Bishop Walsh Middle/High School
2009 - 2010 Band Handbook
The Bishop Walsh Middle School Band Program is dedicated to giving students the opportunity to grow musically, socially, and academically. Through musical performance, students learn how to perform and appreciate music of a variety of styles and levels of difficulty. Through group involvement, students learn how to work together to achieve common goals and develop group discipline and respect for fellow students. Students learn to focus on goals and achievements that are more than personal and develop self-discipline. Through the study of harmony, scales, rhythms, etc, students develop skills that will allow them to truly understand and appreciate the foundation of music as well as the aesthetics.
At Bishop Walsh, there is a 6th, 7th, & 8th grade concert band. Students will play a variety of music from classical to popular literature. Emphasis is placed on the development of fundamental skills related to posture, breathing, embouchure, fingerings, counting, music reading, and overall tone production. Regular practice is a must and private instruction is strongly encouraged.
The grade for Band is broken down into the following categories:
• 50% Participation (Class Participation, Concert Attendance)
• 50% Major Grades (Completion of Practice Reports, Playing Tests, Written Tests, Assignments)
Extra Credit will be given for attending approved concerts, musicals, plays, etc. In order to receive the extra credit, students must hand in a program of the concert, musical, or play to the Director.
Band Equipment
Instruments
Your instrument is extremely valuable and proper care should be taken to maintain its value. Should your instrument be in need of repair, you must always check with the Director before taking it to the shop. Never try to repair the instrument yourself, as you may not have the proper tools or skills required. All instruments must have a permanent name tag. NO ONE SHOULD PLAY OR HANDLE AN INSTRUMENT THAT DOES NOT BELONG TO HIM/HER.
School Owned Instruments
In some instances, it may be necessary to provide a student with a non-traditional instrument (tenor saxophone, baritone, tuba, etc.). These instruments will be signed out by the Director at the beginning of the school year and will be the responsible for the instrument for the duration of the year. Students who play school owned instruments should take the same care as they would their own instrument. The student is liable for damage due to negligence or carelessness and for loss, but not for normal wear. The student must always inform the Director of any repairs needed.
Instrument Storage Area
Each student will have access to the instrument storage area. This area is for instrument storage only! KEEP YOUR AREA NEAT AND CLEAN! The instrument storage room will be open each day by 8:00AM and will remain open after school until 4:30 unless otherwise posted.
Music and Folders
Show the proper respect and care for your music and folder. All markings on the music should be made in PENCIL only. Music should be kept in the music storage cabinet or in the student’s locker only. Music left loose in the band room will be confiscated and grades lowered if music is improperly maintained. In extreme situations, students may be required to replace lost or damaged music.
Band Room
This is your room and should reflect your attitude towards the band program. Show respect and pride by keeping it neat and clean. NO FOOD, DRINK, OR GUM IS ALLOWED IN THE BAND ROOM DURING CLASSES OR REHEARSALS
Individual Equipment
Flutes: Cleaning/Tuning Rod., Polishing Cloth
Oboes: Two good medium fiber cane reeds and a reed swab.
Clarinets, All Saxes: A minimum of four good reeds (Vandoren Preferred) strength 2 ½, 3, 3 ½ (as the Director advises), reed guard (holds 4 reeds), cork grease, and a cleaning swab.
Trumpets, Baritones, and Tubas: Valve oil, mouthpiece brush, and tuning slide grease.
French Horns: Rotary valve oil, a mouthpiece brush, and tuning slide grease.
Trombones: Slide cream, a mouthpiece brush, and tuning slide grease.
Percussion: Snare Drum Sticks—size 5Aor 2B and a stick bag. (The Director may recommend other sticksand mallets)
Rehearsal Procedures and Expectations
1. Bring materials—instrument, music, and pencil.
2. Take only your instrument and music to your chair.
3. Be polite, courteous, and respectful to EVERYONE at all times.
4. Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.
5. When the rehearsal/lessons begins, there will be NO unnecessary talking or playing. Please use appropriate language.
6. Be prepared to play the day’s music.
7. If you do not have the music, let the Director know as soon as possible.
8. No gum, food, soda, candy, snacks, etc allowed during lessons or rehearsal.
9. Students may NOT use band rehearsal/group lessons for study hall—Band is a class for which one receives a grade.
10. Rehearsals will end about three minutes before the bell rings to allow sufficient time to pack up and put away instruments.
Auditions, Seating, and Challenges
1. The Director will assign students to chairs in the various sections of the band according to the student’s ability and/or the musical needs of the ensemble after an audition process to be indicated by the Director.
2. Students who wish to move up in their section may do so by challenging the person directly ahead of them.
3. A player must accept the challenge or lose the chair.
4. Challenges will be over music in the folder and/or music selected by the Director. In case of a tie, the tie will be broken by the Director using additional music.
5. Challenges will be conducted during the class period. Challenges will not be held one month prior to any performance.
Attendance
Regular attendance and participation is important for your daily progress and development.
• The only absences that will be excused for a performance are illness, emergency*, or other circumstances that are discussed with the Director by the parent(s)/guardian(s) at least five days prior to the performance.
• Any unexcused absence from rehearsal or performance could result in one or all of the following: 1) lowering of band grade; 2) loss of one or more chairs in their respective section
*An emergency is defined as a sudden, unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action. A written or oral explanation/confirmation from parent/guardian should be given to the Director.
Performances
Periodically throughout the school year, all of the bands will be given the opportunity to perform. These performances may be, but are not limited to, school Masses, Christmas and Spring Concerts, and football games. Students will be given a schedule of performances at the beginning of the year. This schedule is subject to change, and adequate notice will be given of these changes or additions to the calendar.
Concert Attire
Boys: Black slacks, White shirt (collar, buttons all the way down), Black shoes, Black socks.
Girls: White shirt/blouse (collar, buttons all the way down), Black skirt (knee length), Black shoes, Natural stockings. All students should have neat, clean hair and girls may wear small jewelry. In some circumstances, students will wear band polos/jackets and uniform bottoms instead of formal concert attire. These situations will be indicated by the Director.
Practice and Private Lessons
It is the students’ responsibility to practice and learn his/her assigned lesson and band music. Members who do NOT learn their band parts may NOT be allowed to participate in concerts, assemblies, or band trips. If you are having trouble learning your music, do not hesitate to request assistance from the Director. Private lessons are highly encouraged.
• Students must return their practice reports at the first rehearsal of every week signed by a parent/guardian. Practice reports will be returned to the student the very next rehearsal for the report to be used again.
The Importance of Discipline
It is expected that each student conduct himself/herself properly with regard to his/her actions, manners, and dress. All band students are expected to demonstrate good discipline—excessive talking, lack of following the rules, talking back to the Director, and a general lack of respect will NOT be tolerated. Because band members are often on display at public concerts, festivals, and performances, each student must always remember that his/her actions represent the band program as well as Bishop Walsh Middle School.
Parents
Encourage your children throughout the musical learning process. I believe that personal qualities needed to succeed are: A Positive Attitude, Hard Work, and Dedication. They will find that these qualities will transfer over to being a success with anything in life, not just music. I do not expect every one of my students to play professionally or teach music after graduation but I would hope that the skills of goal setting, team work, hard work, dedication, and discipline will stick with them long after they leave Bishop Walsh School.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your student’s progress, please do not hesitate to email me: awelborne@bishopwalsh.org.