Blue Jacket 2016-2017 Band Handbook
Daniels Middle School Band 2816 Oberlin Rd Raleigh, NC 27608 Main Office #: 919-881-4860 August 29, 2016 Band Member and Parent/Guardian, Welcome to a new year at Daniels Middle School!! This year looks to be exciting for everyone involved in Band and the Arts at Daniels! Being a member of the band entitles you to many benefits but also carries many responsibilities. First and foremost, we must grow together in our understanding, appreciation and talent for music. As part of that process, we must be responsible for taking care of our school, rehearsal room and equipment. Each member in the Daniel Band program will enjoy involvement in a musical organization that provides identity, responsibility and purpose. Because everything we do is a based on group effort, individual responsibility is vital to our success We are only as strong as our weakest link! The purpose of this handbook is to familiarize all band students and parents with the expectations for the 2016-2017 school year. The following pages outline the procedures, guidelines, concert information and dates and required graded materials. Please review this handbook CAREFULLY so that you are aware of the expectations for participation in band. After you have read the handbook, please sign the back page and return it to Ms. Yosai by Friday, September 9, 2016. The remainder of the handbook should be kept in the student s class binder/folder. The returned forms will be collected in a binder that will remain in the band office for future reference should the need arise. THANK YOU for your interest, support and dedication to the Daniels Middle School Band Program! If you have any questions about the year ahead, or information contained within this handbook, please contact me at ayosai@wcpss.net. I look forward to a wonderful year filled with music and fun! Sincerely, Ms. Yosai, M.M. Band Director Arts Department Chair Daniels Middle School ayosai@wcpss.net www.danielsband.weebly.com
IMPORTANT DATES!! September 1, 2016 3:30 p.m. Instrument Rental Parent Meeting (Mainly for this year s 6 th graders) September 15, 2016 Jazz Band Auditions (3:20-4:00 p.m.) 7 th and 8 th Grade only (do not have to stay the entire time, just until finished) September 20, 2016 Jazz Band Rehearsals Begin (7:30-8:05 a.m.) October 13, 2016 Pep Band - Football at Home October 18, 2016 - All-County Band Auditions (begin 4:00 p.m. times will be assigned) Open to any PREPARED band student at Carnage Middle School November 3-4, 2016 All County Band Clinic @ Ligon MS Nov 3-3:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Nov 4-9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.; CONCERT 7:00 p.m. November 17, 2016 CONCERT ALL ENSEMBLES 7:00 p.m. (6:15 p.m. call) December 1, 2016 - TBA Jazz Band Rising 6 th Grade Open House December 15, 2016 Pep Band - Basketball at Home January 7, 2017 All District Auditions @ Cary Middle School January 19, 2017 Pep Band Basketball at Home January 27-28, 2017 All District Band Clinic @ South Garner HS/Memorial Auditorium February 2, 2017 CONCERT ALL ENSEMBLES 7:00 p.m. (6:15 p.m. call) February 24, 2017 TBA Jazz Band Blue Jacket Jamboree March 2, 2017 MPA Concert and Clinic 7:00 p.m. (6:15 p.m. call) March 4, 2017 All State Auditions @ Central Davidson MS March 15-17, 2017 MPA Festival - Date and Time to be assigned @ Cedar Ridge HS, Hillsborough, NC March 21, 2017 Band and Chorus Concert for Atlanta, GA March 23-25, 2017 7 th and 8 th Grade Band and Chorus Trip to Atlanta, GA, National Competition May 4, 2017 TBA Jazz Band Rising 6 th Grade Open House May 5-7, 2017 All State Clinic @ UNC Chapel Hill May 11, 2017 CONCERT ALL ENSEMBLES 7:00 p.m. (6:15 p.m. call) June 2017 Jazz Band @ Sea Turtles Awards Ceremony
EXPECTATIONS CLASSROOM PROCEDURES: Do the BLUE in Band Be Kind and Respectful Lead by Example Utilize Responsible Work Ethics Establish a Safe Environment THINK before you speak Listen to and follow directions Stand up for others and yourself Raise your hand and wait Remain quiet (no talking/playing instrument) between songs or when director stops to give feedback Be Helpful Be in seat, ready when class begins with your pencil, music and instrument Stay focused throughout rehearsal Keep cases in lockers Reset chairs in neat rows with music stands pushed forward at end of class Clean up trash around seat Keep Lockers Locked and small valuables/easily stolen items in your bookbag CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION EXPECTATIONS: Students should bring their instrument, pencil, binder with music, book, agenda, supplies (reed, oil, etc.), and notebook paper to class every day. Students should have a SEPARATE binder or folder for this class. Students are to participate everyday, even if they do not have a playable reed, instrument or music. They must follow along, listen and pay close attention in class; they will not be allowed to do other homework. If a student has an illness that will hinder him/her from playing, the only way to be excused from playing is through a note from a parent or guardian. (This includes having braces tightened.) You should still bring your instrument and music to class to finger along and participate to the fullest extent possible, just not actually play. Additionally, under NO circumstances should a student borrow another person s instrument. If a student forgets their instrument, it is not a free pass they will have Band work to complete, NOT homework for another class. INSTRUCTION BOOKS: The method books for each class are as follows: 6 th Grade Band: Essential Elements for Band, Book 1 7 th Grade Band: Standard of Excellence - Enhanced, Book 2 8 th Grade Band: Accent on Achievement, Book 3
CONCERT EXPECTATIONS Student attendance at ALL concerts is expected. This is a performing elective, and an important part of the curriculum is concert performance. Students may be excused from a concert (severe illness, death in the family, etc.), and notification should be submitted prior to the concert whenever possible. If the opportunity arises for an inschool concert, students will NOT be allowed to participate unless they participated in the evening concert prior to the school performance. Exceptions allowed on a case-bycase basis only. CONCERT ATTIRE: Men: Black pants, black socks, black shoes (NO tennis shoes or boots); LONG-sleeve Black dress shirt and tie (conservative color ie. NO cartoons). Women: Black pants, black nylons or socks, black shoes (NO tennis shoes or flip flops); LONG-sleeve or 3-QUARTER length sleeve Black dress shirt with modest neck and back lines (no bling, sparkles or sequins). Toes should not be visible on stage, please keep them covered. If you are unable to meet attire requirements please see Ms. Yosai BEFORE the concert to make arrangements for suitable attire. GRADING EXPECTATIONS 50% - Daily Performance 35% - Major Assessments 15% - Minor Assessments *** Students who do not pass Band with a grade of D or higher will not be allowed to register for class the following year. *** Daily Performance: Areas of assessment will include: class preparedness, collaborative achievements, critical thinking, problem solving, time management, and contributions to artistic atmosphere. Minor Assessments: Homework and Practice Records All band students are expected to take instruments home and practice EVERY DAY! Instruments should not be left in the classroom overnight in accordance with WCPSS policies. Practice record grades will be assigned according to the number of minutes practice each week (see below). 100+ minutes = 100 = A 85 99 minutes = 92 70 84 minutes = 84 55 69 minutes = 76 15 54 minutes = 68 0 14 minutes = 60 Not Turned in = 0 = F
Daily practice should be recorded on the practice record provided to you. Private lessons may be counted toward practice time. Students will be excused from practice only when their instrument is in the shop or if there is a family emergency. Any such occurrence should be notated on the student s practice record. When an instrument is in the shop for repairs, bring a note. Practice records are to be signed by a parent or guardian and turned in each TUESDAY at the beginning of class. NO LATE PRACTICE RECORDS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER FRIDAY of the same week. Late practice time will be lowered one letter grade. Unsigned practice records (not signed by a parent or guardian) will be lowered one letter grade. Worksheets or written assignments may be assigned to enhance classroom learning activities. Worksheets will be due the next day, or as stated on the written assignment. Major Assessments: Playing or Written Quizzes, Projects Written Quizzes will be given periodically throughout the school year over materials covered in class. The student is responsible for making up missed written quizzes within one week. Playing Quizzes will be used to determine each student s progress in playing ability and musical understanding. Students will play certain exercises in the method book or excerpts from the music being practiced in class. The students are responsible for determining their progress and degree of success in band. At the end of the year, all students must complete a proficiency test and play certain exercises in order to advance to the next ensemble the following year. Playing quizzes will be made up at the earliest convenience. A student may always come in on their own time to retake a quiz they would like to score better on. Major Assessment: Concert Attendance and Behavior Students will be held accountable for attendance and behavior at concerts. The concert begins when students enter the classroom to warm-up and ends at the conclusion of the event. Disrespectful behavior during another class performance will NOT be tolerated and may be subject to school consequences and/or impact the performance grade.
INSTRUMENTS Each student is expected to furnish his/her own instrument by purchasing or renting one. Internet website purchases are typically NOT the quality you want for your child to be successful in music unless you know the brand and trust the seller. If you have questions PLEASE email me at ayosai@wcpss.net. Please, do not buy an instrument from Wal-Mart, Sams, Costco or other such establishments. The school has a few of the larger and more expensive instruments (bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor sax, baritone sax, French horn, baritone and tuba) which will be assigned to selected students. Students using a Daniels Middle School-owned instrument must fill out a separate MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LOAN FORM and are responsible for the care of that instrument and any damages they incur. **All students are required to complete a Wake County Personal Property Waiver Form that includes the instrument model and serial number for our files.** Only after the Wake County Personal Property Waiver Form is signed and returned to Ms. Yosai, may the instrument be kept in the classroom during the day. All students must take their instrument home at the end of the school day. Wake County does not assume any responsibility for lost, misplace or damaged instruments that are left on campus overnight. To avoid confusion and misplaced instruments, ALL students are required to place a name-tag on his/her instrument(s). We strongly recommend that any instrument not covered under a rental insurance plan be placed on a homeowner s policy. We strongly encourage parents to keep the instrument brand name and serial number on file at home. Stray marks or any other identifying marks will not be accepted as identification. There are over 150 students in band - names MUST be on cases, method books and binders/folders! MUSIC In addition to the method books, each student will be issued sheet music to be kept in his/her CLASS BINDER/FOLDER. Organization of the Class Binder may be evaluated. Music is school property and must not be lost or damaged beyond use. Music should be marked in PENCIL ONLY!! Lost music will be charged for according to replacement costs, therefore ALL music should be carefully put away at the end of each class. Local Music Stores Music and Arts Music and Arts Cary Crossroads Plaza Triangle Town - Poyner Place 426 Crossroads Blvd 5950 Poyner Village Pkwy, Suite F101 Cary, NC 27518 Raleigh, NC 27616 (919)854-0024 (919)872-1601 Falls River Music Repair Shop Flying Squirrel Music Inc. 10930 Raven Ridge Rd 2828 Capital Blvd Raleigh, NC 27614 Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 637-0526 919-615-3117
INSTRUMENT ACCESSORIES The following items are recommended for students to have with their instruments at all times for proper care and use of their instruments. Brands, as noted*, are recommended. (If a private teacher recommends something else, please let me know before following their recommendations.) FLUTE CLARINETS SAXOPHONES Cleaning rod, cloth handkerchief Silk swab (not the chamois swab typically provided), reed case, cork grease, soft cloth, four (4) reeds Vandoren*, Mitchell Lurie* or. La Voz* #3 (6 th graders may start with #2 or #2½ and work up to #3 by the end of the year), and a mouthpiece brush Cloth swab (not the chamois swab typically provided), reed case, cork grease, soft cloth, four (4) reeds Vandoren* #2½ or Hemke* #3, comfortable neck strap and a mouthpiece brush. ALL REED PLAYERS MUST HAVE AT LEAST FOUR (4) PLAYABLE REEDS AT ALL TIMES. Reed players will need to have a reed guard case, which holds four (4) reeds. Please note that it is cheaper (per reed) to buy reeds by the box rather than individually. Do not buy any reed that starts with R (Rico, Rico Royal, etc.) they are cheap and cheaply made therefore you will buy more of them over time and spend more money than buying quality reeds outright. Suggestion: send four reeds to school with student at a time keep the rest in a safe, dry place at home for distribution with the reed breaks. **NEW!** Rico is now making a RICO RESERVE reed. This is an acceptable reed. TRUMPET/BARITONE/ Mouthpiece, valve oil, tuning slide grease, soft cloth to clean TUBA instrument after each playing session. FRENCH HORN Same as trumpet, but use ROTOR VALVE OIL TROMBONE Mouthpiece, trombone slide cream and spray bottle, and soft cloth. PERCUSSION 6 th Grade - Bell kit, practice pad, Vic Firth* 5A snare drum sticks, bell mallets 7 th and 8 th Grade Vic Firth* 5A snare drum sticks, medium hard rubber mallets, medium yarn mallets, medium felt timpani mallets, and drum stick/mallet case. ALL PERCUSSIONISTS Please mark ALL sticks, mallets and case with your name in PERMANENT ink INSTRUMENTS IN THE BAND ROOM a. Students should never touch or otherwise tamper with another student s instrument, accessories, case, or other band materials. b.student must respect the room equipment. The music stands are not to be used as desks, written on, leaned on, spun, or otherwise mistreated. The stands are designed for music and a pencil only. Violations will be treated as vandalism. c. Percussion instruments are for percussionists only. Non-percussionists are not allowed to touch, play or move these instruments without specific permission from a director. This policy includes the piano.
DANIELS MIDDLE SCHOOL HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM PLEASE PRINT NEATLY (Top part may be filled out on-line at www.danielsband.weebly.com) Name: Grade Instrument Best Number to Contact (and whom): Alternate Number to Contact (and whom): Guardian Name: Email Guardian Name: Email (optional) I have read this handbook carefully, noted concert dates, and I am aware of what is expected of my son/daughter in the Daniels Middle School Band this year. I am aware this form will be kept on file and referred back to should there by any issues during the school year. (print) student name (print) parent/guardian name student signature parent/guardian signature date date ***This form is due back by Friday, September 9, 2016***