2012 – 2013

HMS

Band Handbook

6th Grade Band

7th Grade Band

8th Grade Band

Dear Parents and Band members,

Please take a moment to read the contents of this handbook. You will find the goals and expectations of the Hamburg Middle School band program. This will help the students make the most out of their musical experience at HMS.

We are very privileged to have a large and wonderful music program at the middle school. While the individual musical growth of each student is the primary goal, it should be understood that participation in the ensemble implies a responsibility of the student to the entire group.

The last page of this handbook contains all of the important concert dates for the school year.

After reading the contents of this handbook please:

  • Sign and return the bottom of this page
  • Keep the last page containing concert dates for your records

Parental and community support are crucial to our success as a performing arts program. Thank you for your continued support and we hope you enjoy the wonderful music we will make throughout the year.

Musically Yours,

Mr. Matthew MiragliaMrs. Sandy Sweeley

7th and 8th Grade Band Director6th Grade Band Director

Brass/Percussion Lessons Woodwind Lessons

Please sign below indicating that you have read and understand the contents of this handbook.

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Parent or GuardianDate

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Student NameStudent Signature

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Parent/Guardian email address

EXPECTATIONS

Learning to play an instrument is not a quick process. Students need to understand that you need to establish a practice routine at home. Practicing is their homework. Playing in band is a privilege you keep by attending lessons and doing your part at home.

CONCERTS

Concerts are the product of many hours of practicing and preparation. They are events that create lasting memories for all who participate. Every member is an integral part of the team effort and is expected to be in attendance at all performances. Concerts are 10% of the quarter average.

Illness or documented emergencies are the only valid excuse for absence unless other arrangements have been made in advance. For a prearranged absence, a written excuse from a parent or guardian must be presented to the director at least 2 weeks prior to the date in question. To make up for missing the concert, the student will be required to write an essay on a topic chosen by their director.

*Students need to support their peers by staying for the entire concert*

CONCERT DRESS

Girls:

Top: White blouse (NO tank/sleeveless tops)

Bottom: All Black – Full length pants (no capris) or skirt with black tights (skirt needs to be below the knee)

Shoes: Black dress shoes (no open toe/sandals)

Boys:

Top: White shirt with tie (festive tie appropriate during holiday season)

Bottom: Black pants (no high-water pants, or black jeans)

Shoes: Black dress shoes w/black socks (no tennis shoes)

COMMUNICATION

If there are ever any concerns regarding the student’s performance, we will be in touch either through a progress report, phone call, or email. Parents, please feel free to contact us at 646-3268, or .

GRADING POLICIES

Each quarter, band students will receive a grade. Their band average consists of 3 parts: lessons (50%), band participation (40%) and concert attendance (10%). These grades are based on attendance, preparedness, attitude, behavior, and bringing home their instrument on a weekly basis. 6th grade students will also be graded on the completion of their weekly practice sheets.

Extra credit can be earned by auditioning for ECMEA/NYSSMA solo festivals, and/or attending appropriate concerts outside the Middle School. Students must bring in a program from the concert and a brief write-up of the event they attended.

GROUP LESSONS

All band students will be assigned to a weekly group lesson which meets on a rotating basis. These lessons make up 50% of the overall average and are required to participate in band.

Lesson attendance is expected. Students are responsible for informing their classroom teachers about missing class for lessons. ONE DAY IN ADVANCE. Failure to notify the teacher may result in not being able to attend the lesson which will affect your average. The only excuses for missing lessons are: absences from school or tests which take place during that lesson time. If you need to miss a lesson due to a test, please communicate that to Mr. Miraglia or Mrs. Sweeley BEFORE your scheduled lesson. If a student is chronically absent from lessons and receives a grade of 65 or below, this is grounds for removal from the performing group.

MAKE-UP LESSON TIMES:

Before school – 7:20 – 7:50

Encore Period (or any free period)

After school – 3:10 – 3:40

REHEARSALS

The success of an ensemble depends on how it rehearses. Some simple rules will help the large groups to function efficiently so that we can do our best and get the most out of our time together. These simple rules will help us to function better as a team:

*BE ON-TIME – Being in your seat when the bell rings and not just coming in.

*BE PREPARED - Having your part learned, your instrument, music and a pencil are required for a successful rehearsal.

*BE ATTENTIVE – When the conductor is on the podium, all talking and playing should stop. With groups as large as our bands, even the slightest whispering can be very distracting when help is being offered to individual sections.

*NO GUM, CANDY, or FOOD in the band room at ANYTIME – lessons included.

*IF YOU USE IT, PUT IT AWAY, IF IT’S NOT YOURS, DON’T TOUCH IT (ESPECIALLY OTHER PEOPLE’S INSTRUMENTS)

SCHOOL INSTRUMENTS

If you play an instrument in which the school provides, you will be assigned both a school instrument and a home instrument. Students who play brass instruments will be required to bring their mouthpiece back and forth between home and school. Students are responsible for any damages done to either the school/home instruments or accessories included with them, as stated in the rental contract.

SCHOOL MUSIC

Students will be furnished with a folder containing school music. Your director will provide a home folder containing the current music. You will be asked to bring this folder to school following a concert in order to receive the new music. The school folder will stay in school; the home folder will stay at home for you to PRACTICE.

Because music is costly, students are urged to take especially good care of the school’s music supply. Remember that other students will be playing the music after you graduate.

The cost of replacing lost or damaged music or folders will be defrayed by the student responsible.

SUPPLIES

The following pages list the supplies needed for all the instruments for the upcoming school year. One major change this year will be that reeds will no longer be available in school for purchase. It is cheaper and more convenient to buy reeds by the box rather than individually. This also helps in the longevity of the reeds by being able to rotate them on a regular basis instead of just wearing one out at a time. Here is a list of recommended music stores, as well as websites to get these supplies. If you have any questions about the following pages, feel free to contact either Mrs. Sweeley or Mr. Miraglia.

Local Music Stores

Twin Village Music – 683-487(recommended)McClellan Music House – 886-5902

44 Central Ave, Lancaster NY305 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo NY

Al Hemers Music Corp – 662-9533

4190 N. Buffalo St, Orchard Park, NY

WEBSITE

Forrestsmusic.com – double reedsinterstatemusic.com – Reeds/Accessories

wwbw.com – Woodwind Brasswind Catalog Hickeys.com – Music

2011 – 2012 Hamburg Middle School

6th, 7th and 8th Grade

Concert & Event Dates

Every attempt has been made to make the following dates definite. However, it is possible that unexpected events may necessitate changes to be made.

It is proper concert etiquette that students stay for the entirety of their program. We appreciate your support in this matter.

Wednesday November 28th, 20127th Grade level Concert

ThursdayNovember 29th, 20128th Grade level Concert

MondayDecember 3rd, 2012Jazz Ensemble – Select Concert

MondayDecember 10th, 20126th Grade Band and Chorus

SaturdayJanuary 5th, 2013 ECMEA Elem. Solo Festival - Depew

SaturdayJanuary 12th, 2013ECMEA Jr. High Solo

Festival – Orchard Park H.S.

Saturday March 2nd, 2013 ECMEA Elem. Rehearsal

WednesdayMarch 6th, 2013ECMEA Elem. Rehearsal

FridayMarch 8th, 2013ECMEA Elem. Rehearsal - Kleinhans

SaturdayMarch 9th, 2013ECMEA Elem. Concert - Kleinhans

Friday/SaturdayMarch 15th/16th 2013ECMEA Jr. High

Rehearsal/Concert

WednesdayMarch 20th, 20135th/6th Band Concert – MS

TuesdayMarch 26th, 2013 7th/8th/Jazz Band Concert

Monday May 20th, 20136th Grade Band and Chorus

WednesdayMay 29th, 20137th Grade level Concert

ThursdayMay 30th, 20138th Grade level Concert

ThursdayJune 6th, 2013Jazz Ensemble – Select Concert

Woodwind Supply List

Please have these supplies by your first scheduled lesson

Flute:

  • Polishing Rod/Cloth
  • Open Holed Flute- RECOMMENDED NOT REQUIRED

Clarinet:

  • Cork Grease
  • GEM silk swab
  • Reeds – 2 ½ - 3 VanDoren or Mitchell Laurie (1 box minimum) –
  • Mouthpiece – VanDoren B45 w/ mouthpiece patch- RECOMMENDED NOT REQUIRED
  • Ligature – Rovner Dark- RECOMMENDED NOT REQUIRED

Saxophone (Alto/Tenor/Bari):

  • Cork Grease
  • Shove it – pad saver (alto only)
  • Reeds – 2 ½ - 3 VanDoren or Medium La Voz (1 box minimum)
  • Mouthpiece – Selmer C Star w/ mouthpiece patch- RECOMMENDED NOT REQUIRED
  • Ligature – Rovner Dark- RECOMMENDED NOT REQUIRED

Oboe:

  • Reeds: Medium Lescher or Jones (3 minimum)
  • Reed case
  • Empty prescription bottle to soak reeds in

Bassoon:

  • Reeds: Medium Jones or Forrests (3 minimum)
  • Reed case
  • Empty prescription bottle to soak reeds in

Brass Supply List

Please have these supplies by your first scheduled lesson

Trumpet:

  • Blue Juice Brand Valve Oil
  • Denis Wick or Tom Crown Metal Straight mute (approx $28)
  • Suggested Mouthpiece – Bach 5C (approx $26)

Trombone:

  • Small spray bottle – to spray slide with water
  • Slide-O-Mix Trombone Lubricant – All in one
  • Suggested Mouthpiece – Bach 5G (approx $50)

French Horn:

  • Mouthpiece pouch for transporting your school mouthpiece
  • Local music stores carry these (approx $5)
  • Mouthpiece – Holton Farkas MDC
  • We provide school mouthpieces for horn players, but it is recommended that they purchase their own that can be used through High School.

Baritone/Tuba:

  • Mouthpiece pouch for transporting your school mouthpiece
  • Local music stores carry these (approx $5)
  • Mouthpiece - Bach 6 ½ AL (Baritone), Bach 24AW (Tuba)
  • We provide school mouthpieces for baritone/tuba players, but it is recommended that they purchase their own that can be used through High School.

Percussion Supply List

Please have these supplies by your first scheduled lesson

Lesson Books:

6th Grade: 1) Foundations for Superior Performance - Percussion

2) Haskell W. Harr Drum Method Book One (snare)

3) Rubank Elementary for Marimba/Xylophone

7th/8th Grade: - books you are currently working out of.

Sticks:

Zildjian or Vick Firth 5A wooden tip (not plastic)