General Try Out Information
A TexAnn Dance Team candidate should have:
❖ Dance ability, poise, flexibility, and presentation
❖ An outstanding work ethic — dance team is a major commitment of time and energy. Membership involves the entire family.
❖ Good grades and rapport with teachers and administration.
TexAnns Dance Team members are role models inside and outside of Ray High School.
❖ A flexible schedule and an open calendar. TexAnn practices start at 6:30 AM and continues through 1st period. TexAnn Dancers are required to be at all football games, pep rallies, competitions, Spring Show, and other performance opportunities/school activities.
There are also commitments during weekends and throughout the school year. THERE IS NEVER AN OFF SEASON!!!!
❖ A positive attitude, self-motivation, and sense of teamwork.
❖ Leadership ability–you are are a representative of Ray High School and the community.
❖ The ability to follow rules and to be aware of the consequences when rules are broken. Dance team is a highly structured organization.
Some Important Points to Remember:
❖ There is no set number of dance team line members. The amount of members selected at auditions is at the director’s discretion.
❖ Our dance team is a successful organization due to its structure and regulations. There are many rules to follow and our expectations are high.
Stretching Tips and Other Important Hints:
❖ Perform some form of aerobic warm-up (for 3-5 minutes) before stretching. Walk/run around the block, do jumping jacks, high knees, etc. Get your blood pumping before expecting your muscles to stretch.
❖ Stretch every day. Take at least 10-15 minutes to get a sufficient stretch.
❖ Start doing push-ups and crunches to build your upper body and core strength.
❖ Don’t push yourself too hard — listen to your body.
❖ Practice smiling and holding your head high. Show the judges how much you want to be a part of our dance team!
❖ Candidates will be scored on right/left splits, a jazz/high kick combination, dance technique including leaps and turns, and overall presentation, memory, and execution.
Qualifications:
To be eligible for auditions, a candidate must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Present written proof of parent approval as well as written parental approval and acceptance of financial responsibility (Google Form).
2. May not have any holds due to money, books, or products borrowed from RHS or any Corpus Christi ISD organization prior to auditions.
3. Return a completed application for membership by Dec 15th (Google Form).
4. Must attend an orientation meeting accompanied by a parent/legal guardian on Dec.13th (via Zoom).
5. Must have an overall average of 70 from the previous semester in each non-weighted class.
6. Must submit a copy of attendance records and most recent report card.
7. Must return a medical release form with a doctor signature by March 1st verifying that the candidate is in good physical condition and able to participate in vigorous activities.
8. Must attend all summer camps designated by the director. NO EXCEPTIONS!
9. Both parent and candidate must sign a form indicating that they have read and agree to abide by all policies, rules, and regulations set forth in the TexAnn Constitution and all rules and regulations set forth in the CCISD Drill Team handbook (Google Form).
10. Must be in 6th through 8th grade at Baker or Hamlin MS for dancing mascots.
11. Must be in 9th through 11th grade at Ray High School or plan on attending Ray for the 21-22 school year for Varsity TexAnns.
Estimated Financial Responsibility:
For a new team member, the estimated financial responsibility is approximately $2,500. This includes team bags, practice wear, performance wear, team wear, dance shoes, UNIFORM, and camps, etc.
Items that team members must buy on their own: (not all are listed)
Hair accessories, Big/little gifts, Some performance attire, Some practice attire
Every effort is made to keep costs down. Donations and participation for our Fall/Spring fundraisers can help offset expenses. Please be prepared for additional expenses to arise during the school year.
Payment Schedule: All payments must be made by MONEY ORDER or online payment. Please make money orders out to TexAnns. Payment timeline will be announced at new team meeting. Bring a money order to the new team meeting to make your first payment of $300.00. You must pay off your balance before the first day of summer camp. If you still have a balance during camp, your dancer will not receive her order. No refunds will be given under any circumstances!!
General TexAnns Rules For All Parents To Know
✓ Parent involvement is appreciated and encouraged.
✓ All practices are closed. Parents will be invited for occasional show-offs and team socials.
✓ Performing is a privilege, not a right. TexAnn Dancers will audition for every performance.
✓ We strive for excellence!
✓ If you have a specific concern regarding your dancer or another matter, please email me. or message me on Facebook.
✓ TexAnn Dancers are required by school policy to travel with the team to and from school events, unless a travel form is approved and signed by their principal for varying circumstances.
✓ TexAnn Dancers must attend EVERY practice unless a fever is present. If your student is absent due to illness, a parent/guardian must email director and provide a doctor’s note to excuse the absence.
✓ PARENTS – As the Director, I cannot break the rules for some and not for others; I must stay consistent. I am always willing to work with specific situations; however, I can only bend so far and still be consistent with team rules.
✓ Please read the CCISD Drill Team Guidelines. ALL MEMBERS WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFRACTIONS OF THOSE RULES ONCE THEY MAKE THE TEAM AFTER AUDITIONS IN January.
***All parents and TexAnns MUST have a Facebook account in order to receive notifications and important day-to-day information. This is a CLOSED and PRIVATE Facebook TexAnn group page. Pictures, dance videos, and practice and performance information is posted daily. This is a vital communication tool for parents and dancers. If you do not have an account, please create a generic account just for TexAnns. All new members and parents will ask to join and will need to answer questions for approval. The page name is W.B. Ray HS Tex-Ann Drill Team
Important Dates
December 13th Mandatory parent/candidate orientation meeting @ 4:30 PM via Zoom
Dec, 15th All paperwork must be submitted by 5:00 PM in order to participate in the audition clinic. No exceptions!!
Dec.13-15 Clinic 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM in RHS gym,cafeteria, or studio. TBA
Dec. 16th Dance Team Auditions begin at 5:30 PM. Results will be posted online and the studio door by audition number.
Jan 17th Mandatory parent/TexAnn Dancer meeting 6:00 PM in dance studio – sizing for uniform, team wear, etc. Bring your $300 Money Order.
April – Spring Show –
Late July Dance Summer Practice at RHS
Early August Summer Training Camp 8AM-5PM
August Summer Practices 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday
KEEP LATE JULY/ALL OF AUGUST OPEN FOR SUMMER CAMPS AND REHEARSALS.
OTHER DATES AND EVENTS TO BE ANNOUNCED
*TexAnn Newnews will have practice every Tuesday after school beginning after Nationals in March to prepare for our Spring Show*
Dear TexAnn Dancer Candidate’s Parents,
We are so excited that your student is interested in becoming a member of the TexAnns Dance Team! It is an amazing experience that will teach each team member proper etiquette, dance technique, time management, responsibility, and many other important life lessons. We suggest that you read through these yourself and with your student in order to know what to expect at auditions and potentially what to expect as a team member, if selected. It is important that both you and your student have a good understanding of what will be expected if selected as a team member BEFORE auditions. There will be an audition clinic the week of auditions that candidates will be required to attend. Below you will see more information on the clinic/audition schedules and requirements.
AUDITION CLINIC AND DAY OF AUDITIONS
Clinic: ❖ Each candidate must attend a 3 day clinic held at Ray High School.
❖ The clinic will be held Dec 13th-15th from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
AUDITIONS WILL START AT 5:00 PM ON THURSDAY, Dec 16th.
❖ Attire: Each candidate must wear form fitting black dance attire during the clinic. Their hair must be pulled back in a ponytail, bangs out of face, and NO jewelry may be worn.
❖ Each candidate will review dance technique and learn a jazz/kick routine. ❖ The audition clinic and day of the auditions are closed to the public.
Auditions:
❖ Attire: All black, form-fitting dancewear with black or tan jazz shoes or black socks must be worn during the audition. The candidate’s hair must be pulled back in a bun or ponytail and NO jewelry may be worn. NO TATTOOS OR PIERCINGS!!
❖ Each candidate will receive a number that will be pinned to the front of his/her top and will perform the audition routine in a small group. The audition number is to ensure anonymity.
❖ All candidates are subject to recalls at the end of auditions. This is not a reflection on his/her performance, but is used to help the judges properly rate each candidate.
❖ Auditions are closed to all spectators.
❖ Three to four independent judges will judge auditions.
❖ Results will be posted online and the studio door after auditions by the candidate’s audition number.
AUDITION CLINIC SCHEDULE
Monday, Dec. 13th Zoom Parent Meeting 4:30 PM
Monday, Dec 13th (cafeteria) 5:00-6:00 PM Welcome and stretch, learn tryout routine
Tuesday, Dec 14th (cafeteria) 5:00-6:00 PM Welcome and stretch, learn tryout routine
Wednesday, Dec 15th (cafeteria) 5:00-6:00 PM Welcome and stretch, learn tryout routine
Thursday Dec 16th (courtyard gym) 5:00 PM Auditions begin
Sincerely, Stacy Tullos Director
Emily Belschner Assistant Director