Syllabus, Information, and Expectations

Band Director: Mr. Matthew Leedy

Phone:[school]859.745.5190 [cell]859.948.3246

Email:

Website:bakerband.org

Classes Meet:Monday - Thursday Classroom #: 110

Objective: To teach confident musicians at the 5th and 6th grade level, develop a lifelong appreciation for music, and instill the skills needed for each student to be successful at the future levels of band in the Clark County Band Program

Course Description: The Baker Bulldog Band is a beginning preparatory musical program offered at Baker Intermediate School (BIS) which is the foundational beginning of the entire Clark County Band program. Students will be challenged on a daily basis with exciting repertoire and an expectation of constant improvement. Our goal is to build strong musicians and perform great concerts. We strive to be a beacon of success for the Clark County school community and take great pride in our commitment. Students will be expected to participate and practice on a regular basis.

Class Materials: Bring to class everyday: pencil, music folder (provided), instrument, and method book

Textbooks: All students will need to purchase the preferred band method book, “Standard of Excellence Book 1“(red cover)-approximately $11. We will also utilize the “Master Theory” book series. These will be required for purchase at a later time. The cost of this book is $7.

Attendance Policy: All Baker Bandstudents will be expected to be in class, on time,every day. All students are expected to be at ALL CONCERTS throughout the year. (See scheduledconcerts below.) Participation in our April Solos & Ensembles event is not mandatory but highly encouraged.

Weekly Practice Reports: Students will be expected on a regular basis to practice their instrument. This is vital to the success of the student and the band as a whole. Practice reports must be signed by a parent for full credit. Practice reports turned in without a signature will be returned and accepted, signed, at a later date for a lower grade.

Bandroom Safety: Please always be safe and cautious, especially with all the big equipment around. The evacuation plans are posted by the door. DO NOT go into the percussion section if you are not a percussionist. Never throw anything in the bandroom. LEAVE DRINKS, FOOD, WATER, CANDY, GUM, ETC OUTSIDE of classroom! Please keep your instruments on the racks in the instrument room. NEVER leave your instrument out of its case or out of the instrument room, even if it’s really big. Students are responsible for their belongings and instrument-this includes proper storage and handling at all times.

Dress: For the 2015-2016 school year, all Baker Bulldog Band students will wear our blue band polo, black pants (khakis or slacks), and black dress shoes for concerts. (Please refer to school handbook for day-to-day dress codes.) For girls, silver jewelry is acceptable.

Items that cannot be worn for concerts:

  • White shirts
  • White socks
  • Open toed shoes
  • Jeans
  • Tennis shoes
  • Colored belts
  • Shorts
  • Athletic pants
  • Hats

Summary Required Purchase List:

Polo - $20(Polo information, sizes, and ordering will take place in September.)

RedBook - $11

Theory Book - $6

Grading:

Daily classroom participation / 20%
Weekly practice reports / 25%
Playing tests / 20%
Performance Attendance / 35%
Total / 100%

Enrichment

During the 2015-2016 school year, Related Arts will be offering an Enrichment course on Fridays to enhance our Arts and Humanities and Practical Living and Vocational Studies programs at Baker Intermediate School. The Enrichment course will focus on the following: career education, consumerism, dance, and drama among others. Outside guest artists, programs, and performances will be brought in and offered to all students during the school day. Furthermore, band students will receive physical education/fitness instruction during the 1st nine weeks and art instruction during the 2nd nine weeks; and enrichment the 3rd and 4th.

Schedule:

At the time this syllabus was completed, concert dates had not been fully set among the fine arts department and principals. A separate communication detailing the calendar for the year will be sent home with your child. Below is an approximation of when our concerts and events will occur this school year.

August / September / October
15th – JumpStart Camp! / Fundraising / Concert late October
November / December / January
Veterans Day Concert for 6th Grade only / Winter Concert mid-month / Fundraising
February / March / April
Solo/Ensembles / Concerts mid-month
May / . Stay in touch via the website, in class announcements, and reminders that are sent home. Again, the expectation is that all Baker Band students attend all concerts. Contact Mr. Leedy at any time if you have questions.
Early month: Area Concert (Second Annual County-wide Combined Band Concert)

Expectations/Rules:

1) Come to class with a pencil, music folder, all music, instrument EVERYDAY.

2) Walk quietly into the room, grab your instrument, and promptlybe seated.

2) Do not talk during class.

3) If Mr. Leedy is on the podium, watch and listen.

4) Respect the director and those around you.Do not bully.

6) Your instrument must be ready to play every day.

7) Required equipment list:

Flutes: tuning rod, cleaning cloth / Saxophone: swab on a string, 3 working reeds
strengths (Rico)
2.5 / Trombone: slide grease, small squirt bottle / Percussion: stick bag, soft mallets, hard mallets, snare sticks, timpani mallets
(Evans, Vic Firth, IP are best.)
Trumpet: valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush / Baritone: valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush / Optional for everyone:
Folding music stand, metronome, tuner
Clarinet: swab with string, 3 working reeds, strengths (Vandoren), Strength of reed (#):
5th Grade: 2.5
6th Grade: 3 / French Horn: rotor oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, / Tuba: valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush / Each student will need to acquire appropriate items. (Students: You will need it!!) I will teach students how to properly care for their instrument(s).

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2015-2016 Baker Bulldog BandCommitment Statement

I have read and understand the syllabus. I’m fully committed to support my child as they learn to make music!

______

Parent SignatureDate

I have read and understand the syllabus. I’m fully committed to learning to make music!

______

Printed Student NameDate