BEAVER LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS

Transcription

1 BEAVER LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS Welcome to the BLMS Bands!! The following is a description of the program in terms of grading policy, classroom expectations, concert attire, etc. A form is included for both student and parent to sign and return to insure that we mutually understand the details of the program. Thank you for taking the time to read and do this. COURSE OUTLINE: The BLMS Band is a continuation of the opportunity to develop musicianship and artistic perception through musical preparation and performance. The emphasis is on public performance, with relevant musical history, theory, and techniques discussed and studied in class. MATERIALS & CLASSROOM EXPECTATION: The student will need his/her working instrument and accessories, music textbook, assigned sheet music, a pencil, and any other assigned materials on a daily basis. Method books for this year will be: 6 th Grade: Standard Of Excellence Band Method Book 1 (red cover) 7th Grade: Standard Of Excellence Band Method Book 2 (blue cover) 8 th Grade: Standard of Excellence Band Method Book 3 (green cover) Sheet music (concert songs) is on loan from the school and must be returned in the same condition in which it was lent. Free music folios are available to help keep the music in good condition. Students may mark notations on the music in pencil only. Each student is expected to participate positively, give his/her best effort at all times, and to allow the teacher to teach and fellow students to learn. Each student is expected to treat themselves, their classmates, the teacher, and the facilities and equipment with respect and courtesy. HOMEWORK: Students will need to practice at home for a minimum of two hours per week. Practice records verified by the student's parent/guardian will be turned in each Friday. (Because of the extra time involved in performances outside of school time, no practice records will be due for weeks during which there is an extracurricular performance.) Students must have their part ready not just for performance, but for rehearsal as well. Private lessons are not required, but they are highly recommended. Names of private teachers in the area are available upon request. (Please call me if you need any assistance in this area.) Superior musicianship makes Band more fun for everybody, and the better we are as individuals, the better we can be as a group! CONCERTS/PERFORMANCES: All students are expected to perform at all scheduled performances and concerts to receive full credit for the class. CONCERT ATTIRE: Our concert attire reflects the pride we have in our program and in our group. It is expected that each member of the ensemble will dress appropriately for the special events (i.e. concerts, Festival, etc.) *Both Beginning and Advanced Band will go for Unified Polo Shirt look again this year; BLMS Music polo shirts and black pants/skirts ("skorts" are acceptable). Black jeans are OK. Thank you in advance for helping us to look and sound our best!! EVALUATION: Grades will be determined on the following criterion: written and played tests, concert performances, weekly practice records, (Extra credit assignments may be available for loss of points. All extra credit work must be arranged with the teacher.)

2 For Parents of Beginning Bands Students Many of you have had experience with Beginning Band, either through other children who have been through the program before, or as participants yourselves. But quite a few other parents have had no experience with beginning instrumentalists, and so may have many questions. I will try to answer some of the most asked questions here. When does my child need to have his/her instrument in class? Certainly not today or tomorrow, but we will start the real hands-on instruction by the beginning of next week, so the sooner, the better. Where do I get an instrument? There are many music shops around the area which offer instruments for rental or purchase. Kennelly Keys, Ted Brown Music, Plateau Music, and Music and Arts are local shops which have all offered fine service to Plateau musicians for years. I can not recommend any one over the others I have heard positive and, occasionally, negative about each over the years Sometimes, on-line is best, and many times, face-to-face personal service is best. You have to find what works best for you. What instrument should I get? Instruments are NOT needed for the first few days of class, but, hopefully, your child has formed at least a rough idea of what he/she wishes to play. We will start out the year with Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, and mallet percussion. All students wishing to play percussion will start out on the mallet instruments (bells, xylophone, marimba, etc. Snare drums, bass drums, and timpani are not covered until after Winter Break. Percussion students can use the school instruments for class playing, but will still need an instrument (practice bell set) for practice at home What about saxophones, french horns, and any other instruments missing from the list? you are probably asking. We don t start them at the beginning of the year, most often because these instruments are difficult to start with (i.e. french horn), or, in some cases, can be too forgiving to start with, and thus too easy to learn to play incorrectly (i.e. the saxophones.) With these instruments, we have the most success when students start on a similar instrument and, after achieving mastery, switch over (i.e. clarinet to saxophone or trumpet to french horn). (The rental shops have always been accommodating when it comes to student switchers. You may wish to double check ahead of time, if this is something your child is planning to do.) A final word of warning Some parents have found Absolutely-Too-Good-To-Be-True deals on instruments from non-music specialists. I am not saying that Music Stores are the only places to find good instruments, but too many of these Too-Good-To-Be-True deals have turned out to be just that (i.e. instruments that didn t play in tune, needed frequent repair, etc.), and we, as buyers, need to beware. If you are unfamiliar with instrument brands or think the deal might just be too good, feel free to give me a call. I ll be glad to share any information I may have. What about a lesson book for band? All of the Music Shops have been notified that we will be using the Standard of Excellence book for Beginning Band. You can pick up a copy when you get the instrument. This is a great book, with up to date graphics and instruction. (It is also available online from many retailers such as amazon.com and jwpepper.com.)

3 What if my child wants to play one of the larger instruments? What about the bus? There are a few of the larger instruments for school time use (i.e. baritone horns, tubas, etc.), but we have had no problems in the past with students taking other, smaller instruments to and from home on the buses on a daily basis. What about instrument lockers at BLMS? Lockers are available, but since there is a limited number, they are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Many, if not most, students will have to share lockers (especially those with smaller instruments.) What about private lessons? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM!!! Lessons will help a student, especially as a beginner. Most of the local music shops have private teachers with after school/evening hours and reasonable rates. Several of my high school students have asked to be added to the list of Private Instructors which is available. In addition, several Private Teachers have set up shop to do after school lessons here on the Plateau (last year, it was at PLMS) and several of our students made use of that convenient arrangement. There are many options for Private Instruction, and I encourage you to make use of whichever option works best for your student. Please check the attached list for a list of some area private teachers and their phone numbers.

4 BLMS BAND I have read and understand the course outline and grading policy for the BLMS Bands, and I realize that my grade in this class will be based these policies. Signed Date Name (please print) I have read the course outline, requirements, and grading policy for the BLMS Band, and I understand what is expected of the students who are enrolled in Band at BLMS. Parent/Guardian Signature Date PLEASE RETURN THIS BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

5 Concert Dates November 16 Fall Concert (All Bands) March 23 Spring Concert (All) June the Movie Concert (Beg. & Adv. Bands) Other Important Dates March 11 League Solo/Ensemble Festival April 20 League Large Group Festival (Adv. Only) May 20-23(?) 8 th Grade Band Disney Trip For those interested in auditioning for All-State (7 th & 8 th graders, only), audition info is available here: and here: You will need to set up a time to record your audition with Mr. Pitt before Sep. 30. Good luck!

6 This is a list of but a few of the many qualified private instructors that students have used over the past several years. None are recommended over any others. Some may have moved/changed contact information, and others should be on this list but aren t yet. The list of individual(s)/agencies is being provided as an informational item for your convenience. The Issaquah School District does not recommend or endorse any of these individual(s)/agencies provided on the attached and will not be held liable or responsible for any services provided by them. As such, the Issaquah School District highly recommends that you conduct your own research and investigation and exercise due diligence before selecting any of these individual(s)/agencies for services. Private Lesson Teachers WOODWINDS FLUTE JENNIFER MAHAFFEY (425) MEGAN LYNDEN (425) ELIZABETH DUGAN (206) OBOE DARLENE FRANZ (425) Musicworks NW SELINA GRESO (360) BASSOON NANCY BONDURANT (425) PENNY BUGNI (425) FRANCINE PE T ERSON (425) CLARINET FLORIE ROTHENBURG (425) Musicworks NW DEBBIE COLYN (425) KIM FAY (425) BRENDA NASH (425) SAXOPHONE BRUCE HALL (425) Mills Music MARK TAYLOR (206) ADAM RUPERT (425) TOBI STONE (206) ACCOMPANISTS Chris Eisenberg JAZZ PIANO FRED HOADLEY (425) Musicworks NW JOHN HANSEN (425) Musicworks NW BRASS, PERCUSSION, & BASS TRUMPET PHILLIP DUNGY (425) JAY ROULSTON (425) Musicworks NW GREG LYONS JIM SISKO (425) Musicworks NW

7 HORN BOB RASMUSSEN (206) ANNA CLOUD (425) SUE PERRY (206) ROGER BARNETT (206) PAULETTE ALTMAN (425) TROMBONE/EUPHONIUM JEFF HAY (206) BILL ANTHONY (206) Musicworks NW DEAN SNAVELY (425) KADIE NICHOLS (425) KIRK JONES (425) TUBA/EUPHONIUM RYAN SCHULTZ (425) Musicworks NW KEVIN PIH (425) KADIE NICHOLS (425) PERCUSSION/DRUMS STEVE KORN (206) JACK TOKER (425) Musicworks NW CHRIS MONROE (425) Musicworks NW ERIC SAMSE (206) ED MAYS (206) Kennelly Keys MATT DRUM (425) BASS DOUG MILLER (206) JOHN HAMAR (425) Musicworks NW