5th Grade Band Students, Parents, and Guardians,
This band handbook has been written for band students and parents, with the intent of giving a clearer picture of the expectations and responsibilities of the student musician. It includes the general policies of the band. Each parent and student is requested to be familiar with these policies. Parents and Guardians, please remember that your participation, guidance, and encouragement are vital to your student’s success. Updated news and information can always be found on my website below. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions, concerns, or comments.
MEMBERSHIP
To be a member in good standing, the band student must currently be enrolled in the class and be under no restrictions, either through disciplinary or academic difficulties. Those students who have failing grades will have restricted involvement within the band. Specifically, a student who is under academic, attendance, or disciplinary restriction cannot attend instrumental festivals or honor bands. Concerts are required as part of the grading process; therefore, the student will not be required to miss a performance for either academic or disciplinary restriction. A list of mandatory performance dates are listed in this handbook.
COURSE OFFERINGS AND DESCRIPTIONS
Concert Band: Concert Band is an instrumental ensemble and academic class which meets during 7th period. See the calendar below for required dates as a member of this ensemble. In this band, students will learn about posture, breathing, tone production, expression, and many other foundational aspects of instrumental music. The following supplies are important for participation in this class: Essential Elements lesson book, instrument care kit, cork grease (clarinet, saxophone), Hite mouthpiece (clarinet, saxophone), Rovner ligature (clarinet), Rico reeds (clarinet, saxophone), Vic Firth SD1 sticks (percussion), slide oil (trombone), and valve oil (trumpet, baritone, tuba).
Jazz Band: Jazz Band is an extracurricular ensemble that performs jazz, blues, and show tunes. Instruments used in this ensemble are saxophone, trombone, trumpet, guitar, bass, piano, and drums. Jazz Band will practice after school on the day of the week that works best for the majority of interested students. See the calendar for events in which Jazz Band performs.
Band Lessons: Middle school band students are provided with the opportunity to have band lessons during the school day. Band lessons are designed to improve personal and group success in the ensembles. Lessons will be taught on a one-on-one or small group basis and will include instrumental techniques, help with band music, and preparations for auditions, contests, or competitions if the student chooses. These lessons may also be used to put together duets and trios to allow students to work together in small groups.
INSTRUMENT TRYOUTS
I will encourage all students to at least try out a couple of instruments. I will keep track which instruments seem to be the best fit for them. They may be surprised which ones they like the best! We will work together to find an instrument that fits your student well and that they are excited about learning.
CLASS JOBS
Various classroom jobs and responsibilities will be assigned. These simple tasks, completed during class time, will help everyone stay involved in the day-to-day procedures of the class. These will include things like attendance taker, emergency door holder, paper collector, and pencil sharpener.
GRADING POLICY
Grades will be figured using the standard grading scale used throughout the Rockwell elementary school: 100-90 E / 89-80 S / 79-70 L / 69-0 U. The grade is divided into three main components:
Participation and In-class Assignments (30%):
Students will be given time in class to work on a number of educational activities designed to improve their understanding and performance in band. Various aspects of music theory and history will be discussed as appropriate. The following procedures and class guidelines have been set in place to help class run smoothly:
Check the plan on the board when you enter the room so that you are ready to go with each activity. Be in your assigned seat with your stand, folder, instrument, and a pencil ready to go within about the first 5 minutes after the bell has rung. Listen quietly when I am talking, raise your hand to ask questions, and follow directions. Do not disturb or distract others. Respect the sheet music, instruments, and other materials. Stay out of the percussion area if you are not a percussionist. I will give you time to put away your instruments, stands, and folders about 5 minutes before the bell.
Individual Band Lessons (40%):
Each student will be required to attend a minimum of one lesson every week. More lessons will be available to students preparing music for an audition or event. The teacher will schedule lesson times. It is the responsibility of the student to communicate with the teacher whose class they will be missing, to make up any work necessary from that class, and to stay aware of their lesson time.
Each lesson is worth three points. One point is for attendance. One point is for participation. And one point is for demonstrating preparedness by successfully completing a practice log. Students will be given an assignment to work on over the week, and must log a minimum of 100 minutes of practice each week.
Some lessons will have an assessment component as well, in order to make sure that students are progressing at a reasonable pace and are understanding all critical concepts.
Concert Attendance and Participation (30%): All students are expected to attend all of the performances for all of the ensembles in which they are participating unless they were excused from school or have some kind of emergency the day of the event. Because Concert Band is an academic class, students may not miss any of the required performances for that class, even for school extracurriculars, sports, etc. Jazz Band, as an extracurricular ensemble, may be dealt with on a case-by-case basis if any conflicts arise with other school extracurriculars. Every effort has been made to ensure that as few schedule conflicts as possible are in the overall school schedule.
Excused absences can be made up with a project/paper. An unexcused absence will result in an automatic “F” for the quarter that contains the performance. Required absences from any performances, with the exception of concerts, due to academic or disciplinary restriction will be dealt with on a case by case basis at the discretion of the director. Additional alternative assignments may be given.
PRIVATE LESSONS
A list of possible private lesson instructors has been provided to students. Please note that none of these teachers are under any kind of obligation to teach our students. None of them are endorsed by the West Fork CSD. Most of them are full-time school music teachers and might not have any openings. Nevertheless, a serious instrumental student would do well to consider working with a teacher - one of these or someone else - who specializes in their instrument. Another good place to get teacher recommendations is Rieman Music in Mason City.
PERFORMANCE DRESS CODE
Pride is visible. Whenever in the “public eye”, students are expected to be in nice, clean clothes. For concerts, both bands wear nice dress clothes. The focus should be on the ensemble as a whole, not on any individual student. The student is expected to dress in a manner that demonstrates respect for others, but more importantly, a respect for self. The manner in which you perceive and treat yourself serves as the precedent for how others view and treat you!
EQUIPMENT
All regulations in the student handbook regarding school equipment will be followed in the choral program. Damage to or misplacement of band property, such as instruments, accessories, repair tools, marching uniforms, music, folders, pianos, chairs, recording equipment, and other items will be dealt with in accordance to the school handbook. Students may be required to reimburse the music program for any damages incurred.
Some families may already own the instrument that their child would like to play, but they will still need to purchase certain supplies as time goes on. Others will be looking for options to purchase, rent, or borrow a high-quality instrument. Rieman Music in Mason City is highly recommended and very well qualified to help you choose an excellent and cost-effective instrument for your child. They have a simple checklist to help you make sure that you have all of the necessary supplies ready to go.
Those students borrowing an instrument from the school will pay a $25 fee each year to cover the costs of maintenance and repairs. Each student will be assigned a storage locker in the band room to contain their instrument and other band accessories. All band belongings must be kept in these lockers when not currently in use.
VALLEY FAIR TRIP
The Rockwell bands will be traveling to Valley Fair during the spring of 2019. The following expectations have been set for the trip: All students must be paid in full in order to attend the trip. The trip will be financed by each student individually; however, fundraising opportunities will be available for each student to fund the cost of their trip. Because this is a school-sponsored activity, students must follow all school rules as stated in the student handbook. Students are prohibited from bringing or using tobacco products, alcohol, or any illegal substance on the trip. Students must obey the chaperones’ directions at all times. Chaperones may edit or add rules as they feel necessary to accommodate the situation at hand. If there is a major problem, parents will be notified and responsible for transporting their child home. Major discipline problems will be dealt with following the trip by school officials.
Students must stay at the location designated on the itinerary. If a student will need to take any medication (prescription or over-the-counter), the student must check the medicine(s) with the chaperones. The parents must include all medication information on the emergency contact information form. Students are expected to respect the rules and policies of all the places we are visiting. Students are expected to respect the other visitors not in our group. Students will not be allowed to rent movies or video games on the TVs in the hotel rooms. Students may not make phone calls outside the hotel from the telephones in the rooms. The student will pay for any damages or extra charges they cause. Neither the music department nor the school will be held financially responsible for any damage or stolen goods. Students will be responsible for their property while on the trip. The school and music department will not be responsible for lost or damaged items.
All students will be required to provide a reference card with emergency contact information, medical treatment consent forms, health insurance information, and liability release prior to the trip. These documents must be turned in to Miss Wilson or Mr. Grunklee before departure. More information will be provided to parents and students within the first semester.
CALENDAR
- Rieman Music Rental Night, September 13
- Winter Concert, December 20, 7 pm
- Spring Concert, April 25, 7 pm
- Valley Fair Trip, May TBA
Key: Required events for those registered in Concert Band. By audition only. Optional for anyone.
Dates and times are subject to change as school circumstances dictate. Any changes will be announced as soon as they are known. Extra credit will be offered for optional and auditioned events.
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