7 th Grade. Drum Intermediate School Band Handbook

Transcription

1 7 th Grade Drum Intermediate School Band Handbook

2 Instruments In 7 th grade, almost all students stay on the same instrument as last year. If you are interested in playing an instrument that is in demand, please talk to Ms. Carpenter. We should have the following instruments in our band: Flute Oboe Clarinet Bass Clarinet Bassoon Alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone Trumpet or cornet French horn Trombone Baritone Tuba Percussion (bell kit) Instruments can be rented at these local music stores: Ted Brown Music 6228 Tacoma Mall Blvd Music and Arts Lakewood Towne Center School Instruments Drum Intermediate School has a small selection of school instruments available for student use. A yearly maintenance fee of $130 is required. Students in financial need may qualify for a reduced rate. If you are interested in a school instrument, please write a note on the band contract and I will send home more information. School instruments available to all students: oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, French horn, euphonium, tuba School instruments only available to students in financial need (free or reduced lunch): flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, bell kit Please note: I strongly recommend against purchasing instruments at stores that do not specialize in music. The instruments they carry are poor quality and difficult to play. In addition, these instruments often use non-standard parts and may have to be replaced rather than repaired.

3 Supplies needed Flute 2. Standard of Excellence for flute. You should already have this from last year. 3. Cleaning cloth. The music store can recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home. 4. Pencil Oboe, Bassoon 2. At least two reeds at all times. 3. Reed case 4. Cork grease 5. Standard of Excellence for your instrument. You should already have this from last year. 5. Cleaning swab. 6. Pencil Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone 2. Box of #3 reeds for your instrument. Replace when you are down to your last 2 reeds. Recommended brands are Vandoren, Mitchell Luri, or La Voz. Avoid Rico reeds. 3. Reed case 4. Cork grease 5. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for your instrument. You should already have this from last year. 6. Cleaning swab. 7. Pencil Trombone 2. Standard of Excellence for your instrument. You should already have this from last year. 3. Trombone slide grease 4. Tuning slide grease 5. Cleaning cloth. The music store can recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home. 6. Pencil French Horn 2. Standard of Excellence for French Horn. You should already have this from last year. 3. Rotary valve oil 4. Spindle oil 5. Slide grease 6. Cleaning cloth. The music store can recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home. 7. Pencil Trumpet, Euphonium, Tuba 2. Standard of Excellence for your instrument. You should already have this from last year. Euphonium should buy the book for Baritone BC. 3. Valve oil 4. Slide grease 5. Cleaning cloth. The music store can recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home. 6. Pencil Percussion 1. Bell kit 2. Snare sticks: Vic Firth SD-1 Generals 3. Standard of Excellence for drums/mallets. You should already have this from last year. 4. Stick bag 5. Pencil Being successful in band class means being prepared. Band is a participation class; it is impossible to participate without having everything you need. To count as prepared for class, students need to bring everything they need to play their instrument and read their music. If they are unable to play their instrument (for example, if the instrument needs repair), parents must send a note or from home which explains the situation. Otherwise, the student will be counted as unprepared for class.

4 Grading Policy Class Participation and Behavior: Class participation is a significant portion of the student s grade. This includes playing ability, behavior, and contribution to the class. Classroom Guidelines 1. Be on time with all materials. o In the room with all materials (instrument, music, pencil) on time. o Students who are unprepared or tardy three times will serve detention. 2. Respect all people and each other s property. o Leave other peoples belongings, including instruments, alone. 3. Use appropriate classroom behavior and show good band etiquette. o Stay seated and facing forward once class begins. o Quietly listen or review your music while others are being helped o Play only when asked o Be a good audience to those performing 4. Only Water! o NO food, candy, other beverages or gum. Performances: 7 th Grade Concerts November 9, 2017 Veteran s Day Assembly School day assembly in the Drum Commons December 6, 2017 Winter Concert 7:00 PM in the Drum Commons March 20, 2018 District Band Festival 7:00 PM at Curtis High School June 6, 2018 Band Finale Concert 7:00 PM at Curtis Junior High School Band is a team effort, and every player counts. By signing up to be in band, you are committing to playing in the concerts. Attendance is mandatory and part of your grade. Circumstances such as team practices, social events, or lack of planning for transportation are not an excused absence. In the event of an illness or unforeseen emergency, I must receive a phone call before the concert in order to plan a make-up assignment. For all grades, concert dress is black bottoms and white shirts. The school has a limited supply of clothing for students to borrow; please have your student ask in advance if he or she needs to borrow clothing. We have a band t-shirt made for the Band Finale Concert in June. For that concert only, concert dress is black pants and the band t-shirt. Home Practice: Students are responsible for practicing at home and recording their minutes in a practice log, and turning it in. The practice log must be signed by a parent/guardian and is due every Tuesday. To earn full points, students must practice at least 80 minutes per week. If students practice for fewer than 80 minutes, they will still receive some points. Playing tests: Students will be tested individually through the year. Playing tests can be re-taken until the end of the quarter. Written work: Occasionally students will be given short written assignments during class.

5 Extra Opportunities Solo and Ensemble Festival Every year, local school districts participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival. At this event, small ensembles (usually duets or trios at our level) perform for an adjudicator and earn a rating. This year s festival will be on Saturday, March 10. This event is entirely voluntary for students who are interested in additional performance opportunities. It is a great way for students to perform with friends. Additional information will be sent home in January. Private lessons Private lessons are a great way for students to learn more about their instruments. With many students and ten different instrument types in a band class, band instruction is more generalized. In private lessons, students can work one-on-one with the teacher and receive specialized information about their instrument. They will have a competitive edge for auditions as they get older. I strongly recommend private lessons for any student who is serious about his/her instrument. Please see me for a list of local teachers. Students who take private lessons will receive extra credit. Smart Music Our school subscribes to a computer program called Smartmusic. This interactive program allows students to play along with the computer and receive immediate feedback on their performance. It s a valuable learning tool and makes practice much more fun as well. Students can use the program before or after school in the band room. Better yet, they can subscribe at home for about $40 a year by visiting After School Enrichment Class We have an additional music class available for students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:20-4:00. Bus transportation is available. More information will be sent separately for interested students. The class meets as follows: Fall: 6 th and 7 th graders. Beginner class for students new to band or switching to a new instrument. January to March: 6 th and 7 th Graders. Small ensembles for the Solo/Ensemble Contest April to June : 7 th graders. Open to 6 th graders as needed and by audition. Advanced Music Enrichment (AME): advanced band and combined band/orchestra.

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7 Band Contract and Information Page Please return this page by Monday, September 11. Returning this page is part of your grade. About you: your name homeroom teacher parent/guardian name (the best person to call if I have a question) DAYTIME phone number PARENT address Something you would like me to know about you, or something interesting about you: Your Instrument: I play the in band. The brand name of my instrument: Serial number: Both student and parent/guardian please sign and return. Student: I have read the band handbook. I understand how I will be graded, and I can follow the rules and procedures in band. Signed: date Parent/Guardian: I have read and discussed the band handbook with my child, and I know the concert dates. I will support my child s efforts to be successful in band. Signed: date Please see the back of this form for important information about online grading and progress reports.

8 Band Progress report Family Access Form Why wait to see your student s grades? Parents can sign up for Family Access and view grades for any class online. To sign up, see the main office for a password. Band progress reports are sent home once a quarter. If you are signed up for Family Access, you may not need paper progress reports sent home. Please choose an option below. I already check grades online through Family Access and will not need any paper progress reports for band Continue to send home paper copies of band progress reports. Student name (please print) Parent signature date Your preferences can be changed during the school year. Just send a note to Ms. Carpenter if you would like to be added to the online progress report list later.