ATTENDANCE AT PERFORMANCES * GROUP LESSONS AND HOME PRACTICE * SUPPLIES * UNIFORMS * PERFORMANCES * INSTRUMENT PROCEDURE * SCHEDULE
Participation in instrumental groups at Curran Middle School is voluntary. Students choose to participate in one or more groups. It is our desire to make this experience a memorable one that you can look back at with a feeling of pride and accomplishment. To accomplish this, we have rules and recommendations for participation. Please read the information carefully so you can be prepared for joining the instrumental music program.
Success for the ensemble as well as the individual requires that students make plans to attend all performances. Attendance at all performances is mandatory. We have students from all areas of our attendance boundaries; and given enough notice, plans can be made for special transportation circumstances. Allowances are made only for illness, family emergency and interschool conflict. If there are any unique problems, see me in advance of the performance to resolve issues. In the event of an excused absence, students must make-up the missed time by completing additonal assigned work after school.
Group lessons are held once each week. Students will miss one period a week to attend a group lesson to receive individual instruction in performing their instrument. In a large ensemble, it is difficult to monitor and assist students in improving their skills. Instructing students in small groups allows me to help them succeed. In addition, unlike other subjects such as reading, math, and English, past experience shows that most parents lack the training to help teach instrumental music to their child.
Students have responsibilities when attending group lessons.
• Students will have the responsibility to make-up any missed work when attending band rehearsal or sectional lesson.
• Students will have the responsibility to leave the classroom with minimal disruption to any classroom activities.
• Students unable to maintain responsible behavior will be suspended from participation.
Teachers, from whom students miss class time, treat this missed time as any other excused absence. Students are allowed the opportunity to make-up missed work and not suffer any lowering of grade for attending a full ensemble rehearsal or group sectional lesson. Let me know if any problems occur.
Students are expected to have all materials in class (classroom rule #2). For instrumental music students, in addition to their instrument and music, this may include:
reeds, cork grease
valve oil, slide grease
neck straps, rosin, etc.
These items may be purchased from most local music dealers. In addition, students should come to class with a pencil for making necessary instructions on their music. Unless granted special permission, all writing on music should be done in pencil.
Band members are issued a uniform for the year. Parents will be asked to sign a permission form taking responsibility for the care of the uniforms issued to their child. The Crusader uniform consist of the following:
o Band jakcet
o Band pants
o Ascot
o Hat & plume
o Black socks (you provide)
o Designated black shoes (provided by the school)
Students need to allow time to get dressed AT SCHOOL in their band uniform prior to a performance. We have received new band uniforms and they are expected to last us for many years! Parent volunteers are needed to come to school and help adjust pant length for sudents when uniforms are assigned. Please contact me if you are available.
When we use hats in parades, hats should fit squarely upon the student's head. Special care must be taken with students with long hair. All hair must be kept above the uniform collar at all times.
Visible jewelry, makeup and nail polish are not acceptable for any performance in our uniform. Please remember, uniform means everyone looking the same!
Orchestra member performances, and non-marching Band performances require students to wear a white shirt and black pants, or girls a black dress or skirt. Steel Drum performers wear island type shirts and nice pants. Tie-dye shirts will be made for performances when possible. Mariachi perfomers must wear a long sleeve white shirt, black pants, and black socks and shoes. Boots are also acceptable. The school will provide students with a vest, tie and hat.
Students will receive full credit and recognition on the classroom Band chart for performances provided they do not suffer the following penalties:
Late permission slip %10 off grade
Late reporting to Performance %10
Misbehavior of any 5-classroom rules %10 and up
Incomplete uniform %50
Wrinkled or dirty uniform %25
Exposed jewelry, make-up, hair violations %25
Music not memorized (if required) %25
Students who report to a performance without a complete uniform will not be allowed to perform. If, for instance, a student forgets to bring black socks, they will not be allowed to perform. If possible, time permitting, an effort will be made to loan the student the missing part. However, my priority is to schedule students' time efficiently and I do not leave a much time for such occurrences. Having all materials for class, and allowing adequate time to prepare for any performance is the student's responsibility.
For the sake of personal commitment and pride, it is preferred that students have their own instruments to perform with at school. Instruments are brought to school in the morning and may be placed in the instrument room of the band room. Instruments should be picked-up after school and taken home. Under no circumstances are students to touch other equipment in the room. Students are not allowed to play another student's instrument for personal hygiene reasons as well as financial responsibility in case of "accidents". (See classroom rule #3.)
The school district has a limited amount of school instruments for student use. A contract signed by the parent or legal guardian is required if a student will use a school instrument. Students will be loaned a school instrument on a yearly basis following that the student shows progress by regular home practice as stated in the contract.
All instruments must have some form of identification on the outer case so that it can be easily distinguished from other similar looking instruments.
All instruments should be kept in good working order. Mouthpieces on wind instruments should be kept free of bacteria buildup. It is recommended that instruments be serviced yearly by a local repair shop to maintain good working order and ensure the opportunity for the students to make good progress. Students using instruments that have not been serviced in several years are at a disadvantage. Success is not possible with an instrument in poor condition.
The road to success in the classroom is to follow the 5 classroom rules. The rules were created so that students know what to do to be successful in class. Prior to issuing a referral to the office students are given the opportunity to know what they are doing, what they need to be doing, and the chance to change to be successful in the classroom.
Rule #1 No gum or candy in class is permitted.
Rule #2 Have all materials in class.
Rule #3 Touch only your equipment.
Rule #4 Allow yourself to learn.
Rule #5 Allow the teacher to teach.
It may sound simplistic, but I believe students must first acknowledge what they are doing before they can understand what they need to be doing to be successful in the classroom. I often ask students, "what are you doing?" Many times the reaction from the student is as if I was asking a trick question. Making students focus on present behavior can often be a cure in itself.
Secondly, they must reflect on what they need to be doing when inappropriate action is demonstrated. This is accomplished by writing the appropriate classroom rule. The more important the rule - the more reflection!
Procedure #1 Enter the classroom: assemble instrument, get music and pencil, and take your seat.
Procedure #2 Quietly warm-up your instrument.
Procedure #3 Instruction begins when the teacher stands on the podium - be engaged in classroom instruction.
Procedure #4 At the end of class, properly disassemble your instrument, return equipment and music.
Procedure #5 Return to your seat.
On our music website is a tentative schedule of performances for the year. Please place these dates on your family calendar for planning.