EBENEZER MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND 2017-2018 Handbook Ebenezer Middle School 1100 Ebenezer Road Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 754-7757 Kenza Murray, Director of Bands Lisa McDonald, Assistant Director of Bands kmurray@effingham.k12.ga.us lmcdonald@effingham.k12.ga.us
EMS BAND Program The Band Program at Ebenezer Middle School is comprised of almost 300 students in Grades 6-8. Band classes meet every other day as one of students connections classes, and give performances throughout the school year in both the school and the community. Because of the nature of the subject, band is a yearlong course in which students must be completely committed. Sixth Grade Beginning Band Sixth grade band students are grouped into classes according to instruments: Woodwinds (flute, clarinet, and saxophone); Brass (trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba), and Percussion (drums and bells). Beginning Band is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of music as well as to teach students how to play a musical instrument. The sixth grade band will attend Large Group Performance Evaluation in March as well as perform a Winter and Spring Concert. Seventh Grade Band Seventh grade band students are grouped into two classes throughout the year (Symphonic Band/ Concert Band). Throughout the seventh grade year, students work to develop a full balanced band ensemble, improve their abilities on their individual instrument, and continue to expand their knowledge of musical concepts. The seventh grade band will attend the Georgia Southern University Concert Evaluation as well as perform a Winter and Spring Concert. Eighth Grade Band Eighth grade band students are grouped into two classes throughout the year (Symphonic Band/ Concert Band). Throughout the Eighth grade year, students continue to develop their tone and begin to concentrate on more advanced musical ideas. The eighth grade band will attend the Georgia Southern University Concert Evaluation as well as perform a Winter and Spring Concert. Jazz Band The EMS Swingin Eagles Jazz Band is a group available only to 7 th and 8 th grade band members. The Jazz Band will perform music from many different genres including jazz, rock, Latin, and many others. The Jazz Band will perform at the Spring Concert, ECHS Jazz Night, and spring elementary school tour. Jazz Band will start in January and rehearsals will be on Monday mornings from 7:30-8:15 am. Jazz Band members are required to attend all rehearsals as well as all performances. EMS Eagle Winds Honor Band Membership into the Eagle Winds Honor Band is through audition only. The Eagle Winds will perform more difficult music than regular class and will be our top performing group. This group is comprised of hard working, dedicated students who show the initiative to learn their parts outside of rehearsal. Members of the Eagle Winds will be required to audition for GMEA District Honor Band. Eagle Winds members will have two full rehearsals per week, Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30. Eagle Winds members are required to attend all rehearsals as well as all performances. Band is a continuing subject starting in 6 th grade and continuing through 12 th grade. Sixth grade band is the first year of band study in the county. Seventh grade band is the second year of band study, etc. Because each year builds on materials learned the previous year, students may not drop band and enter back in at any level.
EMS Bands Classroom Procedures Expectations All students will: Show respect to self and others Be prepared at all times Refrain from disrupting the learning environment Follow classroom procedures at all times Daily procedures: 1) All instruments are to be stored in their assigned areas in the band room during the school day. Instruments are to go home at the end of the school day. The instruments are NOT to be left in the band room overnight or over the weekend. 2) Enter the band room quickly and quietly. Collect all materials needed for class including, instrument, reeds, valve oil, book, folder, pencil. Have a seat and read the rehearsal plan listed on the board. Assemble instrument; moisten reeds, put band book/ folder and pencil on your stand. Be in your chair ready to begin rehearsal 3 minutes after the tardy bell. Instruments cases and book bags are not allowed in the Ensemble seating area. 3) Rehearsal will begin when the conductor stands on the podium. The ensemble will stand quietly and wait for instructions. All questions related to rehearsal will be welcomed and answered when a student raises his/her hand. 4) When rehearsals are dismissed, all instruments and materials will be properly cleaned and stored in their storage areas. Students are responsible for the cleanliness of THEIR band room. Students will help each other straighten chairs and pick up all foreign objects from the band room at the conclusion of class. Consequences 1) Warning/ student conferences 2) Parent contact: note, email, phone call, agenda 3) After school detention 4) Office referral/ parent conferences - Extreme cases: - Consistent poor behavior in other academic areas and in the EMS Bands will result in removal from the EMS Bands. - If a student receives a C in band, they will be asked to take another elective.
2017-2018 EMS BANDS Calendar of Events EMS Band Pictures Eagle Winds Pictures ECHS Middle School Band Night (8 th only) SEHS Middle School Band Night (8 th only) TBA-Wear band uniform at school all day TBA September 22 - Rebel Stadium October 13 - The Corral Band Car Wash Fundraiser- all students participate September 16 EMS Veteran s Day Concert (during school) November 10 - Eagle Winds performs for this ASU Winterfest November 16--18-7 th & 8 th students audition for this ASU- Savannah, GA Middle School Honor Band & All State Auditions December 2 Ebenezer MS EMS Winter Concert December 5 EMS Gym All State Band- final audition January 6 Perry MS District Honor Band February 1-3 ASU- Savannah, GA Georgia Southern University Performance Evaluation February 20-21 - 7 th and 8 th grade bands perform GSU- Statesboro, GA GMEA All State Band March 1-3 Classic Center, Athens, GA District Concert Band Festival (LGPE) March 9-10 - 6 th and Eagle Winds perform ASU- Savannah, GA Spring Trip Elementary School Recruitment Concerts - Eagle Winds and Jazz Band perform Rising 6 th grade orientation (Eagle Winds Performs) EMS Spring Concert April TBA May- TBA May 1 EMS Gym May 10 EMS Gym Middle School Band Clinic May 11 - Selected 6 th and 7 th grade students ASU- Savannah, GA *ALL EMS BAND CONCERTS WILL START AT 7:00 and will be in the EMS GYM.
Group Performance Opportunities During the course of the school year, the EMS Bands will have several opportunities to perform for both the school and the community. Students are given the opportunity through these concerts to demonstrate the musical skills and talents they have been working on in band class and at home. These concerts are often the culmination of months of hard work and practice, and are the showcases for our students. Since each of these concerts are evaluations of classroom material, students are given a performance grade for the concert. A performance is the same as a major exam in an academic subject. Any student who cannot attend a concert for any reason must let the band director know at least one week prior to the performance so that proper arrangements can be made. The student will need to bring in a note signed by a doctor/ parent stating their excuse. Please note: only excused absences will be allowed and as always, personal illness, death in the family, or other extreme circumstances will be considered excused absences. Parents and students are given knowledge of our concerts well in advance. Unexcused absences will not be allowed. Students who have an absence that has been approved by the director at least one week prior to the performance will be asked to perform his or her part individually for the director in order to make up that concert grade. Any student who does not make up a concert test within one week of the concert will be given a zero for that grade. It will be the student s responsibility to make up the performance grade. Only excused absences will be allowed to make up the concert test grades. Winter/Spring Concerts Each December and May the 6 th, 7 th, & 8 th grade bands perform concerts for the parents and the community. These concerts are given in the Ebenezer Middle School Gym, and feature a variety of standard and seasonal band pieces. Concert Festival In March, the 6 th, 7 th, 8 th grade bands and Eagle Winds will travel to Armstrong State University (Savannah, GA) to participate in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) District One Concert Festival. Their performance of three prepared pieces is critiqued by a panel of judges and awarded a rating of Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. Each group is also judged on their sight-reading ability, which refers to their ability to read a piece of music they have never seen before. The above-mentioned concerts may require after school rehearsals. These rehearsals are imperative for our success. There will be no more than two after school rehearsals prior to each concert. All excuses to miss after school rehearsals must be turned in to the director one full calendar week before the rehearsal for approval.
Individual Performance Opportunities In addition to full band concerts, there are many opportunities for students to showcase individual performance skills. The preparation for these events takes place outside of band class, and is an opportunity for students to work alone or in small groups. All of these events are optional, and while all students are encouraged to participate, only those willing to put in extra work at home will be successful. ASU Winterfest- Students are selected for this Honor Band through an audition process. Students will record themselves playing the audition material. The EMS bands will submit all recordings to ASU in October. The ASU University Professors will select the honor band. Winterfest meets the last weekend before Thanksgiving. District One Honor Band The District Honor Band is comprised of the top Middle School band students in our area. Students are selected for the honor band through an audition process. The audition, which is held the first weekend in December, consists of four major scales, chromatic scale, an etude, and sight-reading. The top scoring students from the District are selected to participate in the honor band, which meets in the spring for a three-day clinic in Savannah. The EMS Band Program will provide after school help sessions for the audition every Monday in the Fall Semester from 3:35-5:00. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these FREE group lessons. Georgia All-State Band Students who meet a minimum score requirement at the District Honor Band audition will be invited to audition for the All-State Band in February. The All-State Band consists of the top players in the state, and is an extremely selective group. The All-State audition involves more sight-reading and two prepared etudes. Students interested in auditioning for All-State Band should get a private tutor on their instrument. Middle School Band Clinic GMEA District One also sponsors a Band Clinic for area 6 th and 7 th grade students who do not make the District Honor Band. This gives those students an opportunity to participate in a band clinic without the pressure of an audition. Students are selected for this group through director nominations, and each school can nominate up to 30% of the total band enrollment. Smart Music- Smart Music is the award winning software used by music educators around the world to dramatically improve their students skills. Student practice is focused because they receive immediate feedback while listening to their performance and seeing the correct and incorrect rhythms and pitches onscreen. Students receive customized feedback needed to get better faster. Students are also able to hear their part in context with Smart Music s professional background accompaniment, giving them a pitch and rhythmic reference when practicing at home. Smart Music is purchased as an annual subscription, which gives your student access to the largest digital sheet music library with accompaniment in the world. - Students who use this software score higher on honor band auditions.
EMS Bands Classroom Procedures With so many students trying to rehearse and learn at the same time, it is necessary that ALL students follow the same code of conduct. The following behaviors are Expected of each band student. DO: enter the band room with your mouth closed and empty (gum, candy, etc.). DO: protect your instrument and not allow anyone else to play it. DO: come to class prepared (with instrument, reeds, mouthpiece, music, pencil, and music/book). DO: wait until the director s first downbeat before playing a note on your instrument. DO: sit quietly and pay attention when not playing your instrument. At the end of class, DO: quietly pack away your instrument, put your instrument back on the shelf, and return to your seat to be dismissed by the director.
EMS Band Required Materials The following materials will be required of all band students: Instrument every day in class Accessories o -mouthpiece o -reeds (clarinets and saxes must have at least 3 at any given time) o -sticks/mallets (percussion) o -neck strap (saxophones) o -valve/slide oil (brass) o -cork grease (woodwinds) Band Method Book (can be ordered through band director) o 6 th grade Essential Elements for Band, Book 1 $10.00 o 7 th grade Essential Elements for Band, Book 2 $10.00; Percussion $17.00 Foundations for Superior Performance $10.00 o 8 th grade Essential Elements for Band, Book 2 $10.00; Percussion $17.00 Foundations for Superior Performance $10.00 Three ring binder with front and back pockets. Sheet protectors to hold loose music Pencil
Students should bring each of these items to class every day, unless instructed otherwise. EMS Band Grading Policy Tests/ Quizzes/ Performances (50% of total grade) Tests/ quizzes will be announced in advance by the director, and will evaluate concepts and skills learned in class. Performance grades will be based on correct participation during performances: including correct uniform, posture, and behavior. Daily Participation/ Progress chart lines/ Written assignments (50% of total grade) Written test materials will be selected by the teacher and may come from the text or other supplemental materials. Students are expected to pass-off ONE Progress Chart line per week. The Progress Chart will be passed out to students in August. Students are expected to participate in all class activities, to focus their attention on the band director, and to follow individual and group instructions. Points are awarded daily to those students who follow the above guidelines. o Grades may be lowered for the following: Unexcused absences from rehearsals and/ or performances Lack of effort or poor performance in class, during tests, or at performances Chewing gum during class, rehearsals, performances Not having required materials for class Band is a cumulative subject. Students who make a C average during one semester have not mastered the skills necessary for future band classes and will be asked to take another elective. Students must meet all academic and behavioral expectations of EMS and the EMS Band in order to be eligible to attend any off-campus event or honor clinic.
Practice Expectations You practice at home to learn YOUR part so that you can rehearse at school to learn EVERYONE ELSE S part! Although performance assignments evaluate concepts and skills covered in class, students will be expected to practice at home to reinforce and master those concepts and skills. A band student has homework EVERY DAY that consists of reviewing material rehearsed in class and preparing technical passages for the next day s rehearsal. Students who do not practice regularly at home will not perform well in class and on playing tests! Make Up Work Good attendance is essential for a successful band class. Due to the performance based nature of this class, it is very difficult to do make up work for band. Although absences are sometimes inevitable, students are asked not to miss class if at all possible, especially around concert time! Any written tests or quizzes will be made up within five days of the student s return. Any other playing test will need to be made up with a director either before or after school within five days of the student s return to school. Any tests or assignments not excused or made up after five days will be counted as a zero. Instrument Switching Band is a comprehensive subject. The curriculum each year builds on concepts and skills learned the previous year. Sixth grade is the only year our county offers Beginning Band. Because of the nature of this class, we do not allow students to switch to different instruments. The band staff will select students to audition for Oboe, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Contra Clarinet, French Horn, Euphonium, and Tuba during the first semester of 6 th grade instruction. These students must have the highest level of dependability, self-motivation, and self- discipline, as well as show an aptitude for the instrument. Uniforms The band performs as one, therefore our appearance as one is also important. The uniforms for each grade are different to help distinguish the groups from one another. o All grades will wear a black band polo shirt, black pants, and black dress shoes/ socks/ belt. o SHIRTS ARE TO BE TUCKED IN AT ALL TIMES Absolutely no jewelry shall be worn while in band uniform. We will order the band shirts in August so they will be here for our pictures in early September. Students will need to have all parts of the uniform for our concerts. No student will be allowed to perform with the band without the proper uniform.
School owned instruments Financial Obligations There are several types of instruments that are needed for a band to have full instrumentation and to sound the best that it can. These instruments are extremely expensive to rent, so the band program has purchased these instruments for students to check out for the year. These instruments include: Oboe Bass Clarinet Contra Alto Clarinet Tenor Saxophone Baritone Saxophone Bassoon French Horn Euphonium Tuba Percussion Instruments (Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Snare/ Bass drums, etc.) Students will be selected to play these instruments based on interest, ability, work ethic, attitude, and needs of the band program to have performers on these instruments. Students will rent these instruments from EMS at the rate of $45 per school year. If you are a woodwind or brass player selected to switch to any of these instruments, it is not necessary that you continue renting your original instrument from the rental store. Percussionists will pay this fee only in their 7 th and 8 th grade years. These fees help maintain that the instruments are in good working order and help replace broken mallets and parts from the percussion instruments as they break down from normal use. The $45 fee is due by October 1 st of each year. If necessary, a payment plan can be arranged by contacting the band director. EMS Band Trip Policy The middle school band occasionally takes field trips. In addition, students auditioning or participating in any honor band or clinic will also travel during both school hours and non-school hours. Trips are a fun and rewarding part of the band experience; however, there are some special rules that apply. o ALL school and band rules and policies are in effect and will be enforced regardless of location or event. o ANY incident involving alcohol, drugs, tobacco or weapons will result in expulsion from the band program and further disciplinary action to be taken by school administrators. o ANY director, bus driver, parent chaperone, or event organizer has the authority to enforce the rules and policies of the band, school system, and the transportation department at an event. o Students must be accompanied by a director or chaperone at all times. o A serious behavior problem on a trip will result in that student not participating in the next band trip.
Ebenezer Middle School Band 1100 Ebenezer Road Rincon, GA 31326 (912)754-7757 Mrs. Amie Dickerson, Principal Mrs. Kenza Murray, Director of Bands Mrs. Lisa McDonald, Asst. Director of Bands Parent, Student, Teacher Agreement 2017-2018 Instructions to view handbook: Please visit the Ebenezer Middle School page at http://www.effinghamschools.com/domain/611 Scroll over Education and select Band. Click the link for Band Forms, Files, and Information and open and read the EMS Band Handbook. Please sign and return this form after reading the EMS Band Handbook. This form is DUE August 11 th. We, as student and parent, have received a hand book, understand the policies set forth in the Ebenezer Middle School Band handbook, and as members of the band agree to abide in every way. (Parent s name- please print) (Parent s signature) (Student s name- please print) (Student s signature) (Instrument) (Student s Class Period) In an effort to reduce paper, the EMS band program will not send home paper notices to parents. All parents will receive important email updates 2-3 times per month keeping you informed and up to date on all aspects of the band program. Please provide your most current, working email address. (This email address will not be shared and all emails from the EMS Bands will be sent BCC). Email address: Please write legibly Secondary email address: Student email address: Guardian Phone number: