New Prairie Middle School Band: Handbook

2018

- 20

19

Welcome!

We are so excited to welcome you to the New Prairie Middle School Band for the 2018 – 2019 school year! We are greatly looking forward to getting to know each of you and continue with you on your path to becoming better musicians! Please take some time to read over the Band Handbook. This will prepare you for your work and responsibilities as a member of the Band. If a problem should arise, consult the handbook first. If you still cannot find the answer, please contact the directors as soon as possible! Being a part of the band program can and will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Students that take part in the band program at New Prairie Middle School will be challenged to grow musically and encouraged to achieve their highest potential through a curriculum constructed as a continuous progression from grades 6-8. It is a rewarding and fun journey that is well worth the time! A student’s success is largely contributed through communication: communication through teacher and student, student and parent and teacher and parent. We will always make time to see you in person, send an email or talk with you on the phone. On the last page of this handbook, you will find an agreement. Please sign and return it to Mr. Weinberg by Monday, August 20th.

Thank you! Mr. Weinberg – danielweinberg@npusc.k12.in.us Director of Bands – New Prairie Middle School Mr. Teykl – pteykl@npusc.k12.in.us Director of Bands – New Prairie High School

Website: http://newprairiebands.weebly.com

Off ice Phone: (574) 654-0235

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NPbands

Table of Contents

Philosophy Objectives National Standards

Golden Rules Rehearsal Expectations Everyday Equipment

Instrument-Specific Equipment Performance Attire Performance Attendance Solo and Ensemble

Rehearsal Attendance Grading Policy

• In-Class Participation • Playing Quizzes, Tests,

Homework • Practice Times • Performances

Extra-Credit Behavior Policy: Positive/Negative Jazz Band

Expense Breakdown

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Pages 4-5

Page 7

Handbook Agreement Bus Permission form

Page 8

Page 6 Performance Calendar

New Prairie Bands: Philosophy, Objectives and National Standards

Philosophy

Objectives

In the New Prairie Band program, all students have the right and privilege of personal expression through artistic creation and performance. The mission of the New Prairie Middle School Bands is to facilitate students in developing a level of musical growth that will enhance their quality of life and begin to develop a lifelong appreciation for music. Members of the New Prairie Bands will strive for high standards of musicality, performance artistry and creativity through a variety of learning experiences.

• To make participation in instrumental music available to all students at New Prairie Middle School.

• To develop musical experiences that enhances the students’ overall educational experiences.

• To develop a life-long appreciation for music and continuation of musical activities • To develop performing organizations that are a source of spirit and pride for the New

Prairie community • To strive for the highest level of musical performance and artistry.

Music Education National Standards

Standard 1: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

Standard 2: Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

Standard 3: Improvising melodies, variations and accompaniments

Standard 4: Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines

Standard 5: Reading and notating music

Standard 6: Listening to, analyzing and describing music

Standard 7: Evaluating music and music performances

Standard 8: Understanding relationships between music, the other arts and disciplines outside the arts

Standard 9: Understanding music in relation to history and culture

New Prairie Bands: Golden Rules, Rehearsal Expectations, Materials

Golden Rules

1. Stop when the conductor cuts you off 2. Listen when a conductor is talking 3. Respect yourself and others at all times 4. No food/gum in class 5. No PDA (public displays of affection) during class, in uniform or on band trips 6. Keep band room and locker area clean.

Rehearsal Expectations

1. Students are expected to enter every rehearsal quietly, get out their instrument, music and materials and be seated 2 minutes after the tardy bell has rung.

2. Students are expected to participate fully in class, follow all directions and be attentive to the directors at all times.

3. Students should behave considerately to whomever is on the podium, whether it is either director, another student or a guest conductor (Golden Rule #3!)

4. Students are expected to take their instruments home at least 3 times a week and over the weekends in order to practice an average of 20 minutes, 5 days a week (100 minutes, total)

5. There are (2) places your instrument should be (school or privately owned) a. In your hands b. In your band locker

Equipment/Supplies/Materials • Instrument: In good working condition. You may rent or purchase an instrument.

As there are many options in instruments, please contact the directors before making a purchase. Neither you, nor the directors would enjoy listening to a poor quality instrument.

• Pencil: Every student must have a pencil (NOT a pen!) every day to mark music and make notes.

• Method Book: 6th Graders need “Essential Elements: Book 1,” 7th will need “Essential Elements, Book II” (purchased mid-year through the school). 8th graders will continue using “Essential Elements, Book II” for part of the year.

• Wire Stand: This stand is for practice at home. • Assignment Notebook: Have some place to write down your practice assignment

for the evening at the end of every class.

New Prairie Bands: Instrumental Materials, Performance Attire/Attendance, Solo and Ensemble

Instrument-Specific Materials

• Flute: Cleaning Rod and Cloth • Clarinet, Saxophones: (3) Good reeds at all times.

o Reeds have a numbering system that describes the thickness of the reed. Not all students will be playing on the same thickness. Ask a director to find which thickness best suits you!

• Brass: Tuning Slide Grease o Trumpet/Euphonium/Tuba: Valve Oil (Al Cass is recommended) o Horn: Rotary Oil o Trombone: Slide-o-Mix Slide oil

Performance Attire

• New Prairie Middle School Band Polo (purchased through the directors) • Khaki Pants (denim not accepted) • Brown/Black Belt

Attire for smaller events may be slightly altered; however, students and parents will be notified in advance.

Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory and is a major part of each student’s grade. Performances include: concerts, contests and other school events. Only illness or extenuating situations (will be judged on a case-by-case basis) will be considered excused absences. In all non-emergency absences, the directors must be notified 2 weeks in advance.

Performance Attendance

Solo and Ensemble

Solo and Ensemble Contest is an optional event for 7th and 8th grade students. Band members can perform a solo or small ensemble (3-6 members) during this event. ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest is on January 26th at Kankakee Valley Middle School.

New Prairie Bands: Rehearsal Attendance, Grading Policy

Grading Policy

Rehearsal Attendance

All grades will be earned. Band is not a free “A” class. Quality of work and on time completion is highly important. All grades will be based on a 100-point scale and will be weighted according to the following:

20% 15% 25% 40%

All rehearsals are mandatory. This includes any outside of school rehearsals. Parents and students will be notified well in advance of any outside rehearsals.

In-Class Participation Quizzes/Homework

Practice Times Performances

In-Class Participation – Weekly grade comprised of 10 everyday class points. Each week’s grade will then be averaged to comprise 20% of the final grade. Students are required to have all materials every day. This includes your instrument, mouthpiece, reeds, drum sticks/mallets, method books, music, pencil and a fantastic attitude. Points can be deducted for the following:

No instrument/mouthpiece/reed/sticks No music/binder/pencil Not Participating

-1 pts per day -0.5 pts per day -1 pts per infraction

Quizzes and Homework – Covers all assignments, quizzes, and tests both written and played. All grades will be averaged together and make up 15% of final grade.

• Playing Quizzes: There will be up to three playing quizzes every quarter. Students will be notified two weeks in advance what exercises or excerpts they will be quizzed on. Quizzes will be recorded on the iPads and submitted through Schoology by the due date.

Practice Times – Students will be required to log practice time each week. We recommend bringing your instrument home to practice at least 3 times during the week and over the weekend to log 5 entries of 20 minutes (100 minutes) each week. Entries should include the date, what was practiced, how long you practiced, and a parent signature to confirm. There will be a separate handout detailing expectations and requirements for practicing.

New Prairie Bands: Grading Policy (cont.), Extra Credit, Behavior Policy, Jazz Band

Performances – Students must be in proper area with proper attire and all materials by call time. Walking through the door at call time is not considered “on time.” Failure to be dressed correctly will result in not being allowed to perform and the loss of 50 points. All performances will be averaged together and make up 40% of the total grade.

Jazz Band

Failure to comply with the band rules and outlined in the NPMS student handbook will result in consequences as stated by the NPMS student handbook.

• Recognition in Class • Positive Note Sent Home • Positive Phone Call Home

Extra Credit

Extra credit is available to students who wish to further their education in music. Activities such as: private lessons, attendance at instrumental music events, or participating in musical extra-curricular activities outside of school are options for extra credit. Students may fill out an extra credit request form for each event they partake in.

Behavior Policy: Positive/Negative

Through their experience in the New Prairie Band program, students will be responsible for their actions. If students have been doing exceptionally well, they may receive the following:

Jazz Band is an extra-curricular ensemble available to 7th and 8th grade band members that have been in band for at least one year. Jazz Band will rehearse every Wednesday after school from 2:15-4:00 starting in Quarter 2. In order to participate in Jazz Band, students must be in good standing with all of their grades and turn in a minimum of three practice points weekly.

New Prairie Bands: Expense Breakdown

The items below are required expenses from each member in the New Prairie Bands and their due dates. Each payment should be turned in inside an envelope with the student’s name and what the money is going for (Method Book, Band Polo, etc). Please be aware that there may be some incidental charges, but we will make every effort to keep these nominal.

If at any time you experience difficulty meeting the payment schedule, please contact Mr. Weinberg at soon as possible. The band department can help facilitate a modified payment schedule for those who may need assistance.

Item Cost Reason

Method Book: Essential Elements

$10 Instructional Materials (Student-owned)

Band Polo Usually around $16 (will be collected at a

later date)

Uniformity in Performance

Solo and Ensemble (7th and 8th grade only)

Soloist: $10 Ensemble: $5 per member

ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Entry Fee

Total Cost $26-$39

Required Expenses

New Prairie Bands: 2017/18 Performance Calendar

The NPMS bands perform in various concerts throughout the year. - All NPMS concerts begin at 6pm school time and last about an hour. - Student call times will vary between 15-45 minutes before the concert starts depending

on grade level. - Solo and Ensemble Contest times will be announced by ISSMA closer to the contest

date. - ISSMA Concert Band Contest performance time will be announced by ISSMA closer to

the contest date.

Performance Dates

Fall Sampler Concert* - October 10th @ NPHS Auditorium Winter Concert - December 19th @ NPHS Auditorium ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest* - January 26th @ Kankakee Valley MS

Spring Concert - March 13th @ NPHS Auditorium ISSMA Concert Band Contest* - March 15th or 16th @ Penn HS (tentative) Final Celebration Concert - May 15th @ NPHS Auditorium *7th and 8th grade bands only.

Please communicate conflicts with scheduled performances as soon as you can. Alternate assignments can be given for students with scheduling conflicts that cannot be resolved.

New Prairie Bands: Handbook Agreement/Bus Permission Form

We have read and understand the New Prairie Band Handbook and agree to abide by and consent to the rules, regulations and attendance policies. I have reviewed the rehearsal and performance schedules and will notify the directors through an Absence form if any conflicts should arise. If we have any questions, we will contact the directors through email or phone as soon as possible. Student Name (print): __________________________________________________ Instrument: __________________________________________________________ Student Signature: ____________________________________________________ Date: _______ Parent/Guardian Name (print): ___________________________________________ Date: _______ Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________ Date: _______

I give my child permission to ride his/her bus to the High School after school to attend any rehearsals or concerts, as needed by the band program, until the end of the school year.

________________________ ___________ _______________________ Instrument Grade Date ________________________ Student Name (Printed) ________________________ _________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Name (Printed) Parent/Guardian Signature

Return this page to Mr. Weinberg by Monday, August 20th