Students are REQUIRED to attend all performances.  The only exceptions are medical emergencies or the loss of a loved one.  In the case of one of these emergencies, the parent/guardian MUST contact Ms. Cook.  

Concerts are important because they are a celebration of all the hard work the students have done, a sharing of new and honed knowledge, and a very different experience than simply playing in class.  The band is a unit, and (just as in sports and other team activities) is only as strong as its weakest link.