Gildersleeve Middle School Band Handbook 2015-2016 School Year Mr. Robert Deis ([email protected]), Band Director Mr. Chris Ward ([email protected]), Band Director Welcome to BAND! I am incredibly excited for this school year, and am thrilled to be your new band director at Gildersleeve Middle School! I am looking forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that the Gildersleeve Bands have shown over the years. In preparation for the year, please examine the following handbook closely and keep it for future reference.

About the Bands th

There are four bands at Gildersleeve: 6 grade beginner band, 7th grade beginner band, 7th grader returners (Concert Band), and 8th Grade Band (Seahawk Band). In this hand book, “beginner band” refers both to 6th and 7th grade beginner band students, and “advanced band” refers to any returning members of the band.

Instrument Rental and Purchase Beginner Band Students: -Gildersleeve has instruments available for rental to all beginning band students. The instrument rental fee for beginner students is $35. -Beginner percussionists will be responsible for paying a $35 rental fee for use of GMS instruments. Advanced Band Students: -All 2nd and 3rd year students playing the following instruments must provide their OWN instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet, and Trombone. Please do not BUY an instrument without consulting the band director FIRST! -All other instruments can be rented through Gildersleeve. The instrument rental fee for advanced students is $50. -Advanced percussionists will be responsible for paying a $50 rental fee for use of GMS instruments. The following music stores rent instruments: -Music and Arts (most highly recommended) – 988-3970 – located next to Cox Communications store off of Victory Blvd. -Woodwinds Plus (recommended for clarinet rentals!) – 726-0476 -Repair Shops: B-Sharp Instrument Repair Shop (for private instruments) – 868-7797 The following phone numbers/websites are good online instrument companies. ***BE SURE TO CONTACT MR. DEIS BEFORE PURCHASING AN INSTRUMENT!*** -Interstate Music 1-800-462-2263 www.interstatemusic.com -Woodwind & Brasswind 1-800-348-5003 www.wwandbw.com -Washington Music (301) 946-8808 www.washingtonmusic.com

Classroom Materials Required Materials: -Method Book -6th and 7th grade beginner students need Essential Elements Book 1. The student can purchase this through the band director, and have it included in their band fees. -7th grade returners should bring Essential Elements Book 1 for the first month; then Essential Elements Book 2. The student is responsible for purchasing Essential Elements Book 2. -8th grade students should bring Essential Elements Book 2. -Pencils and Eraser -The Gildersleeve Agenda Book—it’s your pass to the restroom and clinic! -Band instruments and appropriate accessories (listed below)

-Paper and/or notebook for in-class activities IT IS HIGHLY RECOMEENDED THAT ALL PLAYERS OWN A METRONOME/TUNER! Instrument Specific Accessories: -Oboe: cork grease, at least 2 good reeds, silk swab -Clarinet: cork grease, at least 3 good reeds, silk swab -Saxophones: cork grease, at least 3 good reeds, swab, neck strap -Trumpet/Cornet/Baritone/Tuba: soft cloth for polishing, valve oil, snake and mouthpiece brush (no snake necessary for tuba) -French horn: soft cloth for polishing, rotor oil, mouthpiece brush -Trombone: Soft cloth for polishing, slide-o-mix, snake and mouthpiece brush -Percussion: Snare sticks & practice pad or drum for home practice Mr. Deis keeps the following supplies on hand for purchase: -REEDS: $2 for clarinets, $3 for alto sax, $4 for bass clarinet/tenor sax, $5 for bari sax -CORK GREASE: $2 -VALVE OIL: $2 -TROMBONE SLIDE CREAM: $4

Uniforms Unless stated otherwise below, the student is responsible for providing the items for their own uniform. Beginner Band Students 1) GMS Band t-shirt (purchased from school) 2) Black slacks 3) Black socks or hose 4) Black shoes Advanced Band Students 1) Black slacks 2) Black socks or hose 3) Black dress shoes 4) White “Mandarin collar” tuxedo shirt (sized and ordered through Band Director) 5) Cummerbunds for Concert Band, and vests for Seahawk Band (Provided by school) *Band students also wear a Band Spirit Shirt to show support for their program.*

Band Fee’s and Fundraising Below are the band fees for both beginner and advanced band students. Any charges and fees listed in the above sections have been combined here for clarity.

Beginner Band Fees - $75 includes… NNPS Band Fee: $10 NNPS Instrument Rental Fee: $35 (for the whole year) Instrument cleaning accessories: ~$12 (depends on the type of instrument) Method Book: $8 Band Spirit Shirt: $10

2nd and 3rd Year Band Fees – Pay what applies to you… NNPS Band Fee: $10 NNPS Instrument Rental Fee: $50 Tuxedo Shirt (unless purchased last year): $15 Need a new Band Spirit Shirt? $10

***Please pay the band fee by Friday, September 25.*** ***Some students pay the full band fee, but most pay in several payments. Either way is fine. Do what is comfortable for your family. If there are financial issues, please contact me to make arraignments. NNPS supports students from every socio-economic level, and we will find a way for all who want to participate*** Fundraising: The band usually participates in various fundraising activities to raise money for new instrument purchases, awards, and to offset other costs of running a successful program. It is important for ALL students to participate in fundraising! Because of changes to fundraising programs at Gildersleeve, more information will be provided at a later date.

Classroom Procedures and Expectations The Start of Class - Enter class quickly and quietly. - Go directly to the storage area to get your instrument before reporting to your seat. - Assemble your instrument at your seat and place the case beside or underneath your chair (exceptions: tuba, and others as directed). - Be prepared and seated on time. Follow any directions on the board. During Class - Be attentive and focused during class. - Respect the right of others to learn. - Play and talk only when directed to do so. - When asking a question, please raise your hand. - Follow all verbal and written instructions. End of Class - Do NOT put instruments away until told to do so by the director. - Write down practice and homework assignment in agenda. - When directed, quietly pack up your instruments and music. - Pick up any trash near your chair. Straighten chairs and stands and prepare room for the next class. - The director will dismiss you, not the bell.

Conduct Expectations The standards of excellence in band are high, and so are the standards for conduct. The student is expected to be respectful, honest, and courteous at all times to others and their environment. All participants in the Gildersleeve Band must remember that they not only represent themselves, but also the entire Gildersleeve band and community. They must act out of principle for the common good of the group as opposed to self-interest. Members of the Gildersleeve Band are expected to be both models and leaders for other individuals and organizations to follow.

Grading Scale The grading scale is below, along with a further breakdown of what each section includes: 30% Participation 30% Tests, quizzes, practice records, all other assignments 20% Rehearsals 20% Concerts F=0-59 D=60-69 C=70-79 B=80-89 A= 90-100

Participation: A student’s participation grade is based on the following areas: -Being prepared! This includes bringing ones instrument and all other required materials every day. This also means completing all homework and practice assignments BEFORE class. -Displaying proper rehearsal etiquette at all times! Students should be on task and focused. Everything should be done for the collective good of the ensemble, and all students should respect each other’s right to learn by minimizing disruptions and distractions. Students are also expected to follow the director’s instructions, and have an open mind to try new things. Tests, quizzes, practice records, and all other assignments: This section includes all coursework, such as written work and playing tests. The student will also be expected to keep a record of their personal practice time, signed off by the parent, to be checked by the director. Rehearsals: Because of limited class time, split classes, and different challenges for each instrument, there will be after school rehearsals that students are required to attend over the course of the year. These rehearsals will be held on either Tuesdays or Thursdays from 3:10pm – 4:15pm at GMS. Because these rehearsals are based on upcoming performances the needs of the learner, the schedule cannot be determined at this moment. All rehearsals will be scheduled no later than 3 weeks in advance of the rehearsal. Concerts: Band is a performance based class. Students prepare literature with the intent to perform it in concert. According to NNPS course objectives, all band students are required to participate in at least the Winter and Spring Concerts. Since students and parents are given the concert dates during the first week of school, it is the responsibility of the student and parent to ensure that the band student makes it to the concert. The only excused absences from a concert are emergency illness (with doctor’s note) or a death in the family.

***Mandatory Concert Dates*** These concert dates are MANDATORY and CANNOT be missed outside of a sudden illness or a death in the family. - Tuesday, December 8—Winter Concert; Menchville High School at 7:00pm -Concert and Seahawk Bands - Wednesday, January 20—Beginner Band Concert; Gildersleeve Middle School Gym -Beginner 6th and 7th Grade Bands - Tuesday, March 1—Pre-Assessment Concert with Menchville HS Band; Menchville High School at 7:00pm -Seahawk Band - ***March 16, 17, or 18—District Band Assessment; Time & Location TBA*** -Seahawk Band - Tuesday, June 7—GMS Band Concert; Menchville High School at 7:00pm -All Ensembles!

Other Concert/Audition Dates Although not mandatory, these events are HIGHLY encouraged. - Saturday, January 9—All-District Band Auditions at Grafton School Complex, 8:00am – 5:00pm -Optional, but highly encouraged, for all advanced band students - February 4-6—All-District Band Event; Time & Location TBA - Saturday, May 14—GMS Music Department annual Competition at Busch Gardens - Concert and Seahawk Bands

Gildersleeve Middle School Band Handbook 2015-2016 School Year ***Please return this page with your signature and your parent’s signature*** “We have read, understand, and agree to the policies stated in this handbook.”

Student’s Signature

Date

Parent’s Signature

Parent’s Email

Band Student Information: Student First and Last Name (print): Grade for the 2015-2016 School Year (circle):

6th

7th

8th

Students Band Instrument (flute, alto saxophone, trumpet, etc.) Instrument Brand and Serial Number (for identification purposes) Parent/Guardian email address #1 (and name) Parent/Guardian email address #2 (and name) Primary phone number: Secondary phone number: Parent available to assist during the day as a volunteer (check):

Yes

No