Music Handbook 2014-2015 Jordan Yi Director of Music Jefferson High School 4145 Samuelson Road Rockford, IL 61109 815-874-9536 ext. 18408
Introduction Welcome to the Jefferson High School Music Program! This year we will embark on an exciting journey towards musical and academic excellence in our classroom. The musical opportunities that are available to our students are created to demonstrate the wealth of talented and motivated individuals we have at Jefferson striving for one specific goal; success. With daily fundamental preparation implemented into these opportunities, we will reach a high level of success together and become well-rounded musicians, students, and members of our community. Studies in music show that students who participate in music perform better academically, receive lower disciplinary actions, and become more involved in school both in curricular and extracurricular activities. The processes, lessons, and values that are taught through music cannot be taught in any other course. We are excited to have all of you involved in the Jefferson High School Music Program and hope that you all take advantage of the opportunity in front of you. Please feel free to contact me by phone during my office hours provided below or by email at any time. I look forward to a great 2014-2015 school year. Sincerely, Jordan Yi Director of Music Jefferson High School 4145 Samuelson Road Rockford, IL 61109 815-874-9536 ext. 18408
Mission Statement Our mission is to provide a quality interactive learning environment where students develop into lifelong, independent musicians who demonstrate a mastery of musical skills and possess the leadership qualities required in today s ever-changing world. Music Department Goals In order to provide the most comprehensive music program possible we are striving to add several classes to our course offerings in the near future. We are also looking to become a strong competitive force in the state and national music scene. However, without the student interest and infrastructure to support such large ensembles our ability to accomplish our goals is diminished significantly. With your assistance we will be able to increase the interest in the following ensembles and events. - Orchestra (separate class from band) - AP Music Theory - IMEA All-State Performances - Solo and Ensemble - Band of America Regional Marching Band Competitions Teacher Website The Teacher Website contains all calendars, event, class, and other important information and will be constantly updated throughout the school year. Please check this website, student and parent email, and parent portal for all updates frequently. Teacher Website Link: http://www3.rps205.com/schools/hs/jefferson/ts/jyi/pages/default.aspx
Curricular Course Offerings Band - J-Hawk Band (Freshmen/Beginning)* - Concert Band (Intermediate)* - Wind Ensemble (Advanced)* Chorus *Includes Marching Band Requirement - Chorus (Intro/Beginning) - Concert Chorus (Advanced) Orchestra - Concert Orchestra (included in band until numbers increase) General Music Band - Beginning Piano Extracurricular Ensembles - Color Guard (Fall season with Band, Audition required) - Winter Guard (Winter/Spring season independent, Audition required) - Jazz Band (Winter-Spring) - Drumline (Included in Band through Fall Winter-Spring) - Pit Orchestra (Spring Musical) - Pep Band (Basketball Season) Chorus - Chamber Choir (Audition only year-round) - Spring Musical (See Mrs. Verona) Orchestra - Chamber Orchestra (Winter-Spring) - Pit Orchestra (Spring Musical)
Band/Chorus/Orchestra/Piano Course Expectations The following requirements must be met in order to succeed in the band, chorus and orchestra courses: - Attend all required performances 100 points each) - Attend all required rehearsals/classes 10 points weekly participation) o 2 points per day (1 for active participation, 1 for having all required materials) - Complete quarterly written assessments and playing/singing benchmark assessments (10 points per section, 50 points total (see awards/incentives)) - Complete weekly SmartMusic/pass-off benchmark assignments at the end of each week 20 points each - Complete the performance analysis worksheet for one live performance 20 points (1 per semester) - Complete a written final 100 points (1 per semester) If the requirements above are not met the following opportunities will be provided: - Missed required performance = 2 page analysis paper on the performance missed - Missed rehearsal = lunch make-ups, after school make-up, at home practice o You are responsible for making up missed work Find Mr. Yi for questions - No/Partial completion of fundamentals etudes = receive score of completed sections o Lunch/after school make-ups available o Can make up sections throughout the year at a 10% loss of credit - Missed SmartMusic/pass-off assignment = make-up available for 10% loss of credit - Missed performance analysis worksheet = make-up available for 10% loss of credit *All assignments not completed or turned in will count as a 0 until the work has been completed and turned in by the end of each quarter.
Required Materials The following materials will NOT be provided by the school and will be needed by the end of the first week of school and will be used throughout the school year for various assignments and performances. The students may not be able to perform on their instruments or in concerts without these materials. NOTE: The school will provide instruments to each student for the $30.00 materials fee. IF YOU WISH TO BUY YOUR OWN INSTRUMENT OR SPECIFIC MATERIALS THEY CAN BE PURCHASED THROUGH MR. YI (SEE MATERIALS PURCHASING LIST FOR SPECIFIC BRANDS/SIZES FOR EACH INSTRUMENT) Students new to band/orchestra will be fitted with a suitable instrument based on physical abilities and personal preference. - All Students: o Pencils o 1 inch three ring binder o Clear page protectors o Marching Band Shoes (Band only - will be ordered for you after fittings) - Woodwinds: o Drill Master Marching Shoes ($28.00 Oder through Mr. Yi) o *Reeds o *Cleaning swab o *Mouthpiece Brush o Ligature (Optional) o Mouthpiece (Optional) o Instrument (Optional DO NOT BUY FROM EB AY, PAWN SHOPS, ECT. FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE) - Brass: o Drill Master Marching Shoes ($28.00 Order through Mr. Yi) o *Valve Oil (Trumpet, Horn, Baritone, Tuba only) o *Slide Grease (All brass) o *Mouthpiece Brush o *Cleaning Snake o *Cleaning Rag (Trombone only) o Mouthpiece (Optional)
o Instrument (Optional DO NOT BUY FROM EB AY, PAWN SHOPS, ECT. FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE) - Percussion o Drill Master Marching Shoes ($28.00 order through Mr. Yi) o 1 Pair Concert Snare Sticks (Vic Firth SD1 General please purchase through Mr. Yi) o Rubber Practice Drum Pad (for home practice) - Strings o All instruments and parts will be provided through the school unless parts are broken due to misuse. - Choir o Pencils o 1 inch three ring binder o Clear page protectors - Piano o Pencils o 1 inch three ring binder o Clear page protectors *Some materials are considered personal items and will not be purchased by the school. Also, due to the spread of germs, it is preferred that each student has their own. Mouthpieces, reeds, flute head joints, and marching shoes all contact the lips of the individual player and should not be shared. In order to keep these clean for personal health and instrument maintenance, each individual should purchase their own cleaning materials specified under your instrument grouping.
Behavior Policy/Expectations Disciplinary actions: Disciplinary actions will be handled in the following order: 1. Teacher/student Conference (after class in which issue occurred to discuss how to remedy the issue together). 2. Parent/guardian phone call and email to discuss how to remedy the issue together. 3. Parent/guardian conference in person with instructor after school to discuss how to remedy the issue together. 4. Referral to the administration for further disciplinary action with parent/guardian conference in person with instructor after school to discuss how to remedy the issue together. Classroom Expectations: DISCIPLINED to do the right things, the right way, at the right time ACCOUNTABLE for your own actions and responsibilities RESPECTFUL to yourself, others, and property Cell Phone Policy: No cell phones should be used or visible in the classroom at any time. All cell phones must be put away and on silent. Any cell phone that is being used for any reason or makes sound that is distracting to the student and the classroom will be taken until the end of class and put in a safe area for the student to pick up. Food and Beverages Policy: The music room has been renovated during the summer of 2014. To ensure that we have a topquality facility, NO food or drinks (other than water) will be allowed at any time. All food must be eaten or thrown away BEFORE entering the room. Severe Disciplinary Actions: Any severe behaviors will not be tolerated and will automatically be reported to the administration and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Possible suspensions, expulsions, and legal actions may be taken as a result of some actions. A parent/teacher conference will be requested by the classroom teacher to discuss how to remedy these issues in the classroom.
Field Trips/Traveling Performances Field trips will be scheduled throughout the year to various events or performances. A field trip permission slip will be provided prior to the field trip. Costs of the events or performances will vary and will be due the day before the trip was scheduled. *Marching band competitions are not considered as field trips but requirements Marching Band Competitions/Performances The marching band will be performing in the following required performances: Event Location Date Red and Black Fall Classic DeKalb, IL September 20, 2014 Lincoln-Way Invitational New Lenox, IL October 18, 2014 Sandwich Music Fest Sandwich, IL October 19, 2014 *Arrival/rehearsal times will be determined by time of competition by the event coordinators* The Marching Band will be performing in the following home football games: Date Opponent Location Friday, August 29 Guilford Auburn Friday, September 12 Freeport Auburn Friday, September 19 Auburn Auburn Friday, October 10 Boylan Auburn Friday, October 24 Belvidere North Auburn Playoffs TBA TBA *Students will stay after school and will be bussed to and from Auburn for the game. Students should be picked up at Jefferson after the game (approximately 10:00pm). Please arrange for rides accordingly. Band, choir and orchestra will perform at the following festivals at Northern Illinois University: Date Event Time Wed., October 15 (Choir) Choir Day 8:00-3:00 Friday, February 5 (Jazz Band) Jazz Day 8:30-4:15 Tuesday, February 17 (Orch) String Day 8:30-3:00 Friday, February 27 (Band) Phantom Regiment Band Day TBD *Students will be bussed to and from the event during the school day and will need to be picked up at Jefferson upon arrival.
Concerts/Performance Schedule Event Date Time/Location Fall Choir/Orch. Concert Thursday, November 6 6:00-7:00p/JHS Auditorium Winter Music Showcase (BCO) Thursday, December 11 6:00-8:00p/JHS Auditorium Spring Choir Concert Thursday, February 19 6:00-7:00p/JHS Auditorium Spring Band/Orch. Concert Thursday, February 26 6:00-7:00p/JHS Auditorium Spring Fine Arts Festival TBD TBD Memorial Day Parade (Band) Monday, May 25 8:00-11:00/Downtown *Please have students arrive 5:00pm for all concerts in the JHS Auditorium for set-up* All concerts and performances are specifically designed to meet the instructional needs of each student while providing a variety of musical experiences. The planning and preparation that goes into each performance is quite extensive and requires everyone s participation and cooperation as an ensemble.
MUSIC AWARDS J-Hawk Marching Band Leadership Insignia Position Description Insignia Section Leader Responsible for Section Bronze Attendance, sectionals communication of needs Assistant Drum Major (assistant student conductor) Responsible for Band Assist and Direct Ensemble, Communication of needs Silver Drum Major (student conductor) Member of the Year Responsible for Band Student Director of Ensemble Receives communication of needs Displays exemplary work on and off the field as a leader and example for the ensemble Gold J-Hawk Achievement Bars (Marching Band) Grade Level Description Bar Freshman Complete and fulfill all marching band requirements x1 Sophomore Junior Senior Complete and fulfill all marching band requirements Complete and fulfill all marching band requirements Complete and fulfill all marching band requirements x2 x3 x4
J-Hawk Music Letters/Patches BCO Activity/Level Requirements Semester Awarded Freshmen Pass 1 st and 2 nd semester Spring Sophomore Pass 1 st and 2 nd semester Spring Junior Pass 1 st and 2 nd semester Spring Senior Pass 1 st and 2 nd semester Spring Academic Pin (1 per year) A in band both semesters, Spring cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher Marching Band Complete and pass all marching Fall band requirements Color Guard Complete all requirements Fall Drumline Complete and pass all marching Fall band requirements Jazz Band Complete all requirements Spring J-Hawk Band Complete and pass all curricular Spring requirements Wind Ensemble Complete and pass all curricular Spring requirements Winter Guard Complete all requirements Spring Pep Band Complete all requirements Spring Orchestra Complete and pass all curricular Spring requirements Pit Orchestra Complete all requirements Spring Chamber Orchestra Complete all requirements Spring Chorus Complete and pass all curricular Spring requirements Concert Chorus Complete and pass all curricular Spring requirements A Cappella Choir Complete all requirements Spring Winter Drumline Complete all requirements Spring
INSTRUMENT/UNIFORM USAGE FORM JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL has permission to use the following instrument/uniform: Instrument/Uniform: Serial/Uniform # Date of check out: The following Terms Apply The Cost of the Instrument and Uniform Rental is $30.00 (part of student fees) Instruments/Uniform will be expected to be returned by the teacher assigned check-in date of the 2014-2015 school year. If the instrument/uniform is lost or damaged, YOU will be responsible for the damage or replacement of the instrument. (Damage/placement costs will be assessed within one week of check-in, and you will be notified of fees charged and expected to pay at that time.) Damage or replacement of original copies of music. (Ripped/torn music beyond use, writing in anything other than pencil, crumpled or major folds will result a replacement fee) Date Signature of Parent/Guardian ************************(For Office Use Only)************************ Instrument/Uniform/Original Music Condition upon Return: Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Damage Fee Comments (Damage Information, etc.) Damage fee Check # Cash Other Date of Payment
PARENT/STUDENT AGREEMENT FORM JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL I have read the information in this packet and agree to the requirements of the curricular and extracurricular ensembles in which I/my student(s) will participate. Parent/guardian signature Date Student Signature Date PARENT/STUDENT CONTACT INFORMATION Parent Name: Parent Phone #: Parent Email: Mailing Address: Student Name: Student Email: