II. CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES OF HIGH SCHOOL BAND

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1 I. INTRODUCTION Welcome to Gunnison High School Band. I would like to start by reviewing some of my philosophies. A. I love music, and working with youth. And, I always had fun in band. I will do whatever I can to make it fun for my students. BUT, without compromising musical quality and classroom order. B. A key component of band is to expose students to a variety of musical styles. Our concerts should reflect this. C. Music is a lifelong activity. My hope is that many of my students will continue playing well into adulthood. D. Music is as much a part of our school s curriculum as any other subject. So, students will be expected to learn, as well as play. E. Playing in band is more than learning to play an instrument and preparing concerts. It is an art that touches emotions. If I can touch each student on an emotional level, regardless of how well we play, I will consider it a success of mine. II. CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES OF HIGH SCHOOL BAND The content of the course is band literature of varying styles. Our objective, as a group (think team), is to work together at learning about music being performed, and then to perform them to the best of our collective ability, aiming for perfection. In the process, I hope that some of the music will reach each student on an emotional level. III. HOMEWORK AND STUDY EXPECTATIONS Homework in band will be practicing in order to learn the music being performed. Individual parts are learned with individual practice, and fit with the rest of the band during rehearsals. Don t wait to learn your part. Ask me or your section leader if you need individual help and we will make ourselves available. There will be deadlines for learning music as well as deadlines for memory during marching. IV. GRADING I will be grading to the Colorado music standards, with a focus on the skills listed below. These grades will be on a point system based on the skills, and tied to the standards. A. ESSENTIAL SKILLS IN BAND 1. Tone. Producing a good characteristic sound on the instrument. 2. Music Reading. Playing notes on the instrument. 3. Rhythms. Being able to read, play and write rhythms. 4. Scales. Identifying and playing scales and scale patterns. 5. Articulation. Tonguing and slurring as written in the music. 6. Dynamics. Playing loud and soft as written. 7. Phrasing. Playing musically, breathing as with sentences. 8. Balance. Group skills, so all parts can be heard and balanced. 9. Musical Knowledge. Definitions and terms in the music. 10. Sight Reading. Playing music well at first attempt. 11. Performances. Concerts, games, contests. 12. Marching Style. Marching cleanly, precisely and accurately. 13. Marching Drill. Learning where you go when in the music. B. DAILY WORK IN CLASS 1. Each student will get 10 points per week for rehearsals points will be lost if a student does not have his instrument a. 3 points can be gotten back if notes on class are taken 3. 5 points are lost if students do not have music or supplies 4. 5 points are lost for gum, candy or food, or electronic devices 5. 2 points are lost for tardies or if things are not put away. 6. Points will be taken off for poor behavior or for lack of focus C. PERFORMANCES 1. Each student will get points per performance including concerts, games, parade, contests, solo/ensemble points are earned back if I am told 2 weeks ahead of absent a. Emergencies, obviously, are exceptions, with proof D. ASSESSMENTS 1. Assessments will be worth 25 or 50 points, and include a. Playing quizzes on music being learned after announced deadlines. Extra required help with me or a section leader will occur after school if music is not learned or memorized by the deadline. b. Possible short written quizzes based on material being learned. This may include historical background, musical terminology or other things discussed in class. E. LOST POINTS may be gained back 1. Doing a music-related research report a. Get topic approval by me prior to starting 2. Attending a Western State College Performance a. Write a concert evaluation on the performance V. ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES A. Attendance will be taken each day 1. A slip is needed on the next day following an absence B. Class will start 2 minutes after the tardy bell C. Any student who is tardy MUST be referred to the office. 1. 1st + 2nd Tardy = Admitted with office slip 2. 3rd Tardy = Admitted, but a parent will be contacted 3. 4th + 5th Tardy = Admitted, but with lunch detention VI. CONCERT INFORMATION A. Concerts and performances are a mandatory part of your grade 1. All known performance dates are included in this booklet a. It is your responsibility to mark them on your calendar 2. A reminder note with details will be sent home at least one week prior to each event for those involved who request B. If a student needs to miss a performance for ANY reason, he or she must contact Mr. Koepsel prior to the event with the reason. If you get sick, I will expect a call before the concert start time. C. Students will need to be at the meeting area in concert 30 minutes before the starting time of the concert. D. Concert attire will be a tux for the men, and dresses for ladies. E. Marching attire will be the uniform. F. Pep band attire will be the black band t-shirts VII. READING MATERIALS A. None at this time

2 VIII. GUNNISON HIGH SCHOOL BAND EXPECTATIONS = RESPECT A. RESPECT the CLASSROOM 1. Avoid gum, food or drinks (other than water bottles) a. There will be a place to leave these at the door 2. Put away chairs and stands at the end of each class. 3. Clean up any litter before leaving class 4. Do not touch anything that is not yours B. RESPECT your CLASSMATES 1. There should be no put-downs or bullying of other students a. Even the hint of such will be addressed b. This is not the place to make a joke about something personal 2. Do not use cell phones or unsanctioned electronic gadgets a. They distract others and yourself b. Leave them at the designated place on orange cabinet 3. Pay attention if I am working with another group a. You may be asked a question about what we did b. It may apply to your instrument later 4. Leave your hands off others instruments without permission C. RESPECT the TEACHER 1. Be on time and READY TO PLAY 2 minutes after the tardy bell 2. Follow given directions, and avoid arguing with the teacher 3. Address all adults in a respectful manner (Mr. and Mrs.) 4. Anyone who compromises my ability to fulfill the points in my philosophies may be in for a rough year D. RESPECT your UNIFORM (Marching, tux, dresses, pep shirts) 1. Hang your jacket as instructed by Ms. Jacklyn 2. Zip your jacket and secure the collar before hanging 3. Make sure pants are hung neatly with the creases straight 4. Hangar hooks should be facing to the same direction E. RESPECT OTHERS who use this room 1. Do not leave your instrument, except sousaphone and perc. 2. Stack chairs; 20 on the rack or 4 each in separate stacks 3. Put away all music stands F. RESPECT your INSTRUMENT 1. Keep it in good shape and clean 2. Put it away properly in its case after every rehearsal 3. Keep your lockers padlocked at all times G. RESPECT your MUSIC 1. You will be responsible for any lost or damaged music IX. IN CONCLUSION I am looking forward to this year. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments. Mr. Koepsel kkoepsel@gunnisonschools.net or , ext. 4025, =H, =C GUNNISON HIGH SCHOOL SYLLABUS

3 Please go over this information with your son or daughter and return this page no later than Wednesday, September 5, Please go over this information with your son or daughter and return this page no later than Wednesday, September 5, GUNNISON HIGH SCHOOL BAND I, as Band Director, believe the items in this handbook are fair and will give my best effort to ensure a successful year for the band. I am willing to dedicate time, knowledge, effort and enthusiasm so that the student musicians will have the best and most fun musical experience possible GUNNISON HIGH SCHOOL BAND I, as Band Director, believe the items in this handbook are fair and will give my best effort to ensure a successful year for the band. I am willing to dedicate time, knowledge, effort and enthusiasm so that the student musicians will have the best and most fun musical experience possible. I, as student musician, understand the expectations and requirements for participation in band. I agree to accept this responsibility and do my best to contribute to a successful year. I, as student musician, understand the expectations and requirements for participation in band. I agree to accept this responsibility and do my best to contribute to a successful year. I/we, as Parent(s), understand the expectations and responsibilities involved in band membership and will encourage and help our son or daughter to meet these obligations. I/we, as Parent(s), understand the expectations and responsibilities involved in band membership and will encourage and help our son or daughter to meet these obligations. Preferred method of teacher/parent contact: Note Phone Call Preferred method of teacher/parent contact: Note Phone Call

4 Dear High School Band Parents and Students, Welcome to participation in Instrumental Music at Gunnison High School! I am looking forward to a great year for the band program this year. I am hoping that we can build on each student s prior learning to further their instrumental abilities, and to help our band team to grow. I will certainly be glad to accept any help and support you can give. It is my responsibility as band director to do the following: 1. provide for students a good quality of music that has a variety of styles. 2. provide for students material for all classes which will help them grow musically, and as a person. 3. treat each student with courtesy and respect. 4. act in a professional and knowledgeable manner in all dealings with colleagues,student s, parents, and the community. 5. work with individuals and groups during out of school time when needed. 6. arrange concerts and other performance opportunities and give advance notice for these. 7. notify parents and students of student expectations and responsibilities for successful participation in instrumental music. Having given my responsibilities, I need to share some information with you about student expectations and responsibilities for the year. Please read each section carefully and note some changes from last year. Sign and date by parent and student. I am looking forward to working with you, the students and parents of the Gunnison High School Band Program. Sincerely, Keith Koepsel, Band Director WHY IS MUSIC PART OF THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM? MUSIC IS MATH Musical rhythms are based on subdivisions of time into fractions which is done instantaneously, not worked out on paper. In addition, the scales we play are based on sound waves in mathematical proportions. And, the forms of most musical compositions are mathematical in nature. The ancient Greeks taught music and math together as one class. MUSIC IS A SCIENCE Music is a series of sound waves put together into patterns. These are exact, and when tuning instruments have to be fit perfectly together. A musical conductor s score is a chart which shows pitch frequencies, intensities, changes, as they take place over time. It is exact, specific, and it demands exact acoustics. A conductor's full score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody, and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time. MUSIC IS SOCIAL STUDIES Music reflects the environment, time and country of its origin. And, music provides insights to the history and culture from which it comes, as well as the geographical region or country. MUSIC IS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE Musical notation is not English. Rather, it is another language of symbols that represent time, as well as pitches. These pitches then have to be translated by the performer into what to do with the fingers, mouth, air, and other physical features. Also, the terminology for much of the music we play is in Italian, not English. All of these put together make music the most complete and universal language. MUSIC IS PHYSICAL EDUCATION Yes, marching band is remarkably similar to a PE class in the skills and movements that are required. But, playing an instrument, in general, requires coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lips, and facial muscles, in addition to control of the muscles associated with breathing to respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets. MOST OF ALL, MUSIC IS ART Music allows a human being to take all these difficult techniques and use them to create emotion. That is one thing science cannot duplicate: humanism, feeling emotion, call it what you will.

5 PROCEDURE FOR FOOTBALL GAMES 1. All night games start at 6:00 PM this year. 2. Plan your arrival at the school for 5:00. DO NOT BE LATE 3. Use the restroom, if needed, and get into your uniform. 4. Inspection will be in the parking lot at 5:45 sharp. 5. At 8 minutes remaining on the clock, we will march to our starting position near the softball field. 6. We will march around the field to our designated place in the bleachers 7. Marching in a pre-game show remains a possibility: a. This would feature a Block or a Tunnel, the Star-Spangled Banner, andourschool song. 8. Remain WITH THE BAND for the first half of the game. Do not go wandering off. 9. You may remove your hat and uniform jacket for the first half. But, you must then have your band t-shirt on if they have been issued already. 10. After a touch-down and extra point, we will play the school song 11. We will play one song between the first and second quarter. 12. During time-outs, be ready for something quick minutes before the halftime, we will get ready for our halftime show 14. As soon as the team is gone, we will get into our positions for whatever song or songs we are doing that week. 15. We will do at least a portion of our show each game, and the entire show for the last games 16. After halftime, go to the band room and get out of your uniforms, hanging them NEATLY in the closet on your hangers. 17. You will have third quarter off 18. Be back in our area by the END of 3rd quarter with your instruments but without your uniforms. Have band shirts, and possibly jackets 19. We may play the school song at the end of the game if we win. LETTERING REQUIREMENTS As there are 4 quarters to the school year, lettering in band will include at least 4 of the following during an individual school year: 1. MARCHING BAND. Includes participation at all games and competitions 2. CONCERT BAND. Includes participation in all concerts and competitions 3. PEP BAND. Includes playing at most of the games (allow 1 miss) 4. SOLO/ENSEMBLE. Includes achieving at least one score of 1 or 2 5. HONOR BAND participation or an audition. 6. WSCU Symphony Band or other ensemble participation 7. JAZZ BAND participation 8. Anyone who is in band all 4 years of high school will automatically get a letter their senior year, even if the conditions above are not met. 9. Any member of a marching band going to state and a concert band getting a superior rating (1) at contest will get a letter HONOR CORD REQUIREMENTS 1. Member of band for 4 years with a 4.0 GPA in band coursework 2. Same requirements as for lettering, but with only 3 of the lettering categories minimum for each of the four years. (Concert Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Solo/Ensemble, Honor Band or CD tryout, WSCU groups) IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR Please mark on your calendar the important dates for the year. September 14 - Homecoming Parade 2:00 PM September 14 Homecoming Game Report 5:00 PM September 22 Football Game at WSCU Report 1:00 PM September 24 Home Football Game Report 5:00 PM September 29 Colorado West GJ All day (leave about 6:30 AM) October 11 Home Football Game Report 5:00 PM October 18 Marching Regionals. Grand Junction all day. October 29 State Marching Pueblo, leave Oct. 28th November 30 Night of Lights Main Street 5:30-6:00 PM December 13 Band Concert GHS Auditorium Report 6:30 PM January 11 Home Basketball Games Report 5:00 PM January 25 Home Basketball Games Report 5:00 PM January 29 Home Basketball Games Report 5:00 PM January 12 Saturday Game, optional Report 2:00 PM February 12 Home Basketball Games Report 5:00PM March 5 Band Concert GHS Auditorium Report 6:30 PM March 8 Band Bingo at the Elks Lodge March 11 Solo and Ensemble contest After School April 25 or 26 - Large Group Festival, Grand Junction, all day May 7 Band Concert - GHS Auditorium Report 6:30 PM May 19 Graduation WSC Gymnasium Report 1:30PM May 31-June 1 Music in the Parks Elitch Gardens, Denver All Day Details for all of the above, as well as permission slips for out-oftown functions, will be sent home at a later date. PRACTICES OF THE MARCHING SHOW WITH FLAGS AND OTHERS Tuesdays and Thursdays Sept. 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27-6:30 PM Start, 9:00 max finish, hopefully earlier Tuesdays and Thursdays Oct. 2, 4, 11, 16, 23, 25-6:30 PM start, 9:00 max finish, hopefully earlier Tuesday, Oct. 9-1:00 PM start, 4:30 PM finish max This is on our 4-day weekend, and in place of an evening practice In addition to the above dates for the entire band, below are some other optional dates which I hope you will take advantage of: November 16, 17 Select Band in Montrose, DL October 1 December 6-8 CSU Honor Band, Fort Collins DL October 5 December 7-8 CMU Best of the West Grand Junction DL? December 15 Tuba Christmas Grand Junction January 4,5 Select Jazz Grand Junction, DL Nov. 15 January All-State Jazz Band DL Nov.1 February 1-2 Select Band at Fort Lewis College DL Nov. 18 February WSCU Honor Band CD Deadline early Dec. February CU Honor Band Late Nov. or early Dec. March 7-9 Top of the Nation Alamosa DL Dec. 3 March All-State Band Audition Nov