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The Byron Middle School Band program is a vital and important part of the overall educational experience at our school. As well as being an academic class that teaches the fundamentals of musical performance, the band also provides students with important life skills such as teamwork and responsibility, and gives life to our student programs. The main emphasis of the band program is to develop musicianship, encourage a sense of self-worth, and learning to grow as an effective team member or leader. Every member of the BMS Band plays an important role in the program. The primary goal of each student in the band should be to learn to play his/her instrument as well as possible and become and effective team member.
DAILY GRADE: Each student will start the grading term with 100 points for their daily grade. Points will be deducted for the following: Missing Instrument Missing Music/Band Book Missing Pencil Missing Supplies (reeds, etc.) Students who send their instrument off to be repaired should bring a note from the parent stating that fact and /or a copy of the repair claim ticket so the student will not be penalized for not having their instrument with them. PLAYING EXAMS: Students will be tested individually on music handed out in class or out of their method book or scales. Students will be given advance notice of selection required. All exams are worth 100 points. A performance is an exam. For concerts that fall at the end of a nine-weeks grading period the performance will count as the nine weeks exam. If a student misses a performance for an excused absence they will be graded on an individual basis with regard to the performance of the required music. This grade will serve as their nine weeks exam. (See section under Attendance Policy for further information.) INSTRUMENT INSPECTION: Usually, once every nine weeks students will have their instruments inspected to make sure they are in good working order and that they have the necessary required supplies. Reed players must have 3 good reeds, brass players must have valve oil, percussion must have sticks/bag and book and all wind players must have some type of swab to clean out the inside of the instrument and a cloth for keeping the outside clean. These cleaning supplies can be purchased in a cleaning kit available at most music stores. (Counts as a test grade.) EXTRA CREDIT: Students desiring extra credit may do an enrichment activity as defined here.
As per the Peach County Board of Education Handbook, breakdown of grading percentages are as follows: Home/Classwork: 4.445% 9 Weeks Exam: 33.333% Hourly Tests: 22.222% Participation/Daily Grade: 40%
Students are required to be at all rehearsals and performances in which their ensemble is involved. Sickness or death in the family are considered excused absences. Other family emergencies and religious holidays are taken into consideration. Parents should make every effort to schedule appointments (such as dental, hair cut, or other) on days other than those on which rehearsals fall. Rehearsal schedules will be posted in advance and every effort will be made to adhere to the set schedule. Should a change be necessary I will post it on the band website and will send a note home and/or notify the students as soon as possible. **If a student misses a performance for any reason, a make-up test will be given in place of the performance grade. The student is responsible for making-up the test within one week following their return to school. The make-up test must be arranged before or after school. No make-up tests will be given during class time. The make-up test will consist of playing the music performed at the concert. Alternative assignment is a 3-page report on an approved topic. Students should see me for a topic.
It is the responsibility of the student to: 1. Keep up with all music handed out. Lost or damaged music will be subject to a .50 replacement fee. 2. Keep their instrument in good working order. (See School-Owned Instrument Policy). 3. Make up tests within one week following return to school. 4. Practice regularly. Minimum practice should be 20 minutes 5 days a week; 30 minutes is better. The key, however is consistency! 5. Wear uniform to all performances where required (7th & 8th grade band). Uniform consists of BMS Band shirt, khaki pants, brown, black or dark-colored shoes. NO SHORTS, CAPRIS, OR SKIRTS! 6. MAKE SURE HIS/HER INSTRUMENT HAS AN IDENTIFICATION TAG!! 7. Attend and be on time to all rehearsals and performances. 8. Represent Byron Middle School and the Peach County School System in a respectable manner at all times, especially on out-of-town performances. School rules apply on all trips. 9. Respect fellow band members and the instructor. A band cannot function as an individual.
Section leaders will be selected by the band director each fall and winter term. Students choosing to apply for leadership must fill out the required form and submit to a personal interview with the director. Students must be responsible, dependable, and respected by their peers. See me for further details.
School-Owned Instrument Policy Instruments owned by the BMS Band are checked for proper playing condition before being checked out to students. Students who are issued a school instrument will be responsible for care, maintenance, and repair of any damage to the instrument while checked out to the individual. A policy agreement sheet will be given to each student who uses a school-owned instrument outlining these guidelines. Percussionists are expected to take proper care of all percussion instruments at all times.
Damage and Theft of Instruments To help prevent damage and theft of students' expensive musical instruments, I am advising all students to keep their instrument case locked. There are several ways to do this. Some students have used a bicycle chain lock and others have a permanent factory installed case lock. Cases requiring a key are a problem because students often forget or lose their key and are unprepared for class--participation is part of a student's grade. Students are solely responsible for their own instrument. Please take every precaution you can. Put the student's name boldly on the case (many cases look alike). Have your serial number and make of instrument on file at home (I also keep a record of this on my school computer). Never leave instrument unattended. Students will be assigned cubbies in the instrument room to use during the school day and should not be used as a locker. Belongings continuously left in the cubbyhole that do not pertain to band class will be taken to lost and found. Instruments should be taken home from school daily.
Students may take part in a variety of enrichment activities. Listed below are the options available to band students: 1. Private lessons on your instrument 2. Private lessons on another instrument, vocal, or music theory/composition 3. Performance in a group outside of the school band (church orchestra, community band, etc.) 4. One-time performance for a local organization or group (i.e., Older Americans Council, nursing homes ) 5. Concert review from a performance you attended (not pop/rock concert) 6. Write your own musical composition! 7. Read articles from instrument music magazines and write summary (see me for magazines) 8. Learn extra scales or rudiments 9. Audition for District Honor Band or All-State Band 10. Prepare and participate in District Solo and Ensemble Festival
A WORD OR TWO ABOUT PRACTICING Success in any band is contingent upon the learning of skills. Skills in band cannot be truly learned unless they are practiced. Playing during band class is NOT enough! Personal time and attention should be given to material covered in class daily. Daily practice also keeps you from falling behind. As anyone with experience in this area can tell you, it is much easier to do some practicing each day than it is to try and catch up when you've fallen behind!
The rules in this manual will in no way supersede any federal, state, or local laws, any school policies, or any judgments or decisions prescribed by the Band Director, Principal, Superintendent, or Board of Education.
I would teach children
music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for in the
patterns of music and all the arts are the keys of learning. |
