Franklin Middle School Band Handbook

Franklin Middle School Band Handbook

Elizabeth WilsonMary Pepper

979-828-7228 979-828-7186

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Grading Policy3

Performances3

Performance Attire3

Solo and Ensemble3

Band Expenses4

Fundraiser4

Instrument Maintenance4

Franklin Middle SchoolBand Expectations5

Classroom Rules5

Consequences5

Band Camps5

Conclusion5

Franklin Middle School Band Calendar7

Receipt Page *9

Medical Release Form *10

*items that will need to be signed, filled out and returned.

Introduction

Welcome to the Franklin Middle School Band Program. We are very excited that your child will be participating in band. The purpose of this handbook is to introduce the Band Policies which have been designed to provide you with the best possible band program. Please keep this handbook as a reference.

Many parents have never been in a music program, and are not sure how to help their child. The most important things parents can provide are support and encouragement. Be an audience for your child and listen to them practice and make sure they hold regular Living Room Concerts.

Grading Policy

Daily Participation40%

Students receive daily grades based on their participation. This grade is largely dependent on the students bringing all necessary materials to class and actively participating. 20 points will be deducted each day the student arrives without his/her instrument.

Major Grades60%

Major grades include playing tests, written tests, and performances.

Academic Eligibility

The Franklin Middle School Band expects its members to be in high academic standing. The state requires the band program to follow UIL No Pass – No Play guidelines. Studentsearning below a 70 in class at the end of a nine-week period will not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activity. Students must have a 70 or above to participate in the following: Pep Rallies, Performances, UIL Concert & Sight Reading, Solo & Ensemble Contest, ATSSB All Region tryouts, and the Centex Honor Band.

Performances

Band is a performance based class. Every member of the ensemble is vital to its performance success; therefore it is easy to see why all performances are mandatory and graded. The only acceptable reasons for missing a performance are severe illness, with a note from physician, or extreme family emergency or tragedy. Please phone the Middle School band hall at(979) 828-7228or the High School band hall at(979) 828-7168 if one of these reasons causes your student to miss a concert. Attendance at performances will count as a major test grade.

Performance Attire

Winter Concert

Students are to dress in their nice, “church” type clothing.

Solo and Ensemble

Students are to wear their Band Shirt and jeans.

Pep rallies, Band picture days, Spring Concert, spring trip:

Band T-Shirt
Nice Blue Jeans (not black, khaki, or other color)
Sneakers

Solo & Ensemble

Solo & Ensemble Contest involves students preparing a solo and an ensemble (a small group) to performfor a judge. The student is given a rating based on the quality of the performance. Each student will be required to perform a solo and participate in an ensemble.

Band Expenses for the Year

6th Grade Band

Shirt- $15.00

-The band shirt is part of their uniform for the Spring concert, trips, Solo and Ensemble, etc. This shirt will be the same shirt for every year they are in band in Middle School. Another shirt will need to be purchased only if the student has lost their shirt or outgrew their first shirt. Money for the shirt needs to be turned in by the 3rd week of school. September 11th.

Supplies- $5.00

-This cost covers instrument supplies and needs. Things like reeds, valve oil, cork grease, replacement drum sticks, etc.

Trip- $20.00

-The trip will be in May. The 6th grade students will be going to Main Event in the Woodlands.

7th/8th Grade Band

Shirt- $15.00

Supplies- $5.00

-This cost covers instrument supplies and needs. Things like reeds, valve oil, cork grease, replacement drum sticks, etc.

Trip- $50.00

-The trip will be in May. The 7th/8th grade band students will be going to Six Flags in Arlington.

Fundraiser

The Franklin Middle School Band will be having a fundraiser to help raise money toward the band expenses. The fundraiser is not mandatory; it is only there to help raise money. The students will receive a percentage of the profit for each item sold. That profit will go toward their band expenses throughout the year.

Instrument Maintenance

Franklin Middle School Band students are expected to maintain and take care of the instruments assigned to them. Every summer we send the instruments off to get repaired so that they are in working order for the year. If an instrument needs to be sent off during the school year for repair, we will cover the cost. If the instrument needs to be sent off more than two times, than the student is responsible for covering the cost of the repair.

Franklin Middle SchoolBand Expectations

1)At no time will Band members be late to a rehearsal or performance, unless cleared with a director in advance. If there is an emergency the director must be notified if possible.

2)Swearing or any other inappropriate language will not be tolerated at any time, during any rehearsal, performance, or trips.

3)All students will respect all school property and that of others at all times. If something is not yours, please do not touch it unless you have permission from the person who owns it.

4)The Band Hall is the Band’s “home” and should be treated as such. If you use something, put it back. If you borrow something, return it. If you make a mess, clean it up.

5)The Band Hall is for band students ONLY. No other non-band students are allowed in the band hall. This is to protect people who are not familiar with the safety of being around tubas, drums, trombones, etc. Additionally, this is to minimize the accidents resulting from people who do not know how to handle instruments properly. Finally, this is to minimize the possibility of theft in the Band Hall.

6)Every student should have their music, instrument (including extra reeds, valve oil, etc.), and a sharpened pencil during band class.

7)Students will show respect for everyone they come in contact with in and out of the band program.

8)Failure to follow these guidelines can result in dismissal from the band program.

Classroom Rules

Be respectful
Be ready
Be responsible

Consequences

1)Warning

2)Phone call to parents and written assignment during class ~ music worksheets that will count as their class participation when their behavior is disrupting other students’ learning

3)Office referral

4)Removal from band program.

Summer Band Camps

Most colleges in the state of Texas offer a week of band camp in the summer. Band camps are a fun way to improve as musicians. Information about band camps usually arrives in the band office in March or April. We will post band camp information in the band hall as it becomes available. Students can attend band camp the summer after their 6th grade year.

Items tobe Returned

There are two pages that need to be filled out, signed, and returned to me by Friday, September 4th.

Those pages are:

1)Handbook Receipt Page

2)Medical Release Form

Also attached is a Band Calendar. Some of the dates have not been set yet but will be soon. We provide a calendar so that you have advance notice of our upcoming events. Please keep these dates in mind when planning other events.Note: Dates are subject to change due to unforeseen conflicts. We will give you advanced notice if this happens.

Conclusion

Policies are set forth in this handbook to better serve the needs of the group. Parents and students who have questions or would like to discuss these policies may call the band office at (979) 828-7228. The Franklin Middle School Band Program is here to develop your child to their full musical potential.

Please have all documents signed and returned to school by Friday September,4th.

Franklin Middle School Band Calendar

2015-2016

Date / Event / Location
Sep. 10 / Fundraiser Begins / MS Band Hall
Sept.17 / Pep Rally (7th & 8th grade) / MS Gym
Sept. 24 / Fundraiser Ends (packets and money due) / MS Band Hall
Oct. 1 / Pep Rally (7th & 8th grade) / MS Gym
Oct. 8 / Pep Rally (7th & 8th grade) / MS Gym
Oct. 22
Oct. 23 / Pep Rally (7th & 8th grade)
Homecoming Pep Rally (7th and 8th Grade) / MS Gym
Competition Gym
Nov. 5 / Pep Rally (7th & 8th grade) / MS Gym
Nov. 6 / Last Home Football Game(8th Grade Only) / FHS Stadium
Nov. 9 / Veteran’s Day Program(8th Grade Only) / Competition Gym
Dec. 1 / Christmas Concert(All Grade Levels) / HS Auditorium
Dec. 4 / All-Region MS Auditions / Groesbeck HS
Jan. 16 / All-Region Clinic/Concert / Groesbeck HS
Jan. 22 / MS Centex Honor Band Auditions / Little River Acadamy
Jan. 30 / Centex Honor Band Clinic/Concert / Temple College
Apr. 7 / MS Solo and Ensemble / MS
Apr. 11-14 / Color Guard Try-out Practice / HS Auditorium
Apr. 15 / Color Guard Try-outs / HS Auditorium
Apr. 21 / Spring Concert(All Grade Levels) / HS Auditorium
Apr. 25 / Twirler Parent Meeting / MS Band Hall
Apr. 27-28 / Twirler Try-out Practice / MS Gym
May 2-3 / Twirler Try-out Practice / MS Gym
May 16 / 6th Grade Trip / Main Event, Woodlands
May 20 / Six Flags Contest/Trip / Six Flags, Arlington
May 27 / Graduation Concert (8th Grade Only) / Competition Gym

Receipt Page

In accepting this book, my parents, and I accept the privileges and responsibilities as a member of the Franklin Middle School Band Program that are outlined herein. I promise that my actions and attitudes will bring honor to Franklin Middle School, the Band Program, my family, and myself. I agree to abide by the rules and procedures as set forth in this book.

______

Student Signature

______

Date

I have received and reviewed the policies as set forth in this handbook and agree to assist and support my student in holding to the standards of the Franklin Middle School Band.

______

Parent Signature

______

Date

FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND

2015-2016 MEDICAL RELEASE

PERMISSION TO TRAVEL

I authorize Elizabeth Wilson and Mary Pepper to authorize any medical attention that may be needed for my child, ______, while participating in any band activity during the 2015-2016 school year. I understand that Franklin ISD, the Band Directors, and other employees will not be held responsible for any injury that occurs to my child during the activities.

Does your child have any pre-existing medical conditions? (i.e. asthma, diabetes, heart murmurs, etc.)

YES NOWhat are those pre-existing medical conditions? ______

Does your child take any prescription medication on a regular basis? (i.e. inhaler, Prozac, insulin, etc.)

YES NOWhat medications does your child take? ______

Does your child have any allergies to medication?

YES NOWhat are those medications? ______

Will you allow over-the-counter medication to be given to your child? (i.e. Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol, etc.)

YES NO

Are there any other problems/concerns we should know about? ______

______

Insurance CompanyInsurance Policy Number

______

Parent or Legal Guardian SignatureParent/Guardian Home Phone Number

(______)______(______)______

Parent/Guardian Cell Phone NumberParent/Guardian Work Phone Number

______(______)______

Secondary Person to call in case of Emergency (Please Print)Secondary Person Home Phone Number

(______)______(______)______

Secondary Person Cell Phone NumberSecondary Person Work Phone Number

______(______)______

Third person to call in case of Emergency (Please Print)Third Person Home Phone Number

(______)______(______)______

Third Person Cell Phone NumberThird Person Work Phone Number