O’Fallon District 90 Bands Parent and Student Handbook ... · PDF fileO’Fallon District 90 Bands Parent and Student Handbook 2014-2015 (Updated 8/10/14) Objective The objective

O’Fallon District 90 Bands

Parent and Student Handbook

2014-2015 (Updated 8/10/14)

Objective

The objective of the O’Fallon District 90 Band Program is to provide high quality educational

opportunities in instrumental music to the students. Our primary mission is to enhance students’

understanding and appreciation for music as a form of communication and art.

At the Beginning and Middle School Level, we aim to teach the technical and musical skills that are the

foundation for a lifetime as a musician. These skills include the specific techniques required to play

each instrument, the ability to read music, and awareness of the aesthetic qualities of music as art. In

order to achieve these goals, students must also learn dedication and maturity. Dedication because the

skills involved in making music are complex and take years to master. Maturity, as students need to be

open minded and creative in order to bring music to life and communicate the composer’s intent.

We aim for every student to continue his or her musical journey to Jr. High, High School and beyond.

We intend to prepare each student to be successful at every step and for when they graduate into the

state and nationally recognized O’Fallon Township High School music program.

Staff

Mark Donahue District 90 Director of Bands

Zachary Stegman 5th Grade Beginning Band Teacher

Brian O’Donnell Percussion instructor

Dr. Melissa Gustafson-Hinds OTHS Director of Bands

Sean Harris OTHS Assistant Director of Bands

O’Fallon District 90 Bands

Carriel Jr. High School 451 N. 7 Hills Road O’Fallon, IL 62269

Mark Donahue-Band Director

[email protected]

Dear Parents and Students, Welcome to the O’Fallon District 90 Band program. We are excited to have you as a part of our program this year! Please take some time to read over this Handbook. This will prepare you for your work and responsibilities as a member of the Band. Students that take part in the District 90 Band program are challenged to grow musically and encouraged to achieve their highest potential. In order for this to occur, students must respect their directors, their fellow musicians, their instruments, and the music they perform. If you follow the expectations as laid out in this handbook, your reward will be like nothing you have experienced before. You will feel pride, a sense of accomplishment, self-satisfaction, and FUN!!!! I can’t wait to work and grow with you. Sincerely,

Mark Donahue O’Fallon District 90 Band Director [email protected] Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me should you have any questions.

Band Mission Statement/Philosophy The mission of the D90 Bands is to team with parents, students, and the School to provide an atmosphere where students can be successful in learning and performing on musical instruments, both individually and in a large ensemble. We believe strongly that music is an essential part of a student’s comprehensive education and are proud to be providing this for the students of District 90. Excellence in music education must begin with an attitude of success. As teachers, parents, and administrators, all of our actions must be geared towards creating a positive experience for these young students. A positive experience must begin with an understanding of the expectations for those who participate in the District 90 Band Program. This handbook will help explain those expectations.

Band Expectations

1. Be On Time

2. Be Prepared

3. Do Your Best

Grading Policy Concert Attendance 100 pts/concert Pre-Concert Rehersals 50 pts/rehearsal Practice Charts 20 pts/week or 5 pts/15 minute practice Private Lessons 5 pts/lesson Written Assessments 50 pts each Live Playing Assessments 50 pts each Recorded SmartMusic Assignments 50 pts each Weekly Preparation/Participation Grade 5 pts/day

Required Materials

Fundamentals Packet including: o Range Builders o Scales o Chorales o Rhythm Sheets o IMEA Scales and Etudes

Black Binder with sheet protectors

Pencil

Instrument in working order

All reeds, valve oil, sticks, and cleaning supplies

SmartMusic Account (Students will create this in the first week of class)

Note: An individual SmartMusic Subscription is not required, but can be purchased for $29.99 from

www.smartmusic.com. A subscription allows the student to practice and submit assignments and playing

tests from a home computer or ipad. Students can always access assignments and playing tests from the

computers in the practice rooms adjacent to each band room.

School Owned Instruments School owned instruments are available on a limited basis. There is no guarantee that an instrument will be available for any student. The condition of each instrument is noted before being checked out. Students/Parents have a responsibility to repair or pay for repairs of any damage occurring while the instrument is in the student’s possession before it is returned. Typically, instruments are only checked out if they are in good/excellent condition and many are adjusted and serviced over the summer.

Additional Resources SmartMusic - www.smartmusic.com

A great practice tool and instant, unbiased feedback. Students will use this at school for recorded playing assignments, but students can also access it at home. Students are also given access to an almost unlimited library of music for every occasion and skill level. In addition, it has a variety of practice features, from adjustable tempo to a built in metronome or tuner. A very powerful tool for productive practice!

Noteflight – www.noteflight.com

An easy to use/free music notation website. Great for students who are interested in composing their own music!

Musictheory.net – www.musictheory.net

A good resource for basic through college level music theory. The “note identification” exercise is great for students who are struggling to remember the notes.

Metronome/Tuner or Metronome/Tuner app.

There are many of these that use smart phones or computer microphones. SmartMusice has both a tuner and metronome built in. In general, the free ones work just as well as the expensive ones.

o www.onlinemetronome.com

o http://www.tunerr.com/

Additional resources are located on the website, www.of90bands.com

D90 BANDS PRACTICE CHART

Name/Grade/School: __________________________________Dates: ______________ to ______________

Each student needs to practice 4 times per week for a minimum of 15 minutes per day.

The frequency of practice is more important than the number of minutes practiced.

4 times per week = 100% 3 times per week = 75% 2 times per week = 50% 1 times per week = 25% 0 times per week=0%

Before you start practicing, set one goal of something you want to accomplish or improve on!

“Big goals get big results. No goals get no results”-Mark Vincent Hansen

“Once you have a clear picture of your goals, organize around them” – Stephen Covey

Day Goal for Practice Session

Begin Time

End Time

Total Mins.

What I accomplished

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

TOTAL PRACTICE SESSIONS FOR WEEK: _____________ Student Signature: _____________________________________________________________ Parent Signature: ______________________________________________________________ Practice charts are due the last day of the week you have band with both signatures.

Practice Tips • Find a quiet place without any distractions. • Always warm up, using long tones, proper embouchure, and breathing • Practice in chunks (15-30 minutes per session), but practice no less than 15 minutes per day • Plan your practice session, set a goal before you start • Practice challenging music/exercises as well as the easy stuff (this includes scales). • If you are learning something new, practice it slowly at first. When you feel comfortable with difficult passages, increase the tempo. • Use a metronome. (www.metronomeonline.com) • Count and/or clap passages giving you rhythmic difficulty • Always have a pencil to make necessary markings (i.e., circling accidentals, writing in rhythms, etc). • Record yourself to better critique your playing

Suggested Breakdown *times are minimum recommendations • Warm up for 2-3 minutes (Putting your instrument together does not count as warming up!) • Play long tones by starting soft, crescendo, and decrescendo all on one note • Work on exercises or scales for 5 minutes • Practice one or two difficult measures in the concert music for 5 minutes • Cool down for 2-3 minutes (Taking your instrument apart does not count as cooling down!) • Use the same long tone exercise as the warm up

Concerts-All Band Concerts are Mandatory Concerts are one of the most fun and rewarding experiences you will have in Band. Performances at the Middle School are a culmination of what is learned in class and it takes all members to be successful.

Pre-Concert Rehearsals Due to limited instrumentation, 7th and 8th grades will prepare the same music and perform together on the concerts. It is very important that the students have the opportunity to rehearse together before the concert, there will be mandatory after school rehearsals for 7th and 8th grade several weeks before the concerts. The website calendar will be up-to date and the dates and times will be communicated well beforehand. Concert Absences • Unexcused Absences:

Not attending the concert without prior notice to the director (four weeks in advance).

Points lost due to an unexcused absence cannot be made up. This loss in points will result in a significant and automatic reduction in a student’s grade.

It will count as an unexcused absence if you do not stay for the duration of the concert. Remember it is important that we support each other! Please plan ahead to stay for the entire concert, even if you only play on one portion.

• Excused Absences

Excused absences occur when there is an illness, death in the immediate family, or emergency situation. In those cases, please contact your child’s director prior to the concert.

In the event of an excused absence, points will be made up through a “make-up” assignment on a case-by-case basis. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss the assignment with the director and hand it in one week after the missed absence.

Please look over the concert dates now for any possible conflicts.

Concert Dress Boys: black dress pants, white button down shirt – long sleeves, black dress shoes (no gym shoes) Girls: black dress pants, white blouse – sleeves mid length, black dress shoes – low heel If you wear something inappropriate to a performance you will lose points and may be asked not to perform.

Concert Etiquette We will have lessons in proper concert behavior and etiquette. It is up to you to behave correctly when you are on and off the stage. Please remember that you lead the entire audience by your example. If you behave inappropriately at a concert you may be asked to leave.

Illinois Music Educators Association District Ensembles (IMEA) Music students who are highly skilled and well practiced have the opportunity to audition for the IMEA District Ensembles. Students in grades 6-8 may audition. The audition music is very difficult and must be practiced on a continuous basis in order to be successful at the audition. It is best to have a private teacher rehearse this music with you. Audition music can be found on the student area of the website. Being chosen to the District VI ensemble is a great honor for any Jr. High School student.

*This event requires additional student expense

IGSMA Solo/Ensemble Contest Band members have the opportunity to participate in the IGSMA Solo/Ensemble Contest, which is held at a regional high school. All band members are highly encouraged to participate. More details are given in December. Piano players will be made available for an additional cost. Students performing solos at contest are required to pay an individual entrance cost due to IGSMA before the day of contest.

*This event requires additional student expense

REQUIRED- IGSMA Organizational Contest All band members will be attending the contest. The concert band ensembles perform two to three selections for three adjudicators. The scores are combined for the final score of First Superior, First, and Second rating at the District Level. State level competition must be earned with a First Superior. Parents and friends are encouraged to chaperone, assist with equipment, and attend this event to support our bands! The bands of O’Fallon have a tradition of excellence that we aim to continue this year at contest!

Jazz Band During the spring semester, each school will have a jazz band. The jazz bands will have an extra-curricular fee. Each band will meet two days after school to rehearse.

*This event requires additional student expense

District 90 Symphonic Winds Starting in November, there will be a new extra-curricular honor band. The Symphonic Winds will

meet on Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:00 at Carriel Jr. High School. The Symphonic Winds will

perform on several concerts, as well as a side-by-side performance with the OTHS Wind Ensemble.

Participation will be contingent on an audition. The audition material consists of the IMEA Scale Sheet

and current year IMEA Etudes. Auditions are by appointment and are open from the beginning of the

school year until through the first week of November. Auditions will be recorded and evaluated by ano

outside teacher to remain unbiased. There are a limited number of spots and they will remain open

until the roster is filled.

This is an incredible opportunity for students to play challenging music with a high achieving, talented

group of their peers!

*This event requires additional student expense to cover the cost of music, additional instructors, and clinicians.

*Students are required to be enrolled in private lessons in order to be selected for the Symphonic Winds.

General Facility and Equipment Guidelines

1. No one is allowed in the band room area without a director present. 2. No disruptive behavior in music area (running, horseplay, etc.). 3. Put all equipment away after each performance and rehearsal. 4. Leave all areas clean – rehearsal, instrument rooms, music room, etc. 5. Do not touch other peoples’ equipment/instrument. Consequences include losing privileges and

school administration will be notified. 6. If something gets broken, tell a director immediately.

Private Lessons We are very excited to continue offering lessons through the OTHS Mentoring Program and the OTHS Private Lesson Program. There are highly qualified teachers available for every band instrument at an additional student cost. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to take inexpensive lessons on your instrument without having to travel out of town! Private lesson are for every student:

Beginner o Learn basics and build on experience with an expert

Intermediate o Learn skills to improve into an advance musician

Advance o Learn skills to become a top player at the Jr. High and High School level and achieve

IMEA District and State Placement. Lessons are set up through partnership with OTHS. Please contact me at [email protected] to set up lessons.

Private Lesson Progress Reports In order to receive extra credit for private lessons, students must turn in a progress report every month. O’Fallon Private Lessons Monthly Progress Report Private Instructor or Mentor:___________________________ Student:__________________________ Instrument:____________________

Students need to log in at least 2 lessons bi-weekly.

List at the bottom of the sheet if the student or teacher has missed any lessons and the reasons

List Date of Lessons: Lesson 1 ___________ Lesson 2 ____________ (Private Teacher or Mentor completes the following section) Describe the following:

Tone Quality

Intonation

Rhythm

Technique

Musicianship

Music Lesson Focus (what has been practiced and rehearsed):

Scales

Etudes / Exercises

ILMEA Music

Solo / Ensemble Music

Band Music Private Teacher Signature:_______________________________________

Equipment Recommendations - These supplies are recommended by the private lesson faculty in O’Fallon as well as the band directors in both District 90 and at OTHS.

Flutes: Beginner - Swab through cleaner, silver polish cloth Advanced – Upgraded Flute

Oboe: Beginner – Jones reed – Medium Soft – swab through cleaner Intermediate – Jones reed – Medium Advanced – hand made reed – upgrade oboe Clarinets: Beginner – Vandoren 2.5 Reeds, swab through cleaner, Luyben Ligature Intermediate – Vandoren 3-3.5 Reeds, Vandoren M30 Traditional Mouthpiece Advanced – Upgrade Clarinet

Saxophones: Beginner – Vandoren 2.5 Reed, swab through cleaner Intermediate – Vandoren 3-3.5 Reed, Vandoren Optimum AL3 Mouthpiece Advanced – Upgrade Saxophone

Trumpets: Beginner – Bach 7 c mouthpiece, valve oil, tuning slide grease Intermediate – Bach 3 c mouthpiece, Stone Lined Straight Mute Advanced – Bach 1 ½ c mouthpiece, Harmon Mute, upgraded trumpet

Horns: Beginner – Holton Farkas MCD Mouthpiece, Valve Oil (Not Blue Juice), Cleaning Cloth and Black Hand Towel Advanced- Upgraded Horn

Trombones: Beginner – Bach 12c Mouthpiece, trombone slide oil (not slide grease), water spray bottle, slide cleaning rag Intermediate – Bach 6 ½ AL Mouthpiece Advanced – Bach 5 G mouthpiece, Upgrade Trombone

Baritones: Beginner – Bach 12c Mouthpiece, Valve Oil, Slide Grease Intermediate – Bach 6 ½ AL Mouthpiece Advanced – Bach 5G Mouthpiece, Upgrade to Euphonium

Percussion: Beginner – Mallet Bag, Innovative Percussion IP1, Snare Sticks, Innovative F 1.5 Medium Yarn Mallets, Innovative

GT3 Timpani Mallets Advanced – additional mallets as needed