L eadership with character I ntegrity with compassion Originality National citizens in a global world Skills for the 21st century 2017-2018 Ludlow High School Band Handbook LHS CORE Values Statement The Mission of Ludlow High School, with parent and community participation, is to provide a rigorous academic program to develop college bound and career ready young adults. We provide educational opportunities for students to work collaboratively and independently to acquire knowledge, analyze problems and develop the 21st Century skills necessary for making meaningful contributions to the global community. Students promote a safe environment by acting with responsibility, compassion and integrity. 1
Grades Grades will be given quarterly. All students will be graded using the following criteria: Monthly music evaluations 20% Daily Attendance and Participation 40% Performance Attendance 40% Music Evaluations: The purpose of the music evaluation is to make sure all students are taking the responsibility for practicing their music. ALL students will be asked to complete a prescribed music evaluation at least once per month. Evaluation scores will be worth 20% of your quarter grade and will be used to determine seating within the band. Playing evaluations may be recorded (on your Chromebook, smartphone or other device using a voice-memo or video application) but the final playing evaluation of each quarter must be performed live. Daily Attendance and participation: Daily attendance and participation are required. Attendance without participation (coming to class without your instrument) counts as a ZERO for the day and WILL impact your grade. You must have your instrument every day class meets. If you are absent from class for an unacceptable reason you will receive a detention. The following are acceptable reasons for not attending class. 1. You are absent or dismissed from school 2. You have an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from attending class The only acceptable reason for not having your instrument is that it is being repaired. (Always ask for a loaner instrument from the repair shop if the repair is going to take more than one day.) Performance Attendance: Attendance to all performances (including football games) is required. The band is a team and as such all members of the team must attend every event. If you know you are going to miss a scheduled performance you must notify me at least 24 hours in advance with a signed note or email from a parent or guardian. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence and a failing grade for that event. You may arrange for an alternate assignment only if you know you are going to miss a scheduled performance, you have done everything possible to attend and you have submitted a note or email from a parent/guardian in advance of your absence. Mid Year and Final Exams: Students will be tested at the end of each semester on topics learned throughout the year. Topics will include composer history, rhythm skills, music theory, and music terminology. The tests count for a combined total of 15% of your final grade for the year. 2
Lessons Music, like any school subject, needs to be studied to be fully understood. Unlike most school subjects, in band you are rarely asked to show your knowledge on an individual basis (homework/tests/quizzes, etc.). For many people this individual attention is CRUCIAL to their future success in music yet it is so often overlooked. Lessons give you a chance to ask any questions, address any problems you may be having or just show off something you have been working on. It will also be an opportunity for me to be sure you are progressing. Your seat in concert band or wind ensemble will not be affected by your performance nor will your grade be affected by your playing. I will be available for lessons before and after school every day. A list of available time slots will be posted on the door at the beginning of each month. Lessons are not required but are strongly encouraged! Discipline Classroom Detentions are rarely given in band but occasionally they are warranted. Classroom Detentions will be from 2:00 until 2:45 on Wednesdays in the band room unless arranged otherwise. If you skip your detention your name will be given to the office and you will receive an office detention. Seating Your seat in band will initially be based on where you sat the previous year. Quarterly playing evaluations will be used to determine seating for subsequent terms. Section Leaders First chair players will be section leaders unless otherwise arranged. If a section leader does not fulfill his/her responsibilities then a new section leader will be chosen for that section. Section leader responsibilities include the following: To tune your section before every rehearsal and performance To make sure that your section is on time and prepared To schedule periodic after school section rehearsals 3
Tri-M Music Honor Society All LHS music students have the opportunity to join the Tri-M Music Honor Society (the three M s stand for Modern Music Masters). The Tri-M Music Honor Society is a program which focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy. Tri-M is the only national music honor society for student musicians in grades 6-12. There are currently more than 1,775 chapters across all 50 states, involving more than 75,000 students. To become a member a student must be a current member of the LHS music program, maintain at least a B average in all music classes and a C or better in all academic subjects, be an active member of the community (via community service or in community organizations) and demonstrate good character and leadership skills. Members will be asked to attend monthly meetings where by-laws will be created and group activities discussed. Membership in Tri-M is required for honors credit in band and for all Band Council members. Band/Tri-M Council ELECTED POSITIONS (Membership in Tri-M is required) President: The student elected to be band/tri-m president will have the following duties: Serve as chairperson at all Tri-M meetings Serve as student representative at all Band Parent Association meetings Vice President: The duties of the Band/Tri-M vice-president will include the following: Serve as vice-chairperson at all Tri-M meetings Attend LHS Band Parent meetings in the event the president is unable to Treasurer: The duties of the Band /Tri-M treasurer will include the following: Monitor all income from Tri-M charitable events Help collect fund raising money during band Keep track of reed purchases and IOU s Historian: The band historian will have the following duties: To cut and save all news articles featuring band students throughout the year To collect digital photos of the band members from each event during the year To create a senior picture collage to be hung on the band room wall Secretary: The duties of Band/Tri-M secretary will include the following: Take the minutes for each Tri-M meeting Posting the meeting minutes to the LHS Band web page 4
APPOINTED POSITIONS (Membership in Tri-M not required) The following positions will be given to students who show interest and who prove they have the responsibility to be able to fulfill the duties. Drum Major: The drum major s responsibilities will include the following: Directing the band during marching band performances Teaching the new drum major the calls at the end of the school year (if necessary) Librarian: The band librarian will have the following duties: To help hand out new music and keep original copies in score order If someone has lost their music it is the librarian s job to issue a new copy Uniform Manager: The uniform manager will have the following duties: Fit the band into uniforms at the start of the school year Help organize uniforms when the band returns from an event Keep track of everyone s uniform number and size in the database Music Festivals There are several music festivals held during the school year. All of these festivals provide valuable and exciting opportunities for music students. Auditioning for the music festivals is a beneficial experience. All students who audition will receive valuable feedback from professional musicians. If you are accepted into the ensembles you will meet musicians from other schools in Western Massachusetts and work with directors from all across the country! Audition and festival dates are listed on the band activity calendar. Honors Credit for Band To receive honors credit for band a student must be a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, take lessons (either with Mr. McAvoy or with a private teacher outside of school) AND audition for (and/or participate in) at least two ensembles outside of school. This includes all music festivals (MMEA- Western District, All-State, UMASS Honor Band and Quabbin Valley Music Festival) as well as other ensembles outside of school including Ludlow Community Band, Springfield Youth Orchestra and Holyoke Civic Symphony. Honors credit will be given at the end of the year and will appear on your final report card of the school year. 5
Marching Band (Uniform rules) Black shoes and black socks only. (Black shoes must be closed-toe. No sandals!) No sneakers unless they are solid black with black laces. Black shoes are available for purchase from the LHS Band Parent Association. No outrageous jewelry Uniforms never leave school unless we are traveling or performing. (Always return your uniform to the uniform closet neatly on its hanger and in garment bag prvided.) When you appear in public with your uniform it is always zipped and presentable. Do not switch any part of your uniform with another band member. If you have a problem with your uniform then see the uniform managers. THERE IS NO EATING OR DRINKING WHILE IN FULL UNIFORM! (Water is the only exception to this rule.) If you lose it or abuse it then you own it. (They are expensive. Trust me!) Hats and plumes must be stored properly after a performance. Put plumes back in the tubes and return hats to the correct boxes No sunglasses while performing. Concert Band and Wind Ensemble Dress Code The concert attire for all LHS band students is as follows: black shoes and socks, black pants (or floor length skirt) and black (wing collar) tuxedo shirts. An order form for tuxedo shirts will be distributed in October. Pep Band Dress Code All band members are asked to wear their LHS Band polo, hooded sweatshirt or jacket to all home football games. An order form for Pep Band attire is available upon request. LHS Band Parent Association The LHS Band Parent Association is vital to the success of the LHS Band program and is always in need of new members. The first meeting of the 2016-2017 School year will be on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the LHS band room. All students, parents and guardians are welcome to attend. We will discuss band activities fund raisers. I hope to see you and your parents there! 6
HANDBOOK CONTRACT (Please print, sign and return this page no later than Friday, September 8th) I,, have read the band handbook. I fully (student name) understand all grading policies and rules. I will do my best to follow and abide by these policies and rules. Student Signature: Student email address: Instrument Information Instrument type: Brand: Serial Number: Is it a school owned instrument? Parent/guardian Information The LHS Band Parent Association would like to stay in touch with you and keep you updated on upcoming band events. Please provide the following information: Parent/guardian Name: Phone Number: Parent Email address: If you have any questions or concerns regarding the policies and rules in the handbook please don t hesitate to email or call. Thank you! k_mcavoy@ludlowps.org 589-9001 x2112. 7