Macksville Band
Beginning Band Syllabus
2007-2008 School Year
Shelby Huddleston, Band Director
huddlestons@usd351.com
Introduction
This syllabus will serve for the 2007-08 school year for members
of the Macksville Beginning Band. This syllabus has rules and regulations,
grading policies, required performances, instrument checkout procedures, goals
for the band, information on after school rehearsals, and other information
related to band membership. It is designed to be a reference for any band events
or policies that may come up during the year. IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED THAT EACH
STUDENT AND PARENT FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THIS SYLLABUS. Please keep a
copy of the syllabus to refer to during the year.
Renting an Instrument
A representative will travel from Senseney Music on Friday,
September 7, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. I
strongly suggest that parents attend this meeting and rent an instrument from
this music store. All procedures of
renting instruments and other options will be discussed at this meeting. If a student wishes to use other instruments
it must be from the approved list from the instructor, you will be receiving
soon. A good working instrument is a
key tool in a student’s success in band.
Goals and General Information
The Macksville Band program has a long
history of excellence. By joining the band you have committed yourself to
continuing that pursuit of excellence in musical performance. The goals of the
ensemble is to attain a high level of musical performance, to understand and
progressively develop the elements of music theory which is set by the state of
Kansas, to have a large number of our students qualify for District Honor Band,
and to perform high quality musical selections at a level that is appropriate
for the ensemble. To achieve these goals, band members must be committed to
working for excellence. The band expects certain thing from its members and
offers much in return. To this end, certain basic requirements are expected of
the band members. This syllabus will enumerate these requirements. The
beginning band performs only at the Christmas Concert and the Spring Concert.
The student is expected to be on time for all performances. The extra time
allotted prior to performances is to allow adequate preparation for the performance.
Please check the dates and make sure you do not have conflicts with any
required performances.
Classroom grading system and rules
The band grade is given to give parents an idea of their child’s
progress in band class. The grade that each student receives in band is
basically made up of two elements. The first element is weekly test grades and
the second element is participation. The participation grade includes daily
participation in class, practice charts, and required performances. For the
test grades, the students will be given an assignment and several days to
practice for the test. The tests will usually be from music that the band is
working on in class, honor band pieces, or scales. Occasionally written tests
may be given on musical concepts needed to perform music properly. These grades
will all be 10 points possible.
Classroom participation will be accounted for in the following way. Each
possible day of class is worth 10 points. If a student is participating
appropriately, they get the full 10 points. If they are not participating
appropriately, after being warned, the student is given a zero for
participation for that day. At the end of the grading period, the days are
totaled.
Appropriate participation is defined as follows:
1. The student
has his/her instrument and is in their correct chair when the tardy bell rings.
2. The
student has all their required music, pencil, reeds and other items needed for
that class.
3. The
student is making a reasonable effort to perform the music that has been
assigned in class and to do what the teacher asks of them.
4. The
student is listening to instructions, and not preventing other students from
hearing instructions. When the teacher is in front of the class, proper
participation includes not talking or disturbing the class in any way, as it is
impossible to perform music properly if the student is doing these things.
In the case of a student not
participating properly, a warning will be given by the teacher, explaining what
the student needs to do to correct the problem. If after the warning the
problem persists, the student will be marked as non-participating for that
class period. Any student disturbing the class after being marked as
non-participating will be given an office referral. If a student’s
non-participation is the result of not having an instrument or needed materials
for class, no warning is given and 10 points will be taken from their
participation grade.
CLASSROOM/FIELD
RULES:
1. All school rules are in effect.
2. Only
band/choir students are allowed in the music room. Friends not part of the band
must wait for you outside.
3. No swearing
4. No
eating, drinking, or gum chewing anywhere in the Music room. Water is okay
5. No
horseplay and excessive yelling in the band room. Be considerate of others around you. During rehearsals do not talk out of turn.
6. Always clean up after yourself
7. Do not
play with any of the percussion instruments. If you are not a percussionist,
you may accidentally damage it and be held responsible for any damages to the
instruments.
8. Respect
for other people’s property; do not “borrow” anything without asking for permission.
For the band to succeed and for each
student to have the best chance to make honor band and receive other honors,
home practice is an absolutely essential. Home practice is treated as part of
the participation grade. Practice charts are home practice reports produced on
a quarterly basis. Students should pick up a new practice chart each quarter.
Each week the students should practice a minimum of 75 minutes. It is
recommended that the student practice 15 minutes a day for 5 days each week,
but the student may break it up differently if desired. By of the quarter the
practice chart must be turned in signed by the parent. Unsigned practice
charts do not count. Practice charts are worth 10 points each week practiced.
Required Performances
In the first year of band there are
only two required performances, the first being the Christmas Concert, and the
second the Spring Concert. Required performances will be worth 250 points.
Failure to attend on time will result in 0 out of 250 for that grade. In the
event of excused absence, the grade will be void. Absence from a required
performance is only excused in the case of death in immediate family or severe
illness with Doctor’s note. A written excuse is required, but a written excuse
alone does not mean that the absence is automatically excused. It is the
Director’s decision whether any absence is excused or not.
Once you have an instrument, the next
thing is making sure you have the supplies you will need. When you buy a new
instrument most of this will be included. Many items such as reeds and oils
will need to be replenished during the year Most items will be available at
Senseney Music. Please make sure you
have the following supplies at all times.
We will occasionally have supply checks instead of playing tests. The same point value will take place.
Flute. A
Silver polish cloth or soft cotton cloth. A cleaning rod.
Clarinets. At least 4 working reeds at all times. You will need a reedguard
for 4 reeds. Reeds should be Rico 2 strength. A cleaning swab. Mouthpiece cap.
Saxophones. At least 4 working reeds at all times. You will need a reedguard
for 4 reeds. Reeds should be Rico 2 strength. A cleaning swab. Mouthpiece cap
and end plug. Neck Strap.
Trumpets, French Horns, Baritones and
Tubas. One bottle of valve oil. A container of
Tuning slide grease (I find the best is Selmer Tuning slide grease.) A soft
cloth to wipe fingerprints.
Trombones. One container of Slide Cream or Slide Oil. Slide Cream is
preferable and works better. It is also more economical. If you are using slide
cream, you will need a water spray bottle ( like a hair spray mist bottle.)
Tuning slide grease.
Percussion. A pair of snare drum sticks size 2B or SD1. A pair of M-4 Bell
mallets or equivalent.