Juanita HS 2006 – 2007 Band Handbook

Respect, Responsibility, Relationships

Welcome to the JHS Band Program! The above are my personal Three R’s. I believe that music is a natural tool for teaching life lessons. Any student who understands and displays respect and responsibility and who knows how to create and keep strong relationships is well on his or her way to being a capable, well-rounded individual! Music is an art of expression, and I can’t wait to share the students’ hard work and enthusiasm with you at our concerts. The following pages outline my expectations for the year. Please go through them carefully with your student, and fill out and return the attached contract. Returning the contract is the student’s first assignment to be entered in the grade book.

Band Room Expectations:

Student is ready to go within 1 minute or less after the tardy bell rings. This means you are:

• …in your seat and ready to go (i.e. warming up).
• …have your music, a pencil, and all other items necessary for a successful and productive rehearsal.
• …prepared to play the music (this means you have practiced your part.)

Rehearsal Etiquette:

• Come to class ready to focus, work, and make music. This means parts have been practiced, and you are contributing to the rehearsal.
• Remain quiet and attentive while the conductor or other band members are speaking.
• Cut off with the conductor.
• Come with a great attitude!
• No gum.
• BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS AND THEIR PROPERTY

Cell Phones & Electronics:

Cell phones and other electronics must be turned off and be out of sight during class.

Food and Drink:

Except for water, there is no food or drink in the band room. NO GUM.

Storage Room/Instrument & Music Cubby Etiquette:

DO NOT touch other people’s property. Each person has his/her own cubby. Please move carefully, quietly, and efficiently through that cramped area. Grab your instrument and go; this is not a place to hang out.

Band Room Etiquette:

The band and storage rooms are communal spaces used by many students, all of whom have music, instruments, AND accessories! Spit out gum and throw away any trash you have as you come in the door, and check under and around your seat for garbage at the end of rehearsal. If you see garbage on the floor in the band room or in the storage room, throw it away or recycle it. Help keep our room clean and livable. Do not leave music lying around; keep it flat in your folder, and keep your folder in your backpack or with your instrument. If you receive letters or handouts to take home, put them in a place where they are SURE to go home to be read by you and your parent/guardians.

Percussion Equipment:

Non-percussion students may not touch percussion equipment unless asked by Ms. I or a percussionist to help move it. Percussion students must understand the appropriate ways of moving, storing, and playing instruments. Ask if you are unsure!

ALL STUDENTS: Show respect to ALL the instruments!

Practice: All students should practice at least 20 to 30 minutes a day, with a day or two of rest per week. Home is where you learn your part; rehearsal is where you learn everyone else’s part. Parents, please encourage your student to practice! Help them find a regular time and an out of the way part of the house where they can focus. Students, develop good practice habits! Have a goal in mind when you sit down to practice. Break down tricky passages and play them slooooowly and 100% correct before gradually speeding up the tempo. Use scales, arpeggios, long tones, lips slurs, and other fundamentals as your vitamins (in other words: take them everyday!) Play with a metronome and work with a tuner. Ask Ms. I if you have questions. Listen to recordings of professional musicians, and listen to music often.

Substitute (Guest) Teachers: Be respectful and kind to all guest teachers. I expect absolutely the best behavior from all students.

Supplies

Local music stores (Kennelly Keys, Mills Music, etc.) all have reasonably priced rentals, starter packs and basic supplies for all instruments. Their locations and phone numbers are available in the phone book or online.

Reed Instruments: When purchasing reeds, please purchase an entire box if possible, as they are easy to break or lose, and you can’t play without them! The price per reed is also significantly lower if you buy by the box. Please purchase at least three reeds at a time so your student will have spares. I have used and like the Mitchell Lurie Premium and Vandoren brands. I encourage all reed players to also buy a REED STORAGE CASE to keep your reeds safe and in good condition for as long as possible! (I like the La Voz brand.) The “cases” your reeds come in are NOT meant for long term storage. Cork grease is another important accessory for all clarinet and saxophone players. ALL WOODWINDS should have a cleaning cloth that is either weighted (for clarinets and saxes) or can be used with a cleaning rod (flutes). Cleaning cloths MUST be at least the size of a handkerchief, or they will not adequately remove moisture from the horn.

Brass Instruments: All brass instruments should have valve oil (trumpets, baritones, and tubas) that is appropriate to their instrument. French horns use rotor oil, and trombones need slide grease. It is also a good idea for trombones to have a small spray bottle of water for their slides. I have a very small supply of all these things, so students must have their own supply that is kept in the instrument case.

Percussion: Percussion students MUST have a pair of snare drum sticks (Vic Firth 5A or SD1 Generals both are good choices), a practice pad, and one pair of yarn or rubber mallets.  Bring these to rehearsal everyday. If a student has several pairs of sticks and/or mallets, it is a good idea to also have a stick bag labeled with his/her name.

Grading Policy

Participation Points: Students will start each day with a full 4 participation points. Points will be docked for things such as distracting other students, talking when inappropriate, having a bad attitude, not having appropriate equipment or supplies, not being prepared, chewing gum, having out electronics, etc.

Students will lose a day’s worth of participation points (4) for forgetting an instrument and half a day’s worth (2) for forgetting their music or accessories necessary for playing their horn (such as reeds). Students who forget their instrument may gain back points by helping to sort music, clean the room, etc. However, if this becomes a habit it will no longer be an option.

The breakdown of grades is:

50% Participation (In class and at performances)

10% Quizzes/Tests (Both playing and written)

10% Classwork (Listening sheets, work sheets, etc.)

5% Homework assignments (As of now I don’t plan to assign practice sheets; I expect that high school students are mature enough to set aside 20 – 30 minutes 5 – 7 times a week of quality practice on their own.)

25% Performances

Attendance:

ALL CONCERTS AND SCHEDULED PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY. Concerts are our version of finals. Failure to be at a concert is like missing a math or English final and will result in a 0 for that performance. All school rules and regulations apply to attendance during the regular school day. After a student’s tenth excused and/or unexcused absence, the credit for that class will be denied. A student’s fifth tardy, and every tardy thereafter, will count as an absence according to the JHS attendance policy. Please refer to the JHS student/parent handbook for more information regarding our attendance policy. If a student needs to miss a performance, they must provide a signed note to Ms. I AT LEAST two weeks ahead of time for the absence to be excused. Extenuating circumstances such as family emergencies are excused, BUT need a phone call to the music office and/or a note as soon as possible. One absence can affect the entire band; please inform me of excused absences in a timely manner. I hand out the Band Calendar as early as possible so students and parents can plan ahead. Band is school related and graded, and should be prioritized as such.

*Please make sure your student has a name tag or label on their instrument’s case, as many cases look alike.*

The band director reserves all rights to amend this handbook as necessary in the best interest of the JHS Band Program.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this! Band has so many elements and involves so many people that guidelines and expectations are necessary to keep things running smoothly. Please hang on to this handbook for reference, and keep track of band calendars as they come out (about once a quarter). Welcome to JHS REBEL BAND! J
 

Please sign and return the following to Ms. I by Friday, September 15^th. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks so much and I look forward to a fantastic year!

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2006 – 2007 Juanita Rebel Band Handbook Contract

_____________________________

Student’s Full Name (please print neatly)

I understand that to succeed in band I need to meet the expectations outlined in the JHS Band Handbook. I understand what is expected of me, and I agree to meet or exceed these expectations.

___________________________________           _________

Student Signature                                              Date                

I have read and understand the JHS Band Syllabus and its expectations. I will do my best to support my student by providing what I can, encouraging practice, and attending performances.

___________________________________           __________

Parent/Guardian Signature                                 Date