WMS Instrumental Music: 6-8
Mr. Ben Streitenberger
Mr. Matt Stanley
Syllabus 2015-2016
WMS Instrumental Music
Class Expectations, Rules and Procedures
Band is a very unique class. All students involved are dependent upon one another. The ensemble must function as one group, working hand in hand to achieve optimal success! Therefore, everyone’s attitude, work ethic, and perception of band must be positive and contribute to all rehearsals, practices and performances!
1. RESPECT
-I respect you, you respect me! We all respect one another, the room/venue, instruments, uniforms, music and the opportunity to participate in making music!
2. TALKING
-Please do not speak out in rehearsal. Raise your hand and you may be called upon. If given free time to talk and visit, please resume rehearsal/class immediately.
3. MATERIALS
-Always have your instrument and keep it in good working order. Always bring a pencil, music and necessary tools of the trade (oil, grease, etc.) to class/rehearsal.
-Lost music is not acceptable. Please take care of your sheet music and method books. These things cost money and may not be cheap to replace. You will be responsible for replacing lost materials at current replacement costs.
4. GUM?
-Nope, NEVER
5. ALWAYS TRY YOUR HARDEST! MISTAKES WILL HAPPEN! DON’T GET FRUSTRATED…WE’LL WORK THROUGH IT TOGETHER; WE ARE HERE TO HELP!!
Failure to comply with the rules listed above will result in: a. Verbal Warning,
b. Lowering of Class Participation Grade/Merit procedure, c. Referral to Principal’s Office and Call Home, e. Permanent Removal from Class
* Please note that disciplinary actions in band are at the discretion of Mr. Streitenberger and/or Mr. Stanley, and each situation will be handled in a manner that is appropriate and just, as necessary.
Grading
Sixth Grade Band: The beginning band instruction is based mainly on fundamental technique and the development of necessary, absolute skills needed to be a successful musician. The band grade for beginners is taken from Practice Cards(which train the young band student to develop quality, regular practice habits that lead to playing success in later years), in-class & at home Performance Checks (which assure measurable student growth and achievement), Performance Attendance and Contribution, and SLO Attainment.
Seventh & Eighth Grade Band: Class preparedness and participation, rehearsal and performance attendance, written and playing tests, and all areas contained within these categories (material preparedness, music readiness, etc.) will contribute to your grade. The breakdown of grading percentages will be as follows: 40% for Performance Participation, 30% for Written and Playing Assignments, SLO Attainment, etc., and 30% forClass Participation.
Homework
Practice is both expected and required. In order to achieve success, one must practice. For 6th grade students, practice habits will be monitored by practice cards. For 7th & 8th grade students, practice will be monitored by daily class performance, and occasional playing assessments/assignments. In addition, all band students will be required to take their instruments home on the weekend and over breaks. This is to promote regular practice. Failure to comply will result in lowering of the student’s grade. Finally, “You are never too old or too good to practice!” Trust me, even I still have to practice!
Required Text – Each band student, beginning with 7th grade, will be required to purchase their own copy of the Foundations for Superior Performance music workbook for their instrument. These are made available at the reduced cost of $7 for all students. This text will be used all throughout band (6th – 12th grade) and must only be purchased ONCE. Please make payment to: Washington Band Boosters. Due date of 9/4/15.
Performance
Performance allows us musicians to showcase our musical talents as both individual players and ensemble members. Band concerts are just one of the many ways we publicly display our hard work and musical efforts and they should be taken seriously! Therefore, it goes without saying that concert attendance is mandatory; a medical emergency/excuse is the only valid excuse for missing a concert. All other reasons, including but not limited to: family vacations/visitations, sporting events (including club sports), and other miscellaneous activities are not valid and will not be excused. Missing a performance for a non-excused reason will result in a 0% F for the performance.As mentioned above, ensembles function as a team. When one instrumentalist is missing from the team, all members are affected. Unlike sports, nobody “rides the bench” in band! You are important to us!! If you find yourself in an emergency situation and are unable to attend a performance, you must contact the directors immediatelyor as soon as physically possible.Instructions: Call Mr. Streitenberger’soffice phone at 740-335-0291 Ext. 3128: Leave a message stating your name, time of call, and reason for absence. You must call and leave a message, as a note the next day WILL NOT be accepted as an excuse for absence. Above all, we want to know that you are safe!
Schedule
This year’s concert and events schedule is as follows, but is subject to change as need be:
August 24th – First Lesson Night for all 6th grade band students/parents, WMS 7:00 p.m.
October 8th – 8th grade practice with Marching Band: 3:00-3:30, WHS
October 9th – Eighth Grade Night at Gardner Park with Marching Band, 6:15 p.m.
December 20th – Sixth Grade First Concert Performance, Seventh & Eighth Grade Christmas Concert, WMS Auditorium, 3:00 p.m.
December 22nd– WMS Band PARTY!!! For ALL band members! WMS 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
January 28th – 30th – Tentative Performance, TBD
February 20th–OMEA Honor Band Auditions, Selected 7th & 8th Players, TBA
February 28th– WMS Pre-Contest Concert, 7th & 8th Bands, WHS Gymnasium, 2:30 pm
March 4th– 5th - OMEA District XVI Jr. High Large Group Contest, 7th & 8th Bands, TBD
March 12th – Beginning Band Honor Festival, 6th & 7th Select Bands, WMS, All Day
March18th, 19th– OMEA District XVI Honor Band Festival, 7th & 8th Select Players, Waverly HS, Times TBA
March 21st– Music In Our Schools Month Celebration, WHS Gym, 6:30
April 9th – OMEA Jr. High Solo & Ensemble Festival, WMS, Times TBA
May 15th– WMS & WHS ‘Spring Band Spectacular’, 2:30 p.m.
May 19th – 8th Annual WMS Band Dessert Awards, WMS, 7:00 p.m.
Performance Attire
Performance attire is a highly important aspect of an ensemble’s success. We want to both look and sound our best! This year’s performance attire will be concert black and white; black slacks/skirt, and a long sleeved, collared, white dress shirt that buttons all the way up is required. Black dress shoes and socks are also required. In addition, 7th & 8th grade students will be issued a tie to add to their uniform. Those students not dressed in proper uniform will not be allowed to perform, thus failing the performance grade.
*Anyone having difficulties compiling the uniform should contact Mr. Streitenberger ASAP.
School Owned Instruments
Band members playing instruments owned by the Boosters/School are required to pay a $35 yearly rental/use fee. This money is used to offset the cost of maintenance/repair and purchasing of new materials such as mallets, heads, specialty instruments, and etc. Fees may be paid by cash or check, made payable to Washington Band Boosters and aredue by Friday September 4th. If you need assistance with this or have any questions, please call me at 335-0291 Ext. 3128.
Jazz Band
Jazz Band is a unique ensemble that is ever changing at WMS. More information will follow.
Band Boosters & Fundraising Projects
As with every organization, fundraising is a necessary part of survival. The Washington Band Boosters do an outstanding job with this aspect of our program and provide you, the band student, with numerous incredible opportunities. In order to make this aspect continue at its successful rate, we may call upon you to participate and contribute to our fundraising efforts in the course of the year. Please understand that your help is both greatly needed and greatly appreciated. If fundraising projects are to arise, you will receive additional information at a later date.
Kroger Rewards: A tremendous opportunity has been developed by the Kroger Company. By linking your Kroger Card with the Washington Band Boosters, a small percentage of your grocery total will be donated to our band organization…for FREE! All you have to do is shop at Kroger. Please see the next page for details, we greatly appreciate it!!
Parental Involvement
Parental involvement is a crucial aspect of the band curriculum. I highly encourage each parent/guardian to be involved as much as possible, be it regulating practice time, listening to new music and excerpts, assisting with instrument care and maintenance, and most importantly, encouragement of student achievement and success! I would further like to take the opportunity to invite all parents/guardians to participate in the Washing Band Boosters Program. Meetings are held on the first Monday evening of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the WHS Band Room. We would love to have you in attendance! Finally, it is asked that you complete and sign the last page, and return it to band with your student by Friday, August 28th. This is to assure that you have read the information regarding this course, and both acknowledge and accept the terms and contents of this packet.Thank you for your time and participation, and I look forward to another incredible year with you and your student!
Kroger Community Rewards Program
The Washington Band Boosters are trying a new fund raising effort by joining with the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Kroger is giving up to $5,000,000 to non-profit organizations this year alone. We want to be sure to earn our share!It’s easy. All you do is go online and link your Kroger Plus Card to the Washington Band Boosters, Inc. Then when you use your Plus card all of your purchases will be credited to the band boosters and we will receive a check in the mail. It is very simple to sign up. All you do is:
Our Number is: 84953
- Simply register online at krogercommunityrewards.com
- Be sure to have your KrogerPlus card handy and register your card with the Washington Band Boosters after you sign up.
- Click on Sign In/Register
- Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering your zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions.
- You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
- Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
- Click on EditKroger Community Rewardsinformation and input your KrogerPlus card number.
- Update or confirm your information.
- Enter the above number (84953) or Washington Band Boosters, or select the boosters from the list and click on confirm.
- To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
- REMEMBER, purchases will not count until after youregister your card(s).
- Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 877-576-7587 to get your KrogerPlus card number.
- Members must swipe their registered KrogerPlus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered KrogerPlus card when shopping for each purchase to count.
Thank you,
Washington Band Boosters
Syllabus Contract
Student Name ______
Grade______
Student Signature______
Parent(s) Name(s)______
Parent Signature______
__ Yes, I would like to be contacted regarding calendar updates, Washington Band Boosters, volunteering to assist with student uniforms, chaperoning bus trips, etc.
Contact Information:
Phone Number______
Email______
(Your address will not be shared, only used by WMS Band and Boosters, done in BCC format)
Due By: FRIDAY 8/28/15