Carl Sandburg Middle School

Transcription

1 Carl Sandburg Middle School Instrumental Handbook Laura Nee Band and Orchestra Director

2 Dear Parents and Guardians, Welcome to the Carl Sandburg Middle School Band Program! Students learn the fundamentals of rhythmic, motor and auditory skills, practice sight reading and musical notation, while discovering an appreciation and love for music. The program has at its heart, the intention of preparing students for ensemble playing. This exciting endeavor will afford students the possibility to study a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument. Students would meet with their instrumental music teacher for a lesson during school once a week. The more exposure and time spent with the instrument, the more experienced the child will become. Instrumental instruction will continue to be available to your child through the 12 th grade. Learning to play an instrument and belonging to the school band or orchestra opens up a whole new world of friendship and fun. Your child will be able to take advantage of musical performances with ensembles at the middle school and high school levels. The opportunities for playing an instrument after high school are abundant, with many universities offering scholarships. Instrumental music provides a great foundation for your child in all aspects of life. In addition to music, students learn self-discipline, group cooperation, poise, physical coordination, high self esteem, and the importance of teamwork- skills in great demand at almost every aspect of life. Like all the arts, music has a profound effect on the academic success of students as well. This informational handbook shares the procedures and policies; as well as the expectations and requirements that will help your child make the most out of his/ her musical instruction. Please take the time to read through this packet with your child. If you have any questions or concerns; don t hesitate to contact me either by phone or . I look forward to working with your child and to sharing their work with you at the concerts. Musically yours, Laura Nee CSMS Band Director lnee@obps.org (732)

3 GOALS FOR BAND BY GRADE LEVEL 6 th Grade 1. The ability to arrive at a specific location with all materials and equipment needed. 2. An understanding of the proper behavior expected in lessons and rehearsals. 3. Correct assembly and care of the instrument and equipment. 4. Production of a tone quality which is characteristic of the instrument. This is achieved through correct formation of the embouchure, proper use of breath control, and bow technique. 5. Correct use of the tongue in starting and stopping a tone. 6. Correct posture and hand position. 7. An understanding of fundamental terms relating to music and the instrument. 8. The ability to identify notes and rests visually; and to produce them correctly in duration and pitch. 9. Development and understanding of rhythm through counting, clapping and playing. 10. Appreciation and understanding the need for daily home practice. 11. Able to play from memory 3 Major scales at the end of the year. 12. Play tuning scale from memory (Concert Bb major/ Concert D Major). 13. Be able to follow and interpret conducting gestures. 7 th Grade 1. Demonstrate an understanding of all materials covered in 6 th grade band. 2. Demonstrate an increased awareness of phrasing, dynamics, articulation, intonation and balance. 3. Play with increasing accurate pitch. Be able to identify if a pitch is flat or sharp and be able to compensate for pitch problems and errors. 4. Able to play from memory 5 major scales at the end of the year. 5. Play the extended range of the 5 major scales learned and the related chromatic form of these scales. Woodwinds will play 2 octaves where necessary; brass 1 octave, Strings 2 octaves where necessary. 6. Demonstrate the ability to count rhythms through 16 th notes in 4/4, ¾, 5/4, and 2/4 time; through 8 th notes in 2/2, 6/8 and 3/8 time. 7. Demonstrate ability to properly sight-read appropriate level music. 8 th Grade 1. Demonstrate continued growth in material learned over the past two years. 2. Play 7 Major Scales and chromatics through 3 flats and 3 sharps as follows: C, F, G, Bb, D, Eb, A 3. Demonstrate ability to properly sight-read appropriate level music.

4 SUPPLIES FOR BAND All supplies are available for purchase through rental companies that work with the school or local vendors. Instrument rentals must be mailed directly to the company. If you wish to order reeds, valve oil, etc. through school please send in money in an envelope with your child s name. 6 th Grade Supplies Student subscription of New Smart Music students will sign up in September Instrument; percussion will need a snare drum and bell kit Pencil with eraser (no pens or markers) Brass: valve oil, slide grease and polish cloth Woodwinds: at least 3 reeds, swab, cork grease Percussion: 1 pair of matched snare drum sticks (SD1), fabric stick bag, practice pad Strings- rosin, clip on tuner, shoulder rest 7 th Grade Supplies Student subscription of New Smart Music students will sign up in September Instrument; percussion will need a snare drum and bell kit Pencil with eraser (no pens or markers) Brass: valve oil, slide grease and polish cloth Woodwinds: at least 3 reeds, swab, cork grease Percussion: 1 pair of matched snare drum sticks (SD1), fabric stick bag, practice pad Strings- rosin, clip on tuner, shoulder rest 8 th Grade Supplies Student subscription of New Smart Music students will sign up in September Instrument; percussion will need a snare drum and bell kit Pencil with eraser (no pens or markers) Brass: valve oil, slide grease and polish cloth Woodwinds: at least 3 reeds, swab, cork grease Percussion: 1 pair of matched snare drum sticks (SD1), fabric stick bag, practice pad Strings- rosin, clip on tuner, shoulder rest In September, Ms Nee will place the Smart Music subscription order. It will be $10 per student which is cheaper than the cost of a lesson book and offers more resources for the students.

5 INSTRUMENTS In order for you child to participate in the program, it will be necessary for you to furnish an instrument. This is generally done through renting or purchasing. Information regarding local stores and rentals are available upon request. Renting an instrument is usually around $110 for the school year. It is recommended that beginning students rent their instrument, and students wishing to continue in 7 th and 8 th grade convert their rental into a purchase plan for a step-up/ intermediate instrument. This is not mandatory. Good bands have students covering all the instruments in the band family. Occasionally, we look for good musicians to convert to a different instrument. Many of these are expensive instruments that the school can provide. Students may not switch instruments with out teacher approval. Percussion students are expected to learn keyboard percussion and timpani (school provided) in addition to snare/ bass drum. BEWARE- instruments that have a cheaper sticker price develop major wear and problems very quickly. Discount stores and auction sites can have very deceptive ads. In the past, students who have used these instruments ended up renting a different instrument because their cheaper instrument was not playable with the group. Our supplier visits on a routine basis where they can assist you with your needs. You are not required to do business with them; but their rental plans are very friendly and repair service is very good. Discipline Plan All students are expected to follow classroom rules. Discipline infractions will be dealt with in accordance with Main Office standards. Lessons/ Class time Lessons are given once a week during gym/health. Students are responsible for any assigned work that they might miss from health. If there is a test or special project students may make arrangements to make up their lesson at a different time. Lessons are graded. Band is a full year class. Practice: Practicing is what is done at home. Rehearsing is what is done in school. Students should attempt to practice everyday for 5-10 minutes. The more time your child spends with his/her instrument, the more he/she will get out of the program. I encourage the students to practice as often as they can, whenever they can. School Music: Students will be assigned music that will be rehearsed and performed at the concerts. This music property of the district and must be returned at the end of the concert.

6 Ensembles CSMS offers a variety of performance groups. All students are expected to perform in an ensemble, placement will be determined by the teacher. If a student wishes to participate in additional ensembles, there is jazz band and percussion ensemble. These are audition based ensembles. 6 th Grade Band 7 th Grade Band 8 th Grade Band Wind Ensemble Jazz Band Percussion Ensemble Orchestra Performances It is expected that students perform at the Winter and Spring concert. The concert will count as a test grade. If for some reason a student unable to attend the concert arrangements must be made to fulfill the performance aspect of the class. Performance attire This attire will be worn for all performances. Any student who does not come in the appropriate attire will not be permitted to play. There will be no make-ups permitted for inappropriate attire. CSMS Band Polo Black dress pants; no jeans or leggings Black socks Black dress shoes : no sneakers Performance Dates: Date Performance Location Performance Group TBD Winter Concert CSMS Auditorium Everyone March 6, 2019 Arts Festival OBHS Wind Ensemble Orchestra TBD District Drum Solo OBHS Percussion Ensemble Percussion students May 27, 2019 Memorial Day Parade Laurence Harbor Wind Ensemble Colorguard TBD Spring Concert CSMS Auditorium Everyone TBD Music in the Parks TBD Wind Ensemble Select Orchestra