The 2014 - 2015 SMS Band Handbook Revised 2/11/15 Preface This manual has been developed to provide information regarding the activities of the band program at Sandhills Middle School, the expectations placed upon its members and the policies governing the organization. All potential situations cannot be foreseen. Therefore, all rules cannot be specifically listed within this document. Members are expected in these circumstances to behave in a mature, responsible manner. The SMS Director of Bands maintains the right to overrule this document should the situation warrant such a decision. We believe that each student should improve through regular practice. The happiest students are those who improve through daily progress. Band students at Sandhills Middle School will demonstrate Tiger Traits without fail and will set positive examples of responsibility and respect. Band Objectives       

To teach appreciation music through performance To develop performance skills of wind and percussion instruments To develop discrimination in listening to music To develop an understanding of music theory and history To provide students with the opportunity for worthy use of their time, a means of self expression and a positive social experience To develop the ability to function as a responsible member of a team To prepare students for participation in band and music in high school and beyond Ensembles

CONCERT BAND: Meets every day during the students’ Encore classes. Concert band is performance based, in that all work done in class will culminate in performances throughout the year. HONOR BAND The Honor Band will rehearse after school in February and March. The band will travel to perform at festivals including, but not limited to, SCBDA Concert Festival. Membership is gained through audition and by meeting the expectations of rehearsals in class every day.

Additional opportunities for individual students PRIVATE LESSONS: Students can maximize success on their instruments by taking private lessons. About 80% of the students in All-State Band study privately. Students wishing to study privately should contact Mr. Boiteau. ALL-STATE AND ALL REGION BANDS: All members of the band are eligible to audition for the All-Region and All-State Bands. The students who perform the best at the auditions are invited to a weekend band clinic. SOLO AND ENSEMBLE: All members are eligible to participate in Solo and Ensemble. There is a registration fee and required before or after school practice. HELP OUTSIDE OF CLASS: The band room will be open before the first bell every day, except during testing and other special circumstances. Students may practice, get help or make-up tests during this time. If a student needs assistance but cannot come in the morning, Mr. Boiteau will schedule alternate help sessions as needed. Only those students who are practicing should remain in the band room

Performance Policy All eligible band members are required to participate in the winter concert, spring concert and any in-school performances. Performances in addition to those scheduled at the beginning of the year will be announced as soon as possible. An unexcused absence from a performance will result the assignment of a grade of 60. Students without instruments or with extreme and/or distracting dress code violations will not be allowed to perform and will be assigned a grade of 60. Minor dress code violations that are not addressed prior to the performance will result in the assignment of a grade of 75. Students must maintain a formative and overall grade of 77 or higher in order to be eligible to perform. Students who have repeated and/or extreme conduct violations in band class may be ineligible as well. Ineligible students will be exempted from the concert grade. Supplies Instruments – All students are asked to provide an instrument except for those who play bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, french horn, euphonium, tuba and percussion. Other school owned instruments are available on the basis of need. Instrument Repair – All students are responsible for the cost of necessary repairs to their instruments, and are expected to keep their instrument in good playing condition at all times. See Mr. Boiteau with any instrument problems before taking any instrument to a repair shop. A note from a parent must be provided stating when the instrument was taken to be repaired. Repairs should be taken care of in a reasonable amount of time. Students are expected to make up any tests or material missed. Instruments can be sent for repair by the school if a payment agreement letter is signed. Uniform – All band members are required to purchase a uniform shirt for performances. Students will also need solid black pants (not jeans) or full length solid black skirts, a solid black belt (with pants), solid black closed-toe dress shoes (not sneakers or other casual footwear) and solid black socks or stockings to complete the uniform. Students will not wear excessively large exposed jewelry or fashion accessories while in uniform. Hair accessories (bows etc.) should be black or white and not overly large or distracting. Required supplies, listed by instrument. All Students – Essential Elements Book 1-2 (7th grade), Book 2 (8th Grade). 3 ring binder with plastic page protectors. 7th grade students will be responsible for purchasing book 2 when book 1 is complete. Flute – Cleaning rod and lint-free cloth Oboe/Bassoon – Cleaning swab. 3 good reeds, medium thickness Clarinet – Cleaning swab and mouthpiece brush. At least 3 good reeds. 7 th grade size 3. 8th Grade size 3 or 3 ½. See Mr. Boiteau if you are unsure of which to use. Vandoren is the preferred brand. Saxophone – Cleaning swab and mouthpiece brush. At least 3 good reeds. 7th grade size 2 ½, 8th Grade size 2 ½ or 3. See Mr. Boiteau if you are unsure of which to use. Vandoren is the preferred brand. Trumpet – Bach 5 mouthpiece, valve oil, tuning slide grease, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush. Horn – Holton Farkas MDC mouthpiece, rotor valve oil, tuning slide grease, cleaning snake mouthpiece brush. Trombone – Bach 6 ½ mouthpiece, slide cream, tuning slide grease, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush. Euphonium - Bach 6 ½ mouthpiece, valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush. Tuba – Conn Helleberg or Bach 24AW mouthpiece, valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush. Percussion – Vic Firth SD1 general snare sticks in class. Bell kit and snare drum/practice pad for practice at home. Recommended supplies Metronome: Many high quality tablet and smartphone metronome apps are available Tuner: Smartphone/tablet apps and stand-alone devices are both equally useful Music stand for at home practice

Grading Policy Grading will be based on participation in class, playing exams, written tests, the prompt return of documents, assigned projects, conduct at performances and attendance and punctuality to performances. Students with a grade of F may be removed from the band program at the semester breaks, pending a review of student. A student with a formative grade or an overall grade below a C average will not be eligible to participate in performances. Formative Grade (20%): Students are required to have a functioning instrument, music, and a pencil in every class. The absence of any one of these or other required items may result in a lowering of the weekly grade. Each student starts each week with a 100. Missing, required items will result in a deduction of 10 points (if a student can participate in class) or 20 points (if they cannot or do not). Students are expected to put forth an effort in class each day to meet all expectations of performance and conduct. A student who does not meet expectations at any point in class (failure to play or participate when asked, poor posture, failure to adhere to rehearsal expectations) will lose 10 points from their daily grade. A student who interferes with the rehearsal process or does not meet expectations throughout class will lose 20 points from their weekly grade. Summative Grade (80%): This includes playing and written tests, attendance at required performances and the timely return of documents sent home to be signed. Students will be informed of all test requirements at the beginning of each 9 weeks. Students will be graded on their attendance and conduct at required performances, including their adherence to the expectations for dress and appearance. Extra Credit: Students will be given additional 100 Summative Grades for participation in Marching Band, Jazz Band, Region Band, Solo and Ensemble and for attending approved concerts outside of school band related activities.

Daily Class Procedures     

Students will enter the band room quietly. Students will go directly to retrieve their instrument, then go directly to their seat or designated area. Students should notify Mr. Boiteau of any instrument problems, take care of all individual requests or purchases and replace any missing music at the beginning of class. All students will be in their seats or designated areas with instruments, music and stands ready for rehearsal two minutes after the bell. Students will pack up instruments only when told.

How Parents Can Help          

Show interest in your child’s musical studies and practicing Arrange a regular time for your child to practice Find a quiet place where your child can practice without interruption Set achievement goals for practice instead of a minimum required time Keep instruments in good repair and keep necessary supplies on hand Purchase a metronome for your child Teach your child to be prepared for each class or lesson Provide a private instructor for your child Attend all band activities and performances Keep the handbook and calendar for reference throughout the year

Expectations and Rules 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

All rules and policies of Lexington School District 4 and Sandhills Middle School will be enforced. Students are expected to strive to be the best musician possible and to make a positive contribution to the Sandhills Middle School Band at all times. Students are expected to be on task at all times. Students will demonstrate Tiger Traits at all times. Students will stay seated unless given permission to stand. Students will only speak with permission from Mr. Boiteau. Students may use the restroom only after asking and receiving permission. Only one student will be allowed out of the room at a time. Students are expected to maintain the facility in a clean and orderly fashion. Students will keep track of all personal items. These are left unattended at the students’ risk. A student will handle and play his/her instrument and no one else’s. No food or drink (except water), candy, gum or any other edible materials in the band room. Students will not use class time for personal grooming. Students are expected to follow all procedures posted in the band room.

Consequences for inappropriate behavior 1st offense: Warning. 2nd offense: Lunch detention

team intervention

referral to administration.

Repeated patterns of disruption may result in an alternative seating assignment. In this situation, the student is allowed to and expected to participate in all learning, but will not be eligible to participate in any upcoming performances. A student in this situation will earn a seat in the ensemble if proper conduct and effort is demonstrated for two consecutive days. Travel 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10. 11. 12. 13.

Students must travel to and from Concert Festival and Region/All-State Band Clinics on Lexington 4 busses. Band members will demonstrate proper respect to everyone with whom they come into contact. Students must remain seated while the bus is in motion. Males and females may not occupy the same bus seat Students will not place body parts or objects out of the windows. Noise must be kept at moderate levels. Students will be called to “All Quiet” when crossing railroad tracks and during other critical travel times. When away from campus, band students are representatives of SMS and the SMS band and will conduct themselves accordingly. In addition to the regulations of Lexington School District 4, the rules of common courtesy will be enforced. The school district, school, band program and bus company/drivers are not responsible for loss or damage to personal property. Students are discouraged from possessing nonessential items of value during band related activities. Radios/CD/mp3 Players are permitted on buses with headphones only. Proper social behavior is required at all times. Parents/students should notify the director of any medical condition prior to any band activity on the field trip form. Any student whose actions require the intervention or law enforcement while travelling with the band will be turned over to the proper authorities. The student’s parent(s) will be responsible for that student’s transportation from that moment on.

The following contract must be signed and returned by every band student. STUDENT CONTRACT

I have read the Sandhills Middle School Band Handbook and understand the rules contained therein. I agree to abide by the rules and regulations established by this handbook and the SMS Director of Bands. I understand that infractions are punishable by the methods prescribed within this document. I also agree to fulfill all obligations to the band program including but not limited to performance, rehearsal, fundraising and financial matters. Finally, I agree to be a proud and productive member of the SMS Band.

__________________________________________________ ________________________ Student Name (Print) Date

PARENT CONTRACT

I have read the Sandhills Middle School Band Handbook and understand the rules contained therein. I have reviewed the handbook with my child. I understand my child’s involvement with the band program will be governed by the rules and regulations established in this handbook and agree to support the enforcement of the policies contained within this document. I understand that my child is expected to fulfill all obligations to the band program including but not limited to performance, rehearsal and financial matters. Finally, I agree to be a proud and active Band Parent.

__________________________________________________ ________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date