Fremont County School District #1
Lander, Wyoming 82520

SJHS 7^th/8^th Grade Band Handbook 09/10

Class Description:

Students in this course will have the opportunity to perform instrumental music in a wide variety of styles from rock to classical.  Class requirements include participation in formal concerts, district music festival, marching events, and other performances. A major component of this class for the 8^th grade students is marching band. A large portion of the fall semester will be spent on marching band curriculum. All students enrolled in 8^th grade band will participate in marching band. 7^th and 8^th grade band serve as stepping stones towards their high school band career.

Required Materials for Each Rehearsal:

**Your instrument, in good repair.  Maintenance is YOUR responsibility, even if you are using a school instrument.

**All music currently in our repertoire and your music folder.  It is YOUR responsibility to know where your music is at all times and to take care of it.  You will be charged a replacement fee for damaged or lost music and folders.

**A pencil.  PLEASE don't write on your music with pen.

**Valve oil, spare reeds, and other supplies to keep your instrument sounding great and operating efficiently.

Requirements:

Students are required to:

Conduct themselves in a respectful and team-oriented manner at all times.  

Attend each rehearsal equipped with the required materials, as stated above.

Practice outside of class as required facilitating the group's advancement.

Participate in all performances as scheduled by the director, including but not limited to the following:

  --Formal concerts.

  --Marching Festivals/Competitions

  --District Music Festival in April.

  --Other special occasions, festivals, competitions, and community functions.

  --Attend all concert dress rehearsals.

Practice Requirements

--Students will be required to practice for an hour and 15 minutes each week. They must either submit their practice times via CHARMS (see attached) or submit a signed practiced sheet each week to receive full credit.

Grading Components:

Students will be graded equally on the following components:

Getting Started:  10%

•·   Being ready to perform with all materials on time.

Performance:   30%

•·   Formal Assessments such as Scale Tests, Concert Music Tests, Sight Reading Test, Rhythm Exercises.

•·   Attending all mandatory band events such as concerts and festivals

Quizes:   20%

•·   Weekly playing tests, Informal Assessments such as in-class teacher observations of students demonstrating proper fingerings, instrument pedagogy, rhythmic and music reading skills, etc...

Class Participation:   20%

•·   Be prepared with all equipment needed to learn daily objectives.

•·   Obey all class rules.

Homework: 20%

•·   Practice Record : Yes, parents and students, practicing is homework! The importance of practicing at home is to reinforce skills that have been taught in class as well as to improve skills that help with dexterity and instrument pedagogy. Practicing at home correctly is just as important as practicing the use an algebraic equation or practicing STEM words in literature and learning how to use the writing process correctly. The students are to record daily the amount of time they practice as well as the material they have practiced on. Students are to submit practice sheets electronically through CHARMS (see below) or the paper forms with a parent/guardian signature.

*If a performance is missed due to an excused absence, then the student will have two weeks to complete make-up assignments as assigned by Mr. Surrell.

"Apply salt to minds of students so they thirst for knowledge."

•Ø Concert Dress

The dress for SJHS band performances will be: Guys-Slacks or nice dress pants and a button down/dressy white shirt with ties; Ladies-Dresses or skirts (appropriate length) or slacks and a blouse are acceptable. This year we will be wearing black on bottom and white on top for both guys and girls. If you are unable to locate some nice clothes please inform Mr. Surrell and he will help locate some for you.

•Ø Equipment Needs

Each student must bring to class everyday: a sharpened pencil, their instrument (sticks/mallets for percussionists) in good working order, assigned music, and a good attitude. If you fail to bring these to class your grade will be lowered accordingly. Tuners and metronomes are also great tools to have if you have one available to you.  You can purchase these online or at Fremont Music.

•Ø Home Practice

As with any other class, you are expected to do some homework for band too! Each individual must learn his or her part in order for the band to excel. Those playing larger instruments that may be difficult to transport, may do their practicing at school. Establish a daily routine and strive for excellence. Each person will find a different length of practice necessary, but the important thing is to remember to practice until your part is perfected. There will be frequent testing of all individual parts which will account for a large portion of the overall grade.

Practice Requirements  (20% of Total Grade)

--Students will be required to practice for an hour and 15 minutes each week. They must either submit their practice times via CHARMS (see attached) or submit a signed practiced sheet each week to receive full credit.

•Ø Instructional Lessons

All band members are encouraged to take private lessons on their instruments. There will be a list of local lesson teachers posted in the band room. Mr. Surrell is also available before or after school if assistance is ever needed with your music or your instrument.

•Ø School Instrument Rentals

Each student shall be provided an instrument by the school pending availability. We highly encourage/stress the importance of a student owning/renting their own instrument. This provides the student a sense of ownership and greater responsibility. If this is not an option or your child plays a larger instrument then you can rent one from the school for a nominal fee. The fee for renting a school horn is $35 for the whole year. This helps offset the yearly maintenance cost. The student is responsible for taking proper care of the instrument which includes cleaning, oiling, greasing and all products associated with.

•Ø Charms Web Site   http://www.charmsmusic.com/

The Lander Band Program (7-12) is up and running on a new online program. To log on to this program go to the above web site, type in landervalleyband under the parents log in, and then you are at the main public page. Here you will find the calendar and other important downloads. At the beginning of the year you will be given a code to access your child's personal page where you will have access to all of your students BAND information. This includes music, instruments, folders, uniforms and such checked out to your child. The site also contains all fundraising and trip information. I encourage everyone to use this site as this will become the main line of communication for the Lander Band Program.

SJHS Band Rules Of Conduct

At the beginning of each school year, every band student receives a SJHS student handbook. Each student is expected to read and follow the hand book rules while in/at band functions. The student and parent/guardian have signed this and the student is expected to abide by those rules/expectations along with the rules set in the band handbook.

1) Respect others, and yourself

2) Be Prepared (Have music, instrument, and all required materials ready)

3) Be on Time (Ready to play when the bell rings)

4) NO food/gum/candy/drink(except Water)

5) Box Rule (When Mr. Surrell is standing in the box there is no talking or playing unless conducted to do so!

6) Have fun!  Most important rule!

Violating the above rules will result in any of the following:

1) Verbal warning

2) Stay after class and or school (Detention)

3) Lowering grade

4) Conference with parents and principal

5) Loss of travel privileges with band

6) Removal from class

*New Rule/Policy beginning in 07/08 School Year-If a student is not participating or behaving in a manner which inhibits the learning environment the student will be asked to sit out the rehearsal. If the problem persists a parent conference may be called and/or the student may be removed from the performance altogether and graded accordingly.

**Any violations against the SJHS/FCSD #1 code of conduct will be dealt with according to the Suspensions policy set forth by the Fremont County School District 1 administration.

"Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

  Dress Rehearsal Requirements

Any student missing a dress rehearsal will not be permitted to perform at the concert or competition that the dress rehearsal is for! However, you will still be graded for the performance accordingly. The only exceptions will be made for illness, family emergencies, and school activities.

Please plan on not missing any rehearsals, especially dress rehearsals

Lander Band (SJHS/LVHS)

Activities Code Eligibility Requirements

You will not play in any concert or competition outside of school if you are not passing at least five classes with a C or better.

This includes all road trips including the state and district festivals.

Just call it Mr. Surrell's Tough Love in helping you to graduate from High School!

Why? Because you are the smartest animals on the planet,

PROVE IT!

Stay eligible and support your ensemble!

Transportation Policy/Bus Conduct

•Ø   It is the policy of the Fremont County School District #1 that all band members ride school transportation to and from away events. Students may ride home with parents as long as they have submitted the proper paperwork to SJHS office and been approved by them.

•Ø   Students are to always be early for bus departures.

•Ø   In the event that a student misses the bus, he/she may only ride with his or her parents to the event. This must be approved according to the student transportation set by FCSD #1. A student will not be allowed to "catch a ride" with someone else's parents.

•Ø   Students are to behave on the bus as not to disturb the driver.

•Ø   Students are responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the bus. At the end of each trip, students are to pick up all garbage and personal belongings and remove them from the bus.

•Ø   Stereos or loud music is not allowed to be played without the use of personal headphones.

•Ø   Coolers will be allowed only with the sponsor's subject of inspection and approval.

•Ø   Excess display of affection will not be permitted. Violators will be separated for the remainder of the trip.

•Ø   When away from Lander, students may not ride in another vehicle such as with friends. Students may only be allowed to ride with their own parents if they have achieved permission according to the transportation policy set by Fremont County School District 1.

Important Facts/Suggestions

For Parents & Students

"It takes 4 practices to get half way to mastery.

 It takes 24 practices to reach 80% mastery!"

"For every 30minutes of homework

 (practicing included) completed daily,

A high school student can raise their GPA

up to a half a point"

"Parents can facilitate homework and practicing by

Providing a constituent time and place for students to

Do their homework and practice"

Lander Band Motto:

"When we are tired we have two choices:

1) Give Up

  2) Work Harder

"Give Up" is not in our vocabulary!"

Student and/or Parent Signature:

I have read and understand the requirements and content of SJHS Band Handbook.

Parent__________________________________

Student___________________________________

FCSD1 agrees to ensure equitable access and equitable participation in all District courses/classes.  All district schools will effectively manage and creatively utilize resources necessary to support student learning.  The District's Board of Trustees is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in relation to race, gender, age, national origin, color or disability in admission to, or access to, or treatment in its educational programs or activities.