BAND HANDBOOK
Beginner Band
BLALACK
MIDDLE SCHOOL
CARROLLTON, TEXAS
2008-2009
SHERRY
MILLER, BRIAN PALMER, & KEITH MARSHALL
DIRECTORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................
PAGE 1
GOALS AND GRADING SYSTEM ......................................................................
PAGE 2
PRACTICE RECORDS AND CONSISTENCY CLUB..........................................
PAGE 2
BRACES....................................................................................................................
PAGE 2
CONDUCT AND ATTENDANCE .........................................................................
PAGE 3
INSTRUMENT AND SUPPLIES ..........................................................................
PAGE 4
UNIFORMS .............................................................................................................
PAGE 4
MUSIC ENRICHMENT ..........................................................................................
PAGE 4
CALENDAR OF EVENTS .......................................................................................
PAGE 5
RETURN PAGES ....................................................................................................
PAGES 7, 8, 9, 10
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.........................................................................
PAGE 10
Dear Band Students and Parents:
The Carrollton Farmers Branch Independent School District takes great pride in being able to offer band classes at Blalack Middle School. Although we consider participation in instrumental music programs a right of all students, we do expect certain standards of each student enrolled in the classes:
1. RESPONSIBILITY
2. DEPENDABILITY
3. MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
4. EXCELLENT CONDUCT
It is the goal of the directors to produce outstanding bands. It is also the
belief of the directors that students learn more and develop better self discipline,
responsibility, and knowledge, and take more pride in superior bands than
in poor ones. Producing an outstanding band requires that each student accept
certain responsibilities along with excellent conduct.
The following pages will outline the basic requirements for band at Blalack. Please return pages 7, 8, 9 & 10 to your band director with all the requested information completed and signed. This will indicate your notification and acceptance of the policies of the Blalack Band Program. Please retain the remainder of the handbook so you may refer to it when necessary. Much of the information you need throughout the year is also on the website. The running calendar on the right side of the home page will have the most up-to-date information.
I congratulate you on being part of a superior organization and hope that each of you will feel pride in being part of our “Band family.”
Sincerely,
Sherry Miller,
Head Director
millersh@cfbisd.edu
Brian Palmer, Assistant Director
palmerb@cfbisd.edu
Keith Marshall, Assistant Director
marshallk@cfbisd.edu
Band Hall
Phones:
Ms. Miller: 972-968-3577
Mr. Palmer and Mr. Marshall: 972-968-3576
Website: www.blalackband.org
Page 1
GOALS
AND GRADING SYSTEM
PRACTICE RECORDS, CONSISTENCY CLUB & BRACES
GOALS
1. Understand and use musical terms.
2. Read an understand pitch notation.
3. Execute rhythmic notation.
4. Use proper wind and percussion techniques.
5. Use eye to hand coordination.
6. Perform in an ensemble.
7. Interact in large group discipline.
8. Interact socially with peers.
9. Accept and utilize constructive criticism.
10. Excellent and respectable conduct. No N’s in conduct or the student
may loose privileges.
GRADING
SYSTEM
Minimum of 9 grades each 9 week grading period comprised of:
Minimum of 9 Major grades = 60% of 9 weeks average
Minimum of 9 Daily grades = 40% of 9 weeks average
Major grades: performances, sectionals, playing tests (in class or by tape),
written tests, rehearsals
Daily grades: participation in class/sectionals, instrument care, proper supplies,
music checks, pencil checks,
and practice records.
WEEKLY
PRACTICE RECORD/SYSTEM (40% grade every Friday)
Must be signed by a parent/guardian each week on Thursday and returned during
class on Friday.
MINUTES GRADE
**180+ 105
150-179 100
131-149 95
120-130 90
90-119 80
60-89 70
BELOW 60 60
**180+ minutes turned in (on time) EVERY week of the school year (excluding full week breaks) AND signed on time, makes a student eligible to belong to the CONSISTENCY CLUB. These Students will receive a free trip to Six Flags on Saturday, May 5, 2007. Satisfactory or above citizenship in every class is required to be eligible to travel to Six Flags with the band. Students must also have perfect band attendance…no excused or unexcused absences from any band event are allowed to be eligible to attend six flags. Students who do not make the consistency club may pass off 8 full range scales and a chromatic scale on or before Monday, April 30 AND pay $30 to be eligible to go with the band to Six Flags on Saturday, May 5, 2007.
BRACES
The addition of braces, after a student has learned to play an instrument,
is detrimental to the student’s progress on that instrument. Most
students will need about a month to adapt to a new way of playing the
instrument. Please consider the timing of braces as it pertains to performances,
solo and ensemble contests, and major tests for auditions. Please DO
communicate with a director about the braces. This information helps
us in class to prepare your child to make this transition before it happens
and will enhance the re-learning process.
Page
2
CONDUCT
THE THREE C’S
CARE OF THE BAND
ROOM
1. No food, drink, gum and NO ink pens.
2. Do not lean on music stands.
3. No writing on stands, chairs, walls, etc.
4. Only band students in the band hall.
5. No trading of instruments.
6. If you move it, put it back. If you borrow it, return it.
CONDUCT
EXPECTATIONS
1. No questions the first 15 minutes of class.
2. Get water and go to the restroom before or after class.
3. Stay in your seat during class.
4. Be in seat with ALL materials (instrument, music, pencil: no pens, binder)
when the tardy bell rings.
5. Hold your instrument at all times; do not hold your friends instrument.
6. Follow teacher’s directions.
7. Respect others.
CONSEQUENCES
1st Warning - Verbal explanation of behavior
School Discipline Plan will be put in place.
ATTENDANCE
The band performs
at its optimum level with all members present. Therefore, students are required
to participate in all rehearsals, concerts, and contests unless excused by
the director according to the absence policy. Percussion students should stay
after school and after concerts to help with equipment. Symphonic and Concert
Bands are about performing what we have learned in class. At this level, we
are like a team. If a member is absent from a performance, all students are
affected.
REHEARSAL,
CONCERT, AND CONTEST ABSENCE POLICY
Good communication
between teacher, student and parents can prevent misunderstandings. Please
read the following rules and contact the director if you have any questions.
If you like, use email: millersh@cfbisd.edu,
palmerb@cfbisd.edu, or marshallk@cfbisd.edu
1. Written notice from parents is required for all absences. Email is acceptable.
Verbal or student written notices are not acceptable.
2. Advance notice is required for all prior commitments. A prior commitment
is defined as a date already committed to before the band schedule/handbook
is released in August. A notice of such a commitment should be sent to the
director as soon as the schedule/handbook is received.
3. In the case of illness and/or family emergency, the parents should send
a written notice to the director as soon as they are aware that a situation
exists. Illness that does not result in an absence from school will be excused
only at the director’s discretion. If there is a family emergency situation,
e.g. something that happens 30 minutes before a concert is to begin, it may
be impossible to get in touch with anyone. Thus, please follow up with a written
note as soon as possible after the fact. This is the ONLY category where absences
will be excused the same day, or after the event.
4. Students who have an excused absence from a performance will be given the
opportunity during morning tutorials to take a make-up assignment. Students
who have an unexcused absence from a performance will receive a major grade
of a zero.
Page 3
INSTRUMENTS, SUPPLIES, UNIFORMS,
MUSIC ENRICHMENT
INSTRUMENTS
& SUPPLIES
All instruments are to be in good playing condition at all times. Proper maintenance
is required. Students are expected to have all the proper supplies for his/her
instrument. Supplies are available for purchase from Brook Mays Music Co.
through the director. A price list will be posted outside the band office.
Please send checks (payable to Brook Mays Music) or exact cash. Students will
be given the item after payment is received.
SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS
School owned instruments are the responsibility of the child to whom it is
checked out. There is a maintenance fee of $25.00 per semester to cover the
regular maintenance and use of the instrument. The school is unable to pay
for any repairs due to student negligence. A damage assessment will occur
at the end of the year to determine if repairs are necessary due to negligence,
and fines will be assessed.
STEP-UP
INSTRUMENTS
1. Please ask a director for advice. millersh@cfbisd.edu
2. Buy a step-up instrument only from a recognized music dealership. Frequently
instruments that look nice and pretty are really imitations and don’t
carry the same quality as a recommended beginner instrument that has already
been purchased or rented. Step-up instruments are designed to enhance ones
playing, not just look pretty.
3. Wooden clarinets are strongly recommended for 7th/8th clarinet players.
4. Cornet students should keep their cornets until a Bach Strad model 37 trumpet
can be purchased.
5. It is recommended that flutes step-up to a Yamaha 481H or 584H.
6. A single trombone actually hinders a 7th/8th grade trombone player due
to the increased requirements. Please
view the Step-Up Trombone Guide for information
on buying a new trombone.
7. The alto sax recommended step-up instrument is a Yamaha 62.
UNIFORMS
Uniforms are worn for all performances and all students are expected to perform
in complete uniform. A few scholarships are available for those students who
meet the financial criteria and cannot afford a uniform. Please contact the
director for more information.
6th Grade Band:
· Blalack School T-shirt (supplied by the student)
· Black pants (full length) (supplied by the student)
· Due to rental fees, no specific shoes are required for 6th grade
band
MUSIC
ENRICHMENT
In addition to individual band classes, we also have a wonderful staff of
private music instructors. Each teacher is an expert on his or her individual
instruments. Each teacher was also selected to teach in our school district
by the Fine Arts Director and the band directors in our school district.
The music lessons last 28 minutes, once a week at a cost of $15.00 per lesson. Times are worked out between you and the private instructor, and usually lessons occur at Blalack Middle School or Creekview High School. Private lessons are not required, and they will not effect your student’s grade; however, students that take this opportunity tend to progress at a much faster rate. They also usually find themselves at a much higher level much faster than is normally expected. If you are interested, please request a form. Students of like instruments may take a 28 minute lesson as “buddies” with the same teacher and each student pays $10.
Page 4
BLALACK BAND CALENDAR
BEGINNER BAND
2008-2009
| AUGUST | ||
| Learn the care of the instrument and make a characteristic tone | ||
| SEPTEMBER | ||
| Learn to play simple melodies. Please ask your child to demonstrate at home. | ||
| Practice Records begin. | ||
| 09 | Last chance for instrument rental 5:30 – 7:30 PM in Cafeteria | |
| 11 | Sixth Grade Meet the Teacher Night 7:00 PM | |
| 25 | Fundraiser Begins | |
| OCTOBER | ||
| 03 | Fundraiser Ends | |
| 21 | Fall Concert, Cafeteria, 7:00 PM | |
| NOVEMBER | ||
| Encourage your students to practice by listening to them perform lines out of the book. | ||
| DECEMBER | ||
| 08 | After school band rehearsal 3:50 – 5:00 PM | |
| 09 | Winter Concert, 7:00 PM | |
| JANUARY | ||
| Scale contest begins. | ||
| 16 | Band Lock-In. | |
| FEBRUARY | ||
| Class ensembles will be assigned. (This is fun for the students.) | ||
| 28 | Band Ensemble Contest, at Blalack, entrance fee is 5$ | |
| APRIL | ||
| 06 | After school band rehearsal 3:50 - 5:00 PM | |
| 07 | 6th Grade Band Concert 7:00 PM @ Blalack | |
| 25 | Band Solo Contest, $20 entry fee covers payment for accompanist | |
| 30 | Band rehearsal; During the School Day. | |
| MAY | ||
| Two practices will be scheduled for after school; 3:50 – 5:00 PM | ||
| 01 | Beginner band contest, during school, must be passing all classes and in good standing with all teachers in regards to grades and conduct. Final decisions of eligibility will be left to the discretion of the band director, class room teachers and principal. | |
| 16 | Six Flags; 9 AM – 8 PM; Must be a member of the consistency club or pass of scales & pay $28 | |
| 20 | After school band rehearsal 3:50 - 5:00 PM | |
| 20 | Band Concert @ Creekview, 7 PM | |
| JUNE | ||
| 02-03 | 6/7 Percussion Cadence Rehearsal: Noon - 3:30 PM, lunch provided | |
| AUGUST 2007 | ||
| 11-13 | 2007-2008, 7th/8th Band rehearsals, 8:30 AM – 2 PM with a pool party one evening. | |
CALENDAR MAY BE UPDATED, PLEASE READ THE MONTHLY PTA NEWSLETTER
Page 5
PARENT/STUDENT
PERMIT
FOR SCHOOL TRIP
| NAME AND ID NO. | |
| OF STUDENT ______________________________ | DATE OF TRIP to be announced |
DESTINATION OF TRIP: BMS Band activities-to be announced
PURPOSE OF TRIP: participation in BMS Band activities (rehearsals, contests, competitions, etc.)
SPONSOR OF TRIP: Sherry Miller, Brian Palmer, and Keith Marshall
| TIME LEAVING: TBA | RETURNING: TBA | MODE OF TRAVEL: Bus |
I, _______________________ , am requesting permission to go on the above field
trip. I agree to behave appropriately at all times and follow the directions
of my sponsors. I understand that all school rules apply on the field trip.
I understand that I may be denied the privilege of a filed trip if my conduct
grade in any class is below a satisfactory mark or I have not completed my
band work required for the trip.
SIGNED ____________________________________
Student Signature
SIGNED ____________________________________
Parent Signature
Page 7
Medical Form
DEAR PARENT:
Your child is requesting the privilege of going on a school sponsored trip and we wish to have your permission before allowing him/her to go. The school will supervise the trip properly, but it is impossible to assure you that no accidents will occur.
I give permission for ____________________________________ to go on to the field trip
PARENT OR GUARDIAN _______________________________
MEDICAL FORM
Last Name ______________________ First Name ___________________________
Parent’s Name ___________________ Address _____________________________
Home Phone ____________________ Work Phone _________________________
Family Doctor ___________________ Doctor’s Phone _______________________
In case you cannot be reached, who should we call:
Name: _________________________ Phone _______________________________
Name: _________________________ Phone _______________________________
In the event of an emergency, does the school have permission to take whatever action it deems necessary?
YES________ NO________
In the event of an emergency, if you cannot be reached, do you hereby authorize the school and/or its employees to give consent for medical treatment for the above named child? (Section 35.01 Texas Family Code)
YES________ NO________
Please give any information about physical or medical conditions that you feel would be important for the school to know while your student is on this field trip.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
If medication
is to be administered during this trip, please sign the release form. I hereby
give permission for
___________________________ (child’s name) to receive __________________
(medication & dosage) at ____________ (time).
I understand the medication must be in the original container and properly labeled (including the child’s name) for the medication to be administered.
Signed ______________________________
Date ____________________
parent/guardian
Page 8
PLEASE RETURN THIS PAGE TO DIRECTOR.
AS A STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BAND, I HAVE READ THIS HAND BOOK AND UNDERSTAND THE MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS, PARTICULARLY IN REGARDS TO STUDY, PRACTICE, REHEARSAL, CONCERT/CONTEST ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIOR.
AS A MEMBER OF THE BAND, I WILL ASSUME THE OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND DO MY UTMOST TO ACCOMPLISH THE OBJECTIVES, FOLLOWING THE PRINCIPLES, RULES, AND REGULATIONS. MOST OF ALL, I WILL COMMUNICATE IN ADVANCE AND READ MY CALENDAR.
__________________________________________
___________________
Student’s Signature / Date
AS PARENTS OF THIS STUDENT, WE UNDERSTAND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH OUR CHILD IS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW.
___________________________________________
____________________
Parent’s Signature / Date
Page 9
PARENT VOLUNTEER FORM (6th)
(Background Check MUST BE completed)
CONCERTS
_______ I can sit with students during the concert.
_______ I can stack chairs after the performance.
_______ I can pass out programs.
FUNDRAISER
_______ I can help collect money.
_______ I can help check forms.
_______ I can help pass out product during the day.
TRIPS (We must have 1 chaperone for every 10 students)
_______ I can chaperone April 25 to Sandy Lake during the day.
_______ I can chaperone May 17 for Six Flags; 9am – 6pm
PERCUSSION PARENTS
(percussion students have set up and tear down responsibilities for percussion
equipment)
_______ I can call parents to arrange set up/tear down
_______ I can provide a larger vehicle to transport instruments.
OTHER
_______ Weekly help the first 6 weeks to write receipts.
_______ Weekly help the first 6 weeks to sort forms.
_______ Donate canned drinks or candy bars anytime during the month of Aug,
Sept & Oct.
_______ Donate canned drinks or candy bars anytime during the month of Jan,
Feb & Mar.
_______ Monitor the band hall any one day; 8am – 8:40am
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Parent’s Name ____________________________________________________________
Telephone Number ________________________________________________________
Email ___________________________________________________________________
Student’s Name ___________________________________________________________
Grade ______________________ Band/Class Period ________________________
Page 10