Lindbergh Middle School Band Handbook Back to School Back to Band! Points of Interest Welcome! Performing Groups Concert Dates Grading Criteria Accessories Needed for Band Why Band? Band Staff Directory Practice Tips Sample Practice Log Band Calendar Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! My name is Brian Wyss and I am Director of Middle School Bands at Lindbergh. First, I would like to welcome the new 200+ members of our beginning bands. The Lindbergh Band Program as a whole is very excited that this many students have chosen to make band a part of their life! In addition, I am anxiously awaiting the return of our outstanding 7th and 8th grade band students. I am equally enthusiastic about the Lindbergh Band Staff that will be working with them. Percussion students will have the pleasure of working with Mr. Dan Arana. Woodwind students will be taught by Mrs. Chelsea Silvermintz and Mr. Jeremy McMahon, and brass players will work with Mr. Alec Patton and myself. Finally, I d like to introduce the Lindbergh High School Director of Bands, Mr. David Wyss who will also be assisting with our middle school band students. We take great pride in the fact that the entire band staff will be working with your child throughout their high school years. On behalf of the directors, we are so excited for your young musician to be part of what promises to be an incredible year of band! The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint you with the expectations of the LMS Band Program as a whole. Information on grading procedures, performance expectations, instrument and equipment requirements, and rehearsal etiquette will all be addressed in this handbook. It has been written as a supplement to the School Handbook. Please note that parents must submit an online form indicating you have read and understand the handbook and classroom expectations. The online form also provides an opportunity for parents to volunteer for various needs throughout the year. I will be sending updates throughout the school year. The main form of communication will be via email. Please make sure to provide any and all emails where you want updates sent. Updates and information about the Lindbergh Band Program may also be found on the Lindbergh Bands website www.lhsb.memberclicks.net (Middle School is in the Programs menu). Due to the band directors traveling teaching schedules, the best means of communication is via email. Simply email the director you would like to speak with and they will either respond by email or by return phone call. All of the directors share a common plan time from 10:40 11:30. I can be reached at: bwyss@lindberghschools.ws or call 729-2400 ext.*2359. In a world where instant gratification becomes more prominent everyday, mastering an instrument only comes with determination, practice, and time. Our philosophy We believe that the decision for a young student to join band is one the most rewarding decisions of their life. Band goes well beyond notes and rhythms. While teaching music is the focus of the class, students learn and develop most from the behind the scenes work they do. When the newness of band wears off, self-discipline and responsibility become the pillars of music education. Despite any level of natural ability, hard work is inevitable. In a world where instant gratification becomes more prominent everyday, mastering an instrument only comes with determination, practice, and time. Through this process we hope our students gain an appreciation for all types of music and a passion to perform We also hope that above all, the students truly enjoy band and their band directors.
Performance Groups/Dates *Jazz band will begin during the second quarter of the year and will be open to 7 th or 8 th grade students who play a standard jazz instrument. Standard jazz instrumentation includes trumpet, trombone, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, piano, bass, and drum set. Trumpet, trombone, and alto sax players must provide their own instrument. Drum set and piano are available for school use only and will be auditioned instruments. The school owned bari sax and tenor sax will also be auditioned instruments. The jazz band will perform at the 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade band concerts. The Jazz Ensemble will be an auditioned band. Auditions will be held around the beginning of October. The Jazz Ensemble represents our schools at various jazz festivals around the Midwest. *The St. Louis Suburban Junior High Concert Band and Jazz Band are comprised of the best junior high band students in the St. Louis area. All 7 th and 8 th grade students are encouraged to audition. At the high school level students must successfully audition into one of these groups to be eligible for the All- State Ensemble auditions. It is to our young musicians advantage to participate in as many auditions as possible before entering high school. It is an honor to make this group. We are proud of the students who have been selected in the past and look forward to having many of our students represent the Lindbergh District in the future. Auditions will be held on October 26 at Holman Middle School in the Pattonville School District. *Solo and small ensemble is one of the most valuable performance opportunities offered to young musicians. This gives any student or group of students a chance to choose their own piece of music to perform and be critiqued and rated by very experienced adjudicators. We highly recommend that your 7 th or 8 th grade student participates in this important event. This is another event that includes an All-State level festival in high school. Solo and small ensemble takes place on April 9 at Holman Middle School in the Pattonville School District. Grading Every student s grade will be made up of two different categories. Each category will be weighted differently. The majority of their grade will come from the student s ability to complete all of the required checkoffs for each quarter. Students will receive the entire year s check-off assignments during the first week of class. Students are encouraged to work ahead in their check-offs if they feel ready to move on. The other portion of their grade will come from practice sheets. Concert attendance: It is pretty unbelievable to think of how many hours our young musicians spend practicing and rehearsing between concerts. There is no greater feeling as a director than seeing the students walk off the stage knowing that all the hard work in previous months just paid off with an outstanding performance. As parents, we hope you will be part of that experience too. I have included our bands performance schedule. Barring a school cancellation or inclement weather conditions, these performance dates will not change. I will be sending more information home about Jazz Band performance dates as well as any other important dates that might come up as soon as they are determined. Please make every effort to clear these dates on your calendar immediately. Any conflicts that may arise with these dates will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If there is a conflict with a performance, I need to know at least two weeks in advance. I would prefer to know immediately. An unexcused absence will result in a reduction of one full letter grade for the quarter. The only excused absences will be an illness requiring a doctor s note, a family emergency with a note from parent or guardian, or an arrangement previously made with the director. Please plan to attend these special events with your young musician. 6 th Grade Concerts: December 7 May 4 7 th and 8 th Grade Concerts: December 8 May 11
Grading con t Rehearsal Etiquette Band students are among the best students in the school. Given this, we set extremely high standards in the classroom. To utilize rehearsal time to the utmost and to provide the students with the most effective atmosphere conducive to learning in our large class sizes, we require 100% attention. Simply put, we have adopted the policy of silent rehearsals. Students who are continuously distracting from the task at hand will be dealt with quickly. Band is a team effort, however, unlike many sports teams, no one sits the bench in band. It is simply impossible to progress as a band unless everyone is focused on the goal that is trying to be achieved. It is also imperative that our students come to class prepared. This includes having instruments, books, binders, music, pencils, and all of the accessories required to play their particular instrument. Coming to class with all of these items will result efficient and effective rehearsals. Practice! Practice! Practice! You have often heard that anything worthwhile takes time and effort. That is especially true when it comes to mastering a musical instrument. There is no substitute for practice! We will spend a great deal of time teaching our students correct practice habits. The truth is that your support and guidance will be the key factor in establishing the practice schedule insuring the attainment of musical goals. We require 120 minutes a week of dedicated quality practice time. We suggest that you and your young musician agree on a practice time and a special area of your home designated for their area of musical study. A final five-minute recital is extremely effective in building performance responsibility and a great opportunity to show your support. Your positive reinforcement and encouragement is the most effective communication you can share with your child s journey towards musical excellence. Although many new concepts are taught during band rehearsals, the limited time does not afford the personal attention that is vital to developing the technical facility required for the upcoming years of musical exploration. Grading criteria for practice time is explained at the bottom of each student s practice sheet. Every Friday practice sheets will be checked in class for total practice time and a parent s signature. Practice sheets will not be accepted without a parent s signature. Accessories Needed for Band ALL BAND STUDENTS NEED: 1)An instrument in good playing condition 2)3-Ring binder and pencil 3)Standard of Excellence Book 6th grade-book 1 7th grade book 2 8th grade book 3 4)Pencil 5)(optional) A folding music stand to hold music while practicing at home ALL BRASS STUDENTS NEED: 1)Valve oil for valved instruments: trumpets, baritones, tubas, French horn (rotor oil) 2) Super Slick slide cream with water bottle (mist), piece of soft cotton cloth for cleaning slide for trombone 3)Mouthpiece brush all brass instruments 4))Slide grease (for tuning slides) all brass instruments 5)Flexible cleaning brush ALL WOODWIND INSTRU- MENTS NEED: 1)Flute- cleaning rod, small lent free rag, or swab 2)Clarinet- cork grease, swab, Mitchell Lurie reeds-strength 2 ½ - 3 (at least three playable reeds at all times), Rovner ligature 3)Saxophones- (grade 7-8) cleaning swab, Rico Royal reeds - strength 3-3 ½ (at least three playable reeds at all times, a C- star mouthpiece is recommended but not required) 4)All double reed players will receive specific information for instrument needs after being selected Percussion students will be contacted by Mr. Arana concerning instrument needs.
Why Band? The U.S. Department of Education lists the arts as subjects that college bound middle and junior high students should take, stating, Many colleges view participation in the arts and music as a valuable experience that broadens students understanding and appreciation of the world around them. It is also well known and widely recognized the arts contribute significantly to children s intellectual development. For the future of our children and our communities, we must find new ways to engage students in the learning process. The arts can be a powerful vehicle through which to challenge young people s minds, stir their creativity, instill discipline and build self-esteem. Lawrence A. Hough, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sallie Mae During the Gulf War, the few opportunities I had for relaxation I always listened to music, and it brought to me great peace of mind. I have shared my love of music with people throughout this world, while listening to the drums and special instruments of the Far East, Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Far North and all of this started with the music appreciation course I was taught in a thirdgrade elementary class in Princeton, New Jersey. What a tragedy it would be if we lived in a world where music was not taught to children. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, General, U.S. Army, retired
Band Staff Directory Brian Wyss-Director of Middle School Bands/Brass Instructor bwyss@lindberghschools.ws or 729-2400 extension 2359 Alec Patton-Brass Instructor apatton@lindberghschools.ws or 729-2400 extension 1433 Jeremy McMahon-Woodwind Instructor Jmcmahon@lindberghschools.ws or 7292400 extension 2359 Chelsea Silvermintz-Woodwind Instructor csilvermintz@lindberghschools.ws or 729-2400 extension 1683 Dan Arana-Percussion Instructor darana@lindberghschools.ws or 729-2400 extension 2154 David Wyss-Lindbergh High School Director of Bands dwyss@lindberghschools.ws or 729-2400 extension 1686 Due to the directors traveling between the high school and Sperreng in the morning and Truman in the afternoon, email is the most accessible form of communication. If you d like to have a phone conversation feel free to use the numbers listed above, or leave your phone number in an email and a convenient time to be reached.
Student BAND PRACTICE RECORD Period 1 st Quarter 3 rd Quarter 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 19 th 20 th 21 st 22 nd 23 rd 24 th 25 th 26 th 27 th 2 nd Quarter 4 th Quarter 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th 17 th 18 th 28 th 29 th 30 th 31 st 32 nd 33 rd 34 th 35 th 36 th Weekly Grading Scale -- (Minutes/Week) 120 minutes & over per week = Raises quarter grade one letter grade 75 119 minutes per week = Quarter grade remains the same 0 74 minutes per week = Lowers quarter grade one letter grade
TMS/SMS Band Calendar for 2015-2016 SEPTEMBER 2015 9/? (TBA) 7 th & 8 th Grade- Jazz Ensemble and rhythm section auditions will be held after school. 9/25 Homecoming Football Game- 8 th Grade (approx 5:00 10:00) OCTOBER 2015 10/26 7 th & 8 th Grade- St. Louis All-Suburban Band/ Jazz Band Auditions at Holman Middle School (pm) DECEMBER 2015 12/7 6 th Grade winter concert in HS auditorium (Sperreng at 6:00pm; Truman at 7:30pm) Jazz Band will also perform at each concert 12/8 7 th and 8 th Grade winter concert in HS auditorium (Sperreng and Truman 7 th grade 6:00pm; Sperreng and Truman 8 th grade at 7:30 JANUARY 2016 1/10 All-Suburban Concert FEBRUARY 2016 2/? (TBA) 8 th Grade- H. S. Jazz Ensemble Auditions (after school) MARCH 2016 3/2 8 th Grade- Large Ensemble Festival (during school hours at LHS) APRIL 2016 4/9 7 th & 8 th Grade- Middle School Solo/ Small Ensemble Festival. Students who chose to participate in this event are expected to fulfill their commitment. Participation is free of charge, however, SLSMEA does impose a fine for cancellation after a certain date. We will communicate that date to students well in advance. 4/? (TBA) 8 th Grade- Marching Band Mini-Camp. This fun event takes place from 3:00PM 6:00PM at the High School, typically on a Monday and Tuesday. Our 8 th Grade band will unite with the 2016 Spirit of St. Louis Marching Band to get a rehearsal preview of their upcoming marching show music. 8 th graders leave this mini-camp even more excited about marching band than they all ready are. While this is not a requirement, we strongly encourage all 8 th graders to attend this important event. It s a blast! 4/19 Middle School Night of Percussion in HS auditorium (6:00) 4/20 Night of Jazz - (Jazz Ensemble only) MAY 2016 5/7-5/8 (tentative) 8 th Grade- Worlds of Fun Band Trip. This is not a required trip. However, proper instrumentation must be achieved for the trip to proceed. We leave on a Saturday morning, stay overnight in a hotel, and return home on Sunday. More information will be forthcoming as we approach this event. 5/4 6 th Grade spring concert in HS auditorium (Sperreng at 6:00pm; Truman at 7:30pm) 5/11 7 th and 8 th Grade spring concert in HS auditorium (Sperreng and Truman 7 th grade 6:00pm; Sperreng and Truman 8 th grade at 7:30 JUNE 2016 6/6-6/30 Current 6 th & 7 th Graders- Summer Band Camp (M-Th) JULY 2016 7/25-8/14 (tentative) 8 th Grade- 2016 LHS Marching Band Camp!!! This camp is mandatory. Please schedule vacations before July 25. Exact dates and times will be sent home as soon as they become available.