Dear Band Parents, Thanks for your continued support! Sincerely, Mr. Jonathan Willis.

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1 Dear Band Parents, Welcome back to school! I cannot wait to get started this year. If you are new to the band program, we will have an informational meeting on Tuesday August 28 th at 5:30 in which your child will be assigned an instrument if necessary, and I can go over questions you may have. This is an informal meeting, feel free to drop by and ask any questions you may have, the middle school parent meeting will be immediately after. Band will start for Advanced Band Members on Tuesday 3:00 Aug 27 th, and for beginners 7:00 am Wednesday Aug. 28 th. Rehearsals: Advanced Tuesday 3:00-4:30, Thursday 7:00-7:45 Beginning Monday 3:00-4:30, Wednesday 7:00-7:45 I have a lot of exciting things planned. Over the summer, I was pleased to have band students involved in numerous musical events across the area. Most notably, we had over 20 students participate in the James Clemens Band Camp. In addition, we have some young musicians who are participating in performance ensembles like the Madison Community Band and Madison Youth Orchestra! For all band students, taking private lessons is the best way to help your child be most successful in band. We have several in our band program who take private lessons, and they all have commented on how much they improve and help the band improve by taking privately. If you would like to get your student enrolled in private lessons, just me and I can recommend several private instructors in the area who are excellent and experienced. Some schools require lessons for beginners because it is so effective at ensuring that your child gets off to the right start. This year, we have several things planned. I would love to participate in MPA at James Clemens high school for the first time in the school s history. MPA is a serious band event which requires lots of dedication, and probably extra rehearsals, I will send more information about this event as the year progresses. MPA will require lots of commitment, and I will need everyone for all rehearsals. I have lots of other performances planned. Some new ones include JPII pep games, band camp (early January at JPII), band workshop for all catholic school bands, musical (with drama club, audition required). Last year, we sent almost 20 band students to Solo and Ensemble, and all of the soloists received the highest possible grade! I would love to have participation in this event this year, as well as All-State (which requires private lessons). We had 3 audition for all-state last year, and I d like to have more audition. There are several honor bands coming up, I ll information as it becomes available. I m very enthusiastic about this year! I encourage the parents to take an active interest in how their child is progressing in band. We have a lot of potential as a program, and I want to do all I can to ensure that we have an excellent band program here! Your support and interest will ensure that your child takes band as a priority. Thanks for your continued support! Sincerely, Mr. Jonathan Willis jwillis@stjohnb.com

2 St. John s Band Rehearsals: Beginners: Mondays 3:00-4:30 (carline at 4:30), Wednesdays 7:00-7:50 AM (starting August 28 th ) Advanced: Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 (starting August 27 th ), Thursdays 7:00-7:50 AM Band Fees: We have a band fee of $100 per semester. Having a band program is very expensive, and there are numerous needs. We are always accepting instrument and music donations. T-Shirts: In October, I plan on getting the t-shirt design and color picked out. T-shirts will be $20, I will have more information coming out via as the time gets closer for that. Fundraising/Wish List: In prior meetings, the consensus seems to be that fundraisers are more work than we get out of them. We will do t-shirts again, which helps some, but instead of an actual fundraiser, I m asking for donations, but am open to ideas as well. I anticipate having close to 50 students enrolled in band this year, and so even small donations to the band will add up quickly! To get an idea of what some of the costs are for band, I have listed some items that are on our wish list; some of the more expensive instruments are more long-term goals. Mallets: $10/set Music Stands: $40 New Music: ~$50 a piece Congas: $150 Temple Blocks: $150 Bass Drum Head: $150 Soundproofing the Room: $500 ($40 per panel) Euphonium/Baritone: $600 French Horn: $1200 Bass Clarinet: $800 New Tuba: $2,500 New Vibraphone: $2,100 Used Timpani: $2,500

3 Band Policies Every band student is expected to: 1. Show up to every rehearsal (if there are scheduling conflicts, please let me know) 2. Be Prepared for rehearsal (Instrument, Book, Pencil, Folder, Valve Oil/2 Reeds/Cork Grease at your seat on time) 3. Practice AT LEAST 1 hour a week (We do not rehearse much, we must maximize our rehearsal time by being prepared and practicing 1 hour a week isn t too much to ask, and it will be a difference of night and day. Practice time can be split up into 2 30 minute practices, 4 15 minute, etc. Parents please assist me in ensuring everyone is practicing!) 4. Participate in EVERY performance and dress rehearsal (for most programs, if a student misses a concert they receive an F for the class, for us, it will result in being demoted to last chair) Classroom Procedures Every band student is expected to: 1. Be in your chair with your instrument, music and supplies ready to rehearse at 3:10. If a student is not prepared in time, I will enforce disciplinary action. 2. Remain seated for the entire duration of band. Visit the restroom before coming. 3. Absolutely NO talking or playing unless asked to do so. 4. No food or drinks (playing after eating or drinking anything but water results in possible damages to your instrument and can result in preventable repair costs). 5. Practice 1 hour a week! Disciplinary Procedures Each student is expected to follow band rehearsal rules as outlined here and as posted on the wall. Failure to do so will result in the following consequences: 1 st Offense: Verbal Warning 2 nd Offense: In-Class Written Assignment 3 rd Offense: Temporary Suspension/Silent Lunch 4 th Offense: Conference with band director, student, and parents Contact me if you have any questions about instrument, lessons, band parent meetings, etc. Sincerely, Mr. Jonathan Willis Jwillis@stjohnb.com

4 Music Stores: Madison Band Supply** Gadsden Music Hallman s Music 1604-B Hughes Road 4800 Whitesburg Dr 1920 Sparkman Dr. Madison, AL Huntsville, AL Huntsville, AL (256) (256) (256) Required Materials: Tradition of Excellence (Red Book for Beginners, instrument specific) See instrument guide below Recommended Materials (some may not be used until Advanced Band): Chromatic Tuner Metronome Binder Rubank Elementary Method Book (instrument specific, blue book) Instrument Guide Flute: Yamaha, Gemeinhardt*, Armstrong, Artley, Jupiter, Bundy (closed hole recommended) Accessories: tuning rod with cleaning cloth Clarinet: Yamaha*, Selmer, Buffet, Armstrong, Bundy, Noblet, Vito, Le Blanc, Jupiter, Allora Accessories: Reeds (Vandoren, La Voz, or Michelle Lurie size 2 ½), mouthpiece, swab, cork grease Alto Sax: Yamaha*, Selmer, King, Jupiter, Allora, Yanagisawa, Bundy Accessories: Reeds (Vandoren, La Voz or Hemke size 2 ½), cork grease, neckstrap Trumpet: Yamaha, Bach*, Getzen, King, Conn, Jupiter, Allora Accessories: Bach 7-C mouthpiece, valve oil, tuning slide grease Trombone: Yamaha, Bach*, King, Conn, Jupiter, Bundy, Getzen, Allora Accessories: mouthpiece Bach 6.5 AL, tuning slide Percussion: Percussionists must play mallets as well as traditional percussion instruments. Accessories: Practice Pad, size 2B sticks. Optional: Snare w/bell kit

5 St. John s Band Program Registration Student Name: Student Grade/Teacher: Instrument: Parent Name: Parent Phone (s): Parent Please return this form to the band director or to the front office. There will be a band fee of $100 per semester. Please send in your check for the 1 st semester as soon as possible. Label the check Band and send to the business office. I, (student name), agree to practice at least 1 hour a week. I will not talk during rehearsal and will remain in my seat the entire time. I will keep my hands and feet to myself. I will be prepared with reeds, cork grease, valve oil at my seat every day at 3:10. Student Signature Parent Signature

6 St. John s Band Instrument Rental Contract Students using instruments owned by St. John s will need to pay a rental fee to cover repair costs, and general maintenance costs. Some of these instruments are worth as much as $2000, so it is vital that these instruments are cared for if it is brought home. The renter will be responsible for basic maintenance of instrument, such as cleaning and oiling and the renter will also e responsible for accessories, such as reeds, neckstraps, slide grease, valve oil, etc. The responsibility of repair cost will be determined by the band director by the following: -Student is doubling, or switching instruments -Student already owns an instrument that was purchased as their primary instrument Should the instrument become damaged, lost, stolen, or deemed unusable for any reason while in the rental possession of the student/family, student/family will be responsible for replacing the instrument with an instrument of like quality. Checks should be made payable to St. John s school, indicating the purpose of payment to be for instrument rental. The fee is $35 per semester and is due within 1 month. Instrument: Ser# Estimated Value of Instrument: Condition at time of rental: ( ) Very Good ( ) Poor ( ) Good ( ) Has Case ( ) No Case I assume responsibility for the proper care of said instrument that I am renting from St. John s. I understand that should any accident or incidental event happen resulting in damage, I will be responsible for that damage or for replacing the instrument. I will return the instrument the last week of school or at such time as it is no longer needed, or I will continue renting through the summer. Parent or Guardian Signature: Date: Student: Date: