Edgar Allan Poe Middle School Band Department 7000 Cindy Lane * Annandale, Virginia 22003 Band Handbook Part I: Syllabus Part II: Classroom Expectations Part III: Finance Procedures Part IV: Calendar of Events/ Handbook Acknowledgement Grades 6 8 2017-2018 Poe Middle School Band Directors Mr. Scott C. Niehoff and Mr. Zac Gomez Band Room Room E8/E2 Mr. Niehoff 703-813-3826 / Mr. Gomez 703-813-3949 sniehoff@fcps.edu / zagomez@fcps.edu CONNECT WITH THE POE BANDS! ON THE WEB: www.poebands.org ON FACEBOOK: Poe Middle School Bands ON TWITTER: @PoeMSBand ON INSTAGRAM: Poe Middle School Bands
PART I: SYLLABUS CLASS DESCRIPTIONS (For all bands, ALL performances are MANDATORY per FCPS Regulation 3866!) COCURRICULAR PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS In addition to extracurricular activities and club-sponsored activities, many courses include participation requirements outside the regular school day in order for students to receive credit for the course. Many courses also provide participation enrichment opportunities outside the regular school day that are optional. In order to participate, students cannot be under any type of suspension, either from school or from the course. A. Courses with co-curricular participation requirements. Many courses include participation requirements outside the regular school day. In order to receive credit for the course, students must be enrolled in the course and meet both the school-day and after-school requirements. Additional details for these courses can be found in the course descriptions of the FCPS Standard and Optional Course Offerings catalogs. The Band Program at Poe has a long-standing tradition of excellence. The music curriculum offers students the opportunity to experience music through singing, playing instruments, listening and performing. Classes are available to students with or without any previous musical experience. Performing groups provide training in numerous musical skills and techniques, and develop an understanding of both solo and chamber ensemble performing as well as group ensemble playing. Students will learn about various genres of musical literature and styles as they also learn about and demonstrate the concepts of teamwork, commitment, dedication, and responsibility. Students who register for Poe s music performing ensembles commit to the full-year class. 6th Grade Beginning Band: A student will be placed in the beginning band if he/she has never played a band instrument before, or needs to strengthen his/her basic musical skills on a different instrument. Students in this ensemble perform at least 2 times per year. 6th Grade Intermediate Band: A 6th Grade student will be placed in this class if he/she has had at least one year of successful playing experience in beginning band and/or is capable of playing the music taught at the Intermediate 6th grade level. Students in this ensemble perform at least 2 times per year. 7th/8th Grade Beginning Band: A student will be placed in the beginning band if he/she has never played a band instrument before, or needs to strengthen his/her basic musical skills on a different instrument. Students in this ensemble perform at least 2 times per year. Concert Band 1: A student will be placed in either Concert Band class if he/she has had at least one year of successful playing experience and is capable of playing music at an intermediate level. Students in this ensemble perform at least 3 times per year. Concert Band 2: A student will be placed in either Concert Band class if he/she has had at least one or two years of successful playing experience and is capable of playing music at a more challenging intermediate level. Students in this ensemble perform at least 5 times per year. Symphonic Band: A student will be placed in the Advanced Symphonic Band after auditioning successfully for a position. In some cases where instrumentation warrants, a student may participate in Advanced Band by invitation of the director. Students in this class learn through the advanced band curriculum and perform at least 8 times per year. Poe Symphony Orchestra (PSO): This ensemble is not a class during the school day. This is a special ensemble comprised of Sinfonia Orchestra and select members of Symphonic Band. We combine Orchestra and Band into a Full Orchestra with appropriate instrumentation and prepare/perform together while learning the musical difference between individual group performance and combined performance. Students will have the opportunity to learn new musical literature. We will rehearse together during class and after school in the Spring leading up to the Poe Spring Music Showcase in June.
SECTIONALS AND AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS Attendance is mandatory at all sectionals. Participation in sectional rehearsals on a consistent basis is vital to giving a successful performance. Sectionals are a necessity so the directors can solve problems unique to a specific grouping of instruments without other students having to sit in rehearsal needlessly. Sectionals will be held after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and/or Thursdays (Late Bus Days). If a student must miss a sectional rehearsal, a signed note from a parent is required. A monthly band calendar stating upcoming sectionals, full band rehearsals, activities, and performances will be posted in the band room and made available to all band students. Students will be given as much advance notice as possible. If a student must miss an after school rehearsal, a signed note from a parent is required two weeks before the scheduled rehearsal. If a student needs to work with another teacher, please schedule that work at a different time. GRADING POLICY Each student will receive a weekly grade which is based on class preparation and timeliness. If a student comes to class with a well-maintained instrument, proper accessories, music, pencil, and other required materials every day he/she has class, they will receive full credit for that week. If a student is missing any of the above items, their grade will be affected accordingly. Students will also receive a grade based on the practice they do at home. Students may be required to complete monthly Practice Charts either on paper or on Google Classroom, which are worth 100 points. Pop playing quizzes will be given periodically on material covered in class. Each student will be given an announcement in advance of formal playing tests; which occur on the average of once a week; and are out of a 100 point scale. A student may earn any grade between an A and F for any in-class performance. Students will be evaluated in some or all of the following areas: Expression, tone quality, intonation, articulation, phrasing, rhythmic accuracy, dynamics, tempo, fingering technique, posture, and pitch accuracy. Breakdown of quarterly grade Poe Middle School Policy: 50% - Tests (Concerts, formal and informal performances, vocabulary tests, compositions, reports) 20% - Quizzes (Informal or impromptu performances, formative assessments) 20% - Rehearsal Skills and Preparation 10% - Practice Habits (Practice Logs) Students also have the opportunity to receive extra credit. Please read below. EXTRA CREDIT A student may earn extra credit for the various musical activities listed below. Extra credit is applied when a student has turned in written verification from a parent/guardian stating that the student fulfilled the requirement for the extra credit. The extra credit can only be applied in the quarter in which it is earned. Private Lessons: A student must take weekly lessons for the entire quarter on his/her band instrument. Solo and Ensemble Festival: Play a solo or play in one or more ensembles at the District Festival. All-District Honor Band Audition: Auditioning for the event on December 10, 2016 at West Potomac HS. All-District Honor Band: Participation in the event February 2-4, 2017 at Hayfield Secondary School. Attendance at non-poe related concert performances: Classical, concert band or jazz music performed by high school, college, or professional groups. Recital: Play on a recital sponsored by a private lesson teacher, religious, or community organization.
HOMEWORK/PRACTICE Students are expected to practice at home on a consistent and daily basis per FCPS regulation 3205. Students will ALWAYS have homework in this class. We require all students to practice at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. This is vital to the success of the entire ensemble each is student is a part of. Student assignments, concert dates, and any other band announcements will come to the parents via the Poe Bands website (www.poebands.org), e-mails from the directors, announcements on Google Classroom, and by the FCPS Blackboard Web-site. MATERIALS METHOD BOOKS/BINDERS Method books, band sheet music, ensemble music, and folders are provided to all band members. Method books and the paper folders/binders are the student s to keep. Sheet music, ensemble music, concert folders, and supplementary books must be returned to the director and kept in the Warm-Up Folios. INSTRUMENTS Students are expected to provide their own instrument. Several local music stores rent and sell instruments at a variety of costs. Flyers are available to students upon the start of instrument distribution. The internet is also becoming an increasingly useful tool in locating instruments for sale. Parents are encouraged to check with the band directors for advice regarding the specific brand and/or model of instrument to purchase. SUPPLIES Band students should have the following items at home. Supplies can be purchased at most area music stores. ALL Students: Music stand Metronome. All Clarinets, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophones: One box of reeds should last you at least two months. One reed should last you two weeks. Five good reeds no softer than 2½ or medium (VanDoren or Mitchell Lurie reeds please.) Cleaning swab and Cork grease Flute Players: Cleaning rod and thin handkerchief French Horns, Trumpets, Baritones, Euphoniums, Tubas: Valve oil Flexible cleaning snake Mouthpiece brush Slide grease Trombones: Slide cream Small Spray Bottle (to use for slide moisture and movement) Beginning Percussionists Percussion Kit which includes the following: Bells set, Practice pad, Drumsticks, Mallets *Note: All percussion students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency on all percussion instruments. A percussion kit for 7th and 8th grade Intermediate and Symphonic Band percussionists is not required, but strongly encouraged.
CONCERT UNIFORMS 6TH GRADE BEGINNING BAND, 6 TH GRADE INTERMEDIATE, AND 7 TH /8 TH GRADE BEGINNING BAND Boys - Plain white dress shirt with collar. (Solid white) Solid Black dress pants. (NO JEANS or ATHLETIC WEAR) Solid Black Socks Black Dress Shoes. (NO TENNIS SHOES OR SNEAKERS ARE ALLOWED!) Girls - Plain white blouse or dress shirt with collar. (Solid white) Black ankle-length skirt (no slit above knee) or Black Dress Pants. (NO JEANS or LEGGINGS) Black Dress Shoes or Black Flats. (NO TENNIS SHOES OR SNEAKERS ARE ALLOWED!) 7 TH /8 TH GRADE CONCERT BAND 2, CONCERT BAND 1, PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE, AND SYMPHONIC BAND - All - White, wing-tip collar, pleated tuxedo shirt (studs optional) Black Dress Shoes (NO TENNIS SHOES OR SNEAKERS ARE ALLOWED!) Boys Solid Black Dress Pants (NO JEANS or ATHLETIC WEAR!) Girls Solid Black ankle-length skirt (no slit above knee), or Solid Black Dress Pants (NO JEANS or ATHLETIC WEAR!) Students must look solid black from the waist down and solid white from the waist up. It is a good idea for all students to wear a white undershirt under their tuxedo shirt. Tuxedo shirts will be offered and ordered through the Poe Band from an outside company for a reduced price. Measurements will take place the first week of school. All tuxedo shirts must be purchased by Monday, September 4 th. School cummerbunds and bow ties will be provided free of charge for the Symphonic, Concert Band 2, and Concert Band 1 members immediately before a performance. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION Participation in concerts and festivals scheduled for each band is mandatory per Fairfax County Public Schools regulations. (Regulation 3866, Section 10.) Check the band calendar for your respective performances. Each concert is a MAJOR test grade and is mandatory. Students that miss a performance for any reason must have a parent/guardian letter or email and/or a doctor s note in order to be considered for excuse. The students must also make up that missing project grade by completing a make-up assignment. BAND OFFICERS (7/8 Grade Only) Each year, we have a Band Officers Board who helps Mr. Niehoff and Mr. Gomez with the running and implementation of the band program. We have any interested students submit their candidacy for President (8 th Grader in Symphonic Band), Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian, Librarian, and Class Representative. All 7 th and 8 th grade students then vote using a ballot to select the students who would do the best job at each office. All candidacy submissions are due by Friday, September 15 th and voting will occur on Monday, September 18 th.
COMMUNICATIONS The Poe Band program has many ways that we communicate with students, parents, and teachers. They are as follows: Remind, Google Classroom, Poe Middle School Facebook Page, Poe Middle School Twitter Account, Poe Middle School Band Instagram Account, the Poe Bands Website (www.poebands.org), and Poe Band News and Notes Weekly Update emails. Please see below for all information. REMIND (7 th and 8 th Graders Only) This year, we are continuing using the Remind system, which is another valuable resource to help you and your students be reminded of Poe Band events, rehearsals, sectionals, deadlines, and performances. It is called REMIND. (www.remind.com) Remind is a very safe and reliable communication tool that helps teachers communicate to students and parents of important events (such as concerts/projects/field trips/fundraisers, etc.), assignments, and deadlines for their classes. This app is FCPS-approved. This app/texting service is for parents and students. Please see this document that explains how everything is kept safe: https://www.remind.com/resources/what-makes-remind-safe If you would like to sign up to receive text reminders of band concerts/functions/reminders, please follow one of the following steps: 1.) Send a text to 81010. (81010 is the Remind short code we created so people can join your class without seeing your personal information.) 2.) Text the following message: (Please text for the appropriate class.) @poecb11718 CONCERT BAND 1 PERIOD 1 @poecb21718 CONCERT BAND 2 PERIOD 2 @poebeg1718 BEGINNING BAND PERIOD 3 @poesb1718 SYMPHONIC BAND PERIOD 6 3.) Hit send. 4.) Reply with your name so Mr. Niehoff knows who you are. You will then automatically be registered for REMIND and begin to receive SMS (text) updates and reminders about Poe Band Events and Updates right to your Smart Phone. If you are a visual learner, please see the Remind Visual Instructions Sheet on the next page.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM (7/8 Grade ONLY - Concert Band 1, Concert Band 2, Percussion Ensemble, and Symphonic Band) Each student will be enrolled into the Google Classroom/Schoogle Group for each individual class. Class announcements, educational resources, and assignments will be posted in this group so all students must accept the invitation. Example below.
POE BANDS FACEBOOK PAGE This site will feature important announcements about performances, festivals, and activities for the general public. Please search Poe Middle School Bands and like our page! POE BANDS TWITTER FEED @PoeMSBand This site will feature important announcements about performances, festivals, and activities for the general public. In addition, we share many resources, pictures, and news about music happenings in our area and in the country of all genres of music. Please follow us @PoeMSBand!
POE BANDS INSTAGRAM This site will feature important announcements about performances, festivals, pictures, and activities for the general public. Please search Poe Middle School Bands and like our page! POE BANDS WEBSITE www.poebands.org This site is the official web-site of the Poe Band Department. We post a lot of announcements for virtually every activity or event that we do. This site also has A LOT of resources that are educationally beneficial to all students and parents. We also advertise all of our concerts, calendar dates, and sectionals. Please check back to this website throughout the year as it is updated on a consistent basis. There are helpful links on the left for your perusal.
POE BAND NEWS AND NOTES WEEKLY UPDATES Parents, please make sure the directors have your updated e-mail address. These weekly updates are sent out every Monday or Tuesday with important information about that week s activities as well as upcoming events. These will also be posted to the band website as well. See example below.
Ravens respect PROPERTY: PART II: CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES Walk carefully in the band room for the safety of the instruments and equipment. Properly care for and maintain instruments. Label your instrument case with your name and Poe Middle School. Play only YOUR OWN instrument. Leave the band room and storage room as you found it: no litter, chairs and music stands in appropriate places, no graffiti on music stands or in lockers. Keep music neat and easy to read. No food, drinks, candy, or gum are allowed in the band or storage room except closed water bottles. Ravens respect OURSELVES: Be on time in your seat 3 minutes after the bell unpacked, and ready to begin class. Be prepared with your instrument, music, binder, method books, folios, and pencil. PRACTICE at home on a regular basis to be ready to REHEARSE with the orchestra in class. Turn in all assignments and practice logs on time. Take pride in your abilities as a musician. Ravens respect EACHOTHER: Have a positive attitude by being polite, kind, and helpful to others, and by being respectful to their thoughts and opinions. Have excellent MANNERS (For example: Yes, please; No, thank you; Thank you; Please; You re Welcome.) Follow all classroom procedures and the instructor s directions to maximize learning time for everyone. Attend all after-school rehearsals and performances to help the ensemble succeed. Be active listeners and performers during all rehearsals and performances. METHOD BOOKS/BINDERS Method books, band sheet music, ensemble music, and folders/binders are provided to all band members free of charge. Method books and the paper folders/binders are the student s to keep. Sheet music, ensemble music, concert folders, and supplementary books must be returned to the director. Failure to return these materials in satisfactory condition, or not at all, will result in the student being charged the replacement cost which must be paid before he/she may participate in Field Day or leave school in June. HOMEWORK/PRACTICE Students are expected to practice at home on a consistent and daily basis. Students will ALWAYS have homework in this class. We require all students to practice at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. Student assignments, concert dates, and any other band announcements will come to the parents via the Poe Bands website (www.poebands.org), e-mails from the directors, Google Classroom, and by the FCPS Blackboard Web-site.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE 1. Determine your goals by asking questions of yourself, such as: Are there any notes that are in a difficult range? Are there rhythms with which I am having trouble? 2. Plan the order of your practice session. (Breathing/Long Tones/Scales/Rhythms/Book Work/Concert Music) 3. Practice a small section of the music at a time. 4. Practice difficult sections slowly. 5. Use a metronome. 6. Record some of your sessions and listen to the tape. Listen to what you did well and what needs improvement. 7. Save your favorite music selection for the end of the session. 8. Determine what improved, what didn t and why. 9. Spread your sessions throughout the week; don t cram a week s worth of practice into one or two sessions. STORAGE AREA Students may store their instruments during the school day in their own locker in the band storage room. Students will be assigned a band locker the first week of school and must store all band materials in this locker. No band materials are allowed to be stored in the student s main-hall locker for security reasons. If a student chooses to not put a lock on his/her locker, he/she is responsible for all supplies and their instrument. The band storage room is locked after each school day and remains so until the next school day. If any part of the locker mechanism is broken or misplaced, the student is responsible for payment in order to replace those items. All items must be paid for before Friday, June 16 th. CHAIR TESTS (Grades 7/8 only) Periodically throughout the school year, playing tests will be given that determine seating position within the sections of the band. After seating is established and at the discretion of the director, there will be challenge windows where a student may choose to challenge another player within his/her section in order to obtain higher chair placement. A student may be involved in only one challenge at a time. Challenge Procedure: 1. A challenge request is made to the director by the students by submitting a Challenge Request Form to Mr. Niehoff at the end of the class period with both students present. 2. The director will inform both students of the challenge material and challenge date and time. 3. The challenge will be heard live or recorded, and the director(s) will name the winner based on their performance. 4. If the loser of the challenge was originally the higher chair, he/she may challenge back to obtain his/her original position only once after one week, within the challenge window timeframe. 5. If the loser of the challenge was originally the lower chair, he/she may challenge again only once after one week, within the challenge window timeframe. 6. The director(s) reserve the right to deny challenge requests at any time.
PART III: FINANCE PROCEDURES INSTRUMENT RENTALS The school offers a limited rental program. The larger and/or more rare, more expensive instruments (Oboe, French Horn, Euphonium, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Tuba) are available through this program for a one-time fee of $92 made payable to Poe Middle School. Fairfax County Public Schools also offers a reduced fee rental program ($20) for students who qualify for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program. If a student qualifies for this program, he/she will be given the Fairfax County Public Schools Instrument Rental Contract, which will need to be signed and returned with payment to the band directors as soon as possible before the student is given his/her instrument. In addition, students must attach proper identification onto their instrument case. All students using school-owned instruments must obey the rules as stated in the Fairfax County Instrument Rental Contract. The student is responsible for proper maintenance of the instrument. If a student rents an instrument from Poe Middle School, it comes with all accessories (mouthpiece/neckstrap/ligature/etc). However, if one of the accessories breaks throughout the year (ligature/mouthpiece), it is the responsibility of the student to pay the replacement cost for a new one. Payment must be made within one week. Checks must be made out to Poe Middle School. It is Fairfax County policy that all non-beginning band percussionists must pay a $60 fee for the use of the school percussion equipment (this equipment stays in the band room). Please read below for percussion supplies that need to be furnished by the student for home practice. The band director will periodically check all instruments and related equipment to make sure they are clean and in proper playing condition. This includes no residue in or on mouthpieces, reeds that are not chipped, cracked, the improper thickness or worn out, and valves, keys and slides that are working freely. Percussionists are expected to keep the percussion areas neat and orderly. At the conclusion of the school year, all students must return all school-owned or FCPS-owned instruments before they are allowed to participate in Field Day. INSTRUMENT ACCESSORIES It is the responsibility of the student to purchase needed accessories for their instrument. (Reeds, slide cream, valve/rotary oil, cork grease, cleaning swabs, music stand, metronome, polishing cloths, etc.) For full list, please see the MATERIALS portion of the Poe Band Syllabus. There are several music stores in the area from where you can purchase these items. The cost of each item is varied based on the product. STORAGE LOCKERS In addition, all students will be assigned a band storage locker for the year. Each locker comes with a bracket and a combination lock. If a student breaks any part of their locker, they will be responsible for the replacement of that item. Locks are $8 and Brackets are $10.
METHOD BOOKS/BINDERS If any student loses his or her school-supplied Band Method Book or Binder (or any school-owned resource), it is the student s responsibility to replace it. Method Books vary in price from $8-$10 depending on the instrument. Binders cost $5. SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL COMPETITION Spring Trip to HerhseyPark/Busch Gardens Friday, May 4, 2018. (7/8 Grade ONLY - Concert Band 1, Concert Band 2, and Symphonic Band) Every year, the Poe Music Department takes a one-day trip to a music festival, held at a theme/amusement park and is where the Symphonic Band and Concert Bands play in front of judges and compete against other schools in the region for awards and ratings. This year s destination will either be HersheyPark in Hershey, Pennsylvania or Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA on Friday, May 4, 2018. We are currently on the waitlist for HersheyPark, but if no space opens for that competition, we will participate at Busch Gardens. If any or all of the non-beginning 7th and 8th grade bands develop an appropriate skill and commitment level during the school year, they will be allowed to participate. This is an optional trip, but all students are encouraged to participate to recognize our each band s full potential. All students MUST turn in their Letter of Intent Form along with a $25 deposit to hold their spot by Monday, October 2 nd. If we do not receive enough students to participate in this trip, it will be cancelled. (The full student cost of the trip is $135. Chaperone fee is $65. You may pay this fee in installments until Monday, April 3 rd, where all monies are due.) Any student who demonstrates a pattern of classroom or school-wide discipline problems, or absences from sectionals, full band rehearsals, and/or performances (concerts) will not be permitted to participate in this trip and will receive a refund of the amount paid until April 3 rd. There will be no refunds after April 3 rd due to all money needing to be paid to the bus company and festival company. All students will be excused from school this day, but will need to complete any missed assignments for all classes. The Spring Trip Letter and payment coupons will be given to each student shortly. Please pay each monthly installment by the first Monday of each month for November, December, January, February, March, and April. UNIFORMS Tuxedo shirts (worn by 7/8 Grade ONLY - Concert Band 1, Concert Band 2, and Symphonic Band) will be offered and ordered through the Poe Band from an outside company for $15. Students will be measured the first week of school and orders will be due on Monday, September 4 th. It is the responsibility for all students to obtain their own black pants/skirts and black socks and black dress shoes. NO TENNIS SHOES OR JEANS/ATHLETIC WEAR IS PERMITTED. School cummerbunds and bow ties will be provided free of charge for the Symphonic Band, Concert Band 2, and Concert Band 1 members immediately before a performance. Poe Band T-Shirts will be ordered in early September for every 7 th /8 th grade band student as this is a part of their regular class fee. Other SpiritWear options will be sponsored by the Poe Band Parents Association.
OPTIONAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES There are also several opportunities throughout the school year for individual students to choose to audition and/or participate in other music activities. Examples include All-District Band, All-District Jazz Band, Solo and Ensemble Festival, Poe Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Ensembles. Audition or participation fees are often assessed for these opportunities by the sponsoring organization. Such fees are not established by Poe Bands, but the Poe Band Parents Association often assists in the collection of these fees from individuals who elect to participate and the submission of one group payments to the respective sponsoring organization. These fees are communicated at the time other information about these opportunities is communicated and range from $5-$15.
PART IV: CALENDAR OF EVENTS/ACTIVITIES CONCERTS AND FESTIVALS Participation in concerts and festivals scheduled for each band is mandatory per Fairfax County Public Schools regulations. (Regulation 3866) Check the band calendar in the back of the handbook for your respective performances. Students that miss a performance due to personal illness or a family emergency will be expected to present a note from home upon their return to school and complete a mandatory make-up assignment. There are also several opportunities throughout the school year for individual students to choose to audition and/or participate in other music activities. Examples include All-District band, All-District Jazz Band, Solo and Ensemble Festival, Poe Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Ensembles. Audition or participation fees are often assessed for these opportunities by the sponsoring organization. Such fees are not established by Poe Bands, but the Poe Band Parents Association often assists in the collection of these fees from individuals who elect to participate and the submission of one group payments to the respective sponsoring organization. FESTIVAL DESCRIPTIONS All-District Honor Band: Individual musicians (7/8 Grade ONLY) from middle schools in our district, audition for a chair in this honors ensemble on the second Saturday in December. Students who earn the right of participating in this honor band, rehearse under a guest conductor and perform during the first weekend in February. (February 2-4, 2017) Any non-beginning student may participate in these auditions. Students interested in auditioning should obtain audition music and information from the director in the fall. There is an audition fee of around $5.00-$10.00 to audition for this event. It is the student s responsibility to practice the audition music, be serious about the audition, and work their best to achieve the best quality musical product. If any student does not show up to his/her audition, they will not receive a refund of their money. Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, December 9, 2017 at West Potomac High School in Alexandria. Auditioning for this ensemble is optional, however, all Symphonic Band members will need to practice this music as it will be a chair test in December after the Winter Concert. Virginia State Band Assessment Festival: (7/8 Grade ONLY) - On March 9 and 10, 7th and 8th grade bands from Fairfax County middle schools participate in the Virginia Music Educators Association s District Ten Band Assessment Festival, held at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Alexandria, VA. All bands prepare and perform three pieces of music, along with sight-reading for a rating from four adjudicators (judges). This festival performance is the most important concert of the year as it is the band/music equivalent to the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Both the Symphonic Band, Concert Band 2 will participate in this festival and is MANDATORY per FCPS Regulation 3866. Concert Band 2 will perform on Friday, March 9 and Symphonic Band will perform on Saturday, March 10. Please mark your calendars NOW! Solo and Ensemble Festival (Grades 6-8): This district-wide festival takes place on Saturday, April 21st at Holmes Middle School. Students from our Virginia Music District (1/3 of FFX County, Alexandria City, and several private schools) perform a solo or in small ensembles for an adjudicator (Judge), who will give a rating based on the student s performance. Students receive written comments and a rating (superior, excellent, good, fair, and poor) for their performance. All band students, including beginners, are eligible and strongly encouraged to participate. Each student who receives a I (Superior) or II (Excellent) rating will earn a medal which will be distributed at our Spring Band Awards Dinner in June. There is a small fee to participate in this event. (About 400 student musicians participate in this festival each year.)
8th GRADE BAND NIGHTS (Grade 8 only) Each fall, all 8th grade band members who will attend either Annandale HS or Falls Church HS as freshmen for the 2018-2019 school year will attend a home football game and play their instruments in the bleachers with their own award-winning Marching Band. 8th Grade Band Night is designed to educate and inform all students about the marching band in hopes they will sign-up to be a part of the marching band program as 9th graders. FALLS CHURCH HIGH SCHOOL 8th Grade Band Night will be Friday, September 22 vs. Marshall. ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL 8th grade Band Night will be Friday, October 27 vs. Hayfield. Pep Band Music or Stands Tunes will be provided to the students and will need to be practiced before the event. All 8th grade students are required to attend their future high school s game due to it being co-curricular per FCPS Regulation 3866. All students need to bring their instruments and music. Each student will receive an 8 th Grade Night T-shirt that they will need to wear that night. Students need to secure their own transportation to and from the high schools. SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL COMPETITION Spring Trip to HersheyPark in Hershey, PA or Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia Friday, May 4, 2018. (Grades 7/8 Only - Concert Band 1, Concert Band 2, and Symphonic Band) Every year, the Poe Music Department takes a one-day trip to a music festival, held at a theme/amusement park and is where the Symphonic Band and both Concert Bands play in front of judges and compete against other schools in the region for awards and ratings. This year s destination is the Music Competition either HersheyPark in Hershey, PA or Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA on Friday, May 4, 2018. If any or all of the non-beginning 7th and 8th grade bands develop an appropriate skill and commitment level during the school year, they will be allowed to participate. This is an optional trip, but all students are encouraged to participate to recognize our each band s full potential. Any student who demonstrates a pattern of classroom or school-wide discipline problems, or absences from sectionals, full band rehearsals, and/or performances (concerts) will not be permitted to participate in this trip. All students will be excused from school this day, but will need to complete any missed assignments for all classes. The Spring Trip Letter and payment coupons will be given to each student shortly. Please pay the $25 deposit by Monday, October 2 nd and $20 by the first of each month for November, December, January, February, March, and the remaining balance on April 3rd.
HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND (8 th Graders Only) Marching Band is one of the best experiences you will have in high school. It is one of the most visible ensembles and is a co-curricular ensemble that meets outside of the regular school day. They perform at all home Varsity football games, Homecoming Parades, and Marching Band Competitions/Assessments (both in and out of the state). The band begins rehearsals approximately three weeks before school starts with annual pre-season rehearsals. Marching Band teaches cooperative skills, group dynamics, commitment, dedication, time management, the rewards of effort, the joys of friendship, and allows a deeper understanding of music and expression from a more physically rewarding approach. Through this activity, students will learn the values of strong work ethic, accountability, responsibility, leadership, sacrifice, discipline, teamwork, and pride. Marching Band is taught as a co-curricular course, per FCPS regulation 3866, but membership in the color guard and front ensemble is open to the entire school as an extra-curricular opportunity. Outside rehearsals and performances are an important and required element to the continued success of the marching band. Instrumentation is at the discretion of the instructor.
Poe Band 2017-2018 Performance and Event Calendar **Parents, please put these dates on your calendar. All performances and after school rehearsals are mandatory as a part of your child s band curriculum per FCPS regulation 3866.** All After School Rehearsals will be posted on www.poebands.org and the band hall bulletin board at least two weeks in advance. September 8 th GRADE BAND NIGHT MONTH 5 (Tues.) All Forms and Class Fees Due! {Instrument Rental Fee, $15 Tuxedo Shirt, $10 Course Fee} 7 (Thurs.) Back-to-School Night (6:00-8:00 p.m.) 22 (Fri.) 8 th Grade Band Night at Falls Church HS. Report time 5:00 p.m. to the High School Auditorium. October MUSIC DEPT. FUNDRAISER MONTH 2 (Mon.) Spring Competition Trip Deposits ($25.00) due. 9-23 Poe Band Parents Association Fundraiser (Pies and Cheesecakes just in time for Thanksgiving!) 27 (Fri.) 8th Grade Band Night (Rising Atom) at Annandale HS. Report time 5:00 p.m. to the High School Auditorium. November FUNDRAISER DELIVERY MONTH 10 (Fri.) Pie/Cheesecake Fundraiser Delivery - Delivery Time 2-6 p.m. December HOLIDAY CONCERT MONTH/ALL-DISTRICT BAND AUDITIONS 4 (Mon.) 7/8 Grade Concert Bands Winter Concert (Concert Bands, Symphonic Band) 7 p.m. (@Poe Cafeteria) 8 (Fri.) 6th Grade Band to US Air Force Band Holiday Concert (@DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C.) 9 (Sat.) All-District Honor Band Auditions (West Potomac High School) 13 (Wed.) 6 th Grade Band and 7 th /8 th Grade Beginning Band Concert in the Lecture Hall 7 p.m. (@Poe Cafeteria) 14 (Thurs.) Performing Arts Winter Assembly (Symphonic Band) 8:00 a.m. (@Poe Cafeteria) January 2015 WORKSHOP/ALL-DISTRICT JAZZ/6 th GRADE BAND CONCERT MONTH 17 (Wed.) All-Star Jazz Band Auditions (@Hammond MS Alexandria) 25-27 (Thurs Eve-Saturday pm) All-District All-Star Jazz Band (@Episcopal HS - Alexandria) February ALL-DISTRICT CONCERT BAND/PRE-ASSESSMENT FESTIVAL CONCERT MONTH 1-3 All-District Honor Band Event (@Hayfield Secondary School) 13-27 Poe Band Parents Association Winter Fundraiser 21 (Wed.) Annandale Pyramid Pre-Assessment Festival Band Concert (Symphonic Band Only) 7 p.m. (@Annandale HS) March DISTRICT CONCERT BAND ASSESSMENT MONTH (Mandatory) 1 (Thurs.) Poe Band Pre-Assessment Concert (Concert Band 2 and Symphonic) 7 p.m. (@Poe Cafeteria) 9 (Fri.) District MS Concert Band Assessment (Concert Band 2) 3 p.m.- 8 p.m. (@Sandburg Middle School) 10 (Sat.) District MS Concert Band Assessment (Symphonic Band) 10:00 a.m.- 4 p.m. (@Sandburg Middle School) April SOLO AND ENSEMBLE MONTH 3 (Tues.) Spring Trip Final Balance Due! (Concert Bands/Symphonic Band) 17/18 (Tues./Wed.) Hokie Hope Day in Honor of Poe and Annandale HS alumna Mary Karen Read, Clarinetist. 21 (Sat.) Solo and Ensemble Festival (@ Holmes Middle School) 30 (Mon.) Concert Bands Spring Concert #1 (Concert Bands/Symphonic Band) 7 p.m. (@Poe Cafeteria) May SPRING CONCERT/SPRING TRIP MONTH TBA (Mon.) Chamber Ensembles perform at the 3 rd Quarter Honor Roll Assemblies. (During the day in the Lecture Hall) 2 (Wed.) Concert Bands Spring Concert #2 (6 th Grade Bands and 7 th /8 th Gr. Beginning Band) 7 p.m. (@Poe Cafeteria) 4 (Fri.) Music Department Spring Competition Trip to Busch Gardens (Concert Bands/Symphonic Band) June SPRING SHOWCASE and AWARDS MONTH 4 (Mon.) All High School Marching Band Intent Forms and Deposits are due. 5 (Tues.) Poe Music Department Spring Showcase (Symphonic Band and PSO Only) 7 p.m. (@Poe Cafeteria) 7 (Thurs.) Spring Band Awards Banquet 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Poe Cafeteria) August HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND CAMP/RETREAT WEEKS TBA!
Poe Band Parents Association PARENT VOLUNTEER Sheet Fill out, sign and return to Mr. Niehoff/Mr. Gomez by Monday, September 4 th. Parents, Congratulations! You are now a part of the Poe Band Boosters Association (PBPA)! In order to have the Poe Band program running smoothly, volunteers are needed!! We ask that you please help make it the most fulfilling experience possible for your son or daughter. Review below where help is needed and sign up to help where you can. We can t do this without you! Please note that anyone who helps with uniforms before a concert will receive reserved seats for their family in the first row of the audience. Name: Email: Phone Number: Student s Name: Committees: Fundraising Committee Helps with the implementation, collection, and distribution of our annual fundraisers. Equipment Crew Helps take equipment to the band room after performances. Car Wash Committee Helps serve by working shifts at our annual Car Wash fundraisers. Uniform Committee Helps students with their bow ties and cummerbunds before and after concerts. Reception Committee Helps organize and implement receptions after concerts & the Awards Banquet in June. Advertising Committee Helps in advertising our performances/events in local news media and to surrounding schools. Student Supervision Committee Stands with non-performing bands at concerts to help with crowd control and monitor behavior so the performing band and audience don t have distractions from students. Spring Trip Chaperone Participates in the annual Music Dept. Spring Music Competition by riding the charter buses to and from the performance area and Busch Gardens, keeping a group of students under your supervision to make sure all rules are followed throughout the event, passing out snacks, helping students with their uniforms, and helping where else there is a need. I am interested in volunteering for the following committees: Fundraising Committee Uniform Committee Student Supervision Committee Equipment Crew Reception Committee Car Wash Committee Advertising Committee Solo and Ensemble Festival Saturday, April 22, 2017! Chaperone the Busch Gardens Spring Trip on Friday, May 5, 2017. (Student Fee $135; Chaperone Fee $65) (Only 7 th /8 th Grade Concert Bands and Symphonic Band) Any other special skills or talents you would like to volunteer to the band, please explain here. DONATION OPPORTUNITES: (We always accept donations of any kind.) Donate money to the PBPA. (Amount attached: ) (Tax Deductible) Make checks out to Poe Band. Donate an old instrument to the Poe Band Program. (Tax Deductible) Donate used tuxedo shirts/black skirts, pants, or shoes.
HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SHEET Fill out, sign and return to Mr. Niehoff/Mr. Gomez by Monday, September 4 th. Please write legibly so we can read it. Thank you! Student Name: Grade T-Shirt Size: Instrument: Band Period: Band Name: Address: City: Zip: Mother s Name: T-Shirt Size: Father s Name: T-Shirt Size: Mother s Home Phone: Cell Phone: Work Phone #: Father s Home Phone: Cell Phone: Work Phone #: Mother s e-mail: Father s e-mail: Student s email: Student s Date of Birth : Language spoken at home: STUDENT: As a member of the Poe Middle School Band, I signify that I have read this handbook and understand the class requirements and grading policies. I will work hard and do my best so that all members of the orchestra can have a successful experience in music. Print Student Name Student Signature Date PARENT/GUARDIAN: As parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of this student, I/we understand the class requirements for participation in the Poe Band program, specifically in regard to individual practice, grading policies and rehearsal/concert attendance. Print Parent/Guardian Name Parent/Guardian Signature Date Checklist to help you remember what to turn in: Poe Band Parents Association Parent Volunteer Sheet Handbook Acknowledgement Sheet Band Course and Musical Instrument Rental Fees Payment Form w/$ Instrument Rental Contract w/$