2016-2017 Holland Patent High School Wind Ensemble Handbook
Dear Band Student and Parent/Guardian:
Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! I look forward to continuing our success from last year.We have several performances and I look forward to playing interesting, diverse, and exciting music on each concert. With your preparation, participation, and hard work, we will have an excellent and enjoyable year of music making in Wind Ensemble!
Listed below are the classroom policies and procedures along with important dates and information. Please review each section carefully and sign the final page as an acknowledgement of the classroom policies. Please return the signed sheet no later than Thursday, September 15, 2016. This will count as your first lesson grade.
Classroom Expectations:
To be successful in band, musicians must:
1.) Be Prompt:
Be in your seat ready to play when theno more than 2 minutes after bell rings.
If you are late with a signed pass, kindly place it on the table by the doorand join the ensemble as quietly as possible. Unexcused tardiness will not be tolerated.
Return required information promptly.
2.) Be Prepared:
Have your parts prepared and materials present at each rehearsal and lesson.
Your instrument should be put together, reed soaked, music in order, and have a pencil on your stand at each rehearsal and lesson.
3.) Be Polite:
Bring your best attitude each day, focus is our key to success!
Be respectful to your fellow performers and educators while they are playing, asking a question, helping each other, or listening for directions.
Do not talk out of turn under any circumstance. Please raise your hand.
Do not play your instrument out of turn.
Do not play anyone’s instrument but your own.
Housekeeping:
Raise your thumb to use the bathroom or get a drink. Excessive bathroom use will not be tolerated.
No food or gum is allowed. You may have a bottle of water only for the safety of our instruments.
Respect your instrument, school instruments and equipment, and student property.
Cell Phone Use:
Cell phones can be a very useful tool in the music classroom with audio recording, metronome and tuner functions. With the role of the cellphone limited at this, please do not text, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, call, etc. in the band room. It is an unnecessary distraction and can wait 40 minutes! If I see irresponsible cell phone use, you may pick it up from the Cellphone Bin at the front of the classroom at the end of rehearsal. If there are repeated occurrences, you will be written up.
Concert Dates:
Below are the mandatory concert dates for the High School Wind Ensemble. These performances are the culmination of our hard work throughout the year. You are expected to be present at each performance. If there is a conflict, please let your music teacher know as soon as possible. Excuses will be considered up to two weeks before the concert. Unforeseen emergencies will be considered at any time.
Monday, November 7th, 2016 at 7:00 PM: H.S. Veteran’s Day Concert, H.S. Auditorium
Tuesday, December 13th, 2016 at 7:00 PM: H.S. Winter Concert, H.S. Auditorium
Thursday, March 16th, 2017 at 9:30 AM: Young People’s Concert, H.S. Auditorium
Tuesday, May 16th, 2017 at approx. 1:00 PM, Taste of the Arts, H.S. Gymnasium
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017, NYSSMA Majors Festival at Mexico M.S. (Date and Time TBD)
Thursday, May 25th, 2017 at 7:00 PM: H.S. Spring Concert, H.S. Auditorium
Performance Attire:
Black top, black bottom, black socks/stockings, black shoes, colored accent (i.e. tie, scarf, jewelry, etc.)
This dress code is provided so that the ensemble looks uniform and does not distract the audience visually from the music being performed. For this reason, any discrepancies in performance attire will result in the ensemble member to change their outfit, or sit out the concert. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Picente.
Performance Attendance Policy:
1. In accordance with school policy, students must be in attendance at school(prior to the tardy bell for morning session) in order to be eligible to perform in a concert. Illness, oversleeping, illegal absence, and truancy exclude a student from performing in concerts. Illegal absences and truancy are unacceptable excuses for missing a concert. Acceptableexcuses include dental/doctor appointments, funerals, and college visitations that have been approved through the attendance office.
2. Students who are illegally absent from a performance, or unexcused by the director, will receive a zero for the concert participation portion of their grade for the marking period in which the performance occurred. This makes 80% the highest grade possible for that marking period.
3. All students who miss a performance for any reason will be expected to perform part of their concert materials in a lesson, one-on one, or small group in front of the ensemble as per the director’s choice.
Lesson Policy:
*** NEW POLICY ***
Students are expected to be at ALL scheduled lessons. One unexcused absence per quarter will be forgiven. It is your responsibility to tell me beforehandif you will be unable to attend your lesson.Should you be unable to attend, at least two make up periods will be offered per cycle at different times.Make-up lessons must be completed by the end of the six-day cycle to receive full credit.Students who make up lessons after the cycle will receive half credit. If there are extenuating circumstances, please talk to me.
Unexcused absences require a make up, excused absences (test, lab, project, review, field trip, illness) do not.
Independent Study Students: Independent Study students will be expected to come to three rehearsals per quarter in order to perform in the concerts. You will also be expected to check-in twice per quarter in addition to rehearsal attendance. These check-ins can be lessons or special appointments with your teacher. Please speak to me ahead of time to coordinate these times. It is your responsibility to schedule check-ins and attend rehearsals. Failure to do so will result in no concert participation.
Playing Tests: Once per quarter, I will administer a playing test in your lesson with selected scales, an excerpt of band music or method book literature which represents the skills we have worked on, as well as sight reading. You may sign up for a 10 minute time slot or complete your playing test at home via a video recording. If you choose to complete your playing test in person, please arrive at least five minutes before to set up and warm up. Woodwinds will be scheduled for one day, brass and percussion on another.
Grading Policy:
Rehearsals – 40%
*** NEW POLICY ***
You will receive a daily participation grade each rehearsal. Each rehearsal is worth 10 points.
9-10 points: On time with materials ready, parts prepared, focused, instrument cleaned and put away properly at the conclusion of rehearsal.
5-8 points: Late without an excuse or only some parts prepared. Somewhat unfocused, instrument not swabbed, cleaned, or put away properly.
0-4 points: Late without an excuse. Very little preparation of parts. Very unfocused and disruptive to rehearsal. Instrument not swabbed, cleaned, or put away properly.
Lessons – 30%:
Each lesson is worth 10 points.
9-10 points: On time with materials ready, parts prepared, focused throughout the lesson.
5-8 points: Late without excused or some parts prepared, somewhat focused during the lesson.
0-4 points: Late or absent. Little to no preparation, highly unfocused during the lesson.
Concerts – 20%:
Please arrive at or before the stated warm up time for each concert(listed on page 2) in proper performance attire with parts prepared. Please adhere to all performance policies listed on page 2-3, and contact Mr. Picente with any conflicts nor later than two weeks before the concert.
Quarterly Playing Test – 10%
Extra Credit: given to students who participate in extracurricular ensembles, such as: Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, NYSSMA Solo Festival, OCMEA All-County Festival, Area All- State, attend other district or outside concerts, etc.
Communication:
As the year progresses, please visit the Music Department’s webpage and familiarize yourself with the content and links for up-to-date-information. I will be posting the syllabus, weekly lesson schedules, recordings, important information, etc. on the site throughout the year. We will also post important information around the Music Suite.
Forms of communication with parents may include phone calls, email, and letters home. It is imperative that each student communicates with his or her parents about all activities. If we send a letter home, the letter must reach the parent.
Should you ever have any questions, never hesitate to contact me at the following information:
Email:
Phone: (315) 865-7229
Thank you for your participation, support, and dedication to the Holland Patent Music Department. I look forward to a wonderful year of music making!
Mr. Picente
Suggested Instruments and Supplies
Instrument: / Brands: / Supplies:Flute / Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Haynes, Armstrong / Cleaning Rod, Pad Saver, Cotton Cloth for Swab
Oboe / Buffet, Fox, F. Loree / Swab, Cork Grease
Soft-Medium Oboe Reed (Lesher or Jones)
Clarinet / Yamaha, Buffet / Swab, Cork Grease
Reeds: VanDoren, Mitchell Lurie, Rico (2.5-3.5)
Alto Saxophone / Yamaha, Selmer, Selmer Paris / Swab, Cork Grease
Reeds: VanDoren, Rico, La Voz (2.5-3.5)
Trumpet / Bach, Yamaha, King, Getzen, Jupiter / Valve Oil (Al Cass or Hetman), Slide Grease, Snake
Mouthpiece: (7C, 5C, or 3C)
French Horn / Conn, Yamaha, Holton / Rotor Oil (Hetman with funnel), Slide Grease, Snake
Mouthpiece: Schilke 31, Holton Farkas, Bach 7S
Trombone / Yamaha, Bach, Conn / Slide Cream (Trombotine, Yamaha), Slide Grease, Snake, Water Spray Bottle
Mouthpiece: Bach 6.5 AL
Euphonium / Yamaha, Miraphone, Besson / Valve Oil (Al Cass or Hetman), Slide Grease
Mouthpiece: Bach 6.5 AL
Tuba / Miraphone, Yamaha, King, Bach / Valve Oil (Al Cass or other Natural Oil), Slide Grease
Mouthpiece: Bach 24AW
Instrumental Supply Companies:
Big Apple Music John Keal MusicMusic and Arts Center
(315) 732-4162(518) 482-4405(315) 409-0901
8441 Seneca Turnpike819 Livingston Ave4106 State Route 31
New Hartford, NY 13413Albany, NY 12206Clay, NY 13041
Sam Co. Music
(315) 429-5007
59 Van Buren St.
Dolgeville, NY 13329
2016-2017 Holland Patent Central School District Music Calendar
September 14: Beginning Instrumental Parent Meeting, HS Cafeteria
November 7th, 7:00 PM (Monday): Veterans Day Concert, HS Auditorium
November 18-19 (Fri-Sat): NYSSMA Area All-State, Whitesboro HS
December 6, 7:00 PM (Tues): Middle School Winter Concert, HS Auditorium
December 8, 7:00 PM (Thurs): High School Winter Concert, HS Auditorium
December 13, 6:30 PM (Tues): Elementary Winter Concert, HS Auditorium
December 15 (Thurs): Concert Snow Date
January 11 (Wed): Junior High All County Auditions, RFA
January 12 (Thurs): Junior High All County Auditions Snow Date, RFA
February 14, 1:15 PM (Tues): 1st Grade Valentine Concert, GWF Gymnasium
March 3, 1:15 PM (Fri): Grade 2 Concert, GWF Gymnasium
March 14, 9:30 AM (Tues): HPE Young People’s Concert, MS Auditorium
March 16, 9:30 AM (Thurs): GWF Young People’s Concert, HS Auditorium
March 17-18 (Fri-Sat): Junior High All County Festival, RFA
March 24-March 25, 7:00 PM (Fri-Sat): Cabaret, HS Auditorium
April 7-8 (Fri-Sat): Elementary All County Festival, Holland Patent HS
May 16 (Tues): “Taste of the Arts”, HS Gymnasium
May 16, 6:00 PM (Tues): Elementary Spring Concert, HS Auditorium
May 19-20, (Fri-Sat) NYSSMA Level V-VI Solo Festival, Central ValleyAcademy
May 23-24: NYSSMA Majors Festival, Mexico MS
May 23, 7:00 PM (Tues): Middle School Spring Concert, HS Auditorium
May 25, 7:00 PM (Thurs): High School Spring Concert, HS Auditorium
June 1: Beginning Instrumental Parent Meeting, HS Cafeteria
2016-2017 Holland Patent High School Band Handbook Acknowledgment
Please sign and return the form below to Mr. Picente by Thursday, September 15, 2016 confirming that both the student and parent/guardian have read and reviewed the information in the handbook.
I have read and reviewed the information in the attached Band Handbook and will adhere to all the policies listed above.
Parent/Guardian Name:______
Parent/Guardian Signature:______
Parent Guardian Email:______
Student Name:______
Student Signature:______
Student Instrument (Make/Model)*:______
Student Instrument Serial Number*:______
Interested in Jazz Ensemble: Y / N
Interested in Pep Band: Y / N
*For your instrument’s protection at school. Leave blank if you play a school instrument. See Mr. Picente for help if you cannot locate this information.