A Letter from the Directors

STREAMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

BAND HANDBOOK

2014-2015

Contact Information:

Mr. Zachary Geller

Director of Bands

Streamwood High School

701 West Schaumburg Rd.

Streamwood, IL 60107

Email:

Office Phone: 630-213-5500 x4709

A Letter from the Director

Dear Students and Parents,
I am very pleased to welcome you to the Streamwood High School band program. This is my second year at SHS and I am very excited for this school year. My number one goal for the Band Program at Streamwood is to continue to grow the program by getting as many students involved in instrumental music as possible. Currently there are just over 30 students involved in the Band Program at SHS, and my goal is to double the size of the program by the end of 2015.

It is important to me that I share my goal with you because it will take everyone’s effort to realize this goal. Parent and student involvement is critical to the success of the program. I have already witnessed amazing parent and student support during the marching camps over the summer, and I am looking to seeing the support grow throughout the year.

There are many things that will be new this year, which is why it is critical that students AND parents read through this Band Handbook. The Band Handbook contains a detailed description of the concert and marching band programs and the policies and procedures under which they operate. Please read the handbook thoroughly so that you are familiar with its contents. Parents and students are responsible for knowing this information.

Parents and Students should please give special attention to the following sections:

In the back of the handbook are several forms that need to be completed and are

DUE WITH PAYMENT BY SEPTEMBER 5, 2014. Included in these are:

1)School Instrument Rental Forms (must attach payment)

2)Percussion Equipment Order Form (must attach payment)

3)Percussion Equipment Rental Form (must attach payment)

4)Marching/Concert Band Equipment Form (must attach payment)

5)School District U-46 Concert Attendance Policy/Handbook Form

Again, welcome! I am very excited you have chosen to continue to include music in your life.
Sincerely,

Zach Geller

Band Director – Streamwood High School

Email:

Office Phone: 630-213-5500 x4709

STREAMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

BAND HANDBOOK

2014-2015

Table of Contents

A Letter from the Director

BAND CALENDAR 2014-2015

PEP BAND SCHEDULE:

Statement of Purpose & Long-Term Goals

Musical Development

Individual Practice & Tips

Private Lessons

Area Private Music Teachers 2013-2014

Elgin Community College Conservatory Teachers

Instrument Upgrades & Recommended Supplies

Course Descriptions...... 18

Extra-Curricular Band Activities

U-46 Instrumental Music Curriculum...... 20

1st Quarter...... 21

2nd Quarter...... 22

3rd Quarter...... 23

4th Quarter...... 24

Standards Based Grading Policies...... 25

Attendance Policy...... 32

Excused & Unexcused Absences...... 33

Promptness...... 33

Concert Attendance...... 33

Conduct

Specific Behavior Guidelines:

Care of Instruments & Music

Bus & Travel Rules

Uniform Use Regulations...... 37

Marching Band Uniform Rules and Regulations...... 37

Cleaning...... 38

Football Game Rules...... 38

Band Awards...... 39

Fundraising...... 40

Student Bucks Accounts...... 41

Parent Involvement...... 42

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF 2014-2015 BAND HANDBOOK...... 53

2014-2015 STREAMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL – BAND CALENDAR

The following rehearsals and performances are all official band required events.

DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

**ADDITIONAL performances may be added for Marching Band @ Football Playoffs. Attendance at play-off games is mandatory. Possible dates: Fri/Sat 10/31 or 11/1; Fri/Sat 11/7 or 11/8; Fri/Sat 11/14 or 11/15

2014-2015 STREAMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL – PEP BAND CALENDAR

The following rehearsals and performances are all official band required events.

DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

STREAMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM

Statement of Purpose & Long-Term Goals

At Streamwood High School, we strongly believe that music has the ability to enrich every person’s life in unique and powerful ways. Thus, our primary goal is to foster the development of a life-long relationship with music in every student. Along the way we will also be providing and encouraging positive interactions and personal growth through the medium of music. The road towards these goals is extremely rewarding, yet very challenging. Only through positive effort on the part of everybody involved in the program can true excellence be achieved.

The Streamwood High School Band Program has four pillars that shape its growth and success. These pillars are PRIDE, EXCELLENCE, MUSICIANSHIP, & SPIRIT. They are the foundations for the following long-term goals.

Goal #1: CREATE AND PROMOTE A SENSE OF PRIDE AS A MEMBER OF THE BAND PROGRAM.

A band program dedicated to creating and promoting a sense of pride is characterized by:

-a respectful classroom environment where students are safe to express themselves.

-student who strive to achieve their personal musical potential and that of the ensemble through regular practice and reflection.

-students who believe they are making a positive contribution to the traditions and demonstrate the values of the program.

Goal #2: CONTINUALLY CHALLENGE STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE A HIGH LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE.

A band program dedicated to attaining high-level excellence is characterized by:

-clearly defined and properly communicated performance goals to the students.

-a comprehensive curriculum that continuously challenges students of all levels.

-a willingness to evaluate its performance through participation in a variety of adjudicated festivals and competitions.

-opportunities for students to study privately.

Goal #3: FOSTER AND EXPECT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF MUSICIANSHIP.

A band program dedicated to attaining the highest levels of musicianship within its students is characterized by:

-a curriculum which incorporates the teaching of music theory and performance skills.

-a diverse musical education that provides a variety of musical styles and performance formats.

-many opportunities for students to perform.

-visibility in the school and community.

-specific time for individualized assessment for every student.

-parents who are actively involved in the music program and support the musical responsibilities and activities of their students.

Goal #4: ENCOURAGE SPIRIT IN THE ORGANIZATION AND THE SCHOOL

A Band program dedicated to encouraging spirit is characterized by:

-a high level of visibility in the school community.

-consistent and frequent performances at sporting events.

-opportunities to travel and promote the organization, school, and community.

-students who demonstrate enthusiasm and are involved in other school programs.

Scheduling Band into your four-year schedule

High School band is a four-year educational process. The development of musical skills requires daily reinforcement of individual and ensemble skills. It is imperative for all students to be enrolled in band each and every term during their high school careers. In order to fit all of the classes that are necessary to fulfill graduation and college requirements, students must fill their schedules with many classes, which can lead to counselors suggesting that you drop band. However, there are two easy solutions that are offered at Streamwood to encourage students to continue participating in instrumental music.

Physical Education Waiver:

A P.E. waiver is available to students during first semester. Students must declare their intentions for a P.E. waiver, and fill out all necessary paperwork prior to enrolling in classes in the affected semester. Registration usually happens mid-way through the year, so it is essential that students plan accordingly and anticipate any needs for a P.E. waiver.

Lunch & Band:

Even with a P.E. waiver, many students will find that their still is not enough time for band in their schedule. In these situations students are encouraged to apply for an overload in their schedule, which will allow you to take out your designated lunch hour, and replace it with band. Students who do not have a lunch can either eat lunch during another class, as long as you have written/verbal permission from that teacher, or eat lunch during the first 15 minutes of band class. Students who take longer than 15 minutes to eat lunch may receive a tardy for being late to rehearsal. Students who eat lunch during band must do so in the band room and not in any other location.

Other:

The counselors and administration of Streamwood High School and District U-46 are very supportive of the SHS Band Program, and will work with you to resolve any unique scheduling conflicts. Here is my suggestion for every other situation: if you would like band in your schedule, be adamant with your counselors, but realize that sacrifices will have to be made in your schedule in order to accommodate band.

Musical Development

Individual Practice & Tips

Absolutely essential to improving as a player is daily practice on your instrument. Your homework for band is to practice. Here are some practice tips for making the most out of your practice sessions:

1. Practice every day! Remember, it is much better to practice 30 minutes each day than it is to practice 1 hour every other day.
2. Consider practicing in shifts. In other words, instead of playing for 60 minutes straight, practice for 30 minutes, take a break (do some homework), and then finish later.
3. Try to have a set time every day during which you practice.
4. Have a set place where you practice. Make sure that this place is where you will not be disturbed and where you may concentrate on your playing.
5. Have a goal or goals established for every practice session - be careful not to fall into the trap of simply playing your instrument and stumbling through a practice session.
6. The old adage of “practice makes perfect” is not totally accurate. PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT, so only perfect practice makes perfect! Isolate trouble areas by breaking them down. Begin slowly and then increase tempo.
7. Always begin each practice session with at least a brief warm-up.
8. Spend time every day working on your sound - this is your musical signature.
9. Spend time every day playing scales in as many different ways as you can.
10. Spend time every day working on technical skills including facility, range, tonguing, dynamic range, and endurance.
11. Spend time every day practicing your band music. Make sure you reinforce concepts covered in class on this music.
12. Spend time every day sight-reading.

Private Lessons

While participation in large and small ensembles is an integral part of musical development and promotes camaraderie and mutual effort, class instruction is, by necessity, very general. Those students who truly wish to excel musically are strongly encouraged to study privately with an instructor outside of school. In private lessons a professional player on your instrument will spend time with you individually to develop your strengths as a musician. It is no coincidence that the vast majority of musicians who earn placement in District and All-State Bands, and college scholarships study with great private teachers.
With a world-class symphony orchestra and many other professional ensembles, Chicago is full of professional musicians who also teach privately. Shop wisely when in the market for a private teacher. Be sure you find someone who is truly a professional on your instrument, and who you feel comfortable with. Often a recommendation from a friend who has a private teacher that he or she is happy with is a good way to begin. Most of the major music stores in the area have full faculties of private teachers. Many private teachers also teach out of their homes.

The following 4 pages contain our suggestions for private teachers in the area:

Area Private Music Teachers 2013-2014

Elgin Community College Conservatory Teachers

Instrument Upgrades

Just as participants in any other specialized activity move up to better equipment in order to improve their performance, musicians are constantly striving to find mouthpieces, reeds, and instruments that enable them to progress towards their full potential. For many students, the first two years of high school is the time to consider investing in a better quality instrument. The beginner model that you started on in sixth grade was fine then, but you have undoubtedly outgrown the limitations imposed by your mass-produced student-line instrument and mouthpiece.
You will never be able to perform any better than the quality of the equipment you use. Racecar drivers do not drive economy cars, marathon runners do not wear Keds® and top-notch musicians do not play the instrument that they rented when they started “way-back-when.”Students who continue to play on beginner-line horns are frequently incapable of producing the mature tone quality and good intonation that are expected of high school players, regardless of the abilites of the students playing these horns.

The more advanced models of instruments do cost more, of course, but it is a worthwhile investment. If the cost of a professional level instrument is too much at this point, students should at least invest a few dollars in a better mouthpiece and/or reed, and take all instruments in to a good repair shop that can do whatever work is necessary to bring your instrument up to its best possible playing condition. What came in the box in sixth grade is simply too generic to be appropriate for you now. Please review the following page for recommended mouthpieces, ligatures, reeds, and care equipment.

For any truly serious music student, careful consideration should be given to purchasing a professional quality instrument. I will be happy to recommend brands and models, and to help you research various sources for best prices on new or used instruments.

Recommended Supplies

The following items are strongly recommended for all Streamwood High School Band members for the development of performance skills, tone quality, and proper daily care and maintenance of instruments. All of these items are available at any music store that sells instruments, and can also be ordered (at considerable discount) through the band office.

ALL BAND STUDENTS: Electronic Tuner/Metronome Combination

FLUTE

Polishing Clothe

Key Oil

Screw Driver Set (small)

CLARINET

La Voz “5RV-Lyre” MouthpieceMouthpiece Cap (Clarinet)

Rovner Clarinet LigatureCork Grease

Pull-Through handkerchief style swabScrew Driver Set

La Voz “Mouthpiece Saver”

La Voz Reed Guard (holds FLATE and protects 4 reeds)

SAXOPHONES

Selmer “C-Star” MouthpieceMouthpiece Cap

Pull-Through handkerchief style swabScrew Driver Set

La Voz “Neck Save” & “Mouthpiece Saver”

La Voz Reed Guard (holds FLATE and protects 4 reeds)

TRUMPET

Bach Mouthpiece – “5C” or larger (3C, 1.5C, etc) 7C IS TOO SMALL

Valve Oil

Tuning slide Grease