Sparta High School Jim Walsh, Director

Transcription

1 Sparta High School Band Handbook Jim Walsh, Director 475 W. Spartan Drive Sparta, MI ext Course Descriptions Fall Band: Fall Band is the 1 st semester band course offered at Sparta High School. This class begins in the summer with band camp and focuses on marching band performance. Once the marching band portion of the class concludes in late October, students stay indoors in the traditional symphonic band setting for the rest of the semester. Color guard members not participating in the concert band setting will continue to develop skills for winter guard. Concert Band: Concert Band is a spring semester course offered to students with previous band experience or permission from the director. The course will focus on music performance at MSBOA festivals and contain training in basic music theory. Wind Ensemble: Wind Ensemble is spring semester course available for the more advanced instrumentalist. This audition based class will focus on music performance of high school and college repertoire. The class will also provide music theory training. Jazz Band: Jazz Band is a one semester (offset), performance-based class for the more advanced instrumentalist. This class is designed to expose students to the various styles of jazz with the use of recordings, videos, and rehearsals while preparing for the Christmas Concert, CMU Jazz Festival, Hastings s Jazz Festival and spring concert. Students can expect to learn basic improvisational techniques and a well rounded approach to various jazz styles. Jazz band will meet during seminar starting in November as well as after school once a week. Grading Pencil/Coordinates/Music checks 5% Music Theory Assignments 10% Practice Journals (on Google classroom) 15% Quizzes/Playing Tests 25% Concerts/Performances 35% Final Exam 10%

2 Director s Inbox There is an in-box pocket folder located at the front of the room. Please use this box to turn in assignments and/or remind me of things such as an instrument in need of repair, etc. As a general rule, if you need something from me please write it down and put it in my in-box. Purchasing Supplies All purchases of supplies (valve oil, reeds, etc.), instrument repairs, and requests for music should be done before and/or after class, not during valuable instructional time. Home Practice In the H.S. bands there are many varied playing levels. It is expected that every student will master the basic technical and musical aspects of their instrument (or instruments, for percussion). If you lack a specific skill, you are expected to practice to bring your performance up to an appropriate level. It is your responsibility to have all fingerings, alternate fingerings, and rhythms learned one week after a piece is handed out so that we may begin with the musical aspects as soon as possible. Practice is what one does before rehearsal. (i.e. do your homework). If you are struggling with a particular passage, please seek help from section leaders or make an appointment with Mr. Walsh for a quick lesson! Practice Journals Practice journals are to be turned in twice each month via google classroom. They must be turned in within one week of the dates listed. Anything else will not be accepted. If you are having problems with google classroom, let Mr. Walsh know so he can help you. These can be filled out on any computer that can access the internet. Seminar class is a great time to fill out a practice journal. Locker Policy Students will be assigned a music locker for the school year and provided with a lock to secure the locker. Only school locks are permitted on the music lockers. The music lockers are to be used to store only the following band related items: instrument/case, music folder, and band music equipment such as mutes, etc... Food and Drink are not to be stored in lockers. School Owned Instruments At the beginning of each school year, the condition of all school owned instruments will be noted. Students using school owned wind instruments will pay a $20/year "rental fee" to help cover a small portion of the general upkeep of that instrument. The school will assume the responsibility for all normal wear and tear each semester that exceeds the $20 fee. Students will be held responsible for damage to a school owned instrument beyond normal wear and tear at the director's discretion. Students are not allowed to play or handle school owned instruments assigned to others.

3 Travel Throughout the year, students may be transported by vehicles to various concerts, festivals, and performances. All students are expected to ride on school transportation unless arrangements are made prior to the trip with the director. A student wishing to ride home with a parent must get prior approval. The director is allowed to deny the student s request to leave with a parent if there was not prior approval. The director when necessary will assign seats to students. It is imperative for the safety of all concerned, that all students demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times. Sitting on the bus while the vehicle is in motion, quiet and appropriate conversation, and proper care of instruments as they are being transported are expected of each student. Individual mp3 players, CD players, etc., must be used with headphones only. When on extended tours, deluxe motor coaches and other forms of transportation may be used. All school policies are in effect on any trip taken by the band. There may also be additional performance policies and rules that are in effect. Remember that you are a member of the Sparta High School Band, representing your school and community, with high standards of excellence!! After returning from an event, non-driving students must be picked up at the designated location at the designated time by their parent or guardian. A prior written note will be accepted if carpooling with others. Students are expected to stay at the designated location until a parent or guardian arrives to pick them up. Honor Bands Throughout the year Mr. Walsh will attain information about upcoming honors bands. Often times these bands are hosted by a university. Events will be posted on bulletin boards for students to see. Top students are encouraged to audition for these bands, and reap the rewards of these wonderful experiences. It is also the student s responsibility to search out opportunities and contact Mr. Walsh when information is needed. Solo and Ensemble Solo and Ensemble is a festival put on by MSBOA. One may choose to participate by either playing a solo piece (with or without accompaniment) or by playing in an ensemble such as a duet, trio, quartet, etc. Although not required, it is strongly recommended for the musical growth of the individual. Students will be responsible for entry fees at both the district and state level (between $8-$16 per event). The Sparta Band Boosters will provide payment for piano accompaniments at these events. If an event is cancelled after an accompanist has been assigned, the payment becomes the responsibility of the student. Note: Students must be enrolled in 2 nd semester band to participate at State Solo and Ensemble.

4 Concert Band/Jazz Band Performance Dates October 29/30 All-State Band Auditions November 1 Marching band/choir concert November 8 Marching band banquet December 15 High School Holiday Concert January 11 District 7 HS Honors Band January 28 Solo & Ensemble February 3 CMU Jazz Festival Late February/Early March District Band Festival March 13 Music Coffee House March 18 State Solo & Ensemble Late April Hastings Jazz Festival May 11 High School Spring Concert May 29 Memorial Day Performance June 1 Graduation Performance February 21 Pre-Festival Concert Varsity Letters, Pins, and Awards Band Awards 1 st Year Award Certificate (8 points) 2 nd Year Award - Varsity Letter (16 points) 3 rd Year Award Pin (24 points) 4 th Year Award - Senior Plaque (32 points) Marching Band 5 points Concert Band 3 points Wind Ensemble 5 points Jazz Band 2 points Jazz combo 2 points Solo & Ensemble 1 point All-State Audition 1 point Pep Band 1 point A year in band is made up of two semesters. The semesters do not have to be consecutive in a student s H.S. career. For example, a student who has participated in band for two fall semesters but no spring semesters will earn the 1 st year award Other Awards The John Phillips Sousa National Band Award and the Louis Armstrong National Jazz Band Award are given each spring. Criteria for these awards are available from the director.

5 Student Rules and Expectations The quality of our rehearsals depends upon the preparation by you as an individual. The following rehearsal expectations will help these rehearsals be as productive as possible: 1. Be on time and in attendance. 2. Respect the director, those in leadership and your fellow students. 3. Respect your instrument and school equipment. 4. Participate positively. 5. Prepare your musical contribution with insight and expression. 6. Have proper materials (instrument, pencil, music, etc) 7. Only water is permitted in the band room. Food is to be consumed outside of class. 8. Gum is not permitted in the band room and during outside rehearsals regardless of the instrument the student plays. 9. Leave large instrument cases and all materials from other classes in your locker during rehearsal. 10. Ask for permission to enter band office. 11. Horseplay of any kind will not be tolerated in the band room. You may be liable if you damage equipment/instruments. 12. Use the restroom prior to class. Everyone s participation is needed throughout the entire rehearsal. 13. Students are allowed to practice in the band room during lunch. Students are not to use the room during this time to socialize. 14. Clean the practice room, turn off lights, and shut door before you leave. No food is allowed in the practice rooms. Water only. Electronics in the Classroom: Students will learn to use electronics in a professional and ethical manner. Electronics in the classroom will be silenced and put away during class time and only in use for academic purposes with teacher permission. During all assessments, all electronics are silenced and away for the entire testing period. Electronics in use and/or in view without permission may be confiscated and progressive discipline will follow the SHS Student Handbook. I have read and agree to these rules. Student Signature Parent Signature

6 Absence from a Rehearsal It is important that everyone attend every rehearsal. Should you need to be excused from a rehearsal a parent needs to notify the director via one week in advance. If a student is absent the day of the rehearsal a parent still needs to excuse the rehearsal. Excused absences include sickness, funeral, and family issues. Grades for excused rehearsals can be made up with signed proof from a parent of individual practice in the amount of rehearsal time missed. Should an absence be deemed unexcused by the director, a make-up assignment will not be accepted. Monday night rehearsals starting September 14 th will be graded. Absence from a Performance Absences from performances and rehearsals are detrimental to a music organization. By checking the band calendar on our web page( you will know the required band performances and rehearsals for the school year. Please mark these dates in your personal planners, as well as home calendars to avoid potential conflicts. Should a conflict arise please inform Mr. Walsh immediately to help work out a possible solution. The following procedure must be followed to avoid an unexcused absence. 1). Written request for excused absence by the parent/guardian must be given to Mr. Walsh 7 days prior to the performance or rehearsal. Performances are large graded events and excused absences will be given the opportunity to do a make-up assignment. The make- up assignment is graded as credit/no credit. 2). It is the responsibility of the student to initiate these make-up procedures. All make up work must be completed to earn credit for the missed performance. Failure to make up an excused absence will result in a failure for the performance and will lower the student s grade. Performances are defined as the following events: band festivals, football games (including playoffs), school functions such as graduation, and concerts. I understand the attendance policy. Student Signature Parent Signature