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August 24th, 2015
Dear Band Students and Parents,
Welcome back! I hope that you summer was fun-filled and relaxing. I am excited about the year to come. Here are a few things to get us started:
Attached to this letter are the following documents:
Band Events Calendar (back of this letter)
* Please mark these dates on your calendar*
HawfieldsMiddle School Band Handbook
HMS Student Information Form
Parents: Please include your e-mail address if you would like to receive weekly updates on band activities.
Personal Property Waiver
Students are not allowed to use the instrument storage room unless this form is on file by Friday, August 28th.
Band Order form
Please read through this packet and the Band Handbook with your son or daughter so that everyone is aware of the class requirements. Please sign and return all of the forms in this packet by Friday, August 29th.
Thank you,
Mrs. Beddingfield
***Keep pages 1-4, and return pages 5.***
* 8th Grade Percussion Class will return page 6 to order supplies for the class. 7th Grade Percussionists may place and order with the 8th grade, if desired.
* As the year progresses, any changes and additions will be given with as much notice as possible. *
Please pick-up students on the Garrett side of the building anytime students stay after school for band practice.
♥ Friday, October 2ndSend home Busch Gardens and DPAC info
♥ Friday, October 9thEAHS 8th Grade Night
♥ Friday, October 16thSAHS 8th Grade night
♥Friday, October 30thBegin Fruit Fundraiser in class
♫ Friday, November 6th and 13thIn class 7th and 8th Grade Band and Chorus Music Rehearsal
♥ Thursday, November 12thChristmas Parade Participant Practice (with SMS and WMS)
Time and details TBA
♥ Saturday, November 21stBurlington Christmas Parade
♥Monday, November 16th-Nov. 24thCollecting Fruit money during this time.
After Nov. 24th, no money will be collected.
♫ Tuesday, December 1st6th Grade Band Informance 7-7:30pm in the cafeteria
(students meet at 6:30pm in the band room)
♫ Friday, December 4thAll 7thGrade Band and Chorus together during electives
All 8th Grade band and Chorus together during electives
♫Wednesday, December 9th7th and 8thGrade Band and Chorus Concert,7pm
Allband students have band class today!
♥Monday, December 14thFruit Delivery Day (fruit must be picked up by Tuesday, 12/15
because I will be leaving onWednesday to attend the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago)
♥Friday, January 22ndMatilda show at DPAC (tentative)
♥ Monday, January 25thAll-County Band Auditions 6-8pm Turrentine Middle School
♥February 4thMiddle School All-County Clinic
♥February 5thMiddle School All-County Clinic Day 2
Concert at Williams HS at 7pm
♥Friday, March 4thLion King show at DPAC (tentative)
♫ Wednesday, April 27rd Rehearsal for all going to Busch Gardens (3:30-5:00)
♫ Thursday, May 12thFinal Busch GardensRehearsal (3:30-5:00)- BYE for sports
♥Thursday, May 12thRequired Meeting forBusch Gardens chaperones (5:10-5:45pm)
♥ Saturday, May 14thTrip to Busch Gardens (7th/8th only)- ALL DAY(tentative)
♫ Tuesday, May 17thSpringBand Concert- 7pm
♥ Thursday, May 19stSpring Chorus Concert- 7pm (EXTRA CREDIT)
♫ = Required and will be graded♥ = Select students only/Optional/Extra Credit
Jennifer Beddingfield, Director of Bands
Welcome to HMS Band! I hope that you will find learning and performing with us to be a rewarding experience. However, it is your responsibility to conduct yourselves in such a manner to create an environment that everyone can learn and be successful.
You will determine the type of organization that you would like this band to be for yourselves.
Our goal is to become the best musicians that we can be. The goal will require teamwork, dedication and individual hard work. Every student must make an effort so we can be the best we can be.
Band is combination of the hard work of many individuals.
MATERIALS LIST/DAILY SUPPLIES FOR BAND CLASS:
- Instrument and accessories (ex- reeds, valve oil, neck strap, mallets)
- Binder with notebook paper and 10+ sheet protectors and pencil pouch for all grades.
- In pencil pouch: Pencil, 1 highlighter, extra reed (if applicable)
- Method Book for Grade Level (MUST HAVE BY FRIDAY, SEPT. 4th)
6th Grade: Measures of Success Book 1
7th Grade: Measures of Success Book 2
8th Grade: Measures of Success Book 2 (same as last year, we will be using the later exercises this year)
- Concert sheet music will be provided. Request for extra copies of lost music must be submitted in writing.
* If you have difficulties obtaining any of the supplies, please contact Mrs. Beddingfield as soon as possible. *
7TH GRADE PERCUSSIONISTS ONLY SUPPLY LIST:
The following list of supplies is a daily requirement for band class. Your mallets and sticks are your instrument, therefore will result in a written assignment each time you are missing a necessary mallet/stick in band class.
-Drum Sticks, Bell Mallets, Soft Yarn Mallets
-Mallet Bag (HIGHLY recommended- can be any bag the student puts their mallets in)
-You MAY order mallets from the order form.
GRADING:
Written Assignments (tests/quizzes- tests are worth 3x the points of quizzes)50%
Performance Assessments (Performances, Afterschool rehearsals, playing tests, pass-offs)50%
* ALL assignments may be retaken by appointment before school.
If you are willing to do the work to improve your grade, I am willing to let you do it. *
Pass-offs: All students will have graded pass-offs. They will have a set number of pass-offs to learn and will receive a grade based on the percentage they complete. I will be available Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:30-8:00am to give struggling students more opportunities/individual opportunities to pass-off. Chairs/parts in 7th and 8th grade will be determined by scale pass-offs.
Assessment: Written tests will be given to assess the student’s knowledge of music theory.
Most playing/performance tests will be in the form of pass-offs.
Extra Credit: (This will be added to your Written Assignment grade)Attend a concert of another musical organization (bring program), 2) Audition for or perform with another musical organization. (Ex-All-County Band, church band), 3) Taking private lessons from an area instructor.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
In addition to all HMS PRIDE classroom expectations, the following rules apply in the band room.
Positive: Keep instrument and voice quiet when it is not your turn.
Ready: Bring your instrument, book, music, and pencil EVERY DAY.
Involved: Put instrument up when Mrs. B’s arms are up, & attempt to play every section you are asked.
Dependable: Follow all expectations, and silently help other students that are confused around you.
Excellent: Practice at home, and come to class prepared to learn NEW material.
FAILURE TO MEET EXPECTATIONS:
1st offense: Give a number (ex- 1) and ask 4 questions
(1-What are you doing?, 2- What are you supposed to be doing?, 3- Are you doing what you are supposed to?,
4- What will happen if you don’t do what you are supposed to do?)
2nd offense: Give a number (ex- 2)
3rd offense: Give a number (ex- 3) and “infraction”
After 3 infractions, the parent will be contacted via email. After 5 infractions, the parent will be contacted, and the students will meet with an administrator.
* Not meeting expectations will result in loss of field trip privileges
and/or the removal from band class.*
CONCERT ATTIRE:
Ladies- white blouse and black dress pants/skirt OR a solid black dress and dress shoes,
Gentlemen- white button up dress shirt with a tie, black dress pants with black dress shoes.
* If you have any problems acquiring any of the items, please see Mrs. Beddingfield and we will help you acquire these materials at least a week before a concert. *
AFTER-SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Part of being in a performing ensemble is performing. Performances are essential to the development of the students as musicians. With that said, students are required to attend all performances in their ensemble. Students are expected to stay for the entire concert to support all members of our organization. Concert dates will be given in as much notice as possible, so you can plan ahead. I understand that occasionally there will be unavoidable conflicts. Please let me know in advance if there is a conflict or your student must leave a concert early.
If there is a conflict: Please contact Mrs. Beddingfield directly (email, phone, or visit), to inform of the conflict. Many conflicts can be avoided through communication.
Students who are absent from the performance for any reason will be given the opportunity to complete a written assignment to help decrease the effects of the missed performance grade.
FULL NAME______GRADE_____
LAST FIRST MI
PARENT/GUARDIAN EMAIL (s)______
If you have already received a group email from me, please omit your email or note this next to the email.
7th and 8th Grade Parents: We are looking at taking a trip to Busch Gardens this year instead of Carowinds. To appropriately price the trip, we must see about how many students would most likely be interested. The trip would be between $120 and $140, including admission to the park, bus, festival admission, and lunch. We cannot perform effectively with a limited ensemble.
Please check here if you would still be interest/able to attend this trip. ______
Personal Property Waiver
Students who bring musical instruments and other personal items onto Alamance Burlington School System (ABSS) campuses are responsible for the security of such items. Students will also be responsible for the security of personal items when involved in performing arts activities off campus (performances, contests, festivals, auditions, etc.). ABSS is not responsible for the property of others that is placed on campus at any time or at other locations during school sponsored events. On campus storage facilities such as band rooms and various student lockers are provided as a convenience to students.
By my (our) signature below I (we) understand that the school system does not guarantee the safety or security of stored personal property and I (we) agree to hold the school system harmless in the event or property loss or damage.
______
Student NameParent SignatureDate
______
Instrument Make/Model/Brand (ex- Jupiter CES- 810)Serial Number
This form must be kept on file for students to leave instruments in the instrument storage room at HMS.
This form does not need to be kept on file if you do not plan to use the instrument storage room.
Student Name: ______Band Block: ______
DUE on September 11th
Pleasemake checks out toHawfields Middle School. Put cash in an envelope with the student’s name.
Hoodies will be delivered to the school. This will be the only order placed this school year.
Black Band Hoodie $23Circle size (adult sizes) SML XL XXL
Required for 7th and 8th graders participating in the Burlington Parade (same as last year), Optional for all others.
Supplies
Required
Snare sticksYarn malletsMallet bag
Optional
Bell malletsTimpani MalletsPractice Pad
8th Grade percussion may order supplies through Mrs. Beddingfield or another vendor. The value pack contains the required and optional mallets at a discounted price, but does not contain a practice pad.
Student Name: ______Band Block: ______
DUE on September 11th
Pleasemake checks out to Hawfields Middle School.
Write you child’s name on the check, or put cash in an envelope (with student’s name).
Hoodies will be delivered to the school. This will be the only order placed this school year.
CIRCLE the items you wish to order.
Black Band Hoodie$23Circle size (adult sizes) SML XL XXL
Required for 7th and 8th graders participating in the Burlington Parade (same as last year), Optional for all others.
Individual Percussion Supplies
(if you already own any part of the supplies)
Vic Firth SD1 General Snare Sticks$10
Mike Balter Basic Yarn Mallets Blue Medium$20
Sabian Economy Drum Stick Bag Standard$12
Remo 6 in. Practice Pad$17
Value Pack:
Vic Firth EP2 Intermediate Education Pack $69
Includes stick bag, 2 pair of snare sticks, yarn mallets, bell mallets, and timpani mallets
Total: ______