Midland Christian School Mustang Band
6th Grade Band Handbook
2016-2017
Midland Christian School
2001 Culver Dr.
Midland, TX 79705
Main Office: (432) 694-1661
Band Office: (432) 262-8185
Band Directors
Kevin Broome
[email protected]
Sergio Tarin
[email protected]
Welcome to 6th
Grade Band!
The 6th Grade Band is designed for first and second year players who are in the 6th
grade. This band meets every day. We will continue to focus on the
fundamentals of making good sounds. Here are the answers to some commonly
asked questions about second-year bands:
Does 6th Grade Band take up a lot of time outside of school?
Absolutely not! However, students are welcome to come to the band hall to practice
after school if they so desire. These “tutorial” sessions will end at 4:55. The band hall will not
be open after school on Fridays.
How many performances does the 6th Grade Band participate in?
The 6th Grade Band has two or three concerts a year and a solo/ensemble contest in the
spring. All performances are weighted as three grades and are mandatory. You will be given
plenty of time to prepare your schedule for these performances and their rehearsals.
What is expected from my student in 6th Grade Band?
Your student will be learning how to play their instrument and read music. This requires
DAILY practice at home.
Eligibility applies to band just like any other extra-curricular activity. Your student must
remain eligible by passing ALL their classes.
Instruments sometimes need maintenance or new supplies. Your student is to have
enough supplies to keep their instrument in working condition. Should the instrument need to
go to the repair shop, a note must be sent with the student to excuse their participation.
Daily Procedures
Band is a highly-structured class. Therefore, the following daily procedures are required:
1. Students will enter the band hall quietly, courteously, and in an orderly manner.
Only band students are allowed in the band hall.
2. Students will get their instrument and music and take it to their assigned seat.
A student will be considered tardy if they are not in their seat when the bell rings.
3. When instructed to do so, students will assemble their instruments.
a. Students will not play other student’s instruments. This includes percussion and
school owned instruments.
b. Never leave your instrument unattended or with a friend.
4. Students must have ALL of the following items to receive full participation credit:
a. Instrument in working condition
b. Music binder and book
c. Sharpened pencil
5. Near the end of class, students will be instructed to put their instruments away in an
orderly fashion.
6. At the end of every school day, students are expected to take their instrument home
and practice.
a. Your student CANNOT be a good player if they do not practice! Please encourage
them to practice every day!
7. Students are expected to bring their instruments back to school the next day.
a. The band hall is open before the first bell for students to put their instruments in
their lockers and their binder in their slot.
Take a moment now to discuss these procedures with your student and make
sure they understand what they are to do every day. If you have questions, please
contact us and we’ll be glad to explain anything.
attendance Policy
Unlike most other classes, it is NOT possible to make-up most of the activities that the
band participates in throughout the year. Because of this, all rehearsals and performances are
MANDATORY. If you absolutely must miss an activity due to an unavoidable conflict or family
emergency, a written note explaining the situation by a parent/guardian will be needed. We
must have record of this absence. This note is due as soon as possible. Please submit your notes
in a timely fashion.
The majority of students who have missed events have missed due to lack of planning or lack of
communication. Most absences can be avoided by planning ahead.
Some basic solutions to scheduling issues:
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Make sure you have an up-to-date calendar at all times
o They look very nice on the refrigerator 
Car pool with some fellow band members
Always plan ahead! Don’t procrastinate!
Did I mention have an up-to-date calendar!
We can’t teach an empty chair and unlike football, we don’t have a bench. Every band member
plays 100% of the time. Every student is needed for our band to succeed.
Please make every effort to schedule doctor, dentist, orthodontist, or other appointments
around band activities and class time. If you know you will be absent prior to an event, bring a
note BEFORE your absence.
Take a moment now to discuss these policies with your student.
If you have questions, please contact us and we’ll be glad to explain anything.
Grading policy
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Daily Grades:
o Students will receive a daily grade each time they have class.
o A student will receive 100 points if they have all materials
o A student will receive 50 points if they do not have their binder and book
o A student will receive 0 points if they do not have their instrument
 These grades are final and cannot be made up
Practice Reports
o Students will receive a practice report at the beginning of the grading cycle.
o Practice reports will be checked every Wednesday.
o Practice reports will be turned in at the end of the grading cycle, when students
receive their practice reports for the new grading cycle.
o Parents ARE required to sign practice reports.
o Time spent practicing in the band hall after school WILL count on the practice
report.
Performances:
o Band is a performance based class and because of that, all performances will be
weighted as three grades.
o Performances cannot be made up
o A student will receive 100 points for being in attendance at the performance
o A student will receive 0 points for NOT being in attendance
o Family emergencies will be dealt with by the directors
o Athletic conflicts need to be addressed as soon as they arise so we can figure out a
plan
Grading Cycle Assessments
o Throughout the grading cycle, there will be different types of assessments for the
directors to make sure your student is making progress
o Notice will always be given prior to assessments
Academic eligibility
PASS YOUR CLASSES SO YOU CAN HAVE FUN WITH THE BAND!
Parents, we ask that you continue to supervise your child and communicate with their teachers
if any grade questions should arise. Students need to understand that their grades have a direct
influence on other students as well as themselves. Every individual in the band plays a vital role
as a link in a chain. When a link is missing – the chain breaks! The band director will also closely
monitor student grades.
Private lessons
Why should my child take private lessons?
Private lessons offer students the opportunity to receive individualized instruction from
a professional musician on their instrument. Lessons can be an incredible benefit to all band
students. The individual attention given to your student improves the performance level playing
and their enjoyment of their instrument. The key to success with private lessons is to start early
and continue throughout the school year.
We have a reliable group of private lesson teachers that can come teach your student
during their band class. This avoids any inconvenience to you and makes sure the student is
present for their lesson.
What does it cost?
Private lessons are not free, but they are not expensive either. On average they are
$17.50 a lesson which is extremely reasonable. This of course varies teacher to teacher.
If you are interested in private lessons for your student, contact the band directors and they
will get you that information as quickly as possible.
Fundraising
Our band does many special things that are beyond the ability of the school’s financial
reach. Because of this, students in the band program participate in fundraisers. We normally do
two fundraisers per year. This year’s fundraisers include tumblers and poinsettias.
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These fundraisers benefit the band through the Band Booster Organization.
This Boosters pay for clinicians, food, specials events, new instruments, etc.
All students benefit from the Booster Club so all students are asked to contribute their
time with fundraising
Fundraising is a vital part of the success of our band program. Without it, we would be unable
to do the many things that set band apart from a normal class. If everyone will do their part in
meeting the modest goals asked for each fundraiser, the band will be able to continue to
operate and meet the expectations established in past years.
Charms office assistant
Parents and students are encouraged to visit the www.charmsoffice.com website at least
weekly for updated information concerning calendar events and student finances. Enter
“mcsband” in the parent login box and press enter. You can then log in using your student’s id
number for more information or to update your contact information.
Please take the time to log in to the student section so you can update your personal
information. A majority of our communication is done through email.
How you can help your
musician to succeed
It has been proven time and time again that music students are the most successful
when their parents take a personal interest in their music practice at home. There is nothing
that will assure your child’s success in the study of music or the speed of his/her progress more
than your sincere interest in his/her music participation. Far more progress is made when
practicing happens every day. The progress made with 90 minutes of practice on Saturday is not
the same as 15 minutes each day of the week. We are trying to build muscles and reinforce the
learning that is happening. Learning to play a band instrument is like running a marathon –
don’t try to train all at once.
Here are some things you as a parent can do that will help your student:
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Set aside a regular time and a suitable place for your child to practice
o This place should be free of distractions and have a solid chair and music stand
(don’t lay the music on the bed)
Encourage your child to adopt a schedule of 30 minutes a day, six to seven days per week
Help your child fill out their practice report daily
Remind your child to always use their metronome
o This will greatly enhance his/her sense of pulse
Make sure your child always uses a music stand to avoid developing bad habits
Select a suitable place to store your child’s instrument in the home and show that you also
think it is important
Make sure that your child is on time at rehearsals and lessons from the very first day
See the child’s teacher at regular intervals to keep yourself informed about successes and
struggles that maybe you can help with
Attend all concerts! It really encourages the kids!
Help your child understand that the more they practice now, the more fun and enjoyment
they will have later.