SOMERS HIGH SCHOOL BAND SPARTAN BAND! RULES PROCEDURES GRADING ATTENDANCE Members of the band are expected to be in their assigned seat ready to play two minutes after the beginning class bell rings. Extra rehearsals are sometimes scheduled during the school year. These rehearsals and sectionals will follow the same time schedule. School policy will be enforced regarding lateness to class. If you walk in the room while attendance is being taken, you are late. Band members are required to be present at August Band Camp, August uniform fitting, and all performances during the school year. Failure to attend any performance or session without an approved excused absence by the director will result in a 25 point grade reduction for that particular marking period. (See the Charms Website, SomersBand.com, or the handout at the back of this packet for rehearsals and concert obligations). *** Please keep in mind that being in a performing ensemble is a team based activity and is a commitment. We are all counting on each other and we need you to be there. As a member of the band it is of utmost importance that you make EVERY EFFORT to attend all performances and rehearsals.*** REHEARSAL PROCEDURES Promptness: Be on time. Self-Discipline: No talking when the director is on the podium. Rehearsal schedule: Arrange music in the same order you see listed on the board. Be neat: Pick up around you. Do not move equipment from section to section. Replace chairs and stands to their original locations. Failure to keep your area clean will result in sectional hours and/or demerits. ALL INSTRUMENTS ARE TO BE RETURNED TO LOCKERS AFTER REHEARSAL. Please do not leave instruments on the floor. Gum and Food: are not allowed in the band room. Damaged equipment: You are held responsible for any equipment intentionally damaged. This includes music stands and percussion equipment which are in your rehearsal area. Drummers are to stand during rehearsal. Chairs are not allowed in the percussion section. A five point deduction from the final grade will be factored in if this rule is broken. NO BAND IS BETTER THAN ITS REHEARSAL. REHEARSE AS IF IT WERE A CONCERT!
INSTRUMENTS All instrument cases and drum sticks must clearly have names posted on them. Students are to write their instrument s serial number on the signature page of this document. Drummers: any personally lost stick is your responsibility to replace. All sticks without names are considered to be the property of the Somers High School Band. Percussionists will be required to supply a full set of mallets and specialty sticks if the school supply is lost or broken. School owned instruments must be signed out with the director. Damaged equipment will be repaired or replaced at your expense. CELL PHONES AND TECHNOLOGY Any student using a cell phone or other personal device during class (including all aspects of the phone: calls, texting and pictures) without explicit permission from the teacher, will receive a full grade deduction which will be figured in at the end of the marking period. Any student with a phone on their person during a performance onstage or at a performing venue will receive a failing grade for that marking period. MUSIC Each band member is responsible for their music folder and the condition of its contents, making sure it is in school daily for rehearsals. Students will receive new music from Mrs. Wolf or the band secretary. If a second copy is needed, it is to be obtained through the band secretary. Please keep in mind that sheet music is expensive to replace, and treat your copies carefully. INSTRUMENT STORAGE Every member will receive a locker in the band room for daytime storage only. You are responsible for the condition of the locker and its contents. Locks can be used as long as the school has a key or the combination. The school reserves the right to enter the locker anytime. Instruments and music are to go home every evening for practice.
GRADING Honors Band/Chorus/Choir Requirements Select at least one in each column per quarter and must total 100 points. Performance Academic Extended Learning -Private lessons on main instrument (50 points) -Rehearsal & performance with an outside organization (30 points) -NCCC Music Festival (40 points) -Eastern Region/All State Auditions and Festival (40 points each) -Auditioning/performing a solo or feature for an SHS Concert (25 points each) -Performing for special events/field trips/sporting events (25 points) -Submitting a video recording of a solo performance (25 points in front of an audience/15 no audience) -Attend a concert and write a reflection (15 points) -Submitting a 3 page research paper on a music topic (50 points) -Compose a piece of original music or an arrangement of an existing piece (10-50 points determined by length and detail) -Complete a Teoria music theory session (10 points) -Complete an Active Listening Assignment (15 points) -Research and create a concert program keeping in mind levels, voicing, abilities, diversity, instrumentation and learning goals (30 points) Read and write a summary of a music text of your choice (10-50 points determined by length and detail) -Private lessons on an additional instrument (30 points) Complete an off site music course (35 points) -Fulfilling a leadership role within the music department (25 points) -Assisting at MBA Concerts (15 points) -Performing scales/etudes/sight singing/etc (15 points) -Mentoring a younger music student (15 points per session) Conduct an ensemble (10 points per session) Midterm : Students will complete a 5 page music research paper complete with sources Final : Students will compose an original piece of music Other Grading policies: There will be a 5 point deduction per day for late forms. This includes uniform and music returns as well as fees collected. 5 points will be given when forms and fees meet deadlines.
Concert/Parade Dress: 5 point deductions will be in effect for each missing part of your uniform at each performance. You are 100% responsible for knowing what articles of your uniform you need for each type of performance. (Marching Band vs. Concert Band vs. Honors Choir, etc...) Merits and demerits in 5 point increments will be given by director, section leaders, or drum majors. Failure to attend any performance or session without an approved excused absence by the director will result in a 25 point grade reduction for that particular marking period, after all other points have been awarded. Students will be requested to perform portions of their music at any point and time throughout the school year, for a grade, without prior warning. This performance may take place with the director, section leader, assistant section leaders, or before the entire ensemble. Students may also be requested to record themselves and submit the recording to their section leader, drum major, drum captain or their director for a grade. Leaders will be selected through an interview process. Section leaders, drum majors and drum captains may be asked to attend additional leadership meetings throughout the year. In addition, section leaders, drum majors and captains must fill out self evaluation forms each semester and prove their improvement goals were met. Students failing to adhere to any portion of the above listed regulations will be subject to disciplinary action and/or point deductions. Those students persisting in improper behavior will be removed from the band without hesitation. Students are responsible for checking the band web page ( www.somersband.com ) for communications and downloads throughout the year for class obligations and updates. See SomersBand.com or SomersMusicPatrons.org for your mandatory performance dates. I am truly looking forward to working with all of you this year! Let s make this year the very best! Treat others with respect and work hard, and the rewards will be great! Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, and Kindness Our Shared Core Values, The Spartan Code Mrs. Jessica L. Wolf Band Director Jessica.Wolf@somers.k12.ct.us (860) 749-2270 x5115 or x7169
Supplemental Materials/Information: PERFORMANCE: Private Lessons - Proper documentation must be provided each quarter. Lessons must be on your primary instrument. See the Private Lesson Evaluation Form for further details. Rehearsal and Performance with an outside organization - ie. church, Lions Club, Rotary, recitals, etc. Student must submit either a concert program listing their name on the roster, or a signed note from the director of the ensemble. Credit is given during the marking period that the performance occurred in. NCCC Music Festival - pending director selection and instrumentation/balance needs of the ensemble. Fall semester only. Credit will be given during the marking period that the performance occurred in. Eastern Region/All State - Each audition is 25 worth points, due to the expected amount of prep time. Participation in Regionals/All State Festival are worth 25 points each. Credit is given during the marking period that the audition/festival occurred in. Auditioning/performing a solo or feature for an SHS Concert - Primarily for soloists for Pops and COTA. School sanctioned chamber groups who rehearse during class time do not apply (ie Band Chamber Groups, Percussion Ensemble, etc ). The audition will be 15 points, and if selected, performance at the concert will be worth an additional 10 points. Credit is given during the marking period that the audition/performance occurred in. Performing for special events/field trips - Examples are the Star Spangled Banner for sporting events, Assisted Living Performances, etc. Each performance is worth 15 points. Credit is given during the marking period that the performance occurred in. Submitting a video recording of a solo performance - Video may be of a live performance outside of school, or from a recording generated as part of a practice session. 10 points for each video submitted. ACADEMIC: Attending a concert and writing a reflection - Reflection must be 1 page typed. Please include a description of the performance, any notable performance techniques used, and your evaluation of the quality of the performance with supporting evidence of your opinion. Research Paper on a music topic - Write a 3 page research paper on a music related topic of your choice. Paper must be typed and include properly cited sources. Options for topics could include famous musicians, genres of music, the Baroque period, the history of the trombone, the development of electronic music, etc Compose/Arrange a piece of music - Piece must be a minimum of 16 measures in length and can be for any combination of instruments. Compositions/arrangements may be submitted in written form or through video/recording. Points vary based on the depth of the composition.
Complete a Teoria Theory Session - Students should complete a music session from the attached Teoria Theory Session List. Complete an Active Listening Assignment - Listen to a recording of someone performing on YOUR instrument/voice type and complete an evaluation using the Active Listening Form. Research and Create a Concert Program - Research and create a concert program keeping in mind difficulty levels, voicing, abilities, diversity, instrumentation and learning goals. Submit the program, including all composers/arrangers with a one page write up of why you chose each piece. Read and write a summary of a music text of your choice - Research a book or an article on an aspect of music that you find intriguing. Explore, briefly summarize and cite your findings. EXTENDED LEARNING: Private Lessons on additional instrument - Proper documentation must be provided each quarter. See the Private Lesson Evaluation Form for further details. Complete an off site music course - Acceptable courses may be found at any local college or university. Submit proof of your final grade to receive credit. Fulfilling a leadership role within the music department - Examples are Logistics Manager or Librarian. Leadership roles are appointed by directors and responsibilities for leadership positions vary. Assisting at MBA Concerts - Attend MBA Concerts and act as an assistant to the director by tuning band instruments, mentoring middle school musicians, and helping with logistics for the concert. Performing scales/etudes/sight reading - submit a video recording of yourself performing any of the following: -3 Major scales -3 Minor scales -An alternative scale (blues, dorian, etc) in 3 keys -an etude of your choice -3 sight singing/sight reading examples (Sightreadingfactory.com) Mentoring a younger music student - Minimum 30 minute session. Must submit Mentoring Reflection Sheet for each session to receive credit. Conduct an ensemble - Points per session will vary depending on length, difficulty and quality of conducting skills.
Private Lesson Feedback Form BAND * This form should be filled in by your private teacher and turned into Mrs. Wolf once per quarter in order to receive credit for taking private lessons * Student s Name Date Teacher s Name Teacher s Contact Info (Phone or email) Please rate the student on each of the following: Posture 1 2 3 4 5 Articulations 1 2 3 4 5 Rhythmic accuracy 1 2 3 4 5 Musicianship 1 2 3 4 5 Attendance 1 2 3 4 5 Tone (except percussion) 1 2 3 4 5 Technique 1 2 3 4 5 Pitch (except percussion) 1 2 3 4 5 Comments: _ Weekly Bi-Weekly Single lessons
Partner Credit Form - SHS Band/Chorus The purpose of this form is to help you organize and keep track of the extra help you provide for instrumental improvement. You will receive 10 pts. each time you meet in an organized learning environment. You are expected to work in pairs and without interruption. You are to keep track of the specific measures you work on and the time spent for your session. Quality is far more important than quantity. Both signatures must appear to receive credit. This system is devised to help us improve on an ongoing basis. It is not meant to be used to gain points at the last minute to push your grade up. The session also needs to be recorded. Student Receiving Assistance: Student Providing Assistance: Date: Location: Time: Measures and goals worked on:
Active Listening Exercise Student Name: Date: Selection Title: Composer: Source (website, CD): 5 Superior Performance (outstanding in nearly every detail) 4 Excellent Performance (minor defects) 3 Good Performance (lacking finesse and/or interpretation) 2 Fair Performance (basic weaknesses) 1 Poor Performance (unsatisfactory) Areas of Concern Rating Comments Tone (Resonance, control, warmth, clarity, focus, consistency, vibrato) Intonation: (Within ensemble) Balance: (Likeness of Qualities in Voice or Instrument, Awareness of Ensemble/Accompaniment) Rhythm: (Accuracy of Note and Rest Values, Duration, Pulse, Steadiness, Meter)
Dynamics: (Contrasts and Subtleties) Musicianship: (Interpretation, Style, Phrasing, Tempo) Technique: (Artistry, Attacks, Releases, Control of Ranges, Musical Skills, Articulation) Presentation: (Professionalism, Charisma, Audio/Video Quality, Audience Engagement) TOTAL POINTS /40 Final Comments:
Teoria Theory Session List Complete any of the Music Theory Sessions listed below and submit a selfie of you and your score. Sessions do not need to be completed in order. Score must be legible in the photo or you must also submit a screenshot of the score. Session 1: Music Theory - Clef Reading Session 2: Music Theory - Rhythmic Reading
Session 3: Music Theory - Key Signatures Identification Session 4: Music Theory - Key Signatures Construction
Session 5: Music Theory - Interval Identification Session 6: Music Theory - Interval Construction
Session 7: Music Theory - Scale Identification Session 8: Music Theory - Scale Construction
Session 9: Ear Training - Rhythmic Dictation Session 10: Ear Training - Melodic Dictation
Session 11: Ear Training - Interval Ear Training From Selected Note Session 12: Ear Training - Note Ear Training