted and contracted by the NJAB officers by September of that concert year. Along with the returned and signed contract, a biography, photograph, and proposed program should be submitted by the conductor to the NJAB officers for approval. The NJAB Wind Ensemble conductor's expenses should be approved by the NJAB officers and paid upon the submission of bills and receipts given by the conductor and/or managers. The Junior/Middle school and H.S. Symphonic Band conductors do not receive a stipend. A monetary ceiling should be placed on the amount the NJAB is willing to spend on a Wind Ensemble conductor at the January meeting by the NJAB.

Section 2 - Conductors Duties
The conductor of the Junior/Middle Band, High School Wind Ensemble, a d High School Symphonic Band must submit a program, resume, and any instrumental requests as soon after NJAB contact as possible. The conductor is responsible to plan and direct the 4 rehearsals leading up to the concert. They are:

1. The Thursday prior to the concert 4pm-9pm
2. The Friday prior to the concert 9am-4pm
3. The Saturday prior to the concert 9am-4pm
4. The Concert, Sunday, 3pm-7pm

Article IX - Publications/Advertisements
At no time will any publication of information be allowed for distribution to the general membership of the NJAB without NJAB Presidential and NJAB Officer approval. Advertisements must be representing NJAB schools only.

Article X - Limitation of Responsibility of Elected Officers
No member of the NJAB shall be required to accept personal financial responsibility for duty authorized bills or obligations, or suits or litigations which may develop from authorized activities of this organization carried out in good faith and in the pursuit of the objectives, purposes, and activities prescribed or authorized by these by-laws of the NJAB.

Article XI - Fiscal Administrative Membership Year
The fiscal and administrative year shall be from July 1 through June 30. NJAB School membership is for a fiscal twelve-month period after dues are received in September. (September 1-August 30)

Article XII - Student Eligibility/Rules
The following rules shall govern the eligibility of students to audition for membership in the NJAB performing ensembles:

1. A student must be a faithful member of a current NJAB schools performing ensembles and must receive the endorsement of the band director and principal/superintendent of the school. The student must also receive the endorsement of their parents or guardians understanding the rehearsal, performance, behavior, and commitment to the NJAB. The student must remain an active member in good standing of said schools performing group(s) throughout the NJAB experience.
2. The student must pay all application fee(s) prior to audition and the students school mst have paid NJAB dues and not have any occurring owed balance with the NJAB.
3. As of this writing, No home school students will be allowed to participate in the NJAB.
4. Student behavior during rehearsals and concert is expected to be at the most professional standard. Anything less can be grounds of dismissal from the NJAB ensemble.

Article XIII - Teacher Eligibility
The students eligibility is further dependent upon the fulfillment of the following requirements by his/her music teacher:

1. The teacher must attend the December NJAB Audition and serve as adjudicator, supervisor, or as assigned by the audition chairperson.
2. If the teacher cannot attend the audition, he/she must be excused by the NJAB President and Vice President (audition chair) as well as find a pre-approved substitute to fulfill that schools judging commitment. The substitute name and credentials must be submitted to the NJAB President and Vice President a minimum of 1 week prior to the audition.
3. If the teacher is absent and has not fulfilled their NJAB judging, supervising commitment, that teachers school will be put on a one year warning/probation. If this problem occurs again within a succeeding year, the teacher, school, and students will be dismissed from the NJAB. See ARTICLE VII

Article XIV - Rules of Order
Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all business meeting of the NJAB.

Article XV - Amendments
The by-laws may be altered or amended at the January meeting by vote of the general NJAB teaching school membership. Proposals for such alterations and amends must be presented to the current NJAB administration one week prior to the January meeting.

Article XVI - Retaining NJAB Status upon Teachers Changing Schools
The doctrine of past practice has allowed the retention of a teacher's membership beyond a teacher's relocating to a North Jersey school (within the NJ Region I area) from a member school to a non-member public school. The new public school will receive membership in the NJAB.

Article XVII - Dissolution Statement
Upon the dissolution of the corporation the officers shall, after payment of all liabilities, dispose of all assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes and in such manner or to such organization(s) organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify for exemption under Section 501 (c), (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

Article XVIII - The Organization of the Concert Festival in January
The delegation of conductors and managers includes:

• Hotel site and travel arrangements for the Wind Ensemble conductor
• The delegation to the managers for folders and music for the High School Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.

The current and past need is for a facility with a 1000 seat capacity concert hall and a large enough band room(s), chorus room(s), and cafeteria(s) to accommodate three large bands rehearsing simultaneously.

Article XIX - Managerial Responsibilities
The elected managers for the NJAB Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band must do: Get folders from a local music distributor or other source for all instrumentalists within the ensemble. Get the requested selections from the conductor and place the music into the folders. Keep an accurate record of all students' attendance, behavior, and equipment at rehearsals and the concert. Coordinate and supervise the gift for the conductor. Assist the conductor at all rehearsals. Assist the NJAB officers with provisions for the conductors. Take and maintain attendance at all rehearsals.

Article XX - Ratification of this NJAB Handbook
The purpose of this document is to instruct and guide future officers and members of the NJAB. The current membership of 1998-1999 will be asked to review this handbook given to them at the December 1998 audition, recommended additions and deletions to the NJAB officers in writing. Fax NJAB handbook errata to Mike Sopko, President of the NJAB at (973) 989-0296. The final edition and ratification of this handbook will take place at the January 1999 meeting. Upon ratification, copies of this document will be made available to all teaching membership at Morris Hills HS or mailed to each NJAB school upon the review of the NJAB Treasury. A committee will ensue from January through September of each year to maintain and amend this handbook. This book and its by-laws will become binding from September through the January festival of each year. This document was ratified at the postponed January meeting held in Mountain Lakes HS, 7 pm on February 22, 1999.

Audition Host's Handbook

Being the audition host for the North Jersey Area Band is not a difficult job, but it does require a great deal of advance planning. The following is a guide that may help you to organizing that plan.

I. Reserving the Facilities: As far in advance as possible, file a "building in use permit" for your entire indoor facility (excluding gyms). Will you use all of this space for audition, probably not, but don't forget about the "quiet" you will need for auditions and rehearsals, as well as parking for all the participants. If someone decides to plan a craft fair on the same day, space will quickly run out. Other factors to consider:

1. Custodial Help: Does your school charge outside groups? If so how much and what will they help with.
2. Certificate of Insurance: Most schools now a days require a "hold harmless" indemnification from any outside group using their facilities. File it with your permit to save time and phone calls.
3. How many audition rooms will you need: Several weeks in advance of the audition date, contact both the high school and junior high audition chairmen to discuss the number of rooms they will need. Don't forget the directors room for the morning meetings and lunch and a tabulation room. (Put the tabulation room in a secure location so directors do not have to access to it!) If possible, place the Jr. high and high school rooms apart from one another, as their schedules run differently.
4. Large rehearsal rooms: You will need two (2) large rehearsal rooms. The biggest (i.e. stage) can be used for the Jr. high band in the morning and the Symphonic band (approximately 110 people) in the afternoon. The other should be large enough to hold the Wind Ensemble (approximately 60 people).
5. Warm-up Areas: Both the high school students and Jr. high students will need areas to leave their cases and warm-up. The Jr. high can usually use the large rehearsal room because they are in there first. The High school students will need a cafeteria or gymnasium.