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Barrington Middle School Station Campus Bands
Band Member’s Handbook
20142015
WELCOME Welcome to Barrington Middle SchoolStation Campus and the BMS Bands. I hope that you will find your membership in the Station Campus Bands to be challenging, rewarding, and FUN! I am very excited and proud to begin my 32nd year of teaching in Barrington 220, and I look forward to spending the year making great music with you. Welcome!! This handbook contains very important information for you and your parents. Please be sure to read all the information carefully, as I will be referring to it throughout the school year. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at 8478423688 or [email protected] . OUR PHILOSOPHY The BMSStation Campus Bands offer you the opportunity to participate in an instrumental music program dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in music through performance. It is my goal to help you learn how to communicate, through sound, the feelings embodied in a piece of music, and to develop the musical skills necessary to recreate meaningful music. Through Band activities you will also contribute positively to your school and community, as well as receive personal satisfaction from your hard work and success. Hopefully, participating in Band will encourage you to participate in and enjoy music throughout your entire life. DAILY REHEARSALS AND INSTRUMENT STORAGE BMS Bands rehearse everyday during the Colt Time period. It is important to have your instrument and music at school everyday . You will be assigned a locker in which you can put your instrument, music, and lunch. The lockers are located in the Band Room M2. You may bring your instrument to your Band locker before school or leave it in your school locker until it is time to come to rehearsal. If you have a large instrument, it is best to store it in your Band locker. You must also place a label somewhere in or on your case that includes your name and phone number in the event that your instrument is misplaced or accidentally taken by another student. PERCUSSION EQUIPMENT If you are a percussionist, you will use school equipment for rehearsals and concerts, but you must have your own sticks at each rehearsal. I recommend you purchase an extra pair and keep it in your Band locker. Also be sure to put your name on your sticks with permanent marker or pen. I have a drawer full of orphaned sticks because they were not labeled. INSTRUMENT CARE Careful maintenance should make a good instrument last almost indefinitely. I can show you how to keep your instrument working properly on a regular basis and can perform minor repairs if necessary. However, I recommend that you take your instrument to a reputable music store for yearly or biyearly “tuneups”. If done routinely, these tuneups will be relatively inexpensive and will help your instrument last much longer. Quinlan and Fabish and Consolidated Music can take care of your major instrument maintenance needs. See me for questions or more information.
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SCHOOL INSTRUMENTS School instruments, including tuba, baritone, trombone, horn, bass clarinet, bassoon, and tenor and bari saxes, are to be checked out with me. Please treat these instruments with great care. Many of them are old and quite expensive to repair or replace. If you use a school instrument, you and your parents will be financially responsible for any damage that may occur as a result of carelessness or improper usage. SHEET MUSIC AND LESSON BOOKS You will receive your own set of sheet music for each concert. It is your responsibility to keep this music neat and organized. You will have a dedicated, colored folder in your binder in which to keep your Band materials. In addition to your sheet music, you will need to have your lesson book with you everyday. Sixthgraders will use Premiere Performance, Books 1 and 2; seventhgraders will continue working in Premiere Performance, Book 2; and eighthgraders will use Essential Technique . The books are available at Quinlan and Fabish and Consolidated Music in addition to other stores that sell band and orchestra music. BAND SUPPLIES Performance supplies such as reeds, cork and slide grease, and valve and slide oil are available for purchase at school. If you require special reeds, valve oil, or other accessories you need to purchase them outside of school. Quinlan and Fabish, Consolidated Music, and the Drum Pad carry a wide variety of special items not available at school. Please see me for Quinlan and Fabish’s “Shop From Home” order form if you’re interested. EXTRA HELP Sometimes it seems like we move very quickly through the lesson book or we play music that requires skills you haven’t learned yet. If you have difficulty with any of your music, please don’t be afraid to ask for help. I am available to meet with you before school, after school, and during lunch. Please ask! UNIFORMS All sixthgraders and new seventh and eighthgraders will need to have a BMS Band polo shirt. This shirt will be worn with black pants, black socks, and black shoes at each performance. Shirt sizing will be done by a group of parents during the first couple weeks of school. PRIVATE LESSONS I highly recommend private lessons for middle school students. They provide musical challenges for you that the Band music might not always provide. In addition, you will have the opportunity to study with a teacher who specializes on your instrument in a oneonone teachinglearning environment. You will be able to improve your technical and musical skills while preparing solo and ensemble music specifically written for your instrument. Please contact me for a list of private teachers.
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JAZZ BAND The BMS Station Jazz Band is open by audition to Band students who play sax, brass, piano, guitar, bass guitar, drum set, or mallet percussion. The Jazz Ensemble rehearses on Thursdays after school until 4:15 and performs in two concerts during the year. More information will be sent home midSeptember, and rehearsals will begin in late September. Keep Thursdays after school open if you are interested. PEP BAND The BMS Station Pep Band is open to Band students who want to help lead the home crowd in cheering on the Boys Basketball teams. Rehearsals will begin in early October. You can contact Mr. Duggan ( [email protected] ) for more information. SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL Each year, many BMS students participate in the district Solo and Ensemble Festival held in April. Participation in the Festival will give you the opportunity to prepare and perform music alone or with a small group. You will perform your pieces for a judge who will give you written and verbal comments about your performance. Complete information on this festival will be sent home in November. ILMEA AUDITIONS Each fall, Band students from our area are selected by audition for membership in the Illinois Grade School Music Association’s District Honor Band. Students participate in a day of rehearsing with a renowned conductor/teacher and conclude the day with a performance for parents. Auditions are open to interested seventh and eighthgrade students who are highly motivated and hardworking. Private lessons are strongly encouraged. Audition materials are available online at the ILMEA District 7 website. GRADING To align with the grading policy at Station Campus (90% Summative; 10% Formative), you will be assessed on the following: Playing Logs You are encouraged to practice an average of 140 minutes per week (an average of 20 minutes per day). Playing logs will be assigned to you through Schoology. They must be signed by a parent or guardian and submitted back to me through Schoology. Playing at home daily is your homework. Playing Logs are Formative Assessments. Sectionals You are expected to attend sectional rehearsals according to the published schedule. These sectionals occur during the school day on a rotating basis. Attendance at these sectionals is extremely important, as this is the time that I will address musical issues that are unique to your instrument section. Individual Performance Assessments You will be assessed on specific assignments during your sectionals and through assignments in Schoology. Assessments will be assigned from the lesson books and the band music. You will be expected to perform these assignments at a standard
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appropriate to your grade and experience level. The performance rubrics are included at the end of this handbook. Sectional participation is a Formative Assessment. Individual Performance Assessments are Summative Assessments. Performance Performances are an important part of the BMS Band program and are graded as Summative Assessments. Attendance at all performances is mandatory. A complete schedule of performances is included in this handbook on page 12. Please add these dates to your family’s calendar. Please keep in mind that Band is a graded class and scheduled performances must take precedence over other activities. The Memorial Day parade (7th and 8thgrade only) is the only weekend event that is required. If you have outoftown family commitments, please have your parents notify me at least two weeks in advance. You are still expected to memorize the parade music and participate in all rehearsals just as though you would be attending the parade. Written Work Any permission slips, newsletter return slips, midterm grade reports, etc. requiring a parent or guardian signature must be turned in on time. These items are graded as Formative Assessments. REHEARSAL ETIQUETTE Appropriate rehearsal etiquette is essential to efficient and effective band rehearsals. Please strive to remain attentive and ontask throughout the entire band rehearsal. The rehearsal etiquette guidelines for Band are as follows:
You are expected to be in your assigned chair ready to play one minute after the tardy bell rings.
You must have your instrument, music, and playing supplies at each rehearsal. Once the rehearsal begins, you should refrain from talking. Please raise your
hand if you must ask a question or share a comment. You should play your instrument only when directed to do so. You should have a pencil on your stand at each rehearsal.
OPTIONS TO ENHANCE THE BAND EXPERIENCE Students may consider the following activities:
attending concerts and musicals taking private lessons participating in Jazz Ensemble participating in the Solo/Ensemble Festival participating in Pep Band helping to setup for concerts helping with the music library
ACHIEVING SUCCESS The successes of the BMS Station Campus Bands depend upon the cooperation and hard work of three important components: you, your parents, and me. Each of us has responsibilities which, if successfully executed, will result in a rewarding experience for all of us. Let me outline these responsibilities below.
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DIRECTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES to provide a safe learning environment free of prejudice and full of respect in
which each student is valued for his/her contribution to the band. to instruct students in the daily process of music education from technical
proficiency on their instruments to the execution of concepts leading to a sensitive interpretation of the musical literature selected.
to instill in each student the skills, values, and rewards of participation in the band experience and essential to life. These include problem solving, team work, goalsetting, selfexpression, creativity, coordination, memory skills, selfconfidence, selfesteem, concentration, poise, respect for others, etc., etc., etc.
to communicate with students and parents the progress of each student through personal conferences, phone conversations, or written communication.
STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES to come to class on time with all necessary materials prepared to work and learn. to follow all guidelines for appropriate classroom behavior. to respect the contribution of each member of the Band. Remember the Golden
Rule…“Do unto others...” to devote the necessary time to home practice in order to learn all technical
exercises and music as assigned by the director. to attend all rehearsals, sectionals, and performances prepared to learn and
ready to make a positive contribution to the band. (And have fun at the same time).
PARENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES to provide a quiet place for practice. to remain nearby during practice times as often as possible. to schedule a consistent, daily time for practice (strive for an average weekly
total of 140 minutes, just 20 minutes per day!). to praise your child’s efforts and achievements, to acknowledge improvement,
and to offer compliments and encouragement regularly. to be sure you and your child attend all required performances.
Numerous studies indicate parental attitude, support, and involvement are important factors in a child’s ability to successfully learn to play and enjoy music. The guidelines listed above are designed to assist you in giving your child the best support possible for his/her musical endeavors. Like any skill, interest counts far more than talent. With the right support from you, playing music will become a natural part of your child’s life. A FINAL NOTE TO PARENTS I strongly encourage you to visit the Band Room at any time. Please drop by to watch a rehearsal or a sectional, if you’d like. All I ask is that you call or email ahead of time in case there is a nonmusical activity that may be planned for that day. Or, if you happen to be in the building, just stop by to say “hello”. Also, there are many opportunities for you to help me with various “jobs” throughout the year. If you have the time and the inclination, please let me know, and I’ll put you to work. I am looking forward to this year and the great music we will make together. We will work hard, and my expectations will be high, but I assure you that we will play a lot, learn a lot, and have lots of fun in the process. Let’s have a great year!
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BMS Bands Performance Assessment Rubric
Scales
ELEMENT/SCORE 4 3 2 1 TONE QUALITY Demonstrates
consistent focus and projection of a resonant tone through all registers and volume levels
Consistent skill on focus and/or projection of a characteristic tone in most registers and volumes
Demonstrates basic tonal concept but inconsistent in focus and/or projection in all registers and volumes
Consistently lacks adequate skill to focus and/or project a resonant sound
INTONATION Accurate pitch control in all registers and dynamic ranges
Minimal pitch problems generally limited to outer registers and dynamic ranges
Demonstrates basic pitch control, though inconsistent as a result of range, dynamic, instrument tendencies, etc
Significant pitch problems throughout the performance
TECHNICAL FACILITY
Accurate technical performance. Outstanding precision and clarity
Minimal errors in technical performance generally limited to difficult passages, Good attention to detail
Inconsistent technical performance, lacking in clarity, precision, and attention to detail
Numerous and/or repetitive errors in technical performance. Generally lacking in clarity and precision
RHYTHMIC ACCURACY
Performance reflects accurate and consistent tempo(s) and an accurate rhythm performance
Accurate interpretation and performance of tempo markings. Minor pulse fluctuations limited to difficult technical passages
Tempo interpretation generally accurate. Performance contains multiple pulse fluctuations
Significant errors in tempo interpretation/performance with numerous and repetitive rhythm errors
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BMS Bands
Performance Assessment Rubric Band Music
ELEMENT/SCORE 4 3 2 1 TONE QUALITY Demonstrates
consistent focus and projection of a resonant tone through all registers and volume levels
Consistent skill on focus and/or projection of a characteristic tone in most registers and volumes
Demonstrates basic tonal concept but inconsistent in focus and/or projection in all registers and volumes
Consistently lacks adequate skill to focus and/or project a resonant sound
INTONATION Accurate pitch control in all registers and dynamic ranges
Minimal pitch problems generally limited to outer registers and dynamic ranges
Demonstrates basic pitch control, though inconsistent as a result of range, dynamic, instrument tendencies, etc
Significant pitch problems throughout the performance
TECHNICAL FACILITY
Accurate technical performance. Outstanding precision and clarity.
Minimal errors in technical performance generally limited to difficult passages, Good attention to detail.
Inconsistent technical performance, lacking in clarity, precision, and attention to detail
Numerous and/or repetitive errors in technical performance. Generally lacking in clarity and precision
RHYTHMIC ACCURACY
Performance reflects accurate and consistent tempo(s) and an accurate rhythm performance
Accurate interpretation and performance of tempo markings. Minor pulse fluctuations limited to difficult technical passages
Tempo interpretation generally accurate. Performance contains multiple pulse fluctuations.
Significant errors in tempo interpretation/performance with numerous and repetitive rhythm errors
GENERAL MUSICIANSHIP
Performance faithful to the composer’s intent and reflective of significant expressive contributions from the performer. Creative interpretation and expressive use of dynamic contrast and shape.
Performance faithful to the composer’s intent and reflective of some expressive contributions from the performer. Effective interpretation of printed dynamics throughout the range of volume levels. Generally lacks shaping or direction within phrases.
Performance generally faithful to composer’s intent, but somewhat mechanical and/or inconsistent in execution. Inconsistent dynamic contrast or interpretation. Lacks control in outer dynamic ranges.
Performance unfaithful to the composer’s intent and/or lacking of expressive contributions from the performer. Lacks dynamic interpretation, contrast, and/or control.
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BMS Bands
Performance Assessment Rubric Sectionals
ELEMENT/SCORE 4 3 2 1 MUSICAL READINESS
Accurate musical performance. Outstanding precision, clarity, expression
Minimal errors in musical performance; generally limited to difficult passages; some expressive elements
Inconsistent musical performance, lacking in clarity, precision, and expression
Numerous and/or repetitive errors in musical performance. Consistently lacking in clarity, precision, and expression
ATTENDANCE Attends regularly, on time, and without having to be retrieved
Attends regularly but has to be retrieved
Attends infrequently
Does not attend
MATERIALS Always has instrument, music, and books
Usually has instrument, music, and books
Rarely has instrument, music, and books
Never has instrument, music, and books
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Some Useful Information
Mr. Nelson/Band Office 8478423688 215 Eastern Avenue, Barrington, IL 60010
EMail: [email protected]
Quinlan and Fabish 8472535592 59 West Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Consolidated Music 8473810164 125 Barrington Commons Plaza, Barrington, IL 60010
The Drum Pad 8479348768 48 W est Palatine Road, Palatine, IL 60067
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STATION CAMPUS BANDS PERFORMANCE CALENDAR 20152016
You can also access these dates on the Classroom Calendar .
DATE EVENT GRADE TIME LOCATION
Sat, Sep 26 IMEA Auditions 6/7/8 8:00 AM Grayslake
Wed, Nov 4 Band Concert 6/7/8 7:00 PM Station Gym
TBD Yearbook Photos 6/7/8 Advisories Band Room
Wed, Nov 11 Veterans’ Day Assembly 8 8 th Hour Station Gym
Sat, Nov 14 IMEA Dist 7 Festival 6/7/8 8:30 AM Wauconda
Sat, Nov 21 IMEA Dist 7 Jazz Festival 6/7/8 8:30 AM Skokie
Tue, Dec 8 8 th Grade Band Field Trip 8 10:20 AM BHS
Tue, Dec 8 BHS Band Concert 8 7:30 PM BHS Auditorium 8 th Grade Band performs
Wed, Jan 20 FifthGrade Band Concert 5 7:00 PM Station Gym
Tue, Feb 2 BHS Jazz Fest 6/7/8 7:30 PM BHS Auditorium
Wed, Feb 3 Band Concert 6/7/8 7:00 PM Station Gym
Thu, Feb 4 AllSchool Band Concert 6/7/8 7:55 AM Station Gym
Tue, Mar 15 Jazz Concert 6/7/8 7:00 PM Station Cafeteria
Sat, Apr 2 Solo/Ensemble Fest 6/7/8 8:00 AM BHS
Tue, Apr 19 Band Concert 5/6/7/8 7:00 PM Station Gym
Wed, May 4 Band PALS Concerts 6/7/8 Advisories Band Room
Mon, May 30 Memorial Day Parade 7/8 9:30 AM Meet at Station
This calendar does not include extra rehearsals scheduled on an asneeded basis, though these will be kept to a minimum. Performance dates and locations subject to change with ample notice.
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Barrington Middle School Bands Station Campus
August 27, 2015
To all Station Campus Band parents and students
Hello and welcome to another school year. I am very excited about the coming year and the many Band activities and performances we have planned. I know that the year will be filled with great music making, and I look forward to being a part of that with all of you.
Please take some time to look over and read through, with your child, the materials you have received. When you have done so, please complete the bottom portion of this letter and return it to school with your child by Friday, September 4. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call 8423688 or email [email protected] .
I look forward to working with you and your children this year.
Mr. Nelson Director of Bands
We have read and discussed the BAND MEMBER’S HANDBOOK
_________________________________________
Student Signature
_________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature
_________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature
Please return to Mr. Nelson by Friday, September 4
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