Band Handbook 2016-2017
http://www.githensband.org
Welcome to the start of a new year for our Band program at Githens Middle
School! I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this experience, and I hope that all of you
are as anxious as I am to get started!
MATERIALS:
We cannot nurture the gifts and talents of each child if he or she is in a class
where they are unable to participate fully, as they will fall behind quickly and be overly
stressed to try to catch up.
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Each student is required to bring his or her instrument and music to
class each day.
If a student is without his or her instrument five times during a semester,
then he or she will not be approved to continue in band after the
semester has been completed. Exception: Students with instruments
that are out for repair will not be penalized.
Students are also required to bring their books to class each day in
order to be given full participation credit.
Individual necessities such as woodwind reeds and valve oil/slide oil for
brass instruments also must be brought in daily.
Woodwind players need to make sure that their reeds are in working,
playable conditions (without cracks or chips).
Reeds for any woodwind instrument may be purchased in the Band Room for
$3 each. Bottles of valve/slide oil may be purchased in the Band Room for $5 each.
The method book that we will be using this year is “Do it! Book 1” by James
Froseth (Beginning Band only). These books may be purchased at Music and Arts or
Sam Ashe Music stores, as well as other locations of which I may not be aware. You
may also want to consider ordering the book online. It is sometimes difficult for music
stores to keep these books in stock at this time of year. It is crucial that students
have this book as soon as possible. They average around 7 to 8 dollars each, with
the exception of percussion books, which will be slightly higher. If you are renting an
instrument from a music dealer, you may be receiving a book with the instrument.
Please check with your company to see if this courtesy is being extended to you, and
please make certain that the correct book will be included.
SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS:
Students who borrow instruments owned by the Githens Band program (either
Githens Middle School or the Githens Band Boosters) rather than supplying their own
instruments are responsible for both routine maintenance of those instruments and
for any damage incurred to those instruments beyond normal instrument “wear and
tear” from routine usage while they are in the students’ possession. In addition, each
student using a Githens Band program instrument is required to pay an annual $50
rental fee. Families who cannot afford to pay the instrument rental fee must speak
with the director in person to arrange a way for a student to still be in Band. Students
who borrow instruments from the Githens Band program will be responsible for
providing their own reeds, valve oil, etc. as needed.
BAND FEE:
Band activities and needs are not entirely covered by the DPS allotted instrumental
music budget. In order to maintain the high quality operation of the Githens Band
program, each student taking Band this year is asked to pay a $10 Band Fee. This
money will go towards instrument maintenance, music equipment, sheet music, and
other necessities. Please note that this fee is lower than most middle schools in our
class.
PRACTICE:
It is nearly impossible to grow as a musician without daily practice. While
students will be experiencing a quality amount of ensemble rehearsal time each
week, students are limited in the amount of one-on-one attention that they receive.
The only way for each student to grow individually is to practice at home on a daily
basis. An average of about 20 minutes per day is great (though more is certainly
beneficial!). The muscles in our faces and hands are just like those we would use in
athletics – if we don’t maintain them, they will quickly weaken.
All Band students will be required to practice a total of 100 minutes each week
(which works out to 20 minutes per day, five days a week). This is the equivalent of a
homework assignment in other classes. I know that sometimes students are sick, or
there are other circumstances which prevent students from practicing. I will work with
cases where students do not meet the required amount of practice time individually if
the need arises.
Practice is worthless if it is not done with regularity – practicing for two hours
one night a week is actually more harmful than practicing for 20 minutes everyday.
Students who consistently do not meet practice guidelines without a valid, approved
excuse will not be approved to continue in Band after the quarter has been
completed.
MAINTENANCE:
To keep an instrument in proper working order, it is necessary to clean it
regularly.
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Woodwinds should be swabbed out daily, reeds removed after each
playing, and corks greased whenever necessary.
Brass instruments should be cleaned out with a wire brush, and the
slides/valves should be greased/oiled as necessary.
Students will be instructed on taking good care of their instruments during the
first few days of class, as I understand that each instrument is an investment.
Students who constantly have their instruments in the shop will be missing valuable
learning time!
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:
PROCEDURE FOR STARTING CLASS
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Check the whiteboard for announcements and instructions as you enter
the classroom.
Turn in your practice records and other homework assignments in the
designated boxes.
Get your instrument, book, and music from your cases.
Leave cases and all other belongings on the outer edges of the
classroom and be in your seat with your instrument underneath your
chair within 2 minutes after the tardy bell.
REHEARSAL PROCEDURES
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If you need to leave your seat for any reason, raise your hand, wait to
be called upon, and ask permission.
Be silent while others speak or play.
It is acceptable to quietly speak with your neighbor if you need to
discuss a fingering or other musical issues. Please keep these
comments brief and to the task at hand.
PROCEDURE FOR ENDING CLASS AND DISMISSAL
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After the class is over, perform maintenance on your instrument.
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Swab your instrument.
Put reeds in reed cases.
Cover reed mouthpieces with cap.
Check all tuning slides.
Wipe off brass mouthpieces.
Pack and put away your instrument. Securely close all latches on your
case.
Line up with your instrument. Students who are car riders may leave
their instrument neatly in their designated storage area and pick them
up at the end of the day.
The director will dismiss the group when the bell rings.
DISCIPLINE:
Each Band class is expected to follow the guidelines outlined in our schoolwide behavior policy. Failure to comply with school and classroom guidelines will
result in taking the appropriate actions based on the PBIS policy. Additionally,
students who receive three warnings during the course of one class period will be
required to pack up their instrument for the remainder of the class, and will not be
given credit for participating that day. Students who consistently have discipline
problems will not be permitted to continue in Band after the semester is finished.
GRADING:
Band is a very unique class. Musicians are all different, and individually
progress differently. The majority of the grade for this class will be based on effort. If
a student comes to class prepared each day, turns in his or her practice sheet each
week, and shows that he or she is doing his or her best to develop as a musician,
then the student’s grade will reflect that. Along with daily effort, students will be
graded on the following:
Correct playing: Students will be graded by observation. I observe every
child throughout each class and am able to get an accurate account of whether each
student is able to play and read what is required in their music. Students will be
graded on various aspects, including proper instrument and body position, as well as
their ability to read and perform music.
Playing tests: Playing tests will be given at the director’s discretion. Tests
will be announced at least 1 day in advance and will be graded on correct notes,
rhythm, continuity and posture.
The rating scale for tests will be rubric based, and is generally outlined as follows:
4 – Student extends targeted elective standards.
(Student has mastered the skill and progressed independently.)
3 – Student demonstrates proficiency of targeted elective standards.
(Student has mastered the learned skill.)
2 – Student needs support to meet targeted elective standards.
(Student demonstrates the learned skill with teacher assistance.)
1 – Insufficient performance of targeted elective standards with support.
(Student does not demonstrate the learned skill.)
In order to receive full participation credit, the following is expected every day:
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Bring supplies to class. This includes books/music, instruments, and
instrument supplies (reeds, mallets/sticks, etc).
Be on time for class. Students must be in their seats and ready for
class within two minutes after the tardy bell.
Focus in class. Follow our classroom guidelines at all times.
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Attend required concerts and events.
Students who receive an “F” in Band for the quarter will not be permitted to
continue taking the class.
CONCERTS:
All performances are mandatory. Failure to participate in these concerts will
only be excused if a valid, written excuse is presented before the end of the nine
week period. Valid excuses include illness, family emergencies, and unforeseeable
circumstances preventing attendance. When a student misses a concert, it is like
preparing a major project and then not turning it in. All students in the band are
needed in order to perform as an ensemble, and when one student is not present, it
is the whole group that pays the price. Advanced notice of a conflict that prevents a
student from being at a required performance will be considered on an individual
basis.
Performances, however, are not a right. Students who consistently have
problems with behavior will not be permitted to perform. Additionally, students who
do not consistently show effort both in and outside of class to do their best to learn
the material we cover in class will not be permitted to perform.
If a student is absent from a concert and it has not been excused, the student
will not be able to show their achievement, and therefore their grade will reflect that.
Band Boosters:
Our Band Boosters is an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is made
up of parents in order to support the Githens Band and its director. Membership in
this group is free of charge, and all parents are encouraged to attend meetings on the
2nd Tuesday of each month. The Band Boosters has an annually elected board. This
year’s board members are:
Tonya Hutchins, President
Kokeya Evans, Vice-President
Tim Vann, Treasurer
Tony Nicholson, Secretary
FINAL THOUGHTS:
With the support of parents, administration, staff, and students, we are getting
ready to embark upon a journey that will be most rewarding for all involved. We have
a very strong foundation for our program, and have structured our classes so that all
students may excel regardless of experience. 8th graders may wish to continue in
Band next year in high school, and 7th and 6th graders will have the option of
auditioning for our Advanced Bands next year! This ensemble will allow students to
continue their development as musicians without having to relearn the basics that
they will have learned this year. Feel free to contact me with any and all questions,
and I look forward to a wonderful year!
Sincerely,
Patrick J. Blackburn
Band Director
Githens Middle School
919-560-3966
[email protected]