Reedy Creek
Center for the Digital Sciences Magnet Middle School
BAND
2017-2018
Handbook
Angela Torres, Director
930 Reedy Creek Road
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460 – 3504, ext. 21500
http://reedycreekmsband.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction (page 3)
Welcome
Philosophy of Band and Music Education
Basics of Band and RCMS Ensembles (page 4)
Instruments
Jazz Band
Marching Band/Pep Band
Private Instruction
How To Practice
Band Class Specifics (page 5)
Music Dealers
Class Materials
Supplies
Concert Attire
Curriculum Guide
Band Communication
Policies and Procedures (page 8)
Instrument Storage
Music and Equipment
Bus Overcrowding
Conduct
Grading
Performance Probation
Concert Etiquette
Travel Policies
Lost and Found
Money
High School Band Information
Power School
Final Directors Statement
Important Band Vocabulary (page 14)
Information Sheet/Student and Parent Contract (page 16)
Welcome
August 28, 2017
Dear Students and Parents:
Welcome to the Reedy Creek Center for the Digital Sciences Magnet Middle School band program! With the right mindset and work ethic, students in our program can accomplish much in the way of musical excellence. Our aim is two-fold: to educate children through music performance and to instill a lasting appreciation of music in our students.
In an effort to meet these objectives, our program offers a wide range of educational and performance opportunities, both academic and extra-curricular in nature. This handbook is designed to inform parents and students of the expectations and opportunities of the RCMMS band program. After reading all the applicable sections of this handbook, please complete and return the necessary forms, found in your child’s band folder, by the following date:
Friday, September 8, 2017
I am happy that you as parents and students have chosen to be a part of our band program at RCMMS. It is my firm belief that, as with any other worthwhile endeavor, a student can gain from band what he/she is willing to put into it. With dedication and hard work, band can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences. It is my sincerest hope that through this program, young people will gain a deep appreciation for music as well as individual integrity and pride in their own accomplishments. I look forward to a very successful year as we strive to achieve our maximum musical potential here at Reedy Creek.
Musically Yours,
Angela Torres,
Director of Bands,
Reedy Creek Middle School
(919) 460 – 3504, ext. 21500
www.reedycreekmsband.org
Philosophy of Band and Music Education
It is my philosophy that band is an incredibly valuable component in a child’s education for three reasons:
First, music is an important discipline in its own right. The arts help define our humanity, and their creative and expressive qualities help shape a child’s mind in ways that other disciplines simply cannot.
Second, music reinforces what students learn in other disciplines. Mathematical concepts are reinforced through rhythm and form. Scientific principles are reinforced through study of the acoustical properties of instruments, pitch, and ensemble. Language skills are reinforced in the vast vocabulary utilized daily by musicians. Historical and multi-cultural understanding is reinforced through the study of composers and the performance of a varied repertoire. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are developed regularly through practice and performance.
Third, social skills and citizenship are taught through participation in an ensemble. Responsibility, independence, and cooperation are traits that band students must master in order to be successful. Band students also learn the importance of setting goals, developing a plan of action, and working hard to achieve those goals.
3
Band and RCMMS Ensembles
Instruments
Each student is expected to furnish his/her own instrument by purchasing or renting from one of the area music stores. The school has a few of the larger instruments that will be assigned to individuals in 7th or 8th grade, and in some cases late 6th grade. Students using a school-owned instrument must fill out an instrument loan form and are responsible for the care of that instrument and any damages that occur. We strongly recommend that any instrument not covered under a rental insurance plan be placed on a home-owners insurance policy. Please place an identification tag on the instrument, complete with name, address, and phone number. Parents should keep the instrument brand name and serial number on file at home as well.
Jazz Band
Our jazz band is an extra-curricular activity offered in second semester. The band is open to saxophonists, trumpet and trombone players, guitarists, bass players, pianists, and percussionists. Interested students should speak with Ms. Torres about membership. Details about the attendance policy, rehearsal days and times, and rehearsal procedures will be sent home after auditions. The band will use First Place for Jazz as the books, along with supplementary pieces of music.
Marching Band / Pep Band
The pep band is designed to promote school spirit and enthusiasm in sports events and community events. The marching band is designed to perform at community parades and public performances. See the Tentative Calendar of Events for more information. Students who participate in these events may need to purchase a flip folder and music lyre for their instrument. Please see Ms. Torres for more details.
Musical Pit Orchestra
This ensemble performs with the musicals at RCMMS. Traditionally, the musicals take place in the spring. This group usually meets prior and after school for performances. Please see Ms. Torres for more details.
Private Instruction
Private lessons, while not a requirement for all instruments, are strongly encouraged for students of all ability levels. As a student improves, a greater collection of literature becomes available to him/her and will enable him/her to excel, which in turn improves the band. With the aid of private instruction, students also find greater opportunity through experiences like all-county, all-district, and all-state band. A list of local private instructors is available in the band room or on the Wake County Bands website - http://www.wakecountybands.com
How to Practice
Daily practice time is essential for student success in band. All band students should spend a minimum of 20 minutes each day in individual practice. Daily practice time is homework for band. The guidelines below will help to organize your practice time. Remember, practice time is to be spent practicing, not watching the clock.
· Practice in the same place each day. Be sure there are no distractions.
· Begin with long tones. Concentrate on producing a pleasing sound. Think about your breathing. Produce a steady and controlled air stream. You should love your sound. It is yours and no one else's. No two musicians have the same tone. Always make sure that your tone is clear and beautiful.
· Spend time on scales. Play them slowly at first and then work for speed. Work from your method book each day. Try to stay several lines ahead of the class. Work for accuracy and be sure to play everything on the page.
· Practice in front of a mirror to check your embouchure, hand position, and posture.
· Practice your music. Work on the parts that you cannot play. Practice them slowly at first and then increase the speed. Work one measure at a time for difficult parts. Once you are able to play a measure five times without mistakes then you can increase the tempo. The same goes for the entire exercise.
· Pay careful attention to details such as: correct notes and fingerings, rhythms, key signatures and accidentals, signs and symbols, dynamics and articulations.
· End by playing something just for fun.
· Swab woodwinds thoroughly and remove the reed, wipe it dry and return it to its case, empty water from brasses and return instrument safely to case.
4
Band Class Specifics
Music Dealers
Necessary supplies (mallets, reeds, oil, method book, etc.) may be purchased at any of the following:
Big Note Music www.bignotemusic.com (mobile company) (919) 616-7100
Music and Arts 426 Crossroads Boulevard, Cary (919) 854-0024
Quarter Note Music 1583 Beaver Creek Commons Drive, Apex (919) 387-3939
Sam Ash Music Stores 3131 Capital Blvd. #105, Raleigh (919) 855-9581
This is a partial list of music retailers in our area. I strongly encourage you to call around to find the best price on a quality instrument along with the best service. Students and parents are NOT obligated to purchase from any specific dealer.
Class Materials
Each day, every student is expected to have the following materials on his stand or at his seat when class begins.
1. A Working Instrument
2. Instrument accessories (reeds, valve oil, mallets, etc.)
3. Band folder (supplied by the Director)
4. Name tag for each student’s instrument
5. Combination lock
6. Method book
a. 6th Grade – Enhanced Standard of Excellence Book One
b. 7th Grade (woodwinds and brass) -
Essential Elements, Book One (woodwinds and brass)
Foundations for Superior Performance (needed by Nov. 2016)
c. 8th Grade (woodwinds and brass) – Foundations for Superior Performance (woodwinds and brass).
d. Percussion (7th and 8th Grade) - Five Minute Drill (for percussionists…this may be purchased from www.tapspace.com)
7. Music (supplied by the Director)
8. Pencil
9. At least 15 sheets of blank notebook paper (in band folder)
10. Flip folder and lyre (7th and 8th Grade band students only)…do NOT purchase until Ms. Torres announces
11. Private Lessons (not required; however, highly encouraged)
Supplies
All students should purchase a folding wire music stand and a metronome/tuner for home practice. Additionally, there are cleaning supplies and accessories that are needed by each instrument, as listed below:
FLUTE / cleaning rod, lint-free cloth handkerchiefOBOE / cleaning swab, cork grease, soft cloth, small water container,
reeds (consult private instructor as to brand and thickness)
BASSOON / cleaning swab, cork grease, soft cloth, small water container,
reeds (consult private instructor as to brand and thickness)
CLARINET/
BASS CLARINET / cleaning swab, cork grease, soft cloth, reed case for 4 reeds,
Vandoren or Mitchell Lurie reeds (reed strength 2.5 – beginners, 3- 7th and 8th grade)
SAXOPHONE / cleaning swab, cork grease, soft cloth, neck strap, reed case for 4 reeds,
Vandoren or Hemke reeds (reed strength 2.5 – beginners, 3- 7th and 8th grade)
TRUMPET / valve oil, tuning slide grease, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush, mutes as needed
HORN / rotor valve oil, tuning slide grease, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush
TROMBONE / slide cream or oil, spray bottle, tuning slide grease, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush
BARITONE/TUBA / valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush
PERCUSSION / 7th: bell kit, medium hard rubber mallets, practice pad, Vic Firth SD General 1 snare sticks
8th: medium yarn mallets, medium timpani mallets , stick/mallet bag, pitch pipe, Vic Firth SD General 1 snare sticks, practice pad
NOTE: Reed players must have at least 4 playable reeds at all times. It is generally less expensive (per reed) to buy them by the box rather than individually.
5
Concert Attire
*Please note, on occasion specific dress (other than what is mentioned) will be needed.
BOYS’ ATTIRE / GIRLS’ ATTIREConcert Band
And
Jazz
Band / Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes or flip-flops)
Black socks
Black dress pants (no jeans or shorts)
Black belt
White dress shirt / Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes or flip-flops)
Black socks or hose
Black dress pants (no jeans or shorts)
OR black skirt (ankle- length)
White dress shirt
Pep Band
and Marching Band / Athletic shoes
White socks
Blue Jeans (no holes and school-appropriate)
RCMMS Band T-shirt / Athletic shoes
White socks
Blue Jeans (no holes and school-appropriate)
RCMMS Band T-shirt
Musical Pit Orchestra / Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes or flip-flops)
Black socks
Black dress pants (no jeans or shorts)
Black belt
Black dress shirt / Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes or flip-flops)
Black socks or hose
Black dress pants (no jeans or shorts)
OR black skirt (ankle-length)
Black dress shirt
Curriculum Guide
Parents and students will find below a list of learning goals for students in Reedy Creek Middle School Bands. After three years in Reedy Creek Middle School Bands, the student should be able to:
Individual Goals
· Hold the instrument, sticks, or mallets correctly with correct hand position.
· Demonstrate the correct posture to be used when playing the instrument.
· Form a correct embouchure or stick grip for the instrument.
· Produce a characteristic, controlled sound on the instrument.
· Perform clean articulations on the instrument to include; tongue and slur combinations, accents, staccato, legato and forte-piano.
· Perform solo works with minimal assistance from the director.
· Demonstrate the ability to care for, maintain, store, and transport the instrument.
Ensemble (Group) Goals
· Explain and demonstrate, with the band, the pyramid balance concept.
· Demonstrate the ability to tune the instrument and play in tune with the band.
· Explain and demonstrate, with the band, staggered breathing.
· Explain and demonstrate, with the band, phrasing.
· Perform the appropriate level of concert music with artistry and musical taste.
· Successfully sight-read an appropriate level of concert music.
· Perform music for the public with the band.
6
Curriculum Guide, Continued
Music Theory Goals
· Identify pitches in both treble and bass clef.
· Count, play, and identify by ear, common rhythmic figures including eighth-note/eighth-rest combinations, sixteenth-note/sixteenth-rest combinations, syncopated rhythms, rhythms involving ties, dotted rhythms, triplet figures, and cut-time figures.
· Define basic Italian, French, German and Latin terms and symbols found in music.
· Name the keys on the piano.
· Construct half-steps and whole-steps above or below any given pitch.
· Write and play all major scales. · Write and identify all major key signatures.
· Identify any given pitch in any given key using numerals, solfege, or proper degree names.
· Identify (aurally and written) major, minor, and perfect intervals.
Advanced Individual Goals
· Play chromatic scales on the instrument.
· Play basic swing rhythms on the instrument.