- 1 -1
555 Viking Drive
Morehead, KY 40351
606-784-8911 ext. 3763
Nick Diedrichsen Kevin Christie
Directors
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s),
Welcome to the Rowan County Viking Band Program. We hope you are as excited about being a part of this outstanding organization as we are for you to be here. As a member, your child will have many memorable experiences.
In order to maintain the rich tradition and pride in the Viking Band, your child must abide by strict rules and regulations. Those rules are presented in the following handbook and are constructed to uphold fairness, consistency, and quality in all aspects of the band program. Each member must adhere to these rules. These rules and regulations are devised for the protection of the entire organization. Therefore, each member and parent is asked to read and discuss it fully. This will be the document upon which decisions are made, so please be familiar with the expectations of being a member of this organization and be willing to abide by the rules.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AS QUESTIONS ARISE.
Mr. Diedrichsen’s Email:
7:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Rowan County Middle School 784-8911 ext. 3763
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM - Rowan County High School Band Office 784-8956 ext. 2613
Planning Period and lunch 12:00-12:45
These are the times we are at school. If we are in class, you may leave a message
on our voice mail and we will return your call ASAP.
Sincerely,
Nickolaus H. Diedrichsen Kevin Christie Jay Padula
Middle School Director High School Director Principal
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. PHILOSOPHY
II. GOALS
III. BAND SUPPLIES
IV. UNIFORMS
V. BAND ROOM RULES
VI. CONSEQUENCES
VII. RENTAL INSTRUMENTS
VIII. SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
IX. INSTRUMENT REPAIR AND CARE, BAND CUBBIES, REEDS, BAND TEXTS & MUSIC
X. FUND-RAISERS, BAND TRIPS & VOLUNTEERS
XI. AUDIO & VIDEO EQUIPMENT
XII. GRADING POLICY
XIII. PRIVATE LESSONS
XIV. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
XV. BAND ROOM USE BEFORE HOMEROOM & AFTER SCHOOL
I. PHILOSOPHY
Through the support of directors Nickolaus Diedrichsen and Kevin Christie, and our principal, Jay Padula, the Rowan County Middle School Band program is designed to provide information to our students, which will enable them to develop a life-long understanding and appreciation for music while providing opportunities for them to develop their performance, leadership, teamwork, and personal creativity skills.
II. GOALS
A. 6th Grade
1. Students will understand and demonstrate their ability to care for a musical instrument.
2. Students will understand basic musical terms and theory (i.e. music staff, note names, key signatures, rhythmic values, articulations, and dynamics).
3. Students will apply their knowledge of these fundamental concepts to their instruments. In addition, they will demonstrate their understanding of these fundamentals through written assignments and verbal exercises.
B. 7th and 8th Grade
1. Students will continue to demonstrate their increased working knowledge of the creation and reproduction of music through performance opportunities.
2. Students will prepare for success at the high school level by increasing note, rhythm, and theory recognition through written assignments/tests, sight-reading, preparing, critiquing and performing at a higher level of musicianship.
III. SCHOOL SUPPLIES
All band students must have the following every day for the entire school year:
1. Instrument and all its necessary equipment (i.e. reeds, mouthpiece, drumsticks, swabs, etc.)
2. All sheet music and books.
3. PENCIL (absolutely no pens!)
Successful Band Students Always Have Proper Materials
IV. UNIFORMS FOR PERFORMANCES
1. 7th and 8th Grade Band - Formal uniform includes the following and must be within school dress code:
Girls
SOLID black dress top, no spaghetti straps, strapless tops, or midriff showing
Black dress pants, no skirts allowed
Black dress shoes
Boys
Long sleeve white button up dress shirt with a collar
Black dress pants, Black socks and Black dress shoes
A. Beginning Band (6th Grade)
1. Dress clothes
2. Girls – no skirts allowed.
3. Boys – you do not have to wear a tie.
No jeans, tennis shoes, hats, flip flops, or shirts with writing or print allowed.
V. BAND ROOM RULES
1. Show respect and consideration for yourself and others.
2. Everyone will display care and respect for ALL equipment and EVERY facility that they enter.
3. Students may talk or ask questions AFTER they have raised their hand AND been CALLED UPON BY THE TEACHER.
4. Students will bring their instruments, music, pencils and other necessary equipment to EVERY class meeting.
5. Candy, gum and food or drink of any kind must be discarded before entering the band room. ONLY Bottled water (without flavor additives) is allowed.
VI. CONSEQUENCES
Students will receive one warning. Failure to follow the rules will be considered a failure to positively contribute to the rehearsal. Students who do not positively contribute to the rehearsal will not receive full participation credit for that day. In addition, these consequences will be applied as appropriate:
Inappropriate behavior will result in these consequences:
1. The student’s name will be written on the board and the student will receive a five point deduction from their rehearsal contribution grade for that day.
2. The student will be given a check mark and receive an additional five point deduction from rehearsal contribution grade.
3. If the student receives a second check mark, the student will be asked to pack up their instrument and will not be allowed to participate in the rehearsal, thus losing all credit that otherwise would have been earned that day.
4. If the behavior continues, a disciplinary referral will be issued and parents will be contacted.
5. Any student who shows ongoing disinterest in following the rules will be removed from the band program.
VII. RENT-TO-OWN INSTRUMENTS
Our band sets up a rent to own program through Don Wilson Music in Lexington, KY. A representative visits our school at least once a week to help maintain this program. An introductory meeting about the rental program and about band will take place at RCMS on the evening of August 30th at 6:30 for all parents. Your child will bring home a letter with more information about the rental program. The many benefits of renting an instrument include: having a new quality instrument, instrument insurance with maintenance/repair included in the price, and the ability to return the instrument should your child decide not to participate in band. Payments made can be transferred to another instrument should your child switch instruments or up-grade to a better quality instrument.
PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE AN INSTRUMENT WITHOUT SPEAKING TO A DIRECTOR.
VIII. SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
A. Availability
RCMS provides a very limited number of public-use instruments each year. We are happy to offer these instruments based on availability and need, however, due to our limited inventory, please understand that there is no guarantee that an instrument will be available for issue.
B. Cost
A fee will be assessed for the use of school owned instruments to off set the cost for instrument repair. This fee is $40 per school-year and is due upon issue of the instrument.
C. Check-out procedure
1. Parent and student must fill-out and sign instrument checkout form.
2. Instrument will be checked out to the student.
IX. INSTRUMENT CARE/REPAIR, BAND LOCKERS, REEDS, BAND TEXTS AND MUSIC
A. SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENT AND REPAIR
Problems or damage to an instrument must be reported to a director immediately. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE INSTRUMENT ON YOUR OWN. TAKE CARE OF AND MAINTAIN YOUR SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENT. Repairs will be made through Don Wilson Music in Lexington, KY or another licensed repair shop. If an instrument is stolen, you must provide a police report. If an instrument is lost or destroyed, it is also the financial responsibility of the parents of the child that is using the instrument.
Estimated cost of a Flute: $900
Baritone: $2000.00
Tuba: $3600.00
Please take care of your school-owned instrument!
B. PERSONALLY-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
Sometimes, parents elect to buy their child a new or used instrument; musical instruments can be obtained through music dealers, online music stores, hand-me-downs, yard sale, Ebay auctions, and craigslist classifieds. Most repair shops can service quality instruments of reputable brands. If you are considering buying an instrument for your child, please keep in mind that repair shops will not service cheaply made instruments (because of the unavailability of parts for these instruments). Below is a table of reliable instrument brands that most repair shops will service:
Flute: / Armstrong,Artley, Emerson, Ghemienhardt, Yamaha / Trombone: / Bach, Getzen Holton, King, Yamaha,
Clarinet: / Artley, Buffett, LeBlanc, Selmer,
Yamaha,Vito, / Percussion Kits: / Ludwig, Pearl
Mapex, Yamaha
Saxophone: / Conn, Selmer, Yamaha, / Oboe/bassoon: / Fox, Renard, Selmer, Yamaha
Trumpet: / Bach, Benge, Conn, Getzen, King, Jupiter, Yamaha,
French Horn: / Holton, Conn, Nirschil, Yamaha
It is highly recommended that you insure your instrument. Check with your homeowner’s insurance to see if it is possible to cover the instrument on your homeowner’s policy. If not, contact one of the band directors and we will provide you with the necessary information. NEVER LEAVE AN INSTRUMENT AT SCHOOL OVERNIGHT! ROWAN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSTRUMENTS WHICH ARE STOLEN OR DAMAGED WHILE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.
C. BAND CUBBIES AND INSTRUMENT STORAGE
Band cubbies will be issued to all students in the band. Students should store their band equipment, band books and music in the cubbies. Students may store their Books and materials for other classes in their cubby only during band class. Students who play Tuba, Euphonium, French Horn, Baritone Saxophone or Percussion will be issued a cubby to store their equipment and music, but will store their instruments in cases in designated areas of the storage room. When not in use, instruments must be stored correctly in cases. All personal items left in the band room will be put in lost and found. Lost and Found items not claimed will be donated to the youth service center. The Lost and Found bin is emptied at the end of each nine week grading period.
D. REEDS
Students who play reed instruments will be responsible for buying their own reeds. Our music representative from Don Wilson Music visits weekly and will be happy to take reed orders. In addition, every student who plays a wind instrument will need to have a reed case. One reed can last a long time when it is properly cared for. Students need to have at least 4 reeds in their cases in case one breaks during class or performance. Students may charge up to 2 reeds, but they must pay for their reeds to be eligible to charge additional reeds or travel with the band.
E. BAND TEXTS AND MUSIC
The RCMS Band uses two text books. Students are responsible for purchasing the Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method (book 1 for 6th & 7th grades, Book 2 for 8th grade). Students MUST write their names on the outside, inside and back cover of their Standards of Excellence book. This text costs $10 and will be ordered by 7th and 8th graders during the first week of school. 6th graders will buy their text at the rental program on August 30th.
7th and 8th grade band students are also required to purchase, Warm ups and Beyond by Timothy Loest. This text costs $7.00 and will be available for purchase in the band room.
Assigned music, Standard of Excellence and Warm ups and Beyond books and must be kept in a folder. The Band will furnish the music folders at no cost.
X. FUND-RAISERS, BAND TRIPS, & VOLUNTEERS
A. Fundraising
Every year, the Rowan County Middle School Band undertakes at least one fund-raiser per semester. The money raised by our students is used to buy new instruments, music, transportation, staff specialists and various other items and services. Our fund-raiser lasts one or two weeks from the starting date. All students are encouraged to participate for the benefit of the entire band program. Due to federal tax code, individual student accounts will no longer be part of our fund raising practices, however, we will still use fund-raising money to accommodate band-related financial needs on an individual basis.
B. Band Trips
During the school year, band students might participate in a trip designed to reward students that have good participation, behavior, and have earned passing grades. Any student that is suspended or ineligible to participate in school activities for any reason will not be allowed to travel with the band. Students may also be restricted from participating in a band trip if he/she is in poor behavioral standing in or outside of band. Students must also be in good financial standing with the band to attend a trip (no outstanding fundraiser money, red money etc). No band student with an unexcused absence from a public performance will be allowed to go on a band trip. This is left to the discretion of the band directors.
When the band rides a bus to an event, all students must ride the bus to and from the event. Parents who wish to pick up their children from an event must make prior arrangements in writing with RCMS, or sign their child out upon picking them up.
**Taking part in a fund-raiser does not guarantee trip participation.
C. Volunteers
Parents or Legal Guardians of RCMS band students who wish to
volunteer are very much needed and appreciated. We are always in
need of chaperones, help with fundraising activities, and volunteers
to fill various other roles. Parents who are interested in helping will need
to complete the appropriate paperwork and background check through
the Central Office.
XI. ELECTRONICS
The band directors sometimes place audio or video equipment in the band room and other related areas to record student activity for educational and security purposes. Students may not use any computer without permission at any time. Students may not use electronic devices such as cell phones, i-pods, or cameras without permission.
XII. GRADING POLICY
A. Equipment Check -50 points per week
The ability to play a musical instrument is a skill, which is acquired through practice and rehearsal. Participation in band class requires that each student bring the required equipment to all class meetings. Students will receive credit for bringing the following items to class: