DoverHigh School Band
HANDBOOK
2010-2011
Nicholas Sowul, Director of Bands
Email:
Band Website:
Letter from the Director______
Dear Band Members and Parents/Guardians,
Welcome freshmen and welcome back veterans! I hope that everyone had a great summer and that you’re as ready as I am to make some wonderful music again! I spent a week with family in the Outer Banks of North Carolina (before Hurricane Earl, luckily). I also took a few camping trips around the Adirondacks. Halfway through one of them, we had an encounter with a 400 pound black bear! I’ll put the video up soon on our new Dover Band YouTube channel. Needless to say, I’m glad to be back!
This year is looking to be a great one. We will continue our Dover Band tradition of marching in New York City for St. Patrick’s Day, of course. We will also entertain the idea of taking an overnight band trip to Virginia Beach sometime in the spring. The Dover Band hasn’t been on an overnight trip in a few years now and I think it’s about time that happened again. More information on that will be forthcoming.
I have planned an exciting event for us this spring. We will be giving a world premier performance of a new work for concert band by Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer and percussionist Michael Colgrass through the NYS Band Directors Association Commissioning Consortium. The piece, which is now in the process of bring written, will be sent to us sometime this winter for rehearsals and world premier performance rights on our May 17 Spring Concert. In preparation for this, we will be performing some of Colgrass’ other works on our concerts leading up to the spring event, as well as learning more about him, his process of composition, and the importance of commissioning new music for our performance medium. For more information on the composer, check out his website at
Everyone should read the information in the handbook, even veterans. Some of the information has changed, so make sure you’re informed. On the cover, I have included my email address and the band website. Please email me with any questions you may have. The band website will be updated within the first weeks of school and frequently thereafter. You will find information for both students and parents.
Please fill-out/sign the last 3 pages of this packet and return them to me, by Friday, September 10. The first sheet is the “Student Contract.” There are also spots for you to provide me with your emails. Emails are optional, but worked VERY well in the past as a quick and easy means of communication. I will be sending things such as concert date reminders, any changes to the schedule, fundraiser due dates, and any other pertinent information. Please sign up! The second sheet is a medical form that will need to be on file for any band trips. The last sheet is a permission slip for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Lastly, I’d like to wish everyone a very productive year, both in and out of school. Let’s make it a memorable one!
Sincerely,
Nick Sowul
“If better is possible, then good is not enough!”
Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the high school band program are:
- To provide a warm and safe learning environment to foster the musical and personal growth of every band member.
- To provide the highest possible quality of music and instructional material.
- To provide reasonable personal and group expectations and every outlet to allow them to be met.
- To develop in students an enhanced aesthetic sensitivity for music as an art form by disciplined study and application of its various elements, both separately and as they are combined into a coherent musical whole.
- To provide educational, performing, and recreational experiences that will enhance a DoverHigh School education.
- To meet and exceed local, state, and national standards in music education.
- To increase student involvement in decision-making and therefore create a strong sense of ownership within the band program.
New YorkState Learning Standards: The Arts
Standard 1: Creating, Performing, and Participating in the Arts
Students will actively engage in the processes that constitute creation and performance in the arts (dance, music, theater, and visual arts) and participate in various roles in the arts.
Standard 2: Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources
Students will be knowledgeable about and make use of the materials and resources available for participation in the arts in various roles.
Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art
Students will respond critically to a variety of works in the arts, connecting the individual work to other works and to other aspects of human endeavor and thought.
Standard 4: Understanding the Cultural Contributions of the Arts
Students will develop an understanding of the personal and cultural forces that shape artistic communication and how the arts in turn shape the diverse cultures of past and present society.
“Our main goal is to make music”
~Leonard Bernstein conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood
“A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.”
~Leopold Stokowski
Student Responsibilities
Members of the Dover High School Band will be responsible for meeting the following expectations.
DAILY (45% of quarter grade)
- Have their instrument in working order, all music, A PENCIL, and all needed supplies for every rehearsal.
- Be in the band room by 11:25, in your seat, and ready for the first downbeat.
- Present a positive attitude during the rehearsal – watch, listen, stop playing on command, with little talk during sectional work.
WEEKLY (45% of quarter grade)
- Attend one regularly scheduled music lesson. If a lesson is missed for any reason, it must be made up within 2 weeks.
- Lessons will now be graded on a scale of 1-5. Simply showing up will not get you full lesson credit. You will be graded on the completion of whatever was assigned the week before. If you missed that lesson, it will be your responsibility to get and learn the assignment for that week.
- Take your instrument home and practice assigned lesson material, band music, NYSSMA solos, playoff requirements, etc.
PERFORMANCES (10% of quarter grade)
- Attend all concerts, parades, and other activities at which the band will function as a group. Performing in a group is the major focus of this class making attendance at all performances mandatory. All exceptions MUST be cleared by the student with the band director at least 24 hours in advance of the performance, and a make up will be scheduled for a grade. Excuses must be of an “emergency” nature and will be left to the discretion of the director. All unexcused absences will result in losing this 10% of your total grade and cannot be made up. “I have to work” is not an acceptable excuse for missing a performance. Give your boss any concert dates well in advance!
MID-TERM AND FINAL EXAM
1. These grades will make up 20% of your final band grade (equivalent to one full quarter grade). See next page for more details.
*Being anything less than quiet and attentive during all rehearsals will result in the following course of actions:
1.Being spoken to during rehearsal.
2.Loss of your participation point for the day.
3.Given lunch detention to be served the next day.
4.Being asked to leave with the matter turned over to the HS administration.
Mid-Term and Final Exam Playoff Requirements
Grading Requirements:
- All students must finish requirements 1-5 by the end of the Fall Semester. Requirements 6-10 will be finished by the end of the school year. As always, one requirement may be omitted, free of charge.
- Once finished with a level, the student may opt to continue onto the next level, or wait until the following year to start the next level.
- All requirements must be passed off individually by the director and written in the master book. Only requirements as written in the master book will be counted toward the final grade. If it is not written in the master book it does not exist!
- Any student may attempt to pass the “Advanced Musicianship Standards.” Doing so will result in him/her being awarded an “Advanced Musician Diploma” (and bragging rights) by Dover High School. If a student successfully passes all of these requirements, up to 45 points will be given on each remaining report card of that school year. This is also something outstanding to put on a college resume.
- Seniors will now be exempt from mid-term and final exam requirements. However, requirements can be completed for bonus points.
I strongly believe in quality over quantity and require that in order to be passed off, an exercise must be played with no note, key signature, or rhythmic errors. If you have a question, please do not hesitate to ask.
IMPORTANT: Students have a full 20 weeks to complete the first 5 requirements. I strongly urge that you begin passing them off as soon as possible before the end of the term. I am not responsible for a student that is unable to play because they wait until the last minute.
Practice Time: In order to successfully complete these requirements, you must be practicing regularly. It will not be possible to learn all the requirements up to par (and tempo) in a day or two. It is expected that you will use the entire semester to prepare these, little by little. These are skills that need to be developed and fine tuned, not crammed into a study session. When are some good practice times besides at home in the evenings? At school during lunch, study hall, after school, and especially everyday before rehearsal begins!
Bonus Point System
- Jazz Band – 1 point per rehearsal (or 10 points per quarter, depending on attendance)
- NYSSMA Solo/Ensemble – 10 points (20 points for an “excellent” B+ or higher rating!)
- All-State or All-County band participant – 10 points
- Private Lessons – 25 points per quarter
- Set-up/break-down help – 3 points per event (some will also qualify for community service hours!)
- Solo or Small Ensemble Performance – points will vary
- Monitored Practice – 2 points per 45 minute class period
- Section Leader – 5 points per quarter (must meet section leader criteria)
DoverHigh School
Freshman Level Musicianship Standards
Student______Instrument______Grade____ Year_____
Date Passed: By:Fall Semester Requirements
______1. Demonstrate the characteristic tone quality of your
instrument to the Director’s satisfaction.
______2. Play from memory a designated chromatic scale one
octave ascending and descending in eighth notes at =80
______3. Play from memory any 7 major scales ascending
and descending at =100
______4. Demonstrate correct playing technique and breath
support at all dynamic levels from piano to forte.
______5. Explain and demonstrate correct staccato and legato
tonguing.
Spring Semester Requirements
______6. Be able to count and play all rhythms on the
Freshman/Sophomore Level Rhythm Sheet.
______7. Demonstrate ability to prepare a selected musical
etude, with attention to musical detail. (not band music)
______8. Complete a Pitch Tendency chart with the help of a
friend.
______9. Play any 3 scales in thirds.
______10. Participate in a solo or ensemble of at least Grade III or
higher difficulty for public and/or NYSSMA performance.
DoverHigh School
Sophomore Level Musicianship Standards
Student______Instrument______Grade____ Year_____
Date Passed: By:Fall Semester Requirements
______1. Demonstrate an excellent characteristic tone quality of your
instrument to the Director’s satisfaction.
______2. Play from memory a designated chromatic scale one
octave ascending and descending in eighth notes at =100
______3. Play from memory any 9 major scales ascending
and descending at =100
______4. Demonstrate correct playing technique and breath
support at all dynamic levels from piano to forte.
______5. Explain and demonstrate correct staccato and legato
tonguing.
Spring Semester Requirements
______6. Be able to count and play all rhythms on the
Freshman/Sophomore Level Rhythm Sheet.
______7. Demonstrate ability to prepare a selected musical
etude, with attention to musical detail. (not band music)
______8. Complete a Pitch Tendency chart with the help of a
friend.
______9. Play any 5 scales in thirds.
______10. Participate in a solo or ensemble of at least Grade IV or
higher difficulty for public and/or NYSSMA performance.
DoverHigh School
Junior Level Musicianship Standards
Student______Instrument______Grade____ Year_____
Date Passed: By:Fall Semester Requirements
______1. Demonstrate outstanding characteristic tone quality of your
instrument to the Director’s satisfaction.
______2. Perform a full practical range chromatic scale.
(not necessarily from memory).
______3. Play any 11 major scales ascending and descending.
(not necessarily from memory).
______4. Demonstrate correct playing technique and breath
support at all dynamic levels from piano to forte.
______5. Explain and demonstrate correct staccato and legato
tonguing.
Spring Semester Requirements
______6. Be able to count and play all rhythms on the
Junior/Senior Level Rhythm Sheet.
______7. Demonstrate ability to prepare a selected musical
etude, with attention to musical detail. (not band music)
______8. Complete a Pitch Tendency chart with the help of a
friend.
______9. Play any 7 scales in thirds.
______10. Participate in a solo or ensemble of at least Grade IV or
higher difficulty for public and/or NYSSMA performance.
DoverHigh School
Advanced Musicianship Standards
Student______Instrument______Grade____ Year_____
Date Passed: By:Requirements
______1. Demonstrate outstanding characteristic tone quality of your
instrument to the Director’s satisfaction.
______2. Perform from memory a full practical range
chromatic scale.
______3. Play from memory all 15 major scales ascending
and descending at =120.
______4. Demonstrate correct playing technique and breath
support at all dynamic levels from pianissimo to fortissimo.
______5. Explain and demonstrate correct staccato and legato
tonguing.
______6. Be able to play all rhythms on the
Advanced Level Rhythm Sheet.
______7. Demonstrate ability to prepare an approved musical
etude or solo, with attention to musical detail.
______8. Accurately complete a Pitch Tendency chart with the help of a friend.
______9. Play any 7 scales in thirds.
______10. Play any 5 scales in a “Pattern A” style.
DoverHigh School
Percussionist Musicianship Standards
Student______Instrument______Grade____ Year_____
Date Passed: By:Requirements: May be passed off in any order
______1. Play from memory a chromatic scale on xylophone, one
octave ascending and descending.
______2. Play from memory any 5 major scales on xylophone, ascending and descending.
______3. On snare drum, perform a 20 sec. closed roll
demonstrating smooth, controlled bounce strokes.
______4. On an instrument of your choice, be able to count and
play all rhythms on your level Rhythm Sheet.
______5. Perform an 8-beat suspended cymbal roll with a
crescendo.
______6. On an instrument of your choice, demonstrate ability to
prepare a selected etude, with attention to musical detail.
______7. Perform any 13 of the 26 Standard Snare Drum
Rudiments.
______8. Demonstrate ability to perform a single stroke timpani
roll, as per NYSSMA Level I-IV requirements.
______9. Demonstrate ability to tune the following ascending
intervals on timpani: Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, Major 3rd,
Major 6th.
______10. Participate in a solo or ensemble of at least Grade III or
higher difficulty for public and/or NYSSMA performance.
Music Department Events 2010-2011
***September 14 – Music Parent Meeting – (First Thursday of the month
thereafter – 7:00pm MS Band Room
- October 21, 7:30pm – Fall Concert
- November 4 – Spike the Teachers
- November 19, 20 – Area All-State Festival, BeaconHigh School
- November 15-Nov. 29 – Band Fundraiser
- December 5, 3:00pm – Winter Concert
- January 28, 29 – Jr. High All-County Festival, @Pine Plains
- February 26, 3:30 and 7:00pm – Cabaret Extravaganza
March 25, 26 – Spring Musical
- March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade, NYC
- April 8-9 – NYSSMA Solo Festival, ArlingtonMS (tentative)
- April 29-30 – NYSSMA Solo Festival, Rhinebeck HS (tentative)
- May 17, 7:30pm – Spring Concert
- May 30, 9:00am – Memorial Day Parade (Wingdale Firehouse)
- June 25, 10:00am – High School Graduation
Events marked in BOLD are mandatory
MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND STUDENTS, TELL YOUR BOSSES NOW!!!
How Parents Can Help
- Show an interest in the musical study of your student.
- Arrange a regular time for your student to practice
- Find a quiet place where he or she can practice without interruption
- Listen to performances of practice material when asked to do so.
- Help the student keep a daily record of practicing.
- Come up with a reward system for daily practice.
- Keep the instrument in good repair, and keep at least three reeds in the case; GET A METRONOME AND TUNER!!
- Teach your student to be prepared and on time to each rehearsal or lesson.
- Providing private lessons with a teacher/performer of your main instrument is one of the BEST things that you can do!
- Make faithful attendance at all band activities important.
- Keep the handbook in a safe place and refer to it often.
- Attend booster meetings – 1st Thursday of every month at 7pm in the MS band room.
- Have the band website bookmarked on your computer and check back for updates regularly.
“It is our job, as parents, educators, and friends, to see that our young people have the opportunity to attain the thorough education that will prepare them for the future. Much of that education takes place in the classroom. We must encourage our youngsters in such pursuits as music education. In addition to learning the valuable lesson that it takes hard work to achieve success, no matter what the arena, music education can provide students with a strong sense of determination, improved communication skills, and a host of other qualities essential for successful living.”
- Edward H. Rensi – President and Chief Operation Officer, U.S.A. McDonald's Corporation
Student Contract
I have read the previous pages of this 2010-2011 Dover High School Band Handbook. I am aware of, and agree with all of its contents and pertinent information,
including mandatory concert dates.
______
Student SignatureParent/Guardian Signature
Student email addressParent email address
Do you already get my emails??Do you already get my emails??
If not, very legibly print new email:If not, very legibly print new email:
______
**Email addresses are optional, but highly encouraged. This has proven to be a very easy chain of communication regarding any concert schedule changes, reminders of various events throughout the year, etc. Also, this email list will take the place of the “Snow Chain” telephone list. All emails will be kept CONFIDENTIAL.
The first Band Booster meeting is on TUESDAY, September 14 at 7pm in the Middle School band room!!! We hope to see you there!
2010-2011 DHS Band HandbookMr. Sowul