This document rated
Parental Guidance Required
Please read review the contents of this handbook with your Pine Mountain Band student and complete the forms in the back.
Pine Mountain Bands
Band Handbook
2007/2008
Candace T. Still, Director of Bands
Amy K. Armbruster, Assistant Director of Bands
Pine Mountain Bands
Dear Students and Parents;
Welcome! We are so very excited about our new state of the art band room. This signals the beginning of a new era for the Pine Mountain Band program and we are delighted that each of you has chosen to be part of it.
We recognize the contribution that students and their parents/guardians make in building the traditions that are the key to the success of our program. Please review this handbook together as students and their parents are responsible for understanding its contents. It contains crucial information about the band program from concert dates to the construction of the discipline and grading policies. There is new information regarding band lockers this year that you will especially want to read together.
It is our goal to provide for each and every band student a safe and nurturing learning environment that develops valuable life skills as students learn to play musical instruments. In order to make this goal a reality, students must be prepared for class everyday. Please make sure that instruments and all necessary accessories and materials are brought to Band class on the third day of school. You will find a list of these supplies in this handbook. Books for each grade level may be purchased at local music stores.
Educators now have evidence to support what we have known for a long time – playing a musical instrument makes children better students. In fact, research shows that four years of formal musical instruction raises SAT scores by an average of more than 100 points. An additional study of preschoolers indicates that as little as eight months of keyboard instruction yields as much as a 46 percent increase in their spatial IQ, which is crucial for higher brain functions such as complex mathematics. Learning to play an instrument is definitely a good investment, and we are very happy that you have chosen to make that investment.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Pine Mountain Bands. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Band Office at the telephone numbers or e-mail addresses below.
Sincerely,
Candace T. Still Amy K. Armbruster
Director of Bands Assistant Band Director
2720 Pine Mountain Circle¨ Kennesaw, GA 30152¨ 678.594.8252¨ Fax 678.594.8254
What Students Need: The following items are the basic essentials for success in band. Failure of students to bring any of the above basic equipment will result in a zero for the class participation grade for that day. One warning will be given for the first occurrence, parent phone call for the second, and teacher detentions/office discipline for 3 or more occurrences.
· Flute: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, and soft cleaning cloth.
· Oboe: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, silk cleaning swab or a feather, pipe cleaner, cork grease, and at least 3 playable wooden reeds (in good condition) in case at all times.
· Bassoon: Instrument, seat strap, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, cork grease, pipe cleaner, cleaning swab, and at least 3 wooden reeds (in good condition), at all times.
· Clarinet: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, at least 5 playable reeds (in good condition), cork grease, and cleaning swab in case at all times.
· Bass clarinet: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, at least 3 playable reeds (in good condition), cork grease, neck strap, pencil, cleaning swab, plastic container for mouthpiece and ligature.
· Contra-clarinet: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, at least 3 playable reeds (in good condition), cork grease, pencil, cleaning swab, old phone book to sit on, plastic container for mouthpiece and ligature.
· Alto sax: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, cork grease, neck strap, cleaning swab, at least 5 playable reeds (in good condition) in case at all times.
· Tenor Sax: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, cleaning swab, at least 5 playable reeds (in good condition), plastic container for mouthpiece and ligature at all times.
· Baritone Sax: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, plastic container holds mouthpiece/ligature, neck strap (purchased by student), cork grease, and 3-5 playable reeds (in good condition) at all times. Please put name on container and store in instrument locker.
· Trumpet: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, valve oil, slide grease, and hand towel at all times.
· French Horn (shared instrument): Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, hand towel. Students should purchase their own mouthpiece, slide grease and rotor oil, stored in a plastic container at all times. Container is to be kept in book bag or locker until Band class.
· Trombone: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, slide cream, tuning slide grease, and hand towel to be kept in instrument case at all times. No trombone slide oil!
· Baritone/Euphonium: Instrument, book, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, valve oil, tuning slide grease, and hand towel to be kept in instrument case at all times. White gloves are to be worn on silver instruments and will be provided by the directors.
· Tuba (shared instrument): Instrument, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, and hand towel. Students should purchase their own mouthpiece, valve oil, slide grease, and a plastic container to hold these items in book bag until band class.
· 6th Grade Percussion: Beginning percussion kit that includes 3 and ½ octave bell set and snare drum, stands for both, and a snare drum practice pad, OR a 3 and ½ octave bell set and stand for home/school use and an electronic drum pad for home use only (students would use a school owned drum in class.) All students need bell mallets, snare sticks (size 2B or 5B), 1-inch black ring binder, pencil, and book.
· 7th Grade Percussion: 3 and ½ octave bell set and snare drum to practice at home, 1 pair hard rubber bell mallets, 1 pair medium yarn wound marimba mallets, 1 pair of snare sticks (size 2B or 5B), 1 pair of medium timpani mallets, and a stick bag which holds mallets, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil and book
· 8th Grade Percussion: 3 and ½ octave bell set and snare drum to practice at home, 1 pair hard rubber bell mallets, 1 pair soft rubber marimba/xylophone mallets, 1 pair medium yarn wound marimba mallets, 1 pair of snare sticks (size 2B or 5B), 1 pair of medium timpani mallets, one chromatic timpani tuner, stick bag that holds all equipment, 1-inch black ring binder, pencil.
I. Mission Statement
The mission of the Pine Mountain Band Program is to build community leaders through music education. The primary purpose of the Band program at Pine Mountain is to create a challenging, creative, and stimulating environment in which students experience success. Through this environment, students will learn to apply the tools of success to their entire academic experience. Our goal is to produce the highest levels of individual and corporate excellence.
Studies show students with musical training score higher on academic tests than non-music students, and many business executives feel their prospective employees should have some sort of training in the performing arts. Instrumental music evokes creative and emotional responses, develops fine motor skills, and teaches problem solving by using both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. It trains the ears to respond, the eyes to watch, and the body to obey subtle movements dictated by the logical and emotional spheres of our brain. Music is the only subject area in the curriculum that offer all of these diverse areas of development in unison while striving for excellence.
II. School Goal
Students at Pine Mountain Middle School will perform at or above grade level in reading, writing and math. This goal includes all aspects of music reading. In partial support of the school goal students will silently read novels in class while individual performance evaluations (playing tests) are being conducted.
III. Conduct Policy
Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated in Band and will result in immediate consequence. There are many students in our band classes; it is, therefore, imperative that each student has the ability to demonstrate self-discipline in this environment. The following policies will be used to determine the conduct grade for each student:
1) Students will arrive in a quiet and orderly manner to each class.
2) Students will assemble their instruments promptly and look over the class assignment posted on the board while waiting for instruction to begin.
3) Students will handle their instruments and all band property carefully and with respect.
4) Each student will ONLY hold and play his/her own instrument and case.
5) Student will follow all directions at all times.
6) Students will refrain from disassembling any part of their instruments until instructed to do so. This includes valves and slides on brass instruments
7) Unnecessary talking or playing will not be permitted.
8) Students will treat everyone with respect at all times (Teachers, Instructors, Substitute Teachers, School Staff, Administrators, and Peers.)
9) Food, Gum, and Drinks are not permitted in the band room at anytime.
Conduct Grades: “S” student displays satisfactory behavior in band
“N” student displays inconsistent behavior that is in need of improvement
“U” student displays very disruptive behavior that is unsatisfactory
IV. Grade Policy
Several criteria are used in determining the grade a student will receive in instrumental music. Grade requirements are listed below.
[45%] Daily Participation: Daily preparation for band (having instrument, music, pencil, and all other necessary items for band), class attendance, showing improving musical skills, and displaying a positive attitude.
[13%] Practice Charts: Include practicing and documenting the practice times assigned, turning charts in on time with parent signature. Practice charts constitute the homework portion of the grade.
[42%] Evaluations & Performance Projects: Evaluations are processed through written and playing tests that will be given during the grading period. A student is responsible for make-up tests only if he/she has an excused absence. According to school district policy, a student will have the number of days absent from school to make up a missed grade. (Example: A student who is absent from school for two days will have two days to make up missed grades). It is the student’s responsibility to initiate make-up work promptly.
The goal of each and every musician should be to prepare each day for performance. Concert Schedules are passed out at the very beginning of the school year; this should be enough time to plan family schedules accordingly. The participation of every student is crucial for the success of each performance. If a student misses a performance, he/she will be asked to perform the concert music for one of the band directors. (See Concert Attendance Policy below.)
The grade scale used is as follows:
90-100% = A 74-79% = C 0-69% = F
80-89% = B 70-73% = D
V. Concert Attendance Policy
Instrumental music is a performing art that is part of the school curriculum, which, like all curricular subjects, will require extra work outside of the classroom. This work could be practicing individually, participating in solo and ensemble festival, or an after school dress rehearsal to prepare for a concert or festival. Band students and their parents need to understand that these activities are a natural part of belonging to a band, and should have a high level of commitment in order to achieve excellence.
Performances are an important and essential part of the band program. Students work extremely hard during and outside of class and take great pride in the quality of a performance. Being absent or tardy not only affects the teamwork aspect of band, but also impairs the performance, as parts of the musical picture will be missing. If a student must miss a performance, a note from a parent is required AT LEAST ONE WEEK in advance. A student’s absence from a performance may be excused for personal illness (absence from school), death in the family, and certain school conflicts. If a student misses a performance because of unexpected illness or death in the family, the student should bring a note from a parent immediately upon return to school. If a student’s absence is unexcused, the participation grade will be adjusted accordingly. Absences from non-school sponsored activities are not excused. This includes Parks and Recreation sports practices and games.
We are a team and every person is an important member of that team. Only illness or a death in the family is an excuse for missing a performance. If a performance is missed for any reason, the student will be required to turn in a tape recording of his/her concert music for the missed performance to be verified and graded by the band directors. This handbook includes a calendar of band performances and events for the entire school year. Please mark your family’s calendar accordingly to avoid conflicts and unexcused absences from performances.
VI. Concert Dress
It is our goal not only to perform and behave professionally, but also to look professional at all public performances. Having a standard code of dress for performances not only looks professional, but also lends itself to our teamwork and family approach to the band program. Listed below are the dress descriptions per grade:
· 6th grade- The 6th Grade Bands will have their own uniform. We have made arrangements to order PMMS Band shirts, golf/polo shirts with the PMMS Band logo embroidered on them. Sixth grade students will wear these shirts with khaki slacks, dark socks and dark shoes as their uniform for all performances.
· 7th Grade- All students will wear the same concert attire. Dress is a white, long-sleeved tuxedo shirt, a black bow tie, black slacks, black socks and black shoes. We have a limited number of bow ties students may use at no charge. The tuxedo shirts will be ordered through the school. Look for information to be sent home in September.
· 8th Grade- This class will perform in more formal attire than the 6th and 7th grades. Eighth grade students will have an opportunity to fundraiser to offset the cost of their concert attire. Ladies will dress in the same long, solid black dresses used by the girls in the KMHS bands, which will be worn with black stockings and black shoes. This makes it possible for families to purchase the dress that will be used in high school now so that it can be worn for five years instead of four. Gentlemen will wear traditional tuxedos. Unlike past years when we rented tuxedos, this year we have the opportunity for boys to purchase their tuxedos for the same price as the girls’ dresses.