INSTRUMENT ACQUISITION

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2 All policies in the Memorial Middle School Handbook will be enforced. All information in this handbook is in addition to those policies in the Memorial Middle School Handbook. INSTRUMENT ACQUISITION It is extremely important that ALL MMS Band members have a functioning instrument at the beginning of the school year and throughout the remainder of the year. Here are guidelines for instruments both student-provided and school-provided. Student-provided instruments any student assigned to the following: Flute Clarinet Saxophone Trumpet Percussion There will be an orientation in May of the students' 5 th grade year to aid parents' knowledge of further instrument acquisition. These students are encouraged to have an instrument for the first day of school; however, 6 th grade students will be expected to have their instrument by September 3, and 7 th and 8 th grade students will be expected to have their instrument by the first Friday of the first week of school. Any student without an instrument will be subject to a schedule change out of band class. If needed, please contact the band staff for more information on obtaining an instrument. *Possible acceptable means of obtaining an instrument: Attend MMS Band-hosted Instrument Drive (orientation); provided by McKay Music Co. (financing options for both rental programs and purchase). Purchase an approved instrument on your own from a music retailer. Borrow/lease an instrument from family, friends, neighbors, etc. Upon careful inspection, obtain a used-approved brand in working order from classified ads, etc. Please contact a director should you have any questions about an instrument before purchasing. School-provided instruments any student assigned to the following: French Horn Trombone Baritone/Euphonium Tuba Oboe Bassoon

3 Due to their substantial cost, these students will be assigned an instrument owned by the school district with the following guidelines: 1. Students who play a school instrument will pay a maintenance fee of $20.00 per year. The fee is applied toward normal maintenance but it does not cover some repairs, dent removal, or accidental damage. 2. F. Horn, Baritone/Euphonium, and Tuba students will be required to purchase their own recommended mouthpiece and Bassoon and Oboe students will be required to purchase their own reeds. 3. Normal wear causing maintenance will be paid for by the band program (as determined by the band staff). However, the following damages to school instruments will be paid for by the student/parent to whom the instrument is assigned: Any dent caused in any capacity to the instrument while under the student's issuance. Any stuck slides or mouthpiece that require professional repair. Any other damaged caused by student neglect. 4. If a student loses an instrument/has it stolen under their issuance/has the instrument damaged beyond repair: - The student/parent will be responsible for paying the band program for the value of the instrument as determined by band staff and the local instrument dealership. 5. Each student must also maintain the working order of the instrument including: - Frequently oiling valves; greasing slides brass - Swabbing out; checking pads and springs woodwinds Failure to do this may result in the confiscation of the school district's instrument and a schedule change for the student. 6. Any student issued ANY school instrument, no matter what it may be, will be held to the previous set of guidelines for proper care and respect of the instrument. Book Acquisition All beginning band students are required to purchase their own method book, Essential Elements 2000, for their respective instrument. This inexpensive book is available at McKay's Music Co. in Sulphur Springs. BAND ROOM The band room is off-limits to persons other than those enrolled in the band program. If the band room is locked before school, during school or after school, it is locked for a good reason. Do not enter the band room unless a band director is present. Instrument storage slots are to be used for instrumental storage only. Students are assigned a specific area for their instrument, which is to be kept clean. NO INSTRUMENTS ARE TO BE LEFT ON THE FLOOR. Instruments are to be put in their cases and the cases kept closed while in the storage area. Every instrument should have a Memorial Band name tag on the case with the correct information filled out clearly.

4 EXPECTATIONS FOR ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR 1. Be in your seat with your instrument and supplies ready to play 2 minutes after the tardy bell. 2. During rehearsal, there will be absolutely no talking or other disruptive behavior at any time. 3. Students should not have cell phones out at any time during rehearsal. 4. Absolutely NO food, drink, or chewing gum in the band room unless approved by one of the directors (water is permitted). 5. Students should not touch any instrument that is not their own. PROCEDURES AND CONDUCT AT PERFORMANCES Be on time for warm-ups Band members should be courteous at all times Remember that you are representing our band program, school, and community Non-band members may not sit with the band Band members are not to play their instruments except when the full band is playing GRADING SYSTEM The six-week grade is based on an average of the following: 1. Daily or weekly playing assignments 2. Playing test or pass-offs 3. Practice records are due each Tuesday of the week (signed by parent) 4. Attendance at rehearsals and performances 5. Daily participation - All supplies and materials available daily - Good attitude and willingness to make an effort Eligibility Students must be passing all classes with a 70 or higher in order to be eligible to attend band trips and performances. Students may regain eligibility at the three week checkpoint; however, reinstatement into the contest ensemble will be at the discretion of the band directors and will depend on number of missed rehearsals and overall progress of each individual situation. All students are required to attend every performance of the organization in which they are a member. Performances reflect the time and energy spent in rehearsal. They are the end result of our work! When one student misses a performance, it affects the entire performance. An unexcused absence from a performance drops the six-weeks grade two letters. Absence Policy 1. Excused absences include personal illness, mandatory medical treatment, death in the family, or school-sanctioned activity. 2. Unexcused absences are any absences from a performance or rehearsal that occur without prior notification and approval of a band director.

5 Circumstances may justify excused absences other than those listed above. Students are notified of performances as soon as possible and are to check on the dates. In an emergency, a phone call to the director prior to the event is needed. The band directors are very easy to work with concerning your schedule, but you must communicate any scheduling conflict you have with them in a timely manner. Do not wait until the day of a performance to tell your director that you have a conflict. A Special Note to Parents Parent involvement and interest in their student's musical growth can be the single most important factor in their total musical education. When parents are actively involved in their student's musical endeavors, the chances for success are exponentially greater than for the student whose parents show little or no interest at all. Students are learning more in the band hall than how to just blow a horn or play a drum. They are developing life skills like discipline, teamwork, responsibility, self confidence, social skills, and critical thinking skills. It is the directors' goals to help each student develop in these areas and we know if we work with you as a team, we can be successful. Many times parents say things like, The only thing I ever learned to play was a radio, or I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket! For those of you who feel you fit in this category, here's some good news. It doesn't matter! What is important is that through your actions, you can show your child that you care about their musical development. There are many ways to do this. You can show your support by attending concerts, contests, civic, community, or professional performances with your child. As much as possible, try to provide equipment and accessories that they may need. Give them a productive place in which to practice. Praise your child when they practice regularly and offer a little positive reinforcement when they don't. Ask your child how things are going in band class and have them play for you. Parents do not need any prior musical experience in order to effectively support their child's development. The directors, through this handbook, phone calls, newsletter, and future web pages want to improve communication between the staff and parents. The goal is to keep you informed about your child's band activities so as to facilitate your involvement in their musical education. Remember, you can be the most important figure in your child's musical growth, and if we can work together, we can make you and your child's musical experience at MMS a success!

6 Memorial Middle School Band Supplies All students will need: 1 inch binder 5 dividers Pencil pouch 5 pencils Notebook paper Band book Band shirt Flute Cleaning rod Cleaning cloth Clarinet, Saxophone Cleaning swab Cork grease 2 working reeds Trumpet, Baritone, Tuba Valve oil Polish cloth Horn Rotary oil Polish cloth Trombone Slide oil Polish cloth Percussion Snare sticks (Vic Firth SD1 or equivalent Hard mallets (Vic Firth M6 or equivalent) Yarn mallets (Vic Firth M3 or equivalent; 7 th /8 th grade only) Practice pad Bell kit (6 th grade only) Reeds, valve oil, slide oil, rotary oil, and cork grease will be available for purchase in the band hall before or after school. Class books will be provided for 7 th and 8 th grade; 6 th grade must purchase their own method book, Essential Elements 2000, for their respective instrument. Cleaning swabs and polish cloths can be purchased from McKay's Music Company in Sulphur Springs.

7 MMS Band Supplies Order Form Quantity Items Price Cork grease woodwind only $1.00 Valve oil trumpet/baritone only $2.00 Rotary oil horn only $2.00 Slide oil trombone only $2.00 Band T-Shirt $12.00 each (parents, feel free to order also price is the same ADULT SIZE: YS XXL X $12.00 Student Name: Total Price: $ Student Instrument: Amount of cash enclosed Check enclosed made payable to Memorial Middle School Band. * please include address, phone #, and driver s license # on all checks Check #: Please put this order form and payment in an envelope with your child s name and instrument on the front of the envelope. Thanks!

8 Memorial Middle School Band Student/Parent Information Student Name: Grade: Student Shirt Size (circle one): YS YM YL S M XL 2XL 3XL Instrument: Parent/Guardian Names: Address: Home Phone: Work/Cell Phone: Parent I have read a copy of the Memorial Middle School Band Handbook. I understand my responsibilities as a member of the MMS band and understand that I will abide by the information contained within this handbook. Parent Signature: Date: Student Signature: Date:

9 Memorial Middle School Band Medical Release Form Student Name: Grade: Date of Birth: ( / / ) Student ID: Home Address: City: State: Zip: Family Physician s Name: Address: Phone Number: Emergency Contacts: Parent/Guardian 1: Parent/Guardian 2: Other: Cell Phone: Cell Phone: Cell Phone: Insurance Information Insurance Company: Phone Number: Insurance Member ID: Group Number: PPO Number: Allergies (including medicine): Special instructions or information: By my signature below, I authorize a Winnsboro ISD representative to request emergency medical care for this student. I understand this serves as permission for all travel involving the Memorial Middle School Band for the entire school year. Parent s Primary Parent Signature: Date: