Instrumental Music at Sandusky A booklet for Bandsmen and Parents 2011 Sandusky City Schools Rosalind M. Thacker & Jeffrey Mork, Directors Sandusky City Schools Instrumental Music 416-621-2744 x2251 rthacker@scs-k12.net
Dear Parents and Student, On behalf of the students and directors of the Sandusky City Schools band program, we wish to invite you to look over this brochure and become familiar with the instrumental music program. Since the inception of the Sandusky High School Band in the 1930 s and their rise to prominence, this organization has performed in front of countless thousands in the state of Ohio. The Sandusky Bands enjoy a superb reputation of fine music and kaleidoscopic marching during football season. We also offer a wonderfully varied concert program which includes symphonic and concert bands, jazz ensembles, pep bands, and other instrumental groups. We are very excited about the prospect of having your child join the band, and hope that this brochure will answer any questions which may arise. Sincerely, Rosalind Thacker and Jeff Mork Directors Sandusky City Schools 1
Dear Parents, The Sandusky City School District is proud of the arts curriculum that is offered to our students. We enthusiastically support our instrumental music program because the study of music promotes musical skills such as, listening, reading, math, self-expression, and creativity. Teamwork is an outgrowth of the band program along with self-discipline, commitment, and cooperation. Additionally, there is a direct relationship between a student s participation in co-curricular activities and their level of academic success. Sandusky City Schools has a long and proud tradition of excellence and the band program exemplifies the work ethic that has made that possible. We encourage your support of your child s interest and participation in the band program and we look forward to you becoming a proud Sandusky Band Parent. Thomas Tucker, Superintendent Sandusky City Schools 2
The Sandusky Band is a co-curricular organization that is made available to any student enrolled in the Sandusky City Schools who has the desire and ambition to contribute to the group effort. A student who is willing to work, who is willing to put in the time, and who has the proper attitude will be a successful band student. Band is for any student: the athlete, the nonathlete, the studious, or the average student. If your time is properly budgeted, you can be successful in band. 1) To provide a creative expression for young musicians 2) To expose students to a variety of emotions and feelings not experienced in academic subjects 3) To provide students a structured and disciplined activity 4) To develop motor and cognitive skills 5) To experience comradery, while contributing to a large group 6) To entertain and educate audiences 3
On May 19 all sixth-grade students met at Adams Junior High for an introductory concert and explanation about band. The Admas, Jr Hi Jazz and SHS Blue Notes Jazz bands performed for the students. Based on the concert, students will indicate whether or not they have an interest in the band. Response sheets from the back of this booklet will be collected and appointments made with parents and students for mid-may. During this interview at Adams School, students will try out various instruments and decide which one they would like to play. The summer band program begins June 14 and ends July 23. Students will have six weeks of lessons plus one full band session per week. Exact lesson times will be discussed at the interview. The beginning band will have a concert July 14 in the Washington Park Gazebo. During the fifth week of the program your child's progress will be reviewed and recommendations will be made concerning continuation in band. He/she may be recommended for band based on performance during the summer program. Suggestions about changing to an alternate instrument might also occur at this time. It is also possible that, due to lack of practice or commitment, a child may be advised not to continue in the band program. Our beginner band is made up of a variety of basic instruments and some specialized instruments. Students who play the flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone and bells will rent their instrument through an area music store at a reasonable fee. If you already have an instrument in the family that you wish your child to play, you are asked to bring the instrument in to your interview so it may be assessed to be sure it is in proper playing condition. Other specialized instruments such as the oboe, French horn, bass clarinet, baritone horn, bassoon and tuba may be rented through the school. (Quantities are limited). It is important that the band have "balanced instrumentation," or properly proportioned instruments, to sound like a true band. Therefore, we may help channel and encourage certain students to consider alternate instruments to achieve better balance. A well-balanced band of 65 players would be: 6 flutes, 12 to 16 clarinets, 6 saxophones, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 bass clarinets, 4 horns, 8 to 12 trumpets, 6 to 8 trombones, 2 baritones, 2 tubas and 5 percussionists. As you can see, there is room for everyone. However, to help the band sound better (and perhaps improve one s own chance of being retained in band), a student may need to consider an alternate instrument. Once the school year starts, band students meet daily for 45 minutes. This will rotate with choir and orchestra if your child is in those groups. Everyone is expected to practice at home daily for at least 30 minutes. Once a week every student will meet with the director for a 25-minute private or semi-private lesson. When the school year begins, students are 4
members of the instrumental music program and will only permitted to drop band at the semester change or at the end of the year. This is very important to understand since each and every student is needed for a successful ensemble. Loosing students randomly during the year affects the entire group, not just a single person. This expectation will be strictly adhered to. Band students are expected to maintain a high quality of musicianship and show exceptional behavior to participate. Students are able to participate in several performance groups at Adams School. There are many students who play in the band and also perform in the choir or orchestra. At present, if one's schedule and time are arranged properly, there is nothing preventing participation in multiple groups. Students may also participate in sports and continue to play in band. The band meets as a regular subject during the day and does not interfere with extra-curricular activities. Several concerts are scheduled during the year. Students may also participate in solo and ensemble contest. Jazz band is available at Adams for the more ambitious saxophone, trumpet, trombone or rhythm section players. Jazz meets after school once a week, beginning in November. Students playing ability, musicianship, and attitude are frequently assessed to determine if they qualify for the band. If a student exhibits excessively poor behavior or attitude he/she will be removed from the program with no monetary refund and an F will be recorded for the 9 weeks. 5
If proper playing standards are met by the student during beginning band, he/she will then will be accepted into the Eighth Grade Band. As with the beginner band, at-home practice is expected to maintain a high standard of playing. The directors do not feel obligated to retain a student with improper attitude or poor playing skills. Weekly lessons continue in eighth grade and the band meets on a daily basis. In addition to concerts, the Eighth Grade Band members will be expected to participate at, Junior High Band day at an SHS football game, and Cedar Point, and Memorial Day Parades. Jazz band is available in eighth grade, plus additional opportunities to play solos or in small ensembles, and festival groups. As the year progresses, select woodwind players may be asked to take up a secondary brass instrument to play in the high school marching band. The majority of these instruments are available through the high school. The woodwind player will still perform on his/her primary instrument during concert season. Each student in the eighth grade band is tested frequently to gauge progress and musical development. At the end of the school year, the band students at eighth grade must pass a musical proficiency test to be recommended for the high school band. 6
The band program at Sandusky High School offers its members a wide variety of groups in which to perform. These groups include the Marching Band, the Symphonic Band, the Concert Band, Blue Notes Jazz Ensemble, Delegation Pep Band, and small ensembles. The Marching Band is the largest and most visible performing group at the high school. The year begins in mid-august with two weeks of band camp. These sessions are held week days at SHS from 8:00 am to 1:00. Students are taught how to march and perform with a top quality band. During the first ten weeks of the school year (football season), the band practices daily during 1 st period, plus three after-school rehearsals per week. The marching band performs at all varsity football games, pep rallies, plus occasional festivals or parades. At the conclusion of the marching season, students audition for a place in the concert program. The two bands chosen through the audition process are the "Symphonic Band," which is made of the top players, and the "Concert Band," which is generally made of younger players in training for the Symphonic Band. These groups perform five concerts, two adjudicated events, and other functions as needed for the remainder of the school year. Private lessons, daily practice, and a healthy attitude are all highly encouraged in order to attain membership in the band. Both groups practice during the school day as a regular part of the school curriculum. Other groups open to SHS band members at the end of football season are the Jazz Band and the Delegation Band, which performs at home basketball games. The Blue Notes Jazz Band consists of select musicians who play the saxophone, the trumpet, the trombone, guitar, keyboard, bass or the drum set. The Blue Notes is extra-curricular and practices outside of school time. All members of the Sandusky High School Marching/Concert Bands receive one full credit and a letter grade just like any other class at the high school. Additional awards for band members include varsity letters, recognition plaques, occasional social events such as pizza parties, and the privilege of wearing the Blue Streak band uniform. The Sandusky High School Band member who understands that dedication, persistence, and hard work are the main ingredients of a great band will find many rewards in store both for himself and the entire band. 7
The BPO consists of the parents of every Sandusky band student. There are no dues to pay; you are automatically a member because your child is in band. This volunteer organization exists to support the bands in various ways: through financial contributions, as a support group, and to help students and directors in a myriad of ways. This group has several general meetings per year and the board of officers meet monthly to discuss various band matters. They sponsor the concession stands and french fry wagon at football games, various sales such as the Cheese and Sausage promotion, candy sales, and so forth. The ways in which the BPO assists the bands are limitless, and it is an essential part of our band program. We always look for parental involvement in something as important as the Sandusky Bands. SHS students performs on the field at the University of Toledo during Band Day Rehearsal 8
Rosalind Thacker is the Director of Bands at Sandusky City Schools, and is currently in her 9 th year teaching instrumental music in Ohio public schools. She conducts the SHS Symphonic Band, Marching Blue Streaks, Pep Bands, and 8 th Grade Band. A Tiffin Columbian Graduate, Mrs. Thacker received her bachelor of music education at Heidelberg University. While a student at Heidelberg, she was a member of Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, and a variety of other small ensembles. Mrs. Thacker was the 1998 Heidelberg College Concerto Competition winner, was chosen for OPCICA Honor Bands and Jazz Ensembles, and also won the Arthur and Helen Bean Award for musical Performance in 2001. Upon graduation she began teaching instrumental music in Northwest Ohio. In 2008 Mrs. Thacker was offered a conducting assistantship at Ohio University and is nearly finished with course work toward her master of music education degree with a concentration in wind conducting. At Ohio, Mrs. Thacker was a Graduate Teaching Associate. A student of Dr. Andrew Trachsel, she had the honor of conducting the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic and University Bands, Marching 110, and Athletic Bands. Her performance opportunities include: the OU Jazz, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. Mrs. Thacker will be married for 10 years this June and has three children. In her free time she enjoys traveling and camping with her family and eating at new restaurants. Heidelberg University Graduate 2001 Bachelor of Music Ohio University Master of Music in Music Education Concentration in Wind Conducting Member OMEA MENC Sigma Alpha Iota Delta Zeta 9
Cincinnati native Jeff Mork attended Bowling Green State University, graduating cumlaude with a bachelor of music education degree, saxophone specialist, in 1979. He particapeted in various music groups while at BGSU including Marching Band, Jazz Band, saxophone ensembles and was director of the BGSU Hockey Pep Band. He was an officer of Kappa Kappa Psi Band Service fraternity His first teaching assignment was with Tuslaw Local Schools near Massillon, Ohio where he directed the marching band, the pep band, the jazz band, the junior high band, and beginning band. He received his master of music education degree from Florida State University in 1984. While at FSU he focused on music education, saxophone performance and jazz studies. Mr. Mork came to Sandusky in 1984 as the high school band director, and in 1988 he became director of the Adams band program. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Ohio Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and is an OMEA adajudicator. Mr. and Mrs. Mork have been married 31 years and have three daughters. In his free time he enjoys traveling to see his girls, golf, gardening, and computers Concert Band Director Adams Director Jazz Director BGSU Graduate 1976 Cum Laude Bachelor of Music Florida State Graduate 1984 Master of Music Member: OMEA MENC Kappa Kappa Psi 10
Dear Parents, We invite your child to participate in the Sandusky Instrumental Music Program. The Adams Band, Junior High Jazz Band, and SHS Blue Notes played a concert for all of the sixth grade students on May 14 as an introduction to our band program. If your child is interested in joining the band, the directors would like to meet with you and your child. We will be available for a short (20-30 minute) interview at Adams Junior High in mid-may. (See below for dates and times.) In addition to trying out instruments, you and your child will meet the band teachers plus find out about area music stores and the services and instruments they offer. Our summer program begins June 6, and ends July 15. *This is an informative meeting. You are under NO obligation to join. Sincerely, Rosalind Thacker and Jeff Mork Please tear off this form (regardless of response) and return it to your teacher by Mon, May23. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please Print Clearly Child s Full Name Parent/Guardian Full Name Phone Number School Cell Teacher Please check the appropriate Boxes: I am interested in participating in the Band and will come to a 20 minute interview on: Please Check Below Tuesday, May 24 Wednesday, May 25 Thursday, May 26 Tuesday, May 31 Wednesday, June 1 at p.m at p.m at p.m at p.m at p.m **ALL TIMES SHOULD BE BETWEEN 3:00 AND 7:00 pm Please call me to set up an appointment Thank you, however we are not interested in becoming a member of the Blue Streak Bands 11