Smith Middle School Band
Complete Guide to Rules & Performances
School Year 2012 – 2013
Table of Contents
Instrumental Music Philosophy 3
Rules of Good Musicianship 3
Other Rules for a Performing Organization 3
Band Grading Policy 4
Rehearsal Attendance Policy 4
Performance Attendance 4 – 5
Instrumental Music Performance Rubric 5
Classroom Behavior Rubric 7
Band Uniform 8
Needed Accessories 8
Practice Cards 8
Test and Chair Order 9
Music Folder 9
Instruments 9
Progress Reports 10
Extra Help 10
Fundraisers 10
Fort Huachuca Accommodations Schools Band Activity Schedule 11
Practice record 12
Return Form 13
Local Vendors 14
Private Instructors 15
Field Trip Permission Slip and Information 16
Permission Slip 16
Smith Middle School Band 2012 – 2013 Officers
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Librarians:
6th Grade Rep :
7th Grade Rep:
8th Grade Rep:
Instrumental Music Philosophy
Smith Middle School Band instrumental music department believes in encouraging and developing children with skills and concepts that will help them achieve their dreams for tomorrow.
Rules for Good Musicianship
Please keep in mind that rules for a concert band may be stricter than an average classroom. Besides learning about instruments and how music is made, students are also taught how to behave in a performing organization. Students are expected to:
1. Follow directions,
2. Keep hands, feet and objects to self,
3. Be quiet throughout the rehearsal and performance,
4. Be in seat on time with instrument ready to play, pencil and music folder on the stand,
5. Be prepared for every rehearsal and performance, and
6. Make smart choices.
Consequences: (Remember, we choose how to behave!)
1. First incident will receive a warning.
2. Second incident will deduct a letter grade from class participation grade.
3. Third incident will receive lunchtime detention.
4. In case of a severe incident, student will be sent to counselor or principal and parents be notified.
5. Students will follow the Colonel Smith Middle School Behavior Plan.
Other Rules for a Performing Organization
Food, beverages (except water), or chewing substances are to remain outside of the band hall. (These things ruin instruments and make the performer look bad!! They also may result in costly repairs to the instruments.) Trash left under a student’s chair may result in that student coming in to the band room after they have eaten lunch and cleaning the area during that time.
Except in case of an emergency, restroom visits should be taken care of before or after rehearsal.
Band Grading Policy
The Smith Middle School Band uses a point system. The grading policy includes:
1. Class participation,
2. Instrument take home,
3. Performance attendance,
4. Practice record grades,
5. Individual playing tests including the ability to perform from memory the Star Spangled Banner, excerpts of current concert music, and nine major scales,
6. Performance of a solo or in a small ensemble,
7. Extra credit will be given for attending a live performance. Turning in a concert program is required as proof of attendance, and
8. Extra credit for studying with a private instructor. The instructor’s input will determine the grade for this area.
Since the Band is a year-long class, students are expected to commit to the complete year. This way quality music education can be provided.
The total grade, including private lessons and practice grades, playing tests and performance grades are averaged in accordance with district guidelines.
All grades and points are cumulative for the duration of the school year. At the end of the school year, the student with the highest average will receive an award at the awards concert. Certificates of achievement are also awarded at this time to students who have earned recognition for the superior work throughout the school year.
Rehearsal Attendance Policy
Band is the first class of the day. Requirements for class attendance are followed in accordance with district guidelines.
Performance Attendance Policy
A performance schedule can be found at the beginning of this handbook. This should be reviewed with parents and dates added to the family calendar so no conflicts arise If an unavoidable situation does occur, the director must be notified three weeks prior to the performance date with a note from parent or guardian including the reason for the absence. This is necessary for individual parts to be redistributed and practiced before the performance. A note asking to be excused from a performance after the fact will not be accepted.
Concerts are graded and are based upon the following:
A grade requires:
1. Arriving on time for warm-ups.
2. Appropriate dress (see needed accessories).
3. Appropriate behavior on and off stage and in the audience
4. Attendance of the entire performance.
B grade fulfills all but one of the above requirements.
C grade fulfills all but two of the above requirements.
D grade fulfills all but three of the above requirements.
F grade for an unexcused absence from any performance including any not listed on the band schedule. The final grade for that grading period will also be lowered one letter grade. A conference with the student, director and school principal may be held to reevaluate participation in the band program.
In emergency situations, if possible, please call the school at 520-459-8892 or Mr. Balandovich at 520-378-6953.
Instrumental Music Performance - Individual : Daily Participation RubricTeacher Name: Mr. Balandovich
Student Name: ______
CATEGORY / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Attention in Class / Student is focused and attentive throughout class and follows directions to the best of his/her ability. / Student is usually focused and attentive during class, but sometimes is distracted by others. / Student is sometimes focused and attentive during class, but is easily distracted by others and sometimes distracts others. / Student is rarely focused and attentive during class. Sometimes disruptive to rest of class.
Note Accuracy / Notes are consistently accurate. / An occasional inaccurate note is played, but does not detract from overall performance. / A few inaccurate notes are played, detracting somewhat from the overall performance. / Wrong notes consistently detract from the performance.
Rhythm / The beat is secure and the rhythms are accurate for the style of music being played. / The beat is secure and the rhythms are mostly accurate. There are a few duration errors, but these do not detract from the overall performance. / The beat is somewhat erratic. Some rhythms are accurate. Frequent or repeated duration errors. Rhythm problems occasionally detract from the overall performance. / The beat is usually erratic and rhythms are seldom accurate detracting significantly from the overall performance.
Expression and Style / Performs with a creative nuance and style in response to the score and limited coaching. / Typically performs with nuance and style that is indicated in the score or which is suggested by instructor or peer. / Sometimes performs with nuance and style that is indicated in the score or which is suggested by instructor or peer. / Rarely demonstrates expression and style. Just plays the notes.
Pitch / Virtually no errors. Pitch is very accurate. / An occasional isolated error, but most of the time pitch is accurate and secure. / Some accurate pitches, but there are frequent and/or repeated errors. / Very few accurate or secure pitches.
Date Created: Aug 01, 2012 08:31 pm (UTC)
Top of Form
Classroom BehaviorExcellent
4 pts / Good
3 pts / Fair
2 pts / Poor
1 pts
Conduct / Excellent
Student always uses appropriate voice volume and talks at appropriate times. Does not interrupt others. / Good
Student usually uses appropriate voice volume and usually talks at appropriate times. Does not usually interrupt others. / Fair
Student has difficulty controlling the volume of his/her voice and forgets when is an appropriate time to talk. Student has trouble with interrupting others. . / Poor
Student has major difficulty controlling the volume of his/her voice and continually speaks out and talks at the inappropriate time.
Following Directions / Excellent
Student follows all directions immediately. / Good
Student follows directions, but occasionally takes a while to get started. / Fair
Student has to be reminded of directions before he/she can begin. / Poor
Student continually has difficulty following directions without the help of others.
Job Completion / Excellent
Student completes his/her work in a quiet manner and stays on task at all times. / Good
Student completes his/her work and stays on task most of the time. / Fair
Student needs help to complete assignments or stay on task. / Poor
Student does not complete assignments in a timely manner and has difficulty staying on task.
Respect of Others / Excellent
Student always respects other's space. Never bothers others. / Good
Student usually respects other's space. Rarely bothers others. / Fair
Student sometimes has trouble respecting others' space. Sometimes bothers others while they are working or reading. / Poor
Students has trouble respecting others' space. Usually bothers others while they are working or reading.
Cooperation / Excellent
Student always uses polite words with others and helps when needed. / Good
Student usually uses polite words with others and helps when needed. Tends to get along well with others. / Fair
Student has had difficulty getting along with others , has said or done unkind things less than once a week. / Poor
Student does not get along well with others. Has said or done unkind things more than once a week.
Band Uniform
All Smith Middle School Band members are issued a band uniform. A uniform cleaning fee of $ 10.00 (nonrefundable) is collected at the time the uniform is issued to the student. Uniforms will not be sent home until all fees are received.
These additional accessories are needed by the student:
Marching band shoes, ordered through the band, $25.00.
Band t-Shirt, ordered through the band, $ 12.00.
Reed players
Reed players are required to have several reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab (recommend handkerchief for clarinet players), and music lyre. Essential Elements 2000 book # 3 for their instrument.
Reed strength is determined by the player’s ability and endurance. See the director for guidance if needed.
Flute players should have a cloth handkerchief for swabbing out the instrument.
Brass Players
All brass players are required to have a mouthpiece brush, and soft cloth for wiping down the instrument after each use. Trumpet, French horn, baritone, and tuba players are required to have valve oil. Trombone players are required to have slide cream and a water spray bottle, slide grease for tuning slides. Essential Elements 2000 book # 3 for their instrument.
Percussion
Percussion players are required to have a drum key, size 2B snare sticks for marching; size 5A or higher for concert snare. Essential elements 2000 book # 3 for drums/bells.
Practice Cards
Band members must practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day, five days a week.
Practice cards are required to be in the band folder with current practice minutes filled in. A parent or guardian must sign each week in order to receive a grade. Practice cards are due each Monday or the first school day of the school week. One letter grade will be deducted for each day the card is turned in late.
The practice card grade is based on the number of days a full 30 minutes was practiced:
5 days earns an A, 10 points
4 days earns a B, 8 points
3 days earns a C, 6 points
2 days earns a D, 4 points
1 day or less earns an F. 0 – 2 points
Testing and Seating Order
A test will be given weekly during rehearsals either individually or in groups. A grade will be given based upon the quality of the performance. Each test will cover one of the following skills:
1. A major or minor scale (memorized),
2. The Star Spangled Banner or one of the marching pieces,
3. An assigned portion of the band music, and/or
4. Written music theory exercises.
All tests may be retaken to improve the grade. To do this an appointment must be set up with the director.
Seating order is determined by testing at the beginning of the school year. Students who wish to acquire a higher chair may challenge the next student up from their seat. Challenges are generally scheduled during lunch hour once a week. Challenges are based on performance of the band music currently being worked on in rehearsal and major scales.
Music and Folders
Each band student is issued a folder and music. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain both music and folder in good condition. If the music or folder is lost, the student must see a band librarian for a music and folder replacement form. The student must take the filled out form to the school office to pay for the missing items. Folder replacement cost is $10.00 and each piece of music is 50 cents. Once the band director has received a receipt from the office, the librarian will give the student the new replacement.
Instruments
The student is expected to provide his or her own instrument. Smith Middle School has a very limited number of the larger instruments that can be checked out on a first come, first serve basis. Instrument storage cages will be assigned to each student. Important papers and forms to be taken home will be placed in cages throughout the day as they are available. Each student should check their cage to see if any new information has been left and take their instrument home every night. It is not recommended for students to keep instruments in book lockers or PE lockers due to an increased possibility of theft.