Welcome to the 2017-2018 Strickland Viking Band Congratulations on being a member of the Strickland Viking Band. The Strickland Middle School Band Program has a long tradition of excellence that is known throughout the state of Texas. It is through the hard work of many people, especially the students, that this tradition has grown and flourished for many years and will continue for many years to come. It starts at the Beginning Band level and continues through the Advanced Bands to hopefully students becoming a member of the Denton Ryan High School Band and beyond! This handbook has been developed by the band directors to familiarize each band member and parents with: (1) the general operations and procedures of band, and (2) the standards by which all band members are expected to conduct themselves. This handbook is not intended to be all-inclusive with every possible situation and question answered; however, a thorough knowledge of these materials is essential to the smooth operation and success of the band. All students and parents are expected to read the entire handbook carefully to avoid conflicts with the procedures and rules stated within. Strickland Band Goals To instill an individual desire to succeed To promote cooperation and teamwork To promote respect for one another To express the aesthetic value of music through performance skills and theory comprehension To academically fulfill the state and district requirements for fine arts in the school curriculum I. General Course Descriptions Advanced Bands (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band) All members of these ensembles are required to attend all rehearsals, sectionals and/or clinics as assigned by the directors. They will learn all assigned music to continue to develop their skills on their instruments and prepare for Solo & Ensemble and All-Region Band Auditions. In addition, all members are REQUIRED to perform with the band at various contests and concerts throughout the year. Advanced Bands Objectives Demonstrate ability to clap, count, and play all rhythms required in music To further develop listening skills including intonation: the ability to play in the center of the pitch- not sharp or flat Learn the art of following a conductor in a large ensemble To comprehend musical phrasing Demonstrate ability to play in different musical styles To demonstrate knowledge of nine major scales along with the chromatic scale corresponding with All-Region requirements To learn performance procedures including state presence
To understand the consequences of individual actions at a group level. Advanced Bands Performance Expectations/Requirements: Pep Rallies (during school day) One to two MS football Games Winter/Spring Concert (parent transportation to and from) 1 Festival (UIL or other local festival school transportation) Festival/UIL clinics/after school rehearsals and concerts UIL performance (during school day school transportation) Practice of 20-40 + minutes daily Have all materials daily! 45 minute sectional once a week (scheduled around most school conflicts) Participation in Solo and Ensemble contest Participation in All-District tryouts Participation in All-Region tryouts Private lessons with an approved DISD private lesson instructor Beginner Band The beginning band classes are comprised primarily of sixth graders. In the beginning band classes, students will learn from basic to more advanced skills of how to play their individual instrument. Beginning band students are required to participate in all scheduled performances, all before or after school rehearsals, and a band festival in the spring. Performances are required and are not optional since band is a performance based class. Beginner Band Objectives Demonstrate correct posture while playing an instrument Deomnstrate correct embouchure while playing a wind instrument Demonstrate correct hand and stick position while playing a percussion instrument, Be able to produce a characteristic tone on your instrument To understand and demonstrate carious articulation markings; slurring and tonguing Clap and count various rhythms that include whole, half, quarter, dotted quarter, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes Play nine majoy scales and arpeggios at least one octave and chromatic scale Develop technical motor skills such as tapping yout toe to the beat and clapping rhythms at different tempos Develop listening intonation: ability to play in the center of the pitch not sharp or flat Demonstrate correct knowledge of musical terms Develop listening skills within small and large ensemble of alike and different instruments To develop socially through large-group interaction To develop personal and social self-discipline
Beginner Band Performance Expectations/Requirements (These items are graded.) Winter and Spring Concerts One to two after school rehearsals before each performance Participation in Solo and Ensemble Contest Practice Record Have materials daily: instrument, band binder with music book, sheet music, handouts, tuner and clip, and a pencil. Beginner Band Performance Dress Dress clothes Sunday best Or band t-shirt and blue jeans Jazz Band This ensemble is for seventh and eighth graders interested in playing in the group. They perform music from the big band, Be-bop, swing, and rock eras. Students must be enrolled in concert band in order to be in Jazz band. Jazz band performance Expectations/Requirements Students are required to attend all rehearsals, after school rehearsals, and clinics. All performances are REQUIRED! Performance dress for jazz band is Concert Black. Full Orchestra This ensemble is for seventh and eighth graders nterested in playing in the group. They perform msuci for full orchestra and perform at concerts and festivals. Full Orchestra Performance expectations: Full orchestra meets before or after school or during band class. Students are required to aprticpate in all rehearsals. You will receive a grade based on participation. All performances are REQUIRED. II. Band Fees Band Fee ALL students are required to pay a band fee. This fee is $50 for each student. Please make checks out to Strickland Middle School. This fee helps cover the costs of the following: band shirts, music, handouts, entries for all-district, all-region, master classes, clinicians, solo and ensemble contest entry fee, social events, entry fees for Sandy Lake, UIL, other contests and festivals, and food for contests and festivals. Until this fee is paid, no students will be allowed to receive their band shirt or participate in the activites covered by this cost. This fee does not take the place of fundraising nor does it cover the instrument usage fee. Band fee final turn in date is Oct. 2 nd. School Owned Instruments
All Students who will be playing on a school owned instrument, must fill out the Application for School Owned Instrument Usage. This form is due Friday, August 25 th. There is a maintenance fee charged to all school owned instruments. These funds are used for any cleaning and small repairs. Any repairs due to student mishandling or neglecting the instrument will be charged extra to the student (dents, stuck valves due to irregular oiling, valve mechanism damaged due to mishandling, foreign objects found in the instrument, etc.) The percussion fee covers specialty mallets students are not required to purchase such as bass drum beaters, gong beaters, triangle beaters, chime mallets, etc., as well as drum heads and maintenance on percussion instruments. Maintenance Fee for the entire year is due October 2 nd. If you are unable to pay the full amount by the due date, please set up a payment plan with Ms. Konemann. Free/Reduced Lunch Program This program is for band students who are on the free/reduced lunch program and may qualify to use an instrument at a reduced fee. You must apply for free/reduced lunch online through the DISD website each year. You must fill out the Application for School Owned Instrument Usage (provided to you by the band directors) attach your notice of approval for free and reduced lunch meals form. Both forms are due by August 25 th. Students must maintain good behavior in band class, practice the required minutes, amd keep the instrument in good condition. If the instrument is damaged due to neglect or carelessness, you will lose the privilege of using the instrument for the rest of the year and your schedule will be changed to another class. Students who qualify for free lich will pay a $25 fee to use a school owned instrument. Students who qualify for reduced lunch will pay a $50 fee to use a school owned instrument. Percussion students qho qualify for free lunch will pay a $25 percussion fee. These fees are in addition to the band fee that all students must pay. Maintenance Fee for the entire year is due October 2 nd. If you are unable to pay the full amount by the due date, please set up a payment plan with Ms. Konemann. III. Procedures Band Hall Procedures Every morning when you arrive at school, you may put your instrument in your band locker and then go to your designated waiting area until the bell rings. If a sectional is going on, enter silently and do not disturb the sectional. If you decided to stay in the band hall in the morning you must be practicing in a practice room. If the rooms are full, you must go wait in your designated area until the bell rings. No more than three students allowed in the practice rooms at once. Practice rooms are first come, first serve. After School Procedures You must take your instrument home every day. You are expected to practice a minimum of 20-30 minutes, five days a week. Do not disturb sectionals or private lessons. Students may practice in practice rooms after school with approval of a director. Daily Classroom Procedures
Enter the band hall silently and calmly (no running, talking, or horseplay.) Personal belongings should go inside your school locker during class. Go to your band locker, put your instrument together, put your case back in the locker, and take your seat. Flutes, clarinets, oboes, and bassoons may put bring their cases to their seat and assemble at their chair. NO cases should be left on the floor unless it is the above mentioned woodwinds. There will be no playing on your instrument before class begins. The director will warm up the group. Raise your hand if you have a question. Listen attentively to the director. Listening = learning Please do Treat your band director with respect Treat your fellow band classmates with respect Raise your hand if you have something to say (and wait for a director to call on you) Try your best Please do not Bring ANY food drink, candy, or gum into the band hall. Food and drink will not be tolerated and detention will be assigned. Touch equipment or instruments that are not yours. Only percussionists can touch the percussion equipment. Run in the band hall Use foul language. Inappropriate language is unacceptable. Talk during class without permission. Enter the director s office without permission. Strickland Band Consequences The director does not expect to have many behavior problems with students. If problems arise they will be dealt with immediately. Be respectful to the directors and your peers and there will not be any problems. The only reason we have band rules is to have the most successful band we can. Remember, we have many students and often are very busy. The follow consequences may or may not be used in this order: Verbal or Non-verbal warning Classroom isolation Move to last chair Not allowed to participate with the rest of the class Discipline writing assignment Detention Call to parents Office referral to principal Parent/teacher/principal conference Removed from the band program
If a student is in ISS or suspended for any reason (academic, disciplinary, dress code, etc.) during the school year the student will not be allowed to participate in any reward parties or field trips. It is a privilege to be in band, not an entitlement, to be in band and participate in band related activities. You represent the band in every aspect of your day so make sure you are representing us well. IV. Grading Policies Grading Policies/ Procedures Weekly/Daily Grades (60%) Weekly Warm-Up Grade (10%) Students are expected to be on time to class with all necessary materials and fully participate in the warmup/daily drill activity. Students who meet these expectations will receive a 100 for the week. Students who are late, do not have all the needed materials, or participate will receive 20 points off their weekly grade for each day. Practice Records (20%) Practice records are intended to provide the students, parents, and instructor with a definite and systematic record of the effort expended in practice. Practice records are DUE EACH MONDAY during class signed by the parent. Students will receive a 10- point deduction for every day their Practice Record is late. Practice Records will not be accepted after Friday for the week that they are due. Weekly Practice Requirements for Practice Grades: 180 minutes or above... 100 150 minutes.. 90 120 minutes... 80 90 minutes. 70 Sectionals (30%) Students must be present, on time, and actively participate in their assigned sectional to receive full credit. Test/Performance Grades (40%) Written and Playing/Chair Tests given throughout the six weeks. Binder Checks Band binders will be checked during tests and throughout the six weeks, to make sure that they are keeping up with their materials in an organized manner. Performances All performances are required and will count twice in grading. Students are expected to show up on time, in proper uniform, and fully participate to receive full credit. Students will not be able to make up performances. We will take into account any extenuating circumstances, but it is ultimately the director s decision if an absence will be excused.
Eligibility Band activities are divided into two categories: 1) Co-Curricular Co-curricular activities are not subject to the no pass, no play rule. They are treated as class requirements. Attendance is mandatory, regardless of the students grades in other classes. Examples of co-curricular activites: winter/spring concert, pep rallies, after school rehearsals, clinics, sectionals, etc. 2) Extra-Curricular Extra-curricular activites are subject to the no pass, no play rule. Examples are: football games, festivals, UIL, PEAK contest, and other reward field trips. To participate in one of these activites the student needs to pass all classes. A student is ineligible to participate in extracurricular band activities for the 9 weeks period immediately following a grade of 69 or below in any subject. However, if after the progress report comes out, that student is passing all of their classes, they become eligible at the end of the following week. Students have a responsibility to pass their classes to be eligible for extra-curricular band activities. It has been our experience that the most common reason for failing a class has been not turning in homework. Attendance is mandatory for any performance pending eligibility. If a student is ineligible for more than two nine week periods, the student will be subject to removal from the band program. V. Equipment and Materials Instrument Lockers Each student will be assigned an instrument locker to keep their band materials in during the school day. Please keep lockers locked and clean. No instrument should be left in the band hall overnight or on weekends/holidays. The is a security measure for the safety of the instrument as well as the home practice requirement. Students should not tamper with other students locks. If a student loses a lock, they must pay $5.00 to replace the lock. Music and Binders Please take care of your music and band binder Put your name on your binder and all of your music. Additional copies of music if lost will cost $1.00 per page. All markings on your music should be done in pencil. No pens. If you lose or severely damage your binder, you must replace this binder immediately to avoid losing music. Band Hall and Practice Rooms These are your facilities and they should reflect your attitude towards the band program. Show respect to each other by keeping all these areas neat and clean.
Absolutely no food, soft drinks, or gum will be allowed in any practice room or band hall. Since there are so many people in and out of the band hall each day, we need your help to ensure that is stays clean and that these rules are followed. Some of the practice rooms will be available before and after school for practice. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the practice rooms to fulfill their practice requirements. No more than the allowed number of students per practice room at one time. Practice rooms are for practicing, not socializing or doing homework. NON-BAND STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE BAND HALL, PRACTICE ROOMS, SMALL ENSEMBLE ROOM, OR BAND LOCKER ROOM AT ANY TIME. If you see a non-band student, please alert a director immediately. This is to ensure the safety of all equipment and instruments. Director s Office The office is the director s work area. Please do not come in without director s consent. Please knock on the door and wait for a response from a director before entering the office even if the door is open. The telephone is for office use. Please use the phone in the front office if you need to make a phone call. Chairs/Stands The chairs are for sitting only. Please keep all four legs on the floor. Music stands are for holding music. They are only made to hold 5 pounds of weight and can break easily. Fundraisers All students need to fundraise. Fundraisers help cover the remaining costs of clinicians, master classes, extra supplies such as reeds, valve oil, and books, and instrument repairs. Every dollar we raise together is used to help your child s musicianship. VI. Private Lessons Private lessons are extremely beneficial for your child. Besides individual daily practice, lessons are the most beneficial thing for your band student. Lessons are once a week for thirty minutes. All private lesson teachers hired by any Denton school have been through an interview and approval process as well as a background check. The teachers are highly qualified, professional musicians that teach around Denton and the metroplex. Private lessons are available to all band students. This type of one on one instrument will be extremely beneficial for your student. The lesson teacher will be able to customize the time with each student to meet that student s needs, whether they are beginner or advanced. This opportunity is similar to learning to play basketball from Michael Jordan (or Tim Duncan or Russell Westbrook). These private teachers are the Michael Jordans of their instrument. Lesson times are available before school, after school, and during the students band class. Students will received one 30 minute lesson per week. Lessons are required for all
double reed students (oboe, bassoon). Lessons are not required for other instruments, but are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to get your student ahead and performing at the top of the class. They will make a tremendous difference in success of each student and the entire band program. Cost of private lessons is $18 per lesson. Payment is made directly to the student s lesson teacher. As your band director I am committed to lead by example and will strive to be the best teacher I can be on a daily basis at Strickland Middle School. Every day I will do my best to treat each student with respect, dignity, and fairness. Nachel Konemann