Arizona College Prep Band 2016 2017 Sheryl Kitamura, Band Instructor Welcome! Welcome to the Band Program! My goal is to teach you everything that I can about music and help you to become the finest and most musical performer possible. If you always make your best effort, you will experience much success. The study of music can be both very rewarding and a lot of fun. Everything in this handout is important, so read it carefully with one or both of your parents. Then sign the included Music Contract and return it to me. You should keep this with you in your band notebook so that you can refer to it during the school year. I hope you will enjoy your musical studies in band if you ever have any questions, please ask! Sincerely, Sheryl Kitamura kitamura.sheryl@cusd80.com ACP Band Mission Statement The mission of band at ACP is for students to learn about music, to recognize music as one of the most basic of human activities, and to improve understanding of all types of music at the highest levels possible. Band students will learn to appreciate the most meaningful and profound music as a means of both building character and connecting with the best part of the human spirit. They will learn to perform for both their own pleasure and the pleasure of their audiences, and make good music of all styles a part of their lives. The students will learn to demonstrate responsibility, integrity, dependability, and loyalty. They will learn to appreciate the value of teamwork, and how to be both a good leader and a loyal and effective follower. Finally, each student will learn to enjoy doing it all and realize that accomplishment brings the greatest joy. All band classes will study and perform a variety of concert literature as well as music theory, including scales, music literacy, and ear training. The bands will perform at least two scheduled concerts during the school year, along with participating in festivals and other school related activities. Performance is an important aspect of playing and is an essential part of becoming a fine musician. Student Responsibilities Band students are responsible for: 1. continuing to study in band for one full school year. 2. remembering to bring their instruments, music, and other supplies on band days. 3. arriving on time in the band room for class. 4. taking proper care of their instruments and music/books. 5. keeping up with their school work. 6. practicing at home and filling out a practice log.
Band Supplies Find music stores near you that provide services including instrument rental, instrument purchase, instrument repair, and the sale of band supplies. Please be careful to rent or purchase instrument brands of reputable and proven quality. If you have a question about this, Ms. Kitamura can advise you. instrument in good playing condition cleaning equipment suitable for the instrument band method book: 1 st Hour: Standard of Excellence Books 2 & 3, Excellence in Theory Book 1 2 nd Hour: Techniques in Musicianship, Excellence in Theory Book 2 4 th Hour: Standard of Excellence Books 2 & 3, Excellence in Theory Book 1 5 th Hour Special 1: Standard of Excellence Book 1 5 th Hour Special 2: Standard of Excellence Books 1 & 2 6 th Hour: Standard of Excellence Books 2 & 3, Excellence in Theory Books 1 & 2 metronome chromatic tuner pencil black 3 ring binder with dividers Supplies Needed for Specific Instruments Flutes: swab, no oil Clarinets: swab, 3 new reeds at all times (Van Doren or Mitchell Lurie strength 2.5 or greater), cork grease, quality reed holder, Van Doren B45 mouthpiece, Rovner Mark III ligature. Saxophones: swab, 3 reeds (Van Doren or Hemke strength 2.5 or greater), cork grease, quality reed holder, Selmer C star mouthpiece, Rovner Versa ligature. Oboe & Bassoon: swab, cork grease, 3 playable quality reeds, reed holder Trumpets: valve oil, Selmer slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, possible mute required, and Bach 3C mouthpiece. French horn: rotary oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, and Holton Farkas MDC mouthpiece (or comparable). Trombone: trombone slide grease, small spay bottle, slide grease, rotary valve oil for F attachments, possible mute required, and Bach 6 1 / 2 AL mouthpiece. Euphonium: valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, and Bach 6 1 / 2 AL mouthpiece (check shank size). Tuba: valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, Conn Helleberg mouthpiece. Percussion: 6 th Grade: stick bag, snare sticks 5B, and rubber xylophone mallets. Junior High: additionally, medium yarn mallets, general timpani mallets, and tuning pitch pipe. High School: additionally, staccato timpani mallets, hard yarn mallets, brass bell mallets.
Band Fee There is a $30 district fee for all music classes this year. This will be paid through Infinite Campus with other fees. There will be more information regarding school fees coming from the school office in the next few weeks. This fee will allow us to pay for music, supplies, repairs, and buses. Grading Policy Participation Like all classrooms daily activity is a major part of assessing student achievement. Participation involves several aspects such as rehearsal, music exercises, team building activities, as well as reading and writing. In order for students to get their full daily participation credit they must also bring all needed music supplies. These include: assigned music and books, pencil (no pen), instrument, reeds (woodwinds), mouthpiece (brass), sticks/mallets (percussion). Last but not least, students must come with an attitude of success and cooperation. Excessive behavior problems will result in a lost of credit in the participation grade. Performances Throughout the year there will be several performances. There will be a concert every semester as well as various festivals throughout the year. These performances are required and are in alignment with the district and state standards. Practice Like all classes there is homework. In band, student homework is to practice at home. Students are required to play 100 minutes per week of personal practice time. This time should include practicing material assigned during class such as concert music, exercise, or playing exams. Practicing music beyond the classroom assignments does not count towards your 100 minutes. A practice log with parent signature stating that students completed their 100-minute weekly practice will be collected on a weekly basis. You are required to keep track of your daily practice time on the Practice Log that will be turned in every Monday. Late logs will not be accepted. To fill out a Practice Log properly, you should keep the Practice Log with your instrument so that you can write down the amount of time that you practice each day. Beginners should practice about 15 minutes each day and experienced students should practice 30 minutes. Playing tests / Class Assignments Throughout the year students will be assigned both playing tests and class assignments. Playing tests measure student's improvement and achievement as well as State and District Music Standards. Some of these tests will be used for chair placement and some will be used to guide the direction of teaching to individuals. For some tests students will be given lots of preparation time and some will be short notice. Class assignments are given throughout the year and will include topics on leadership, music theory and history. Concert Attire Oakland: ACP purple polo shirt, black pants or skirt (ladies), black closed toed shoes, and black socks. Erie: Black top, black pants or skirt (ladies), black closed toed shoes, and black socks. Tax Credit Any support parents can offer through the tax credit donation program will be greatly appreciated. You may directly donate through the school website to the band. There will also be opportunities to donate music to the band program.
Arizona College Prep Band Membership Commitment 2016-2017 This commitment is intended to verify that the undersigned student and parent have read the band handout and understand its contents as well as the responsibilities of band membership outlined therein. This commitment also verifies that upon receiving notification of scheduled performances, you will make every effort to be available on the dates and times. Student Name Student ID Band Period Parent(s) Name that you live with: Student signature Parent signature