St. Paul Catholic School Instrumental Handbook 2012-2013 Policy Statement Philosophy of Music Program Goals General Information Transportation Policy Attendance Policy Grading Policy Discipline Policy Mr. Michael D. Porretta St. Paul School Band & Orchestra Director
ST. PAUL MISSION/PHILOSOPHY STATEMENTS Mission: Saint Paul School is a Roman Catholic community dedicated to teaching, living, and learning in the Light of Christ. Philosophy: At St. Paul School we believe: That at core of our being is the Gospel of Jesus as expressed through the Catholic vision of the world of people. In the dignity of each person as we create a caring community spirit that fosters the spiritual, physical, social, emotional, and intellectual potential of all its members. The content, process, and environment of Catholic education should reflect to its students that they are made in the image and likeness of God. In a commitment to academic excellence. In keeping with the educational philosophy of the Catholic Church; that parents/guardians are the primary educators of our students. We establish a safe and comfortable learning environment for everyone. In providing students with extra-curricular activities and opportunities that are extensions of what is taught in the classroom. In the continued development of an awareness and support of those less fortunate in our local and world community.
PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC State of Ohio s Music Philosophy: The arts: Represent the most telling imprint of any civilization and serve as records of history, expressions and beliefs; Are basic symbol systems which people use to create, communicate, express and acquire knowledge; Represent forms of thinking and ways of knowing by participation in the world through cognitive and sensory experiences; Embody the deepest expressions of humanity. Permeate all facets of daily life, education, community and work. Taken from page 12 of the Ohio Department of Education s Academic Content Standards; K-12 Fine Arts.
PROGRAM GOALS The goal of the St. Paul Instrumental Program is to: 1. Give the technical skills necessary to perform music to the best of one s ability in the medium of one s choice. 2. Develop an understanding in student of musical heritage, which includes the role music plays in understanding other cultures. 3. Give students the ability to understand different elements of music. 4. Give students the ability to translate and interpret traditional and graphic symbolization into musical sounds. 5. Give students a knowledge of and appreciation for a variety of musical instruments. 6. Give students a criteria for judging musical performances. 7. Develop in students a sensitivity to music s ability to express moods and feelings. 8. Develop in students an awareness of careers and community activities in music.
GENERAL INFORMATION Junior High Band: Junior High Band is an allyear, all-inclusive course. Students participate in a wide variety of ensembles and styles. The Junior High Band consists of grades 7-8. Junior High Band members are seated by audition points based on instrumentation, level of musicianship, and leadership skills. The repertoire consists of a variety of band music with attempts to reach several genres; classical, patriotic, popular, programmatic, novelty, traditional, sacred, and secular and the band will work from the Tradition of Excellence book 2. The band will participate in large group adjudication and perform a number of concerts and performances. Auditions: Auditions for chair placements are held three times a year (August, November, and March). Specifics will be posted in the band room during the first week of school. Challenges will be held as follows: Both the director and the student being challenged will be notified. You may only challenge one chair at a time. No challenges will be held two weeks prior to a band performance. If you are unsuccessful in the challenge, you must wait two weeks before challenging again.
Large Group: As a member of the Junior High band, each student will have the opportunity to participate in Large Group Adjudication. This is an opportunity to perform as a band for a judge s rating. Large Group Adjudication provides an outlet for higher level performance and musical understanding in regards to concert band. Solo & Ensemble: All instrumental members of the band are strongly encouraged to participate in Solo and Ensemble Adjudication. Each member is encouraged to at least be in a performance ensemble and if he or she wishes, may participate with a solo. Solo and Ensemble builds a unique skill of individual performance which will enhance each student s ability to understand and performance music at a higher level. Jazz Band: Jazz Band is an extra activity that will be addressed as the year progresses. This band will be open to 6 th -8 th graders wanting to learn more about jazz music. This will not be a Tradition Big Band, but students will be required to read music to be
a part of the group. This band will meet once a week starting in October or November. It is our goal to perform for at least two major performances and one minor performance. Pep Band: Pep Band is an extra activity that will be addressed as the year progresses. This band is open to any 6 th -8 th grader that may want to participate. This band will perform at various athletic functions, possibly including, but not limited to; pep rallies, boy s and girl s home basketball games, home football games, and home volleyball matches. The performance schedule and exact number of games required will be distributed in late September. Junior High Strings: Junior High Strings is an allyear, all-inclusive, evolving course. Students from 7 th and 8 th grade make up the Junior High Strings. These students will be working mostly out of the Essential Elements 2000 for String book 1 and possibly book 2, in addition to working on sheet music. The Orchestra will participate in two to three major performances and one to two minor performances as they progress throughout the year. Students will be required to purchase a uniform (oxford style) shirt with string logo on it. More information will be coming throughout the year.
Solo & Ensemble: All instrumental members of the band are strongly encouraged to participate in Solo and Ensemble Adjudication. Each member is encouraged to at least be in a performance ensemble and if he or she wishes, may participate with a solo. Solo and Ensemble builds a unique skill of individual performance which will enhance each student s ability to understand and performance music at a higher level. Sixth Grade Band: Sixth Grade Band is an allyear, all-inclusive course. It is a second year band where students continue to build upon the basics of playing and understanding their instrument. The band will continue to work from the Tradition of Excellence book 1 and will then move on to book 2. Each student is required to purchase this blue book. In addition, the sixth graders will continue to work on sheet music and participate in various performances throughout the year. There will be two or three major concerts for the school year, as well as a few minor performances. Sixth Grade Strings: Sixth Grade Strings is an allyear, all-inclusive, evolving course. These students will be working mostly out of the Essential Elements 2000 for String book 1 and possibly book
2, in addition to working on sheet music. The Orchestra will participate in two to three major performances and one to two minor performances as they progress throughout the year. Students will be required to purchase a uniform (oxford style) shirt with string logo on it. More information will be coming throughout the year. Fifth Grade Beginner Band: Fifth Grade Band is an all-year, all-inclusive course. In fifth grade any student of the school is eligible to participate in band. There, students begin to learn the basics of sound production and technical skills on the instrument for which they have been fitted. The band will work almost exclusively out of the Tradition of Excellence book 1 (red) with some supplemental playing of sheet music. The band will perform two major concerts for the school year, as well as a few minor performances. Fifth Grade Strings: This ensemble is an all-year, all-inclusive course. It is essentially a second year string class. These students will be working mostly out of the Essential Elements 2000 for String book 1 and possibly book 2, in addition to working on sheet music. The Orchestra will participate in two to three major performances and one to two minor performances as they progress throughout the year. Students will be required to purchase a uniform (oxford style) shirt with string logo on it. More information will be coming throughout the year.
Fourth Grade Beginner Strings: Fourth Grade Strings is an all-year, all-inclusive course. In fourth grade any student of the school is eligible to participate in strings. There, students begin to learn the basics of sound production and technical skills on the instrument for which they have been fitted. The orchestra will work almost exclusively out of the Essential Elements 2000 for Strings book 1 (brown/orange) with some supplemental playing of sheet music. The orchestra will perform two major concerts for the school year, as well as a few minor performances. Uniforms: Each student who is a member of the band will be required to purchase a band or orchestra (oxford style) shirt with the band/orchestra logo on it. This shirt will be worn all major and some minor performances throughout the year. Students are required to have black pants/skirts, black socks and dark shoes. Proper uniform is a factor in grade assessment. Instructional Lessons: All band members are highly encouraged to take one instructional lesson per week. If anyone is interested in private lessons feel free to contact the director and receive a list of professionals available for instruction. A list of private instructor will be passed out the first week of school.
Equipment Needs: Each student must bring to class everyday: a sharpened pencil, a notebook of paper, their instrument (excluding some percussionists and bassists) in good working condition, assigned music, and a good attitude. (All Percussionists are responsible for bringing their sticks to class). Students are responsible for obtaining their own supplies for their instruments. The director will keep on hand enough reeds, rosin, etc. for EMERGENCIES ONLY. Our representative from the music store will take orders for reeds, rosin, etc. and deliver them the following week, but it is the student s responsibility to place the order, make the payment, and pick up his/her merchandise. Reeds will be available by the box. JUNIOR HIGH AND 6 th GRADE Percussionists will need to purchase concert snare sticks, medium rubber mallets, yarn mallets, and timpani mallets (you will need to invest in the bag ). Woodwinds will need to have a four reed holder with at least four reeds at all time, in addition to cork grease and a swab. Brass will need to have slide grease, valve oil, and a snake. Strings will need rosin, cloth and shoulder rest/rock stop. Fees and Fundraising: Fees: In addition to purchasing any supplies that one may need, students are responsible for their uniform shirt. Please note that this year there will be a $0.50 charge per piece of music that is not returned. Please pay by
check whenever possible. Cash payments are accepted, but must be made in an envelope clearly marked with the student s name, items, and amount paid. Make all checks payable to ST. PAUL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC BOOSTERS. If for whatever reason, a student is unable to pay the fees by the given date, please see Mr. Porretta as soon as possible to make payment arrangements. ALL PAYMENTS OF FEES MUST BE PAID BY THE END OF THE YEAR. Fundraising: Fundraising benefits all students in the music department. They provide uniforms, awards, trips, equipment, etc. and are a necessary part of a growing music organization. Students are required, in some form or fashion, to participate in fundraising if and when the instrumental department has them. When students earn profits from fundraising, the profits are put into a general instrumental fund that will help support the various instrument ensembles. Students will be given credit for participating. This credit will be translated into monetary compensation to be used toward payment for any TRIPS! On a year when the band is not taking a major trip, student will be fundraising primarily for the program.
Instrument Repair: General instrument repair on school-owned instruments will be covered by the music program. For repairs that are not normal wear on school-owned instruments, students will be required to pay for the repair. Any needed repairs on individual instruments will be the student s responsibility. No instruments will be issued back to the student without payment. Repairs are done by Colonial Music and/or Buckeye Brass and checks may be made out to Colonial Music or Buckeye Brass upon completion of the repair. Repairs can be delivered to the school or you may pick them up at the store. Our representative from the music store comes to the school once a week. Transportation Policy: All band members ride the bus to events with the band when the band takes a bus. A student may ride home with a parent at the end of an event with the following stipulations: A student may ONLY ride home with a PARENT or LEGAL GUARDIAN, and MUST have a note signed by a parent in advance All students will be released at the END of the event. You MAY NOT leave during INTERMISSION. Any students riding home with a parent must be signed out with the director or before leaving the event. All school bus rules apply. Privileges may be lost and office discipline may be required.
ATTENDANCE POLICY The performance of music is a major portion of the evaluation for the band course. As band is a group activity, a large percentage of the performance grade will be based on attendance, as well as knowledge and demonstration of the required skills. Since there is no make-up day for performances and we are all dependent upon each other, ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PRACTICES & PERFORMANCES. There are few excused absences, and these should be cleared with the director in advance. Students must have an absence request form filled out two weeks prior to the requested date and signed by a parent. This is a request and the director has the authority to deem the absence as unexcused. Examples of excusable absences are: Sick/dying relative, accident/emergency, or unavoidable/unchangeable doctor s visit. Requests will be assessed on an individual basis. If you are sick the day of a performance, please make every effort to notify the director. Students must be in school a ½ day to participate in an evening performance, unless the situation has been cleared by the principal in advance. Because every parent is extremely busy, the director will make every effort to notify students no less than two weeks in advance of any schedule changes or additions.
GRADING POLICY Rehearsal Criteria (daily grading) - Students attend and come early for all rehearsals - Instrument/appropriate material brought to class - Attentive and exhibits good conduct - Performing music at a proficient level (will be determined at time of rehearsal) Performance Criteria (each performance) - Student early for performance warm-up time - Instrument and appropriate materials brought to performance (including correct uniform) - Attentive/contributing to a good performance - Individual part performed at a high level of proficiency (determined at time of performance) - Written/Playing tests (percentage of correct answers/notes) Dedication/Attitude/Behavior (daily grading) - Participation in and preparation for class - Participation in activities (fundraisers, pickingup, performances, trips, etc.) - Attitude in rehearsals (respectful, attentive, quiet/see discipline policy) PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OF THE CRITERIA WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHILE THE INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT
STANDARDS ARE FILLED OUT ON THE GRADE CARDS. DISCIPLINE POLICY Participation in band and orchestra is a privilege, not a right; therefore, in order to maintain an orderly, educational and safe environment, the following discipline policy will be implemented. Rules/Regulations/Responsibilities 1. Arrive to class early, quietly, & immediately get your material ready for rehearsal 2. No talking while rehearsal is in progress 3. Raise your hand and be recognized by the teacher before speaking 4. Have appropriate materials in class 5. No food or drink, other than water, in the room (unless otherwise told) 6. Respect yourself, others, and instruments Consequences 1 st Offense Verbal warning 2 nd Offense Conduct point 3 rd Offense 3 Conduct points and conversation with parent(s) 4 th Offense Refer to Principal 5 th Offense Refer to Principal and possible removal from ensemble Positive rewards will vary each semester.
SEVERE DISCIPLINE CLAUSE In the event a student blatantly and/or maliciously causes a serious classroom disruption, the severe disciplinary clause will take effect. The student will immediately be taken to the principal s office, and will serve the fourth offense consequence at that time. The following are examples of behaviors that would warrant this clause being implemented: Fighting or extreme behaviors against other members, chaperones, staff, or directors Maliciously destruction of instruments or materials Breaking school rules while on an instrumental music function * The School Conduct Code will apply in addition to these violations. This discipline policy has been approved by the School Administration.