INTRODUCTION

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Cooper Middle School Band. Our success will be the direct result of the dedication and hard work of each member. Providing the highest quality musical education in a challenging, enjoyable, student-centered environment is our priority.

In making it possible for a student to play a musical instrument, parents are providing the opportunity for achievement, self-expression and creativity. A parent’s decision to provide their child with a quality musical instrument is an investment in the child’s future. Supporting the endeavors of these young musicians is of paramount importance. Band very often becomes a medium for students to become interested and successful in other learning areas. The benefits and rewards of playing an instrument will last a lifetime.

The purpose of the handbook is to explain the responsibilities of band members and to answer the questions that parents and students might have regarding the program. Students and their parents/guardians should read and discuss this handbook together as all students are held responsible for its contents. Please complete and return the forms at the end of the handbook to a band director no later than Friday, August 19, 2011.

We would like to suggest ways in which parents can be involved in their child’s musical education:

BE REALISTIC-Don’t be disappointed if progress is slow.

BE A COACH-Encourage daily home practice.

BE A MOTIVATOR-Attend all of your child’s performances.

BE INVOLVED-We welcome all parental involvement in the band program.

We are delighted that you have decided to participate in the Cooper Band Program and look forward to a challenging and exciting year. This handbook is a reference to keep you informed of the various activities planned for the year and classroom policies and procedures. Please contact us at any time with comments, concerns or questions by calling the school at

(770) 819-2438 ext. 241, vm. 456 or 417 or email or .

William GrimesCara Morantz

Band Director Assistant Band Director

PURPOSE

The purpose of middle school band is to teach students music through performance on a band instrument. Each student will gain a lifelong interest and appreciation for music. Playing in the band also helps improve mental discipline and enhance social interaction. A sense of teamwork necessary for success emerges as well as a sense of pride for the band program.

MATERIALS

The following materials are to be provided by the student and in class daily. All other music will be provided by the school and will be brought to class daily by the student.

6th Grade:Essential Elements 2000 Book 1(Gold Book)

Pencil

Instrument and Accessories (sticks, mallets, reeds, cork grease, valve oil, slide oil/cream, cleaning implements)

Cooper Middle School Agenda

7th Grade: Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 (Gold Book from 6th grade) AND

Book 2 (Red Book)

Pencil

Instrument and Accessories (sticks, mallets, reeds, cork grease, valve oil, slide oil/cream, cleaning implements)

Cooper Middle School Agenda

8th Grade:Essential Elements 2000 Book 2 (Red Book from 7th grade) AND Foundations for Superior Performance (Blue Book)

Pencil

Instrument and Accessories (sticks, mallets, reeds, cork grease, valve oil, slide oil/cream, cleaning implements)

Cooper Middle School Agenda

6th grade students should have their supplies by Monday, August 29, 2011. 7th and 8th grade students should have their supplies by Tuesday, August 16, 2011. Failure to have the supplies may result in lowering the student’s participation grade. Please notify the band director immediately if there is a difficult financial situation.

SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS

We have a limited number of school-owned instruments available to students for use. There is no charge for using these instruments. Students who are assigned these instruments are expected to take exceptional care of them. Fees may be assessed or instrument may be taken away if instruments are not kept in good condition. However any major damage – loss of instrument, destruction of instrument – will result in additional charges. Students who use school-owned instruments must provide their own mouthpieces with a Tupperware-type container to store it in, books and accessories. Please notify the band director immediately if there is a difficult financial situation.

Percussion Equipment Requirements:

6thGrade: In addition to the Snare Drum Kit with Bell Set (2-2 ½ Octaves, with bell stand), each student must also have the following sticks, mallets and accessories. These are usually supplied with the Kit, but may have to be purchased separately. They should be brought to class daily. ALL 6TH GRADE PERCUSSION STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND TUESDAY AFTERNOON REHEARSALS FROM 4:15-5:00.

  • Snare Drum Sticks – 1 general pair
  • Bell mallets – 1 pair of very hard plastic or acrylic
  • Marimba Mallets – 1 pair medium yarn
  • Drum Tuning Key
  • Stick bag or carrying case

7th Grade: Percussion students should have the following equipment at the beginning of 7th Grade:

  • Snare Drum Kit with Bell Set
  • Snare Drum Sticks – 1 general pair
  • Bell/Xylophone mallets – 1 pair of hard rubber
  • Marimba Mallets – 1 pair medium yarn
  • Timpani Mallets – 1 pair general
  • Drum Tuning Key
  • Stick Bag or carrying case

8th Grade: Percussion students should have the following equipment at the beginning of 8th Grade:

  • Snare Drum Kit with Bell Set
  • Snare Drum Sticks – 1 general pair
  • Bell mallets – 1 pair of very hard plastic or acrylic
  • Xylophone mallets – 1 pair of hard rubber
  • Marimba Mallets – 2 pair medium yarn
  • Timpani Mallets – 1 pair general
  • Drum Tuning Key
  • Stick Bag or carrying case

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GRADING PROCEDURE

Your band student will bring home a syllabus at the beginning of each nine weeks outlining their activities in band for that grading period.

DAILY ASSIGNMENTS…………………………………………………………….30%

(Playing Assignments, Written Assignments, Weekly Assignments, Tests)

Weekly assignments will be given to students. They will play these assignments to display mastery. Students may play them at the beginning of each class or during morning band practice from 8:15-8:50, Tuesday - Friday.

All missed test grades must be made up. Students have the number of days missed from school to make up work missed while absent. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for making up a test.

PRACTICE SHEET…………………………………………………………………15%

All practice time should be logged on the practice sheets given to them on the first day of every week. An example is printed on the last page. If the students do not log it on the practice sheet we give them, they will not receive credit for it. Practice Time should NOT include time spent in after school sectionals and rehearsals. Sixty minutes of practice per week is required. There will be no partial credit given for practice sheets. A practice sheet documenting 60 minutes of practice outside of school will receive a 100. If turned in one day late, it will receive an 89. Practice sheets will not be accepted more than one day late or if it is not written on a practice sheet we provide. Practice sheets are to be verified and signed by a parent/guardian and turned in on the first school day of every week. Daily Practice is encouraged and is the most effective way to build skills and musicianship.

PARTICIPATION……………………………………………………………………55%

(Equipment Checks, Rehearsals and Performances)

Equipment checks will be given on randomly every week. Students should be prepared with instrument, proper accessories, music and book, pencil and agenda.

Each band student must learn to function properly in a rehearsal and performance situation. This portion of the participation grade will be determined by the student’s ability to do the following:

1)Be in the proper place at the proper time with all necessary materials.

2)Have the instrument in proper playing condition at all times. If an instrument is undergoing repair, a parent note must be sent to a band director.

3)Follow all instructions given during the rehearsal.

4)Set a good behavior example for other band members at all times.

5)Participate in all scheduled performances.

If a student is missing his/her supplies in class, they will be given a written assignment to complete in class. Failure to complete the assignment will result in a 0 for that days participation grade.

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT PLAN

As educators, we strive to create a warm and supportive classroom with real interaction among students and teachers. To guarantee that all students will have a positive experience in band, the following expectations have been established to set the climate for our classroom:

  1. Be prepared and on time to class
  2. Be respectful of people and property
  3. Follow directions
  4. Stay on task and speak only at appropriate times
  5. Follow Classroom Procedures
  6. Follow all student handbook rules
  7. NO FOOD, DRINK, GUM, CANDY, LOTION ETC. AT ANY TIME IN THE BAND/THEATER FACILITIES

Classroom Procedures

  1. Enter quietly
  2. Read the board/television
  3. By the time set by the band director, be in your seat with instrument, music and book, pencil, accessories and agenda. Not being ready to play on time may result in a tardy.
  4. Upon dismissal by the band director, put away materials and follow end of class procedures for your band

No one, under any circumstance, may handle or play an instrument other than their own, including school-owned instruments. Doing so will result in an automatic detention.

1

STEPS

  1. Verbal Warning
  2. Isolated/Preferential Seating
  3. Parent Contact/Individual Detention
  4. Administrative Referral

1

Tardiness: Being tardy to band class twice automatically results in an individual detention with the band directors.

Gum/Food/Drink/Candy etc.: Any of these items in class at any time will result in an automatic detention as this is a safety issue for our students and our equipment.

After contact with parent, conduct grade may be lowered to an N. After contact with parent and implementation of steps 3-4, conduct grade may be lowered to a U.

PERFORMANCE DRESS CODE

The dress code for all performances will be as follows:

Shirts: White short sleeve polo shirt. (Same as school uniform)

Pants/Skirts: Plain black dress slacks (same as school uniform)

Socks/Stockings/Shoes: Black dress shoes (closed-toes) and socks or stockings

You may want to purchase these items a size larger, since students grow so quickly at this age.

We are providing this information early so that you may begin preparing for your student’s first performance. Please let us know if you have difficulty in obtaining these items. Students in inappropriate concert attire may not be allowed to perform.

T-SHIRTS, BLUE JEANS AND TENNIS SHOES ARE INAPPROPRIATE CONCERT ATTIRE.

PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE

Performances are an important part of the band program. Band students work extremely hard during class and take great pride in the quality of their performance. Being absent or tardy impairs the performance experience and adversely affects the other members in the band. A student’s absence from a performance may be excused for personal illness (absence from school) or death in the family. If a student misses a performance because of unexpected illness or death in the family, the student should bring a note upon returning to school.

We are a team and every person is an important member of that team. Only illness or death in the family is an excuse for missing a performance. Students missing a performance must make up the grade in class. Missing one or more concerts throughout the year may result in dismissal from band class.

OTHER PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Throughout the school year there are other performance opportunities available to band students at Cooper. Most of these opportunities require an audition and are geared toward seventh and eighth grade students. Opportunities include Solo and Ensemble Festival, All-State Band, UGA Midfest (8th grade only), and Honor Band. These are all activities outside of school and they require extra practice time. At Cooper we have several chamber music ensembles that meet before and after school including Jazz Band, Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. All of these activities enhance and continue students’ musical growth and are highly encouraged. There is no audition required for these chamber music ensembles, but a high level of musicianship and dedication during regular band class is expected of students participating in chamber music. Once a student commits to participate in one of these music experiences, they are obligated to fulfill their commitment to the group. These groups will be performing outside of school during school hours. (This means you will miss some classes as we are planning on performing several times before winter break and the end of school.) Students who do not attend after school practices will not be allowed to miss class for these performances.

CONCERT ETIQUETTE

Throughout the year students will participate in concerts, both as a performer and as an audience member. It is important that they set the proper example., This is also part of the Band GPS standards!

NEVER talk or pass notes during a performance. DO NOT eat, drink, or chew gum in a performance hall. Be sure to do nothing that might distract the performers or the other audience members.

When someone is performing, students should NEVER enter the auditorium or leave their seat. When the selection is finished, students may move to their destination quickly and quietly during the applause.

The proper way to show appreciation for a performance is to applaud after the selection is finished. Whistling, hooting, yelling, or stomping do not belong in a concert hall. Never boo or hiss, no matter what! Remember that A CONCERT IS NOT A SPORTING EVENT!

If the performance is exceptionally wonderful, students may give the performers a standing ovation. This means that they stand up at (not on) their seat and continue to applaud while the performers take an extra bow.

When there is a multi-movement piece, do not applaud until the final movement has been performed. During a jazz band performance, it is appropriate to applaud after a solo, even if the piece is not over.

If students are on stage and want to show their appreciation, they should shuffle their feet instead of applauding. It is appropriate to do this even when they are performing. This is how professional musicians praise each other.

It is important that students dress properly when attending performances. Concert patrons should always dress in a manner that reflects the formal nature of the performance. When attending symphony or professional concerts, boys should wear dress clothes with a tie and girls should wear nice dresses or slacks. Jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes, flops, hats/caps, shorts and un-tucked shirts are never appropriate for indoor concerts.

DAILY PRACTICE

Daily practice is the most effective way to build skills and musicianship. A student’s goal should be to practice at least twenty minutes, six days per week. Seventh and eighth grade students preparing for Solo and Ensemble, UGA Midfest, Honor Band and All-State auditions should practice thirty to forty-five minutes daily. All practice time should be logged on a practice sheet. Any student may practice and receive extra help during morning practice 8:15 am to 8:50 am Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These extra practice sessions will begin the week of September 8, 2008. Students must have a band pass to enter into the band area. You will get this pass from the band director.

LARGE GROUP PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Large Group Performance Evaluation, formerly known as Festival, is attended each year by the Cooper Seventh and Eighth Grade Bands. As the title implies, the bands are evaluated on their performance and given a rating. This is an extremely vital part of our development as young musicians. All students are expected to prepare for Large Group Performance Evaluation to the best of their ability. In preparation for this event, students will be required to attend before and after school sectionals and rehearsals during the months of January-March 2008. Students not in attendance at these extra rehearsal sessions may not be allowed to attend Large Group Performance Evaluation with their band. All students must also play all of their festival music for a director individually before being allowed to attend Large Group Performance Evaluation. Each person in band relies on every other person in the group to work diligently and perform at their highest potential for this event and all other performances. Please make note of dates on the calendar and look for a more detailed calendar of rehearsals in January.

STUDENT RECOGNITION

The Cooper Band Program strives to encourage and recognize the hard work of its students. End of year awards include recognition for Academic Excellence, Most Improved, and Overall Outstanding student. During the last week of school students are rewarded for their academic performance in band. Students can also earn awards that will be given out at concerts, as well as invitations to concert receptions given to those who have 100% participation and have turned in all practice sheets.