Smokey Road Middle School Bands

965 Smokey Road, Newnan, Georgia 30263 * Phone: 770.254.2840 * Fax: 770.304.5933

Welcome to the Smokey Road Middle School Band Program,

Smokey Road Bands are comprised of the 6th Grade Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band. Each of these bands meets daily as part of the connections courses offered throughout the school day. Due to the large number of 6th grade students that register to be in band, the 6th Grade Band is split into two class periods. Students who register for band in the 6th grade should be able to commit to one full school year of band studies. It is in the 6th grade where fundamental skills are learned and therefore it is essential to complete the full year in order to transition with ease into the Concert Band or Symphonic Band.

The Concert Band and Symphonic Band have a mix of 7th and 8th graders, and they are skill-based. At the completion of 6th grade, students are placed in either the Concert Band or Symphonic Band based on skills mastered during the 6th grade band experience. Class placement is nothing to worry about. Regardless of ability or experience, everyone who commits to continue in band is placed in an ensemble that will continue to build on learned skills.

These ensembles perform at in-school and out-of-school events, as well as in the Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) hosted by the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) (With the exception of 6th Grade Band). The bands work towards a mastery of the Intermediate Georgia Performance Standards for middle school band.

I am committed to working with each parent/guardian, administrator, and student to the best of my ability for the development of each student. I became a music educator, not solely for my love of music, but for my love in helping guide students to becoming positive, respectful, productive citizens of the community by providing a comprehensive music education experience that fosters discipline, cooperation, self-esteem, creativity, critical thinking, leadership, and personal responsibility. With the help of each parent/guardian, the school, and the community, I look forward to working with your student in helping him/her reach his/her highest potential.

Sincerely,

Oscar Prado

Director of Bands

Topics of Study

The Smokey Road Band Program is built upon the core fundamentals of music; good tone, good ensemble sound, solid technical facility of the instrument, solid sight-reading skills, and rhythmic accuracy. Throughout the year, we will continue to forge a strong musical foundation that will be the basis of the student’s band experience. The Topics of Study for the band are located in the student’s Power in Progress Book, method books, and class handouts.

SRMS Band Activity Fee

6th Grade Beginning Band
·  $50 For all Instrumentalists EXCEPT PERCUSSION
·  $130 For Percussionists / BAND FEE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
·  Sound Innovations for Beginning Band (Method Book)
·  Power in Progress Book
·  Band Uniform (Polo) for Concerts
·  Percussion Fee covers an additional Vic Firth Percussion Kit
7th Grade Concert Band
·  $10 / BAND FEE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
·  Sound Innovations for Concert Band-Book 2 (Method Book
In addition, the student will need the following items; which have already been purchased:
·  Power in Progress $15.00 (already purchased in 6th grade)
·  3 ring binder with 10 page protectors (can get from dollar store)
·  Band Polo $20 (to replace if needed)
7th Grade Wind Ensemble
·  $80 (includes uniform purchase and book) / BAND FEE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
·  Foundations for Superior Performance (Method Book)
·  Concert Uniform
Ladies: Black Dress
Gentlemen: tuxedo pants, tuxedo shirt, black vest, black concert tie
In addition, the student will need the following items; which have already been purchased in their previous grade level.
·  Power in Progress $15.00 (already purchased in 6th grade)
·  3 ring binder with 10 page protectors (can get from dollar store)
8th Grade Concert Band
·  $10 / BAND FEE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
·  Sound Innovations for Concert Band-Book 2 (Method Book)
In addition, the student will need the following items; which have already been purchased in their previous grade level.
·  Power in Progress $15.00 (already purchased in 6th grade)
·  3 ring binder with 10 page protectors (can get from dollar store)
·  Band Polo $20 (to replace if needed)
8th Grade Wind Ensemble
·  $70 (only for new members who need a new uniform) / BAND FEE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
·  Concert Uniform (already purchased in 7th Grade)
Ladies: Black Dress
Gentlemen: tuxedo pants, tuxedo shirt, black vest, black concert tie
In addition, the student will need the following items; which have already been purchased in their previous grade level.
·  Foundations for Superior Performance (Method Book)
·  Power in Progress $15.00 (already purchased in 6th grade)
·  3 ring binder with 10 page protectors (can get from dollar store)

ATTENDANCE/TARDINESS

Regular student attendance is vital to academic success. Students should be punctual and in their seats before the tardy bell rings. Frequent tardiness will result in consequences such as lunch or after school detention or an office referral for chronic offenders. Students are expected to attend all classes and all after school rehearsals. Students who do not attend after school rehearsals may be excluded from concerts and given an alternate written assignment. Absences (except for severe illness or loss of family members/friends) must be pre-approved by the director to avoid penalty. A note must be presented at least ONE DAY prior to the after-school rehearsal. Unless an emergency occurs, notes received the day of the rehearsal or later will result in unexcused absences. Students receiving two unexcused absences from rehearsals prior to a concert will not be allowed to participate in the performance. A student who misses class work for any reason will receive a zero in the grade book until the assignment is made up. Band members will be tested regularly to determine mastery of various musical concepts. Please note: Absences from performances will be excused at the director’s discretion. Due to the effects of individual absences from concerts, performances are graded in the post-test category and account for 35% of the student’s grade. A student who receives an excused absence from a performance must submit a project as compensation. Absences from performances are STRONGLY discouraged.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CLASS

In order for your child to be successful in class, he or she will need to be prepared and bring the following items to class every day: Instrument, band books, and pencil (NO PENS). Periodically, without prior warning, the director will ask to inspect your instrument. All instrument cases should be clearly labeled with a first and last name.

Woodwinds: All keys and pads in playing condition. No loose joints. Instrument, mouthpiece, and reeds must be clean and stored in the correct reed cases. Keys must be properly oiled. All corks must be in good condition.

Brass: All valves and slides in top playing condition. Instruments, mouthpieces, and slides cleaned and/or polished. Mouthpieces free of nicks. Water keys in working order. No stuck slides.

Percussion: Sticks and Mallets kept in stick bag at all times, not stored in the band room. Each drumstick is labeled with the student’s name. Students must have their own drum key.

BAND ROOM RULES AND EXPECTATIONS

All rules and regulations are designed to serve one of three purposes: to ensure the safety of the student; to protect and maintain the reputation of the organization; to allow the organization to meet its objectives. See the Connections Plan for R.E.S.P.E.C.T. on the last page of the handbook for specific rules, interventions, and consequences.

Band Room Behavior:

·  Place instruments in the storage room on the designated instrument shelf.

·  Use the restroom either before or after class.

·  Be polite to other students and instructors.

·  Enter the band room in a quiet, calm manner and be on time for each class and rehearsal.

·  Refrain from horseplay.

·  Have their instruments assembled when the teacher begins class or rehearsal.

·  Have their instrument, binder, music, and pencil in class each day.

·  Follow the directions issued by the director, clinicians, and chaperones.

·  Handle his/her own instrument. Students causing damage to either Smokey Road Band equipment or another student’s instrument will be held financially responsible for the repair or replacement of the damaged item.

·  Not interfere with the rights of others to teach and learn.

CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

·  1st Verbal warning from teacher

·  2nd Time out in Chorus Room for remainder of class with written assignment (Grade for day reduced)

·  3rd Discussion with parents, either through a phone call or parent conference

·  4th Office referral

·  5th Removal from the band program subject to administrative approval

CLASSWORK/PARTICIPATION

Students should come to class ready to learn and should actively participate in class lessons. Participation includes respectfully acknowledging each other’s contributions/view points and responding in an appropriate manner. Students are all expected to complete a Final Project. Students will choose from 2 final projects each semester that will be collected for the final student portfolio.

1. Demonstrate the intermediate band standards through a practice and Smokey Road band concert performance.

Or

2. Demonstrate the intermediate band standards through a poster board presentation (10 minutes minimum).

HOMEWORK

Homework is an essential part of the student’s academic growth. Homework assignments will be assigned to reinforce concepts discussed during class. See information below in regards to homework and other class assignments.

MAKE-UP WORK

The student is responsible for making up any work missed due to an absence. All make-up work must be completed within three days of a student’s return. If a student requires extra help or time, please contact the director through e-mail. It is the director’s discretion to allow makeup work if a child has an unexcused absence or is absent due to suspension.

LATE WORK

No late work is accepted unless the parent has contacted Mr. Prado with an extreme circumstance.

Grading Scale

Category / Grade Weight
Pre-Test (Diagnostic Assessment) / 0% (Does not count toward grade)
Present (Introductory Activities) / 10%
Practice (Daily Work) / 40%
Post -Test (Performances, Assessment of Mastery) / 6th – 40%
7th - 35%
8th – 30%
Nine Weeks Exam / 6th – 10%
7th - 15%
8th – 20%

Repeating Assignments for all grade levels:

Power in the Progress Pass-Offs

6 pass off marks from curriculum handbook (power in progress book). This grade is in the Practice category,

Google Practice Records

All students are expected to practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day outside of class. This practice should consist of scale and long tone study, method book practice, and preparation of band literature. Through Google Classroom, students will submit assigned activities to demonstrate comprehension of class work. This grade is a part of the Practice category.

Rehearsal Technique

Students are expected to demonstrate appropriate rehearsal etiquette on a daily basis throughout the year. 6th graders will be introduced to these elements during the first grading period. Thereafter, all students will be evaluated on technique demonstrated throughout rehearsal. This grade is a part of the practice category.

Playing Tests and Final Nine Week Exam

Effective assessment is designed to move students from point A to point B within the sequence of learning designed for them and frees students to be able to make mistakes and learn from them. Essentially, effective assessment causes students to want to become better on their instruments. For these reasons, there will be a minimum of 2 playing tests each nine weeks and a Nine Week Exam. One of the playing tests will be administered as a mid-term and can be made up once to override the first grade. All playing tests can be made up once before or after school. The Final Nine Week Exam CAN NOT be re-taken. This grade is part of the Post-test category.

Concerts

The band will perform throughout the school year. Band performances will be scored as a performance based final. Each concert will be graded by the corresponding rubric. Performing alone and with others is also a requirement of the Georgia Performance Standards for Middle School Band. Therefore, attendance at concerts is mandatory. Students who fail to attend a concert must complete the project assignment to demonstrate the concepts learned in class. Students who miss a concert are also subject to being removed from future concerts. Each band has a required uniform for concerts. Failing to wear the correct concert uniform will result in your student not being able to play, as well as a reduction in the grade earned. This grade is in the Post-Test category.

E-COMMUNICATION OF BAND NEWS

Band Website

The Smokey Road Band website is designed to keep parents/guardians, students, and the community informed on how the band operates, important dates and other band related information. The site contains the band GOOGLE calendar, news and information regarding the band, the “Week at a Glance”, forms and handouts, resources to assist the student’s development outside of the classroom, a media page to keep the Smokey Road Band family and its community up to date with videos and pictures, and other up-to-date information regarding the Smokey Road Band Program. Please use the website as a resource to stay informed on band related events. http://srmsperformingarts.com/

Receive text alerts:

Parents and students are encouraged to sign up for the band text service (Remind101). This is how the teacher reminds parents/guardians weekly about updates, important events, assignments, etc. This is one of the best ways to make certain your student stays “on top of things.” Parents/Guardians and students can go on the band website to sign up. Use “srmsb” as the class code. https://www.remind.com/join

HOW PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) CAN HELP

·  Read the handbook, and sing and return the Statement of Responsibility Form

·  Subscribe to the text service (Remind101) to receive updates/reminders via text when new/updated information is available.