With the start of a new school year come new teachers, classes, expectations, and procedures. It is our hope that you will not only enjoy your experience in band, but you will be challenged as well. In addition to learning about music and how to play your instrument, you will become more self-sufficient, responsible citizens. In striving for all students’ success, it is necessary that the environment be conducive to learning. Therefore, it is important to understand the procedures and expectations of the classroom.

Ways You Can Help Enrich Your Child’s Music Education

(Which will actually help them in a bunch of other areas, too!)

Time Management

Help your child plan out a homework schedule that includes practicing their instrument every day.

Responsibility

Reinforce the importance of bringing all materials to band and being on time to rehearsals and performances. Suggest ways that your child can be responsible for his/her won things without needing a reminder every time.

Attitude and Determination

Learning an instrument can be very frustrating. Use positive encouragement to help your child overcome roadblocks along the way.

Pride and Determination

Don’t just ask your child what they learned in band that day...ask them to SHOW YOU! Mini recitals and performances for loved ones can really boost a young musician’s self-esteem about performing. Not only is it great practice, but it shows that you are really interested in what your child is learning. Plus, you’ll get an opportunity to hear your child improve over time. (Don’t worry, they will sound better...I promise!)

Other Tips:

• Students will check the board for the agenda of the day.

• No book bags or instrument cases can be left on the floor at any time.

• On a daily basis, all students must have a pencil, one-subject notebook for your bell-ringers, instrument and method book/music.

• The rehearsal begins when the conductor steps on the podium.

• Students will not play other student’s instruments. This includes percussion and school owned instruments. No horseplay in the band room AT ANY TIME!

• NO GUM, CANDY, FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE BAND ROOM! Take pride in our rehearsal area. It is a great facility.

• If your instrument is in the shop, please bring a note from home. Bring your mouthpiece and music, for there is always the possibility that we might provide a temporary instrument.

Guidelines

1. Observe all school-wide responsibilities

a. Be on time for class. (Be in the instrument room when the tardy bell rings, and in your seat, ready to rehearse, five minutes after the tardy bell.

b. Follow the dress code.

c. Demonstrate respect, responsibility and academic pride throughout the building.

2. Follow directions the first time they are given.

3. Enter and exit the band area quietly while keeping your belongings to yourself.

4. Play and handle only your assigned instrument.

5. Dispose of your chewing gum, beverages, and food before entering the band room.

Grades

Points are earned for the following things:

· Right Notes: Did I learn the right fingerings? Am I playing the right key signature and the notes written on the page?

Practice

6^th Grade

The practice requirement for this class is to practice 20 minutes a night, at least 5 nights a week. Students must practice 100 minutes a week to receive an A on their practice log. A parent or guardian must be home during the practice session and the signature must be valid. The practice log grade is 50% of their weekly grade. Please contact me by email if you have questions regarding the practice logs.

Name _________________ _____Dates for the Week ______

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

What I Practiced:

Total Minutes:

Total minutes

Practiced

for the week:

A= 90-100 B=80-89 C=70-79 D=60-69 F=50 or less

Parent’s Signature ____________________ Grade ____/100

7^th and 8^th Grade

The practice requirement for this class is to practice 30 minutes a night, at least 5 nights a week. Students must practice 150 minutes a week to receive an A on their practice log. A parent or guardian must be home during the practice session and the signature must be valid. The practice log grade is 50% of their weekly grade. Please contact me by email if you have questions regarding the practice logs.

Name _________________ _____ Dates for the Week ______

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

What I Practiced:

Total Minutes:

Total minutes

Practiced

for the week:

A= 140-150 B=130-139 C=120-129 D=110-119 F=109 or less

Parent’s Signature ____________________ Grade ____/100

Attendance

§ Written note is required for an absence from a performance to be excused.

§ Student must see director(s) to earn points lost as a result of an excused absence.

1. Personal Illness

a. Notify one of the directors, if possible, before the absence.

b. A note from parents is required once the student returns to school.

c. If a student is in school at the end of the day, he/she is expected to attend an evening rehearsal or performance on that day.

d. If a student becomes ill after school on the day of a performance AND is absent from school the next day, the absence will be excused with a note from a parent when he/she returns to school.

2. Death in the Family (Please notify one of the directors as soon as possible.)

3. Family Vacation

a. Notify one of the directors AT LEAST 2 WEEKS PRIOR to a performance.

4. Other

a. Communicate the reason for an absence to a director BEFORE the absence and it may or may not be excused depending on the reason.

B. Unexcused Absences (NO make-up will be allowed.)

C. Sports Conflicts - Conflicts will be handled on an individual basis.

1. Performances, Games, Matches, Etc. Take priority over practices or rehearsals. Please provide a copy of your schedule and I will do my best not to schedule rehearsals and practices during your events. A director must be notified at least one week in advance.

2. Students are expected to be at band performances when there is a conflict with sports PRACTICES.

3. A compromise will be reached in the case of conflicting performances and games or rehearsals and practices. It is the student’s responsibility to notify both the directors and the coaches about the conflict.

4. Failure to notify directors in advance will result in an unexcused absence.

5. Non-school sporting events will be unexcused.

Concert Attire

This year the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth grade bands will wear the same concert uniform.

Students will wear all black attire. The following examples are options to choose from:

Ladies:

Solid black shirt, blouse, or sweater
Solid black pants, dressy black caprees
long skirts (must be below the knee WHILE SITTING) or SOLID BLACK dresses that extend BELOW THE KNEE WHILE SITTING
Solid black dress shoes (no gym shoes)
You may wear sandals, but no flip flops
Solid black socks or leggings

Gentlemen:

Solid black dress shirts, solid black sweaters
If you choose to wear a tie, it MUST BE solid black
Solid black dress pants with only a few pockets (no cargo pants)
Solid black dress shoes (no gym shoes)
Solid black socks
Black belts are suggested

Students are not permitted to wear a hat, excessive jewelry (bracelets), or colored hairpieces of any kind.

This year, we chose this concert attire because all three grades will be performing at KMEA Concert Festival Assessment and will need to look more professional.

Seventh and Eighth Grade Project Options

This year, each seventh and eighth grade band member will complete 4 Performance Based Projects or 2 Research Based Project over the course of the year. Students will choose from a variety of options.

· Perform a solo or ensemble at KMEA Solo and Ensemble competition- you could do 4 solos or ensembles if you would like

· Audition for the Northern Kentucky Select Band (7^th and 8^th graders only)

· If you make the Northern Kentucky Select Band, that counts as two credits

· Attend Eastern Kentucky University Middle School Band Clinic

· Participate in the new Grant County Middle School Jazz Band

· Be a member of the Grant County Middle School Band leadership Group

· Take private lessons- no more than two unexcused absences

· TBA

Mandatory Performance Events

The following dates are MANDATORY for all 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade band students.

*Date*	*Event*	*Location*	*Report Time*	*Grade Level*
Sunday, December 14^th, @ 3:00 p.m.	Middle School Holiday Concert (combined with high school bands)	Grant County High School Gymnasium	6^th grade: 1:00 p.m. 7^th grade: 1:30 p.m. 8^th grade: 2:00 p.m.	6^th 7^th 8^th
March 10^th or 11^th During the school day	Middle School Concert Festival (Transportation Provided)	Northern Kentucky University	TBA	7^th 8^th
Sunday, May 17^th @ 3: 00 p.m.	Middle School Spring Concert (combined with the high school bands)	Grant County High School Gymnasium	6^th grade: 1:00 p.m. 7^th grade: 1:30 p.m. 8^th grade: 2:00 p.m.	6^th 7^th 8^th

Sunday, March 8^th @ 3:00 p.m.

Middle School Festival Concert and Mock Performance

Grant County High School Auditorium

7^th grade:

1:30 p.m.

8^th grade:

2:00 p.m.

7^th

8^th

Tuesday, December 2^nd

7^th Grade Play-A-Thon

GCMS band room

3:15-7:00 p.m.

7^th

^ONLY

Tuesday, December 9^th

(December 11^th is our snow date for this event)

8^th Grade Play-A-Thon

GCMS band room</

Time Management

Responsibility

Attitude and Determination

Pride and Determination

Daily Expectations

Playing Tests

Performance-Based

Research-Based