Download printable handbook here
INTRODUCTORY
LETTER
PREFACE
SUPPLIES
PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIONS
RULES (EXPECTATIONS)
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT PLAN
TARDY POLICY
PERFORMANCES
PERFORMANCE DRESS
PRACTICE HABITS
GRADING POLICY
ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
SANDY LAKE BAND CONTEST
SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
LOCKERS
REPAIRS
INSURANCE
PRIVATE LESSONS
TRIPS
VOLUNTEER HELP
BAND BOOSTERS
CALENDAR
Welcome to the 2006 - 2007 school year. We are very excited about the many possibilities in the year ahead of us, and we are excited that you have chosen to be a part of the Cooper Band!
It is our desire to provide our students with a good introduction to instrumental music. It is also our hope that our new young musicians will develop some skill on their instrument, learn more about the language of music, and discover how much fun it is to perform!
You are all first-time members of our program. You will want to know how things work in the Cooper Band Department. This handbook is your guide to our procedures and policies. We hope you will take some time to look through our handbook and familiarize yourself with our guidelines.
Included at the end of the handbook is a form requiring you and your child’s signature. Your signatures acknowledge your acceptance of our policies and procedures. We need this form returned by August 25. Another important item included is our 2006 - 2007 calendar. We know that students are involved in many activities, so we have done our best to avoid conflicts with other school events (quite a tricky task!). Since students will receive a grade for our events, we believe it is in everyone’s best interest to plan as far ahead as possible. If dates, times, or details of events change, we will notify you as soon as possible.
If you have any questions or comments throughout the school year, we invite you to contact us. We look forward to working with you this year!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Adam
Powell
Director of Bands
972-429-3263
adam.powell@wylieisd.net
Conference: 1:10-1:45
June
Campbell
Associate Director of Bands
972-429-3264
june.campbell@wylieisd.net
Conference: 2:10-2:45
Beginning Band is the start of what we hope will continue or help develop a love of music. Our goal is to help you learn your instrument in such a way that you cannot imagine not playing the instrument and being involved in making music. Playing an instrument is very rewarding and also very challenging. We ask that you always try hard and do your best. We will do everything we can to help you succeed and will ask that you do everything you can to help yourself succeed as well.
The SUCCESS of our students depends on a three-way partnership between teachers, parents, and students. The teachers will do everything they can to effectively explain, demonstrate, and instill good playing habits. We will provide every opportunity possible for students to experience SUCCESS on their instruments. We feel strongly that parents need to be involved in the musical lives of their students if meaningful SUCCESS is to occur. Parents cannot practice FOR the students, but they can help students learn to organize their time, and support the efforts of their children in music. We appreciate the investment you have made in your student’s musical life!
As a member of the Cooper Junior High Band, you are a part of one of the school's most important and respected teams. As with all other teams, the success of the Cooper Band will depend on the loyalty, cooperation, and dedication of each and every member. We hope each member will feel proud to be a member of his/her/OUR organization, and will want to be a contributing member.
The Cooper Junior High Band is one part of the Wylie High School Band Program (Cooper JH, Davis INT, McMillan JH, Harrison INT, Burnett JH, and Wylie HS). All skills and knowledge gained from participation in our band program are continued and expanded upon in the high school bands. We expect that our students will take their talents to the high school and be a part of that Wylie Band . Students who participate in our program will not only enjoy their time with us, but also can look forward to many exciting years in a nationally recognized band program.
All students will bring supplies to band everyday.
•
Approved instrument
• Individual instrument supplies (reeds, mallets, mouthpieces, valve
oil, slide/cork grease, swabs, stick bags, etc.) as listed on your supply
list
• For all students except percussion – Standard of Excellence
ENHANCED Band Method, Book 1 for your specific instrument- included in
your band supply fee.
• Percussionists need Simple Steps to Successful Beginning Percussion
by Kennan Wylie- included in your supply fee
• Hamilton Model KB400N Wire Music Stand or equivalent (crucial
to develop proper posture, hand position, and instrument position)- for
home practice
• Qwik Time Model QT3 Metronome or equivalent
• 1 ½” capacity 3-ring binder
• 5 index dividers with divider labels
• 20-25 sheets of loose leaf paper
• Several pencils - NOT any kind of ink pen
• Pencil Pouch
It is each student’s right and privilege to receive the best instruction possible, and this will only happen when the class is quiet and attentive. No student will be allowed to interfere with the learning of others or with the progress of the class.
PROCEDURES
BEFORE
SCHOOL:
1) Please do not play your instrument or allow others to use it. You are
responsible for your instrument!
2) Please do not enter the Band Hall until 7:35 a.m.
3) Carefully put your instrument and binder in your band locker.
4) Our band room gets crowded in the morning, so please ask your non-band
friends to wait outside for you. Thank you!
WHEN YOU ENTER:
1) Enter the Band Hall through the main entrance, in an orderly manner.
2) Space is very limited in our band hall – leave your backpack
and books in your school lockers. If you must bring books to class, there
will be a designated area for book storage in the band hall.
BEFORE
CLASS:
1) Please get your instrument and binder out quickly, quietly, and CAREFULLY.
2) All students are expected to be in their seats and be prepared to start
on time with instrument, binder, and a pencil. Make sure your pencil is
sharpened before class.
3) Please do not play your instrument. Review some scale patterns or lines
in your book while you wait for class to begin.
4) Please limit questions before and after class to essential items only.
DURING
CLASS:
1) ALWAYS PLAY WITH YOUR BEST SOUND.
2) Listen to instructions carefully.
3) Keep your eyes on the director whenever he/she is talking.
4) MARK YOUR MUSIC! Use your PENCIL!
5) When the director gives you a “cut-off” signal, try to
be the first to stop.
6) ALWAYS TRY HARD! SUCCESS ONLY COMES THROUGH EFFORT!
AFTER
CLASS:
1) Woodwinds should swab out the moisture from their instruments. Brass
players should empty water from their instruments.
2) Before you leave your area, make sure you have all of your belongings.
3) Carefully put your instrument and binder away in their proper places.
Remember: your instrument is valuable – treat it with respect.
4) Exit the classroom in an orderly manner.
1)
No gum, food, or drink in the band hall.
2) Raise your hand to ask a question, otherwise there is no need to talk.
3) Have your necessary supplies for class (Instrument, pencil, mouthpiece,
reeds, valve oil, music, binder, etc.).
4) Follow directions the first time they are given to you.
5) ACTIVELY participate in the improvement of your band!
BEHAVIOR
MANAGEMENT PLAN
It is very important that all students contribute productively to the
progress of the group and to the goals of the music program. Responsibility
for behavior lies directly with the individual band members. Anyone who
interferes with the effectiveness of the classroom, performance, travel
situations, or the learning environment in general chooses to accept the
consequences of their actions.
First Offense: A consequence will be determined by the band director
Second
Offense: 30 minute detention
Student/Teacher Conference
An alternate consequence may be determined by the band director
Third
Offense: 1 hour detention
Parent Contact and Student/Teacher Conference
An alternate consequence may be determined by the band director
Fourth
Offense: Instrument put away and alternate assignment given
Parent/Student/Teacher Conference
An alternate consequence may be determined by the band director
Fifth
Offense (or 3rd day in a six weeks reaching the 3rd offense):
Loss of privileges for trips and socials for the semester
2-day alternate assignment given
An alternate consequence may be determined by the band director
Specific
consequences for your actions will be determined by the needs of the individual
student and the circumstances involved in the situation.
Students who continually choose to disrupt the learning environment of
their fellow band members risk being removed from band. Be in a habit
of making good choices – you and your fellow musicians will benefit!
Students have a FOUR (4) minute passing period, which is plenty of time to move between classes. The Cooper Band Tardy Policy for performing bands is as follows:
Students must be inside the classroom when the bell rings (walking in through the door while the bell is ringing is NOT acceptable). Students then have ONE (1) minute to be in their assigned seat with all necessary supplies. While you are getting to your seat, please be very careful with your instrument. Students who are not in their seat ONE (1) minute past the bell will be marked tardy. The instructor keeps track of the time and determines if a student is tardy. The director reserves the right to change the policy at any time.
1)
First tardy results in a warning.
2) Second tardy results in a half-hour detention with your band director.
3) Third tardy results in an hour detention, and parent contact.
4) Fourth tardy results in an hour detention, and a referral to the front
office.
A performance is any event in which the students, individually, or as a group, play their instruments for an audience, a judge, or a clinician. Attendance is required at all scheduled band performances. Performances are a vital extension of the academic class, and are a culminating activity that serves as an evaluation tool for all the learning that takes place leading up to a performance. The directors will do everything possible to avoid a conflict between a performance and another school activity.
Formal performances consist of the following: Cooper Dedication Ceremony, Winter Concert, Solo-Ensemble Contest, UIL Concert and Sight-reading Festival, Celebrate the Arts, Spring Concert.
Informal performances consist of the following: Football games, Fall Concert, Pep Rallies.
Required Formal Performance Attire:
1)
CJH Band Polo Shirt- sold at beginning of year
2) Black pressed slacks
3) Black dress socks
4) Black closed toe casual/dress shoes (no sandals or tennis shoes permitted
of any kind)
Required Informal Performance Attire:
1)
CJH Band Polo Shirt- sold at beginning of year
2) Black or Blue Jeans
3) Tennis Shoes and appropriate socks (no sandals or flip-flops allowed)
You should practice only on the days you eat.
Practice is sometimes fun, sometimes drudgery, and ALWAYS NECESSARY. The best way to make practice more enjoyable and more productive is to get in a regular habit of practice.
Students are expected to take their instruments home every day. Each student should plan to practice every night. Make certain you listen for improvement -- don't just "put in time". When your playing improves, then all the time spent will have been worthwhile.
Many times students experience difficulties because they do not know how to practice. Some suggestions for successful practice have been included below.
•
Practice daily. Persistence = results!
• Begin with the end in mind- have goals before you start to practice
each day
• Warm-up properly before each practice session.
• Concentrate on producing your best tone quality -- TONE IS ALWAYS
THE #1 PRIORITY.
• Always practice with correct hand position and posture.
• IMPROVE YOUR BASIC MUSICAL SKILLS -- long tones, lip slurs, scales,
arpeggios, and technical exercises should be practiced every night. These
exercises should make-up most of your practice time since these skills
transfer to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you play.
• Practice the parts you cannot play. It makes no sense to practice
things that you can already play well.
• Never sacrifice accuracy for speed. If you are having trouble
with a spot, slow down the tempo. Only when you play a section of music
correctly should you attempt to increase the speed.
• Practice small sections. Seek to IMPROVE them. Small goals add-up
very quickly to a HUGE SUCCESS!
MAJOR GRADES (60%)
PLAYING TESTS are assigned regularly throughout the year. They may be
taken during the student’s regular band class or by personal arrangement
with the instructor.
• Students will receive a grade between 0-100 for playing tests.
In order to “pass” the objective and work towards completing
their achievement chart, the grade needs to be 90 or greater.
• The standard for passing will be clearly outlined to the student
when the test is assigned.
• An example of how the standard will be worded is: “Perform
with characteristic tone quality correct notes and rhythms. Minor flaws,
if any, did not detract from the overall performance. Preparation is clearly
evident.”
• Playing tests may be retested as many times as needed to achieve
passing prior to the end of the six weeks. Students will be given weekly
opportunities in class to pass the objective. If more times are needed,
other tries will occur by appointment or during the teacher’s scheduled
tutorial time.
• The idea behind this grading is concept mastery- by allowing students
to keep trying until they have mastered the concept, we are encouraging
them to keep working until they have achieved their best and are rewarding
them for their best effort.
PERFORMANCE
GRADES are given for all curricular performances. Performance grades will
be counted twice in the six weeks of the performance. The performance
grade consists of three components: attendance, participation, and audience
etiquette.
• The attendance component is based on arriving on time and staying
for the duration of the concert.
• The participation component consists of proper concert attire
and stage behavior.
• The audience etiquette component consists of displaying respect
for the audience and fellow musicians when they listen to the other band
perform.
PLEASE NOTE: An unexcused absence from a performance will result in the student receiving 2 zeros as major grades. This might cause a student to fail for the six weeks grading period. Excuses are accepted only in event of illness (with doctor’s note), or a major family emergency
DAILY GRADES (25%)
PARTICIPATION
grades are given weekly and are based on the student’s daily participation
in band class. Points may be deducted for the following reasons:
• Lack of productive participation in class
• Not having required materials
Follow classroom procedures and rules and your participation grade will be EXCELLENT!
OTHER ASSIGNMENTS AND QUIZZES (binder checks, theory tests, etc.) may be given periodically.
PRACTICE REPORTS (15%)
PRACTICE REPORTS are issued at the start of each six weeks.
•
Students are expected to practice daily and the weekly total will change
throughout the year as they become more knowledgeable on their instrument.
We will start with 90 minutes per week as the goal and increase it gradually
until they get to a weekly goal of 180 minutes. Students are required
to practice at least 6 days a week in order to receive the maximum grade.
The grading criteria are clearly outlined on the practice reports.
We have developed an achievement program that helps the students and 0parents keep track of each student’s individual progress on their instrument. Each student will be working toward the completion of clearly listed course objectives to gain the progress they need on their instrument. Student progress will be monitored on an achievement chart on the wall and also one for each student in their binder. Objectives include songs from the book, scales, basic skills, and other playing objectives as well as behavioral guidelines such as consistently turning in practice records and consistent attendance at performances. There are three levels for the beginner to complete. The first two levels represent what every student should be able to complete by the end of the year. The third level represents a very high-achieving band student. This program gives every student an opportunity to work at his or her own speed and ability level. While each objective (test) will have a due date for the first attempt, students will be given opportunities to retest them weekly during class and are encouraged to get ahead of the due date of the class if they are ready to move ahead of the class. When a student passes off an objective ahead of the class, he/she will receive a grade of 100 for that test as an incentive to encourage working ahead of the group.
The hard work and dedication required to successfully complete the achievement levels will make every individual a better performer on his or her instrument and will help prepare the students for future success in the band program all the way through the High School level. We hope that this initiative will prove to be a positive and enriching part of each band student’s musical development.
At the end of each school year, the Cooper Beginning Band will have the opportunity to attend the Sandy Lake Band Contest. The Sandy Lake Contest will consist of performing two band pieces for a panel of judges and then spending a few hours enjoying Sandy Lake Amusement Park. Due to this trip being a reward for hard work and for those participating, there will be some minimum requirements for participation. The prerequisites for participating with the band will be:
1)
Successful completion of all of Music Achievement Level 1 and portions
of Level 2 by April 20, 2006
2) Must have passed all classes for the 5th six weeks (no pass/ no play
rule)
3) Must have received “S” or “E” for citizenship
in band four out of five six weeks.
School-owned instruments will be issued only to students who exhibit responsibility for their instrument and dedication to our program. Neglect or abuse of the instrument will result in the student being required to turn in the instrument. The parent and student will fill out a form that specifies the condition of the instrument at the time of checkout. The form also shows your acknowledgement of responsibility for that instrument. Periodic inspections will be conducted. The student MUST treat the instrument with great care – as though you and your parents have made the investment. Students are at ALL times responsible for the instrument and its case. Any damage resulting from carelessness or abuse will be charged to the student responsible.
The Cooper Band Hall has lockers where instruments must be stored during the day. We strongly encourage all students to use these lockers to insure the safety of your instruments. Locks are optional and must be provided by the student. Locks must use a combination (no keyed locks) and the combination must be provided to the band director before the student begins using the lock- this way if the students forgets or loses the combination, the director can open the locker for him/her. The band hall is secure during the day and the directors will not leave the band hall unattended without locking the doors.
If an instrument should need repair, please consult a director. The director can do many repairs at the school. If the director is unable to repair the instrument, please take it to one of the local music dealers. School-owned instrument repairs should always be handled through the director. To protect your investment and ensure your participation in class, instrument repairs should be done promptly.
To protect your investment in the event of theft or vandalism, parents are strongly encouraged to insure your instruments. This may be done through your homeowner’s policy or through an independent carrier. For more information about the independent carrier, please go to http://www.musicagencyinc.com for details regarding plans and pricing.
School owned instruments are covered by the school district while on campus. Since school owned instruments are rather expensive to replace, we suggest that parents seek coverage for them while they are not on campus.
Individual study with a specialist on the student’s instrument is vital to ensure the development and continuation of proper playing habits. Although private study is not required, we strongly recommend it as a means of achieving greater musical growth for ALL students.
We are fortunate to be able to offer our students a highly qualified faculty from whom private lessons are available. Each faculty member is approved by WISD and is an authority on his or her instrument.
Private lessons are $16.00 per week for one 25-minute lesson every week. The rate is subject to change due to existing market conditions. Payment for lessons will be arranged with the individual private lesson teacher. These lessons are usually taught during the student’s band class or before/after school (if schedules permit.) Some private teachers also have time available to teach lessons out of their homes. If you are interested in lessons, please see your director and fill out the information he/she gives you.
A Cooper Band member represents his or her school, home, community, and self when on a band trip. Conduct at all times must be such that at no time could it be considered a negative reflection on the school, the home, the community, or the individual. Band students are held to a higher standard than students not in band. Students that do not follow instructions and behave appropriately on trips will likely lose trip privileges and possibly be removed from band.
As an individual, you will often be passed unnoticed; however, as a member of a group, the public will observe your every action with interest.
Parental involvement is essential for the smooth operation of the Cooper Band program and for the students to gain the most enjoyment from their band experience. Examples of roles filled by parents are phone calling, making copies of music, chaperoning trips, helping move equipment at football games, coordinating concert receptions, assisting with concert clean up, planning social events, etc. All band parents or guardians are encouraged to show their support of the program by volunteering to help out with something, no matter how small it may be. Your children are the benefactors of your involvement in their school activities.
BAND
BOOSTERS
We are very fortunate to have an active booster organization that works
to support all WISD Band programs in grades 6-12. The Booster Club meets
on various Monday evenings throughout the school year in the High School
Band Hall. Our boosters are involved in many activities including: Football
concession stands, All-Region Audition hosts, Private Lesson program,
Band Camp Scholarships, etc. We would like to see all parents involved
in our booster organization. Please attend the first meeting at the Wylie
HS Band Hall at 7:30 P.M. to get more information or to join Band Boosters.
