Indian Hills Band Handbook

Transcription

1 Indian Hills Band Handbook Directors: Karla Killinger Michael Amano 1

2 Indian Hills Junior High School Bands 9401 Indian Hills Drive Clive, Iowa Karla Killinger, Director Michael Amano, Director August, 2016 Dear Students and Parents, On behalf of the Indian Hills Junior High School Band Department, we want to welcome you to the school year. We welcome Mr. Amano to the band staff and are looking forward to a great year of making music at Indian Hills. The Indian Hills bands have long been recognized for a tradition of excellence. You are now a part of that continuing tradition. We d like to congratulate you on being part of one of the finest activities that is offered at Indian Hills BAND! The most important aspect of success in band is to come to rehearsal everyday with your instrument and music. Daily participation is the key to weekly improvement in our class. Students must be organized by knowing their rehearsal day and always arriving with their supplies. One of the key elements of success in any music program is communication between the parents and directors. We will send electronic & hard copies home before all of the band s performances and events at least two weeks in advance. Junior High Band is also a co-curricular class. We meet during and outside of the school day. Attendance is required at all of the outside-of-the-school day events. All band students need to set a daily practice time and stick with it. Practicing their instrument daily is homework for the band class. Please consider purchasing Smart Music at smartmusic.com for a practice tool for your child. It s fun and easy to use! Students will be encouraged during lessons to set individual goals for their daily practice. Other aspects of the band curriculum are to develop social skills, self-discipline, self-esteem, and an understanding of how to work within a group. All of these come about through patience, persistence and the willingness to over-come failures through hard work. Sincerely, Ms. Killinger 2

3 Indian Hills Band Event Calendar SCIBA Honor Band Home Auditions Week of Aug. 29th Sept 9th Indian Hills Band Room 8 th Grade Jazz Band Auditions Week of Sept (am & pm) Indian Hills Band Room 7 th Grade Jazz Band Auditions Week of Sept (am & pm) Indian Hills Band Room *Valley Home Football Game TBA Valley Stadium SCIBA 8 th Grade Honor Band Auditions Tuesday, Oct 4 (4:30-8:30pm) Timberline 8/9 School Waukee SCIBA Junior High Honor Band Festival Tuesday, Nov. 1 (11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) Centennial High School Ankeny *7 th Grade Tiger Time Concert Band Tuesday, Nov. 29 th (7:15am) Indian Hills Auditorium *8 th Grade Tiger Time Concert Band Friday, Dec 2 nd (7:15am) Indian Hills Auditorium *7 th & 8th Grade Band Concert Tuesday, Dec 6 (7:00 pm) Valley HS SPAC *CJC Jazz Festival/Clinic Saturday, Jan. 14 (8am-4pm) Indian Hills Junior High *Valley/IH/ST Clinic/Concert Saturday, Jan. 21 (9-12pm) Valley High School Band Room *Solo Festival (7 th & 8 th ) Tuesday, Feb. 14 (4 8 pm) Indian Hills Junior High *West Des Moines Jazz Festival Tuesday, Feb. 28 (5-8:30pm) Valley HS SPAC *8 th Grade Tiger Time Concert Monday, March 6 th (7:15am) Indian Hills Auditorium *7 th Grade Tiger Time Concert Thursday, March 9 th (7:15am) Indian Hills Auditorium *7th Grade Concert Band Elem Tour Thursday, March 23 (am only) Crestview, Clive *8 th Grade Jazz Band Elem Tour Friday, March 24 (am only) Westridge, Crossroads Park *Indian Hills Large Group Festival This event is during the school day. Thurs/Fri, April 20/21 (black day) Indian Hills Junior High *Adventureland Band Contest (8 th grade) Friday, May 5 (3-6pm) Northview Middle Ankeny Adventureland Band Fun Day (7 th & 8 th ) Saturday, May 6 (9:15am-4pm) Adventureland Park *7 th & 8th Grade Spring Band Concert Tuesday, May 9 (7:00 p.m.) Valley HS PAC 8th Grade Iowa All-State Band Concert Southwoods 9 th Grade Jazz Auditions Thursday, May 11(8:00 a.m-2:00 p.m.) Marriott Downtown Des Moines Mon/Tues May 15/16 (pm & am) Indian Hills Band Room * Denotes required attendance if participating in performing group 3

4 Indian Hills Band Activity Information Below you will find a brief description of all Indian Hills band events for the school year. More detailed information and schedules will be sent via infinite campus and hard copies home with students. Valley Home Football Game Friday in Sept. or Oct. TBA All 7 th and 8 th grade band students will join the Valley Marchmasters for a pregame rehearsal around 6:00pm and walk into the stadium for pregame activities and sit with the Marchmasters during their home game performance in the stands. We will perform several short riffs with the band and play the Valley fight song every time the football team scores. We will finish the evening with the Marchmaster performance and leave immediately after halftime. SCIBA 8th Grade Honor Band Auditions-Tuesday. October 4, 2016 Ten band members will be selected by home audition to participate in the SCIBA Honor Band Auditions. The selected students will audition at Waukee South Middle School between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Students should plan on dressing up for this audition and must be available for the SCIBA District and IBA Honor Band dates. SCIBA Junior High Honor Band Festival-Tuesday, November 1, 2016 This event will include 8th grade students who were selected during the October auditions and some 7th grade students selected by nomination. Students will be dismissed from class at 11:00am to travel to Centennial High School in Ankeny. The day is spent in rehearsals at the high school and junior high buildings and concludes with a 7:00 p.m. concert. Students should wear concert attire for the evening concert. There is a small admission charge for the concert and parents are encouraged to arrive early due to the large audience always attending this concert. 7 th & 8 th Grade Winter Band Concert-Tuesday, December 6, 2016 The 7 th & 8th Grade Concert Bands and Jazz Bands will perform at this concert. The concert will be held in new Valley High School performing arts center at 7:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Students should wear appropriate concert attire. Arrival for band warm-up will be at 6:30 p.m CJC Jazz Festival/Clinic Saturday, January 14, 2017 This event takes place at Indian Hills Junior High School. All 8 th grade jazz students will help host this event. The 7 th and 8 th grade jazz bands will perform and receive a clinic by professional jazz musicians. Performance times will vary for each band. Each band will spend around an hour and a half at the festival site. ST/IH/VSW/Valley Jazz Clinic/Concert-Saturday, January 21, 2017 The 7th and 8th grade jazz bands will clinic with the high school students and their directors. A concert with all the groups will be given after the clinic portion is completed. This event is at Valley High School in the band room and runs from 9:00am 12:00pm. Indian Hills Solo Contest-Tuesday February 14, 2017 All Indian Hills Band students are required to prepare a solo for this contest. Each student must pass their solo through a check-off with the directors three to four weeks prior to the contest. This is a student driven event and a time of tremendous technical and musical growth for all students. All students must prepare their solo at school with Smart Music prior to meeting with their accompanists. It is extremely helpful to purchase smart music for all home practice throughout the school year! Students will work with an accompanist two times prior to the contest. Ratings and written comments from a qualified music educator will be given for each soloist. Parents are highly encouraged to come and watch. There is no admission charge. Students should wear concert attire. The contest will be held at Indian Hills Jr. High. West Des Moines Jazz Festival-Tuesday, February 28, 2017 The 7th and 8th grade jazz bands will play at this non-competitive jazz festival at Valley High School in the new Performing Arts Center. There is no admission charge for audience members. Students should wear concert attire. Performance times TBA. 4

5 7 th Grade Concert Band and 8th Grade Jazz Band Elementary Tours March 23 & 24, 2017 The 7 th grade concert band will be touring Crestview & Clive elementary schools on Thursday, March 23, while the 8th grade jazz band will be touring Westridge and Crossroads Park elementary schools on Friday, March 24, both in the morning. More information on this event will follow as the date approaches. Indian Hills Concert Band Large Group Contest - Thurs, April 20 or Fri, April 21, 2017 (Whichever is a black day) The 7th and 8th grade concert and jazz bands will perform at this competitive festival. Location of this festival is Indian Hills Junior High School. At the conclusion of each performance one of the adjudicators will talk with the band. Ratings will be posted. There is no admission charge and students should wear concert attire. 7 th Grade band will perform during period 3 and 8 th grade band will perform during period 5. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend and cheer the kids on at this event! Adventureland Band Contest-Friday, May 5, 2017 This concert band festival is one of the nation s finest competitions for junior high concert bands. Ratings are based on a national standard. Students will be required to wear concert attire. There is no admission charge to watch the band perform. Only the 8 th grade band will perform at this contest. It will be a late afternoon performance Northview Middle School. Students will be expected to participate from 2:45 pm to 6 pm that afternoon. Adventureland Fun Day Saturday, May 6, 2017 This is a fun day at Adventureland Park for all 7 th & 8 th grade band students. Tickets are purchased at a discounted price and we fill a 60 passenger bus and travel to the park from 9:15 am until 4 pm. Adult chaperones are always needed. This is always one of the Directors favorite days with the kids! All students must buy a ticket to volunteer for this day. Tickets will go on sale in the band office in April. 7 th & 8 th Grade Spring Band Concert-Tuesday, May 9, 2017 The 7 th & 8th Grade Concert Bands will perform at this concert. The concert will be held in new Valley High School performing arts center at 7:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Students should wear appropriate concert attire. Arrival for band warm-up will be at 6:30 pm. The final number will be a combined performance of both the 7 th and 8 th grade bands. This is always the highlight of the school year!!! Note: Please keep in mind band is a full year course. Music is selected at the beginning of the year for each band based on individual abilities and instrumentation in the group. School policy allows you to drop a class ten days into the semester without penalty. ******************************************************************************************** 5

6 I. Classroom Procedures We want to make our bands the best that they can be, so we need to use our class time wisely. The following rules will be followed in band so that everyone can benefit from our class: 1. Be in your seat with your music and instrument when the bell rings. Have your music prepared for each rehearsal. 2. ALWAYS raise your hand to ask permission to talk. You miss out on what is being taught and so do the people around you if you are talking. 3. CHEWING GUM OR CANDY IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE BAND CLASSROOM. 4. DO NOT PLAY YOUR INSTRUMENT WITHOUT PERMISSION during rehearsal; this is another distraction for you and the people around you. 5. ALWAYS sit with correct posture for your instrument and put forth you best effort into playing (GIVE 100 % DAILY!!!!) 6. Always show respect for each member of our class, including the directors. The consequence for not following these procedures will be: 1. Verbal warning 2. Assigned detention (after two verbal warnings) 3. Office referral for second detention and removal from band program These procedures are designed to help you have the best possible learning experience in band. If we work together we can achieve great results. II. Supplies Needed for Band 1. Method Book 2. Pencil (kept handy for daily use). 3. Instrument Care Equipment Each student will be provided with a band folder to hold his or her book, practice record, and any sheet music that is checked out to him or her. STUDENTS MUST CARRY MUSIC TO AND FROM SCHOOL IN THIS FOLDER IN ORDER TO PROTECT IT FROM DAMAGE. It is NOT acceptable to carry music in the instrument case or stuffed in a book bag (unless you are a clarinet player with a special case designed to carry music). III. Instrument Care The care and maintenance of your instrument is very important. A well maintained instrument will not only look better, but it also is less likely to cause problems during rehearsals and concerts. Taking proper care of your instrument will PREVENT problems from developing and help you to play your very best. BRASS REQUIRED SUPPLIES 1. Mouthpiece Brush 2. Cleaning Brush (snake) 6

7 3. Valve Oil (Rotary Oil for French Horns) 4. Slide Grease and/or cream 5. Brass/Silver Polishing Cloth WOODWIND REQUIRED SUPPLIES 1. Mouthpiece Brush * 2. Swab 3. Reeds (TWO playable reeds at all times available) * 4. Cork Grease * 5. Polishing Cloth 6. Reed Guard (to hold reeds) * (* items do not apply to flutes) IV. School-Owned Instrument Care School instruments are lent to those students playing low brass, low woodwind, and double reeds on a per need basis. It is solely the responsibility of the student to maintain and care for their school owned instrument. Woodwind players need to swab their instruments daily after playing and brass players should oil and grease valves and slides on a regular basis. Required supplies are the same as those listed above. Any repairs that are needed WILL BE HANDLED BY THE BAND DIRECTOR AND PAID FOR BY THE STUDENT. Respect your school-owned instrument like it is your own. Band Fees Students who need to rent school owned instruments for concert or jazz band must fill out the appropriate forms. Wind Players will pay a $65 a year fee and Percussion a $50 fee to Indian Hills Junior High School. Students will receive the appropriate forms when they are assigned an instrument to use. The completed forms and fee should be turned in to Indian Hill s Band Office as soon as possible. The fee offsets the repair cost that we incur each school year for the replacement of broken wind or percussion instruments and mallets. NOTE: PERCUSSION DO NOT PAY THIS FEE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. V. Practice Records and Home Practice Practicing is an essential part of playing your instrument. To improve your playing, there is no substitute for consistent, disciplined daily practice. Students will need to keep practice records and turn them in on FIRST DAY OF BAND each week. You will see much more improvement if you practice daily for shorter periods of time, than if you try to practice for three hours on Sunday. The practice records will be on google classroom this year and students will receive instruction during the first week of class to start their participation! This should be an easy way to communicate home practice with Ms. Killinger. Remember this is 30% of your grade. In any class, you have homework. IN BAND, YOUR HOMEWORK IS TO PRACTICE AT HOME. When one person doesn t practice, it hurts the entire band s progress. Don t let others down; do your part to make your playing the very best. STUDENTS CAN ALWAYS PRACTICE AT SCHOOL DURING STUDY HALL!!! The following amounts of time are required each week: 120 minutes or above = 20 points 90 min 119min = 15 points 60 min 89min = 10 points 30 min 59 min = 5 points Below 30 minutes = 0 points PRACTICE RECORDS SHOULD BE TURNED IN ON THE WEEK THEY ARE DUE! VI. All practice records will be filled out on Google Classroom each week 7

8 VII. Concert and Festival Attendance * As musicians, the reason we practice is so that we can perform. This is the time that we realize that all the hard work is worthwhile. A performance also requires that every member put in his or her best effort to make the performance a success for everyone. Music is a team sport see yourself as part of the team!! Attendance at performances is very important so that there are no missing parts in a piece. There are only two valid reasons for missing a concert: 1. ILLNESS 2. EXTREME FAMILY EMERGENCY Please refer to the WEST DES MOINES out of School Performance Practice Guidelines Sheet. If you are planning any family vacations during the school year, please plan around the dates of our performances. If at all possible, please do not schedule any trips or other activities that would conflict with these dates. Please let your director know at least ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE if you will miss a concert for any other reason that the two listed above. *FAILURE TO NOTIFY THE BAND DIRECTOR IN ADVANCE WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONCERT POINTS IN THE GRADEBOOK. VIII. Grading Procedures For each nine week period, your grade will be determined by the following factors: 1. PRACTICE RECORDS 20 points per week (180 points per quarter) 2. PLAYING TESTS 100 points per test done quarterly 3. CONCERTS (ATTENDANCE REQUIRED) 100 points per event - required 4. EFFORT& SUPPLIES IN CLASS/DAILY GRADES 50 points per week this is responsibility grade 5. LESSON ATTENDANCE 30 points per lesson 5 weeks out of 9 required 6. SOLO & ENSEMBLE CONTEST 100 points - required Grades will be determined by a percentage of the total points. The grading scale is as follows: % A 80 89% B % C % D Below 60 % F Remember that you will lose rehearsal or lesson points if you forget your music or instrument at home. Rehearsal Exceptions 1. If an instrument is in the shop for repairs please bring a note from home in advance to excuse you. 2. If you have an injury prohibiting you from playing, bring a note from home to excuse you. 3. If you are sick or out of school you will be excused from lessons and band rehearsal. You must find out the homework from your instructor, lesson group or band classmates. If you are absent from a concert or other required group activity, the points indicated will not be given since these are participation points. 8

9 No make-up work is equal to the experience of performing with a musical group. Also, there will be opportunities for extra credit such as before school sectionals, attendance at other musical events, etc Put forth your best effort in these areas and your band grade will reflect it! Performance Etiquette Football Game and Basketball Game Band Attire 7 th and 8 th grade VHS football and basketball game attire will be tiger spirit clothing. Concert Attire Performers should be dressed appropriately any time the Indian Hills bands appear in performance. Being part of a band performance is much like being a performer in a drama production; people are coming to see and hear you perform. Guidelines for concert appearance are as follows: gentlemen should wear black dress slacks, white shirts that are tucked in with collars, ties, black socks and shoes. Ladies should wear white tops and black skirts that go below knee length when seated or dress slacks. Jeans, shorts, and tennis shoes are not considered appropriate concert apparel. Concert Behavior and Expectations We consider that all of our performances begin the moment that you arrive at the site of the performance, whether at Indian Hills or off school grounds. Good performances begin with concentrated preparation prior to the event and particularly the day of the event. Students will be expected to listen to each performance without distracting others at any performance activity. CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF AND WILL BE COLLECTED BEFORE EACH PERFORMANCE AND RETURNED AFTERWARDS. Other Information *Percussion Student Requirements All percussion students are required to purchase a pair of 5A/5B or Vic Firth SD1 sticks for snare drum. In addition students must purchase the following book for lessons and playing test material: 7 th and 8 th A Metronome with Ear or Head Phone Jack 7 th only Packet for Snare Drum Studies supplied by band department 8 th only Packet for Snare Drum Studies supplied by band department *Wind & Additional Percussion Student Requirements All students playing a wind instrument are required to purchase the books listed below. Material from the books will be included in lessons. Students are expected to practice the music at home. 1. Foundations for A Superior Performance (FSP Book) by Williams and King for your particular instrument. This can be purchases at Riemans Music or a store of your choice prior to starting the school year. Instrument Labels All students should have a name tag on their instrument or some sort of identification if the instrument is lost or misplaced. A piece of masking tape and name written in sharpie will suffice! 9

10 Instrument Storage Indian Hills provides specific storage space for each type of instrument. Students are expected to store their instruments in the appropriate storage unit or in their school lockers if appropriate size. Jazz Band* All band members are eligible to audition for the 7th and 8th grade jazz bands. Audition typically occur early in September after audition materials are passed-out. Each student must sign-up and audition for one of the directors. *You must be available for all jazz band performances on the calendar in order to be in the jazz bands and be on time and attend all rehearsals. Two unexcused rehearsals will cause you to be dropped from the group. School Lessons (Rotating Schedule) All band members will be scheduled for required group lessons during school hours on a rotating basis. Lessons help to improve technical skills, allow teachers to get to know the student, monitor individual progress, and set individual weekly goals for home practice. Students will be grouped in a rotating schedule by grade, instrument, class schedule, and ability. Each student must attend 5 out of 9 weeks per quarter for a total of 150 points in the gradebook. Students will receive an individual group lesson schedule in the second week of classes with the entire year printed out for them. It is encourage that they write these times down in their planners. Lessons last approximately minutes, When students have a conflict with their lesson time, there are multiple times available to make-up lessons with Ms. Killinger and Mr. Amano. IT IS THE STUDENT S RESPONSIBILITY TO ARRANGE THEIR OWN MAKE-UP LESSONS, NOT THE INSTRUCTORS. Private Lessons outside of school We also encourage students to take private lessons outside of class. Students who participate in private lessons have a considerably higher success and retention rate than students who do not. Please consult with us for a list of private instructors before signing-up with someone. Private teachers appreciate a referral from a band director! Solo Contest Indian Hills hosts its own solo contest on Tuesday, February 16th from 4:00pm until 8:00pm. We bring in respected music educators to adjudicate our performers. Students will prepare their solos in lessons WITH SMART MUSIC and perform with a school supplied accompanist. Students who are not able to perform at the festival (due to illness or an excused absence) will play their solo with accompanist for their band class as a substitute for festival performance. Our goal is for every student to play at contest. Accompanists are paid for by Indian Hills Junior High School for all students. Solo times can be requested in advance if needed. SOLO & LESSON PREPARATION TOOL SMART MUSIC All Band students are encouraged to purchase SMART MUSIC. This software is an essential and fun home practice tool for students. ALL YOU NEED IS A HOME COMPUTER. We will us this exclusively during solo preparation and 75% of our band and jazz band music is available to practice on SMART MUSIC. This program also evaluates and grades your performance and records all performances for you to listen to and save as an mp3. To purchase SMART MUSIC log on to and purchase a student subscription with your credit card. The cost is $40 per year. PRACTICING IS NOT ALWAYS FUN, BUT THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO MAKE IT MORE EXCITING AND LESS TEDIOUS AND BORING!!! Supplies Limited band supplies such as reeds, cork grease, and valve oil are available in the band office. These are solely available in an emergency circumstance. All other supplies should be bought by students and their parents as part of being a performer in a band program 10

11 Leaders in Learning Music Department Out of School Performance Practices Performing groups are both classroom and out-of-class time in nature. They are considered co-curricular because the outcomes of class instruction are used in public demonstrations for an audience. The groups most frequently used in such a dual role are band, orchestra and vocal groups. The vitality and value of these classes are much affected through preparation as a group for public performances at out-of-class times. The student cannot be a satisfactory member of the organization if his/her only participation is the part carried on in the classroom in school time. Satisfactory membership must include out-of-class time participation. It is essential that students who enroll in such classes understand that conditions for satisfactory grades include out-of-class performances. A schedule of performances for the year is found in this handbook. Written agreement of the out-of-class schedule from both parents/ guardians and students is desirable. Approved absences may be honored when the director is informed before the performance. Decisions concerning absenteeism, beyond this point will be made by the principal, following consultation with the director. If a student is absent, arrangements to make up the absence should be discussed with the director. Students are encouraged to make up the work in advance, if possible. Parents are asked to telephone the director when their child will be absent from a performance. In the event a conflict should arise between activities within the school, an arrangement agreeable to all parties will be worked out in consultation with the student, the activity sponsors involved, the principal and the parents/guardians. All performing groups encourage parent/student communication with respective directors. Parental participation in the junior and senior high school continues to enhance the performance program. The directors will continually inform administration, students, and parents of upcoming events, performances and festivals that will take place during the year. The structure and implementation of these out-of-school performance practices in the music disciplines should be consistent within each building and throughout the district. Educational Non-Discrimination Statement The West Des Moines Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation or physical or mental disability in educational programs and activities. 11

12 CONTRACT FOR BAND Thank you for reviewing the information presented. The communication of performance expectations is important to your child's development in the music program. Please do not detach this form This form must be returned for credit in the gradebook by Friday, September 2 nd!!! We have received and reviewed the performance practice information, the band calendar, and the remaining information in this handbook. We have put the concert dates on our home calendar and understand our child s commitment to out-of-school performances and presentations. FIELD TRIP PERMISSION FORM During the school year, members of the Indian Hills Band/Jazz Band will be Transported on buses for certain activities. Please review the activity schedule on Page 2 of the handbook. Your signature below will give permission for your son/daughter to go on school band trips. Student Signature: Parent Signature: Date: 12

13 VOLUNTEER REQUEST FORM INDIAN HILLS BAND DEPARTMENT SCHOOL YEAR Dear Parents: As the year progresses there will be opportunities for you to help with various band events. Many of these events run smoothly only because of your help. Please check anywhere you may be able to help. I will contact volunteers as the event nears. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US OUT! Sat. Jan 14 CJC Jazz Festival Concessions 8:00 10:00 am (Two hour blocks) 10:00 - noon Noon 2:00 pm *High School Students may volunteer for silver chord hours! Tues. Feb 14 Solo Contest Manage a center 4:00 5:30pm (2 hr. shifts) (easy gig!) 6:00 7:30pm Th/Fri Mar 23 Elem Tour Jazz & Concert Chaperone, Transport & Mar 24 Tour 9-11 am Equipment Fri. May 5 Adventureland Band Festival Transport Equipment (late afternoon) Call me as the year goes along. I can t predict my schedule but would like to help out if I can. Be a piano accompanist for solo contest. Available to practice with students during the day Available to practice with students before, after school, evenings Parent(s): Student: Address: Phone Numbers: (H) (W) (C) 13