Forest Grove Middle School Band Handbook 2013-2014 Bradley J. Esau Director of Bands Terrance Davis Principal 1
Table of Contents Welcome Letter to Students and Parents...3 Mission Statement and Program Expectations 4 Instrumental Rental or Purchase Program...4 Ensembles 5 Grading Policy...7 Rehearsal Expectations....9 Contract of Mutual Consent... 16 Absence Form...17 Instrument Rental Contact Form..6 2
August 13, 2013 Dear Students and Parents, Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year for the Forest Grove Middle School Band! I am very excited about working with all of you this upcoming year. This handbook will serve as a guide for the various events that we have going on during the year. The handbook will include everything from our mission statement, calendar of events to rehearsal etiquette. If you should ever have a question about anything during the year, this handbook will more than likely have the answers. If not, then feel free to contact me. As many of you know, there are many benefits to being a part of band in school. Research shows that being a part of the band program can improve academic skills, reasoning, social interaction, spatial relationships and discipline. Add in the fact that students get to create music and represent their school in a positive light, and the result is an enjoyable experience that will have a lasting positive impact on your child s life! This past year was full of individual and group success in all aspects of the program. The growth of the program over the last year has opened up some new opportunities for the band, including a jazz ensemble performance at the Lakeside Jazz Festival in Port Orange in April, and the MPA band participating in a music festival in Orlando at the end of this year! If we continue to work as a team to achieve our goals, I have no doubt that the band will continue to grow and prosper. I would like to welcome all incoming 6 th grade students, and say that I am excited to open your eyes to the wonderful world of music through band! If there are any questions that have not been answered by the information in this handbook, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time using the information listed below. I am looking forward to a great year of making music with all of you! Sincerely, Bradley J. Esau Director of Bands Forest Grove Middle School (772)468-5885 ext. 2649 Bradley.esau@stlucieschools.org 3
Mission Statement The Forest Grove Middle School Band will be one of the premier bands in the State of Florida. We will accomplish this through dedication, teamwork, professionalism and the desire to raise the bar every day. The purpose of this handbook: This handbook will serve as a guide to the many events and components that are a part of the Forest Grove Middle School Band program. You will find dates for activities, requirements for ensembles, grading information, and expectations for rehearsal procedures. This handbook will also answer many of the questions that you may have regarding equipment and the expectations of band members. 4
Instrument Rental or Purchase Program At Forest Grove Middle School, we have a limited number of instruments that are available for rental. In the back of the handbook you will find a rental contract for these instruments. All other instruments must be provided by the student. This can mean either owning your own instrument, or renting to own a new or good used instrument through any of our local music stores: Music Man Inc. 3940 Orange Ave. Fort Pierce, FL 34947 (772)466-8764 Academy of Music 220 Orange Ave. Fort Pierce, FL 34947 (772)464-3533 The Band Box Inc. 733 NW Federal Hwy. Stuart, FL 34994 (772)692-1355 You can also rent an instrument through www.rentmyinstrument.com Should you choose to purchase your own instrument, I highly recommend these brands: Yamaha, Selmer, Geneidhart (flutes), Conn (saxophones and all brass instruments), King, Holton, Leblanc, Vito, Buffet (especially clarinets and saxophones), Jupiter, P. Mauriat. Purchasing a quality instrument will pay for itself in the long run. It is highly recommended that you purchase an instrument from a store that can service the instrument on site.. 5
Ensembles 6 th grade Beginning Band- This group will receive direct instruction on the fundamentals of playing an instrument. This group will perform on both the Winter and Spring Concerts. The music that this group will perform will establish fundamentals of playing as a band as well as allowing them to grow successfully. Individuals may participate in other ensembles and band activities by showing exceptional musicianship and behavior. 7 th and 8 th grade Concert Band- The 7 th and 8 th grade Concert Band is comprised of second or third year musicians. This band will perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts, as well as the first and third quarter Honor Roll assemblies. Members of this group also make up the Jazz Ensemble, Drumline, the MPA Concert Band, and are eligible to participate in the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Solo and Ensemble Festival. Jazz Ensemble-. This group is an after-school group that meets on Thursdays from 4:15-5:45. Membership is based on auditions and classroom conduct. This group performs at the Winter and Spring Concerts, the second quarter Honor Roll Assembly, Jazz MPA in February, and other performances that may arise throughout the year. Member agreement slips can be found at the back of the handbook, and must be turned in BEFORE auditions begin. Drumline- The FGMS Drumline is open to any seventh or eighth grade band student. You do not have to be a percussionist to participate in the Drumline (although this is highly encouraged). This is also an after-school group that meets on Wednesdays from 4:15-5:45. Membership is by audition and classroom conduct. The Drumline will perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts as well as the Martin Luther King Jr. Day 6
Parade in January. After the MLK Parade, the Drumline will not meet again until after Concert MPA is over in March. Solo and Ensemble- The FBA Solo and Ensemble Festival is for any student that would like to experience playing music beyond the band setting. Students can perform as soloists with piano accompaniment or in small groups. Music for FBA S&E will be selected in October. All solos that require piano accompaniment will require a $25 accompanist fee. Individual practice and preparation will be vital in students success at the festival. Participation is HIGHLY encouraged and can lead to nominations for honor bands in the future. After-school extra help will be available from December- February. Concert MPA (Music Performance Assessment) - Concert MPA Band is a select group of students who will be selected to represent Forest Grove at the FBA District MPA Festival in March 2014. Participation is by audition and classroom conduct, as well as by instrumentation. Auditions will take place in December before Winter Break, with after-school rehearsals beginning in January. There will also be an MPA Mini-Camp in February on a Saturday. Expectations for this group are very high, as the success of the band is dependent on 100% efforts by its members. Honor Bands- All State- The All-State Concert Band is an audition-only ensemble that is open to 7 th and 8 th grade students that have prepared an audition per the FBA All-State requirements. Students are chosen from all over the state to participate in this ensemble, making it one of the most competitive but rewarding experiences in band. Any student that prepares for the audition but is not selected will be nominated for the All-State Middle School Honor Band. IRSC Honor Band- The IRSC Honor Band festival takes place in January. Nominations will be given to the top four 8 th grade students based on classroom participation, grades, and student conduct. Interested students should ask Mr. Esau for more information. MIOS All-County Honor Band- This takes place during April. Nominations will be granted to the top seven 8 th grade students and the top eight 7 th grade students. Nominations will be based on conduct, grades and participation. Interested students should ask Mr. Esau for more information. 7
Grading System The FGMS band classes are broken down into simple grading sections. Participation=50%- This is absolutely the most vital part of your child s grade. The only way that your child will be able to succeed in class is by having their instrument, necessary equipment for that instrument (mouthpiece, drum sticks, neckstrap, reeds, valve oil, etc.) music folder, and a pencil EVERY SINGLE DAY! If a child is sick or has problems playing because of braces, they are still required to finger along with the rest of the class as if they were playing, or they will do a written assignment.. If a child forgets their instrument, they will be assigned written work that day. Grades will be penalized for each occurrence: Each student can earn one hundred points every 2 weeks. Each day is worth twenty points. Five days is equal to one hundred points. Four days is equal to eighty points. Three days is equal to sixty points. Two days is equal to forty points. One day is equal to twenty points. No days means no points. Anything less than 3 days in a 2-week period will result in a parent phone call. Practice Logs= 15%- With the addition of block scheduling this year, each student will be required to submit practice logs this year. Each student will need a composition notebook. In the notebook, they will list the week of school, and log in the amount that they practiced that week. Logged practice time must be equal to a minimum of 2 hours, and must be signed by a parent or guardian. Students should be as detailed as possible in their practice logs. Examples will be shown during the first week of school. Performances and Tests=30%- This section of grading includes written and playing exams, Winter and Spring Concerts, as well as the rehearsals that accompany them, and in-class performances. In the event that a student must miss an after-school rehearsal, a student must submit a note signed by a parent at least 24 hours before the rehearsal. An e-mail or phone call from a parent is sufficient as well. Verbal communication from a student will not count as an excused rehearsal. Missed rehearsals without an excuse of absence will be counted as a 49%. During the 3 rd 9 weeks, all 7 th and 8 th grade students are required to do a solo/small ensemble project, which must be performed in class. Taking the solo to the FBA Solo and Ensemble Festival will earn the student extra credit. Written classwork= 5%- This includes all work assigned when Mr. Esau is absent. 8
Responsibilities of the Student The difference between an average band and a great band is the behavior and pride which the student exhibits in band. The expectations of rehearsals during school and after school are as follows: - Arrive on time. Upon arrival, get a chair and take your seat in your assigned area. Await further instruction. - When the director calls the attention of the band at the beginning of rehearsal, everyone must stop what they are doing, look forward and be quiet. Await further instruction. - When the director cuts off, stop playing immediately. - Come to each rehearsal with a positive attitude. - Show all classmates, teachers, and other guests the same respect that you would want. - Assume responsibility for your actions. Maturity and professionalism are great habits. - RAISE THE BAR EVERYDAY! Procedures are even more important in after-school rehearsals, because that is the extra time that we all put in together to improve. All students need to make sure that whenever a rehearsal is scheduled, that they arrive on time and take care of all other business (transportation, snacks, etc.) well before rehearsal starts. TO BE EARLY IS TO BE ON TIME. TO BE ON TIME IS TO BE LATE. TO BE LATE IS UNACCEPTABLE! How Parents Can Help- Any successful band program has great parental support. The easiest way to help is to let your child know that you support what they re doing. Make sure that your child practices, that they are at the after-school rehearsals, and that they have proper transportation arrangements from after-school events. You may contact me at any time with any issues or concerns you may have, and I will respond to you within 24 hours. Parental assistance is needed for several activities throughout the year, including concert take-down, chaperoning for different events and fundraising. Anything that you can do is always greatly appreciated! 9
Calendar of Events Should any conflicts arise, please let Mr. Esau know as soon as possible. September 3, 2013- All-State Audition money ($10) due to Mr. Esau. If you plan to audition, I must have the money on or before this date! NO EXCEPTIONS! September 11, 2013- All-State auditions at Vero Beach High School. 1707.16 th St. Vero Beach FL 32962. Times TBA. December 5, 2013- FGMS Winter Concert. 7:01 PM @ FGMS Gym. After-school rehearsal times will be given out in October. January 8-11, 2014- FMEA All-State Conference. Tampa, FL. Any student that makes any of the All-State Ensembles will be performing in Tampa at the Convention Center. January 23-25. 2014- IRSC Four-County Honor Band. Main Campus 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34981. January 30,2014- FGMS Jazz Ensemble FBA MPA @ Lincoln Park Academy. Time TBA January 31, Feb. 1, 2014- FBA Solo and Ensemble Festival @ Lincoln Park Academy. An after-school rehearsal schedule will be forthcoming February 8, 2014- MPA Mini-Camp 10 AM- 3 PM at FGMS. THIS IS ON A SATURDAY! March 13-15, 2014- FGMS Concert MPA @ Fort Pierce Central High School. Exact date, time, and after-school rehearsal schedule will be forthcoming. April 19.2014- Lakeside Jazz Festival, Port Orange, FL. All details of this trip are TBA MIOS All-County Honor Band- TBA May 10, 2014-3 rd annual FGMS Band Picnic @ Jaycee Park May 22, 2014- FGMS Spring Concert. 7:01 PM @ FGMS Gym. After-school rehearsal times will be distributed in the middle of April 10
CONTRACT OF MUTUAL CONSENT I, the undersigned student, accept membership in the Forest Grove Middle School Band and understand I am responsible for all policies set forth in the band handbook. I fully agree to carry out my responsibilities to the very best of my ability. Student Signature Date I, the undersigned parent or guardian, have read and understand the policies as set forth in the band handbook. I also grant full permission for my child to be an active member of the Forest Grove Middle School Band. In addition, my child has permission to attend all band functions. Parent Signature Date Please turn in no later than Friday August 24, 2012. This will count as a quiz grade! 11
ABSENCE FORM Name Date Date of anticipated absence Reason for absence Please note: All performance and rehearsal absences must be submitted a day in advance. Student Signature Parent/Guardian signature 12
Student name Type of instrument (do not fill out if you are in 6 th grade) Manufacturer Serial Number School Rental Personal (please check one) Parent e-mail address 13
Jazz Ensemble Contract Student name Grade Instrument I understand that by signing this contract, I agree to be present at all rehearsals and performances. I acknowledge that I am allowed TWO unexcused absences, and that all other absences must be verified using the absence form. Should I exceed more than two unexcused absences, I understand that I may be removed from the ensemble. I understand that rehearsals start at 4:15 and end at 5:45 on Thursdays, and will have made proper transportation arrangements. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date 14
Drumline Contract Student name Grade Instrument I understand that by signing this contract, I agree to be present at all rehearsals and performances. I acknowledge that I am allowed TWO unexcused absences, and that all other absences must be verified using the absence form. Should I exceed more than two unexcused absences, I understand that I may be removed from the ensemble. I understand that rehearsals start at 4:15 and end at 5:45 on Wednesdays, and will have made proper transportation arrangements. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date 15