ARGYLE CENTRAL SCHOOL
BAND HANDBOOK
2014-2015
Meghan Califano, Instrumental Music
638-8243 ext. 434
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Philosophy and Goals of the Argyle Central School
Instrumental Music Program
II. Ensemble Descriptions
III. Policies and Procedures
IV. All-County and NYSSMA information
V. Grading Policy
VI. Calendar of Events
ARGYLE CENTRAL SCHOOL
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC DEPARTMENT
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS
Music is an integral part of the human experience. It has been an important part of almost every culture throughout history. The growth of music programs in public schools is proof of music’s value and its continuing role in society. The Argyle Central School Instrumental Music Program is devoted to providing each student with a broad range of musical experiences, through which he/she can develop an appreciation and understanding of the expressive qualities of music and realize his/her fullest musical potential.
It is the goal of the Argyle Instrumental Music Program:
· To develop the student’s musical skills through performing, listening, and composing.
· To develop the student’s musical understanding and appreciation of the expressive qualities of music.
· To develop the student’s abilities to judge the quality of music.
· To expose the student to, and to develop the student’s understanding and appreciation of a wide variety of musical styles and genres.
· To expose the student to the music of other cultures.
· To enable the student to express him/herself creatively through music.
· To promote and foster continuing enjoyment of music.
· To encourage participation in musical activities beyond those of the school.
ENSEMBLE DESCRIPTIONS
CONCERT BANDS
JUNIOR BAND AND HIGHLANDER CONCERT BAND
The Concert Band experience is designed to develop an understanding of music through performance while also fostering students’ knowledge, appreciation, and musical skills. Repertoire is varied, with both standard literature and more popular music being studied and performed. An emphasis is placed on good tone quality/production, breath control and support, intonation, balance, dynamics, rhythmic facility, technical facility, phrasing, musicianship, knowledge of terminology, and sight reading. Students learn to work together as an ensemble toward common musical goals. Along with performance in the ensemble, students have weekly group instructional lessons on a rotating-period basis. Any student with previous instrumental experience may play in the ensemble. Seating auditions may be required at the discretion of the director.
SMALL ENSEMBLES
Co-requisite: Participation in Concert Band
In order to give students a wide variety of performing experiences, the instrumental music program provides students with the opportunity to perform in small ensembles in addition to performing in the bands. Small ensembles may be student-run or conducted/coached by the director as necessary. Students participating in small ensembles may need to set up rehearsals during free periods or after school. Small ensembles may include, but are not limited to:
Drum Line/Percussion Ensemble
Duets, Trios, etc.
Woodwind Quintets
Brass Quintets
Mixed Ensembles
Any student wishing to perform in small ensembles may do so. No audition is required. Students wishing to form small ensembles should meet with the director as soon as possible. Small ensembles may perform at all Instrumental Music concerts and various school functions at the discretion of the director.
ACS BAND POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Music Folders/Band Music
Students are assigned individual music folders to use during the school year. All music being worked on in band rehearsals is to be kept in the music folders at all times. Students may also use the folders to keep individual method books, solo music, etc. Students are to use the folders to transport music back and forth between school and home for practicing purposes. STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR FOLDERS AND MUSIC FOR REHEARSALS. Any student who forgets his/her folder at home, or who for any reason does not have his/her folder for rehearsal will be considered unprepared for class, resulting in a lowered participation grade.
A Note on Sheet Music: Sheet music is very expensive! Students are responsible for maintaining the good condition of all music in their possession. This should be done by keeping music in your folder, not loose in a locker, backpack, etc. Students will be held accountable for any music that is lost or severely damaged.
Concert Attendance
Students are required to attend all concerts in which they perform. This includes the annual Winter, Spring, and Pops concerts (senior band only), and any other festivals or concerts at which the band is invited to perform. Students are not required to participate in non-school-related performances. For example, if a community group requests a small ensemble to play at a non-school-related function, students cannot be required to participate. Students may only be excused from required performances in instances of family emergency or extreme illness. Unexcused absences from concerts will result in a lowered participation grade.
Lessons
Small-group lessons occur weekly on a rotating-period schedule. Students will have the same lesson day each week, but the period in which the lesson is scheduled changes each week so as not to overly interfere with the students’ other classes. Students are expected and required to attend weekly lessons. It is also expected that students will be prepared for lessons with their instrument, music, pencil, etc., and having practiced all assigned material. If a student comes to a lesson unprepared, the director reserves the right to send the student back to class. Students must also be sure to make up any work and/or tests that they might have missed during a lesson period. If students must miss a lesson due to a test in class or some other reason (other than absence from school), they must let the director know ahead of time and make up the lesson before the end of the marking period. Remember: missed lessons that are not made up result in ZEROS being factored into one’s lesson grade!
Rehearsal Expectations
Students are expected to be in their seats, ready to rehearse within three minutes after the bell signaling the start of the period has rung. Students should come to rehearsal prepared to play, with all materials and equipment necessary (i.e. music, mutes, pencils, etc.) Students are expected to be respectful of their peers and the director in order to create a productive music-making environment. There should be no talking or playing while others are speaking or while individual sections are rehearsing. If the conductor steps off the podium, quiet talking is permitted. At the end of rehearsal, students should put their folders and instruments away in their assigned spots and wait by their seats for the bell. Students should avoid congregating en masse by the band room door to prevent safety issues. Food and drinks other than water are not permitted in the band room. (NO GUM!!)
Concert Dress
In order to present a polished, professional appearance, the following dress is required for all school-related performances:
Men: white dress shirt and tie, black dress pants, black socks, black shoes, ACS Band cummerbund and bow-tie (senior band only.)
Women: white dress shirt, black dress pants (no skirts please!), black socks or stockings, black shoes, ACS Band cummerbund and bow-tie (senior band only.) Women may wear open-toed black shoes, weather-permitting.
The director reserves the right to prohibit any student not following concert dress code from performing in a concert.
If any student has concerns regarding concert dress (i.e. a student unable to obtain the required clothing) please see the director individually as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made to acquire the appropriate dress.
Seating in Band
The director reserves the right to seat students in the ensemble as she sees fit and to rearrange seating and part assignments at any time. Should a student have concerns about his/her seating or assignment in band, he/she should speak to the director. If necessary, seating auditions may be held. Such auditions would take place early in the school year, with students being required to play scales, a short etude or excerpt from band music, and possible sight-reading. The purpose of seating auditions is mainly to motivate students to improve on their instruments. For example, a freshman who practices frequently and makes an effort to better his/her playing technique may audition and win a higher seat than a senior who may not practice as often as he/she should. This rewards students for their hard work and hopefully motivates others to improve their effort as well. Remember: Every part is important! Students are seated and assigned parts by the director in order to create the best and most balanced overall band sound.
All-County and NYSSMA
All-County Band
Every January auditions are held for band students wishing to participate in the Washington County Area Music Educators’ Association Instrumental Music Festival. This festival is a concert featuring the top players in Elementary Band (grades 5-6), Junior Band (grades 7-9), and Senior Band (grades 10-12) from several area schools. Participation in All-County Band is a great way to challenge and motivate student musicians, and gives students an opportunity to meet musicians from other schools and play under a different director. Elementary Band students are selected through teacher recommendations; students wishing to perform in the Junior or Senior groups must audition. Audition requirements include scales/rudiments, one or two short etudes (provided by the Association), and sight-reading.
NYSSMA
The New York State School Music Association holds Solo and Ensemble Festivals several times during the school year. At these festivals, students perform a solo, scales/rudiments, and sight-reading for a judge who is an expert on their instrument. Students receive a grade and feedback on their performance from the judge. Performing a NYSSMA solo is a wonderful experience for any student. Students gain a better knowledge of music and their instrument through playing a solo, gain confidence in their musicianship, and receive excellent and helpful feedback from an expert judge. Performing NYSSMA solos can also help open the doors to other musical opportunities, such as participation in the Area All-State Music Festival which is held annually at Saratoga Springs High School.
7-12 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC GRADING POLICY
A band student’s marking period grade will consist of the following:
I. Participation…………………………………………………………....…30%
Is the student actively engaged in the learning process? (i.e. does the student have an appropriate attitude toward the material; does the student ask and answer questions; does the student come prepared for class; does the student give his/her full attention and effort in rehearsals and concerts, etc.) Does the student attend all required performances? An unexcused absence from a concert (see "Policies" section)will result in a participation grade no higher than 80%. Full participation and effort from every student is required for a successful band.
II. Lessons…………………………………………………………….……..30%
Does the student attend every lesson? Does the student come to his/her lesson prepared, having practiced all assigned material? Does the student put forth his/her full effort during lesson time? Lesson grading includes such criteria as attendance, tone quality, technique, rhythmic accuracy, pitch accuracy, dynamics, expression, etc. Unexcused missed lessons that are not made up by the end of the marking period are factored into the lesson grade as zeros.
III. Skill Development………………………………………………...……20%
Has the student’s playing improved through consistent practice? Can the student display a proficiency in basic technique and tone production, rhythmic facility, etc? Any written assignments, such as listening journals or playing/vocabulary quizzes, as well as playing tests will be factored into this grade.
IV. Attendance……………………………………………………...………20%
Has the student attended class/lessons as required in the Argyle Central School attendance policy? Unexcused missed lessons result in a lowered attendance grade.
The final grade will be an average of the four marking period grades.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT EVENTS 2014-2015
(subject to change)
All-County Choral Festival: November 14-15 at Whitehall
Area All-State Music Festival: November 21-22 at Saratoga Springs
K-6 Winter Concert: Monday, December 15, 1:00 PM
7-12 Winter Concert: Monday, December 15, 7:00 PM
All-County Band Auditions: Wednesday, January 14 at Fort Edward
All-County Band Festival: March 20-21 at Greenwich
Pops Concert: Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 PM
Cadet Band & 9th Period Chorus Spring Concert: Tuesday, May 19, 1:30 PM
7-12 Spring Concert: Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 PM
Memorial Day Parade: Monday, May 25