MONDOVI HIGH SCHOOL BAND HANDBOOK 2017-2018 Edition Mr. Walk Director
Mondovi Instrumental Music Philosophy Music offers unique learning opportunities to explore individual creativity, artistic expression and a more in-depth understanding of past and present cultures in our diverse world community. Participation in band allows the students to make more informed aesthetic choices, develop their musical abilities through self-discipline and hard work, and help increase their selfesteem and confidence throughout life and in learning across the entire Mondovi curriculum. The focus of the Mondovi music program is to develop the highest levels of musical achievement in our students, while taking into consideration each individual s interests, needs and abilities. Discovering, learning, performing and enjoying music itself, is a process rather than a product and requires thoughtfulness, patience, and perseverance. OUR MONDOVI MUSIC GOALS To promote creative thinking. To promote a sense of community. Develop character and commitment to our band program. Develop performance skills and increase musical knowledge. Develop a knowledge and appreciation of our musical heritage and other cultures in the world. Develop leadership skills and think and perform independently, but at the same time aware that one is equally dependent on all the musicians around them. Develop a desire in life for continued musical experiences. Develop individual musical talent. Have fun making great music together! To progress toward these goals, it all depends on YOU! It is everyone s responsibility to put forth 100% effort. Each musician- regardless of ability has an important part to contribute to OUR success!
Band Parent Responsibilities Parental support is necessary for the child's musical growth. Parents must provide constant encouragement, help and approval. They must show interest and enthusiasm for his/her musical accomplishments. PLEASE try to attend all Concerts! Encourage your child s attendance at lessons, sectionals, rehearsals, games and concerts. Encourage your child to stay committed to the band and not quit. Active participation of your child is crucial for the continued success of the band program. Please contact Mr. Walk FIRST with all questions and concerns you may have. jwalk@mondovi.k12.wi.us Each band member shall: Band Student Responsibilities Attend ALL lessons, sectionals, rehearsals and performances as outlined in this band handbook. Provide your own flip folder and lyre. (Additional flip folios may be purchased from the band office.) Be prepared for all lessons, sectionals, rehearsals, playing tests and performances. Have your instrument and all necessary music at all lessons, rehearsals and performances. Properly identify, store and properly care for your instrument. Provide the necessary accessories and supplies for your instrument. Conduct themselves appropriately during ALL concerts, pep bands, rehearsals, lessons and contests/festivals. Dress appropriately (as instructed by teacher) for all concerts and other performances. Demonstrate skills learned through performance. Abide by all the rules of the classroom and school at every rehearsal, performance, event and trip. RESPECT EVERYONE! Remember we are all in this together!
Mondovi HS Band Department Grading Policy All Band Students are expected to demonstrate individual progress throughout the year in musical performance, general musicianship skills, and musical knowledge. Grades are based on a combination of daily performance, lessons or sectionals, required preparation, daily ensemble participation, written assignments, concert attendance and most important ATTITUDE! Lessons and Sectionals (30%) 10 points per lesson. 1. At the beginning of the semester, you will be assigned a day of the week and 10-minute time slot when you will come to your lessons. This schedule may be revised on a quarterly basis. Students will be informed of any changes. 2. You are expected to attend your lessons on the scheduled day and time. 3. You are responsible for attending a MINIMUM OF FOUR LESSONS per quarter (subject to change). 4. NO MAKE-UP LESSONS are allowed for credit toward your four required lessons. Mr. Walk may agree to give you extra lessons if you need help, but you are responsible for coming to your regularly scheduled lessons without exception. There are nine weeks in a quarter, and therefore nine opportunities to attend your lesson. This allows you to miss an occasional lesson if you are sick, a test in a class, on a field trip, school is canceled, or Mr. Walk is away from school. You cannot make adequate progress in band by cramming several lessons into the last week of the quarter and it is not fair to take that time away from others. Rehearsals, Daily Expectations and Participation (20%) 10 Points per rehearsal. 1. You will start each week with full participation points. 2. To keep all of your weekly points you must: Put your instrument away correctly after class. Clean up your section after class (straightening chair/stand, picking up trash, covering percussion instruments.) Demonstrate good preparation (bringing required materials, practice) Demonstrate good behavior and a positive attitude. Performance Attendance (50%) 100 per Major Performance/ 50 Points per Pep Band. A concert is the culmination of months of work and effort by all students in band. We rely on 100% participation at each concert to present our music to an audience. Concert schedules are distributed the first day of school. Students should note these dates on their calendars immediately and make every effort to avoid conflicts. Also, the student should plan on staying for an entire concert or performance even if they are not playing in a particular group. Punctuality, attitude, behavior and proper dress requirements are factored into this grading portion.
In the event that a student has an unavoidable conflict, Mr. Walk must be notified, by a parent/guardian, three weeks before a major concert. Please DO NOT wait until the last minute. If there is an illness or emergency, please call and notify Mr. Walk of the situation. Each pep band performance is worth 50 points and each concert is worth 100 points. * Performance Attendance also includes all Pep Band events. If you need to miss a pep band performance because of an excused absence, you must Email or submit a letter 24 hours prior to the pep band performance. Punctuality to class, rehearsals, and concerts is also very important. Tardiness cannot be allowed. The school has established policies regarding class attendance and tardiness with respect to grading. Excused / Make-up Work Policy 1. During the first week of school, you are responsible for giving the band schedule to your parents, employers, coaches, and others who may be affected. If you find a conflict, work it out NOW. Mr. Walk may check with your employers/coaches to see if you have followed through with this requirement. 2. You must give Mr. Walk a written note from a parent if there are major performances that you cannot attend due to a family commitment. This note is due a MINIMUM of 3 WEEKS before the conflict to receive an excused absence and full credit for make-up work. (Excuse for medical emergency requires a doctor s note.) 3. Excused absences include medical emergencies, other major life events which cannot reasonably be rescheduled, and family vacations (if they are scheduled far in advance and unable to be moved). 4. Unexcused absences may include babysitting, work, shopping, college visits, dentist visits, community sports league games/practices, and commitments you make after the first day of school. You get the band schedule on the first day- so there is no excuse for missing a required event because you didn t realize you had a conflict. 5. Make-up work assigned for excused absences will be due by the last day of the quarter and will count for up to full credit toward the band event which was missed. 6. Make-up work assigned for unexcused absences will be due by the last day of the quarter and will count for up to half credit for the band event which was missed. Extra Credit Extra credit is available by actively participating in an approved out of school (apart from Mondovi Events) musical or fine arts experience. - Attending an approved concert. (Must provide concert program or ticket stub signed by the parents) - Perform or play in an instrumental music ensemble not affiliated with the Mondovi Band. - Study privately with a teacher who specializes on the same instrument.
Band Room Rules 1. Follow the student handbook rules and practice general good behavior and good manners at all times. 2. Take care of your instrument and music and do the same for others. 3. Come to class prepared with your instrument, music, and a pencil (no pens/markers). 4. You re expected to be in the band room when the bell rings if you re not, you will be marked tardy. After being tardy 3 times in one semester, you will be assigned a detention. You will get a detention for every tardy after the third as well. 5. You will stay inside the band room doors until the bell for dismissal rings you will not be let out early. No one will be excused to go to the bathroom or get a drink during the first or last 5 minutes of class. 6. You may not have food/drinks/gum in the band room. Plain water is allowed. 7. Keep your instrument in its case (fully closed) and in your band locker when not in use. 8. Computers in the music area are for band work only. 9. Keep the band room, lockers, and practice rooms clean. If you move or uncover equipment replace it when you re done. Every member of each section will be held responsible for clean-up after class. 10. DO NOT TOUCH THE PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS (unless you re a percussionist, of course). You will receive an automatic detention if you do. 11. Unless you are using a specific musical app PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED PERIOD!!! KEEP THEM IN YOUR POCKET, INSTRUMENT CASE OR BETTER YET- YOUR LOCKER.
Band Contract ONLY HAND IN THIS SHEET- THE HANDBOOK IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. Feel free to contact the Band Office with any questions! I have read and reviewed all pages of the band handbook with my son/daughter. We understand the expectations outlined. Please make sure to record all concert dates on your family calendar ASAP. We have put a nametag on our instrument cases and will not hold Mondovi or its employees responsible if it is lost or stolen. We understand that returning this contract is a part of the band grade. If you fail to return the signed contract, you will earn an Incomplete in band. In case your child needs any common band supplies for their instruments, they will again be available through the band office. These would include reeds, books, drum sticks, swabs, lyres, case tags, etc. and are sold at cost. The school instrument rental fee will be $50.00 per year (to cover part of the repairs, maintenance and cleaning, please see Mr. Walk to check out a school-owned instrument) and the percussion equipment use fee will be $20.00 per year for each percussion player. All rental and percussionist fees are due to the band office by Friday September 29 th. Checks can be made out to Mondovi Schools. Purchase of band supplies will be tallied up at the end of each semester. Parent/Guardian Signature Date: Parent/Guardian Names (Please Print) Please check, if you would be interested in volunteering to supervise at concerts, field trips, fundraising, administrative tasks, concessions and other jobs that contribute to the success of the band program. Please indicate if you have a job preference. Students I understand all the expectations outlined in this band handbook. I agree to give 100% effort in progressing toward the goals outlined in this handbook. Student Signature Date: Student Name (Please Print)