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Liberty Middle School

Panther Band Handbook

2015-16

Sean D. Smith,Robert Smith, and Jo Warner

E-mail addresses:

Rhonda Smith, Principal

Chris Flowers, Assistant Principal

Leigh Davis, Counselor

School Phone Number (936)336-3582

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to the Liberty Middle School Band Program! It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we introduce the program to you. We hope this handbook will be beneficial in explaining all of our policies and procedures. Please keep this copy for reference throughout the coming school year.

After reading the material carefully, please complete the forms found at the end of this handbook. All forms need to be returned by Friday, September 4th, 2015.

It would be virtually impossible to cover every item and detail regarding the Liberty Band Program in this document. Every attempt, however, has been made to provide you with all pertinent and necessary information. If you have any questions, please contact a Band Director by e-mailing us at the addresses provided on the front cover of the handbook, or by calling us at (936)336-3582. We look forward to a successful year watching the students grow both individually and musically!

Thank you for your support, and we arelooking forward to a wonderful year!!

Musically yours,

Sean D. Smith,Robert Smith, and Jo Warner

Contents

Mission Statement 4

Goals4-5

Grading 5-6

Band Hall Etiquette and Expected Behavior7

Discipline 8

Director’s Office and Music Library 8

Before and After School 8

Extra Help 8

Band Supplies 9

Performing Ensembles 9

Concerts, Contests, and Festivals 9

Band Trips 10

Fund-raising 10

Turning in Money 10

Make-up Work 10

Private Lessons 11

Uniforms11

Instrument Identification 11

Instrument Storage 12

School Owned Instruments12

Instrument Repair 12

Instrument Insurance 12

Extra-Curricular Eligibility and No Pass/No Play13

Activity Conflicts13

Band Boosters13

Parent Volunteers13

Communication14

Student Information and Handbook Acceptance Page15

Medical Release Form16

Band Calendar17-18

Liberty Band Mission Statement

Our middle school band program is designed to promote a basic understanding and appreciation for music. We want music to become an intrinsic part of our students’ lives. We want our students to have a life-long interaction with music because they love music. We want them to play music, write music and attend concerts for the rest of their lives.

We believe that people will be more likely to stay involved in music if they:

1. Are capable of preparing music accurately without assistance from a professional musician.

2. Understand how to use their instrument efficiently.

3. Have a good working knowledge of basic music theory.

4. Have made contributions of high quality to rehearsals and performances.

5. Have experienced profound musical moments as a performer and/or audience member.

Our band program is designed to provide each student with the skills and experiences to meet our goals. Features of our program include:

  1. Twoadvanced 7th and 8th grade bands and beginning band classes.
  2. At least three full band concerts for the 7th and 8th grade performing bands and two full concerts for the beginning band classes.
  3. The 7th and 8th grade Wind Ensemble and Concert Band members will play at all pep rallies.
  4. Solo and ensemble opportunities for all band students.
  5. Opportunities to participate in district/region auditions and other musical contests such as UIL concert and sight reading contest and spring band competitions.
  6. A grading system that allows each student to master skills at his/her own pace and still holds each student accountable for mastering assigned materials.

Liberty Band Goals

  1. To develop the technical skills necessary to play a musical instrument both as a soloist and as a member of an ensemble, to develop the skills necessary to read music and to support learning in the other academic classes.
  1. To promote the success of the individual student as well as that of theLiberty Band Program.
  1. To increase the amount of fun and satisfaction each student receives from being in band by building musical skills and confidence.
  1. To build leadership and character. The Liberty Band Program strives to be known by outstanding character and citizenship. We will work to ensure proper conduct, consideration, and courtesy as a vital part of the participation of students—both in the band hall and in all public situations.
  1. To promote and encourage each and every student to work together as a team toward specific goals and objectives. Students will learn both leadership and teamwork skills.

Grading for:

7th and 8th Grade Bands

Grades will be earned in the following areas:

Ensemble rehearsal skills

Playing and Written tests

Performances, extra rehearsals and sectionals

Participation in concerts is VERY important to all band students. Each concert counts as 3-4 test grades.

  1. Ensemble rehearsal skills – Students are expected to bring to each rehearsal their instrument, their band notebook with all music and all supplies necessary to perform to the best of their ability. Students must exhibit good ensemble skills such as listening carefully to instructions and the performance of other students, good posture and excellent attention to musical adjustments and correction. In order to do their best work in class every day, students are expected to practice each week outside of the band class period. Every student will start the week with a 100, but may lose points for not bringing their supplies to class, not taking their instrument home to practice or poor rehearsal etiquette. Tuba players and other band members that are not allowed by the district to take their instruments home on the bus are welcome to practice before or after school in the band room each day, in lieu of taking their instrument home due to the size of the instrument.
  1. Playing Tests – Playing tests will be assigned over music learned in class or in sectionals. We will strive to have playing tests take place either during sectionals (to reduce student anxiety over playing in front of the entire ensemble) or students/sections may be pulled and tested during class time. When necessary, some playing tests may be performed in the full band class. Playing tests may result in a change of chair assignment during the school year. Students may retake mostplaying tests over for a director outside of class or sectional time until they are happy with their test grade, but retesting will not change a student’s chair assignment.

Written Tests – Written tests will be given over musical terms and fingerings as well as worksheets on music theory and music history.

  1. Performances – Performance is our ultimate goal in band. It is essential that students be at all performances – we won't sound our best without you! Performance grades consist of grades taken for participation in concerts, pep rallies, football games and any other major performances. To receive full credit, students must be on time, in the required uniform and stay until all performances are completed unless excused in advance by a director. Please refer to the calendar on the last page of the handbook for all of these important performances for this school year. Absences are excused only in the case of family emergency, or due to the severe illness of the individual involved in the activity. In the event a student must be absent from any required band function for any other reason, a parent must inform a band director at least 72 hours before the activity occurs for the absence to be excused. In the event of an unforeseen emergency, band members should bring documentation pertaining to their absence to the director at the next rehearsal they attend. Absences will be assessed on an individual basis.

Extra rehearsals or sectionals will be scheduled well in advance. If a student has a school related conflict with the rehearsal or sectional, they should bring it to the band director's attention as soon as possible – BEFORE an absence occurs - and the two sponsors will work out a solution to the conflict that is in the best interest of the student. If there is a personal or family conflict with the rehearsal or sectional, the student or parent should bring it to the attention of the band director's so that – if possible – an alternate time or sectional may be assigned to that student.

Grading for:

Beginning Band

Grades will be earned in the following areas:

Ensemble rehearsal skills

Playing tests

Written tests

The Winter Concert counts as the semester exam for the 1st semester and the Spring Concert counts as the semester exam for the 2nd semester. It is essential that students be at these performances. Absences are excused only in the case of family emergency, or due to the severe illness of the individual involved in the activity. In the event a student must be absent from any required band function, a parent must inform a band director at least 72 hours before the activity occurs for the absence to be excused. Absences will be assessed on an individual basis

  1. Ensemble rehearsal skills – Students are expected to bring to each rehearsal their instrument, their band notebook with all music and all supplies necessary to perform to the best of their ability. Students must exhibit good ensemble skills such as listening carefully to instructions and the performance of other students, good posture and excellent attention to musical adjustments and correction. In order to do their best work in class every day, students are expected to practice each week outside of the band class period. Every student will start the week with a 100, but may lose points for not bringing their supplies to class, not taking their instrument home to practice or poor rehearsal etiquette. Tuba players and other band members that are not allowed by the district to take their instruments home on the bus are welcome to practice before or after school in the band room each day, in lieu of taking their instrument home due to the size of the instrument.
  1. Playing Tests – Playing tests will be assigned over music learned in class or, in some cases, students may be assigned to learn a line on their own to demonstrate proficiency in music reading. Playing tests may take place during class time and may result in a change of chair assignment during the school year. Students may retake mostplaying tests over for a director outside of class time until they are happy with their test grade. Retesting will not change a student’s chair assignment.
  1. Written Tests – Written tests will be given over musical terms and fingerings as well as worksheets on music theory and music history.

Patience, practice and perseverance are the keys to a successful band student!

Band Hall Etiquette and Expected Behavior

  1. If a student has something that he/she needs to discuss with a director please do so before or after school or immediately following class. Directors will not be available before a student’s class for questions, except in extreme emergencies.
  1. Speak only when given permission.
  1. Remain in assigned seats at all times.
  1. Be respectful of yourself, others, and your surroundings.
  1. Be attentive and still while others are performing.
  1. Come prepared to learn and do your best.
  1. Students must be in the band hall when the tardy bell rings and must be in their seats, ready to perform, two minutes after the tardy bell.
  1. Walk carefully and be aware of your surroundings whenever you are in the band hall. There is a lot of expensive equipment in the room!
  1. Only bring water in a container with a lid into the band hall. No other food, drinks, candy or gum are allowed.
  1. Handle ONLY your own instrument or supplies.
  1. Only band students are allowed in the band hall area.
  1. Students should treat music stands or any other school property properly, carefully and respectfully by using them only for purposes for which they were designed.
  1. Students should put their name on all band materials (cases, notebooks, tuners, cleaning supplies, etc…) and keep all band materials locked in their band locker when they are not using them in rehearsal, practice, sectionals or at home.

All of our band rules are based upon this one principle:

RESPECT - yourself, other students, the directors, our facilities, our equipment, our time, our rehearsals, our performances.

**Students may be dismissed and/or placed on probation from the band program at the discretion of the band director for participating in illegal activities. These activities include, but are not limited to:

  1. Possession, distribution and/or use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal substances including misuse of prescription and over the counter medicine and herbal supplements.
  2. Any activities punishable as a felony
  3. Stealing
  4. Fighting or threatening harm to others or yourself

Discipline

The most important element in any worthwhile endeavor is discipline. A successful band student must possess a certain degree of personal discipline. It might manifest itself in several ways:

1. Personal practice on one’s instrument

2. High behavior standards

3. Positive attitude

4. Dedication to the cause of the program

5. Effort

6. Loyalty to the group

These features are essential to a fine band program and are a must for every individual. Band members are expected to maintain high standards of behavior while representing the band and Farley Middle School in public, in performance, on buses, in uniform, in the band hall, and at all times anywhere on the FMS campus. Improper conduct by band students will not be accepted.

Director’s Offices

The band officesare off limits to all students unless they are invited. Students may enter by knocking and asking permission to enter from one of the directors. Never go into a band office if there is not a director in the office unless you have been given permission from a director.

Before and After School

Band students are welcome in the band hall before school to store instruments in their assigned locker for the school day. Students may remain in the band hall before school if they have a scheduled band sectional or if they have asked permission to practice. Priority for practice rooms will be given to those students who play larger instruments and have difficulty taking them home every day.

Band students are allowed in the band hall after school for practice, section rehearsals, or private lessons. All students not practicing after school should leave by their scheduled release time. Only current band members are admitted into the band hall at all times. Under no circumstances may a non-band member enter the band hall.

Extra Help

Extra help is available from any of the band directors. Students are encouraged to ask for help whenever they feel they need it. Times are available as the band director’s schedule will allow.

Band Supplies

All students must bring the following supplies to class, every day, for the entire school year:

  1. Instrument in good working condition and all of its necessary equipment.
  2. Flutes – silk swab, tuning rod
  3. Oboes, Bassoons, Clarinets and Saxophones– at least 4 GOOD reeds, reed case, silk swab and cork grease
  4. Brass – Mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, valve (or rotary) oil, slide grease
  5. Percussion – Stick bag, Innovative Percussion IP-KW or Vic Firth SD1 snare sticks, Medium Rubber xylophone mallets, Vic Firth T1 general timpani mallets, and Medium Yarn marimba mallets.
  6. Music folder - All band students must have a black, 1-inch, three-ring binder with a minimum of 20 clear plastic page protectors for music, and at least 20 blank sheets of notebook paper.
  7. 3 ring Pencil pouch, 2 pencils, small personal pencil sharpener and highlighter (any light color).
  8. Chromatic Tuner and Metronome and instrumental microphone (not required for percussionists or beginners)
  9. Flip folder and music lyre (7th and 8th grade bands only)
  10. Other supplies as detailed for specific classes.

Performing Ensembles

The 7th and 8th GradeBands are performing groups that are open to students that have successfully completed at least one year of band. Performance participation is required in order to be a member of these groups. During the course of the year, students are expected to participate in the following types of performances: pep rallies, honor band auditions, formal evening concerts, U.I.L. band evaluation, music festivals, and solo and ensemble performances. Directors will consider the following for student placement in these ensembles: technical skill on their instrument, academic records (passing of classes), behavior/attitude in band and on our campus, effort, playing audition, group instrumentation, and class enrollment/size. Students must pass off all of their UIL contest music for a director in order to participate in the UIL contest.