Rockford High School
BAND MANUAL
Grade 9-12
2016-2017
Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4-6
7.
8.
9.
10.
11-12.
13.
14.
Our philosophy of music
What’s new this year
This year’s leaders
Leadership policy
Uniforms/Equipment
Rehearsal and department guidelines/ Band accounts
Concert Attendance/Lettering criteria
Summer marching schedule and lettering criteria
Grading Policy
Curriculum and auditioning requirements
All-State band/Honor bands/Resale prices
Go Rockets!!!!
Rockford Bands
A Philosophy of Music
It is the goal of this department to provide the best training
possible and to increase the student’s musical skills in areas of
performance, technique, theory, appreciation, and history.
Music allows us to communicate in ways not possible in any other
form. Music causes us to feel things we normally do not feel. We
not only send messages through music, we receive them.
Music ignores differences in opinion, religion, politics, race,
lifestyle, and personality.
Music allows young people to create works of lasting beauty and
gives us the opportunity to watch those same young people become
leaders in society.
Music gives us the opportunity to perform some of the greatest
works of art, written by some of the greatest geniuses that have
lived on this earth.
Music will enrich a person’s life.
Final thought………..
When you graduate, did you get the most out of your high school
experience? Did you leave your mark?
Consider the three “A’s”
Academics
Athletics
Arts
1
What’s new for this year??
1. Use of instrument storage area:
-padlocks are permitted and encouraged to keep
instrument safe
-Keep all music in designated folder slots (not
instrument storage)
-Belongings cannot be 100% safe in storage area
2. Continued summer marching band program.
Continued opportunity to letter in summer marching
band. We had a good 3rd year with this and we want
this to grow!!
3. Grading: Check out the grading and curriculum
pages.
4. Make sure you look over the calendar and save those
dates!!
5. A lot of new music ordered for this year including
four new pep band tunes.
Concert Band:
New Pep Band Tunes: Pompeii, Games of Thrones,
Feel This Moment, Celebration
Contest Piece: Fate of the Gods
Varsity Band:
Concert Music: Osmosis, Then I Saw the Lucent Sky
6. We are preparing for our trip to New Orleans
7. Guest directors, ensembles coming this
year…including the Encore Wind Ensemble in March!!
8. Jazz band going back to Bemidji State University for
Jazz Festival
2
Rockford High School Concert Band
2016-2017
Band Officers:
Band President: Sara Krebsbach
Vice President: Sarah Horn
Secretary: Brianna Westrup
Treasurer: Erin Evans
Drum Majors:
Taylor Weeding
Miranda Spangler
Head Flags:
Mikayla Odette
Heidi Trandahl
Drumline Section Leaders:
Sarah Krebsbach
Sarah Horn
Brianna Westrup
Wind instrument section leaders:
Flute
Miranda Spangler
Trumpet
Erin Evans
Clarinet
Taylor Weeding
French Horn
Wendy Carlson
Bass Clarinet
Madeline Bremel
Trombone
Nick Grates
Saxophones
Lila Beck
Charlotte Faue
Alex Wanous
Baritone
Megan Randall
Tuba
Thomas Hopkins
3
Leadership
Drum Majors:
Drum majors will be selected in May for the following school year.
Criteria:
-Must be a member of the Rockford band program
-Must be seniors the following school year
-Must audition in the spring the year before their senior year
-Must be present at performances of the marching band including
Homecoming, Fall Marching Band Concert, Memorial Day, Summer
Marching Camp
-1 drum major must be present at other various marching performances
throughout the summer
-Must be leaders in the band program
-Must be proficient marchers and be able to demonstrate marching basics
-Leadership qualities
Audition Process: All potential Drum Majors will audition in May by conducting the
concert band. Students will be videotaped in order to judge conducting ability. All
potential Drum Majors will also be judged on marching technique.
Duties of Drum Majors:
1.
Be present and conduct all marching band performances.
2.
Lead the marching band through rehearsals.
3.
Meet regularly with the band director to discuss rehearsals, upcoming
performances, etc.
4.
Always serve as a positive model to the rest of the marching band and to the
school and community.
Flags:
Criteria:
-Must be a member of the Rockford band program
-Student must be in 9th-11th grade
-Must audition in the spring and attend rehearsals leading up the audition
day
-Must be present at marching band performances including Homecoming,
Fall Marching Band Concert, Memorial Day, Rockford River Days, and
the Summer Marching Camp
-Must be able to participate in the majority of summer marching
performances
-Must be proficient marchers and be able to demonstrate marching
technique
-Must attend rehearsals in the fall before school for Homecoming and the
Fall Marching Band Concert
4
Audition Process:
All potential flags will attend rehearsals in the spring in preparation for the
audition. Two outside judges will be brought in to judge all potential flags. Head flags will also be
selected during this time.
Duties of the Flags:
1.
Perform at marching band performances including Homecoming, Fall Marching
Band Concert, Memorial Day,
Rockford River Days, and the summer marching camp.
2.
Be on time for all rehearsals before school in the fall.
Always do your part to make the flags successful.
3.
Head Flags:
2 head flags will be selected during the audition process to run the rehearsals of the flags the
following year. Head flags will meet with the instructor in August to go over music for the Fall
Marching Band Concert. Head flags will also design the routines once music is selected. Head
flags have a great responsibility to the marching band program and serve as models to the rest of
the flags in our program.
-A current flag can lose their place on the roster at try-outs if they score lower than a new flag.-Any
flag can be cut from the roster due to tardiness or unexcused absences
Drumline:
Criteria: - Must be a member of the Rockford Concert Band
All students must audition in the spring
All students must be present at marching performances including Homecoming, Fall
Marching Band Concert, Memorial Day, Rockford River Days, and the Summer
Marching Camp
- Must be able to attend the majority of other summer marching performances
- Must be proficient marchers and be able to demonstrate proper marching band
technique
Audition Process: All percussionists will audition in the spring for chair placement for the following
school year. At this time a section leader or leaders will also be selected. The audition will include a
prepared etude on snare, the cadence, assigned mallet work, and sight-reading.
-
Duties of Drumline:
1.
Be on time for all rehearsals before school in the fall to prepare for
Homecoming and the Fall Marching Band Concert.
2.
3.
Be present at all marching performances as well as the summer marching camp.
Always do your part to make our drumline successful.
5
Section Leaders:
Section leaders will lead all rehearsals before school in the fall. Section leaders also have the
privilege of selecting 1-2 percussion ensemble pieces for the fall marching band concert. They
will meet with the instructor in August to go over possible selections. Section leaders must
always serve as an example to the rest of the section.
Band Officers:
Band officers will be elected in June for the following school year.
Criteria:
-Must be a senior the following school year
-Must attend meetings throughout the school year
Duties of Band Officers:
1.
Attend all scheduled meetings
2.
Officers will make decisions on band shirts
3.
Officers will assist on all band trips/outings
4.
Always set a positive example and demonstrate leadership in and outside the band
room.
5.
Officers are welcome to voice concerns related to the band program
Section Leaders
Section leaders will also be chosen for each section. Section leaders will be selected by the
instructor. The section leader will be responsible for running sectionals, lesson help, and
assisting less experienced players in the section. The section leader may not be the best player in
the section. The section leader will be chosen based on their experience, attitude, ability,
reliability, and participation in the program.
6
Uniforms/Equipment
Band Uniforms
Most band uniforms will be assigned the week of the marching band camp. Once uniforms, hats,
and shoes have been assigned, they are the responsibility of each student. The school district
pays for the cleaning of uniforms. Students may not switch uniforms once they have been
assigned. Shoes should stay with the uniform.
*We also have a summer marching shirt available for purchase. These shirts will also serve as
our tour shirt and our shirt if we need a uniform for pep band. Shirts are $10.00 each.
Band Shoes!!!
Everyone will be purchasing their own marching band shoes!!
The price is: $25.00 a pair for new shoes and $10.00 a pair for gently used shoes
Equipment
Lyres:
Each student is responsible for purchasing their own lyre for the upcoming school year. They may be
purchased on your own or through the school district. Please see the instructor if you would like to
order a lyre through the school district.
Flip Folders:
Each student will be assigned and provided with a flip folder for marching and for the pep band season.
Once a folder is assigned they are the responsibility of the student until they are checked back in. Any
damage or abuse to a flip folder will be covered by the student that was assigned to that flip folder.
School Instruments:
Students that currently use a school instrument will be required to fill out a contract for that instrument
for the upcoming school year. Any abuse or damage done to a school instrument will be covered by the
student. School instruments are rented for $60.00 for the school year. Percussionists do not pay a fee
for using the percussion equipment at school.
Percussion Equipment:
Percussion equipment will be provided by the school district. Any abuse or damage done by a
student will be paid by that student. You are welcome and encouraged to purchase your own
sticks and mallets.
Audio Equipment:
Any CD’s, cassette players, etc. lent out must be returned to the instructor unless special
permission has been given.
7
Rehearsal and Departmental Guidelines
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Always put your best effort forward
Be on time
No gum, pop, or food except on special occasions
Keep cell phones in pockets and turned off (not on stands)
Please keep hats in your lockers
Keep language clean
Band Accounts
All band students in grades 9-12 have an individual band accounts.
These accounts are used for band trips held every two years. We have
many opportunities throughout the school year to fundraise money for
your account including Happenings Books Sales, food sales, and working
at the Metrodome. All money you fundraise goes directly into your
account. Accounts will be posted in the band room.
**Remember**
Band accounts will not be transferrable to younger siblings.
Students can fundraise for the amount of the trip only. Money
raised above the cost of the trip will remain in the high school band
activities account.
8
Concert Attendance
We spend a lot of time each week preparing for our concerts. It is expected that students
make this a priority. It is not unreasonable for me to expect 100% attendance. We expect
students and parents to check schedules weeks and months ahead of time to get
concert dates on their calendar.
Attendance at concerts is required (please see grading).
Students will be required to be in uniform for the Winter Concert, large group contests,
and graduation. The marching band attire will continue to be used for the Fall Marching
Band Concert, Homecoming, Memorial Day, the Rockford River Days Parade, Hanover
Days, and other summer marching performances.
Concert Uniform for the Winter Concert and large group contests
Concert Band Women
Concert Band Men
Band Uniform
Band Uniform
Uniform top with black skirt
Uniform top with uniform
Dress shoes or heels
Slacks
Black shoes and socks
Concert Uniform for the Varsity Band (Fall Concert and Winter Concert)
Varsity Band Women
Varsity Band Men
Black Skirt or Slacks
Black Slacks
Black Shoes
Black Shoes
White Long Sleeved ButtonWhite Long Sleeved Button
down Shirt with Collar
shirt with Collar
Black Socks
Black Socks
Lettering Criteria
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Be in band for two years for the first letter
Maintain a B average in band
Must not miss more than two events per year (unless excused by instructor)
Must be enrolled in band every trimester
Additional letters are earned each additional year that the student in enrolled
all three trimesters
9
Summer Marching Schedule and Lettering
Criteria 2017!!!
Rehearsal Schedule:
Tuesday, June 6……….……………………………………...Marching meeting/first rehearsal
3:15pm-5:30pm in the high school band room
July 25-27……………………………………….………….……….….…Rehearsals from 9am-11am
August 1-3…………………………………...…………………..………….......Rehearsals 9am-11am
Thursday, August 3……………………………………….………………………Rehearsal 3pm-5pm
Thursday, August 3…………………………….………………..…………….…Band Picnic 5:30pm
*Drumline/Flags will have additional rehearsals
Performance Schedule:
Saturday, Aug. 5…………………………….…………..……………………….………Hanover Parade
Sunday, Aug. 13……….…….…………….…………………………...Rockford River Days Parade
Sunday, Aug. 20..............................................................................Montrose Parade
State Fair Performance To Be Announced!!!
Lettering Requirements:
Details will be laid out in the marching handbook
Grading and Attendance Policy
Grading for students in grades 9-12 will be based on concert attendance, pep band attendance,
lessons, rehearsal participation, evaluations, and playing tests held throughout the school year.
The following is a breakdown of the grading scale for trimesters 1 and 3 for Concert Band,
trimester 1,2,3 for Varsity Band.
Concerts……………………………………………………….……….40% of your grade
Lessons/Practicing/Assignments……………………………….…...…40% of your grade
Participation……………….………………………..…………...….….20% of your grade
The following is a breakdown of trimester 2 (Concert Band)
Lessons/Practicing/Assignments…………………………………….…60% of your grade
Participation…………………………………………………………….40% of your grade
Pep Band: To ensure a great sounding pep band at every event, pep band performances are
required and are part of your overall grade.
Concert Band students are permitted to miss 1 pep band per season (including play-off games)
and not have it affect their grade or their ability to letter in band. This miss can be for any reason.
This does NOT include Homecoming. More than one pep band miss per trimester will result in
the lowering of a student’s grade and disqualification of lettering. Exceptions will be made for
illness, vacation, etc. as long as the director has written notification of the miss. Another extracurricular activity that conflicts with pep band does not count against a student.
New: Students that performed at our first pep band football game will be permitted to miss 1
extra game.
All concerts are required: Concerts are 40% of your grade. In an emergency situation a student
can complete a make-up assignment with the instructor’s permission. Make-up assignments will
include a lengthy written assignment and/or extra performance.
*Memorial Day and Graduation are considered required performances!
Remember!! To receive full credit for your concert grade, you must arrive to warm ups on time,
behave appropriately during warm ups, and display appropriate concert etiquette during concerts.
Memorial Day……..
Students not participating in the Memorial Day Program will complete an alternative assignment.
This assignment is due the Friday before Memorial Day.
The length of this assignment will be similar to the length of time the band spends preparing
for the Memorial Day program.
Lessons: Students in grade 9 will have an individual lesson approximately every two weeks.
Students will be graded on their preparation for lessons and practice times. Students receive 1
point for every 10 minutes of practicing. 15 points is considered a score of 100% for practicing
(150 minutes every 2 weeks). Students will receive extra credit for extra practicing (again, 1
point for every 10 minutes of practice).
*Lessons are for non-private lesson students.
11
Extra Credit Opportunities: Students that attend solo/ensemble contests, participate in jazz band, or
perform outside the school district will be given extra credit.
1. Jazz Band: Participation in jazz band will help your grade by up to 10%. Attendance will be taken at
rehearsals. To receive full credit you must be at the rehearsals and be on time. Students must also
perform all performances to receive full credit.
2. Solo/Ensemble Contests: These activities will also help your grade by 10%.
Tardy Policy for Concert and Varsity Band
To receive full credit for their participation grade, students must be one time. A tardy results in lost
points for that day.
Definition of “TARDY”: Anyone that is not in the band room or instrument storage area prior to the 2nd
bell. Anyone already in the hallway will not be marked tardy as long as they are hustling the door.
12
9th Grade Band requirements for auditioning for Concert Band
1.
2.
3.
Page 30 of lesson book (Student Instrumental Course, Int. Level)
Must prepare all 12 major scales (percussionists: perform on
mallets, 2 hands)
Mastery of chromatic scale (percussionists: perform on mallets)
All criteria above must be completed by May 5th
This criteria is for non-private lesson students (students that stop taking
private lessons will then need to complete the above criteria)
Exceptions can be made to students that start band late but must first
speak to the director
Concert Band Curriculum
Trimester #1
1.
* Chromatic Scale (from memory) (20% of your grade
Trimester #2
1.
*Prepared etude (for students not participating in
solo/ensemble contests only, jazz band does NOT exempt you
from the etude) (40% of your grade)
Trimester #3
1.
Preparing for the 2016-2017 audition
Seniors will perform senior song and will not audition (40% of
your grade)
*Indicates an assignment for non-private lesson students only
13
All-State Band Auditions/Honor Bands
Students that excel on their instruments are strongly encouraged to
audition for All-State Band. All-State Band is an ensemble made up of the
top high school players in the state. Each year about 1,200 students audition
and about 200 students are selected. There are about 40,000 band students
in the state of Minnesota. A student that makes All-State is virtually
guaranteed scholarships in college even if you are not a music major. In
addition to All-State, the state of Minnesota also has an All-State honor band
for grades 9-10 and for jazz band.
In addition to all-state, there are also other honor opportunities
throughout the school year. All honor bands coming up will be announced
well ahead of time.
Membership
The band program is open to any student in grades 9-12. Students
may join at any time with the instructor’s permission. Membership may be
withheld from any student whose attitude is not acceptable. This
organization will always choose quality over quantity. Students will be
removed from the band program if the director feels it is in the best interest
of the band.
Reed/Oil Prices
-All reeds are $3.00 each (except for oboe and bassoon)
-Ask about the cost for a box of reeds
-Valve oil is $5.00-$7.00 a bottle
-Used marching lyres are $1.00 each
-New marching lyres are $5.00 each
We also have cleaning kits, mouthpieces, neck straps, reed guards,
snare sticks, and other items on sale.
14
Rockford High School Band Calendar 2016-2017
Friday, September 2 @ 5:00pm
Tuesday, September 13 @ 5:30pm
Friday, September 23 @ 6:15pm
Thursday, September 29 @ 6:15pm
Friday, September 30 @ 5:15pm
Tuesday, October 11 @ 6:15pm
Friday, October 14 @ 6:15pm
Tuesday, November 1 from 7-10pm
Thursday, November 3 @ 7:30pm
Thursday, December 8 @ 6:15pm
Friday, December 16 @ 6:15pm
Friday, January 13 @ 6:15pm
Tuesday, January 17 @ 6:15pm
Thursday, January 26
Tuesday, January 31 @ 6:15pm
Friday, February 3 @ 6:15pm
February 4-5
Friday, February 10 @ 6:15pm
Monday, February 13
Saturday, February 18
Tuesday, February 28 @ 6:15pm
Football: Watertown-Mayer
Boys/Girls Soccer: New Prague
Football: Melrose
Volleyball: Mound Westonka
Homecoming: Holdingford
Volleyball: Annandale
Football: Pierz Healy
Marching Band Rehearsal
Marching Band Concert w/ Varsity Band
GBB: Fair School
BBB: Twin City Academy
BBB: New London-Spicer
GBB: Dassel-Cokato
Wrestling: Mound Westonka
GBB: Watertown-Mayer
BBB: Litchfield
Jazz Festival at Bemidji State University
GBB: New London-Spicer
Solo/Ensemble Contests @ Howard Lake
All-State Band/Choir Performances
BBB: Watertown-Mayer
Tuesday, March 14 @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, March 15 (during day)
Saturday, May 6
Wednesday, May 17 @ 8:00pm
Thursday, May 25 @ 8:00pm
Monday, May 29 @ 10:00am
Winter Band Concert
Large Group Band Contests@ Watertown
Prom
Spring Band Concert
Jazz Concert
Memorial Day Program
Tuesday, June 6
July 25-27
August 1-3
Thursday, August 3
Saturday, August 5
Sunday, August 13
Sunday, August 20
To Be Announced!!!
Evening Marching Practice/Meeting
Summer Marching Practice
Summer Marching Practice
Marching Band Picnic/Final Rehearsal
Hanover Parade
Rockford River Days Parade
Montrose Days Parade
Performance at the state fair
*All events in bold are for both Varsity Band and Concert Band
*Pep band times indicate when students should report to the band room, concert times
indicate when concerts begin
*Pep band will also play at play-off games for football, volleyball, girls basketball, and
boys basketball
Jerald Ferdig
Rockford High School
Dear band parents and students:
Each year students have the opportunity to take private lessons on their instrument. Private
instruction gives students the opportunity to learn from an instructor that specializes on their
instrument. It’s a tremendous opportunity for students and is one of the reasons Rockford has
maintained a highly successful band program.
This year Chuck Armstrong will be our woodwind specialists. Kevin Fuhrman will be our
percussion specialist. Loren Endorf will be the brass specialists. All of our private teachers are
experienced teachers and educators and have worked in the Rockford School District for years.
There is a fee for private lessons. Depending on the instructor, they range from $25.00-$28.00
per lesson. Students typically get 4 lessons per month with each lesson 30 minutes in length.
Payments will be made directly to the instructor. (do not write checks to Rockford Schools)
Lessons will begin the week of September 12th.
*Private lessons are taught during band/choir time or before/after school.
Please take a minute and complete this form and return to high school/middle school band room.
This form is worth 20 points to the students so please complete this form even if you are not
interested in private lessons. This form is due by Friday, September 9.
Thanks for your time and consideration and for supporting the Rockford band program.
Sincerely,
Jerald Ferdig
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PLEASE COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW. THE FORM MUST BE
TURNED IN BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9. THE FORM IS WORTH 20 POINTS TO
STUDENTS EVEN IF THEY DO NOT TAKE PRIVATE LESSONS. THANKS!!
______ Yes, I want to sign up for private lessons!!!
Name of student (please print clearly) __________________________
Signature of parent/guardian ___________________
Telephone ______________________
Email __________________________
______ No, I do not want to sign up for private lessons at this time.
Name of student (please print clearly) __________________________
Signature of parent/guardian ______________________