South Middle School Advanced
Band Program
Grading
Grades will be assessed each six weeks and appear on the
report card using the regular grading scale.
Grades will be based on several categories:
1)
Homework
2)
Playing tests
3)
Written tests
4)
Attendance of performances will be a test grade
Homework and scheduled tests will be posted on the school
website under the band director’s teachers web.
Tutoring
Tutoring will be available after school on an as-needed
basis for any student struggling in band class. Arrangements may be made with the band director by the
parent/guardian.
Private Lessons
Private lessons will be available for interested students at
an additional cost. These are not
required and are completely optional.
There are many benefits of taking lessons. The student receives one-on-one attention from a professional on
that instrument. Issues specific to
their instrument can be addressed that will not be addressed as part of the
regular band class. Lessons are
strongly encouraged for any student interested in trying out for All-Midstate
Band or any student interested in continuing in band throughout high school.
Performances
The band will perform as often as possible at school, in the
community and regionally. A performance
is the culmination of rehearsals and individual practice and is where the
rewards are reaped. The attendance of
each and every student is required for any and all performances, as each
student represents a particular part that is integral to the performance. Should circumstances require the student not
to perform with the band, prior arrangements must be made by the
parent/guardian with the band director.
A calendar of scheduled performances will be provided.
Participation in clinics
There are several clinic bands offered in the area that
students are encouraged to participate in.
These provide opportunities for the students to play with the best
students the region and state have to offer.
These occur on weekend in the winter/spring and are by audition. A guest conductor rehearses a band made up
of students from the area or state and they are exposed to challenging music
and present a concert for parents at the culmination of the weekend. Information regarding these clinics will be
provided to each student.
Instruments
There are a limited number of school-owned instruments
students may use as needed. When
possible, the student needs to rent or purchase an instrument with the
assistance of the band director.
It is required that the students have instruments in good
working condition. If repairs are
needed they can be taken care of by the band director and need to be addressed
immediately. The student must have
their instrument every class period unless otherwise instructed.
School-owned instruments students use must be checked out
from the band director and the parent/guardian must sign indicating they are
responsible should the instrument be lost or damaged.
Expenses
Expenses are kept at a minimum in order for any interested
student to be able to participate in the band program. Should expenses present a significant issue,
please contact the band director to make arrangements. A student should not be excluded from
participating in band due to financial concerns.
Books – Each
student will be required to have the Essential Elements 2000 Book 2 method
book. The cost for percussion is
approximately $16, all other books are approximately $8.
Cleaning Kit – Non-percussion
students must have cleaning kits for their instruments. These are necessary to limit repair expenses
and keep the instruments in good playing condition. These are approximately $16.
Students who bought kits last year may buy the individual components
separately; these are listed on the attached sheet from The Music Stop.
Any item may be purchased from The Music Stop simply by sending the appropriate amount of money sealed in an envelope with the student’s name and what they need printed on the envelope. There will be a place in the band room to deposit this and will be picked up by a Music Stop representative on their weekly visit. The order will be filled and returned the next week when the representative comes back. You are free to purchase items from where ever you choose.
Repairs – any damaged instrument that cannot be fixed by the director may be sent to The Music Stop for repairs. They are a very reputable and capable repair shop. Instruments needing repair can be left for the representative to pick up and will be returned by the representative when the repair has been completed. The bill for the repair is the responsibility of the parent/guardian for student owned instruments. Repairs for rental instruments are covered in the contract and there is no charge for those. Responsibility for repairs for school-owned instruments will be on a case-by-case basis depending on the cause of the damage or nature of the repair. Simple wear and tear will be covered by the school, however, negligence will be the responsibility of the student and their parent/guardian.
Shirt – the same shirts will be used this year that were purchased last year. Each student must have one and may use last year’s provided it is in good condition and still fits. The cost is $15 for a new shirt.
Trips
It is the goal of the band program to offer playing
experiences that will challenge the students in a fun and exciting way. Every two years we will attempt to play at a
major national or regional competition.
Through competitions at this level the students are exposed to other
band programs of similar size and are able to compare their performance to like
students. This provides motivation for
the students to improve their playing skills and provides tangible results of
their hard work. These competitions
require overnight stays and will not be possible without the parents making
themselves available as chaperones.
Fundraising money by the booster organization may be used to help pay
for these trips.
Communication
Communication with the parents is a priority in order for the students to be successful in the band program. A variety of tools will be used to communicate, such as telephone, email, website postings, newsletters and letters sent home with students. Develop the habit of using the teacher web on the http://franklincountyschools.k12tn.net website under Middle Schools, South. Our band has a website link on this page. The direct address is www.home.mindspring.com/~jjhammer/. Here you can find the band calendar, announcements, assignments, related links, etc. Email address is hammerj@k12tn.net. The school phone number is 967-7355. Planning period for band is 4th, 11:00 – 1:00 and is the best time to call the school.
Parents are welcome in the band room at any time. Feel free to sit in on rehearsals during school. The advanced band meets during 6th period, 2:00 – 3:00.
Booster Club
The booster club is a parent organization that is
incorporated as a non-profit entity with the North Middle School band
boosters. They operate independently of
North other than they share a tax ID number.
The boosters have a board of officers and should hold regularly
scheduled meetings. The organization
will not be successful without the involvement of as many parents as
possible. This organization is
responsible for fundraising activities, chaperoning trips, assisting where
necessary at band performances, and the overall support of the students and
their band program.
Fundraisers
All fundraising will be done through the band booster
organization and be handled by the parents.
The parents will determine how the money will be spent. The band receives no regular funding from
the local school board or the state.
The program must be self-sufficient in order to survive as a band
program of value. Expenses average
$2000 annually just for operating expenses.
The purchase of instruments, equipment and trip expenses are over and
above this amount.
Due to the large number of students in band it is very
important that each student understands their boundaries in the classroom and
show respect for each other, the teacher, and the equipment in the room. The parents need to be aware of the
expectations of the students and the consequences for not meeting these
expectations. In order for the class to
be effective each student must be prepared for each class. This includes having their instrument and
music and having practiced at home.
A demerit system will be instituted in order to maintain
order and discipline in the classroom.
A student will receive one demerit when:
1)
they are not in their seat ready to play at the appropriate
time,
2)
they have chewing gum, food or drink in the band room,
3)
they are guilty of excessive talking or disruptive behavior,
4)
the student does not have their instrument, or
5)
the student does not have their music.
Once a student has received five demerits, a discipline plan
will be assigned. At ten demerits we
will have a parent conference. With
fifteen demerits we will have a consultation with the principal with
administrative discipline. Should none of these interventions improve the
student’s performance and twenty demerits are obtained the student will not be
allowed to participate in outside band activities other than school concerts
for the remainder of the year. Should
the issue be serious enough the student may be removed from the band
program. If the student does not
complete the discipline plan, a discipline referral slip (pink slip) will be
issued to the principal. If a student
is guilty of damaging an instrument that does not belong to them or guilty of
theft the principal will be immediately involved regardless of number of
demerits.
Each six weeks there will be a movie night in the band room
for the students that have not received a demerit those six weeks as a reward
for their performance.
Please
keep the above information for reference at home. Feel free to contact me via email or phone with any questions or
concerns you may have regarding any of the information. I look forward to this year and working with
you and your child. Please sign below
and return just that page by Monday, August 20, 2007.
Sincerely,
Jonanne Hammer
Band Director
We have read the details
regarding South’s Band Program and agree to the terms described.
___________________________________________ ____________________
Parent/Guardian Date
___________________________________________
Student