Fayetteville High School Band Handbook for parents and students 2015-2016 David Powelson Director Jerry Potter Asst. Director Daniel Henderson Asst. Director Drumline Instructor
CONTENTS Welcome!... 3 Checklist... 3 Overview... 3 General Policies... 4 Enrollment... 4 Expectations for Student Behavior... 4 Charms Office Assistant... 4 The Band Boosters... 5 Use of School-Owned Instruments and Equipment... 5 Instrument Insurance... 5 Description of Courses and Ensembles... 5 Concert Band... 5 Performance Requirements... 6 Performance Attire... 6 AP Music Theory... 7 Marching Band... 7 Jazz Band... 7 Other Opportunities... 7 MTSBOA Honor Band... 7 Tri-Lakes Honor Band... 7 Private Lessons... 8 2
WELCOME! It is a new year new opportunities, new classes, and a fresh start! The band program at FHS is a wonderful place to be. Studying a musical instrument is one of the most worthwhile tasks you can undertake, and I am glad you have chosen to tackle the challenge. Please join me in making welcome Mr. Jerry Potter. Mr. Potter is the new assistant band director, and he will be here several days a week to help with all aspects of the band. He holds degrees from Tennessee Technological University and Vandercook School of Music and has over thirty years of teaching experience. I know that his skills and knowledge will be a tremendous resource for the program, and a tremendous benefit to all of you. It will be an exciting year. Let s get to work! Mr. Powelson CHECKLIST 1. Read the handbook and return the attached forms. (Marching Band students do not turn in another Medical Form unless your information has changed.) 2. Check your concert attire. See the appropriate section of the handbook for details. a. Band polo? b. Khaki pants? c. Black and white with dress shoes? 3. Put these dates on your calendar! September 26 Frito Lay Employee Picnic Fundraiser December 10, Evening Winter Band Concerts May 5, Evening Spring Band Concerts OVERVIEW Fayetteville High School offers many different ensembles and musical opportunities for students. Some of these opportunities are courses that meet during the school day. These are aligned with Tennessee State Standards, and students receive academic credit. Other opportunities include extracurricular ensembles, honor bands, and private lessons. Participation in these opportunities is voluntary, and each has its own requirements. 3
GENERAL POLICIES Enrollment Students must be enrolled in the Concert Band class to participate in extracurricular ensembles. Concert Band is the primary track for instrumental music at FHS and after-school opportunities are add-ons to this experience. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the Director s discretion on a case-by-case basis. Expectations for Student Behavior Members of the band must adhere to the highest standard of behavior at all times. The band is frequently an ambassador of the school, and inappropriate behavior during these times carries severe consequences. Furthermore, a major goal of music education is that students develop quality character traits and learn to function as a member of a larger group. The following list of character traits is not allinclusive, but it should serve as a starting place for expectations. 1. Band students should always be respectful. Respect is always shown to fellow classmates, school staff, parent volunteers, guests in the school, and all others. 2. Band students should always be trustworthy. The school entrusts band students with valuable instruments and equipment. Students have considerable freedom and often have to think creatively to solve problems without direct adult supervision or input. It is important that band students can be trusted to behave appropriately in all situations regardless of who is or isn t watching. 3. Band students should always be responsive. Instructions of the Director, other staff, and parent volunteers are to be followed without question the first time. 4. Band students should always be responsible. The band can only play at its best when its members take responsibility for their own music, equipment, and behavior. Charms Office Assistant The FHS Band uses the Charms Office Assistant program to organize student information. Parents and students can access their financial records, inventory assignments, calendars, and volunteer signups through Charms. Go to www.charmsoffice.com, and click the ENTER/LOG IN link at upper right. Locate the PARENT/STUDENT/MEMBERS LOGIN section of the web page. Login using the School Code: FayettevilleHSBand This will bring up the main parent page. Enter your child s ID number as a Student Area Password. Another more detailed screen appears. (If you have logged in before, use the password you created last time. Email Mr. Powelson if you need your password reset.) Click on the Lock icon to create your own, unique password. 4
The Band Boosters The Fayetteville City Band Boosters provide much needed support to the band at FHS. All band parents are encouraged to get involved! There are many volunteer opportunities in a variety of skill sets and levels of responsibility. Most positions require simply time, energy, and a willingness to spend time with teenagers. If you are willing to help, please contact the Vice-President of the Band Boosters. Use of School-Owned Instruments and Equipment Students at FHS have access to many high-quality instruments provided by both the FCS Band Boosters and the Fayetteville City Board of Education. These guidelines ensure that they are available for many students in future years. Students who do not follow these guidelines will lose the privilege of using a school instrument. 1. Instruments must be kept clean, lubricated, and free from damage. 2. Instruments must be stored in the provided case when not in use. 3. At the end of the year, the instrument must be cleaned according to the Director s instructions. Vacuum the case and remove all personal items from the case. Place the instrument in the case and return it to school for inspection. 4. If the instrument is damaged, do not take it to a repair shop and do not attempt repairs at home. Return damaged instruments to the band room. Parents and students are liable for damage that occurs due to attempted repairs at home. Instrument Insurance School-owned instruments are insured by the school system. Students will be liable for damage due to loss, negligence, willful destruction, or attempted repairs at home. Instruments personally owned by students can be insured through their parents policy (either homeowner s or renter s insurance). Musical instrument policies are typically inexpensive; contact your insurance agent to ensure that you have adequate coverage. DESCRIPTION OF COURSES AND ENSEMBLES Concert Band Concert Band is the primary instrumental music course at FHS. Students of all ability levels are welcome. Students without previous music training should meet with the Director to select an instrument and prepare an individual learning plan. Grading is based on personal improvement, progress toward individual goals, and quality of preparation of ensemble literature. The Concert Band rehearses daily during school hours. 5
As an ensemble, the Concert Band performs at a variety of functions: school assemblies, holiday programs, quarterly concerts, concert festival competitions, and other events. All performances are required for all students enrolled in the course. Performance Requirements All performances of the Concert Band are absolutely required for all members. The band needs every member to perform at its best, and a single unexcused absence from a performance is grounds for expulsion from the band. Exceptions are strictly at the Director s discretion and are not guaranteed to any student. In the event of extreme illness or the death of a family member, parents should contact the Director immediately. Do not miss the performance and attempt to have it excused after the fact. Performance Attire The Concert Band has two sets of performance attire: casual and formal. All students must own a band polo. They are available for sale from the Band Boosters. Casual Casual performance attire is the black band polo with khaki pants. Wear black shoes athletic shoes, sneakers, or marching shoes are okay. Men should tuck in their polos and wear a black belt. Formal Evening performances and other important concerts will require more formal attire. For men: 1. Black dress pants (no denim) 2. Black dress shoes 3. Black belt 4. White shirt (button down with a collar no T-shirts, no polos) 5. A tie is required (yes, bow ties are acceptable) 6. Please, no suits or jackets. For women: 1. Same as men OR 2. Substitute a black skirt OR 3. Wear a solid black dress that adheres to school dress code. The general rule of performance attire is this: If the audience will notice what you are wearing instead of what you are playing, you shouldn t wear it. If you have specific questions regarding concert attire, please ask NOW. Do not wait until the day of the concert. Students who do not adhere to the dress code may be excluded from the performance. Please note that WHITE is not the same as cream, ivory, rose, or any other almost white color. Yes, the audience can see the difference! 6
AP Music Theory AP Music Theory is offered by FHS as an elective course. The course is open to any FHS student who meets the prerequisites, regardless of band membership. For more information on AP Theory, see Mr. Powelson or Mrs. Brewer. Marching Band The Marching Band performs at football games, pep rallies, and school parades. It is an extracurricular ensemble, with its own requirements. For more information, please see the marching band signup packet. Jazz Band The FHS Jazz Band meets after school in the spring. Rehearsals will generally occur on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00-4:30. Students will have the opportunity to study improvisation as a part of the Jazz Band. Improvisation in rehearsal may be required. Improvising in performance will not be required. The Jazz Band is also open to students who play piano, guitar, or bass. Interested students should schedule an audition with the Director. Guitar students who play in the Jazz Band should enroll in the Guitar Class or in private lessons with a teacher who can teach music reading skills. Other Opportunities MTSBOA Honor Band The MTSBOA All-Midstate Honor Band (or Midstate ) event is sponsored by the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association. The top players in bands from across the Middle Tennessee area compete by audition for places in one of six honor bands. Auditions typically occur in November and early December. Those students who earn spots then meet for one weekend in January, rehearsing Thursday evening through Saturday morning. The event ends in a concert Saturday evening. The auditions include prepared excerpts, memorized scales, and sight-reading. Interested students need to notify the Director at the beginning of the school year. Tri-Lakes Honor Band The Trilakes Honor Band is an event by the TriLakes Band Directors Association (TLBDA), which is made up of band directors from Lincoln Co., Franklin Co., Coffee Co., Giles Co., and other nearby areas. It is a district honor band. Unlike Midstate, all students who go to Trilakes are guaranteed a spot in the band. There is an audition, but it is only to determine chair placement order. The event is usually held in January. Students are selected for the Trilakes Honor Band based on director nomination and number of positions available. Any student interested in attending the Trilakes Honor Band should notify the Director. 7
Private Lessons Private lessons on all brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments are available as a service to parents and students. The lesson teachers are highly qualified musicians with high-level performance experience and/or university music credentials. It is highly recommended that all serious students take lessons regularly, especially if they wish to be competitive for placement into honor bands. Lesson teachers set their own fees for each lesson. There is a separate set of policies governing private lessons. Please see the Director for that document if you are interested in taking lessons. 8
Student Name FHS Concert Band 2015-2016 Permissions and Waivers Please read the following statements and sign below, indicating that you agree with them. 1. I have read the entire FHS Band Handbook. 2. I agree to follow the policies and guidelines contained within the FHS Band Handbook. 3. I have completed the attached Medical Information Form. 4. I give permission for photographs, audio recordings, or video recordings of my child to be taken during band activities. I give the permission for those photographs or recordings to be used with or without identification for any lawful purpose. 5. I accept responsibility for any school-owned instruments or equipment that may be issued to my child. I will pay for any damage caused by negligence or improper use. 6. I understand that the faculty and staff of the Fayetteville City Schools, guest staff hired by the band director, and volunteers are present at band events for the benefit of the students. I believe they are acting in good faith and release them from liability in the event of injury or accident. Parent/Guardian Signature Date 9
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Contact Information Please make sure you write legibly, especially for email addresses. Email is the primary means of communication with parents. If you have more than 2 adults whose information needs to be included (grandparents, stepparents, older siblings, etc.), please use the back of the page also. Student Information First Name Middle Name Last Name Grade Street Address City, State, Zip Home Phone Cell Phone Email (student) Adult 1 Information Relation to student First Name Middle Name Last Name Home Phone Cell Phone Work Phone Email Adult 2 Information Relation to student First Name Middle Name Last Name Home Phone Cell Phone Work Phone Email Personal Instrument Information This helps us ID lost instruments! Instrument Type Brand Serial Number 11
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Student Name FHS Band Handbook 2015-2016 Medical Information Form Student Name: The purpose of this form is to provide medical information to band staff and emergency medical personnel. It provides permission for the band director to seek emergency medical care for your child in the event of an emergency. A physical exam by a doctor is recommended but not required to participate in the marching band. Does your child have any medical conditions or allergies? Does your child regularly take any medications? Is there any other information you feel would be useful to medical personnel in the event of an emergency? List emergency contacts in the order you would like them to be contacted. Please include your own cell phone/home numbers. ONLY the numbers listed here will be contacted in an emergency. Name of person Phone Number Relationship to student I affirm that all information on this form is complete and correct. In the event of an emergency, I give permission for the employees of the Fayetteville City Schools to seek medical care for my child. Signature of legal guardian Date 13
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