6th 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 6th 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. The 5th and 6th Grade Jazz Band will practice before school at 7:00 AM on either Monday or Friday, beginning after Labor Day. 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.
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 school: 100 A+ / 99-93 A / 92-90 A- / 89-88 B+ / 87-83 B / 82-80 B- / 79-78 C+ / 77-73 C / 70-72 C- / 69-68 D+ / 67-63 D / 62-60 D- / 59-0 F. 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. Please use jewelry conservatively at concerts. The focus should be on the ensemble as a whole, not on any individual student. Deodorant=yes, perfume=no. 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!
SCHOOL EQUIPMENT POLICY
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. Those students borrowing an instrument from the school, including percussion, 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.
CALENDAR
- Veteran’s Day Ceremony, November 12, 10 am
- Fall Concert, November 15, 7 pm
- Jazz Band Clinic, Clear Lake, February 7
- Concert Band Clinic, Clear Lake, February 15
- Spring Concert, April 11, 7 pm
- Valley Fair Trip, May TBA
Key: Required events for those registered in Concert Band. By audition only. Jazz Band 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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