BANDS

2014-2015

7th & 8th Grade Band Handbook

Name______Folder Slot _____

Kevin Horne

Director of 7th & 8th Grade Bands

J.T. Lambert Intermediate School

570-424-8430 x103

2000 Milford Road

East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

BANDS

Dear Parents & Students:

Welcome to the J.T. Lambert Band Department! I’m looking forward to another great year with the 7th & 8th grade bands. Students that participate in JTL's band program are challenged to grow musically and encouraged to achieve their fullpersonal potential. In order for this to occur, the highest respect must be paid to their peers, teachers, instruments, music, guests and all those who contribute to the ensemble.

This band handbook was created so that you and your child will have almost all the information about the band program in once convenient place. Please review its contents. Please mark your calendar for this year's performances. Each student is vital to the ensemble and we need 100% attendance to sound our best! I am always available for questions, concerns and extra help.

Please feel free to contact me anytime at . Please sign and return the commitment form by Friday, September 12, 2014. I am looking forwardto a fantastic year with you and the Eastburg bands!

Sincerely,

Kevin Horne

7th & 8th Grade Instrumental Music

J.T. Lambert Intermediate School

East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

SAVE THE DATES!

MANDATORY JTL PERFORMANCES IN BOLD!

Friday 10/3 – Fall Band Night ESHS-S @ PV (8th Grade Only)

Tuesday 10/21 - HS South Fall Band/Choir Concert

Tuesday 10/28 – JTL FALL BAND CONCERT

Thursday 12/11 – JTL WINTER BAND CONCERT

Tuesday 1/6 – HS South Winter Band Concert

Tuesday 2/24 – South Instrumental Department Concert

Friday 3/20 – Spring Band Trip

More info coming soon!!!

Thursday 4/23 – HS South Jazz Night*

*JTL JAZZ BAND PERFORMS

Thursday 4/30 –Adjudication at HS North

(During School Day)

Thursday 5/7 – JTL SPRING BAND CONCERT

Friday 5/8 – HS South Spring Band Concert

Wednesday 5/28 – HS South Solo and Small Ensembles Concert

Band Class

Most students will have band every other day. Concert Band will rehearse on even days and symphonic band on odd days, during 9th period. Students will also be placed in a weekly, rotating lesson group with Mr. Horne to work on the fundamentals of their instrument. Students are expected to be at both full ensemble rehearsals and sectional lessons. Both periods will contribute towards their band grade. Students may request to participate in both bands, with parent permission.

Student Responsibilities

  1. All students must be ready (on time) for class with their instruments, pencils, method books and music.
  2. Demonstrate proper behavior during class and rehearsal.
  3. Practice appropriate material at home to be prepared for the next class/rehearsal.
  4. Attend all performances in proper attire (depending on the venue).
  5. Represent JTL with pride and class.
  6. Respect other people, their property, and the school’s property at all times.

Course Expectations

Each Student in symphonic and/or concert band is REQUIRED to:

  • Attend all rehearsals and concerts unless ill
  • Attend a weekly, rotating lesson. If there is a conflict, (test, field trip, etc.) it is the student's responsibility to schedule a time that is acceptable to both Mr. Horne and the classroom teacher
  • Any make up lessons must be completed within a week of the originally scheduled lesson time. Exceptions will be made for extended periods of absence.
  • Learn each individual part to make a positive contribution to the group
  • Be responsible for materials used during the school year, including personal items necessary for participation in band, and school owned instruments and materials.
  • Supply an appropriate lesson book and equipment for instrument.

Classroom Environment Expectations

Students are held responsible to:

  • Enter the band room by the 9th period bell.
  • Check his/her folder slot before the start of rehearsal
  • Be sitting within three minutes of the ninth period bell, at which point rehearsal will commence
  • Listen to directions and respond to suggestions for improving performances
  • Cooperate with the conductor and peer musicians at all times
  • Respect equipment used by other members of the ensemble
  • Put away instruments and folders after every lesson
  • Attend rehearsals even if equipment is forgotten
  • Provide a pencil, instrument and music for each lesson

Grading

Concert and rehearsal participation/preparedness 30%

Students are expected to participate in all rehearsals and concerts. An unexcused absence will reduce this grade. Full credit will be awarded to students who are prepared with all rehearsal/lesson materials, including the student's instrument, reeds/mouthpieces, lesson book, concert music, technique packet and a pencil.

Lesson Book, Rhythm Book Achievement 20%

Each week students will receive a selection of exercises from the book to prepare for their next lesson. On these exercises students will be assessed on note accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, articulation, phrasing/musicality, and tone quality. Make-up lessons will be available for students who miss their regularly scheduled lesson. Students should see Mr. Horne before homeroom to schedule a make-up lesson for the day and obtain a pass. Make-up lessons should be scheduled within the week of the originally scheduled lesson. At each lesson a total of 10 points can be earned using the following rubric.

10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 0
Lesson Grade / Able to play through assignment making few if any mistakes. Practice is evident. / Able to play through assignment making minimal mistakes. Practice is evident. / Able to play through assignment, making a moderate number of mistakes. / Able to play through assignment with difficulty. More practice time is recommended / Unable to play through assignment. More Practice time is necessary / The student did not come to the lesson and no make-up was scheduled

Performance Exam 25%

Performance exams will consist of a(n) exercise(s) from the lesson book, sight-reading material, excerpts from the band music and the assigned scale group. Students will be assessed on note accuracy, rhythmic accuracy articulation, phrasing / musicality and tone quality.

Concert Evaluations 20%

Students are required to complete a written concert evaluations each marking period. This self-evaluation will discuss the performance and other aspects of the JTL 7 & 8th grade band concert.

Instrument Maintenance 5%

Students are required to maintain a working instrument at all times. While simple repairs may be necessary, general care by the student is the most important way to protect the instrument. Repeated disregard to the value of the instrument (including dropping/throwing instruments, and chewing gum or eating food while playing) will result in a deduction of this grade. Playing on instruments that you are not familiar with can also damage this expensive equipment and will result in a lower grade. Similarly, in order to have a efficient ensemble and rehearsal, the classroom must be kept in the top working order. To receive full credit, instrument cases must always be kept in parking spots (or under the chair for flutes oboes and clarinets.)

Equipment

In order for each student to progress smoothly on his/her instrument, supplies and working equipment are necessary. Local music shops include:

Big Bug Music (570) 424-6040 on Main St. in Stroudsburg

(Delivers to the school on Tuesdays - Cash On Delivery)

Nazareth Music (610) 759-3072 Nazareth, PA (Best For Repairs)

Equipment for ALL students

Music Stand-To encourage proper posture

Metronome- To keep a steady pulse (Can be found online if student has access to internet in the practice area).

Accent on Achievement Book 2

Instrument specific equipment

Flute - Cleaning Rod and Cloth

Oboe / Basoon – Marlin Lesher reeds (soft or medium soft)

Clarinet- Mitchell Lurie Reeds (size 3 or 3.5)

Hite Premier Mouthpiece

Swab – Keeps mouthpiece clean

Cork Grease – Lubricates corks to prevent cracking

Saxophone – LaVoz or Vandoren reeds, (Medium or medium hard)

Hite Premier Mouthpiece

Swab – to keep instrument clean

Cork grease – Lubricates corks to prevent cracking

Other Brass: Valve Oil (Al Cass Fast)

Slide grease

Trumpet ONLY- Humes & Berg, Mutec, Jo-Ral or D. Wick Straight Mute

Trombone ONLY - Slide Cream

Percussion: Bell Kit

Snare Pad

Vic Firth 5B or 2B sticks

*As students get older, they can outgrow their old mouthpieces. Most brass players will find the need to get a new mouthpiece at some point before high school. (Bach 5C trumpet, Bach 6 ½ AL Trombone)

**As students grow they may notice that their beginning instrument begins to limit their progress. Please DO NOT purchase a “step-up or intermediate instrument.” These instruments are not much of an upgrade from beginning instruments but are usually not much cheaper than a professional level instrument. Upgrading instruments is often done during a student’s eighth grade or freshman year. Please talk to Mr. Horne BEFORE upgrading your student’s instrument.

Homework:

It is every student’s responsibility to practice regularly each week. Students should try to practice for about 20 minutes five to six days a week. Students practicing for less than an hour a week will experience frustration with their progress on their instrument. The students that set aside over 100 minutes of practice per week will have more fun in band, and will truly have a positive impact on the entire group.

Other areas of encouragement:

  • Warm-up properly before you practice
  • Practice your weaknesses, not what you’ve already mastered
  • Make sure you focus on the concepts discussed in lessons and rehearsals
  • Don’t move ahead when you are making mistakes. Stop and correct them.
  • Then, practice as if you were going to perform them.
  • Professionals practice for hours at a time… I say you practice at least 20 minutes a day, however more time is encouraged.

Extra Help and Enrichment

Practice Rooms

Three practice rooms are available for student use during the school day, and before or after school as convenient for the teacher.

Private Lessons

Private Instruction is highly recommended. Ask Mr. Horne for recommendations of teachers in the area.

Jazz Band

Jazz Band meets Wednesday afternoons starting in late October and performs a variety of musical styles including swing, funk, Latin and rock. Membership is selected by audition and all participants must play in concert band. The group has a number of outside performance opportunities and members are selected by audition. The group needs saxophones, trombones, trumpets, drum set, piano, guitar, and bass guitar.

Junior High and District Honor Festivals

PMEA and Honor Festival participants are selected by the director based on exceptional achievement, musicianship, effort and attitude shown in lessons and rehearsals. District Band Participants are selected by audition from 7-12 graders throughout Monroe, Lehigh, Northampton, Pike, Berks, and Schuylkill, counties and some surrounding areas.

Dates: Marywood Jr. Wind Band Festival 12/5/14 @ Marywood Univ., Scranton

PMEA DistrictBand 1/7 - 1/10/15 @ Exeter HS (Auditions 12/6/14 @ Parkland HS)

PMEA District Intermediate Band Festival 4/10/15 @ Bethlehem Freedom HS

Concert Information

During a performance, we represent not only ourselves but the East Stroudsburg Area school district. Appropriate concert dress is required. Concert dress for all 7th and 8th grade band members will include:

The J.T.L Bands Polo Shirt

Black Pants

Black Socks - boys (no ankle socks)

Black Shoes (no sneakers)

Attendance is required at all concerts. An unexcused absence from a concert will result in a 0 for the concert, worth 25% of the student’s grade.

The following are considered valid excuses:

Death of an immediate family member, funeral, religious observance (not rehearsal of an observance), medical reason that requires the student be absent from school.

In the event of an excused absence, the student will be able to make up the concert by playing the full performance into an audio recorder, with a metronome in the background, within a week of returning to school.

Audience Etiquette

As an audience member talking is permitted only between selections. It is polite to leave the auditorium between pieces, not while the group is performing. Polite applause consists of clapping only, without whistling or yelling.