Sossaman Middle School Bands 2016-2017
18655 E. Jacaranda Blvd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(480) 279-8500
“The arts are essential elements of education just like reading, writing, and arithmetic...Music, dance, painting, and theatre are keys that unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment. Children should be handed those keys at an early stage.”
- WILLIAM BENNET, FORMER US SECRETARY OF EDUCATION
Dear SMS Band Students, Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the 2016-2017 Sossaman Middle School Band Program. The band program at SMS offers unique experiences which will remain with students for the rest of their lives. When a student decides to participate in music, he/she is making a commitment to an organization. This is unique in that, unlike other classes, the success of the group depends upon individual participation, cooperation, and dedication to the group as a whole. I’m very excited that you and your child have decided to make music a part of your life!
In order to have an exemplary performance program, certain standards must be set, responsibilities met, and goals achieved. This guide outlines the policies, procedures, expectations and goals necessary for successful participation and personal reward in the SMS Band Program. It is very important that every student and parent read each page of this guide. After you and your child have reviewed the ENTIRE guide, please fill out, sign where indicated, and return the last page to me by Wednesday, July 27th. I have sent home the page needing signature with your child. Students will need their instrument and all other supplies and books on Thursday, July 28th. If any of this causes a problem for your family, the parent must notify me (email preferable) as soon as possible.
In order to have a successful band program, parents and students must always be informed. Most of my communication will be sent through email and my teacher page on the SMS website. It is very important that I have updated email addresses at all times. If at any time during the year you need to update your email, please let me know.
I am very excited to work with you this year and if you have any questions about the SMS Band Program, please feel free to contact me at school preferably via email at .
Musically,
Jennifer Juarros
SMS Director of Bands
In order to make sure all parents/students get information, I ask that parents/students subscribe to an app that will be used by me to send information. You may receive information through text and/or email. In order to make sure all parents/students get information, I ask that parents/students subscribe to an app that will be used by me to send information. You may receive information through text and/or email. In order to make sure all parents/students get information, I ask that parents/students subscribe to an app that will be used by me to send information. You may receive information through text and/or email.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
The Organization
The SMS Band Program is divided into two groups, the Concert Band (7th grade divided in to 3 sections but we perform together), and the Symphonic Band (8th grade divided in to 2 sections). Each group is geared towards the student’s stage of musical development and operates with slightly different goals and expectations.
The Symphonic Band is the most advanced of the SMS bands and will perform at least once per quarter. The Symphonic Band will also participate in several combined concerts with our feeder elementary bands and the Higley High School Band, school pep assemblies and other activities on campus. We keep this group busy, so dedication to the group is a must for its members. Because we perform so much, students must keep up in class.
The Concert Band’s musical focus is in fundamentals training and theory in an effort to prepare them for the Symphonic Band. They will also perform at least 4 concerts.
By participating in one of the bands at SMS, students will learn the benefits of belonging to and contributing to a large group. They will learn and implement goal-setting techniques, the value of hard work and self-discipline, and, of course, to appreciate, respect and perform music.
Financial Responsibilities
Every student who is registered in the SMS Band Program will need to have a band instrument by Thursday, July 28th . Instruments can be either rented or purchased from a reputable music store. NOTE: Students must have an instrument in proper working condition. It is VERY important that you rent or purchase a QUALITY instrument from a reputable instrument dealer. Purchasing instruments from warehouse stores or on the internet is a GAMBLE. Many times, those instruments cannot even be repaired at the local repair shops and must be shipped out of state for even simple repairs. The cost of renting an instrument at a local music store starts at approximately $20.00 per month and goes up from there. If you would like a recommendation of a reputable instrument dealer, please send me an email and I will provide you that information. There is a limited supply of school owned instruments. If you are in need of a school instrument, please send me an email right away . I can’t guarantee I will have one for your child, but I will do my best. School instruments are typically used by students who play a larger instrument that can’t be rented or those with a financial need.
Students will be required to purchase all associated equipment and materials necessary to keep their instruments in proper working condition. A detailed list follows this section. Everything listed is needed in order for your child to take proper care of their instrument and to be successful in the band. The school does not provide any of these items to any student. If you are unable to provide the items listed, please contact me immediately and I might be able to help.
Every band student will also be responsible for having proper concert attire. We will be ordering a uniform shirt a couple of weeks into the school year so that we can have them by the first concert. That shirt will cost approximately $15 (do not send money yet). More information will be provided soon. For performances, students will wear black dress pants or skirt, black socks and solid black shoes. We are building a Tradition of Excellence at SMS, so in the interest of looking as professional as possible the use of jeans and athletic shoes is not acceptable. Start planning now, and hit the discount stores (Goodwill, etc.) early to avoid having to find the uniform last minute. Band is a full-participation, team effort, so instruments and basic concert attire are essential to be in the band class. If you know that you will not be able to meet this financial responsibility, please contact me as soon as possible as I may have resources to help.
Band – Supply List
Please take this with you to the music store so you get the correct items, not what they think you need. All band directors have different requirements. Students are required to have all items by Thursday, July 28.
All Instruments Required Supplies
· 1” 3-ring binder (this is strictly for band, not used for anything else and must be 1”)
· Divider tabs (5)
· Pencil
· 3 highlighters (yellow, blue/green, pink/orange)
· 3 prong folder for loose leaf paper with pockets
· 25-30sheets of loose leaf paper in their folder
· Essential Elements 2000 Book 2
· Foundations for Superior Performance
· 8th grade woodwind & brass instruments only – music “liar”. It clips to your instrument to hold music for pep assemblies, performance with HHS band, etc. You will also need this in HS band. Take your instrument to the music store to make sure you get one that fits correctly. They do not make these for tuba or French horn.
· 8th grade only - flip folder to be purchased with your liar. Tuba and French horn will need one also.
Flutes Required: cleaning rod, swab
Clarinets Required: swab, 3 new reeds at all times (size 3), cork grease, reed saver – no plastic reeds
Recommended: Van Doren B45 mouthpiece, Bonade ligature
Saxophones Required: neckstrap, swab, 3 new reeds at all times (size 3), cork grease, reed saver – no plastic reeds
Recommended: Selmer C-star mouthpiece
Oboe & Required: swab, cork grease, 3 playable quality reeds
Bassoon Recommended: reed holder, water cup (to soak reeds)
Trumpets Required: valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
Recommended: Bach 3C or 5C mouthpiece, Tom Crown metal straight mute
French Horns Required: valve oil (rotary), slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
Recommended: Giardinelli C8 mouthpiece
Trombones Required: slide grease and oil, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
Recommended: Bach 6 ½ AL mouthpiece
Baritones Required: valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
Recommended: Bach 6 ½ AL mouthpiece
Tuba Required: valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
Recommended: Schilke 67 mouthpiece
Percussion Required: concert snare sticks (5A or SD1), 16” yarn marimba mallets (medium), 16” hard xylophone rubber mallets
and a 10” practice snare pad. There are many to choose from so if you have questions, let me know. I
suggest Vic Firth or Mike Balter for the mallets.
$50 equipment use fee to use school percussion (I will send a form home later this week). Students do not need
the bell kit they rented in elementary school. They use all of the percussion equipment in the band room. A bell kit
at home is nice for home practice if you can provide it.
Recommended: stick bag, acrylic bell mallets, medium timpani mallets
**if your child is not comfortable on mallet instruments, they will need a rented bell kit for home practice.
All Instruments Recommended for home practice: music stand, metronome, tuner – on their smart phones, there are free aps for metranomes and tuners.
Any parent who can donate extra items, I am always in need of copy paper, tissue, Clorox wipes, hand wipes, AA batteries, C batteries and pencils. Also, I can always use extra tab dividers, highlighters and 1” binders for students who are unable to get them.
Performances
ATTENDANCE AT PERFORMANCES ISMANDATORYand is 30% of the overall grade.If a conflict should arise with anotherschoolactivity that you receive a grade, an acceptablecompromisemay be made with Mrs. Juarros and the other teacher/coach on an individual basis. It is the student’s responsibility to make us aware of the conflict. To receive full credit for participation in a performance, students are expected to:
Ø arrive on time and remain for the ENTIRE concert, not just your part of it
Ø wear the proper concert attire as described in this guide
Ø exhibit outstanding concert etiquette
Ø Perform music to the best of their ability
Band Calendar 2016/2017
This is our tentative schedule. I will always send out reminders at least 2 weeks prior to the performances. Please mark your calendars now in order to avoid conflicts. If any of the dates change, I will let you know as soon as possible. Other performances and activities that require our participation will be added as I am made aware of them. Unless indicated, performances will take place at SMS. Warm-Up will be at 5:30, with a concert start time of 6:00.
Sept. 14 Fall Concert – all band @ SMS gym
Sept. 16 7th grade band to Music Instrument Museum
Sept. 30 HHS Football Game Performance @ HHS time TBA– 8th grade Symphonic Band
Dec. 15 Winter Concert – all bands @ SMS gym
Jan. 26 Band Bash Recruiting Concerts – 8th grade Symphonic Band @ HCPA time TBA
March 2 Spring Dinner/Dessert Concert – all bands SMS @ SMS Courtyard
May 10 End of the Year Concert – all bands @ SMS gym
8th grade band performs at all school pep assemblies and other events during school hours.
Other possible performances/activities:
8th grade Disney Soundtrack Session @ Disneyland (dependent on school board approval)
ABODA Concert Festival
Travel
In the event we travel, all of our transportation is provided by district buses or charter buses. It is a privilege to have transportation available to us, and so the following rules, in addition to HUSD district rules, will apply when on any off-campus trip.
Ø All students must ride to and from activities in the school assigned transportation. Exceptions can only be made with director approval and written permission from the parent.
Ø Noise levels must remain low (for safety reasons)
Ø Remain seated at all times (no changing seats)
Disregard for these rules can lead to removal from the performance and disciplinary action at school.
Band Instrument Storage
Every student will be assigned an instrument storage space or locker . It is designed for instrument security/storage only. It is provided for students’ convenience only. Higley Unified Schools cannot guarantee the security of anything left in the Band room. Instrument storage is to be used ONLY for band instruments and music – nothing else. Band students should have no expectation of privacy in regard to storage. To keep instruments safe, the band room is locked when Mrs. Juarros is not present. Instruments should not be left at school overnight.