Patterson Elementary Band Handbook Dear Parents and Students, Welcome to the Patterson Elementary Bands! I am so excited that you have chosen to be a member of our growing band program. You have taken your first step on an exciting and rewarding journey of musical study! Being a new student in band can be a confusing experience in the first few weeks, and parents of new band students can be just as easily confused as the students. In this handbook, you will find answers to many of the questions you might have about being in band. Please take the time to read this handbook with your child and go over the rules, policies, and expectations of band. You will also want to review the materials list for your child s selected instrument before going to the music store. Please don t hesitate to contact me at any point throughout the year with any questions you might have. I look forward to meeting you at our concerts! Sincerely, Luke Abrahamson Director of Bands Patterson Elementary abrahamson.luke@chandler.k12.az.us Band Splits and Rotation Schedule Band Group A: Trumpets, Trombones, Baritones, and Percussion Band Group B: Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones Day 1: Band A Day 2: Band A&B Day 3: Band B Day 4: Band A Day 5: Band A&B Day 6: Band B Rules and Policies Attendance: You must attend and be on time to all band practices and performances. Playing an instrument in band is a lot like playing on a sports team. You need to be at all practices so that the team can function correctly. Even if a few band members fall behind due to missed class
time, the whole band can suffer. If you are sick and miss school, or leave school early, please ask me what you missed when you come to band the next day. Home Practice: Playing an instrument requires practice at home. As a band member, you are required to practice 20 minutes per day each day of the week. You will turn in weekly practice cards that show what you practiced, and how long you practiced each day. Parents must sign these each week, verifying that you completed your practice time at home. These practice cards are a big part of your grade, so don t forget them. Classroom Behavior: Being in band is a privilege. Don t lose that privilege by behaving poorly in class. I expect each band student to understand and follow these rules. Failure to follow rules and be on your best behavior will result in disciplinary actions. Be in your seat within 5 minutes of entering the room. Stay in your seat until dismissed to pack up. Do not talk or play out of turn once rehearsal has started. Raise your hand if you have questions. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. Show respect and kindness to those around you, including any classroom guests. Treat all instruments with respect and care and do not touch instruments that are not yours. Instruments, Supplies and Equipment: Band students are expected to come to class prepared every day. Prepared means that you come with the following items every day: Your instrument Your band book and any sheet music that has been assigned to you. A pencil Any materials you need for your instrument (see supply list below) Individual Instrument Supplies As mentioned above, every student is expected to be prepared for band class. A major part of this is having necessary supplies for your instrument. These supplies can be easily found at any music store. Some instruments may come with supplies, however please make sure that you replace them should they run out. Flute: Flute cleaning kit (cleaning rod, soft cloth) (optional) Polishing cloth Clarinet and Saxophone: Swab Cork grease Clarinet reed (reeds come in different thicknesses. Beginners should start with a #2)
Trumpet: Valve oil (I recommend blue juice but any kind will do) Slide grease Cleaning snake for trumpets Trombone: Slide grease (for the tuning slide) Cleaning snake for Trombone Small (small enough to fit in the case) spray bottle Slide Lubricant (such as Slide-O-Mix, Super Slick, or Trombonite) Baritone: o BARITONE PLAYERS, PLEASE GET THE BARITONE B.C. (BASS CLEF) Valve oil (I recommend blue juice but any kind will do) Slide grease Cleaning snake for baritone Percussion: Mallets for the bell kit (bell kits usually come with a cheap, flimsy plastic set. If you can afford it, go and buy a good set of small wood handle mallets with hard plastic or wood tips.) Drum sticks (again, your bell kit might come with a pair, but having an extra is a good idea. Try to get a medium weight concert snare stick. Do not get heavy marching style sticks.) Recommended Supplies for ALL BAND STUDENTS: Metronome (for keeping steady time) Tuner (for learning to play in tune) OR Smart Music computer software. See below Concert Requirements All band students are required to participate in all band concerts and events. We have at least two band concerts per year in the evening. A schedule will be sent out soon with dates and times so that you may plan accordingly. Should you have any conflicts with the concert dates or times, please let me know as soon as possible. Smart Music This year we are starting to use a new computer program called Smart Music. This program is completely revolutionizing the way kids learn to play their band instruments. The program costs about $35 for the entire year, and contains a digital tuner and metronome. It also allows me to assign assignments to students at home, have them practice with recordings, and the program
even assesses the students practicing and shows them what to correct. This is almost like having private lessons for $35 for the entire year. We will be having an informational meeting and demonstration of this amazing software as well as a general Band Information Meeting on Tuesday August 9 th from 6:00-7:00 in the band and orchestra rooms at Patterson. If you cannot attend this meeting, please e-mail me so that I can pass along the information to you.
Parent/Student Receipt Student Patterson Elementary Band Handbook For 2011-2012 I have read the above expectations for participating in Patterson Elementary Bands for the 2011-2012 school year and understand the responsibilities outlined therein. I acknowledge that I will make my best effort to work towards the goals and follow the rules of the Patterson Elementary Bands. Name Signature Date Parent or Guardian I have read the above expectations for participating in Patterson Elementary Bands for the 2010-2011 school year and understand the responsibilities outlined therein. I acknowledge that I will make my best effort to work towards the goals and follow the rules of the Patterson Elementary Bands. Name Signature Date Please separate this sheet from the rest of the handbook and return to Mr. Abrahamson no later than Friday August 5 th.