Harmony Winds 2012-2013

Personnel

Alan Francis, Director

Matthew Kansler, Manager

Tamika Gorski, Percussion Assistant

The Hartt School Community Division

200 Bloomfield Avenue

West Hartford, CT 06117

Phone: (860) 768-4451

Email: Harmony@hartford.edu

Website: www.hcd.hartford.edu

Harmony Winds 2012 - 2013 Academic Year

Table of Contents

About the Ensemble

Leadership

Membership

Rehearsals

Concerts

Performance Attire

Tuition and Fees

Commitment

Attendance Policy

Withdrawal Policy

Expectations

Percussionist Expectations

Rehearsal Expectations

Performance Expectations

Advance Absence Forms

Calendar

Membership Agreement

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About the Ensemble

Harmony Winds is an intermediate wind ensemble for middle school instrumentalists. This program is for

motivated younger students looking to develop their ensemble skills and perform at a high level with students

from our region. Repertoire will be selected based on the personnel of the group and will create a motivating

and valuable experience for everyone involved.

Leadership

"Helping young, growing Harmony Winds musicians reach new skills and musical understanding is a joy. It

would be hard to imagine a better way to work with middle school instrumentalists. "

—Alan Francis, Harmony Winds Conductor

Alan Francis is the director of Harmony Winds.

Education: B.M., The Hartt School; M.M., The Hartt School; Teacher Certification Program, The Hartt

School

Clarinet Study: Kalmen Opperman, Robert Genovase, Keith Wilson, William Goldstein, Henry Larsen

Orchestral Performance Experience: Member of the Hartford Symphony (Principal, Assistant Principal, Eb

Clarinet, Bass Clarinet), New Britain Symphony (Principal), Simsbury Light Opera Company Orchestra

(Principal), Hartford Chamber Orchestra (Assistant Principal), Asylum Hill Chamber Orchestra, Farmington

Valley Choral Society Orchestra, Wallingford Symphony, Goodspeed Opera House Orchestra, Baroque Arts

Chamber Orchestra of Washington D.C. (Principal), Inter Service Repertory Orchestra (Principal)

Band Experience: The United States Army Band of Washington D.C. (Assistant Principal, Eb, Bass, Eb Alto,

Bb Contra Bass), Wind Ensemble of The Baroque Arts Chamber Orchestra of Washington D.C., Hartford Pops

Band (Principal, Assistant Principal, Principal Second)

Chamber Music Studies: Robert Bloom, Julius Baker, Keith Wilson, Kalmen Opperman, Henry Larsen,

Williwm Goldstein, Harvey Goldstein

Chamber Music Experience: Solisti di Fiati Octet (founder), Hartford Symphony Woodwind Quintet,

Harmonie Hartford, Die Friespieler Octet, Pro Arte Quintet of Washington D.C.

Teaching Experience: Band and Orchestra Teacher, West Hartford Public Schools, from 1975 to 2008; Band

and Orchestra Teacher, West Hartford Public Schools, Summer School 1980 to 1984; Clarinet Teacher,

Windsor Public Schools 1972-1975, Hartt Community Division faculty member since 2002

Membership

Harmony is composed of high school and advanced middle school musicians from around southern New

England and New York. Auditions occur at our Audition Festival during the month of June. Alternative

audition times maybe made by appointment, please contact our office at (860) 768-4451.

Rehearsals

Harmony Winds meet on Saturdays from 11:15 – 12:15 pm am in the Bliss Music Room at the Hartt School.

Please see the Calendar in this handbook for specific dates.

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Concerts

Harmony Winds generally performs 2-3 concerts per year and all events can be found on our school website

http://hcd.hartford.edu and on the calendar located in the back of this handbook. Most concerts are recorded

and/or video-taped professionally and available for purchase.

The following concerts are MANDATORY, if you have any conflicts please inform the Manager as soon as

possible.

Sunday, December 16, 2012, 7:30 pm in Lincoln Theatre, University of Hartford Campus

Saturday, May 11, 2013, 7:00 pm in Millard Auditorium, University of Hartford Campus

Performance Attire (Mandatory)

Ladies – long, black skirt or black dress pants, white shirt and black shoes

Gentlemen– black dress pants, white shirt, black shoes, black socks and a long tie of any solid color.

Tuition and Fees

$270 per academic year

$75 per academic year for Hartt School Community Division private lesson students.

A $25 registration fee may apply.

Absence/Schedule Policy: Students are expected to attend all activities (rehearsals and concert) indicated on the

schedule on Page 7 of this handbook. Students who fail to meet attendance requirements are subject to

expulsion from the ensemble and will forfeit tuition and fees.

Commitment

Instrumentalists who have been accepted into Harmony Winds must submit a registration form with appropriate

tuition and fees before the first rehearsal. The submission of a signed registration form with tuition and fees

indicates agreement to the calendar and attendance policy listed in this handbook. It also indicates that the

student and his/her parents have read the handbook, looked at the yearly calendar, and are willing to make a

commitment to the organization for the coming year. A student who does not fulfill his/her commitment to the

organization may jeopardize current and future membership in the organization.

Attendance Policy

Attendance and active participation at all rehearsals and classes is crucial to the success of any organization. It

is expected that all members will demonstrate responsibility, punctuality, and dependability as part of their

commitment to the organization. If a student knows that he/she will have to be absent from a rehearsal or class,

an absence form on Page 6 must be completed and turned in to the manager. Excessive absence (more than

twice per semester) is not acceptable and may result in dismissal without refund for tuition and fees. In

the case of illness, members are expected to call and leave a message for the Harmony Winds manager (860-

768-4451) or email the manager at Harmony@hartford.edu. At the next rehearsal or class, the student must fill

out an absence form and turn it in to the manager.

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Withdrawal Policy

Students who submit written notice to the Registrar prior to the second rehearsal are eligible for a refund on

tuition. Verbal notice is insufficient, as is informing the manager or conductor. Medical withdrawal with

appropriate documentation will be reviewed.

Expectations

Members of Harmony Winds are expected to attend all designated rehearsal and performance dates

listed on the 2012-2013 Calendar. If additional rehearsals and/or performances are required, they will

be communicated well in advance. Members are not expected to attend rehearsals on religious holidays

or rehearsals that are in conflict with school music performances. Rehearsals and performances that

conflict with school music performances must be communicated in writing to the Harmony manager as

early as possible.

Members who miss more than two rehearsals before a concert may be asked not to perform. Members

who miss performances (except in the case of illness or family emergency) will not be considered for

future membership.

Members are responsible for all music or supplies checked out to them and must pay for anything that is

lost or damaged.

Members are expected to demonstrate a high level of self-discipline, maturity, and professionalism at all

times. They are expected to be courteous, polite, and respectful of other instrumentalists and adults.

Members who cannot abide by these expectations will be dismissed from the organization.

Percussionist Expectations

Percussionists are expected to help set up and remove percussion equipment prior to and following

every rehearsal and performance.

Percussionists must arrive at least 20 minutes early and plan to stay at least 20 minutes late for every

rehearsal and performance to allot time for care of equipment.

Rehearsal Expectations

Instrumentalists must plan to be in place and ready to begin with all the music and materials at least 15

minutes before each rehearsal.

Each instrumentalist must always keep a sharpened pencil in his/her folder.

Instrumentalists should not ask to be excused to visit the restroom or water fountain unless it is an

emergency. Drinks and restroom trips should be taken care of before rehearsal.

Instrumentalists should be attentive to all directions and follow them quickly. All communication with

the directors and managers should occur before or after rehearsals or at a designated break.

Instrumentalists are responsible for knowing assigned music when they come to a rehearsal.

Food and beverages (except for water) may not be consumed during rehearsals.

Folders should be kept neat and organized. A calendar should be kept in the folder at all times.

Cellphones and other handheld devices may be brought to rehearsals and concerts but must be turned off

prior to the start of the rehearsal or performance. Text messaging during rehearsals or concerts is strictly

prohibited.

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Performance Expectations

Instrumentalists must plan on being in place at the designated time.

Instrumentalists are required to wear the designated attire at all performances. Members who do not

dress appropriately will not be allowed to perform.

Instrumentalists who do not attend the final rehearsal before the performance may not perform with the

ensemble.

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Harmony Winds

Advance Absence Form

Name:______________________ Instrument: ___________________

Date of Absence:_____________

Student Signature:______________________________________

Parent Signature:_______________________________________

Reason for

Absence:_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________.

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Harmony Winds

Advance Absence Form

Name:______________________ Instrument: ___________________

Date of Absence:_____________

Student Signature:______________________________________

Parent Signature:_______________________________________

Reason for

Absence:_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________.

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Harmony Winds 2012 – 2013 Calendar

Changes to the regular schedule are in bold lettering.

Date Event Time Location

September 8 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

September 15 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

September 22 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

September 29 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

October 6 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

October 13 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

October 20 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

October 27 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

November 3 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

November 10 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

November 17 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

November 24 No Rehearsal

December 1 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

December 8 No Rehearsal

December 15 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

December 16 Concert Call 6:30 pm Lincoln Theater

December 16 Concert 7:30 pm Lincoln Theater

December 22 No Rehearsal

December 29 No Rehearsal

January 5 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

January 12 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

January 19 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

January 26 No Rehearsal

February 2 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

February 9 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

February 16 No Rehearsal

February 23 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

March 2 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

March 9 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

March 16 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

March 23 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

March 30 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

April 6 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

April 13 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

April 20 No Rehearsal

April 27 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

May 4 Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Bliss Music Room

May 11 Dress Rehearsal 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Millard Auditorium

May 11 Concert 7:00 pm (6:00 call) Millard Auditorium

Schedule is subject to change.

To request an absence, please contact the manager at Harmony@hartford.edu

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Harmony Winds Membership Agreement

Please read the handbook and review the following policies carefully. Sign this agreement and return it to the

ensemble manager at the first rehearsal.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance and active participation at all rehearsals and classes is crucial to the success of any organization. It is

expected that all members will demonstrate responsibility, punctuality, and dependability as part of their commitment to

the organization. If a student knows that he/she will have to be absent from a rehearsal or class, an absence form (see

attached) must be completed and turned in to the manager. Excessive absence (more than twice per semester) is not

acceptable and may result in dismissal. In the case of illness, members are expected to call and leave a message for the

Harmony Winds manager (860-768-4451) or email the manager at harmony@hartford.edu. The student must fill out an

absence form and turn it in to the manager at the next rehearsal or class.

Performances:

The Harmony Winds concerts will take place on:

I, _________________________, have read the preceding statements as well as the Harmony Winds Handbook and

agree to accept them as a condition of being a member of the large ensemble program at The Hartt School Community

Division. I understand that if I do not follow the above guideline and those in the handbook, my membership status in the

large ensemble program at The Hartt School Community Division may be subject to review.

Student’s Signature Date Parent/ Guardian’s Signature Date

Student’s Name: _______________________________ Parent/Guardian’s Name: _______________________

Hartt School Community Division Advisory Board:

The Hartt Community Division Advisory Board is vital to our mission. The Board focuses on fundraising, recruiting and promotion,

and community-building. They help make possible our high-quality performing arts instruction within a nurturing and vibrant

community. The board also serves the director as a sounding board on program and administrative issues. Members may volunteer or

be nominated; they are elected to serve a term of two years. Advisory board members participate at varying levels and membership is

renewable. We encourage you to get involved—join us!

Thank you,

Maggie Wyporek

Music Program Manager

Name Phone Number Email Address

Please check here if you are interested in learning more about volunteering with The Hartt School Community Division.