2013 - 2014

BrawleyMiddle School

BandMember Handbook

Director:

Allison J. Schroeder

Dear Band Students and Band Parents,

Welcome to a new year with the Brawley Band Program! I hope your summer was enjoyable and you are ready for a productive year as a member of the BrawleyBand Program. You are one of the lucky ones! You get the opportunity to learn anew language, find ways to express yourself and connect with others, and realizethe joys and academic benefits of a musical education. Strive to make the best of every day! You will be amazed how much you can achieve!

Happy practicing,

Allison J. Schroeder

Band Director

BrawleyMiddle School

Director’s Office Hours:

*Note: See Ms. Schroeder weekly about signing up for a SmartMusic practice slot or a lesson

Table of Contents

Section I: Necessary Materials for Band Class …………………………p. 3-5

Section II: Classroom Procedures………………………………………….p. 6-8

Section III: Concerts and Performances……………………………..…..p. 9-10

Section IV: Course Descriptions……………………………………...…p. 11-13

Section V: Honors Opportunities……………………………………….p.

Section VI: Grading Policy…………………………………………………p. 14

Section VII: BMS Band Website………………………………………...... p. 14

BMS Band Handbook Form – to be signed and returned by August 30th……….....p. 15

“Although one can get very clever at home, progress comes a lot quicker if you step into a room with other people and start playing ...” Steve Howe of Yes

Section I: Necessary Materials for Band Class

1. Instrument

2. Your instrument’s accessories

3. Your band binderwith important materials inside at all times

NOTE: These materials listed above are required every day in band class

4. Consequences for missing materials

1.)Instruments

Before the school year starts your instrument should be in good working order. It is recommended to take it to get serviced two or three times a year (summer, winter break, spring break) to keep it in great performance health. Local music stores:

The MusicCenter

240 Signal Hill Drive

Statesville, NC28144

704-872-4521

Music & Arts

9931 Rose Commons Dr

Huntersville, NC28078

704-992-0225

musicarts.com

Music N More

168 Norman Station Blvd

Mooresville, NC28117

704-664-2263

Instrument Storage - everyone: Store your necessary materials for band in your assigned band locker. Show respect and proper use of the lockers. You are responsible for knowing your locker combination. If the lock is lost or broken there is a $5.00 replacement fee.

NOTE: If the band room door is locked take your instrument with you to first period. When the bell dismisses for second block, stop by the band room to drop off your materials.

NOTE: Nevermove or try to open another person’s lock. This is punishable by ASD for the first offense and ISS referral for a second offense

NOTE:Never allow another person to play your instrument or the percussion equipment without Ms. Schroeder’s supervision.

Large Instruments – only those that play these: Certain instruments are too expensive to rent from the local music storeso they are provided by the BMS Band. If you play one of the instruments below, obtain and fill out an “Instrument Rental” formand give Ms. S a $50 rental fee. This covers the use of the instrument for an entire year. Checks can be made out to “BMS Band”. Purchase the following materials as well:

-Bass Clarinet: mouthpiece (recommend Yamaha 4C) with ligature, reeds (recommend 2.5 Vandoren), cleaning supplies and reed box materials

-Tenor Sax: mouth piece (recommend Yamaha 4C) with ligature, reeds (recommended 2.5 Vandoren), cleaning supplies, comfortable neckstrap, and reed box materials

-Bari Sax: mouthpiece (recommend Yamaha 5C) with ligature, reeds (recommended 2.5 Vandoren), cleaning supplies, comfortable neckstrap, and reed box materials

-Horn: mouthpiece (recommend Yamaha 32C4), cleaning kit, rotary oil

-Baritone: mouthpiece (recommend Bach 6 ½ AL), cleaning kit, valve oil

-Tuba: mouthpiece (recommend Bach 7C), cleaning kit, valve oil

Percussion only: Leave your percussion kit set up at home to practice. The BMS Band has the equipment for you to rehearse in the band room.

-You do need to bring your mallets/sticks, band binder, and practice journal to class every day.

-It is the student’s responsibility to remember to sign up for before/after school practice at least once a week if they are assigned to: timpani, drum set, bass drum, marimba, xylophone, or any of the auxiliary instruments.

Section I continued:

2.) Instrument’s accessories

These materials are necessary for your instrument to perform the best.

NOTE: Continue to purchase more as you run out or lose them throughout the year:

-Cleaning kit specific to instrument

-Reed Box (taught by Ms. Schroeder – only for clarinet & sax players)

-Three Working Reeds at all times (for oboes, clarinets, and saxophones). Recommended - Vandoren 2 ½ (in the blue box)

-Comfortable Neckstrap (for saxophones)

-Valve Oil (for trumpets, baritones, and tubas)

-Rotary Oil (for French horn)

-Slide-O-Mix Trombone slide lubricant (for trombones only)

-Travel sized spray bottle (for trombones only)

-Mallets & Sticks (for percussion only) Mike Balter 92 BB for the Glockenspiel & Xylophone, ♫Vic Firth M7 1 for the Marimba, Vic Firth SD1 Drum Sticks for snare drum

3.) Band Binderand important materials inside the binder

The band binder will protect your music and organize work learned in class. Take it with you to use for home practicing. Inside the binder should beimportant materials:

-Method Book(s) =

  • required for 6th graders and Jazz Band members
  • recommended, but not required for concert & symphonic band

-HOMEWORK PACKET

  • Parents must check regularly!

-15 - 25+ plastic sheet protectors

  • Used to securely store important music/documents

-Music

-Classwork

-Dividers to organize/separate music and class work –

  • 6 sections = Concert Music, First Quarter notes, Second Quarter notes, Third Quarter notes, Fourth Quarter notes, and Extra

-Loose leaf college ruled notebook paper

-PencilWITH an eraser!VERY IMPORTANT that students have a pencil and not a pen!!!

Method Book:

  • 6th Grade = Required = Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 by Tim Lautzenheiser, Book 1
  • Concert Band = Only recommended for supplemental use = Essential Elements 2000
  • Book 1 AND Book 2 by Tim Lautzenheiser
  • Symponic Band = Only recommended for supplemental use = Essential Elements 2000
  • Book 2AND Book 3 by Tim Lautzenheiser
  • Jazz Band = Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method by Bruce Pearson.
  • Please be pick up the correct book: Ex) if your child was assigned “Third Trumpet” when they auditioned for the jazz band, make sure the method book states “Third Trumpet”

Section I continued:

4.) Consequences for Missing Materials:

-1st Offense in a quarter: 5 points deducted from child’s overall participation grade per missing item. Ms. Schroeder will lend the student materials to continue learning in class.

-2nd Offense in a quarter: Second warning, 10 points deducted from overall participation grade per missing item, and Ms. Schroeder will lend materials to continue learning in class.

-3rd Offense in a quarter: 15 points deducted from daily participation grade per missing item and student will receive After School Detention for being unprepared for class.

-4th Offense or higher in a quarter will result in a Parent/Teacher conference

Section II: Classroom Procedures

  1. Class rehearsal procedures
  2. Bad behavior consequences in daily rehearsals
  3. Absences from daily class rehearsals
  4. Full band rehearsals
  5. After-school rehearsals
  6. Classwork
  7. Homework Passoffs
  8. Other Homework

1.)Class Rehearsal Procedures

-Come to class calmly, organized, and prepared.

-Take care of anybathroom needs before the tardy bell rings.

-Two emergency rest room visits are permitted per quarter as long as the child has their planner to act as their hall pass.

-Students may NOT leave once class starts to get missing materials.

-On the first day of band every week, students will write homework (projected on the overhead) in their homework packet

-Class begins when Ms. Schroeder steps on the podium.

-Remain engaged throughout class and do not talk or play your instrumentunless instructed to do so

-Students must raise their hand and wait to be called upon when they have something to say or ask.

-Ms. Schroeder will end the class with about three minutes left for the class to pack up.

-Staying organized is key to be successful in this class! Students are in charge of keeping track of their:

  • Instrument
  • Materials handed out in class
  • Homework Packet
  • Band Binder
  • Pencil
  • Important events and after school rehearsals

2.) Bad Behavior Consequences in daily class rehearsals:

-1st Offense in a single class period: Warning (Verbal or Visual)

-2nd Offense in a single class period: Ms. Schroeder will either move you to another part of the room for the rest of class or send you outside to have a talk about your behavior.

-3rd Offense in a single class period: Bounce to ISS Trailer and student will receive a zero for the day’s participation. Student’s parent will be contacted.

-If bounced more than twice in a quarter, there will be a Parent/Teacher conference.

3.) Absences from Daily Class Rehearsals

-Students who miss the first day of band for the week must refer to the Weekly Assignments board to write their homework assignments in their HOMEWORK PACKET.

-For lesson-concepts missed, students must read over the homework assigned for that week. All homework assignments will reflect what we are learning in class.

-Students who need help with the concepts because they missed the material in class must sign up for an office-hour slot before or after school with Ms. Schroeder

Section II continued:

4.) Full Band Rehearsals

-Because of the A Day/B Day schedule, many bands do not consistently meet as a full ensemble. In order to ensure everyone’s parts fit together as the music needs, full band rehearsals are necessary.

-The dates will be coordinated with the PE teachers and will be announced well in advance.

-Full band rehearsals will be held during your child’s wheel class (depending on the A/B day, some band students will be taken out of PE to participate in the rehearsal)

-It is very important that students keep track of these full band rehearsals. They must remember to bring all materials and come with a positive, hardworking attitude so we can get a lot done in the small amount available.

5.)After School Rehearsals – only if the full band rehearsals during school are not sufficient to prepare the music to its fullest potential.

-If we do have to schedule after school rehearsals, schedule rides home in advance

-When the bell rings at 3:15 pm, students go to their locker to get everything necessary for homework for other classes.

-Bring bookbag/homework to the band room by 3:20pm. Take this time to visit with fellow band members. Keep an eye on the clock so you have plenty of time to get your instrument, music, and correct seat for the rehearsal.

-Right at 3:30pm rehearsal begins. Be in seat with instrument, instrument accessories, and band binder with important materials ready to go; remain silent when Ms. Schroeder steps on the podium.

-There will be a rehearsal break for 3 minutes starting at 4:00 for bathroom/water/social time.

-Keep working hard and positively until Ms. Schroeder dismisses at 4:30 pm.

-Leave the room cleaner then when you entered it and do not hang around; Ms. Schroeder must go home too!

6.)Classwork

-All class work will revolve around the weekly homework assignments

-Depending on the concept being taught in class, documents might be handed out.

-Students must put names on EVERY piece of music, document, or material handed out.

-Any stray documents without a child’s name on them will be thrown away

-Keep all documents and work organized from oldest to newest in your band binder because we will refer back to it often

7.) Homework Passoffs

-You will always have homework: practicing your weekly homework assignments and strengthening your muscles to play your instrument for an extended amount of time.

-These assignments will be written in your HOMEWORK PACKET on the first day of band every week.

-Parents are encouraged to check that their child has the correct homework assignments written down. They can do this by looking on Ms. Schroeder’s website under Homework:

-There are no required minutes each week for basic concepts taught in class. This is because every student is different in how long it takes to learn a concept.

-Students are to use their best judgment as to how long each concept assigned will take to learn.

-However, even if a concept has been mastered, practicing throughout the week is required. This is because the muscles necessary to play a whole concert must be built over time.

Section II continued:

(More on Homework Passoffs)

-So, every student must have a parent/guardian sign a full signature to verify that the child has practiced at least 30 minutes, three days a week on their current homework assignments as stated in their HOMEWORK PACKET

-If your child wishes to become a top player in the band program it is highly recommended that they try to practice every day for 20 or more minutes.

8.)Other Homework

-Ms. Schroeder will also assign homework involving writing, drawing, computer research, etc depending on what we are learning in class. Ms. Schroeder will post any assignments and their due dates under Homework on her website:

Section III: Concerts & Performances

Performances are one of the reasons musicians are in existence today. A successful concert shows off the talents of the students and provides opportunities for confidence building.

  1. Concert Etiquette
  2. Concert Attire

1.) Concert Etiquette

-All Brawley Band students must perform at every concert – this is the largest grade they will receive each quarter and the music will not sound the best unless everyone is present and performing.

-Students who do not attend due to any reason must make up this very large grade with a research paper. The research paper is not a punishment – it is a way to replace the very important missed performance grade.

  • It is up to the student to contact Ms. Schroeder for a rubric for the paper.

-Most performances will take place at Brawley Middle School or the Lake Norman High School Auditorium. Ms. Schroeder will post the dates/times/locations of each concert before the end of the first quarter of the school year so parents and students can mark their calendars.

-On the day of the concert, at the end of the school day, your child must remember to bring their instrument and music home with them. The band room will be locked after 4:30 pm!

  • BIG instruments (bari sax, tuba, percussion), if possible please line up a way to pick up your instrument after school to bring with you to the concert.
  • When heading to the concert location, students are to
  • wear their proper concert attire
  • Bring their instrument and music with them to the venue

-Once at the performance venue, tollow procedures as indicated on Concert Itinerary handed out a week before each concert.

-All audience members are asked to be very respectful to the performers on stage

-No parents backstage until the very end of the concert

-Parent Volunteers to help set up, take down, and monitor student behavior backstage are much appreciated!

Section III continued:

2.) Concert Attire

-Only for 6th graders in Beginning Band=Brawley Band Polo, khaki pants, clean shoes

  • Please purchase before the first concert in December
  • Order online or give $30 to Ms. Schroeder by October 11, 2013. Make checks out to “BMS Band”

-Only for Jazz Band members = Brawley Jazz Band bowling shirt, black or khaki pants, clean shoes

  • Please purchase before the first concert in December
  • Order online or give $35 to Ms. Schroeder by October 11, 2013. Make checks out to “BMS Band”

-Only for 7th and 8th graders in Concert Band = “Concert Black and White”

  • Please purchase before the first concert in December
  • Gentleman: White dress shirt (long sleeved)

Black dress pants (no jeans)

Black dress shoes and black socks (no tennis shoes or flip flops)

Tasteful tie

  • Ladies: Tasteful white blouse. Shoulders, stomach, back, bust, and bra straps covered.

Black skirt (if higher than knees when sitting down, solid black tights required) Black pants are also acceptable in place of black skirt (no jeans)

Black shoes (no tennis shoes or flip flops; black heels are permitted but cautioned against)

Tasteful, non-distracting jewelry is acceptable

-Only for 7th and 8th graders in Symphonic Band = “Full Concert Black”

  • Please purchase before the first concert in December
  • Gentleman: Black button down dress shirt (long sleeved)

Black dress pants (no jeans)

Black dress shoes and black socks (no tennis shoes or flip flops)

Tasteful black tie

  • Ladies: Entirely black dress or skirt (no higher than knees when sitting down and solid

black tights are required)

Black pants are also acceptable (no jeans)

If wearing skirt or pants, a tasteful black blouse goes on top. Shoulders, stomach, back, bust, and bra straps completely covered.

Black shoes (no tennis shoes or flip flops; black heels are permitted)

Tasteful, non-distracting jewelry is acceptable

Section IV: Course Descriptions

  1. Beginning Band
  2. Concert Band
  3. Symphonic Band
  4. Beginning Jazz Band
  5. Advanced Jazz Band

1.)Beginning Band

-Four classes, arranged by instrument-type allowsfor crucial individualized musical instruction