Rex-Rennert Elementary School Band

Student Name:
Instrument Family:
Instrument:

Buffalos’ Band Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Introduction Letter to Parent/Guardian...... 2

Policies………...... 3-4

Student Responsibilies/Expectations...... 5

Required Materials...... 6

Local Music Stores/Incentives...... 7

Home Practice Tips = SUCCESS ...... 8

Practice Steps...... 9

Student/Parent Contract and Commitment Statement...... 10

Rex-Rennert Elementary School

11780 Rennert Road

Shannon, NC 28386

(910)843-5298

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

Hello, my name is Jerry Adam Efird and I am honored to be the band/music teacher at Rex-Rennert Elementary School. After meeting with your child, I am sure it will be a wonderful year in music at Rex-Rennert. I believe all children have talent in music in their own special way, and it is my job to help them discover their musical gifts. In order to do that, the students will be taking part in a variety of music activities. These are designed to help your child develop musical skills and to know and appreciate many different styles of music.

By performing in instrumental music ensembles students gain much more than simple music training. Students learn cooperation and teamwork, commitment and responsibility, tolerance and acceptance, and perseverance and self-discipline. Performing with a group that plays well, helps build self-esteem, confidence and pride in accomplishment. Studying music also reinforces reading and math skills and enhances gross and fine motor skills.

You can help reinforce what your child is learning in school in several ways:

  • Listen to music together
  • Attend school and community concerts, including local middle and high school concerts
  • Check out CD’s and tapes from the public library
  • Encourage your child, as I have, to share with you some of the things they are learning in music class
  • Encourage your child to read daily

These are just a few ways music can be extended from school to your home.

Having high expectations and standards gives each student the benefit of enjoyment from their musical experiences. This handbook will explain those expectations and also the policies regarding your child’s participation in the instrumental music program at Rex-Rennert Elementary School. Please read through this handbook with your child and sign and return the last page to me. Students will be asked to keep the rest of their handbook in their band notebooks.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time!! My email address . You can also reach me by phone at school at (910)843-5298. Don’t forget to visit the Rex-Rennert Elementary School music web page. There you will find very helpful information including: updated calendars, practice sheets, practice tips, instrument maintenance, and weekly videos. I hope you feel welcomed at our school and in this program!

Musically yours,

Mr. E

Page 2

Rex-Rennert Elementary School Band

  1. General Information

Although band is a supplemental activity at Rex-Rennert Elementary School, students do receive a grade for their participation in the program and students’ participation in band is highly dependent upon their academic success in their core classes. Students who are selected as members of band underwent a screening process involving academic performance, teacher approval, and an audition into the program. Since students in band are pulled from class once each week, students are expected to maintain high levels of academic performance in each of their core classes. If Mr. E and the classroom teacher agree the child may not attend band class that day, the student will be asked to make other accommodations (described in the attendance section). Should students fall behind in any of their classes, they will be placed on probation until the situation is resolved.

Probation simply means students will not be pulled for small group instruction and will only be allowed to participate in full band practices. Those students who are on probation are highly encouraged to stay after-school and make-up the time.

In addition to students receiving a grade in my class, students will also perform independently bi-weekly and be seated based on their scores. These performances serve as mini-auditions and determine the student’s position in the group; the grading policy for this is described below. To keep you up to date, I will expect students to obtain signatures confirming they are practicing (and doing their homework in other classes). Signatures will be placed in the student’s practice journal (this will also be provided, if needed) and their performance scores will be documented in this journal. Please ask your students to view their journal to stay up to date with their performance in band and how they are doing in band class. When report cards are issued, band students will receive a “Band Progress Report.” This is not an official document and is simply sent home to help keep you up to date of the happenings of Rex-Rennert Elementary School.

  1. All Students
  • Attendance

It is absolutely essential that students attend band three times a week prepared with all materials and assignments. If students are unable to attend band class for reasons described above, they must bring home a missed lesson form, which includes all makeup work, andmust be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to Mr. E. When it is determined by Mr. E and the classroom teacher that a child may not attend a class, the student will be asked to come to a makeup session after school or during another class.

  • Afterschool Practices

On occasion the band and/or certain members of the band may be asked to stay after school. If a child is needed after-school, a letter will be sent home the day before. Once the schools tutoring program has started, I will be available once each week after school for students who need assistance. Please write permission for your child to attend these afterschool sessions or contact me via e-mail or phone.

  • Performance Attendance

Twice a year we have a concert during the school day and in the evening. One hundred percent participation at each concert is VITAL, as we all depend on each other to create the final musical product. EVERY CHILD IS IMPORTANT AND NEEDED IN BAND!!

  • Participation/Effort

Every child is expected to give their best efforts in playing their instruments, maintain their band handbook (provided), maintain a positive attitude at school, and serve as a role-model in throughout the school day.

  • Practice Habits

Students will be given a practice chart that they will be required to turn in to the teacher on a bi-weekly basis. Students who turn in their practice charts will be rewarded as indicated below:

Prize Bucket, Ticket, drawing= Turns in a fully completed practice chart on due date. This includes 5 days or more of practice within the two-week practice chart period, all self-evaluation questions answered and completed signatures.

1 Ticket & drawing = Turns in signed practice chart with 5 days or more of practice within the two-week practice chart period, and does not complete the self-evaluation questions.

Drawing = Turns in the signed practice chart without answering the self-evaluation questions and has fewer than 5 days of practice within the two-week practice chart period.
The prize bucket has several things for students to choose from and may include instrumental supplies such as valve oil, reeds, cork grease, etc. when available. Tickets are used throughout the school to promote positive behavior and can be redeemed at the school store for select merchandise. A drawing will occur twice a year; students who win this drawing will receive a donated item from the community, PTO, or myself.

  • Preparedness

If the required materials (music/notebook, instrument, and pencils) are not brought to class every day, students will fall behind in music and it will limit communication between parent and teacher. Please encourage your child to always bring their materials to class each time they attend.

  • Note Reading/Theory

This will be included in the performance assessment scores.

  1. Wind Students

During performance assessments all wind students’ total performance score will be based on the following areas: embouchure, hand and body posture, articulation, overtones, tone quality, intonation, and fingerings/slide position.

  1. Percussion Students

During performance assessments all percussion students’ total performance grade will be based on the following areas: stick control, hand position/body posture, and rudiments.

Your student will be graded on the above areas using the following scale:

10 / Highest Level of Performance
9-8 / High Level of Performance
7-6 / Acceptable Level of Performance
5-4 / Low Level of Performance
3-1 / Unsatisfactory Performance
0 / Does not apply at this time

Student Responsibilities and Expectations

As a member of the Band you are an important part of a team. The rest of the group is relying on you to arrive prepared and on time to practice, to have a positive attitude and to always do your best. Since small group learning sessions are during the day, you will be responsible to make-up the work that you have missed in your fifth grade classes.

Student Responsibilities

  1. Be prepared – Have your music instrument, notebook, method book and all supplies at every lesson
  2. Be on time – Know your lesson schedule, you MUST attend every lesson even if you are unprepared for class
  3. Make up your missed work – Be sure to always find out and make up what you missed at your band lesson
  4. Practice at home
  5. Take your instrument home EVERY DAY and bring it back when you have band and small group instruction:

Monday: Woodwinds (Clarinets, Flutes, and Saxophones)

Wednesday: Brass (Trumpet, Trombone, and Baritone) and Percussion

Thursday: Full Band (Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion)

Friday: Full Band (Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion)

  1. Get help if you need it and whatever you do, DON’T GIVE UP! If you have practiced and still need some extra help, I will be more than willing to work with you after school, before school or during other scheduled times
  2. Always do your best!

Student Classroom Expectations

  1. No food or drink (including gum) is allowed in the band room.
  2. Please be courteous of the other students in the band program and arrive to your class on time and prepared to begin working.
  3. Classroom instructions will be written on the board for each rehearsal. Please read the board when you enter the room so you can prepare for the day’s lesson.
  4. Please respect the teacher and do not talk/play while he is talking or working with other students.
  5. You will be taught basic maintenance and will be responsible for your instrument’s upkeep. Keep a good supply of reeds (at least 4 extra) and oil on hand to keep your instrument in good shape. Clean out your instrument at least once a month (see me if you have questions on how to do this, or pick up an instrument care sheet).
  6. All students should have two pencils for their own use.
  7. Use the bathroom before coming to class.
  8. Remember the instrument you hold in your hands is very valuable. Please be careful in the band room and respect your classmates and their space. Instruments can break easily and aren’t always easily or cheaply fixed.
  9. The following behaviors will not be acceptable in the band program: dishonesty and cheating, teasing, bullying, and disruptive behaviors.
  10. You will be expected to try your best 100 percent of the time.

Required Materials

The following is a list of required materials for band. ALL students will be provided with these materials at the start of the program. There is also a list of suggested materials that are not required and may not be provided. The following is a list of the required accessories you will need to succeed:

All Students:

  1. Wire Music Stand (for home use, do not bring to school) – this helps promote good posture and playing position during home practice
  2. Instrument in good playing condition (These are provided and checked out with Mr. E)
  3. Two pencils with erasers stored in your instrument case at all times.
  4. Lesson Books (Checked out with Mr. E):

Essential Elements 2000 (Book/DVD or CD Combo) (Winds and Percussion)
Rudimental Starter Kit (Book/DVD/CD) (Percussion only)

  1. 1½ inch 3-ring binder

If at all possible, I would like for students to purchase the following items but they ARE NOT required:

  1. One package of five index divider tabs for the binder labeled with the following sections: (1) schedule/handbook, (2) music, (3) practice charts, (4) scales/rhythm sheets, (5) handouts/other
  2. One packet of sheet protectors
  3. Snark-All-Instrument-Tuner-Metronome (can be purchased for $14.99 from musicarts.com (there is a link attached below) or from one of the local music stores.
  4. Valve Oil (musicart.com or local music stores)
  5. Cork Grease (musicart.com or local music stores)
  6. Clarinet Reeds (musicart.com or local music stores)
  7. Saxophone Reeds (musicart.com or local music stores)
  8. New Instruments (musicart.com or local music stores or craigslist.org etc)

This chart shows what instruments should have. Not all students will have

all of these items to take home each day but they will be available at school.

Trombones:
  1. Bottle of Roche Thomas Valve/Slide Oil
  2. Tuning Slide Grease
  3. Water Spray bottle or “Bone” bottle
  4. Polishing Cloth
  5. Mouthpiece brush
  6. Cleaning Snake
/ Clarinets:
  1. 4 extra reeds AT ALL TIMES (Rico or Mitchell Lurie 2 strength)
  2. Reed case that holds 4 reeds
  3. Cork grease and Clarinet Swab
  4. Mouthpiece Cap
  5. Rovner Ligature (optional)

Trumpets, Baritones and Tubas:
  1. Bottle of Al Cass Brand Piston Valve Oil
  2. Tuning Slide Grease
  3. Polishing Cloth
  4. Mouthpiece brush
  5. Cleaning Snake
/ Flutes:
  1. Flute tuning rod (should come with instrument)
  2. Flute Swab
  3. Polishing Cloth

Percussion:
  1. Snare/Bell kit including drumsticks/mallets, a tunable practice pad, practice pad-bell/drum stand, a set of bells or a snare drum. *NOTE: these items are all checked out through Mr. E)
  2. Books mentioned above for Percussionist.
  3. Stick Bag (optional)
/ Saxophones:
  1. 4 extra reeds AT ALL TIMES Rico or Hemke 2 or medium soft strength)
  2. Reed case that holds 4 reeds
  3. Cork grease
  4. Sax swab
  5. Rovner Ligature (optional)
Polishing Cloth

Local Music Stores

Here is a list of some of the music stores in this area where you may want to rent or purchase your instrument from as well as all other required materials for band.

Parkton MusicCo

102 N Washington St .

Parkton, NC 28371

(910)858-1021

McFayden Music Co

3351 South Peak Drive #106

Fayetteville, NC 28306

(910) 864-3600

Music and Arts

5075 Morganton Road #10b

Fayetteville, NC 28314

(910)864-8808

Suggested Materials

The following materials are not required, but would be beneficial and may be eventually be required in middle school and high school.

Chromatic Tuners

These are recommended for all students except percussionists. These devices help train students to center pitches and to learn how to adjust their instruments to match pitch with everyone in the band. I recommend the Korg CA30.

Step-Up Mouthpieces

For beginners, the mouthpiece that comes with your instrument is just fine. Clarinet, Saxophone and Trumpet players who have a year or more experience should consider moving up to the next level of mouthpiece. This allows for a better sound and centered pitch. Do not upgrade until you have been playing for at least one year and have spoken with instructor first (these will not affect our students). Due to physical limitations, many students do not upgrade until middle school. Here are recommended upgrades that will last up through high school:

Clarinet: Hite Premier, Van Doran B 45 or 5Rv

Saxophone: Hite Premier or Selmer C*

Trumpet: Bach 3C

Trombone: Bach 6 1/2 A L (if still on a 12 student should go to a 7 next)

Purchasing an instrument (Do not purchase an instrument before consulting with a teacher) I may be able to find you a discount or offer you a rental agreement through Music and Arts.

Home Practice Tips = SUCCESS

Home practice is band’s homework. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your home practice time:

Students (see practice steps on the next page on how to practice at home):

  1. Find a quiet, distraction-free place.
  2. Schedule a set time to practice each day. Just as you schedule a set time for your homework, you should choose a specific time each day to practice at home. Some students like to practice in the morning before school, where other students prefer to practice as soon as they get home from school. A set time (time that remains the same each day) is most helpful.
  3. Always play with correct posture. To play with correct posture, you will need a music stand when you practice. Wire music stands are inexpensive and can be a big aid during home practice.
  4. Never start out practicing a piece up to tempo (speed). Always start it slow and gradually speed up to tempo until you can play the piece or section of the piece comfortably and correctly.
  5. Break it down! Take phrases or sections of the piece you are working on and practice them at slow tempos then speed them up little by little. Next, add another phrase or chunk to the one you just worked on. Don’t try to play the whole piece right away. Break the piece down and you will be much more successful.
  6. If you are stuck on a specific rhythm, put your instrument down in a safe place and clap and tap the rhythm out until you can get it. Then add your instrument and play the rhythm. If you are still having trouble, try writing the rhythm in above the notes and using the clap and tap method once more. Clapping and tapping rhythms will do wonders!
  7. Three times is a charm. Before moving from one phrase or section to another, be sure you can play the phrase or section correctly three times in a row; then you can move on.

Parents: