ISLIP HIGH SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM Islip High School 2508 Union Blvd. Islip, New York 11751 650-8342 Dear Islip High School Band Students and Parents: Hello and welcome to another exciting year in the Islip High School Music Department. I hope that you have had a wonderful summer and found the rest you truly deserve. In this letter you will find my grading and attendance policy, a lesson group list with lesson schedule, an instruction book requirement list and a band contract to be returned at the student s first lesson. Please read all the enclosed information carefully. If you have questions regarding this letter don't hesitate to call my office at 650-8342. With your help we can both make this a successful year for music in our community. I look forward to seeing you at Meet the Teacher Night. Sincerely yours, Steven Campanella Islip High School Director of Bands mrcampanella@gmail.com
Objectives Concert Band and Wind Ensemble both offer the opportunity for students to understand the value of individual achievement and group success. As a member of the performing arts each student will have the chance to shine and expand their ability to creatively achieve their goals as well as the goals of the group. These goals are listed below. To develop a proper playing technique. To enhance the students understanding of written notes and rhythms. To not only play the notes, but understand the emotions written behind them. To think creatively in order to build a practice regimen. To adapt to changing situations as a member of a collaborative effort. To present our explorations of new and old art forms to the community. To instill a measure of pride in each player and help each member to understand how they contribute to the collective success of the ensemble. To develop self-discipline as a responsible member of the organization. To open an avenue of self-expression for both the ensemble and as a solo member. To develop a desire to continue musical experiences in a person s future.
Classroom Conduct Classroom policies and routines are created to help the group achieve its goals in the most efficient way possible. The success of the group relies upon the responsibility of each member. It is therefore essential that each member conduct themselves in a responsible, poised and intelligent manner. Please be on time! Please be in your seats with your instrument assembled and your music ready 2 minutes after the late bell rings. A pencil with eraser is needed for every rehearsal. It is essential that students make necessary marks in music in order to highlight different trouble spots. Please make sure to be prepared to mark any and all changes that your director may ask of you. DO NOT RELY ON YOUR MEMORY! Please limit talking during rehearsal. If rehearsal is needed with a certain section and you are not actively engaged take the time to follow the ensemble though the excerpt of music being examined. Understanding how your part fits with the ensemble can be a valuable tool. Students not actively engaged in the present work during class are to quietly listen and follow along noticing how their part interacts with the examined excerpt of music. Students may use the restroom when needed. Each student is required to sign out to use the restroom. Please act responsibly. Absolutely no gum chewing in class! Be courteous, have pride in your fellow members and give them opportunity to succeed. Their success is your success.
Grading Policy Grades are based on participation, effort, achievement and improvement. Percentages of grades are as follows: 50% for Concert Band/Wind Ensemble participation, preparedness, effort and cooperation, playing exams and concerts. 50% for Lesson Attendance and mastery of skill. 1st Quarter: 30% Participation (daily rehearsal) 20% 1st Quarter Seating Exam 2nd Quarter: 40% Participation (daily rehearsal plus performance at concert) 10% Playing Exam 3rd Quarter: 4th Quarter: 30% Participation (daily rehearsal) 20% 3rd Quarter Seating Exam 40% Participation (daily rehearsal plus performance at concert) 10% Playing Exam Each student is to attend an assigned group lesson. Students should be on time and prepared. Each lesson will be graded according to the following criteria: Weekly improvement Applied knowledge Sight reading Effort Preparedness Please be sure to notify Mr. Campanella of a conflict with your lesson. In the event of a missed lesson, student should make up the work within two weeks. Each week after this will result in a loss of ten points for each missed lesson. Improving the skills of each player requires consistency and dedication; a quarter s worth of material cannot be recreated in one week. If students miss a lesson where either information for a playing test was given or the playing test was administered the student is responsible to make up such work in a timely fashion.
Attendance The success of a performance group works much like a team. If a member of the team is missing either during practice or performance, the outcome suffers. Imagine playing a football game with no quarterback! Comparably, missing rehearsals or performances has the same impact on the ensemble. Rehearsals cannot be effective if key elements are missing. If a student s absence is excused they can make up the participation grade by arranging for extra-credit with Mr. Campanella. Make-up work can consist of computer drills, rhythm work, research papers or web related information. If a student needs to make up participation work they need to speak with Mr. Campanella as soon as possible. Performance Attendance Please check the school calendar for any performance dates. The calendar can be found at www.islipufsd.org. Performance dates will be included with this packet and students should be sure to arrange their work and personal schedules well in advance in order to be present at all of their performances. In the event that a conflict exists please be sure to notify Mr. Campanella at least 2 weeks ahead of time. Usually a compromise or agreement can be met if there is ample time to address the problem. Students attending the performance are expected to stay until the program is finished. It s important to show your respect and pride for the other groups, as they have worked as hard as you have. Performance grades are 40% of the 2nd and 4th quarters and will be based on the following criteria: Punctuality Proper Concert Attire Compliance with instructions Concert Etiquette Performance to best of one s ability Remaining for the entire concert Performance Attire for Concert Band, Wind Ensemble or Jazz Ensemble Ladies: Black dress, black shoes, and only tan or neutral colored hose should be worn. Gentlemen: Black suit (sport-jacket and slacks), white shirt, black tie, black shoes and black socks...no sneakers, sandals or athletic shoes.
Students who do not comply with these rules will not be admitted onstage for their performance. This will affect the student s performance grade as no credit can be given. Lesson Books Flute / Clarinet /Bass Clarinet/ Saxophone/ Oboe/ Bassoon Rubank Advanced Method Trumpet Arban Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet F Horn Rubank Intermediate Method (beginners) Rubank Advanced Method (students who have more than two years of experience) Trombone/Baritone Horn Arban Complete Conservatory Method for Trombone/Baritone Tuba Arban Complete Conservatory Method for Tuba Percussion Modern School: Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg Exercises, Etudes, and Solos for the Timpani by Raynor Carroll N.A.R.D. Collection of Snare Drum Street Beats and Solos It is essential to your success as a student to have purchased your required book as soon as possible. Lessons will start on the first full week of school. Students are responsible for all reeds, sticks and mallets needed for performance and lessons Extra-curricular Ensembles Jazz Ensemble Jazz Ensemble is a select group consisting of 17 instrumental members. These students must have prior instrumental band or string experience. Members are admitted by audition or director recommendation. Jazz Ensemble s main focus is to explore the more contemporary art forms including blues, rag-time, swing, hard-bop, be-bop, big band as well as many others. It is
essential that students participating in this select group remain grounded in the classical forms as well and maintain a good classical performance regiment. Marching Band The Islip Marching Band is in its 8th year of resurgence and was reinstated to extend the creative needs of younger and older students while maintaining many traditions of old-style military bands. The Islip Marching Band is one of the most visible parts of the Islip Department of Fine and Performing Arts and performs at all home football games, parades, competitions and the Newsday Festival at Hofstra University. Positions are open for any woodwind, brass, or percussion member to attend. Color Guard positions are also available for students who would like to be part of the marching band, but are not part of Islip s music program. Islip High School Band Program Calendar of Events Concert Band: December 17th, 7:00 p.m. HS Auditorium June 4th, 7:00 p.m. HS Auditorium Wind Ensemble December 3rd, 7:00 p.m. HS Auditorium April 30th, 7:00 p.m. HS Auditorium Jazz Ensemble December 17th, 7:00 p.m. HS Auditorium February 1st, 7:00 p.m. HS Cafe, Blue Note Cafe June 4th, 7:00 p.m. HS Auditorium Marching Band September 27th, Football Game 7:00 HS Football Field October 5th, Football Game 2:00 HS Football Field October 12th Columbus Day Parade, Huntington October 15-17 Newsday Festival at Hofstra University (TBA) October 25th, Football Game 7:00 HS Football Field November 1 st, Football Game 7:00 HS Football Field Santa Day Parade TBA St. Patrick s Day Parade TBA May 31st, Memorial Day Parade 10:00 a.m. Islip Town Hall NYSSMA Solo Festival April 4-5 Solo Jazz Festival May 30-31 Solo Classical Festival
Please return the bottom portion of the requirements letter at your first lesson as this is the first assignment that your grade will be based upon. Thank you for your cooperation, I look forward to making this a great year of music for you and your children. Sincerely yours, Steven Campanella IHS Director of Bands (631) 650-8342 BAND CONTRACT I have read the enclosed information and am aware of the requirements and attendance policy expected of the students. I have discussed these matters and understand all that is expected of me. (Parent signature) (Date) (Student signature) (Date)