Course Syllabus: Beginning Band
Instructor:Mr. Grabill
Telephone:Office: 221-2148 ext. 70119 Home: 937-0887
Email:
Course Description: Beginning Band is for students in grades 6,7 and 8 who have never played a band instrument. Students will learn:
$ How to assemble their horn
$ How to use correct maintenance procedures
$ A variety of time signatures such as 4/4, 2/4, and 3/4
$ How to count, clap and play a variety of rhythms
$ How to produce a pleasing sound using the 7 Essentials of Tone Production
$ How to play with correct technique
$ How to read and play written music
$ How to play by ear
$ How to play a variety of musical styles
$ How to develop stage presence
Choosing an instrument:
Students will be tested at the beginning of the school year to help them decide which band instrument will be the best for him/her. (Almost all students want to play the drums but that is not possible.) Once the testing is completed, students will be given a letter with the name of the instrument to take home and get signed by a parent or guardian.
Scheduling band
To be scheduled in band, you must bring back the letter you were given when you tried out for your instrument, the $30.00 band fee, and the band instrument. Band is a commitment for the entire year. You will not be permitted to change your schedule until the end of the school year. If you have a problem getting an instrument please come see me. I have access to a number of instruments that may be rented from the school for an additional $30.00 a year. They will be available on a First Come/First Served basis. If you are playing the baritone or tuba, you will only need to buy a mouthpiece...not the entire instrument.
Providing your instrument
Students will be given a Recommended Horn List. Band instruments should be limited to those from the list. Students will also be given a Beginning Band Handbook at the beginning of the year. This handbook should answer most of the questions parents will have about being in band at Denton Middle School.
Additional Equipment needed
If you play the Clarinet or Saxophone, you are to have 3 playable reeds in your possession at all times. Unannounced reed checks will be held regularly. Every student is to keep a pencil (not a pen) with them in class at all times.
Grades:
You automatically receive a weekly grade of 100. The lowest grade I will give you is a 50. That means you get a daily grade of 10. If you do everything I expect from you, you will have no points deducted and keep your 100 in class.
Your overall grade contains 3 sections:
1.Rehearsal Skills: 60%
Your Rehearsal Skills grade is determined by the following factors:
* Playing and sight-reading ability.
* Your musical achievement in relation to your ability.
* Your leadership within the band
* Your behavior in class. Points will be deducted from your daily grade of 10 for the following things:
Excessive talking, Disrupting Class, Chewing gum/candy/etc., Throwing things, Refusing to play your instrument, Making fun of others, Fighting, Bad Language, Disrespect-either towards Mr. Grabill or toward your peers, School Uniform violations
* Possession of the proper equipment for band class every day. This includes having your:
Instrument, Mouthpiece, Music / Book, Reed, Mute, Pencil, and anything else you need to be able to play your instrument effectively.
* Your grade will also be reduced if your horn doesn’t work or you can’t move the tuning slides.
2.Performance Attendance: 30%
3.Tests (both written and playing): 10%
Performances
All performances are required attendance. As stated above, 30% of your grade is whether you are at a performance with all your equipment and at the proper time.
Extra Credit
You will receive an extra credit grade of “100” each time you play your band instrument in public outside of school, such as in church, recitals, etc. There is no limit as to the amount of extra credit to be awarded for this. The only thing you need to do is to have the person who was in charge of the event (music director at church, etc.) send a note with you, saying that you played your instrument. Extra credit will also be awarded for singing a solo, duet, trio, or quartet in public, as well as playing the piano or organ in public. The music director must still send a note to that effect, and you are limited to 5 non-band performances.
Extra credit is also available for your attendance at music concerts of any type. This includes other band concerts, orchestra concerts, pop music concerts, community concerts, or recitals. To receive the extra credit points, you must bring a program from the concert, signed by a performer in the concert. A parent may sign the program in the absence of a performer’s signature.
Gum policy
Chewing gum or candy is strictly forbidden in the band room. There will be no warnings before you are given punishment work. You’re a big kid now and you can remember things like this.
School Uniform
The school uniform policy will be strictly enforced in band. Again, there will be no warnings before you are given punishment work. As above, you are a big kid now and you know how to get dressed.
Band Fees
Students are to pay their $30 band fee by the first of September. When you pay your band fee you will receive your Band Method Book which is called Essential Elements for Band 2000+. You will also receive a lock you can borrow to use on your band cubbyhole. (School locks are the only ones permitted in the band room.) Clarinet and Saxophone players will receive 1 free reed a month. Brass players will receive have their valve oil provided for them. Your folder and music will be provided for you when your band fee is paid at no additional charge, however if you lose your music, you will have to pay .50 cents per sheet to get another copy.
Band Shirts
We will be placing our order for band shirts during the month of September. The band shirts are required for all band students and can be worn as a school uniform shirt any time they wish. We will wear our band shirts for all performances with the exception of the Christmas and Spring Concerts. Students can either wear their band shirt or dress clothes for those concerts.