Handbook
Of the
Locust Grove
Middle School
Band Program
2015-16 School Year
Mr. R. Kreg Biffle, Director
Mr. Tony Townsend, Principal
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Locust Grove Middle School Band Program is to impart an appreciation of music to all of its members through successful study and performance. In addition, those students with the interest, talent, and dedication are given the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge of music that will prepare the student for the progression into the high school band program.
FOREWORD
This handbook is written as a guideline for students of the instrumental music department. This handbook is an effort to explain to every band student and parent what is expected of them in the band program and to outline many of the procedures and practices that govern the operation of the band. These guidelines have evolved over a number of successful years in some of the model middle school band programs in the country.
The band has a unique place in the school curriculum. While it is an academic class in the sense that it has a definite curriculum and expected competencies, there are some aspects of the band curriculum that require participation outside of the normal school day. Responsibilities of the group cannot be divided up by the hours of the school day. Students and parents should understand that the success of the band depends on each band member being in place to perform his/her responsibility to the group and that participation is required of each member.
There are a number of benefits that students can realize by participation in the band program. The intense concentration and training required to perform in band is the same kind of training that produces success in every field. Playing in the band develops coordination, organization, and mental discipline, and that explains why bands invariably have such a high percentage of the school’s highest-ranking academic students in the organization. Scholarship and musicianship go hand in hand!
Through the cooperation of every student, parent, and teacher, we can have many enjoyable musical experiences affording musical growth, accomplishment, appreciation, and recreation. Students will experience many hours of work and play as a member of the band, and hopefully each member will share in the spirit of doing a Quality Job!
BAND CLASSES
Band programs inHenry County middle schools are organized along grade levels. The sixth grade is the starting point countywide for the study of instrumental music. There will be two 6th grade band classes that will meet every day. This is where we will learn and develop the fundamentals and basic skills needed to read music and rhythms as well as to play an instrument. The sixth grade band will perform a Debut Concert in February as well as a Spring Concert in May. They will also be asked to perform for the 5th graders at some point during the spring as well.
In the seventh and eighth grades, the classes will also be divided by grade levels. In these classes the focus will be on further developing fundamental playing skills such as proper tone production, music and rhythm reading skills, and learning/memorizing seven major scales. We will then be able to translate these skills into learning concert music. All 7th and 8th grade students will perform a combined Christmas Concert as well as a Spring Concert. All 7th and 8th graders will also be performing at several selected home basketball games this year. Students will be held accountable for being able to properly play their music before being allowed to perform at these concerts.
In addition to these classes, the more advanced 7th and 8th grade students will also get the opportunity for more intense study and rehearsal of more advanced music. These students will perform together for a Fall Concert as well as performing at our District Performance Evaluations. These students may also have a few additional rehearsals in the morning or after school as needed.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
6th GRADE STUDENTS: For the first several weeks of band class, the students will need paper and pencil as well as a folder with pockets to keep up with paper and handouts given out in class. They will spend time learning the fundamentals of music reading, rhythm reading and comprehension, musical notation as well as going through the process of instrument selection. In the instrument selection process, students will select a few instruments in which they are interested and then I will meet briefly with each student to try and match him or her up with an instrument that is best suited for them while also making sure I start the right number of students on each instrument to keep a balanced instrumentation and not be overloaded on any specific instrument. There are many factors that are taken into account when determining instrument selection including their level of success when trying out a particular instrument as well as physical characteristics such as hand and finger size, lip and teeth structure, and the physical size of the student. Iwill also take other classroom factors into account such as behavior and quiz or test grades from band. I do try to give the students and parents a voice in this process, however, the final decision on instrument selection is ultimately that of the band director.
6th GRADE INSTRUMENTRENTALS
Once the instrument testing process is complete, students will bring home a sheet listing the instrument which they have been selected to play as well as some information concerning exactly what supplies they will need to go along with their instrument. I will also send home brochures from ourlocal music stores concerning their specific instrument rental or purchase programs. I would ask that you NOT go out and get an instrument or supplies until after I have sent home this information! I would also strongly encourage you to get your child’s instrument through an actual musical instrument dealer that can supply a warranty as well as offer repair services as opposed to a wholesale club, a super store, a pawn shop, or on the internet. Please feel free to email me if you need any suggestions!
6thGRADE INSTRUMENT KICK-OFF DAY
Approximately 1 ½ - 2 weeks after receiving this information, we will have our 6th Grade Instrument Kick-Off Day where the students will actually bring their instrument to school for the first time. This will take place during the connection periods and I will have several additional music teacherscome in that day to help kids specifically on their instrument and learn the basics of putting the instrument together correctly, routine maintenance for their instrument, proper embouchure and hand position andactually playing their first few notes. This is a VERY exciting time for the students and it is extremely important that they be present with their instrument and all necessary supplies as to not get behind from the start. The day immediately after the Kick-Off is when students will begin bringing their instrument and supplies with them to school every day for use during class.
7th GRADE STUDENTS: Students will need their instrument, band music folder, and their Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 which they used during 6th grade band. Upon completion of Book 1, students will need to purchase Essential Elements 2000 Book 2for use during the remainder of the year. They will need to have Book 2 no later than September 1. We will also be using additional textbooks during class that will be provided by the school. I also recommend that students buy a metal folding music stand for use with home practice if they have not already done so.
8th GRADE STUDENTS: Students will need their instrument, band music folder, andtheirEssential Elements 2000 Book 2 which they used during 7th grade band. We will also be using additional textbooks during class that will be provided by the school. I also recommend that students buy a metal folding music stand for use with home practice if they have not already done so.
CONCERT ATTIRE
The concert uniform for all grades will consist of the official LGMS Band golf shirt (which you purchase from the school) along with a pair of black slacks, black socks, and black shoes. Pants may NOT be black jeans but must be a pair of casual-type slacks or dress pants. Shoes and socks must be SOLID black. Girls may choose to wear black hose with black shoes if they wish.
Any student not in proper uniform will either lose a portion of their concert grade points or may not be allowed to perform which will then be counted as an unexcused absence from a performance. This will be at the discretion of the director depending on the severity of the uniform violation.
CLASS RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
It is a privilege to be a part of the band program. Due to the nature of the class, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed in order to maintain a successful rehearsal environment. These are as follows:
1. Have respect for your director and classmates at all times!
2. Be in your seat (not in the storage room, at the water fountain, or standing around
socializing) with all equipment ready to play three minutes after the time class is
scheduled to start. Otherwise you will be counted as tardy. BEING IN THE BAND
ROOM ON TIME DOES NOT MAKE YOU ON TIME FOR BAND CLASS!
3. Do not play your instrument until the director begins the rehearsal.
4. Do not touch any instrument except your own.
5. Do not touch any piece of percussion equipment.
6. Raise your hand for permission before speaking or getting out of your seat for
anyreason (including going to the water fountain).
7. You must have your agenda in order to go to the restroom or anywhere else.
8. No gum, candy, food, or drinks allowed. You will receive a step on the discipline plan!
9. Have permission before entering the band office or using the phone.
10. Do not touch anything on the director’s stand, podium, or cart at any time.
11. Follow all directions.
12. Keep the band room clean by picking up trash off the floor and straightening
chairs at the end of each period.
13. Remember the first word of Self-Control and Self-Discipline is Self! Nobody
can doit but YOU!
14. Think before you act!
15. If you have to question something, you probably should not do it!
Breaking any of these rules can result in astep on the discipline plan being issued without a prior warning being issued.
CONSEQUENCES
STUDENTS COMING TO CLASS UNPREPARED: Students who come to class without their instrument, equipment, or music will lose their participation points for the day and may be given an alternate assignment to complete during class. They will not be allowed to sit and do work for another class! This does NOT apply if a student’s instrument is in the repair shop as long as I have a note to confirm that the instrument is indeed in the shop. These students will be allowed to sit quietly in their normal seat and observe the rehearsal while still receiving their full participation points.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR / DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS: Band class, like academic classes, uses the four-step system for discipline. If a student has a first offense, they will be given a first step which will serve as the first warning. If a student has a second offense, they will be given a second step and a parent willbe notified. If a student has a third offense, they will be given a third step as well as an additional consequence such as, but not limited to, silent lunch, before or after school detention, or sitting in isolation with additional work during band class as well as another parent contact. If a student has a fourth offense, they will be given a fourth step and will be referred to one of the Assistant Principals for further disciplinary action. Any student receiving a discipline step will also lose their participation points for the day. This process will start fresh at the beginning of the second semester.
Severe infractions may result in an immediate office referral (or any other consequence deemed necessary by the band director or administration).
ISS: Any student who is assigned ISS more than twice (from any class, not just from band) will not be eligible to participate in any performances or field trips that happen away from Locust Grove Middle School. These students will still participate in concerts held at LGMS. ***Please note that this policy is cumulative for the entire year and not just for one grading period.
STUDENT TARDINESS TO CLASS: Students are expected to be in their seatand ready to begin class within three minutes after the official starting time for class. If they are not, they will be counted as tardy to class. BEING IN THE BAND ROOM ON TIME DOES NOT MAKE YOU ON TIME FOR BAND CLASS! Any student who is repeatedly tardy for the start of class may be referred to an administrator for disciplinary action.
GRADING POLICY
PLEASE NOTE: the same grading formula will be used for grades 6, 7, and 8.
Numerical Grade: Since band is a year-long course, a student’s numerical grade for band is cumulative over a period of one semester (18 weeks). All grades accumulated during this period of time will be averaged together to determine the student’s final grade in band. As per the teacher handbook, student’s grades will be based on three categories:
Practice (55%) – this will be determined by any type of daily work or activity which is not considered a test as well as a daily participation grade (please see next section below).
Assessment (35%) – this will include all playing tests, chair placement tests, as well as concert attendance. Band is a performance-based activity which includes after-school performances as part of its curriculum, and therefore these activities are included as part of the student’s grade. This policy is also supported by the Henry County School System. Performance grades will be worth 300 points.
Semester Exam (10%) – an exam will be given at the end of each semester and may include written and/or playing elements.
Participation Grade: Students will earn a Participation grade totaling 100 points over the course of a semester(approximately 1 pt. per day). Students will lose a participation point on any given day for things such as not bringing their instrument, equipment, or music to class, not paying attention in class or not playing when they should be during class. Students will also lose their participation point for any day that they are issued a discipline step. All students will start with a 100 Participation grade and points will be deducted as needed over the course of the semester.
CONCERT MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS
The only excused absences from concerts are due to illness requiring a doctor visit or a death in the family. Anything else will be considered as unexcused. Please send an email or a note with the child on the next day they come to school explaining the absence so that I can determine if it is excused or unexcused.
For excused absences from a performance, there will be a make-up assignment (created by the band director) made available which the student will have one week to complete for full credit. As it is impossible to recreate a performance environment, unexcused absences from a performance cannot be made up and will simply result in a grade of zero for that performance. In rare cases, a make-up assignment may be given for 70% credit for an unexcused absence depending on the nature of the absence.
*Any student in the Advanced Band who has an unexcused absence from a concert will also be removed from the Advanced Band Class.
COMMUNICATING WITH THE DIRECTOR
If you need to contact me for any reason, there are several ways to do that. The fastest and easiest way is through e-mail. Emails are read several times throughout the day and can usually be responded to no later than the following day. I can be reached at .
Also, I will be using my School Wires website as a major communication toolthis year. Unfortunately, many times correspondence sent home by teachers does not always actually make it home, so I will be posting all correspondence that is sent home on this site - (Please note there is no “www” in the address). Just click on the “teachers” link and select “Biffle”. It is important that you check there often to make sure you haven’t missed anything that you should have received concerning band.
TURNING IN MONEY TO THE DIRECTOR
Anytime you are turning in money for band, please make sure it is in an envelope with the child’s name, the amount, and exactly what it is for, especially if you are paying for several things at once. Checks should be made payable to LGMSBAND and should include your child’s name on the memo line. Please also make sure your child knows to turn band forms or money only to Mr. Biffle and not their homeroom teacher!