Villago Middle School Music Handbook (2016-2017)

Villago Middle School Music Handbook (2016-2017)

Dear Family and Students,

Welcome back to school! I hope this will be a year that will enable you to learn, have fun, meet new people, and feel good about yourself by making music. You can do all that and more by playing an instrument in band.

Playing an instrument can be a very positive experience for anyone. I like to make my classroom a fun and comfortable place to make music, but still maintain the appropriate behavior, which is required for a good rehearsal and learning environment. Students come to find out that learning and playing go together. You feel good about yourself when you can hear yourself improving on your instrument. This takes self-discipline, concentration and practice. Once you develop these, you can take them with you into any other area of your schooling or life.

I look forward to meeting all of you and seeing you at our concerts. Please call me at the school or e-mail me at if I can answer any of your questions or be of any assistance. E-mail is highly preferred!

WHAT YOU NEED!!!

If this is your first experience with band you probably have a thousand questions about instruments, where to get them and what to do once you have them. I’ll try to help out by giving you a little information about those areas.

The district does not provide every student with an instrument. There is a small selection of instruments to be checked out from the school district, but for the most part, students are responsible for providing their own instrument. Each student that is using a district-owned instrument must fill out a district instrument use form with the requested information before the instrument is taken home. It is the responsibility of each student to keep his or her instrument clean and playable whether it is a school instrument or not. Each instrument case must be labeled with the student’s name that is using it. If a school instrument needs repair, please notify the Director so that she can get it repaired. If damage to a school instrument is due to negligence or vandalism, the student who has the instrument checked out is responsible.

Here are some additional things that will make your practice and playing easier and help you get a better start in band. All of the musical items can be purchased at DeNo’s or Milano’s and the 3 ring binders and whiteboard markers/eraser or feltcan be bought at any pharmacy, office supply or grocery store.

1. All students can benefit from having a music stand to practice on at home. These help to insure better posture by having the music at the correct height when practicing. Inexpensive folding stands can be purchased at most music stores. I also suggest all students’ purchase a metronome & tuner either from DeNo’s or an app on their phone. My suggestion for an app is Tonal Energy Tuner but there are many other free apps as well. Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

2. All students need a 3 ring binder for band only. Inside this binder should be a pencil, whiteboard marker, whiteboard eraser or felt/fabric piece, method book and all music or handouts given in class. I hand out A LOT of paper and unless we are organized, it’s very easy to lose important sheets.

3. Woodwind players should have at least 2 -3 extra reeds with them in case the one they are playing on breaks during rehearsal. For beginning students I suggest buying a number 2 or 2.5 strength reed to start with. 2.5 strength is best for clarinet players to start. It is also important to have cork grease, a cleaning swab, and mouthpiece brush (sax/cl) to clean your instrument after you have played. These items may be included when you rent an instrument.

4. Brass players will need valve oil, tuning slide grease, and an instrument cleaning “snake” for their horns. Trombone players will need slide oil or slide grease, and a small water spray bottle for their slides. A mouthpiece brush is also recommended.

5. Sixth grade percussionists need to have a Bell Kit. Recommendations are Ludwig or Vic Firth brands. This kit should include: Drum sticks (size 5A, 5B or 2B), practice pad with stand, and a set of bells with mallets. Bell kits give the student a better opportunity to learn to read treble clef and the practice pads let the student practice quietly at home. 7th and 8th grade percussionists will also need to supply at least their own pair of drumsticks and a pair of medium yarn or hard mallets.

IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN QUALITY INSTRUMENTS AND AVOID MISHAPS, EACH STUDENT PLAYS ONLY THEIR INSTRUMENT UNLESS THE DIRECTOR HAS APPROVED A SWITCH. PERCUSSIONISTS ARE THE ONLY ONES ALLOWED TO PLAY PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS.

Required Books and Printed Music

6th Grade Students: Accent on Achievement Book 1

7th Concert Band: Accent on Achievement Book 2

7th/8th Wind Ensemble: Accent on Achievement Book 3

Percussion Class Students: Alfred’s Drum Method Book 1 (blue)

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF ANY MUSIC RECEIVED. IT IS NOT DISPOSABLE OR A GIFT TO KEEP!!!

BAND CLASS GRADING

For this year your grade each quarter will be based on the following areas:

AreaPercentagePoint Value

1. Playing Tests20 Percent25 per test

(See the Playing Test Grading Scale for scoring on playing tests. 2 tests each quarter worth 25 points each)

2. Being Prepared20 Percent4 per day

(20 days per quarter at 4 points each day for having: binder, music, instrument, pencil, whiteboard maker, and good behavior)

3. Practice Records 30 Percent10 per week

(Starting in September practice records will be due at the beginning of each week. You will get 10 points for every week in which the required two hours of practicing was achieved. 10 points is also the max amount of points I will be able to give. However if you practice more than 2 hours a week, that’s great! You’ll just get better!There will be opportunities to gain extra credit for completing practice logs over various breaks for those who choose.)

4. Concert Participation30 Percent60 per concert

(This is for your performance at concerts during each grading period)

Playing Tests (20 percent)

The primary goal of any performing group is the development of individual performance skills. Students will be given performance tests about every two weeks over some musical skill or knowledge that we are working on in class. On a playing test your grade is not determined by comparing your playing with other band members; it is based on your own effort and progress as it relates to your potential and ability. Playing tests are done in class and we all applaud after each test.

There will be two playing tests during each quarter. Each test is worth 25 points for a total of 50 points each quarter. Tests will cover one or more of the following areas:

Major Scales -- Chromatic Scale – technique book studies—Sections from band music

If a student’s score is below 80 percent, the tests may be retaken in the following week for a better grade. It will be your responsibility to make arrangements with me to come in before or after school in order to make up or retake a test. All incomplete tests will be given zero points at the end of the grading period.

There are several concepts in playing various instruments that are both essential to proper technique and within the capabilities of all students. Students will not receive a high grade if they do not sit and play the instrument properly. For wind players (brass and woodwinds), proper posture, breath support, hand position and embouchure are necessary to produce the best sound and achieve the best technique. Good technique, including posture and hand position is also necessary in the playing of percussion instruments.

Below is the scoring that I use to grade Playing Tests. Each of the 5 categories has a max score of 5. Therefore a perfect score would be a 25 out of 25. The students will get this sheet back with their score for each category circled so that they know where they need to improve.

Tone

5 Student produces solid characteristic tone on the instrument with center or “core” to sound

4 Student has some fuzziness or airiness to tone

3 Student has fuzziness to sound, lacks solid core (no support)

2 Student is able to produce a sound but sound splits (double buzz), has no core, is airy, and is “blatty” or “squawky”

1 Student has tone as in 2 above and does not complete exercise

Correct Notes

5 Student misses no notes in exercise

4 Student misses no more than 2 notes in exercise

3 Student misses no more than 5 notes in exercise

2 Student misses 5 or more notes

1 Student misses 5 or more notes, does not complete exercise

Rhythm

5 Student maintains steady tempo and plays all rhythms correctly

4 Student fluctuates in tempo

3 Student misses rhythm patterns and fluctuates in tempo

2 Student misses patterns and starts and stops within exercise

1 Student does not complete exercise

Articulation

5 Student produces clear attacks, plays all articulations correctly

4 Student produces fuzzy (unclear) attacks but plays all articulations correctly

3 Student produces fuzzy attacks and slurs instead of tongues, misses staccato and legato markings

2 Student produces fuzzy attacks and misses most articulation markings

1 Student does not complete exercise

Posture

5 Student sits or stands correctly, on edge of chair, using proper hand position

4 Student sits or stands correctly, but with improper hand position

3 Student leans back in chair, proper hand position

2 Student crosses legs/leans in chair/puts feet on case, has proper hand position

1 Student crosses legs/leans in chair/puts feet on case, has improper hand position

Total Score out of 25 = ______

Class Participation (20 Percent)

There are approximately 20 class days in each quarter grading period. Students will be given four points each day for bringing their instrument, music in a binder, whiteboard marker, pencil, and maintaining appropriate behavior in class. If the student arrives in class without the proper materials, they will not be awarded their points for the day. Since I only see each student every other day, it is imperative that students have their instruments for every class period!

Because a performing musical organization must go beyond the achievements of the individual, there must be careful consideration given to the development of group interaction skills. Negative or disruptive behavior is detrimental to learning and the accomplishment of performance goals in band. If a student is disruptive to the learning of the class and must be separated from the band, they will not be awarded their class participation points for that day.

Practice Records (30 percent)

Time allotted in school is insufficient for the development of the necessary skills for high quality performance. It is strongly suggested that individual effort outside the classroom become a part of a weekly study routine.

Students are expected to maintain a regular schedule of home practice that will allow them to:

1)Prepare them for their regular class assignments

2)Prepare them for special individual assignments

3)Maintain themselves at a proper level of musicianship

Regular daily practice is essential to accomplish these goals. It is recommended that you establish a schedule of a minimum of 30 minutes a day for at least four days each week. The playing tests given at regular intervals throughout the quarter will measure your progress and check on your practice.

Concert Participation (30 percent)

As a member of a performing group you may be playing at a variety of different events over the grading period. All groups will be involved in formal concerts at certain times throughout the year and some groups will play at social functions or sporting events.

It is extremely important that all members of a performing group attend every performing event for that group. The band is a team and each member relies on the other members of the group to play their part. Our concerts are the “big game” where we show the audience the result of our hard work and effort. If an unavoidable conflict arises you must let me know with a note from your parents at least two weeks in advance, but more is preferred. This will allow us time to redistribute parts before the concert.

Occasionally emergencies arise on the day of a performance, which may cause a student to be late or to miss a performance. If this happens, you must give me, as soon as possible, a written excuse signed by your parents explaining your absence. Since part of your grade is dependent upon your performance participation it is very important that you not miss performances. “I forgot” or “I didn’t tell my family we had a concert” is unacceptable.If a student is not dressed appropriately they do not play or receive their points. If a student arrives after call time they only receive half points. When appropriate, students will be given alternative assignments to make up lost points from missing a concert.

Extra Credit (varying points)

Students may receive extra credit points for attending special events or completing special assignments. A listing of these will be posted in the band room or available from me. There are many fine concerts, which are free at the many schools in town. Central Arizona College (sometimes has a fee), Casa Grande Union High School, Vista Grande High School, Cactus Middle School and Casa Grande Middle School all have concerts during the year and I encouraged all students to attend. Students attending concerts will need to bring in a program from the concert signed by their parents and write a paragraph about the event they attended in order to receive extra credit.

TARDINESS

A student will be considered on time if:

They are in the band room by the late bell and playing the first warm-up when directed at the beginning of class

They check in personally with the Director or designated attendance person BEFORE the designated time of a rehearsal or performance

They have conferred with the Director prior to the scheduled event and/or have an explanation written and signed by a parent

They have a teacher or administrator signed pass from admittance after class time begins

TO BE EARLY IS TO BE ON TIME. TO BE ON TIME IS TO BE LATE. TO BE LATE IS UNACCEPTABLE.

A great way to impress Ms. Baker is to be early to our band events. There are always things that need to be done before concerts, parades or band functions. If everybody asked something like “What can I do to help?”could you imagine how great our band would be?

REHEARSALS

Since time goes fast and is limited for us to prepare for performances, it is crucial that each rehearsal time be conducive to productivity. Whenever a group is in rehearsal, be it in the Band Room or outside, each member of the group must refrain from unnecessary talk, have a pencil, remain attentive, and play their part to the best of their ability. Failure to abide by these rules will result in partial credit for the day, along with an after school detention. Book bags and cases need to be kept out of the Band set-up, preferably under your seat and will not obstruct a walkway around and through the Band. Instrument cases are to be kept in your locker during rehearsal. The down beat for the first warm-up will be PROMPTLY after the bell rings for class and on the other designated rehearsal times. Please remember that rehearsal time is the time to put PRACTICED parts together.

BAND BEHAVIOR & EXPECTATIONS

-Treat yourself, the director, others, all instruments, and equipment with respect

-Play only your own instrument and only when asked

-Be on time and ready for class with all materials

-Actively listen and be engaged in all rehearsals

-Keep band room and all personal/school equipment organized

-Encourage others and have FUN playing music together!

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior

1. Verbal Warning
2. In class time out
3. Out of class time out and parent contact
4. Severe referral to officeand further discussion/action if needed

RESPECT

It is expected that you always exhibit proper respect for yourself, your peers, school, staff members, band families, and the Director. If you have a conflict with someone, go to that person and resolve it. The Director is approachable for any matter and conversations are kept confidential. Any Band member who steals another person’s belonging will be referred to an administrator and possibly the police and the Director will suggest that the student be removed from the Band. Profanity or lewd behavior of any type will not be tolerated. Repeat offenders will be subject to loss of assignment points, parental referral, and administrative action. Any discrepancies must be resolved with the Director. Respect also goes for substitute teachers. Times will arise that the director will be sick or at conferences and students are expected to treat the substitute as well if not BETTER than they treat the director. Students should try to make our substitutes LOVE BEING IN OUR ROOM and want to come back. Ms. Baker LOVES getting good sub reports.