Damascus High School Instrumental Music Program Handbook for Students and Parents

Transcription

1 Damascus High School Instrumental Music Program Handbook for Students and Parents Charles Doherty Instrumental Music Director

2 Welcome to the Damascus High School Instrumental Music Program! This handbook has been prepared to provide you and your parents with information about your band/orchestra program. It includes the grading policy, musical objectives, rehearsal/concert procedures, supply lists and the comprehensive calendar of music events at DHS and in MCPS for this year. Instrumental Music Objectives The student should be able to: 1. Follow classroom rehearsal procedures and respect the property of others. 2. Meet individual responsibilities for care and preventive maintenance of a musical instrument. 3. Follow concert procedures and meet performance obligations on the school music calendar. 4. Demonstrate mastery of musical skills and concepts outlined in the National Standards for Music Education. 5. Read and perform appropriate MENC (Music Educator s National Conference) grade level music. 6. Sight-read appropriate MENC grade level music. (from MCPS Program of Studies, Instrumental Music, Grades 6-8, p.2) Classroom Rehearsal Procedures The student will: 1. arrive to class on time, listen, and be respectful of others. 2. be prepared for class with a working instrument, music, pencil, and necessary supplies (reeds, valve oil, rosin, etc..) 3. never handle an instrument that does not belong to him/her. 4. learn how to keep his/her instrument in good working condition and protect it from damage. 5. bring a note to the director from a parent/guardian if he/she cannot play because of illness or dental work. 6. raise his/her hand to be recognized to ask a question and not talk when others are talking or playing. 7. not chew gum, candy, food or drinks in the music room or storage areas during class or performances. 8. be supportive of classmates, never criticizing another individual s performance.

3 Concert Procedures 1. Attendance and Grading: Performing in public concerts is a vital part of the music course objectives. Attendance at concerts is MANDATORY and GRADED. 2. Concert Dress is required. a. Purchased concert attire i. Men: White button down shirt (no logos), black pants b. School-supplied/already owned attire i. Men: Vest and bow tie ii. Women: Black concert dress c. Black socks or stockings d. Black DRESS shoes (not sandals or sneakers) * PLEASE NOTE: A $10 CLEANING FEE WILL BE ASSESSED FOR ANY STUDENT BORROWING CONCERT ATTIRE FROM DHS. MCPS just increased the dry cleaning fee for the county this year. 3. Arrival times TBA for each concert (usually 1 hour before start time)

4 Grading Policy Students in instrumental music will learn many aspects of music as outlined in the Essential Learner Outcomes for Maryland and the voluntary state music curriculum. These detailed objectives are based on the nine National Standards for Music Education. National Standards for Music Education 1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments. 4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines. 5. Reading and notating music. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. 7. Evaluating music and music performances. 8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. 9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture. Grades will be earned based on the student s achievement in the following areas: Playing Test(s) 25 points each Dress Rehearsal (where applicable) 15 points total Ensemble Rehearsal Skills points Performance(s) points total Additional Assignments 15 points Playing Test(s) (25 points each) A minimum of one playing test will be given each grading period. Scales as well as a prepared selections may be tested. Items to be focused upon include: posture, notes, rhythms, articulations, tempo, musical expression and tone quality. All playing tests will be announced at least 2 weeks in advance. A total of 25 points each can be earned for playing tests. Tests may be recorded at home and submitted through the form on the DHS Instrumental Music website ( by the due date. If proper equipment is not available at home, students may record at school. Tests can be retaken as many times as desired before the marking period ends. Please do not try to retake a test until the original submission has been graded. Dress Rehearsal (15-20 points total) Dress rehearsals occur in close proximity to concerts, and attendance is mandatory and will be graded. Dress rehearsal dates are listed for each group on the calendar included with this packet. There will NOT be a dress rehearsal in every marking period for every group..

5 Ensemble Rehearsal Skills (45-50 points) Students will be evaluated on their ensemble rehearsal skills at every rehearsal. Ensemble rehearsal skills include: 1. Attending all rehearsals, unless excused in advance. 2. Being at the right place at the right time when rehearsal is scheduled to begin. 3. Having music, pencils, instrument and necessary materials. Instruments must be in optimal condition with all needed supplies necessary to maintain the condition of your instrument. All needed accessories (mutes, mallets, etc) with you in place at the start of rehearsal. 2 points will be deducted from the grade each time a student is not prepared for rehearsal. 4. Listening to and following all instructions and announcements. No talking! Excessive disruption during class can result in disciplinary action. 5. Maintaining your attention on the rehearsal without being distracted. 6. Music prepared at home and ready to be rehearsed in class! (i.e., practice at home!). If weekly assignment cards are collected, the grade will be included. If music is heard individually in class, a lack of preparation can result in a loss of 2 points. 7. Listening to and adjusting how you sound within the context of the ensemble (balance, blend, tuning, tone, etc). 8. Leading in the ensemble demonstrated by your understanding of the repertoire and techniques required to play it. 9. Doing your part to keep the rehearsal space clean. For each of these criteria that are not met, a total of one point may be deducted from the overall grade (not to exceed 5 points in one week). Performances (30-60 points total) All performances are mandatory. Students unable to attend a concert must notify the director at least one week in advance of the absence for it to be excused. Any student that misses a concert with an excused absence will be given a make-up assignment. Unexcused absences from performances can result in a 0 for the student s grade. Tardy students will receive a 10% reduction in their grade for the concert. Excessive absences or tardies may result in the loss of performance and/or membership in the performing organization. Additional Assignments (15 points) Additional written assignments may be given throughout the school year. Assignments will be graded on a pass/fail policy for completion. Please note that due to varied performance schedules point values may need to be adjusted to fit in with MCPS Grading policies (no one assignment may make up more than 25% of the total points for a grading period).

6 Materials and Supplies for Instrumental Music Pencils Metronome and Tuner (can be found in combination form) Instrument and Music Flute Oboe Cleaning Rod and cloth (handkerchief, not fraying cotton) Cleaning Swab*, cork grease, 3 medium soft reeds Bb Clarinet Cleaning Swab*, cork grease, 4 reeds (Vandoren 3-3.5) Alto/Bass Clarinet Cleaning Swab*, cork grease, 4 reeds (see above) Saxophones Neck Strap, cork grease, cleaning swab, 4 reeds (Vandoren 3-3.5) Bassoon Trumpet French Horn Trombone Baritone/Tuba Percussion Violin/Viola Cello/Bass 3 medium soft reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab* Valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, snake, straight mute Rotor oil, tuning slide grease Slide cream, spray water bottle, straight mute Valve oil, tuning slide grease snare sticks, xylophone/bell mallets, timpani mallets Rosin, shoulder rest, cleaning cloth (not chemically treated) 1 spare set of strings Rosin *many stores now sell silk swabs that are preferred over the swab that comes with most instruments.

7 DHS Music Calendar ( ) Performances & Rehearsals Semester 1 October 30, 2013 Fall Music Concert, 7pm (CS, SB, SO, JB) December 12, 2013 Winter Concert, 7pm (SB, CB, JB) December 17, 2013 Dress Rehearsal, 5:30-6pm (CO, SO) December 19, 2013 Winter Concert, 7:30pm (CC, CS, CO, SO) Semester 2 February 13, 2014 String Cluster Concert, 7pm (CO, SO) March 12, 2014 Band Cluster Concert, 7pm (CB, SB) April 07, 2014 Winds & Percussion Rehearsal, 5-7pm April 09, 2014 Winds & Percussion Rehearsal, 5-7pm April 23, 2014 Full Orchestra Rehearsal, 5-7pm (CC, CS, CO, SO) April 28, 2014 Dress Rehearsal, 5-7pm (CS, SO) May 01, 2014 Spring Concert, 7pm (CB, SB) May 08, 2014 Spring Concert, 7pm (CC, CS, CO, SO) May 20, 2014 Spring Concert, 7pm (JB) CB Concert Band CC Concert Choir CS Chamber Singers JB Jazz Band CO Orchestra SB Symphonic Band SO Symphony Orchestra Other Important Dates (not graded) Semester 1 September 30 MCPS Honors Jazz Auditions, Frost MS November 12 MCPS Junior Honors Band & Orchestra Auditions, Rockville HS November 16 Jr. All-State TBD November 19 MCPS Senior Honors Band & Orchestra Auditions, Rockville HS November 23 Sr. All-State TBD December 14 MCPS Jazz Sherwood HS (JB) December 20 Marching Band Elementary Tour, during school day Semester 2 February 27, 28, March 01 DHS Spring Musical, 7pm (2pm matinee on March 1) February 28, March 1 MCPS Solo & Ensemble Wooten HS March 11 or 13 MCPS HS Orchestra Walter Johnson HS (CO, SO) March 11 or 12 MCPS HS Chorus Whitman or Seneca Valley HS (CC) March 18 or 20 MCPS HS Band Whitman HS or Quince Orchard HS (SB) March 19 MCPS HS Chamber Choir 4 th Presbyterian (CS) March 30, April 06, 11, and 12 Lions Band UMD & Waldorf April Music Department Trip to Williamsburg, VA April MCYC Auditions April 23 MCPS Second Bands Clarksburg HS (CB) April 25 Blue Ridge Jazz Smithsburg HS (JB) April 28 May 2 Possible State Orchestra and/or Band Festivals May 10 State Solo & Ensemble Festival, Strings May 17 State Solo & Ensemble Festival, Band May 27 DHS Music Banquet, Damascus United Methodist Church

8 Damascus Instrumental Music Student Data Form Last Name: First Name: Student ID#: Counselor: Grade: Birthday: Street Address: City, State Zip: Phone Numbers: Home: Mother s Work #: Mother s Cell #: Mother s Address (print neatly): Father s Work #: Father s Cell #: Father s Address (print neatly): Instrument Information: Major Instrument: OWN SCHOOL Secondary Inst: OWN SCHOOL Jazz Band Instrument: OWN SCHOOL Taking Private Lessons?: YES NO If YES, who is your current private teacher? If NO, are you interested in starting private lessons? YES NO

9 Student Schedule: Pd. Class Teacher Room Please list any extracurricular activities you are involved in. Include school sports, clubs, and also any other activities you are involved in outside of school:

10 I have reviewed the Instrumental Music Handbook and understand the expectations therein. Student Signature Student Name, printed Date Parent Signature Parent Name, printed Date