COCONINO HIGH SCHOOL BAND HANDBOOK Revised 2016 INTRODUCTION Dear Band Students & Parents, I d like to take this opportunity to welcome everybody to the Coconino High School band program! The Coconino band has a long tradition of excellence and together we can build on this success and continue to grow through your support. Band parents are an important key to our success and I ask you to help support our music students by attending meetings and band events and helping with our activities. Working together, we can create a positive and successful band program. Please take the time to review the information in this handbook. It gives important information regarding schedules, policies, and financial responsibilities. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at Coconino (773-8200 ext. 6483) during school hours. You can also reach me through my e-mail address at jhamilton@fusd1.org. Thanks for your support! Jennifer Hamilton Band Director Coconino High School
INSTRUMENTS & EQUIPMENT Many band members are expected to provide their own instruments. In some cases, school instruments may be available. If a student needs to use a school-owned instrument for marching or concert season, the rental fee as set forth by the school district must be paid prior to the instrument being checked out for the semester. The district rental fee is $80.00. This fee can be waived if the student is playing an instrument other than the one he or she owns or normally plays at the request of the band director. Expenses beyond those covered are the responsibility of the student (reeds, mouthpieces, etc.) In addition, all students are responsible for normal maintenance and repair of district-issued instruments. All students are responsible for providing necessary accessories (reeds,, etc.) Most of these items are available from local music stores. Students are expected to maintain district-issued instruments with the utmost care and attention. Each student and parent must sign an instrument rental agreement form for each instrument issued. Listed at the bottom of this form will be the specific condition that the instrument was in at the time it was issued, including any dents or flaws in the instrument. Any damage to the instrument beyond normal wear and tear will be the financial responsibility of the student throughout the year and when the instrument is returned at the end of the year. Also listed on the form is any other equipment that has been issued such as mouthpieces, neckstraps, etc. in which the same damage policy applies. Students are also expected to clean and maintain their instruments while under their care. Please note that reeds for clarinets, saxophones, oboes, and bassoons will not be provided. It is the student s responsibility to buy these items for class. It is highly suggested that students buy at least one box of reeds (usually 10 in a box) at the beginning of the year. It will be much cheaper in the long run than buying reeds individually! Policies concerning instrument rental: Students are expected to return instruments at the end of the year in the same condition that they were issued. Any additional damage to the instrument will be the financial responsibility of the student. Students are responsible for maintaining the instrument which they have been issued. This includes oiling and cleaning the valves on brass instrument and swabbing woodwind instruments. Instruments should be stored in the case whenever it is not being used. Students should never handle or play any instrument that has not been issued to them.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL BAND (LISTED BY INSTRUMENT): Students can purchase all of these items at a local music store or online (check wwbw.com) Flutes: cleaning cloth (silk swab) (www.amazon.com $7) cleaning rod Oboes: silk cleaning swab (www.amazon.com $8) handmade reeds (see Ms. Hamilton for suggestions on where to buy) Bassoons: silk cleaning swab (www.amazon.com $8) seat strap handmade reeds (see Ms. Hamilton for suggestions on where to buy) Clarinets: Vandoren 5RV Lyre, Vandoren M15 or Vandoren M30 (www.amazon.com $80 100) Vandoren V12 reeds (strength : 3 or 3½) - go ahead and buy an entire box, it will be cheaper in the long run Rovner ligature (www.amazon.com $20 - $30) Silk cleaning swab **If you student is renting a school clarinet, they MUST purchase a silk swab, available from Ms. Hamilton for $12** Reed case Saxophones: Alto Sax: Vandoren AL3 Optimum Mouthpiece (www.wwbw.com $110) Tenor Sax: Rascher mouthpiece (www.raschermouthpieces.com $120) Bari Sax: Caravan mouthpiece (www.caravanmouthpieces.com $150) Vandoren reeds (strength: 3 or 3½) - go ahead and buy an entire box, it will be cheaper in the long run Silk cleaning swab **If you student is renting a school clarinet, they MUST purchase a silk swab, available from Ms. Hamilton for $12** Rovner ligature (www.amazon.com $20 - $30) Neckstrap (neotech brand is good) (www.amazon.com $20) Reed case Trumpets: Bach 3C mouthpiece (www.amazon.com $55) Horns: Farkas MC (Medium Cup), Schilke 30 (www.amazon.com $50) rotor oil slide grease Trombones: Bach 61/2 AL or Schilke 51D or mouthpiece (www.amazon.com $66) trombatine slide grease Baritones: Bach 61/2 AL or Schilke 51D or mouthpiece (www.amazon.com $66) Tubas: Bach 18 or Conn Helleberg mouthpiece (www.amazon.com $66) Percussion: Vic Firth SD1 or Vic Firth Ted Atkatz Drum sticks (www.amazon.com $6 - $16) earplugs Evans 2 Sided Practice Pad (www.amazon.com $30) UNIFORMS
Each student will be fitted for a complete uniform at a specified time at the beginning of the school year. The uniform consists of a jacket, pants, and a hat. Students are responsible for getting the uniform cleaned at least one time during marching season and at the end of the season. Uniforms must be returned before Thanksgiving break with the dry-cleaning receipt attached. The student will be responsible for buying the marching shoes and gloves. Please note that each of these uniforms is worth $350.00 As indicated in the uniform agreement form, students will be held financially responsible for any damage to the uniform, including not keeping it cleaned properly When students are in uniform, they represent not only the band, but also Coconino High School and the school district. Students should follow all of the school rules of conduct while and handle themselves in a professional and mature manner whenever they are in uniform or representing the band or school in any way. Uniforms should be treated with the utmost respect and should always be worn correctly and completely. ATTENDANCE POLICY: A schedule of all band rehearsals and events will be provided in August, and available on Ms. Hamilton s staff page. Attendance is required at all performances, rehearsals and sectionals throughout the year. Absences from sectionals, rehearsals, concerts, or other performances WILL negatively impact the band grade. In the unlikely event of a student absence, a parent or guardian should notify Ms. Hamilton by telephone at 773-8200 ext. 6483 within 2 days to verify the absence. In accordance with the school attendance policy, absences may only be verified for the following reasons: student illness, bereavement and some religious observances. A student must be in good standing (in attendance and prepared for all rehearsals, concerts and other performances) to be eligible for trips with the band. Work is not a reason for missing scheduled rehearsals or events. Please note that a tardy or absence from a rehearsal or sectional will result in losing the 3 rd quarter break at the next football game during marching season. Any unexcused absence will jeopardize the student s eligibility for travel and performance. Please note that a tardy or absence from a rehearsal or sectional will result in losing the 3 rd quarter break at the next football game during marching season. Band is not an extra-curricular activity; band (music) is a curriculum that is supported and approved by the State of Arizona, the Department of Education, and Flagstaff Unified School District. LETTERING POLICY In order to letter in band, students must attend all band events, including after school rehearsals, concerts, games, parades, and pep rallies. Students must also have an A or a B for their practice record grade and overall grade for both semesters. Students will also be required to participate in either solo & ensemble festival or audition for all-regional band. Letters will be issued at the band awards banquet in the spring. The same policy applies to receiving a bar each year.
BAND CLASS SYLLABUS & GRADING PROCEDURE Objectives & Purposes Students should: demonstrate understanding and knowledge of music fundamentals including characteristic tone, rhythm, meter, articulation, dynamics, phrasing and musicianship develop and demonstrate a basic knowledge of the elements of music theory demonstrate continuing improvement on a band instrument by performing major, minor, and chromatic scales, lip slurs and other exercises rehearse and perform high quality repertoire with musical understanding and artistic intent Grading Procedure 60% Measurement (Rehearsal Attendance and Preparation, Concert Attendance and Preparation, Smart Music Tests, Other tests as announced) 20% Practice (Practice Records) 20% Performance (Daily Participation and Preparation for Class, Sectional Attendance) 15% Final exam Attendance and Participation Each student will earn a designated number of points for every rehearsal and performance. In order to maintain all of their points, students must be on time, prepared, on task and exhibiting appropriate behavior, in addition to following all of the classroom and rehearsal procedures. Absences from rehearsals, concerts, or other performances WILL negatively impact the band grade. Attendance and participation points for the daily class grade will be based on preparation for class (having proper equipment for class- music, reeds, mouthpieces, pencils, tuners and clips, etc.) cooperation, and behavior. Please see revised attendance policy for policies regarding trip eligibility. Practice Records Students are expected to practice a minimum of 90 minutes per week for band class, comparable to homework for other classes. There is a designated practice record form due on Monday of each week verifying what the student has practiced during that week. All practice records are available on Ms. Hamilton s staff page Smart Music Tests & Playing tests Playing tests will also be given periodically throughout the semester to monitor each student s progress on his or her instrument. Some playing tests will be assigned to the entire group such as scales and marching / concert music pass-offs. Other playing tests will be given on an individual basis determined by the student s ability and experience. The important factor in completing the playing tests is that the student demonstrates individual progress in this area throughout the grading period and throughout the year. Final exam The final exam consists of a written exam covering concepts studied throughout the semester as well as a playing test on one s instrument. Students are also expected to maintain passing grades in all of their other classes in order to participate in band events.