River Bend Middle School 2017-2018 Band Handbook - 1 -
Crystal Webb, Band Director River Bend Middle School (828) 241-2754 Crystal_webb@catawbaschools.net August 2017 Dear Band Parents and Students, Welcome to the River Bend Middle School Band! Your child will become a part of a remarkable group of young people and will begin their instrumental musical career this year. My name is Crystal Webb and I am the director of the RBMS Band. I graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelors in Music Education. This will be my seventh year at River Bend, and I am truly honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this outstanding community. As a member of the RBMS band, your child will learn the knowledge and skills to read music and perform on their instrument independently and with others. Our band curriculum is directly aligned with the North Carolina Common Core goals and standards and integrates 21 st Century learning skills. I believe students are productive in an environment where they feel cared for and are valued for their individual strengths and contributions. I am passionate about helping students discover their special talents and instilling the belief that anything is possible. I am committed to providing students with an educational program that is rigorous, relevant, and meets their individual needs. Ultimately, I aspire to help students reach their full potential and inspire a love for learning and music. To accomplish this, it is essential for all of us to work together. Communication is the key to the success of your child and the band program as a whole. Parents and students will be provided with information through the band website, newsletters, phone calls, emails, and notes home. If you have questions or concerns at any time throughout the year, please do not hesitate to call or email me. You can contribute to your child s success by ensuring that your child has all required materials for band class and their instrument remains in proper playing condition. Without these learning materials, your child is unable to participate and the meet the goals of our band curriculum. You can also assist your child by encouraging him/her to practice daily, and help with instrument transportation to and from school. Remember daily practice is one of the most important factors as to how well your child performs in band. Thank you for allowing your child to participate in band. Please read the handbook thoroughly and review it with your child. The parent/student contract must be signed and returned to school as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your support. I look forward to getting to know you and your child! Sincerely, Crystal Webb - 2 -
Daily Expectations 1. Bring all materials to class- your instrument and accessories, music, and pencil. 2. Only play your instrument when instructed to do so. 3. Follow directions the first time they are given. 4. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak 5. Only use school equipment when given permission to do so. 6. Treat everyone with respect at all times. 7. Have a great and positive attitude. 8. Always do your very best! Consequences If a student chooses not to fulfill one or more of his or her responsibilities, he or she will be given one or more of the following consequences. 1. Warning/Conference with student 2. Isolation from class/alternate assignment 3. Contact parents 4. Conference with student and parent 5. Office Referral How can parents help students become successful in band? 1. Make sure your child brings his or her instrument home. 2. Provide a quiet place for your child to practice at home. 3. Have your child to perform his/her assignment for you and your family. 4. Make sure your child has all of his or her materials for band class. 5. Find a teacher for private lessons outside of class (optional but EXTREMELY beneficial) - 3 -
Required Materials All students will be given a folder for sheet music. Students will provide their own three ring binder that they will use for ALL encore classes. Students must supply their own loose leaf paper and pencils (no ink pens) for band. Look at the list below to get information for your instrument. 8 th Grade students are required to have a band t-shirt. Optional Accessories for 7 th and 8 th Grade: -Music Stand for home -Metronome -Tuner (not required for percussionists) Seventh Grade Flute Recommended Brands- Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, Pearl, Jupiter Silk Swab and Cleaning Cloth Tradition of Excellence Book I for Flute Clarinet Recommended Brands- Yamaha, Vito, Selmer, LeBlanc, Buffet, Jupiter Reeds: 1 Box of Size 2 and 2 ½ size reeds: Vandoren or Rico Royal Silk Swab and Cork Grease Tradition of Excellence Book I for Clarinet Saxophone Recommended Brands- Yamaha, Vito, Selmer, LeBlanc, Jupiter Reeds: 1 Box of size 2 and size 2 ½ reeds: Vandoren or Rico Royal Tradition of Excellence Book 1 for Alto Saxophone (or Tenor or Baritone) Trumpet Recommended Brands- Bach, Conn, King, Yamaha, Jupiter Mouthpiece Brush and Cleaning Snake, Valve Oil and Tuning Slide Grease Tradition of Excellence Book I for Trumpet Trombone or Baritone Recommended Brands- Bach, Conn, King, Selmer, Jupiter Mouthpiece Brush and Cleaning Snake, Slide Oil and Tuning Slide Grease Tradition of Excellence Book I for Trombone OR Baritone BC (not TC) Percussion Vic Firth SD 1 General Drum Sticks and hard rubber mallets Metronome Tradition of Excellence Book I Percussion Eighth Grade Previous Instrument and Accessories from last year Tradition of Excellence Book 2- (The blue one) for your instrument For clarinets and saxophones- 1 Box of size 2 ½ or 3 Reeds (Vandoren, Mitchell Lurie, Rico Royal) Flip Folder and Lyre (not for percussion). - 4 -
Grading Policy Students will earn a grade based on the following: Homework: At Home Practice: Students are responsible for practicing their instrument 20-30 minutes at least 5 days a week. How much and how well you practice will be evident in your playing tests. Tests- Students will be given a test (usually a playing test) at least once every two weeks. Some will be written tasks and others will be playing tests. When playing tests are assigned, students will have a week to prepare small sections of music and will be expected to play individually on their instruments to demonstrate how well they have mastered the learning goals. Playing tests might be performed in front of the class or one on one with Mrs. Webb. All playing and written tests will be announced at least a week prior to the test, and can be retaken (unless it is a pop-quiz). Projects/In Class Assignments- Students will complete projects throughout the year. Projects may include teaching a non-band student how to play an instrument, notation and performance by ear, composing, instrument history, manuals, or western music history. More choices may be added to the list throughout the year to give students more options. Each project will be discussed in class and accompanied with project guidelines and a rubric. Practice Requirements All students should practice each day. Students are required to practice a minimum of 20 minutes 5 days a week. It is more important to practice a little bit each day rather than a long period of time every few days. Parents, please remind your child to bring their instrument to and from school each day. Most Bus Drivers will allow instruments to go home on the bus. If so, please keep the instrument inside the case tucked safely under a seat. If your child plays the euphonium/baritone or tuba, he or she can make arrangements with Ms. Ritchie to practice before or after school. Concert Information After-school Rehearsals Prior to the concert, the seventh and eighth grade bands might have sectionals after school. These rehearsals and the concerts are mandatory. Sectionals provide a time for students to practice within their instrument group- something that is not possible during class time for the whole grade level. Parents should contact Mrs. Webb in the case of an emergency in which the student could not attend rehearsal. Students must notify Mrs. Webb if there is a conflict due to sports/athletic events. We will work something out. - 5 -
Winter Concert Date: Monday, December 18 th Location: Lenoir Rhyne PE Monroe Auditorium Concert Begins: 6:00 pm Students report to Lenoir Rhyne PE Monroe Auditorium at 5:00 pm. Parents, you will need to drop off your student and his/her instrument. Spring Concert Date: Thursday, May 17 th Location: Lenoir Rhyne PE Monroe Auditorium Concert Begins: 6:00 pm Students report to Lenoir Rhyne PE Monroe Auditorium at 5:00 pm. Parents, you will need to drop off your student and his/her instrument. Concert Attire Our band concerts are formal and students should look as good as they are going to sound! This information is given to parents in advance so that you can help your child prepare for these events. Concert Attire is mandatory. Male Black Dress Pants White Collared Dress shirt Black Dress Shoes and Socks Red and Black Tie (provided) Female Black Dress Pants or Long Black Skirt White Dress Shirt Black Dress Shoes and Socks Frequently Asked Questions When do I need to bring my instrument to school? Approximately the 2 nd week of school. We ll spend the beginning of the week on learning how to read and recognize basic music symbols and terms. Where do I keep my instrument during the school day? Students are released to go to homeroom at 7:45 AM. Students may walk to the band room and put their instrument up before checking into homeroom beginning at 7:45. During the school day, each student will keep their instrument in the band room before and after band class in the cubby assigned to that student. What do I do if I forget my instrument at home? There are limited school owned band instruments in the classroom for students to borrow for a day and/or fill out an interactive worksheet. Remember- Daily Expectations #1 is to bring all materials to class. What do I do if my family and I can not afford to buy/rent an instrument? Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Webb. We will work something out. Instruments can be loaned to a student for the entire school year for a onetime fee of $35 - $50 dollars, depending on the instrument. This helps pay for instrument maintenance. - 6 -
You may find the full Band Handbook online on the RBMS band website or on our Facebook page. If you prefer a hard copy, please let me know and I will be happy to send one home. Please be sure to follow/like us on Facebook for the most up to date information about band! Search for River Bend Middle School Band. Band Membership Contract I have read and reviewed the RBMS Band Handbook. I understand the expectations for membership, and also agree to follow all guidelines/polices that are outlined in the handbook. I also understand the Catawba County Schools Code of Student Conduct will be enforced during all band activities (both on and off school grounds). Student Name Grade/Team Homeroom Teacher Student Signature Parent Signature Date Date - 7 -