Cedar River Middle School Band Handbook

Transcription

1 Cedar River Middle School Band Handbook Paul Johnson Director Music Department Cedar River Middle School Sweeney Road S.E. Maple Valley, WA Phone: (425)

2 Welcome! Dear Students and Parents, I would like to personally welcome you to the Cedar River Middle School band program. This program has an established, well respected place in the school and community. We take pride in our quest for musical excellence and commitment to student learning. The continued success of the band depends entirely upon the efforts and dedication of each and every one of us. Carry your responsibility with pride! This handbook serves to outline the basics of the program so that we will be working together as a team throughout the year. Please read it carefully, ask any questions and respond by signing the agreement at the back of the handbook. I am looking forward to working with you! Sincerely, Mr. Paul Johnson CRMS Band Director

3 Course Descriptions The 6 th Grade Band, 7 th Grade Band and Jazz band will provide instruction in instrumental skills through the performance of increasingly challenging band literature. The 6 th and 7 th grade bands are designed to be yearlong classes, and it is the CRMS expectation that students will stay in for the whole year. 6 th Grade Band is designed for beginning players who will learn the basic concepts of the instruments and performance skills. It is also for students who played in 5 th grade band and are ready for a new challenge. 7 th Grade Band is primarily designed for advancing players who understand the basic concepts of the instruments and demonstrate a moderately high level of proficiency in performance skills. Jazz Band is designed to teach students the various basic concepts of jazz phrasing, style, and improvisation. Students will be exposed to as many varied styles of Big Band Jazz as possible, such as Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson. Jazz band meets at 7:30am on blue days, and is open to all capable band students who are willing to take on the extra commitment. To audition, interested students need to play: 1) The memorized Bb concert chromatic scale perfectly. 2) A song beyond line 100 in Book 1 that Mr. Johnson and the student agree upon. All bands will make numerous appearances. Band students are required to take part in these performances unless prior arrangements are made with the band director. It will be at the discretion of the band director whether or not the student will participate in every performance. Classroom Procedures/Expectations Each student will do his or her best and not interfere with the learning of those around them. Respect each other and school equipment Listen and follow directions Come prepared with music folder, pencil and instrument for each band class. No gum, food or drink in the band room. No student is allowed in the music office without express permission from the director. Supplies needed Your instrument! A band book. You can buy this at most any local music store (see attached list): o 6 th graders: Essential Elements for Band 2000, Book 1 o 7 th graders: Essential Elements for Band 2000, Book 2 Music Folder: Mr. Johnson will provide you with a folder compliment of a local music store. You may also use one of your own or a 3 ring binder. Pencil: You must have a pencil every day in class. Keep one in your music folder at all times.

4 Care and cleaning supplies: Each instrument has unique supplies that are necessary to keep them functioning properly. Here are the minimum requirements for each instrument: Flutes: Cleaning rod, swab Oboe and Bassoon: Two good reeds, swab, cork grease, water container (pill bottle works well) Clarinet: Three or more good #2 reeds, swab, cork grease. A neck strap by Claricord is highly recommended Saxophone: Neck strap, three good reeds, swab, cork grease Trumpet and French Horn: Valve Oil, Tuning slide grease, small rag Trombone: Slide Cream, Water Spray Bottle, Tuning slide grease, small rag Tuba/Baritone: Valve Oil, Tuning slide grease, small rag Percussion: A percussion kit, containing a snare drum, bells, sticks, mallets and stands. These are quite heavy, so I highly recommend one that comes with rollers as opposed to the backpack kind. By the end of 6 th grade, percussionists should have their own stick bag. It should ideally be stocked with at least 2 pairs of drum sticks, hard rubber mallets, yarn mallets and a drum key. Nylon stick bags are about $15 and can be purchased at a variety of stores. Optional supplies: Many students experience more success on their instruments if they have a digital tuner and/or a metronome for practicing at home. Both of these wonderful practice tools can be purchased for around $20 from a music store. For those with smart phones or tablets, there are some excellent tuner and metronome apps. Instrument Rental Information: The local music stores are the best place to rent instruments, and some have great rent to own policies. If your student owns his or her own instrument, please make sure it is in good working condition. Poor quality instruments such as many of those available at department stores are not recommended. Though they are tempting because of their low price, they often break and play out of tune causing frustration for your student. A list of local music stores is included in this handbook. School Instrument Rental: We have a very limited supply of school instruments available for student use. Some of these are the larger brass (tuba, baritone) and woodwind (bass clarinet) instruments which are very difficult to get back and forth to school. However, we also have some standard instruments that are available to students currently in financial need. Please check the appropriate box on the commitment form. Concert Dress How we look is nearly as important as how we sound! Each band student will need to buy one of our CRMS Band polo shirts so we look great. These are $18 each, but we do not want the amount to be a hardship for anyone. More information will be coming soon. Along with the polo shirt, please plan on wearing the following: Girls: Black dress shoes, black socks or nylons, long black skirt or pants. Boys: Black dress shoes, black socks, black slacks (not jeans).

5 Your Grade... Not only is every student a musician, they are each a member of a group which requires dedication, cooperation, sacrifice, patience and good listening skills. Good behavior, a positive attitude and regular attendance are mandatory. 1) Classroom Participation (40%) This includes all rehearsal behavior, playing effort and written work. Students automatically receive 10 points per day. Points will be deducted in 2 point increments due to a student s lack of preparation or poor behavior choices. Forgetting your instrument on a band day is a loss of 5 points for that day. 2) Assessments (20%) This includes both playing tests and written tests. Practice! Study! Be prepared! 3) Homework/practice calendars (20%) You should practice about 20 minutes per day, with a minimum requirement of 100 minutes per week. I will pass out monthly practice calendars. These need to be signed by your parents each week, and turned into me at the 1 st rehearsal of each new month. Our homework as musicians is primarily to practice our instruments. No one can get better for you. Keep at it. Keep going. You will get better! 4) Performances (20%) Our performances are the highlights of the year - the final exam, the big game.they are a lot of fun and they are required! It is important that students and parents take careful note of the performance dates listed. Other performances may also be added. There are also other non-required performances for those students wishing to play in the solo/ensemble contest. Please make a sincere effort to avoid conflicts that would cause your child to miss a performance. CRMS Band Performances: Date Location Time Event Saturday, 11/14/2015 Tahoma HS TBA (Morning) THS Holiday Bazaar (7 th and Jazz bands only) Monday, 12/7/2015 CRMS 7 pm First concert! (all bands) Tuesday, 3/29/2016 Auburn HS (field trip) Middle School Band Contest (7 th grade only) Saturday, 4/30/2016 Mt. Baker MS TBA Solo and Ensemble Contest (not required) Wednesday, 5/18/2016 TMS 7 pm District Jazz night (Jazz Band only) Monday, 5/23/2016 CRMS 7 pm Final concert (all bands) Thursday, 6/2/2016 THS 6:00 pm CRMS Awards Night (Jazz Band performs) Saturday, 6/11/2016 Maple Valley 9:00 am Maple Valley Days Parade! (Marching Band) TBA = To Be Announced

6 Local Music Stores A# Music Co. (near IKEA) 214 SW 43rd St. Renton, WA (425) Horns-A-Plenty (253) (Band instrument repair only) Kennelly Keys Music 200 Andover Park East Tukwila, WA (206) Music & Arts (next to QFC) SE 240th St. Kent, WA (253) Music & Arts (Near Fred Meyer) th Ave. SE Renton, WA (425) Ted Brown Music 6228 Tacoma Mall Blvd. Tacoma, WA (253) The Music Trader (4 corners) Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rd Maple Valley, WA (425) Music & Arts rd Ave. S Federal Way, WA (253) *Most all of these stores have websites as well.

7 Cedar River Middle School Music Department Contractual Agreement I have read, understand and accept the responsibilities of membership in the Cedar River Middle School Band that have been described in this handbook. I will fulfill all obligations of membership to the best of my ability. Student's Printed Name Student s Signature Parent/Guardian s Printed Name Parent/Guardian s Signature Grade level: 6 7 Paul Johnson Instrument Preferred: If unsure, please put "Undecided" Mr. Paul Johnson, Director Name of Parents/Guardians: Please list all contacts Day Phone: Evening Phone: Address City Zip Address: Please check one: I will be able to rent/purchase an instrument for the school year. I would like an application for a district-owned instrument. I understand that these instruments are for families with financial need, that there are a very limited number of instruments available to students through the district and my child is not guaranteed to receive one. I need additional information. Please contact me at this phone number: *This agreement is a graded assignment and must be signed and returned to Mr. Johnson by Tuesday, September 8. Students must have instruments at least by Wednesday, September 16.