WEST SALEM MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND HANBOOK

WEST SALEM MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND HANBOOK GO PANTHERS!

Page 2 Table of Contents This is a resource book to help your family understand the requirements of our performance class of BAND. For access to this handbook, schedules, and other band info, go to this website: http://www.wsalem.k12.wi.us/content/our-schools/middle-school/fine-arts/band Daily Expectations Page 3 Home Practice Expectations Page 3 Assessments Page 4 Band Grading Page 5 Lesson Information Page 6 Performance Policy Page 6 Performance Uniform Page 8 Music Co-Curricular Activites Page 9 Color Guard Jazz Band Ordering Supplies Page 9 Music Store Info Page 10 Suggested Products Page 11 WSMS Music Calendar Page 12 Student & Parent Contract Page 13

Page 3 Daily Expectations Be prepared for class and in your seat with all needed materials within two minutes of the start of class. There is a countdown timer on the front screen. Please read the screen for instructions. Assemble your instrument and begin your warm-up before the timer hits 0:00. Please make sure to warm-up properly at a soft to medium volume only. Please no blasting! No gum chewing is allowed. All gum must be spit out before going to your seat. Be respectful of others in the class, including the director (student teacher, substitute teacher, etc.). Be respectful of all materials used instruments, music, folders, etc. Only percussionists may play on the school percussion equipment. Please plan on using the restroom before coming into class. BE WILLING TO TRY - AIM TO GET BETTER - YOU CAN DO IT! Home Practice Expectations Growth and progress on a musical instrument comes with commitment to working on music exercises and songs at home. The minimum requirement is ONE HOUR every week, which is best broken into at least 4, 15-minute sessions. More sessions of shorter times are better than 1 or 2 longer practice sessions per week. Students will actively record their exercises, using their ipad and GOOGLE CLASSROOM. This is how we will know home practice is taking place. Our most successful students practice 6-7 days a week for 20 or more minutes each time. Make practice a fun time by using our practice strategies and work for speed by timing your exercises.

Page 4 Assessments All students will be evaluated according to the Wisconsin State Music Standards. Most Band assessments are evaluated using a 5-4-3 scoring system which define the skills being assessed. At times, rubrics will be used for lessons, projects, and concerts, among other assessments. It is expected that students will complete all lessons and assignments to the best of their ability. Assignments not turned in and incomplete lessons will be entered into Skyward with a 0 and will negatively impact a student s grade. Assignments can be turned in through the end of the trimester for partial credit. Students may have the option to re-do an assignment if they feel they can improve upon their performance. Students need to talk to their lesson teacher for those opportunities. Lessons Students will receive an assignment at each lesson that needs to be prepared for the next scheduled lesson. Lessons should be approached like tests in other classes. The scores will be based on the student s preparation and demonstration of correctly played rhythms and pitches, as well as demonstrating proper usage of music terms and symbols. Students are expected to have a minimum of 60 minutes of practice per week. This is the minimum requirement. Students will also be expected to make recordings of their lesson exercises in preparation for each lesson. This will be done on the school issued ipad and submitted in GOOGLE CLASSROOM. Performances Students in grades 6-8 will participate in all scheduled performances as indicated on the calendar. Concerts/marching performances are a class project and a requirement to receive a passing grade in the course. Please read the Performance Policy on Page 6. Band Students in Grades 7-8 will participate in four graded marching performances (Band Night, Torch Light Parade, Homecoming Parade, & June Dairy Days Parade). Music Theory Students in band will have a few in class assignments and quizzes on basic music vocabulary, symbols, and concepts. There is no outside of class homework, outside of instrument practice

Page 5 Band Grading Lessons are worth 40% of the overall grade. This is our opportunity to work with students one-on-one or in small groups. Students will be graded on performance on the required exercises. Lesson Scoring will be done on a 5-4-3 system based on: RHYTHM, PITCH, & MUSICAL DETAILS 5 = Proficient - Demonstrates accuracy - Will show up as 100% (A) 4 = Near Proficient - A few errors to correct - Will show up as 80% (B-) 3 = Not Prepared - Struggles to show skills - Will show up as 60% (D) 0 = Not Complete - Will remain a 0 until the lesson skills are demonstrated Performance Units are worth 25% of the overall grade. Students must participate in the group concert. Students who have an excused absence must perform their concert music for the instructor AND also listen to the recorded concert and fill out a critique of the event. For 7th & 8th Grade, the marching performances will count as one collective unit. Rehearsal Techniques are worth 20% of the overall grade. This will be based directly on technique and skill displayed during rehearsal time. Readiness for class will also be considered. This includes being ready on time with all needed materials (instrument, reeds, music, pencil, ipad, etc.) Music Theory Worksheets/Quizzes are worth 15% and will be completed in class. This is the part of band in which students understand the basics of music notation, music symbols, vocabulary, and concepts.

Page 6 Lesson Information Each student will be scheduled for a lesson approximately 10-12 minutes in length once every 8 school days. Lessons are scheduled during music class, Panther Time (Enrichment), and occasionally during recess. Before or after school lessons may be available if requested by the student. Lesson schedules will be posted outside of the band room. Students must come to their lessons on time. While waiting for the previous lesson to finish, band students should get music (instruments) ready and warm-up. If the director is gone for the day, the lessons will still continue with the substitute teacher. If a student misses a lesson, a make-up lesson should be scheduled immediately with the teacher. You need to be responsible in taking care of this responsibility. Performance Policy Since band is a performance-based class, all concerts are used as an important evaluation tool for the class. Parades/marching events are also required for 7 th and 8 th grade band students. Please check the schedule and reserve dates in advance to avoid conflicts. Please notify your music teacher(s) of any excused absences (vacations, weddings, etc) at least 2 weeks in advance. For excused absences, an alternative assignment will be given to the student, to be completed within one week of the missed performance. It is unacceptable to notify of a conflict with less than the 2 week window. Your child plays an important role in our performing group and we may have to make personnel changes if your child is gone.

Page 7 An UNEXCUSED absence could result in a Failing grade for that term. All performing activities are scheduled before the beginning of the school year. These dates are listed in the back of this WSMS Band Handbook and can also be found on the district website at this link: http://www.wsalem.k12.wi.us/content/our-schools/middle-school/fine-arts/band Conflicts that occur with school events will be resolved by the music teachers and activity advisors. If there is a conflict with a non-school event (club sport, dance, etc.), please give those coaches/advisors ample notice of your child s required class performance. With parades, it is possible that you may be involved with other activities that have an entry in the same parade. As a member of the marching band, you will be expected to participate with the band as it is a required performance. This is not because we feel that the band is more important, but rather it is because other groups are involved in the parade in a non-performance role. Please understand that by signing the handbook form, you clearly understand this part of the arrangement.

Page 8 Performance Uniform The following uniform will be required for all 6 th, 7 th and 8 th grade music students for concert choir, concert band, solo & ensemble festival, marching band, and jazz band: BLACK WEST SALEM MIDDLE SCHOOL POLO SHIRT ($15 paid at start of year) (8th Grade still has the Orange Shirt) BLACK PANTS - You Provide NOTE: Athletic pants, capris, and shorts are not acceptable for performance. BLACK BELT - Optional BLACK SOCKS & SHOES There should be no skin showing below the waistline, especially at the ankles. Black uniform from waistline to toes.

Page 9 Music Co-Curricular Activities These co-curricular music groups are available to WSMS students. Please read through the requirements/expectations for these optional groups. Students involved in any of these groups are subject to the requirements of the WSMS co-curricular/extracurricular conduct code. Color Guard is available to all 7 th and 8 th Grade students at WSMS. Auditions may be necessary if there is enough interest. Color Guard begins at camp in August and runs through Homecoming in September. The Color Guard also participates with the June Dairy Days Parade. Jazz Band is open to WSMS 7 th and 8 th Band students and meets Wednesdays from 7:00-7:40am, starting in October and ending in April. Non-band students may be used on rhythm section instruments (drum set, guitar, bass guitar, piano) if no band student has filled those openings. Please commit to all scheduled performances if you choose to participate in this group. Students involved with athletics may still participate with jazz band. Ordering Supplies We are very fortunate to have two outstanding music stores in La Crosse, which service our school district. SSE Music and Leithold Music both send store representatives weekly to our schools to deliver supplies and pick up instruments needing repair. Items such as reeds, valve oil, lesson books, and drum sticks will need to be ordered from these stores either in person, by phone, or online. Both stores provide a secure internet shopping site, and free delivery to our band room is provided using the codes listed below. We have a handful of reeds and miscellaneous supplies that we are clearing out. Once they are gone, all items need to be ordered through the stores. Please consult the list of recommended products on the next page.

Page 10 Music Store Info SSE Music Leithold Music Toll free: 1-800-795-2850 Toll free: 1-800-288-9743 Web: www.ssemusic.com Web: www.leitholdmusic.com Coupon Code: wetmsba Coupon Code: student Special Instructions for SSE Music Online Orders: 1. Go to www.ssemusic.com and click on the accessories key. 2. Choose a category and browse to choose the items you need. You may also search to quickly find what you need. 3. Click on buy to make your order. 4. You may change quantities or continue shopping. When finished, click on checkout. 5. When completing your checkout, please type in your child s name in the additional information field. 6. Remember the coupon code for free delivery. Enter this in the Coupon or Discount Number field 7. This is a secure transaction. Credit card info will not be kept on file from an internet order.

Page 11 Suggested Products - Band The following products are ranked in order of quality and preference. As with most things, higher quality comes at a higher price, so it is your decision as to which brands to order: Reeds for Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, and Baritone Saxophone : 1. Vandoren Please indicate strength: 2½ for 6 th grade 2. Rico Royal & 3. Juno 3 for 7 th & 8 th grade 4. Rico (unless told different) Oboe Reeds: 1. Jones Please indicate strength: 2. Lester Medium soft for 6 th 3. Fox Medium for 7 th & 8 th 4. Renard Bassoon Reeds: 1. Fox Renard 2. Emerald (unless told different) Cork Grease/Oils/Slide Cream/Other Lubricants: all pretty much the same (Al Cass Fast Valve Oil and Superslick trombone slide cream are preferred) If you have questions on products please feel free to contact Mr. Waldhart.

Page 12 2018-2019 West Salem Middle School BAND DATE TIME WHO? EVENT/LOCATION 2018 Aug. 22 1:00-5:00pm Band 7/8 MARCHING BAND & COLOR GUARD CAMP @ WSMS Aug. 23 8:00am-12noon Band 7/8 MARCHING BAND & COLOR GUARD CAMP @ WSMS Aug. 24 8:00am-12noon Band 7/8 MARCHING BAND & COLOR GUARD CAMP @ WSMS Sep. 14 5:30-9:00pm Band 7/8 BAND NIGHT w/ WSHS Marching Band Sep. 27 5:30-9:00pm Band 7/8 TORCH LIGHT PARADE in La Crosse (parade at 7pm) Sep. 28 1:30-3:00pm Band 7/8 HOMECOMING PARADE (parade at 2pm) Oct. 16 6:30-7:45pm Band 6 PREVIEW CONCERT @ Heider Center (concert at 7pm) Dec. 11 5:30-6:45pm Band 7 WINTER CONCERT @ Heider Center (concert at 6pm) 7:00-8:15pm Band 8 WINTER CONCERT @ Heider Center (concert at 7:30pm) 2019 Jan. 10 3:30-8:30pm Band 7/8 RECITAL NIGHT @ WSMS Jan. 19 All Day Select Group NBA-WC Junior All-State Band @ UW-Eau Claire Jan. 22 6:30-7:45pm Band 6 WINTER CONCERT @ Heider Center (concert at 7pm) Jan. 28 6:30-8:30pm Jazz DISTRICT JAZZ CONCERT @ Heider Center (concert at 7pm) Feb. 1 All Day Select Group UWEC Middle School Honor Band @ UW-Eau Claire Feb. 23 8:00am-3:30pm Optional WSMA DISTRICT SOLO & ENSEMBLE @ Bangor HS Feb. 27 In Class Band 7/8 WSMA CONCERT BAND CLINIC in WSMS Band Room Mar. 12 6:30-8:15pm Band 6/7/8 WSMS BAND EXTRAVAGANZA in the NEW GYM! (concert at 7pm) Mar. 13 During School Select Group PIANO SOLO & ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL @ Ona Luther Mar. 28 6:00-6:45pm Jazz JAZZ PERFORMANCE AT Beginner Program @ WSES Apr. 6 Noon-1:30pm Jazz JAZZ AT SOLO & ENSEMBLE @ Heider Center May 13 5:30-6:45pm Band 6 SPRING CONCERT @ Heider Center (concert at 6pm) 7:00-8:15pm Band 7 SPRING CONCERT @ Heider Center (concert at 7:30pm) May 20 6:30-7:45pm Band 8 SPRING CONCERT @ Heider Center (concert at 7pm) May 24 All Day Band 8 KALAHARI BAND FESTIVAL @ Wisconsin Dells Kalahari June 2 11:30am-1:30pm Band 7/8 JUNE DAIRY DAYS PARADE (parade at noon) June 11-14, 17-21 afternoons HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND CAMP for 8 th Graders enrolled in HS Band for 2019-2020 Aug. 21-23 times TBD 7 th & 8 th GRADE BAND & COLOR GUARD CAMP for 6 th & 7 th Graders enrolled in MS Band for 2019-2020

Page 13 BAND STUDENT & PARENT CONTRACT Student s name First Last Grade Address Home Phone Cell Phone Would you prefer notifications via TEXT MESSAGE? YES NO Email(s) Parent/Guardian Names I am enrolled in: BAND BOTH CHOIR & BAND If in band: Instrument Rent Own School (circle one) Other Information (special needs or medical information that would be helpful when traveling) ALL Music Students, please return this slip by Friday, September 7 I (parents & student) have read this music handbook. I understand the expectations of this class, lessons, and performances and will make every effort to meet those expectations. I am aware of the performance dates and understand that all marked performances are a requirement of the class. Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date