CROWN POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS TAFT/WHEELER HANDBOOK

GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES Students who choose to disregard the classroom rules and procedures will be subject to disciplinary consequences such as verbal reprimand, private student/teacher conference, lunch and after-school detentions, contact with parents, referral to guidance counselor, or referral to the main office. In the worst-case scenario, student performance opportunities may be restricted and/or students will be withdrawn from the class with a failure. 1. Students will be respectful to each other. 2. All students should be prepared for class each day with music, instrument, pencil, and

any other necessary item needed for class. Students who forget equipment will receive a grade deduction and/or lunch detention(s).

3. Instruments and materials will be treated with care and respect. This includes

performing regular maintenance on your instrument (oil, grease, pad changes, etc..) Not having a properly working instrument will affect your child’s class performance and therefore their grade. Also, students should never switch instruments.

4. Gum, candy, pop, and other food items are not allowed in the band room at

Taft/Wheeler Middle Schools at any time. 5. Band is a yearlong course. Students are signed up for four nine-week grading periods.

Students are not able to drop band until the end of the school year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GRADING Music ensembles are co-curricular, which include class work and after-school activities. Musical achievement is the primary element in grading and performances allow us the opportunity to demonstrate the result of a disciplined course of study and evaluate our progress. Academic grades are earned each nine weeks through daily classroom performance, completion of classroom activities, testing of instrumental materials, school and home practicing, and participation in performances. The grading scale is a percentage based on the total number of points available each nine-weeks. (90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, etc….) The total number of points during a grading period will depend on the number of tests, after-school rehearsals, performances, and practice passport counted for that nine-weeks.

POINT VALUES: Concerts = 100 points each After School Rehearsals = 100 points each Tests = 70-100 points each Practice Time = 100 points possible each grading period Class activities/projects = 100 points each Daily Class Participation = 100 possible points ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SCHOOL/HOME PRACTICE Practicing is an important part of the achievement process. Students are required to practice from home for a minimum of 150 min each week. Students will also be graded at the beginning of class each day for classroom practice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PERFORMANCES/AFTER-SCHOOL REHEARSALS Performances are the highlight of our program and are required for each individual in the ensemble. If a conflict occurs, the directors must be informed IN WRITING as soon as possible. A calendar of musical events is attached so that you can add these important dates to your own calendar. The director will schedule after school rehearsals as needed and expects attendance from each member of the ensemble. In the event of an unavoidable conflict, a written note is required to be considered as an excused absence. IF A PERFORMANCE OR AFTER-SCHOOL REHEARSAL IS MISSED WITHOUT NOTIFICATION TO THE DIRECTOR, THE STUDENT WILL LOSE THE DESIGNATED POINTS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OR REHEARSAL. Emergencies will be considered on an individual basis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ UNIFORMS Concert uniform consists of black dress pants or skirt, black dress shoes and socks, and a white dress shirt or top. This uniform is worn at all concerts throughout the year. Financial assistance has always been made available to students with special circumstances. ANY STUDENT REFUSING TO WEAR THE CORRECT UNIFORM WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PERFORM AND THEREFORE LOSE THE DESIGNATED POINTS FOR THE PERFORMANCE. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SCHOOL-OWNED EQUIPMENT All students are expected to be responsible in their use of school owned equipment or instruments issued to them. Students will be expected to pay for any damage caused by carelessness or indifference.

PERCUSSION STUDENTS: STICKS and MALLETS All percussion students are required to purchase their own stick bag and mallets. Required items include: stick bag, snare drum sticks, general tympani mallets, gray rubber mallets, red yarn mallets, and a pitch pipe for tuning tympani. All items are available through Quinlan and Fabish Music. See Mr. Webdell for a price list breakdown of individual mallets. Percussion students will be required to add additional mallets as needs arise. Financial assistance has always been made available to students with special circumstances.

WEEKLY PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE CLASS As part of the band class grade, all percussion students are required to attend a once a week percussion ensemble class. This is co-curricular with the regular daily band class and will address the many percussion items that we can not cover during the regular band class as well as explore music for percussion ensemble. BOMBA for Taft percussion students will be on Mondays from 3- 3:40pm and BOMBA for Wheeler percussion students will be on Tuesdays from 2:50 – 3:30 pm. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRIVATE LESSON PROGRAM Private lessons are necessary for the maximum success of EVERY band student. Our school band classes can teach the student to play an instrument, but the finesse and individual attention afforded by a private instructor will aid the student in achieving higher goals and keep them on track with the development of the entire band. We are pleased to be able to provide some of the finest teachers in the area. Most of these teachers perform with professional ensembles and all of them hold a college degree in music. Private lessons are offered on a weekly basis at approximately $15 - $25 per half hour. In some cases, we may be able to coordinate lesson times with band class times. Please fill out the attached form and return to Mr. Webdell or you may contact the lesson teacher directly to set up a lesson time. It is indeed our pleasure to be able to offer your child further enrichment on their instrument and help them achieve the musical success they deserve. Limited financial assistance is possible through our Music Booster Organization.

MUSIC BOOSTER ORGANIZATION This support organization exists to promote further interest in the music programs of the Crown Point Community School Corporation; aid in funding for equipment and expenses not met by the Board of Education; and to assist the directors in the maintenance of the music program of the Crown Point Schools. All parents of middle school music students are urged to become involved in the Booster activities by attending monthly meetings, volunteering for committees and chaperoning duties, cooperating with fund-raising activities, and supporting your child’s involvement in music by providing an enthusiastic audience at concerts. We urge you to become a Music Booster Patron! Music Booster meetings are at 7:00 p.m. in the CPHS music area. Meeting dates are usually the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Specific dates will be listed in the Music Booster Newsletter. *Specifically for the Taft and Wheeler Bands, we need a parent volunteer at each school to be our Middle School Booster Representative for Band. This person’s job would primarily be to assist and help Mr. Webdell as needed with organizing MS Band events. Duties could include organizing parent help for concerts and performances, helping to arrange band social activites, helping with fundraisers, being available to come in during the school day/ during band class to help with specific projects. No music background is necessary for this position. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OTHER INFORMATION Students may be required to purchase an additional band method book. The price of the method books are approximately $10 each. All music directors encourage parental involvement in the Crown Point Middle School Band program. Please email me at twebdell@cps.k12.in.us if you have any questions. I look forward to another fulfilling musical year. Thank you for making music a part of your child’s complete education. TROY WEBDELL Director of Crown Point Middle School Bands Robert A. Taft Middle School Colonel John Wheeler Middle School

INFORMATION & PERMISSION FORM

I understand, will follow the expectations, and provide the band uniform as stated in the Crown Point Middle School Band Department Handbook. As parent/guardian, I also give permission for my child to participate in the extra-curricular band activities for the 2013-2014 school year. (field trips, recruitment tours, etc..) _____________________________ ________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date _____________________________ ________________ Student Signature Date --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additionally, the CPCSC Music Department seeks permission to use a portion of your child’s work and/or images (written work, still photo, or audio/video samples) in various forms of media and/or publications. CPCSC School Board policy states that individual students may not be identified without parent/guardian permission, but individual students within an ensemble may be identified by name. You may choose to give or withhold permission to use the work and images of your child. No reason need be given. Grades will not be affected in any way if permission to use images, etc.., is denied. ____________________________ Permission GRANTED DENIED Parent/Guardian Signature I want to receive the Music Department Newsletter via email: YES NO --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STUDENT NAME______________________________________GRADE_________ PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME____________________________________________ ADDRESS______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ PHONE_____________ PARENT EMAIL____________________________ INSTRUMENT_________________________

* HELPFUL PRACTICING HINTS TO HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED IN MUSIC *

Set aside time each day for practicing: Decide with your child on an appropriate time for practicing every day. It is recommended that students practice 20-30 minutes each day. The recommended time can be split up throughout the day or done all at once. Set up a proper practice area: Your child should practice in a quiet area that has a music stand and a hard seated chair to use. Standing is also acceptable for most instruments. Any distractions should be kept to a minimum for complete concentration. Show interest in your child’s progress: Take time to listen to your child practice their instrument. Ask questions and show support by offering praise when something sounds good. One of the most motivating things to a child can simply be the encouragement and acceptance of a parent. Stay involved and informed: Make sure to be aware of performances, concerts, or recitals going on at school. Ask to hear the music from these events to reinforce your child’s confidence. Help your child fill out practice journals and make sure they are turned in each week. Never use practicing as punishment: Practicing is in fact homework and not intended to become a negative experience. Students will be more motivated to practice if the experience is handled in a positive manner. Call the music teacher about concerns: By working together, you and the teacher can help your child to succeed. Email Mr. Webdell at twebdell@cps.k12.in.us with any questions or concerns. Convey to your child the above expectations about practicing: It is important that your child understands that you place as much importance on practicing as you do on other school homework and activities.

REMEMBER: You do not have to be a musician to help your child practice correctly. Follow the guidelines above to create a positive and successful band experience. Your

home guidance is a key factor in your child’s success in middle school band!