Avon High School Band Handbook 2015 2016 1
Table of Contents 3. Letter to Parents 4. Performing Ensembles 6. Practice Requirements 7. Rehearsal Etiquette, Rehearsal Requirements, and Private Lessons 8. Attire and Connecticut Festivals 9. Equipment and Facilities 10. Band Council and Music Parents 11. Friends of Avon Music Education 13. Signature Page 2
Letter to Parents Dear parents/guardians: Welcome or welcome back to the Avon High School Band Program. This exciting program is a cooperative effort between you, your children, the staff at Avon High School, and me. As the year progresses we will get to know one another and I am looking forward to meeting you in person. The dedication and support I have felt from the students, administration, faculty and community makes it a thrilling time to be in the leadership role of the Band Program. Parents and guardians should know that each student receives high quality music education at Avon High School. I am dedicated to performing excellent music that challenges students to grow and develop as musicians. Individual development begins inside the students homes, and a regular practice routine is required of each student. I encourage every family to invest in the musical career of the student. Checking in on practice sessions, attending each performance, maintaining the instrument, and following the Band calendar are all essential to a successful musical experience. My goal is for each student to become a life long musician. To accomplish this, students must make music outside of Avon High School, and practicing at home is the first step. Seeking private lessons and performing in local ensembles will ensure a quality life in music. Please join Friends of Avon Music Education (FAME) to support our entire music program at Avon High School. This group of parents has an excellent reputation for improving music education in our school. The success of our band program is dependent on the involvement and dedication of parents like you. Please fill out the included form to become involved with FAME. I anticipate a wonderful year in Band at Avon High School, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead our Bands to new heights. Please support your child as he or she grows as a musician this year. Thank you for the opportunity to be your child s music teacher. Sincerely, Kyle Culbertson Director of Bands Avon High School 3
Performing Ensembles Winter Concert: January 7, 2016 at 7:00 PM. Snow Date: January 11, 2015 at 7:00 PM. Lydian Festival: March 22, 2016 at CCSU Spring Concert: May 12, 2016 at 7:00 PM Concert Band One Credit Grade nine The Avon High School Concert Band is the ensemble for all ninth grade woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists. Focus is on basic technical skills, musical concepts, and ensemble interests and abilities of this grade level. A minimum of one year s playing experience is required. Symphonic Band One credit Grades 10 through 12 The Avon High School Symphonic Band is the band instrumental ensemble for most 10 12 grade woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists. The Symphonic Band studies more advanced literature than Concert Band, but not as challenging or selective as Wind Ensemble. Focus continues to be on the development of basic technical skills, musical concepts, and ensemble skills. Placement in the Symphonic Band requires a minimum of two years playing experience. Wind Ensemble One credit Grades 10 through 12 (With audition and instructor s approval) The Avon High School Wind Ensemble is the premiere band instrumental ensemble for 10 12 grade woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists. The Wind Ensemble studies a level of literature that is more challenging and sophisticated than the other Bands. Focus is on the development of advanced technical skills, musical concepts, and ensemble skills and students are inspired to achieve at the highest levels. The Wind Ensemble also helps to prepare those students who aspire to professional careers in music. Placement in the Wind Ensemble is by audition and with the permission of the Director, and requires a minimum of two years playing experience. Jazz Ensemble ½ credit (YR) Grades 9 12 (With audition and instructor s approval) The Avon high School Jazz Ensemble is the group of instrumental musicians who wish to explore the jazz idiom. Because Jazz Ensemble meets on Tuesday evenings, members must be willing to invest extra time and effort into practice and performance. Jazz Ensemble members are encouraged to enroll into Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or the Wind Ensemble. New this year is the Flex Jazz Band, which allows for atypical jazz instrumentation. The Flex Jazz Band meets on Tuesday night from 6:30 7:30 PM. The Jazz Ensemble meets on Tuesday night from 7:30 9:00 PM. Jazz Band placement is based on playing ability/audition and the need of a balanced instrumentation, and is at the discretion of the director. This course uses a pass/fail grading system. 4
Marching Band Concert Band students and Honors Credit students in Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble students are required to participate. The Marching Band performs at Avon s Memorial Day Parade on May 30, 2015. Preparation Instruments and music must be taken home before the weekend because the high school building will be closed on Memorial Day. Also, please make sure your child has a working lyre and flip folder. Attire Khaki pants, black shoes, and a white polo shirt. The polo shirt must be tucked in. Time and Location Parents will drop off students at Sperry Park at 10:15 AM. Traffic can be crazy in this area, so please drive with caution and please follow all traffic directions given by the parade coordinators. Order of events : Drink water before the parade and apply sun block! Students need to be in uniform and ready to march at 10:15. Attendance will be taken at 10:15 Please have your child leave his or her instrument case in your car. The parade coordinators will line up the band at 10:30 The Band will march from Sperry Park to Parkside Ln. by the Residence Inn. The Band will attend a Memorial ceremony from 12:00 12:30. Parents will pick up students after the ceremony Pep Band Concert Band students are required to participate. Partial involvement is required from Honors Credit students in Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Equipment The Music Department will purchase flip folders for Concert Band students. Attire The Band Council will choose a theme for each game. Rehearsal The Pep Band will rehearse 1 hour and 15 minutes before each game. Performance The Pep Band will perform during 1st, 2nd, and 4th quarters. Schedule 1. Saturday 9/19/15 vs. East Catholic HS. Rehearsal at 11:45 AM. Game at 1:00 PM. 2. Friday 9/25/15 vs. Tolland HS. Rehearsal at 5:45 PM. Game at 7:00 PM. 3. Saturday 10/3/15 vs. Fermi HS. Rehearsal at 12:45 PM. Game at 2:00 PM. 4. Saturday 10/10/15 vs. Bloomfield HS. Rehearsal at 11:45 AM. Game at 1:00 PM. 5. Saturday 11/7/15 vs. Rockville HS. Rehearsal at 12:45 PM. Game at 2:00 PM. 6. Saturday 11/14/15 vs. Plainville HS. Rehearsal at 11:45 AM. Game at 1:00 PM. 5
Practice Requirements Our homework in music is practice. There will be some written assignments but the majority of homework will be practicing at home. Students must record assignments and submit them to the director through Charms. How to Practice Breathing Exercises Breathe in for 4 counts/ Breathe out for 12 counts Long Tones Whole note scale patterns at a slow tempo Scales and Technique Scale of the week Technical and Articulation studies Chromatic Scale/Range Builders Band Music Create goals Focus on difficult spots Use a metronome Start slow Gradually increase the tempo until you reach your target speed Conclude by playing the section you have practiced in context. Fun Music Practice music you think is fun! Tips for Practice Do not pack all your practice into one day Cramming may work in some subjects but not in music. In order to maintain the correct muscles for proper tone and to build on your successes, you must practice regularly. Practice time is different from rehearsal Practice is individual, and a rehearsal is with a group. A musician practices in preparation for rehearsal, but never practices in rehearsal. Come see me for guidance on trouble spots My office is always open to students for questions and extra help. Parents Please encourage your child to practice his or her instrument at home. This band will improve beyond expectation when every member follows through with a commitment toward practice and preparedness for rehearsals and concerts. 6
Rehearsal Etiquette Arrive to rehearsal on time, and be ready and warmed up for the downbeat Turn off and put away all cell phones and electronics No food or gum allowed in class Maintain respect for others Be silent when not playing, and wait for instruction Be prepared for each rehearsal Rehearsal Requirements Instrument and equipment Music and folder Pencil Tuner Private Lessons The instrumental program at Avon High School is set up to give students the maximum instruction time available within the schedule. However, it is not possible to offer one particular type of instruction an individual private lesson. I cannot stress enough how beneficial private lessons will be to any student, beginner or advanced. A private teacher will spend at least a half hour each week studying a student s technique, sound, musicality and will determine an individual prescription for advancement. Private lessons can be the key to success for not only seating placements, Regional and All State Festivals, but also for making students rounded musicians. A qualified private teacher can make students a better musician as well as put him or her in contact with other musicians and teachers around the state. 7
Pep Band Attire Parade This year the Pep Band will be full of Falcon pride! The Band Counsel will choose a theme for each football game, and the Pep Band students will arrive to the rehearsal/performance dressed to match he theme! Khaki pants. Short sleeve white polo shirt (tucked in). Black shoes. No sun glasses or hats. Concert Attire Men Black long sleeved dress shirt with a long black tie. Black dress slacks with a black belt. Black dress shoes and black dress socks. Women Plain black, floor to mid calf length gown with sleeves. OR Long or mid calf black skirt, or black dress slacks, with a black top with sleeves. If you wear slacks, they must be loose and flowing nothing tight, and no jeans. Black or neutral hose and black dress shoes. No open toed shoes or sandals. No excessive jewelry. No sequins or sparkles. Hair accessories must be black, silver, or gold. No plunging necklines, rising slits (dress and skirt slits must not exceed six inches in length), low cut backs, or displays of midriff. Wear a slip if your outfit requires it. Toes, knees, and elbows must not be visible Connecticut Festivals Musicians in Band and Jazz Band can audition for Regional and All State music festivals. These festivals can be an experience of a lifetime. The festivals are memorable and inspirational. The audition requirements for these festivals are released in June and are posted on my website. The audition requires a prepared piece, sight reading and memorized scales. It is highly recommended that you find a private lesson teacher to help prepare for this audition. I encourage underclassmen to try the audition process. Even if you do not make it, it is a great experience and you will learn what to prepare for the next year. I encourage everyone to audition for these ensembles and I will support you with extra help! FAME has done an outstanding job of hosting the Northern Regional Auditions at Avon High School. The musicians at Avon High School should take advantage of this! 8
Instruments Equipment and Facilities Privately owned instruments should be taken to a shop for a tune up once a year. It is just like all machinery and needs regular cleaning and care. This will prevent losing the instrument for several weeks during the year for a costly repair. School instruments: The director will take care of regular maintenance of school instruments with money from the music budget. Any damage caused by the student s neglect or abuse will be the responsibility of the student. Students must have every part of his or her instrument at rehearsal. This includes reeds, mutes, sticks, etc. Instruments must be in full working order. Inform the director prior to the rehearsal about instruments that need repair. Percussionists are required to provide their own sticks/mallets for the year. I suggest the following: Concert snare drum sticks, hard xylophone mallets, medium hard marimba mallets, medium hard timpani mallets, and one small mallet bag. Music Students will receive original copies of music whenever possible. Students must handle music with care, especially when taken home for practice. Lost or damaged music is replaced at the expense of the student. Facilities The Music Department is full of expensive and sensitive equipment. Students must treat our facilities with care and respect. The use of our facilities is a privilege. Students need to exercise good behavior while using the band room, practice rooms, storage rooms, library, and the auditorium and stage. Percussion equipment is tempting to play, but these instruments are for percussionists only. I expect you to respect what we have and to police yourselves. If you see someone mistreating equipment, ask him or her to stop. If he/she does not listen come and find me. 9
Band Council The AHS Band Council is made up of students that are elected each September, and hold office for one school year where they assist in the student activities of the band. The students in this elected government body must attend AHS full time and must be enrolled members of Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or Wind Ensemble. Council members are required to take band for Honors Credit and must attend the required Band events. At times, Council Members will be required to arrive up to 20 minutes early to rehearsals, events, or performances. President The President is responsible for scheduling our council meetings, being a liaison to the Band Director, parents, and students, organizing the council jobs while ensuring all council members are actively doing their jobs, engage the community, and band room cleaning and decorating. The President must advertise for Band events, fundraisers, and social events in the band room, around the school, and around town at local businesses. The President will make announcements and reminders during rehearsals, and will help in choosing attire themes for Pep Band games Vice President The Vice President is responsible for assisting the president with his or her duties, being the replacement for the President in his or her absence, organizing students for fundraisers, cleaning and decorating the band room, taking attendance at rehearsals and performance, organizing and assigning the instrument cubbies, and taking band council minutes. The Vice President will also files music, labels folders and equipment, copies files, and distribute and collect all music Music Parents I strongly encourage all parents to join the Friends of Avon Music Education. We have an opportunity to provide a fantastic musical experience for your children but we cannot do it without your help and support. It requires an enormous amount of work to run a successful high school music department. We depend on the generous support you can lend to make this all possible. The next page of this Handbook explains several ways to get involved with FAME! 10
Friends of Avon Music Education Our organization was founded in 1996 by a group of parents who were interested in supporting The AHS music program. Through the efforts of F.A.M.E., money has been provided to purchase several new instruments, risers, recording equipment, concert attire, and sectional instrumental instruction. We sponsor monetary scholarships to graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in their musical pursuits, and also host post concert receptions and provide funding for special programs and clinicians to visit our school. For the past 4 years Avon High School was chosen to host Northern Regional Auditions, and with the help of our many volunteers, we will be doing so again this year. We meet the 2 nd Tuesday of the month and would love to have you join our efforts, and help us support our music programs. Please consider making a contribution to support F.A.M.E. s efforts. Contributions of any amount are appreciated. Suggested Contributions: Prelude ($25) Concerto ($50) Symphony ($100) other Thank you! Please make checks payable to Friends of Avon Music Education And return to your student s music teacher or to Name as you would like it to appear in the program. I prefer not to be listed in the program. Parent Name email phone Child Name Grade Band Chorus Orchestra Child Name Grade Band Chorus Orchestra Yes, I am interested in volunteering for Northern Regional Auditions on November 22nd Yes, I am interested in helping sell candy at concerts and other events as needed Any questions, please contact All meetings are held in the Chorus room at 7:15 PM. on the 2 nd Tuesday of the month, and can be found on the school calendar. Any changes or cancellation of meetings will be communicated by email and on the AHS daily updates. 11
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Signature Page By signing this page, we have read the Band Handbook and agree to its contents, including; performance attire, rehearsal etiquette, performance dates, requirements, obligations, and other important information. Student s Signature Print Name Parent/Guardian Signature Print Name 13