Greendale Middle
School Band
Greendale Middle School
200 Tiger Boulevard
Lawrenceburg, In 47025
812 537 7259 ext 1284
[email protected]
Web site: http://www.lburg.k12.in.us/
education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=122&
Follow us on Facebook: Lawrenceburg High
School Band
2012-2013
BAND HANDBOOK
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Greendale Middle School Bands. We feel that the band
program is not only instructional, but the type of program that students
enjoy very much. On the following pages the responsibilities of the students are stated. We would like to point out a few things that parents
might do to be more a part of the band program and assist in making your
student’s experience the best it can be.
BE REALISTIC- Don’t be discouraged if initial progress is slow.
BE A COACH- Encourage home practice as a priority, not as something
else to do after all else is done.
MOTIVATE- Try to attend all of your child’s performances as well as
other types of musical events (solo & ensemble, all star bands, games,
etc).
GET INVOLVED- We welcome parental involvement in the band program. If you have a skill we might use or just want to be closer to your
child’s educational environment please feel free to contact me. The Lawrenceburg Band Boosters also would like you to be involved for the long
term commitment that is expected of your student. It’s never too early to
become involved in the Band Booster program.
YOU WILL PROBALBY BE THE DECIDING FACTOR WHETHER
OR NOT YOUR CHILD WILL SUCCEED IN MUSIC. JUST AS YOU
ARE THE MAJOR FACTOR IN WHETHER HE OR SHE WILL
SUCCEED IN LIFE. YOUR SUPPORT AND PATIENCE MAKES
ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
Students, we are delighted that you have decided to participate in the
Greendale Middle School Band program this year and we look forward to
a challenging year of making music with you!
Sincerely,
Darren Webb
GMS/LHS Band Director
GRADING SYSTEM
7TH & 8TH GRADE
Pass-offs, playing tests, and written exams, (10%)
Students are accountable for their contribution to the class/team as a musician.
Playing exams and pass-offs will be done regularly both in and out of class.
Participation, (Rehearsal technique & Attendance), (60%)
It is imperative that each band student learn how to function properly in a rehearsal environment. The rehearsal technique portion of each student’s grade will be
determined by the student’s ability to:
1. Be in the proper place with all materials at the proper time.
2. Have his/her instrument in proper playing condition at all times.
3. Follow all directions given during the rehearsal.
We are a team!! Everyone in the band is a “starter”, and every performance is
our “final exam”, so attendance to all concerts, performances, and required
school practices is expected and mandatory. Students who participate in school
athletics and band see the band calendar for required events and attendance. All
circled events are required. There are very few of these. In cases of extreme illnesses, or a death in the family, you will be excused. Please present the excuse in
writing upon your return. Failure to comply with this requirement,
(specifically concert or performance attendance), will result in a failing
grade and possibly expulsion from the band program!
Practice Records, (30%)
Practice records are due on the first day of each week. A practice record card will
be given to all students at the beginning of each grading period. No practice records will be accepted after the due date unless the student has an excused absence.
Practice records must be signed by a parent. Remember, without practice records
the highest grade you can receive is a 70%.
The expectation is to average 20 minutes or more per day (7 days should total 140
minutes or more).
GRADING SYSTEM
6TH GRADE
Since 6th grade band is about building the basics of music and their greatest
gains will be made through diligent daily effort, 90% of their grade is daily
participation, which includes having your instrument, music, and any other
equipment necessary for you to participate that day. The other 10% will be
brief playing exams on appropriate level literature.
INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION
Due to the size of the band program at Greendale Middle School, we find it
is very difficult to provide enough individual instruction to students during
the school day. For this reason we offer instructional session before and
after school on most days.
6th Grade Students will have the opportunity to participate in PASSOFFS at
least twice a week with Mr. Webb outside the school day (usually 3:15-4:30).
These are mini private lessons where the student demonstrates what they
have practiced. The more passoffs a student gains, the higher he/she sits in
the section. We will track each student’s passoffs in the front of the classroom. This is a great way to speed your student’s mastery of the basic skills.
All extra help sessions are voluntary and the daily schedule changes each
week so as to avoid as many conflicts with other activities. The schedule will
be posted every FRIDAY (for the next week) on the white board in the band
room.
EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES
Each student is responsible for their equipment. If you use school owned
equipment, you are responsible for the upkeep of this equipment. Each student is expected to have a MINIMUM of the following supplies:
Woodwinds: 4 working reeds at ALL TIMES, no exceptions
Brass: Your own valve oil labeled with YOUR INITIALS
Percussion: Mallet bag with drum sticks and mallets.
If you need any supplies, Muncie Music has order forms available in the band
room at all times. Supplies will be delivered every Friday. There is no excuse
for not having the right supplies so you can play your best!
UNIFORMS
The Greendale Middle School Band Uniform consists of the following: GMS
black band shirt (see back cover to order yours), black pants or skirt, and
black shoes. It is extremely important that you have all parts of this uniform.
Part of what we’re building is a sense of unity and that means we agree on
everything, including how we look. If you need assistance with any part of
the uniform, please contact me as soon as possible!
POLICY- The PROPER uniform must be worn at all performances. Failure
to do so may keep the student from participating in the activity, resulting in a
lower grade. If there is any concern about the uniform parts, PLEASE communicate with Mr. Webb as soon as possible so we can work something out!
FUNDRAISING
The GMS Band program is supported through the fund raising efforts of the
Lawrenceburg High School Band Boosters. The GMS Band program is an
extension of their support. Therefore it is essential that your family be involved with LHS Band Booster activities. Each student will have an account
that can be used for things such as private lessons, paying for a better instrument, reeds, valve oil, or any other music supply. You earn money towards
your student account by working at any of these booster sponsored events:
Music On The River (every Thursday evening from June until mid September), Home Varsity Football games (we run two concession areas), LHS Volleyball (one concession area) and home JV Football games (one concession
area). 40% of the profit from these events is taken and divided among all that
work the event for your student account. In the past, member have earned
enough to purchase pro instruments! As the band travels (the HS band and
Jazz Band will be going to Tampa this winter) your student account will become very important, so start building it up now! For more information, contact LHS Band Booster President Angelina Busha at
[email protected]
PRIVATE LESSONS
As the Greendale Middle School Band programs grows it becomes increasingly difficult to provide each child with the individual time he/she
needs. Therefore it is recommended each family consider private lesson to
enhance the group experience. The LHS Band Boosters subsidize 50% of
your student’s private lesson. Lessons are $20 per half hour ($10 booster
paid, $10 family paid). You must stay enrolled and participating in the
lesson program for the entire school year. If you have to drop out (FOR
ANY REASON) all money paid by the boosters will be asked to be repaid immediately. Our goal is for the long term growth and success of
every student with this program.
EXTRACURRICULAR GROUPS
Percussion ensemble, jazz band, solo and ensemble are taken from the
7th and 8th grade band members. Auditions are sometimes required for
these groups and/or events and it is expected that the students fully commit. Upon acceptance, students will be given specific information regarding dates, times and requirement. Attendance in these ensembles is extremely important as their contact time is limited. Failure to attend may
result in dismissal from the group.
REQUIRED EVENTS
2012-2013
Please see the band calendar concerning required rehearsals and performance dates! Students will attend all required rehearsals and performances. Conflicts with sports should be worked out in ADVANCE by the athletic and band directors! There are many more events in which students
can participate voluntarily. Check the band calendar concerning these
great educational opportunities. Event dates are subject to change due to
weather or other unpredictable occurrences.
If you do NOT have a GMS Band black polo shirt please order one now:
Size (adult):
SMALL
MEDIUM
LARGE
X-LARGE
Please make checks payable to Greendale Middle School
————————————————————————————
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PORTION OF THE PAGE
OR MAIL A CONFORMATION OR ACCEPTANCE.
I have read the Greendale Middle School Band Handbook, and I understand the expectations and responsibilities (especially rehearsal technique, practice records, and required attendance to all rehearsals and performances).
——————————-
_____________________
Student Signature
Parent or Guardian
Signature
____________
_____________
Date
Date
GMS BANDS
Sample Weekly Schedule
Monday: 7th/8th Jazz Ensemble 3:15-4:30
Tuesday: 6th grade passoff 3:15-4:30
Wednesday:
Thursday: Passoffs 3:15-4:30
Friday: