Klinger Middle School
BAND HANDBOOK
Name: ______
Class: Period ______Day ______
Centennial School District Phone: 215-364-5950
Klinger Middle School Fax: 215-364-5955
1415 Second Street Pike www.centennialsd.org
Southampton, PA 18966
Dear Band Students and Parents/Guardians,
Welcome! My name is Mrs. Tyson and I would like to welcome you (or welcome you back) to our fantastic band program here at Klinger Middle School. I am looking forward making wonderful music this year!
In the following handbook you will find a calendar of events, concert attire and useful information regarding supplies and practice tips. Also included is an order form for a band sweatshirt. While the sweatshirt is not mandatory, we often wear our sweatshirt at various performances. Additional order forms for supplies will be forthcoming.
Again, welcome, and I’m certain that we will have a great time together in the coming year. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions and/or concerns regarding your child’s music education or in any other area. You can also check my teacher website for further information. I look forward to seeing you at Back-to School night!
Best wishes for a great school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Cara Tyson
Band Director
Klinger Middle School
Table of Contents
Page
1 Calendar of Events
Grading and Assessments
2 Expectations of Band Members
Practice Tips
3 Concert Attire
PMEA Honor Band
Bucks County Music Festival
Jazz Band
4 Instrument Care
Supplies
Lesson Book
5 Sweatshirt Order form ***
***Please return form to Mrs. Tyson by Sept. 20th
Calendar of Events
Band Concerts Dates
Middle School Band Night(7th & 8th Only) / Thursday, Oct. 2nd at WTHSWinter Concert / December 17th at 7:00pm
Fine Arts Festival: Band Night / Thursday April 30th at WTHS
Spring Concert / To Be Announced
Band Events
PMEA Honor Band (6th only) / Keith Valley Middle School, Hatboro-Horsham SDBCMEA Auditions (7 & 8 only) / Thurs. Nov. 20th FDR Middle School
BCMEA Festival / March 5-7, 2015 Neshaminy School District
Grading
Students in band will be graded as follows:
· Daily Band Participation- 40%
· Playing Assessments- 20%
· Written Assessments- 10%
· Concert Participation- 20%
· Year-End Skills Assessment- 10%
Both Klinger Middle School and Log College Middle School will be utilizing video assessments for their band students. More information on this will be provided in the next few weeks. Video assessments allow students to perform in an area that is comfortable for them, giving students the opportunity to be the most successful.
1.
Expectations of Band Students
♪ Students are expected to attend every lesson.
♪ Students are expected to be on time to rehearsals and lessons.
♪ Students are to be prepared with their instrument, music, & pencil.
♪ Students are expected to warm-up after they get their instrument.
♪ Students should remain quiet while the teacher is working with other sections. You might just learn from other’s mistakes.
♪ Students are to be courteous and considerate to each other and the teacher at all times.
♪ Students are expected to have all the necessary accessories with them. (reeds, mouthpiece, valve oil, etc.)
Practice Tips
♪ Set aside a quiet place at home for regular practicing.
♪ Students should practice 30 minutes at least 3-4 days a week.
♪ 10 minutes: Warm-ups & Scales
♪ 10 minutes: Lesson Book
♪ 10 minutes: Band/Concert Music
♪ Practice the parts you can’t play first and then the whole piece.
♪ Practices difficult sections slowly then work them up to tempo.
♪ Take short breaks during your practice time.
♪ The more you play the easier it will get, it just takes time.
♪ Perform for the family. This is a great way to see how well you know your music and for your family to hear how your doing!
2.
Concert Attire
Each student is required to have appropriate attire for all concerts. If a student is not dressed according to the requirements below then the student will not be able to participate in the concert. If any student has any problems meeting this dress code they should see Mrs. Tyson as soon as possible as accommodations can be made.
Girls: White Blouse, Dress Shirt, No Spaghetti straps
Black Skirt- at least knee length or black dress pants
Black dress shoes- not too high
Boys: White Dress Shirt and Tie
Black dress pants- no jeans
Black dress shoes- no sneakers
BCMEA County Festival
Each year the Bucks County Music Educators Association sponsors an All County Festival for students in 7th through 12th grade. Students all over Bucks County audition for spots in the band, orchestra, or chorus. During the three day Festival students in each group have a chance to perform in a high caliber ensemble and a chance to enhance their individual musical skills.
Klinger has a positive reputation of sending quality musicians to County Band. All students who are interested in auditioning need to prepare a specific solo, their major scales, and be able to sight read. Those students should see Mrs. Tyson for audition materials. This Festival is a great musical learning opportunity and we hope many students take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
PMEA District 11 Elementary Band Festival
Up to 10 students in 6th grade band may be recommended to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 Elementary Band Festival. Students recommended must show advanced technique on their instrument in band and lessons. Those students selected will participate in a one day festival in a Bucks or Montgomery County School. Music will be prepared ahead of time at home and in lessons. Transportation to the event will be provided by Centennial School District.
Jazz Band
Jazz Band is an after school music group that performs for school functions, pep rallies, and school concerts. Jazz Band begins at the end of September and practices one day a week. Students in Jazz Band learn to improvise and play many styles of jazz, like swing and blues. More information regarding jazz band auditions will be available in the next few weeks.
3.
Instrument Care
It is the student’s responsibility to keep their instrument clean and in working order.
1. Student’s name MUST be clearly marked on the case. (This is important!!!)
2. Instrument in good working order.
Brass- valves should move easily and mouthpiece be clean. Slides should move smoothly
Woodwinds- key pads should not be loose and mouthpiece should be clean. Box of Reeds, Neck strap.
Percussion- sticks/mallets should be smooth and not bent or chipped.
Supplies
For Home Practice:
1. Music stand
2. Percussionists- metronome
3. Brass and Woodwinds- tuner
For Class:
1. Three Ring Binder- Black, 1 inch
2. Lesson book (Standard of Excellence) Book 1 & 2 *ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE A BOOK*
3. Pencil- to be kept in student’s folder or case
4. Brass players: valve oil, slide grease, slide oil
5. Woodwind players: cork grease, supply of reeds, neck strap
a. REEDS: The best brands- Rico Royal (Blue Box) and Vandoren, Size 2½, 3
6. Percussionists:
a. Practice Pad
b. Drum sticks Band (5B), Jazz Band (Bolero SD2)
c. Optional: Timpani mallets (Vic Firth T1)
d. Optional: Soft Yarn Mallets (Vic Firth M1 American Custom)
e. Optional: Stick/Mallet Bag
7. Mallet percussionists:
a. Bell/xylophone mallets (should have come with your bell kit)- (Vic Firth M6)
b. Vibraphone Mallets (Vic Firth M1 American Custom)
c. Optional: Stick/Mallet Bag
Lesson Book and Music
Each student is required to have a lesson book for class and lessons. The lesson books are listed below. If any student has a problem providing these books please see Mrs. Tyson
-Standard of Excellence Book 1 (red)
-Standard of Excellence Book 2 (blue)
-Standard of Excellence Book 3 (green)
4.
Klinger Music Sweatshirt
Order Form
Sweatshirts are worn for various performances throughout the year. The cost is $22 Please fill out this form and return it to Mrs. Tyson no later than Sept. 20th. Place order form and payment in a sealed envelope. Check payments can be made out to ‘Kampus Klothes’.
Name: ______
Size:
SWEATSHIRTYOUTH / ADULT
S / S / M / L / XL / XXL / XXXL
Payment: (check one) qCash qCheck# ______
Amount Enclosed: Number of garments:
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______
5.