Brawley Middle School. Brawley Middle School Band Member Handbook

Transcription

1 Brawley Middle School Band Member Handbook Director: Allison J. Schroeder Dear Band Students and Band Parents, Welcome to a new year with the Brawley Band Program! I hope your summer was enjoyable and you are ready for a productive year as a member of the Brawley Band Program. You are one of the lucky ones! You get the opportunity to learn a new language, find ways to express yourself and connect with others, and realize the joys and academic benefits of a musical education. Strive to make the best of every day! You will be amazed how much you can achieve! Happy practicing, Allison J. Schroeder Band Director Brawley Middle School allison_schroeder@iss.k12.nc.us

2 Director s Office Hours: *Note: The schedule for rotating lessons changes every 3-4 weeks. This allows many students to take lessons consistently. Contact Ms. Schroeder via if your child wishes to take lessons. Table of Contents Section I: Necessary Materials for Band Class p. 3-7 Section II: Classroom Procedures..p Section III: Concerts and Performances.. p Section IV: Course Descriptions... p Section V: Honors Opportunities.p Section VI: Grading Policy p. 17 Section VII: BMS Band Website...p. 18 BMS Band Handbook Form to be signed and returned by August 30th...p. 19 Although one can get very clever at home, progress comes a lot quicker if you step into a room with other people and start playing... Steve Howe of Yes

3 Section I: Necessary Materials for Band Class = required = strongly recommended Obtain an instrument Ms. Schroeder recommends renting an instrument from a local music store. **However you obtain your child s instrument, it must be in great playing condition. it Please contact one of these stores to get a free repair quote and make it a priority to have the repair completed before the first day of school** The Music Center 240 Signal Hill Drive Statesville, NC statesville@themusiccenterinc.co m Music & Arts 9931 Rose Commons Dr Huntersville, NC musicarts.com Music N More 168 Norman Station Blvd Mooresville, NC hop/ SmartMusic subscription This is a very intelligent computer program that is a great tool for at-home practice. Pick up an informational sheet if interested! Practice Stand (for home practicing) Method Book: 6 th Grade = Required = Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 by Tim Lautzenheiser, Book 1 Concert Band = Only recommended for supplemental use = Essential Elements 2000 o Book 1 AND Book 2 by Tim Lautzenheiser Symponic Band = Only recommended for supplemental use = Essential Elements 2000 o Book 2 AND Book 3 by Tim Lautzenheiser Jazz Band = Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method by Bruce Pearson. o Please be pick up the correct book: Ex) if your child was assigned Third Trumpet when they auditioned for the jazz band, make sure the method book states Third Trumpet Only for 6 th graders in Beginning Band= Brawley Band Polo Brawley Band Polo,, khaki pants, clean shoes Please purchase before the first concert in December Order online or give $30 to Ms. Schroeder by October 11, Make checks out to BMS Band This must be worn at all preformances it is also BMS Dress Code so students can wear this same outfit to school Only for Jazz Band members = Jazz Band bowling shirt Jazz Band bowling shirt,, khaki/black pants, clean shoes Please purchase before the first concert in December Order online or give $35 to Ms. Schroeder by October 11, Make checks out to BMS Band

4 Only for 7 th and 8 th graders in Concert Band = Concert Black and White Please purchase before the first concert in December o Gentleman: White dress shirt (long sleeved) Black dress pants (no jeans) Black dress shoes and black socks (no tennis shoes or flip flops) Tasteful tie o Ladies: Tasteful white blouse. Shoulders, stomach, back, bust, and bra straps must be completely covered. Black skirt (if higher than knees when sitting down, solid black tights required) Black pants are also acceptable in place of black skirt (no jeans) Black shoes (no tennis shoes or flip flops; black heels are permitted but cautioned against) Tasteful, non-distracting jewelry is acceptable Only for 7 th and 8 th graders in Symphonic Band = Full Concert Black Please purchase before the first concert cert in December o Gentleman: Black button down dress shirt (long sleeved) Black dress pants (no jeans) Black dress shoes and black socks (no tennis shoes or flip flops) Tasteful black tie o Ladies: 2 2 inch Binder (floppy cover is easiest for students) Specifically ONLY for band 25 or more Plastic Sheet Protectors Standard, One Subject Spiral Notebook Pencils Specifically ONLY for band Metronome/Tuner Entirely black dress or skirt (no higher than knees when sitting down and solid black tights are required) Black pants are also acceptable (no jeans) If wearing skirt or pants, a tasteful black blouse goes on top. Shoulders, stomach, back, bust, and bra straps must be completely covered. Black shoes (no tennis shoes or flip flops; black heels are permitted) Tasteful, non-distracting jewelry is acceptable Continue to next page for instrument-specific accessories ories..

5 FLUTES ONLY: Cleaning Kit with silk swab OBOES or BASSOONS ONLY: Instrument-Specific Accessories = required = strongly recommended Cleaning Kit with long feather to delicately clean the parts of the instrument Reeds Emerald mediums are the best, or you can find a local oboe teacher to make them for your child. You can order these online. Reeds Reed case (if not included in cleaning kit): Fox brand, smaller holds 3 and larger holds up to 6 CLARINETS AND SAXOPHONES ONLY: Clea Cleaning Kit Neck Neck-strap Reeds Ten Vandoren 2.5 reeds (blue box) are best Reed box materials Ms. Schroeder will give a special lesson on how to create a reed box within the first few weeks of school and will send a list of the cheap materials needed to create the reed box at that time. Rovner Leather Ligature - This ligature is much more durable and helps your child sound a LOT better than the standard metal ligature. TRUMPETS, BARITONES, and TUBAS ONLY: Cleaning Kit Valve Oil FRENCH HORNS ONLY: Cleaning Kit Rotary Oil TROMBONES ONLY: Oil (if not included in cleaning kit) Cleaning Kit Slide-O-Mix Trombone slide lubricant Travel Travel-sized spray bottle PERCUSSIONISTS: OPTION #1 = purchase the items separately below: Mike Balter 92 BB for the Glockenspiel & Xylophone Vic Firth M7 1 for the Marimba Vic Firth SD1 Drum Sticks for snare drum Stick Bag to hold these mallets/sticks OPTION #2 = purchase the already-assembled, less expensive stick bag from a local music store. NOTE: Please make sure the mallets and sticks in this option are good quality. Avoid anything without a known name brand! Feel free to contact Ms. Schroeder if you are unsure.

6 Instrument/Accessories Storage: Every child will be assigned a BMS Band locker (some will share due to limited space). Store your instrument/accessories for band in your assigned band locker. Show respect and proper use of the lockers. Students are responsible for knowing their own locker combination. If the lock is lost or broken there is a $5.00 replacement fee. NOTE #1: If the band room door is locked take your instrument with you to first period. When the bell dismisses for second block, stop by the band room to drop off your materials. NOTE #2: Never move or try to open another person s lock. This is punishable by ASD for the first offense and ISS referral for a second offense NOTE #3: Never allow another person to play your instrument or the percussion equipment without Ms. Schroeder s supervision. Large Instruments: (only those that play those instruments listed below): Certain instruments are too expensive to rent from the local music store so they are provided by the BMS Band. If you play one of the instruments below, obtain and fill out an Instrument Rental form and give Ms. S a $50 rental fee. This covers the use of the instrument for an entire year. Checks can be made out to BMS Band. You are responsible for purchasing the accessories listed: - Bass Clarinet: mouthpiece (recommend Yamaha 4C) with ligature, reeds (recommend 2.5 Vandoren), cleaning supplies and reed box materials - Tenor Sax: mouth piece (recommend Yamaha 4C) with ligature, reeds (recommended 2.5 Vandoren), cleaning supplies, comfortable neckstrap, and reed box materials - Bari Sax: mouthpiece (recommend Yamaha 5C) with ligature, reeds (recommended 2.5 Vandoren), cleaning supplies, comfortable neckstrap, and reed box materials - Horn: mouthpiece (recommend Yamaha 32C4), cleaning kit, rotary oil - Baritone: mouthpiece (recommend Bach 6 ½ AL), cleaning kit, valve oil - Tuba: mouthpiece (recommend Bach 7C), cleaning kit, valve oil Percussion: (only those that are assigned percussion) 6 th Graders, for the first 2 weeks of school you will need your practice kit. After the first two weeks, all percussion will leave their percussion kit set up at home to practice. The BMS Band has the instruments for you to rehearse in the band room. NOTE #1: You are responsible for having your own stick-bag with your own mallets and sticks in class every day. Put your name on all of your materials and store them properly when not in use! Ms. Schroeder is not responsible for keeping up with your materials. NOTE #2: You are responsible for having your band binder and music in class every day. NOTE #3: If you are assigned to: timpani, drum set, bass drum, marimba, xylophone, or any of the auxiliary instruments, it is your responsibility to sign up for before and/or after-school practice. These big instruments cannot be taken out of the band room except for concerts. Band Binder: Everyone is required to have their own band binder! Its function is to protect your music and organize classwork. The band binder must go home with you for home practicing. Inside the binder should be: - Method Book(s) = o required for 6 th graders and Jazz Band members o recommended, but not required for concert & symphonic band - Pass-offs Packet (provided by Ms. Schroeder) plastic sheet protectors o Used to securely store important music/documents

7 - Music (provided by Ms. Schroeder) - Class work - Dividers to organize/separate music and class work o 6 sections = Concert Music, First Quarter notes, Second Quarter notes, Third Quarter notes, Fourth Quarter notes, and Extra - Loose leaf college ruled notebook paper or a hole-punched spiral notebook - Pencil WITH an eraser! VERY IMPORTANT!!! Consequences for Missing Materials: - 1st Offense fense in a quarter: 5 points deducted from child s overall participation grade per missing item. Ms. Schroeder will lend the student materials to continue learning in class. - 2 nd Offense in a quarter: Second warning, 10 points deducted from overall participation grade per missing item, and Ms. Schroeder will lend materials to continue learning in class. - 3 rd Offense in a quarter: 15 points deducted from daily participation grade per missing item and student will receive After School Detention for being unprepared for class. - 4 th Offense or higher in a quarter will result in a Parent/Teacher conference

8 Section II: Classroom Procedures 1. Class rehearsal procedures 2. Bad behavior consequences in daily rehearsals 3. Absences from daily class rehearsals 4. Full band rehearsals 5. After-school rehearsals 6. Classwork 7. Homework Passoffs 8. Other Homework 1. Class Rehearsal Procedures - Come to class calmly, organized, and prepared. - Take care of any bathroom needs before the tardy bell rings. - Two emergency rest room visits are permitted per quarter as long as the child has their planner to act as their hall pass. - Students may NOT leave once class starts to get missing materials and will lose points for being prepared. No exceptions. - On Mondays, students will write homework (projected on the overhead) in their homework packet and be prepared for the day s Pass-offs - Any other day than Monday, students are to follow the instructions listed on the overhead for a successful rehearsal. - Class begins when Ms. Schroeder steps on the podium. - Remain engaged throughout class and do not talk or play your instrument unless instructed to do so - Students must raise their hand and wait to be called upon when they have something to say or ask. - Ms. Schroeder will end class by verbally saying so. DO NOT pack up unless instructed to! - Everyone has end-of-class responsibilities: o Certain instruments will be assigned a Maintenance Day. Only those students will be allowed to visit the Lubrication Station to swab out their instruments, grease corks or slides, polish the instrument, etc. Take good care of the materials provided for you! o All other wind instruments are to quickly clean out their instruments and pack up their materials. All other wind instruments are then required to set the chairs/stands up for the next class according to the instructions on the overhead o Percussion students are responsible only for the percussion section: putting away their own materials in their lockers and then putting away the BMS equipment in the proper place. NO exceptions to where and how the equipment is stored! Staying organized is key to be successful in band! Students are in charge of keeping track of their: Instrument Materials handed out in class Homework Packet Band Binder Pencil Important events and after school rehearsals 2. Bad Behavior Consequences in daily class rehearsals: Ms. Schroeder will be tough, but fair. There will be no exceptions to the required class procedures and the consequences for bad behavior. - 1 st Offense in a single class period: Warning (Verbal or Visual) - 2 nd Offense in a single class period: Ms. Schroeder will either move you to another part of the room for the rest of class or send you outside to have a talk about your behavior.

9 rd Offense in a single class period: Bounce to ISS Trailer and student will receive a zero for the day s participation. Student s parent will be contacted. - If bounced more than twice in a quarter, there will be a Parent/Teacher conference. - 3 rd 3. Absences from Daily Class Rehearsals - Students who miss a Monday must refer to the Homework link on Ms. Schroeder s website (scroll to the bottom for your class most recent homework): - Students who miss any other day must pay attention and ask questions of their peers and/or Ms. Schroeder during class to pick up the concepts they missed. - All homework directly reflects the classwork: if you are confused about any concept, talk to Ms. Schroeder before or after school during her office hours. - Students who would like lessons to catch up on concepts are to see Ms. S 4. Full Band Rehearsals - Because of the A Day/B Day schedule, many bands do not consistently meet as a full ensemble. In order to ensure everyone s parts fit together as the music needs, full band rehearsals are necessary. - The dates will be coordinated with the PE teachers and will be announced well in advance. - Full band rehearsals will be held during wheel class (depending on the A/B day, some band students will be taken out of PE to participate in the rehearsal) - It is very important that students keep track of these full band rehearsals. They must remember to bring all materials and come with a positive, hardworking attitude so we can get a lot done in the small amount available. 5. After School Rehearsals only if the full band rehearsals during school are not sufficient to prepare the music to its fullest potential. - If we do have to hold after school rehearsals, schedule rides home in advance. o NOTE: Ms. S IS available to give rides home to students. First come, first serve! - When the bell rings at 3:15 pm, students go to their locker to get everything necessary for homework for other classes. - Bring bookbag/homework to the band room by 3:20 pm. Take this time to visit with fellow band members. Keep an eye on the clock so you have plenty of time to get your instrument, music, and correct seat for the rehearsal. - Right at 3:30 pm rehearsal begins. Be in seat with instrument, instrument accessories, and band binder with important materials ready to go; remain silent when Ms. Schroeder steps on the podium. - There will be a rehearsal break for 3 minutes starting at 4:00 for bathroom/water/social time. - Keep working hard and positively until Ms. Schroeder dismisses at 4:30 pm. - Leave the room cleaner then when you entered it and do not hang around; Ms. Schroeder must go home too! 6. Classwork - All class work will revolve around the weekly homework assignments - Depending on the concept being taught in class, documents might be handed out. - Students must put names on EVERY piece of music, document, or material handed out. - Any stray documents without a child s name on them will be thrown away - Keep all documents and work organized from oldest to newest in your band binder because we will refer back to it often

10 7. Passoffs: An Overview of student's weekly band homework assignments - Paper practice records are a thing of the past! Ms. Schroeder is trying something new: NO PRACTICE RECORDS (unless a student slacks off). - Instead, Ms. Schroeder will either prompt students to print out a Passoffs Packet at home. - Homework will be assigned every Monday and students are to fill out their Passoffs Packet with that information. - Students are to actively prepare the concepts in their current Passoffs Packet to the best of their abilities in order to "Pass-off" the concepts the next Monday they have band. - What's so great about this besides no practice records? As long as students are keeping up with knowing their Monday Passoffs, it is up to them (and their wonderful parents!) to decide how much they need to practice. NO MORE "60 minutes required every week" or "parent signatures required or you get a ZERO!!!", etc. Description of Monday Homework Passoffs: - A Homework Passoff will be administered every Monday (about every other week for your child's band class because of their schedule). - The pass-offs are graded playing tests that are taken directly from the previous Monday's concepts assignments. o Scores are: + = 100. Students properly demonstrate every concept within the given assignment and exhibit a great individual tone, relevant to their grade level. = 90. Students properly demonstrate MOST of the concepts within in the given assignment and/or exhibits decent tone, relevant to their grade level. - = 80. Students exhibit only a few concepts properly within the given assignment and individual tone needs some attention, relevant to their grade level. X = 0. Students did not make an attempt, stopped playing during the passoff, or their individual tone is not at all proper for their instrument, relevant to their grade level. If a student fails 70% of their assigned pass-offs for any given Monday: - Students who fail 70% of their pass-offs for any given Monday will be administered a paper practice record for the next round of homework concepts. They are to keep up with this document for the next 2 weeks by filling it out as the directions indicate minutes are required and must be spread out for two weeks. - The record will not be accepted unless parents sign to verify their child's practicing. If your child wishes to become a top player in the band program it is highly recommended that they try to practice every day for 20 or more minutes. 8. Other Homework - Ms. Schroeder will also assign homework involving writing, drawing, computer research, etc depending on what we are learning in class. Ms. Schroeder will post any extra assignments under Homework on her website:

11 Section III: Concerts & Performances Performances are one of the reasons musicians are in existence today. A successful concert shows off the talents of the students and provides opportunities for confidence building. 1. Concert Etiquette 2. Concert Attire 1.) Concert Etiquette - All Brawley Band students must perform at every concert this is the largest grade they will receive each quarter and the music will not sound the best unless everyone is present and performing. - Students who do not attend due to any reason must make up this very large grade with a research paper. The research paper is not a punishment it is a way to replace the very important missed performance grade. o It is up to the student to contact Ms. Schroeder for a rubric for the paper. - Most performances will take place at Brawley Middle School or the Lake Norman High School Auditorium. Ms. Schroeder will post the dates/times/locations of each concert before the end of the first quarter of the school year so parents and students can mark their calendars. - On the day of the concert, at the end of the school day, your child must remember to bring their instrument and music home with them. The band room will be locked after 4:30 pm! o BIG instruments (bari sax, tuba, percussion), if possible please line up a way to pick up your instrument after school to bring with you to the concert. o When heading to the concert location, students are to wear their proper concert attire Bring their instrument and music with them to the venue - Once at the performance venue, follow procedures as indicated on Concert Itinerary handed out a week before each concert. - All audience members are asked to be very respectful to the performers on stage - No parents backstage until the very end of the concert - Parent Volunteers to help set up, take down, and monitor student behavior backstage are much appreciated! 2.) Concert Attire - Only for 6 th graders in Beginning Band= Brawley Band Polo,, khaki pants, clean shoes o Please purchase before the first concert in December o Order online or give $30 to Ms. Schroeder by October 11, Make checks out to BMS Band - Only for Jazz Band members = Brawley Jazz Band bowling shirt,, black or khaki pants, clean shoes o Please purchase before the first concert in December o Order online or give $35 to Ms. Schroeder by October 11, Make checks out to BMS Band

12 - Only for 7 th and 8 th graders in Concert Band = Concert Black and White Please purchase before the first concert in December Gentleman: White dress shirt (long sleeved) Black dress pants (no jeans) Black dress shoes and black socks (no tennis shoes or flip flops) Tasteful tie Ladies: Tasteful white blouse. Shoulders, stomach, back, bust, and bra straps covered. Black skirt (if higher than knees when sitting down, solid black tights required) Black pants are also acceptable in place of black skirt (no jeans) Black shoes (no tennis shoes or flip flops; black heels are permitted but cautioned against) Tasteful, non-distracting jewelry is acceptable - Only for 7 th and 8 th graders in Symphonic Band = Full Concert Black Please purchase before the first concert in December Gentleman: Black button down dress shirt (long sleeved) Black dress pants (no jeans) Black dress shoes and black socks (no tennis shoes or flip flops) Tasteful black tie Ladies: Entirely black dress or skirt (no higher than knees when sitting down and solid black tights are required) Black pants are also acceptable (no jeans) If wearing skirt or pants, a tasteful black blouse goes on top. Shoulders, stomach, back, bust, and bra straps completely covered. Black shoes (no tennis shoes or flip flops; black heels are permitted) Tasteful, non-distracting jewelry is acceptable

13 Section IV: Course Descriptions 1. Beginning Band 2. Concert Band 3. Symphonic Band 1.) Beginning Band 4. Beginning Jazz Band 5. Advanced Jazz Band - Four classes, arranged by instrument-type allows for crucial individualized musical instruction - Performance Focus = Students will perform a Beginner Concert, the Winter Concert, the Night of the Arts, and the Spring Concert. Student s music for performances will be chosen from the method book: Essential Elements 2000, Book 1. Also, a few short sheet music songs will be introduced depending on how the classes progress. - Students will learn the basics of music to successfully perform short songs on a particular instrument - Students will learn ancient music history as well as histories of their instrument-group - Students will learn the basics of playing and properly maintaining their assigned instrument - Students will learn the value of working together to support group learning - Students will utilize technology to better understand the materials learned in class - Students will learn the basics of a good practice regime - Students will compose music relevant to their music performance-grade level - Students will meet at least 3 times before each concert to rehearse as a Full Band. This will give insight into the real band experience joining the Concert or Symphonic Band as a 7 th and/or 8 th grader. - Depending on the progress, Ms. Schroeder would like to host a short Beginner s Concert within the first quarter of the school year. Parents, watch your for this event! 2.) Concert Band - Two classes, arranged by instrument-type into A Day / B Day classes. - This is the intermediate ensemble at Brawley Middle School, made up of 7 th and 8 th graders. - Performance Focus = Perform at the Winter Concert, The Night of the Arts concert, and the Spring Concert. This ensemble will play sheet music relevant to their musical performing-grade level - Students will expand on the basics of music to successfully perform longer and more complicated songs on their instrument - Students will learn music history in alignment with their social studies classes - Students are in more mixed-instrument classes so they can more consistently learn how to work together as a more complex ensemble to balance and blend the music to make it the best possible. - Students will utilize technology to better understand the materials learned in class - Students will continue to have a good practice routine - Students will compose music relevant to their music performance-grade level - Students will meet as a full band at least 3 times before each concert to rehearse. This will give them a chance to hear the music as the composer intended it and to find ways to balance and blend with the other class. - Depending on the progress/work ethic of the students as well as the financial situation, Ms. Schroeder plans to take the Concert Band students to perform at the Carowinds Festival of Music at the end of the school year. Certain beginning band students and certain symphonic band students will have a chance to join watch s for audition requests to attend! 3.) Symphonic Band - Two classes arranged by instrument-type into A Day / B Day classes - This is the advanced ensemble at Brawley Middle School, made up of 7 th and 8 th graders - Performance Focus = Perform at the Winter Concert, The Night of the Arts concert, and the Spring Concert. This ensemble will play sheet music relevant to their musical performing-grade level - Students will prove their strong knowledge of the basics of music by successfully performing advanced middle-school level music.

14 - Students will learn music history in alignment with their social studies classes - Students will utilize technology to better understand the materials learned in class - Students will continue to have a great practice routine - Students will compose music relevant to their music performance-grade level - Depending on the progress/work ethic of the students as well as the financial situation, Ms. Schroeder plans to take the Symphonic Band to perform at the Music Performance Adjudication in March. 4.) Beginning Jazz J Band - This class will meet during the second semester of WIN. - Performance Focus = perform only at the Spring Concert. Music taken out of the Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method Book 1 and possibly some simple Jazz Charts from the BMS Music Library - Due to small space and shortage of music, this is open only to clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, drum set, piano, guitar, and bass guitar. - Students who do not play one of the above instruments and are still interested in jazz band are encouraged to take lessons on one of those listed above to play as a secondary instrument in order to join the beginning jazz band - Ms. Schroeder will take applications from 6 th, 7 th, *and* 8 th graders who have had at least half a year of experience on the instrument they wish to play for jazz band - Students will learn the very basics of performing jazz on an instrument - Students will learn an overview of Jazz History - Students will learn how to set up a good practice regime to balance two ensemble s music (jazz & their regular band class) - Students will learn the basics of improvisation on their musical instrument - Special Note: Advanced Jazz band students are welcome to take this class as well! They are encouraged to either learn jazz on a new instrument *or* act as a mentor/leader/tutor/coach for the beginning jazz students. 5.) Advanced Jazz Band - This class will meet during the first semester of WIN. - Performance Focus = perform for the Winter Concert and for Night of the Arts. Their music will be taken partly from the Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method book and partly from advanced Jazz Charts chosen from the BMS Band music library - Students have already auditioned and been chosen for this ensemble. Ms. Schroeder may need a few more instruments (trombones, guitars, pianos) so if your child is proficient on one of those instruments, please contact her ASAP to line up a short visit to determine if your child would be a good fit for the advanced jazz band. - Students will learn in more detail how to play jazz on their instrument - Students will learn in more detail the history of Jazz - Students will learn how to set up a good practice regime to balance two ensemble s music (jazz & their regular band class) - Students will learn in more depth the art of improvisation on their instrument - Students will learn and be able to play the different styles of jazz - Depending on the progress/work ethic of the students as well as the financial situation and possible timing situations, Ms. Schroeder would like to take the Advanced Jazz Band to perform at the annual Jazz Music Performance Adjudication. Parents, please watch your s for updates!

15 Section V: Honors Opportunities: 1. Brawley Band Honors Music Society 2. Iredell-Statesville Schools All-County Honor Band 3. Northwest North Carolina All-District Honor Band 1.) Brawley Band Honors Music Society 4. North Carolina All-State Honor Band 5. 8 th Grade Member of the Lake Norman High School Wildcat Marching Band - Who: This is an individual-based system, not an ensemble. Any Brawley Band student who wishes to be recognized for going above and beyond the regular band class requirements is encouraged to join. This society is also for any student that hopes to be recognized for high school opportunities. - What: The Brawley Band Honors Music Society (might change to just the Brawley Brave Honors Music Society to include the chorus students). Students must successfully meet relevant grade-level criteria each quarter of the current school year they are enrolled. This criteria is set by an Honors Music Committee of band parents, students, and the band director. - Where: BMS & local performance venues - When: The Honors Music Society starts anew every school year. The process begins at the start of the school year. Advancement in criteria will be checked quarterly and signed off by Ms. Schroeder. Students are encouraged to sign up for the Honors Music Society every year they are in middle school band; the criteria changes as the students advance through their middle school careers. - Why: For those particular students who are looking to be recognized and rewarded as fully committed band members. These students go beyond the basics of participating in the band, to supporting the band behind the scenes with their time and energy. This extra effort is rewarded with recognition at an end of the year awards ceremony where students will be inducted as official Honors Music Society members. Also, for those students that are DEP (academically gifted), the Honors Music Society criteria can pass-off as their year-long DEP project. - How: Students receive The Honors Music Society packet at the beginning of the school year and must begin meeting criteria in an organized and timely fashion within the first two weeks of school Students who move into BMS later in the year are eligible to join when they enter in the middle of the year; they will be exempt from the criteria that were already due and start right away with the most recent quarter s criteria. Students who start and realize it's too much work are given permission to quit the process. Once quit, however, they cannot rejoin later that same year. Students can begin again the following year. 2.) Iredell-Statesville Schools All-County Honor Band - Any Brawley Band student is eligible. Students go through an individual audition process. Any student who places high enough in scores will be part of the All-County Honor Band Clinic. This lasts only one weekend and involves traveling to stay in a hotel. The clinic involves special guest conductors leading 1.5 day rehearsals (music, all day long!) and then a performance for the community at the end of the clinic. - The students involved in the BMS Symphonic Band will have a unit in band based on the same audition process as All-County Band. The culmination of the unit: students have the choice to either perform their audition for the class or they can show up for the actual All-County Honor Band auditions. - We have a strong tradition of BMS Band students making the ISS-All-County Honor Band and all students are encouraged to give it a shot! Often, students make it without realizing they would! - Students who make the All-County band are considered one of the top middle school musicians in all of Iredell County! NOTE: Keep in mind that if a student auditions, they must keep the weekend assigned to the County Band clinic open. They are not allowed to audition if they know they cannot attend the clinic.

16 3.) Northwest North Carolina All-District Band - Any Brawley Band student is eligible. Students go through an individual audition process, just like All- County band but the competition is a little tougher since they are competing against all of the counties in the Northwest District of North Carolina. - Any student who places high enough in scores will be part of the All-District Honor Band Clinic. This lasts only one weekend and involves traveling to stay in a hotel. The clinic involves special guest conductors leading 1.5 day rehearsals (music, all day long!) and then a performance for the community at the end of the clinic. - Students who made the All-County band are strongly encouraged to audition! If they were talented enough to make the County Band, then chances are high they might make the District Honor band. - All students are encouraged to give it a shot! Often, students make it without realizing they would! - Students who make the All-District band are considered one of the top middle school musicians in the whole Northwest District of North Carolina! NOTE: Keep in mind that if a student auditions, they must keep the weekend assigned to the District Band clinic open. They are not allowed to audition if they know they cannot attend the clinic. 4.) North Carolina All-State Band - Only those Brawley Band students that made top chairs at All-District are eligible. Students go through an individual audition process, just like All-County and All-District band but the competition is a much tougher since they are competing against all of the top musicians in the entire state of North Carolina! - Students who places high enough in scores will be part of the All-State Honor Band Clinic. This lasts only one weekend and involves traveling to stay in a hotel. The clinic involves special guest conductors leading 1.5 day rehearsals (music, all day long!) and then a performance for the community at the end of the clinic. - Students who made the top chairs of District Band are actually required to audition (unless a huge family event prevents them from doing so) If they were talented enough to make the District Band, then chances are high they might make the State Honor band. - Students who make the All-State band are considered one of the top middle school musicians in the whole state of North Carolina! Very high honors!! NOTE: Keep in mind that if a student auditions, they must keep the weekend assigned to the State Band clinic open. They are not allowed to audition if they know they cannot attend the clinic. 5.) 8 th Grade Member of the LNHS Marching Band - Only those 8 th Grade Brawley Band students that go above and beyond the normal class requirements are eligible. - Students involved can be: a wood-wind or brass-wind player on the field, a percussionist in the front ensemble, or on the color-guard (visuals) team. - Students involved will join the LNHS Wildcat Marching Band during the Fall season (first semester) at all football games on Friday nights as well as march in parades and travel to perform at competitions. - This is a great opportunity for students! They gain a new set of friends who will be in the band when they become freshman in high school. Students also have many traveling opportunities and become really advanced musicians! NOTE: Students involved must be able to keep up with their high school marching requirements as well as their middle school classes and middle school band requirements.

17 Section VI: Grading Policy Students will be graded on: Final Grades: A = Prepared for Class B = o Instrument C = o Instrument s accessories D = o Band Binder with music/method book/documents F = 69 or below o Pencil o Concepts prepared for each round of pass-offs - Class Participation/Behavior o Points deducted for bad behavior - Class Work ork/homework Pass-offs o Mondays are pass-off days; these are for a grade! o Students are to keep track of any extra assignments announced in class and/or on Ms. Schroeder s website under Homework - Tests o Playing Tests o Seating Tests o Written Tests o Aural Skills Tests - Concerts/ s/performances o All are required if must miss, student must write a research paper to make up the grade. Student is responsible for contacting Ms. S for a research-paper rubric. - Homework Packet o Must be updated every Monday and used for at-home practice

18 Section VII: Website Website: For your convenience, the BMS Band Program operates a website directly off of the Brawley Middle School website. Check it regularly for updates, news features, and important information. Here are the directions: 1. Go to: 2. Click on Our Staff 3. Click on Schroeder, Allison, Band for the Band Website. Ms. Schroeder s line of consistent communication is through . Please make sure she has your address and that you check your often to stay up to date with your child s involvement in band.

19 Brawley Middle School Band Handbook Form Please fill out, sign, and date this form Turn in by the end of the first full week of school (August 30th) Student Name: Grade: Instrument: Parent/Guardian Name(s): By signing this form, the readers understand and agree with the terms and conditions described in the t Brawley Middle School Band Handbook. As a band student I,, promise to be positive, prepared, and hard-working every day. band student s signature As a band parent I,, promise to be supportive of my child s musical efforts band parent s signature and remain communicative with Ms. Schroeder about my child s progress in band. DATE: