WELCOME! We're glad you are going to be part of the band! No doubt you still have many questions about the program. This handbook is intended to address concerns and expectations of both students and parents. Take time before the first lesson to review these materials together. Please feel free to contact your band teacher at any time with concerns, or for additional information. Mr. Kevin Rassier Teaching at Fernbrook, Rush Creek Voice mail: 763-391-7200, mailbox 27503 Email: rassierk@district279.org
THE BEGINNING BAND PROGRAM IN BRIEF Students are combined in small groups of like instruments that meet weekly for approximately 30 minutes. Lessons are scheduled during the school day. Between lessons, students are expected to invest 20 minutes a day, 4-5 days per week in home practice. On occasion, the small lesson groups at each elementary school may be combined to form a full band. Fifth grade band students from across the district will join together in a demo concert on Tuesday, January 24th. Concert details will be shared in November. On May 2 nd, students will combine again for our spring concert. More details will be distributed in January. Attendance at the rehearsals and concert is most important. Please plan early so conflicts will be avoided. AREAS OF STUDY IN BEGINNING BAND Tone Production Proper embouchure (mouth formation) or mallet/stick control (percussion). Characteristic tone quality. Breathing. Posture. Articulation. Holding the Instrument Finger and hand positions. Angle of instrument. Posture. Music Reading Letter names of staff and notes. Key signatures. Fingerings. Time signatures. Note values and counting. Musical terms. Instrument Care Preventive maintenance. Group Dynamics Cooperative behavior. Personal contributions and responsibilities. Preparation of music.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS 1. Take responsibility for attending each lesson with your instrument, music, pencil and other supplies. 2. Invest 20 minutes or more of practice 4-5 times each week. 3. Monitor Schoology on your ipad to stay up to date with announcements and assignments/test. 3. Demonstrate proper habits when playing your instrument. Correct posture. Use a music stand. Develop a scheduled practice time. Learn your part to the best of your ability. 4. Take care of your instrument. Do not chew gum, candy or food before or during practice. Sugar and food particles will damage and clog the instrument. Play only your instrument, not other students' instruments. 5. Communicate any problems or concerns with the band teacher. REPORT CARDS Achievement on the skills and concepts learned in band will be reported as part of the student s regular progress/report card in December, March, and June. Listed below are the reporting standards for band. Understands music notation Reads and performs rhythms accurately Plays music accurately Plays instrument with correct posture and technique Contributes to the band s performance (attendance at lessons, practice outside school, participation in class) Instrument Supplies needed A music stand is needed for all students Flute cleaning rod and cleaning cloth. Clarinet Reeds #2 strength or Medium soft. Students need 2 good reads in at all times. Cleaning swab, cork grease. Alto Saxophone - Reeds #2 strength or Medium soft. Students need 2 good reads in at all times. Saxophone cleaner, neck cleaner, and cork grease. Trumpet/Baritone Valve Oil Trombone Slide Oil
SELECTING THE PROPER INSTRUMENT A number of factors contribute to a "best match" and the probability of a successful experience, including: the student's physical characteristics and sense of pitch and rhythm; hand size, finger length, lip shape, arm length, teeth the first sound the student is able to make on an instrument; clear tone on woodwinds, ability to buzz different pitches on brass the student's idea of what he or she has always wanted to play; the student's disposition and reaction to challenges; All instruments have unique challenges and obstacles for students to overcome at different times of the year. the number of students playing each instrument; Having a balanced band is desirable. Note regarding instrument selection: Large instruments, such as the trombone, tenor saxophone, French horn, baritone, and large percussion kits may not be allowed on the bus. If your child plays one of these instruments, you may need to transport the instrument to and from school on lesson days. A second instrument may be available to use at school for a nominal rental fee. Flute Clarinet Saxophone Trombone Trumpet French Horn Baritone Percussion kit
STUDENT-OWNED INSTRUMENTS Students must secure their own flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and percussion kits. We encourage parents to rent their instrument at the beginning of the year. The following brand names are suggested for beginning band students: FLUTE SAXOPHONES TROMBONE Gemeinhardt Vito Conn Artley Keilwerth Getzen Buffet Yamaha Holton Yamaha Conn King Holton Bundy Yamaha Jupiter Jupiter Besson Armstrong Armstrong Olds Vito Buffet Bundy Bundy Selmer Blessing Selmer Buescher Haynes Yanagasawa CLARINET TRUMPET Buffet Yamaha PERCUSSION KIT LeBlanc Vito Getzen (bells must have 2.5 octaves) Yamaha Bach Vic Firth Bundy Holton Yamaha Armstrong Conn Ludwig Jupiter King Pearl Selmer Besson Olds Bundy Blessing Beware of cheap instruments. Do not buy a plastic trumpet or trombone. They will not serve a beginner well. An instrument must be in good playing condition to enable your student to progress normally. We recommend all band students take advantage of a rental or lease-to-purchase program rather than purchase an instrument for the beginning period. Each music store listed below has one of these programs. Feel free to compare prices and services among these, and other stores, before making a decision. Reynolds Music..108 E Main St., Anoka..763-421-1062 Groth Music 8056 Nicollet Ave., Bloomington..952-884-4772 Schmitt Music 2400 Freeway Blvd., Brooklyn Center....763-566-4560 A to G Music. 316 5 th Ave SE, Osseo.. 763-420-5500 Eckroth Music.3065 Centre Pointe Dr., Roseville...651-704-9654
SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS The district owns a limited number of French horns, and baritones. These instruments are available through your band director. The rental fee is $120.00 per year. A rental contract will be issued at the start of the lessons and is due back to the band director, with the rental fee, immediately. The district also owns a limited number of flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones and percussion kits. Students qualifying for Free/Reduced Lunch are eligible to use these instruments. Qualifying students selected to play clarinet will be responsible for the cost of reeds and supplies. Students selected to play one of the brass instruments will be responsible for the cost of the oil. ALL students need a folding music stand for their home practice. The stand can be purchased at one of the local music stores or check with your director to purchase one at school. REPAIR OF INSTRUMENTS The success a child experiences on a band instrument is dependent upon having an instrument in good working condition. Problems can be prevented if: an instrument is cleaned and returned to its case as soon as it is done being played. an instrument is treated as a valuable possession. Only the student should play it. When an instrument is not working, it should be examined and adjusted or repaired as quickly as possible. The band director may be able to make minor adjustments, but broken parts, bent keys, or missing pads require a trip to the repair shop. Do not attempt to fix the instrument or pull a stuck mouthpiece at home! Student-owned instruments can be repaired through most music stores, and you may wish to go back to the company renting the instrument. Another option is to contact one of the independent repair technicians in the area: Davenport Repair (763-566-4560) Schmitt Music Center Brooklyn Center This listing is provided only as a service to students and their families, and is not intended to be an exclusive endorsement of repair services. School-owned instruments should be brought to school. The band director will see that it is repaired. Do not take a school-owned instrument to a repair shop.
PLAYING TIPS FOR STUDENTS Why would you want to play your instrument? So you can play the music! Investing time and effort into your practicing can result in a big pay-off. Do it right! 1. Play your instrument often and regularly. 20 minutes per day is recommended. Successful students choose to practice the same time every day, like right after school or after the supper dishes are finished. Utilize the practice aids on your ipad as you practice (including audio and video practice files and music apps). 2. Find the best place in your home to play. Look for some place where you will not be interrupted by the television, the phone, or other members of your family. 3. Set your music on a music stand. This can speed your progress because it allows you to sit tall and take in the air necessary to produce a good tone. 4. Stand or sit tall. Help your body take in air, and your fingers work freely. 5. Hold your instrument correctly. 6. Work for a nice sound. 7. Stop and work on difficult measures slowly and carefully. Practice them over and over before you play the whole song again.
TIPS FOR PARENTS Your student is learning a new skill. He or she will need your encouragement and support in order to succeed. 1. Show an interest in your child's band experience. Support him or her through frustrations, and enjoy progress together. Give your child feedback as you sign his or her weekly practice record. Encourage good work in other studies, too. Monitor assignments/progress via Schoology. 2. Encourage good playing habits. Assist your student in setting up a regular time and quiet place for practice. Provide a music stand and necessary supplies, like reeds and valve oil. 3. Assist in the care of the instrument. It should be cleaned after each use, and stored immediately in the case. Only the student should touch the instrument, no one else. Please keep the instrument away from other children. If an instrument is not working, it should be examined and adjusted or repaired as quickly as possible. The band director may be able to make minor adjustments, but broken parts, bent keys, or missing pads require a trip to the repair shop. Do not attempt to fix the instrument or pull a stuck mouthpiece at home! 4. Band is both an individual and group endeavor. Reinforce skills needed to participate as part of a group, including responsibility, dependability, ownership, and attention. Teach your student to be punctual for lessons and rehearsals. 5. Get to know the band director. Call or email whenever you have questions or concerns.