Grace Lutheran School Band Program Handbook 2016-17
Parents, Please read this handbook with your band students. Note that all Lesson, Concert, and Solo Festival Dates are included in this booklet. Please mark your calendars NOW! Specific Lesson times will be scheduled and emailed to you one week before lessons begin. Band lessons include these wind instruments: flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto or tenor saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone & tuba, as well as percussion instruments. Lessons are on Wednesdays during the school day. There are usually 32 lessons scheduled each year. Private lessons are 20 minutes. Some beginning students get group lessons for 30 minutes. Students come during class or recess for their lessons. They may have homework from missing class. Concert Band Rehearsal is the last 40 minutes of the school day. Beginners move into Concert Band when the teachers agree the student is ready. Please schedule all doctor, dentist and orthodontist appointments outside of your band lesson time. There are no make-up lessons. 2
Recitals There will be 3-4 lesson days used for recitals. Students come in small groups to play for each other instead of having their regular lessons. This will give the students experience playing in front of others. These recitals make Solo Festival less stressful. Sorry, no parents. Recital dates will appear on the band calendar. Recital schedules will be different each time. Schedules will be announced at school and by email. Please be aware that recital times are tentative and flexible so avoid appointments on these days. Be On Time / Be Ready Students should arrive at their lessons and rehearsals early enough to have their instrument ready to play at the scheduled time. For each lesson, students need to bring the instrument, a pencil, lesson books/handouts, band folder, and the assignment booklet. Put a pencil in your instrument case. Keep it there. Students that forget instruments and/or books should still come to their lessons. Worksheets and ear training or sight reading will be substituted for the normal lesson material. There are no make-up lessons for forgotten or missed lessons. Students may NOT borrow instruments from teachers, school, or other students when they forget their own. 3
The Assignment Booklet! Students are to read the assignment every time they sit down to practice. Special notes will remind students how to practice. This booklet is a place for teachers and parents to communicate with one another. Parents should check the assignment booklet each week. They can write questions or notes to the teacher too! Parents should help keep track of the student s practice times and sign the booklet to verify the total time before each lesson. After students work at the assignment requirements, they can play for fun. Students are to look at the clock when they start and end each session and record their time each day. Waiting to walk into the lesson and write down your times from the last week is UNACCEPTABLE. Students spending time before the lesson writing in practice times will not get credit for practice time that week. Ten (10) Monthly payments of $40 each are due August May. The first payment is due on school Registration Day in August. The others are due on the 15 th of each month. Please write checks to Grace Lutheran School. Mark the memo: Joe Student Band Tuition. Place the check in an envelope and deliver payments to Mrs. Thiesfeldt in the school office. Label envelopes with Joe Student and band tuition. Total = $400/year, which is about $12.50/lesson and covers the cost of teachers, music stands, band music, teaching supplies, solo day, percussion equipment, etc. Other Costs - Books are $8 - $15. Generally, students need to buy one book a year. Reeds, valve oil, and other supplies may be purchased at local music stores. If purchased at school, the cost and form of payment will be noted in the assignment book. 4
Instruments: Families are responsible for supplying their own instrument. Some school instruments are available for rent at $80/year including percussion instruments. Students in their first two years of study have priority for school instruments. If a student damages a rental instrument, the family will be responsible for the repair costs. Arizona Lutheran Academy may also have instruments for rent. Please ask for more details. Music store rentals are about $20-35/ month for used instruments. If you can spend $250 up front, you can probably buy a great student level clarinet, flute, trumpet, or trombone and save on the rental charges. Saxophones are more expensive $800 for alto; $1000 for tenor. You may also be able to sell the instrument for the same price if your student doesn t keep playing. Mike Nye's Repair (Tempe) has some quality inventory to sell at great prices. Hand me down instruments and garage sale finds must be in good working condition. It is best to start saving for your future instrument purchases now. Having a down payment ready will cut down on financing charges. Please, Please, Please talk with Mrs. Unkefer before purchasing any instrument. There are many brands that should not be purchased, EVER. Families must indicate their desire to use a school instrument on the registration form. Mrs. Unkefer will contact you to verify that you can use a school instrument. Discounts: Some band tuition discounts are available. Students must attend lessons regularly, be prepared with all materials and meet 80% of the practice goal each week in order to keep the discounted rate. Students failing to meet the requirements more than twice per semester will lose their scholarship. 3 Strikes and you re out. Parents must pay full price for lessons to continue. Discounts will be negotiated for families with siblings in band. 5
Band Homework: Practice! Beginning Students: 20 minutes /day, 6 days/week = 120 minutes Advanced Students: 30 minutes /day, 6 days/week = 180 minutes Students that meet the goal earn a piece of candy each week. Students must record their practice times in the assignment booklet and get a parent s signature! Signed minutes will be recorded on our chart. If we reach the top of the chart we ll have a party at the end of the year. Donations of individually wrapped candies are appreciated. Students love Jolly Ranchers. Discount Students must meet 80% of the practice goal: 80% of 120 for beginners = 96 80% of 180 for returning students = 144 Concert Dates 2016-17 There are two performances for Concert Band each year. There is also a Solo/Ensemble Festival for all students. Please plan ahead so that all band members can attend. Talk to an instructor if there is a known conflict at this time. Parents need to contact Mrs. Unkefer (in person, in writing, by phone, or by email) at least 4 weeks in advance if conflicts arise. Christmas Concert Wednesday, December 14 at 1:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall Spring Music Concert Friday, May 12 at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall Arizona Lutheran Academy Solo/Ensemble Saturday, May 13 from 8 Noon 6