Please sign & return the last page (front/back) by Friday, September 8 th Jason Guidry jguidry1@aisd.net Chrissy Sample csample1@aisd.net www.barnettbearband.wordpress.com (682) 867-5016 COMMUNICATION Communication is very important to us! Email is the preferred way to communicate. To receive information via email throughout the year, please have an updated email address on file with the school through TEAMS. We also use an on-line system called Charms please follow the instructions below to set up your account. Charms provides information about your student, instruments, uniforms, forms, and band fees. Login instructions can be found in the Documents & Resources section of the band website. Another easy and convenient way to communicate is through Remind. Each class will have its own code to text to the Remind # to subscribe. The codes will be available to you in an email and on our band website at the beginning of the school year. PRACTICE Regular, daily practice is essential for the success of each student as well as the band program. Students will be assigned practice activities at every class and section rehearsal. Each director will determine how students will document or demonstrate their practice. Students will also use MusicFirst, a program that allows them to record, watch, listen to, and submit assignments. Login information will be sent through email. 1
OBJECTIVES Objectives will establish the curricular priorities for the completion of certain fundamentals and performance preparation. Only directors can pass off objectives. Students can complete these objectives at their own pace with the goal to complete them before the given deadline. An example of Objectives are scales, rhythm rockers, and segments of concert music. CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS 1. ON TIME: Be in your seat ready to play 2 minutes after the tardy bell. 2. READY: Have all instruments and supplies in working condition. 3. RESPONSIBLE: Be prepared to contribute to rehearsal by studying & practicing. 4. RESPECTFUL: Treat colleagues, teachers, and equipment with respect and care. Students who fail to display appropriate conduct or receive school consequences may be ineligible to participate in band events and trips. We take pride in representing our program and school well! CARE OF THE BAND HALL Leave equipment and room better than you found it. Leave food, drink, or gum in your backpack. Music stands are for music only. Only band students in the band hall. Only handle YOUR instrument. ATTENDANCE The band performs at an optimum level with all members present, just like a sports team. Therefore, students are required to participate in all rehearsals, concerts, and contests unless excused by the director according to the attendance policy. Wind Symphony & Symphonic Band are performing organizations, going beyond what we do each day in class. At this level, we are a team. When a member is absent from a performance, all students are affected. Required events are listed on the band calendar and on the band website. Directors can help resolve scheduling conflicts if they are to the director s attention immediately. In the case of illness and/or family emergency, the parents should send a written notice to the director as soon as possible. Illness that does not result in an absence from school will be excused only at the director s discretion. If there is a family emergency, please follow up with a written note as soon as possible. Students who have an excused absence from a performance will be given the opportunity to complete a make-up assignment. Students who have an unexcused absence from a performance will receive a major grade of a zero. SECTION REHEARSALS Sections (those whom play the same instrument) within the Wind Symphony & Symphonic Band rehearse together once each week either before or after school. These rehearsals are critical to each student s musical development. Students will receive a schedule for their specific day and time and that schedule will be sent out in an email and posted on the band website. Section rehearsals will consist of no less than 20% of each student s six-week grade. 2
INSTRUMENTS Instruments should always be in good playing condition. Proper maintenance is required and will outlined by their instructor. Students are also expected to have all the proper supplies. These supplies are available for purchase from area music stores. SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS Instruments borrowed from the school are: Oboe, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba. If you have a need for arrangements of a school instrument outside of these, please communicate with us! It is important that an instrument contract is signed by the student and parent/guardian before use. This contract ensures that the instrument is taken care of and if it should need repair or maintenance during the year, it is the student s responsibility to take the instrument to a local music store. INSTRUMENTS STORAGE Each student will be assigned a cubby in the band room for daily storage of their instrument. It is understood that these cubbies are for daily use only instruments should not be left overnight. Each instrument must have a visible name tag. These storage cubbies are for instruments only no textbooks, athletic clothes, shoes, band uniform, etc. STEP-UP INSTRUMENTS There comes a point where students who make great progress out-grow their beginner instrument. It will then be time to move to a step-up instrument. These instruments are of high enough quality to last them through high school and into college. When your student reaches this point, please see one of the directors for advice about instrument brands, models, etc. 3
MONIES All money turned in must be in an envelope (can be provided by the school). Envelope should be delivered ONLY to a director and the student must sign the tab form at that time. Money for band fees, supplies, and fundraisers is turned in throughout the year. Each student will turn in a $25 band fee for the year, due FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th. This covers the student s band t-shirt, a subscription to the MusicFirst practice program, and it helps to cover contest entry fees, and bus transportation for the year. We will be fundraising money to cover the rest of the contest and travel fees needed for the year. UNIFORMS All students will wear the Barnett Band T-shirt and blue jeans for informal events. For contest and formal concerts, AISD provides Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band members with concert uniforms. Jewelry and perfume/cologne must be kept to a minimum. Students must provide the following: Girls: Black dressy closed-toe shoes (flats or heels). Boys: Black dress shoes, long plain black socks, black undershirt. Directors will be happy to accommodate students that request adjustments to or assistance with this uniform. If this is the case, notify directors immediately. BRACES The addition of braces, after a student has learned to play an instrument, can be detrimental to the student s progress on that instrument. Most students will need about a month to adapt to a new way of playing the instrument. Please consider the timing of braces as it pertains to performances, solo and ensemble contests, and major tests for auditions. Please do communicate with a director about the braces. This information helps us in class to prepare your child to make this transition before it happens and will enhance the re-learning process. MUSIC ENRICHMENT In addition to individual band classes, we also have a wonderful staff of private music instructors who are a part of the Arlington Music Enrichment Program (AMEP). Each teacher is an expert on his or her individual instruments. Each teacher was also selected to teach in our school district by the Fine Arts Director and the band directors in our school district. The music lessons last 25 minutes, once a week at a cost of $17.00 per lesson. Times are worked out between you and the private instructor, and usually lessons occur at Barnett Jr. High. Private lessons are not required, and they will not effect your student s grade; however, students that take this opportunity tend to progress at a much faster rate. They also usually find themselves at a much higher level much faster than is normally expected. To sign up for the AMEP private lesson program, please see your director for an enrollment form. 4
HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Barnett Bear Band Student: As a Valuable Member of the Barnett Bear Band, I have read this handbook and understand the membership requirements, particularly regarding the high expectations of COMMUNICATION, PRACTICE, ATTENDANCE, and PERFORMANCE. As a Barnett Bear Band Member, I will assume all responsibilities and do my very best to accomplish the objectives, following the principles, rules, and expectations. Most of all, I will communicate in advance of any conflicts and be responsible for the dates listed on my band calendar. I understand that band is a FULL YEAR COMMITMENT. Print Student s Name Sign Student s Name Please circle student s t-shirt size (adult sizes): S M L XL 2XL Barnett Bear Band Parent: As a parent/guardian of a Barnett Bear Band Member, I have read this handbook and understand my student s requirements, particularly regarding the high expectations of behavior, as well as the required supplies and the $25 band fee. As a parent/guardian of a Barnett Bear Band Member, I understand the expectations and guidelines in which my child is expected to follow. I understand the commitment to the practices and performances for the dates listed on the band calendar. Print Parent/Guardian Name Sign Parent/Guardian 5
Barnett Bear Band VOLUNTEERS Apply at aisd.net/community/volunteer/ CONCERTS I can sit with students during the concert. I can stack chairs after the performance. TRIPS (We must have 1 chaperone for every 10 students, must have a background check) I can chaperone for football games after school. I can chaperone the Bowie JH Night Football game. (October) I can chaperone for Dean Corey Marching Spectacular (October). I can chaperone for UIL Contest (March). I can chaperone for Spring Band Festival (May). OTHER I can help schedule instrument selection interviews Donate clothes hangers Donate $7.50 for 24-pack 12 oz. bottled water Donate $7.50 for 24-pack 7.5 oz. canned soda Donate individually wrapped fun size/mini size candy Donate individually packaged chips and snacks I am a Notary Public. *AISD has a contract with Dr. Pepper that requires all bottled water and canned soda provided to students to be purchased through the contract agreement at $7.50 per package. If you can help volunteer with the band this year, please fill out the information below. Donations are appreciated and accepted anytime, just let us know when you would like to drop it off to us. Print Volunteer s Name Preferred Phone Number Email Student s Grade Band/Class Period 6