Dear Students,

                Welcome back to school!  We hope that each of you had a restful, fun summer vacation and are ready to start a successful new school year.  Success in any venture comes from 95% drive/effort and 5% talent/inspiration.  It also comes from knowing what to do, how to do it and the willingness to work over a long period of time to get the job done well.  With this in mind, we hope each of you will approach this band year with the desire to achieve and be successful in all that you do.

                Participation in class is a major portion of your grade.  The following guidelines will point you in the direction of success:

1. Have your instrument, music & other materials needed for class each day.

2. Play your instrument in class every day.

3. Show total effort at all times.

4. Successfully complete all assignments on time.

5. Perform in all performances given by the band throughout the school year.

                In this handbook, you will find a copy of our class rules and other useful information.  Please read through these materials carefully with your parents.  Please sign and return the commitment form to Mr. Burdick or Mr. Joe by August 26, 2010. (that’s tomorrow!)

                Band is a very challenging and rewarding class.  It offers students the opportunity to develop a skill that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.  Like any skill, band requires a commitment to practice and patience to allow the skill to develop.  You will, no doubt, improve this year. 

Grades - (note that grading has changed since 2009 SES and AES only)

Grades will be determined by:

-          Playing tests – weekly tests will be given Thur. on materials we have studied in class……..40%

o   Performances will be counted as one (1) test grade and one (1) participation grade

-          Daily participation – having all necessary materials and a good work ethic in class………….25%

o   Required after-school rehearsals will count as one weekly participation grade

-          Quizzes – there will be a short written quiz on Friday of any five-day school week………….25%

-          Homework – paper assignments usually simply are signed and returned…..…………………...10%

Reminder: Short weeks (4 days or less) may or may not have playing tests or quizzes depending on the difficulty of the week’s assignments.  This includes weeks disrupted by hurricane days, snow days or other school cancellations.

Daily Practice and Rehearsals

Each student is responsible for having their instrument, pencil, music, binder and method book(s) for class each day.  Participation in daily rehearsals is a requirement of every band member.  Students coming to class without their equipment or supplies (listed above) will lose points off their participation grade and be given a written assignment for each occurrence.  Some after school rehearsals are required.  You will be given notice of at least one week before any required after school activity.  If you are unable to attend an after school rehearsal, a written note from your parent or guardian must be given to Mr. Burdick or Mr. Joe PRIOR TO THE REHEARSAL else the student will be counted as absent and lose points from their participation grade.

Performances

A Performance is the finished product and culmination of many hours of hard work and practice.  Every member plays an intricate role in the overall balance and performance success of our band.  Therefore, it is imperative that everyone be present at all performances.  Letters and reminders will be sent home to inform parents of concerts and rehearsals.  If your student has not given you one of these letters, please ask them about it and remind them so that we can avoid schedule conflicts.  An unexcused absence from a performance without a valid excuse IN ADVANCE will result in two grades of 0 that will be averaged into your nine week grade.

Dress Requirements for Concerts/Performances

- khaki dress pants

- band polo shirt

- dark socks

- dress shoes  

Practicing

Students are expected to bring their instruments and music home on a daily basis.  Weekly instrument checks will be performed to ensure this.  Students are expected to practice their instruments at home and success is very difficult without practicing.  There will be no required amount of practice time, but be advised that weekly PLAYING TESTS account for 40% of the student’s grade (SES and AES only).  Recommended practice time is a total of 150 minutes per week.

Classroom Rules

It is important that students enter the classroom orderly, sit in their assigned seat, assemble their instrument carefully and quickly, and wait for further instruction.  Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.  Learning cannot occur in an unstructured and noisy environment.

1.       Please be in your seat and ready to play ON TIME.

2.       Please do not horseplay or run in the band room.

3.       Please do not play your instrument until asked to do so.

4.       No food, gum, candy or drinks (water is permitted).

5.       Please play ONLY your instrument.  Do not allow others to play your instrument.

6.       Please do not lean on the music stands or walk on the chairs.

Inability to follow these classroom rules and/or the rules outlined in the Middle School Handbook will result in disciplinary action.

Instruments

Instruments must be taken home every day for practice and security reasons.  An inspection will be conducted weekly during the school year.  Beginning Band students will receive a maintenance clinic early in the year and students will be expected to keep their instruments in good, clean, working condition.  Every instrument case MUST HAVE A NAMETAG, soft cleaning cloth (part of an old cotton t-shirt), pencil and be clean and free of clutter.

Flutes need a cleaning rod with a cloth.

Clarinets need cork grease, swab, reed guard, and at least (3) acceptable reeds.

Saxophones need cork grease, swab, neck strap, reed guard, and at least (3) acceptable reeds.

Trumpets need valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, and a cleaning snake.

French Horns need rotor oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush and a cleaning snake.

Trombones need slide oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush and a cleaning snake.

Tubas need valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush and a cleaning snake.

Percussionists must bring all sticks, mallets and accessories in their stick bag every day.

If a student has a problem with their instrument, they should bring this to the attention of Mr. Burdick of Mr. Joe as soon as possible.  The band director can do some repairs.  If we cannot fix the problem, we will notify you, and you will need to take your instrument to a repairman immediately.  The following options can be used to get your instrument repaired:

Bob Bequette Instrument Repair

201 Yaupon Drive, Cape Carteret – 252.393.8688

Fuller’s Music

2310 Trent Road, New Bern – 252.638.2811 

PARENTS

The following ideas may help you in providing the necessary support for your child’s continued success in music:

1.       Set a specific time to practice each day or each weekday.  A minimum consistent routine is important for the student and for the family.

2.       Set a specific space to practice with proper lighting, ventilation and no distractions.  Have a music stand and decent chair when practicing.

3.       Reinforce practice sessions by listening and making positive comments.

4.       Be prepared to respond to “I don’t want to practice” with positive comments about commitment and responsibility.  Reinforce the understanding that success in all endeavors takes time and effort.  Remind the student of their last great success and the hard work that it took.

5.       Relax requirements during vacation times.  Practicing will not be required during school vacations.  A break from the routine will result in a return with renewed vigor.

6.       If you notice any change of attitude towards band, discuss this change with your child and contact the band director as soon as possible to discuss what can be done to get the student “back on track”.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT EITHER MR. BURDICK OR MR. JOE WITH ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS.  OUR INTEREST LIES IN WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO BEST SERVE OUR STUDENTS.

lucas.burdick@carteretk12.org                                                                                  joe.mccreary@carteretk12.org

Telephone:

SES 252 729 2301                                                     HIES 252 728 3755                                                 AES 252 225 3961