South Middle School Beginning
Band Program
Goal
As a member of the beginning band at South Middle School,
each student will cultivate an appreciation for formal music and generate the
desire to be a performer.
1)
The student will understand the elements of music
2)
The student will perform on an instrument individually
3)
The student will observe other performers
4)
The student will interact as part of a team by performing in
an ensemble
The first six weeks will be spent learning the basic elements of music, including reading music and understanding pitch and rhythm. The student will perform on the recorder provided by the school or they may purchase one of their own.
The second six weeks students will obtain instruments of
their choice through a rental program, the purchase of an instrument or
checking out a school-owned instrument.
This will be managed with the band director. The six weeks will focus on learning the principals of their
individual instrument and begin to perform as an ensemble.
The third six weeks will be a continuation and will
culminate in the student’s first performance experience. Attendance and participation in this concert
will be mandatory unless prior arrangements have been made due to circumstances
beyond the control of the student.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth six weeks the student will
continue to improve their playing ability and understanding of their
instrument. They will perform in the
spring concert and attend a performance of another playing group.
The student will be responsible for a practice journal that
must be completed for a grade each week beginning the second six weeks. Students will be graded on playing tests,
written tests, practice journals, and participation in scheduled concerts by
the beginning band.
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.
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 issues.
Book – Each student will need a band method book. We use the Essential Elements 2000 method. This will be their book to keep and write in, therefore they need to purchase their own individual copy. Percussion books are approximately $15 and all other instrument books are approximately $8.
Cleaning Kit – Non-percussion students must purchase a cleaning kit for their instrument. These are necessary to limit repair expenses and keep the instruments in good playing condition. These are approximately $16 and should last the entire year.
Miscellaneous Items – Other items such as reeds, valve oil, etc are listed on the attached sheet from The Music Stop, our band supplier out of Murfreesboro. A representative comes from there weekly and supplies may be purchased from him, although you are welcome to purchase items from wherever you choose.
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 the representative. The order will be filled and returned the next week when the representative comes back.
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 – Each band student will need to purchase a band shirt the second semester. The cost of the shirt is approximately $15.
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 our rehearsals during school.
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 understand 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 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