Bulkeley Middle School
Band Handbook
2017-18
Dear Parents and Students,
Please take the time to read through this handbook. Pay special attentionto the add/drop policy in order to familiarize yourself with the commitment that your child is making by choosing to participate in band. Feel free to call or email me with any questions that you may have. The last page of the handbook needs to be signed and returned to school by Friday, September 29.
In music,
Marla Ulrich
BMS Band Director
871-5500 x5762
“ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.”
Arthur O’Shaughnessy
REHEARSAL ENVIRONMENT
Great bands have musicians who:
Listen harder than they play
Demonstrate respect for all people and equipment in the room
When you are in the band room, I want you to be able to do the following:
Have amazing musical experiences
Take musical risks
Have fun
Make mistakes
Ask for help when needed
Believe that I will not put you on the spot or embarrass you
ADD/DROP POLICY
(In the event that you need to make a change, please refer to the following policy)
Band Drop Deadline One – Students have until October 6to drop band. After this deadline passes, students will be required to honor the commitment they’ve made to the band until the winter concert is over.
Band Drop Deadline Two – Students may drop band within the first week after the winter concert (December 15). After this deadline passes, students will be required to honor the commitment they’ve made to the band for the remainder of the school year.
PRACTICE
Band is a team class, with each of us relying and depending on each other. Band is so much fun when we sound amazing, because everyone knows their part so well. Be a good team member. Learn your music off the band’s time.
INSTRUMENT LOCKERS
Students who play an instrument that is a trumpet or larger will be assigned a locker in the band room. There is also some locker space in the band room for small instruments that can’t fit in regular school lockers.
MATERIALS
You need to bring the following materials to all rehearsals and lessons:
Your instrument, your music binder and a pencil.
Reed players: I will supply some reeds here at school as long as my budget allows, but please be sure to have a healthy supply of reeds at home as well. Reed players should have 3 functioning reeds at all times in their case.)
WEEKLY LESSONS
The lesson schedule will be posted on my website each week. Teachers are given a copy of the lesson schedule to post in their classrooms. It is your responsibility to check the lesson schedule prior to the beginning of each week so that you know when to come to your lesson.
LESSON ABSENCES
Each student is permitted one lesson absence per marking period. The permitted missed lesson is called a “free pass” and can be used when you need to stay in another class for a test or a lab. Any missed lessons beyond the free pass must be made up before the end of the marking period. There is a sign-up sheet for make-up lessons posted on my door each week. Students are expected to keep current with the weekly practice assignments, regardless of whether the missed lesson is excused or not.
GRADING
The percentages will be adjusted for concerts during quarters 2 and 4
Rehearsal grade(30%)
- This is the grade you earn with your conduct and participation in class.
Weekly lesson grade (30%)
- You will earn points for weekly lessons by arriving on time with all of your materials, communicating with me when you have to miss a lesson, and making any missed lessons up before the end of each marking period.
Canvas playing submissions (40%)
______
Formal Concert grade – Marking periods 2 and 4 only. (25%)
- You will receive points for the winter concert, the spring concert and the small ensemble concert. Percentages will be adjusted for the categories above when there is a performance grade.
CONCERT ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to attend all BMS Band Concerts. Each student is a valuable part of the whole band and it makes a difference when someone is gone.
Excused absences from a concert do not affect the band grade and include the following: 1) an emergency or death in the family 2) a student illness which necessitates an absence from school on the day of the concert.
Unexcused absencesinclude any other reasons than those listed above and will result in lost points from the band grade. Concerts are worth 25% of the marking period grade. Students who have an unexcused absence from a concert will be required to complete an alternate performing assignment to make up the lost points. If you knowthat you can’t attend a concert, please let me know at least a month ahead of time, as it may be necessary for me to re-assign your part.
CONCERT ATTIRE
Girls: A dress, or skirt/pants and a dressy top. Dresses/skirts need to fall at the knee or below when sitting. Dress shoes. No sneakers, strapless tops/dresses, or spaghetti straps, please.
Boys: A dress shirt with tie and dress pants. Jacket is optional. Dress shoes. No sneakers, please.
BMS PERFORMANCE CALENDAR
BMS Band Winter Concert December 7 @ 7:00 pm (mandatory)
Junior High All CountyJanuary 26/27 at Dover
Elementary All CountyMarch 2/3 location TBD
NYSSMA Festival April 27/28 at Red Hook
BMS Band Spring Concert May 10 @ 7:00 pm (mandatory)
BMS Band Small EnsembleJune 7 @ 7:00 pm (mandatory)
JAZZ BAND
Jazz band is open to all middle school band students who play the saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, guitar, bass, piano and drums. Space is limited for flutes and clarinets. Jazz band is an after school club that requires regular attendance.
INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE
Please keep your instrument in good working order by regularly lubricating valves and slides, swabbing, taking reeds off after playing, etc. If you need service, Barcone’s makes a school visit on Tuesdays and John Keal makes a school visit on Fridays. Barcone’s number is 331-6089. John Keal’s number is 800-544-6631
MUSIC
Your music is your textbook. When you receive your music, please write your name on the back of each piece in pencil. Never write on music with a pen – not even erasable pen. Each original piece of music that you receive will have a value between $2 and $5 and will need to be replaced if it is damaged (rips, curled/frayed edges, ink writing)
Please read the handbook on my webpage, then sign and return this sheet by September 29.
We have read the policies and concert dates in this book. We understand them and agree to their terms andconditions.
______
(parent/guardian signature) (student signature)
Date ______