Honey Creek Middle School Band Handbook 2017-2018 Honey Creek Middle School 6601 S Carlisle St, Terre Haute, IN 47802 Band Director: Nathan Simpson Email: nps@vigoschools.org Phone: 812-462-4372 www.honeycreekmusic.com PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY. KEEP THIS HANDBOOK FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR. Please refer to it prior to contacting the director. Your answer may be found inside. Please sign and return the enclosed handbook Acknowledgement of Receipt by Friday, August 18, 2017.
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Please note that any changes to this handbook for this school year will be sent home in the form of a handout/letter, email, and/or put on the Band website. Any updates or changes will void the information in this handbook. Welcome/Classroom Procedures....... 3 Grades/Practice Sheets/How to Practice...4 How Parents Can Help/Participation/Assessment......5 Performances/Concert Attire/Instrument Storage........6 Instrument Rental/Repair/What to Bring to Class.....7 ISSMA Organizational Contest/Solo & Ensemble Contest/ Private Lessons/ HCMS Music Department Website.......8 Concert Calendar and Important Events......9 Band Handbook Acknowledgement of Receipt (Signatures Required) 11
3 Dear HCMS Band Members and Parents, Welcome back to an exciting year in the Honey Creek Middle School Band Program! I am excited that you have chosen or are continuing to be a part of the band program and look forward to a year filled with educational, musical, and fun experiences! I have put together this handbook to let you know what I will be expecting from students in band this year. Please read through the handbook carefully, sign the form at the back, and return it to school. I would like to encourage your input. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at nps@vigoschools.org Sincerely, Nathaniel Simpson HCMS Band Director CLASSROOM PROCEDURES Making music is a lot of fun! However, as you know it also involves a lot of hard work. With your help, we can establish and maintain the right kind of attitude and the best possible musical habits. It is important that we as musicians understand and practice proper classroom procedures in order for each of us to receive the maximum benefit from the rehearsal. Classroom Rules and Expectations: Students are to enter the classroom in a mature manor that does not disrupt other classes or impose potential damage to others, classroom equipment, and instruments. Students are expected to be in their assigned seats with ALL required materials at the start of each class period. Missing materials may effect participation scores. Instrument cases are to be left in the locker area or to the side of the room not by your seat. This is for the safety of you and those around you. We have very limited floor space! No gum, food, or drink is permitted in the band classroom. Never touch instruments or classroom equipment that does not belong to you or you have not been given permission to use. This is again, for your safety! Chairs and stands are to be treated respectfully. Please do not write on them. LASTLY. Have fun! Consequences: 1. Warning 2. Teacher-Student Conference 3. Phone call to parent 4. Conference with parent, student, & teacher 5. Office referral Violation of classroom procedures will be handled according to the school-wide discipline program.
4 GRADES Grades will consist of the following parts: Participation- 30% Practice Records/Monthly Mastery Assignments- 15% Concert/Rehearsal Attendance- 30% Academic Achievement- includes written assignments, tests, and performance evaluations 25% PRACTICE Progress on a musical instrument depends a great deal on what is achieved during daily home practice sessions. Instrumental music students will have an instrument locker at school for storage during the school day, but instruments should go home each evening. Practice records are used for students to keep track of his/her practice time at home. 6 th Grade Band and 7 th Grade Intermediate Band Practice Records will be collected each week. With our alternating schedule, practice sheets will be due either on Thursday or Friday of each week. Students will be notified of the due date on their practice sheets. The following tips are given to help students practice at home: HOW TO PRACTICE: 1. Study it. 2. Count it out loud. (If you say it, you can play it) 3. Say/Name the notes. (If you say it, you can play it) 4. Finger the notes. (This helps with connecting note on the page to the finger to be used to play the note on the fingerboard). 5. Play it! Start each line slowly with a feeling of good rhythm. Tap your foot. Repeat the part of the line that is difficult. Write in the counting on difficult parts. Increase your speed only after you can play it perfectly. 6. AFTER YOUR PRACTICE, WRITE YOUR MINUTES ON YOUR PRACTICE SHEET. 7. Before turning your practice sheet in, MAKE SURE THAT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN HAS SIGNED YOUR PRACTICE SHEET. 7 th /8 th Grade Advanced Band Monthly Mastery Assignments: 2-3 Monthly Mastery assignments will be given each 9 week grading period. Assignments should be completed using an audio or video recording device and turned in via email, Remind App, Dropbox, Google Drive, or shown in person from recording device. Students should turn in a quality recording of the assigned material and state their name at the start of the recording.
5 BAND PARENTS: YOU CAN HELP! Playing a band instrument involves an investment of both time and money. In order for your child to be successful it is important that you offer encouragement and support. Your child will catch on to some things very easily. There will be times when your child finds a technique or concept to be difficult to learn. There were times in my education when I felt like tossing my trumpet out the window! Thankfully I had supportive parents who encouraged me to see it through. Besides giving your child moral support, you can help your child develop good practice habits. Here are some suggestions on how to help your child achieve good practice habits: 1. HAVE A SET TIME TO PRACTICE EACH DAY. a. Help your child make a wise choice about when this time will be. 2. PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE PLACE TO PRACTICE. a. Your child should have a straight chair to sit on and ample lighting. 3. HELP MAKE PRACTICE TIME FREE OF INTERRUPTIONS. 4. ASK YOUR CHILD TO PLAY THE BAND MUSIC FOR YOU. a. If you are not able to monitor your child s practice, ask him/her to make a recording for you to listen to on your way to work! 5. HAVE PATIENCE IN REMINDING YOUR CHILD TO PRACTICE DAILY. 6. MAKE MUSIC A FAMILY ACTIVITY. a. Take your child to hear a concert. Purchase CDs or recordings of good musical performances. 7. ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD. a. Hey, that sounds great! PARTICIPATION Each student should come to class with all materials and actively participate throughout the rehearsal. Materials include: all band music, folder, instrument (in good playing condition), a pencil, and any other accessories needed to play the instrument (valve oil, cork grease, etc.). Points will be deducted from the participation grade for missing materials and non-participation. ASSESSMENT Written and playing tests will be given periodically to assess each student s progress. These tests may or may not be announced in advance.
6 PERFORMANCES Performing is a very important part of Band class. If someone is missing from the group it hurts the entire group's performance. Every person is important and their contribution is valued. Attendance at all performances is required. Excused absences include illness (bring a doctor s note when returning to school) or a death in the family. If a student has a conflict between two school-sponsored extra curricular activities the student may choose to participate in either event without penalty or alternate assignment. Contest/performances will have priority over practice. Please mark these dates on your calendar! Dates and times are subject to change. You will be notified of any changes well in advance. An unexcused absence will result in a TWO LETTER grade reduction for the grading period. CONCERT ATTIRE Attire for all band Concerts, unless otherwise noted, is BLACK AND WHITE. Students should wear a nice white dress shirt or blouse, black dress pants or skirt, and black dress shoes. Bright tennis shoes and jeans are not acceptable attire. I realize that dress shoes are not cheap, especially when students can grow 3-4 shoe sizes from 6 th -8 th grade. I will allow the blackest shoe that you own so long as it is closed toed and does not call attention to it (so no highlighter yellow shoes). Please keep in mind all school dress code rules apply. Students not dressed in performance attire may be dismissed from the concert, thus receiving a zero for the event. INSTRUMENT STORAGE Students will be expected to keep their instruments in their assigned locker. Please keep a record of your instrument s serial number at home. We have had instruments misplaced in the past and you must know the brand and model number as well as the serial number in order for us to locate it. Please make sure your name, address and telephone number are on your instrument tag. Large Brass Instrumental Students MUST purchase a mouthpiece case. It is HIGHLY recommended that you purchase a mouthpiece to keep at school as well. Below is the pricing from Paige s music for mouthpiece brands and the case for them: French Horn Mouthpiece Accent 11: $37.99 French Horn Mouthpiece Pouch/Case: $6.99 Euphonium/Baritone/Trombone Mouthpiece Accent 6.5 AL: $49.99 Euphonium/Baritone/Trombone Pouch/Case: $7.49 Tuba Mouthpiece Accent 18: $69.99 Tuba Mouthpiece Pouch/Case: $10.79 CHEAP OPTION: Amazon Mouthpiece Case (one size fits all) $7.99: https://www.amazon.com/protec-mouthpiece-pouch-velcro- CLOSURE/dp/B0002E57MK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1468699837&sr=8-3&keywords=mouthpiece+case
7 SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS Students are highly encouraged to rent instruments from Paige s Music or Repeat Music. In the event of financial difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Simpson to arrange an alternate plan. The school supplies percussion and large brass instruments for in-class use so students playing these instruments (percussion, tuba, baritone, & French horn) do not have to haul their instruments back and forth on the bus. However, these students are required to rent or purchase home instruments for practice outside of school and use at the concerts. For any student who uses school instruments: any damages (outside of normal wear and tear) incurred while the instrument is in the possession of the student will be billed directly to the parents of the student. It is critical these instruments are well cared for. RENTALS, REPAIRS, AND ACCESSORIES Paige's Music sends a representative weekly to deliver items ordered and to pick up and return instruments for repair. If you are still renting your instrument from Paige's, it is under warranty and most repairs will be made free of charge; if not a bill will be sent to you. If you need a repair, we will help you fill out the repair tag. Parents, please notify Paige s if you need a loaner instrument while your child s instrument is being repaired. If you need an accessory, call Paige's at 1-800-382-1099 and they will deliver the accessory the following delivery day. Repeat Music follows a similar process. They will pick up from the school or you may take it directly to their office location on 3 rd street. You will need to still call ahead to schedule your rental. Repeat Music 1805 South 3rd Street Terre Haute, IN 47802 (812) 917-3557 www.repeatmusicinc.com Paige's Music 5282 E 65th St Indianapolis, IN 46220 (317) 842-2102 www.paigesmusic.com ITEMS BAND STUDENTS NEED EVERY DAY (participation grade) Your Band instrument in good working condition Your music (not that of your stand partner) Music Folder (provided by school) Method Book (These are now a part of your school book fees; If you lose your method book you will be expected to purchase a new one. Keep your name on it.) A pencil for marking music (do not use pen) Any other accessories needed to make instruments function properly (valve oil, slide grease, cork grease, reeds, mouthpieces, etc.) Large Brass Instruments: mouthpiece and mouthpiece case (see page 5 for specifications) Percussion: drum sticks, mallets, and practice pad (included in kit)
8 ISSMA ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEST The Advanced Band (select 7 th grade and 8 th grade students) is adjudicated every year in the Indiana State School Music Association s organizational band contest. We receive excellent feedback regarding our playing. The band perform either on Friday night or Saturday during the third weekend in March at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. We will not know the exact times until approximately two weeks prior to the contest date. This is the most important activity of the entire school year. Please mark your calendars immediately. SOLO AND ENSEMBLE Solo and Ensemble is typically held in late January or early February. All students are encouraged to participate in a solo or an ensemble or both. 6 th grade students are required to take private lessons to participate. The student is responsible for obtaining a piano accompanist, if one is needed. We will also assist students in locating accompanists. The cost is $13.00 per solo, $13.00 for piano solo, and $7.00 per student participating in ensembles. A student will not be permitted to perform two solos on the same instrument. Piano solos are NOT on the same weekend. They occur the same weekend as the vocal contest. Parents will receive more information regarding solo and ensemble as the date approaches. Transportation to and from the site will be the parent/guardian s responsibility. Bus transportation will not be provided. Solo and Ensemble for the middle school level will be located at Terre Haute North High School. PRIVATE LESSONS All Band students are encouraged to take private lessons on their instrument outside of school. This will greatly enhance our program and accelerate each student s ability on his/her instrument. Lessons may be taken through the following sources: ISU Community School of the Arts Petra Nyendick, Director Phone: (812) 237-2575 Email: petra.nyendick@indstate.edu Website: http://www.unboundedpossibilities.com/community-school-of-the-arts.aspx HCMS Music Department Website Private Instructors Private instructors are available to teach lessons at the school as well. Pricing varies depending on the instructor and instrument. HCMS MUSIC DEPARTMENT WEBSITE To stay informed on the most current events and details regarding the HCMS Band program, please visit the music department website listed below: www.honeycreekmusic.com
9 HCMS Bands Calendar 2017-2018 Date Event Location Time August 11/12 Indiana INpact honor band Lucas Oil Stadium All Day August 23 Jazz Band Auditions (7 th /8 th grade only) Band Room 3:30pm October 11 REHEARSAL: Beginning Band Band Room 3:30-4:45pm October 21 Homecoming Parade: Advanced Band ISU Campus TBD October 17 CONCERT: Beginning Band Main Gym 6pm October 28 Jazz Band Camp Day Band Room 10am-3pm November TBD 8 th Grade Marching Band Night Terre Haute South TBD November 4 Jazz Band Camp Day Band Room 10am-3pm November 9 Veterans Day Program: Advanced Band Main Gym 9am November 11-12 IBA Festival (select band members) TBD TBD December 2 Jazz Band Camp Day Band Room 10am-3pm December 6 REHEARSAL: Beginning Band Band Room 3:30-4:45pm December 7 REHEARSAL: Intermediate Band Band Room 3:30-4:45pm December 8/9 Bloomington Jazz Festival Bloomington HS TBD South December 13 CONCERT: All Groups Perform Main Gym 6pm January 6 or 13 Honey Creek Jazz Festival/Clinic Cafeteria TBD January 19/20 Purdue Jazz Festival Purdue University TBD January 24 Advanced Band Rehearsal Band Room 3:30-4:45pm January 27 ISSMA District Solo/Ensemble North HS TBD Contest, Vocal/Piano February 3 ISSMA District Solo/Ensemble North HS TBD Contest, Instrumental February 17 ISU Jazz Festival ISU TBD February 15 Advanced Band Rehearsal Band Room 3:30-4:45pm February 28 CONCERT: Contest Preview, Main Gym 6pm Advanced Band ONLY March 2/3 ISSMA Jazz Festival Terre Haute South TBD March 14 Advanced Band Rehearsal Band Room 3:30-4:45pm March 16/17 ISSMA Organizational Contest Woodrow Wilson TBD Advanced Band ONLY April 27 Vigo County Jazz Dinner/Dance Terre Haute North TBD May 9 REHEARSAL: Intermediate Band Band Room 3:30-4:45pm May 10 REHEARSAL: Beginning Band Band Room 3:30-4:45pm May 16 CONCERT: All groups perform Main Gym 6pm May 31 8 th Grade Graduation: 7 th grade band Main Gym 9am Concerts will be held at Honey Creek beginning at 6pm unless otherwise noted. ISSMA Organizational Contest performance times and dates will be announced as soon as they are received, typically about 2 weeks in advance. Please reserve BOTH March dates on your calendar.
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11 Band Handbook Acknowledgement of Receipt We hereby acknowledge that we have received a copy of the 2017-2018 Band Handbook for review. We have read the handbook and agree to comply with its provisions. Please complete this form fully. Student Name Printed Student Signature Parent Name Printed Parent/Guardian Signature Parent Name Printed Parent/Guardian Signature Phone Number Contact Email Address Date Grade Period Instrument Please Circle the day your class meets: 2/3 (Tues/Thurs) 3/2 (Mon/Wed/Fri) Please return this form by Friday, August 18, 2017. 10 points