Novi Middle School

Band HandbookEvan Blanchard ~ Band Director 248-449-1600 ext. 6604 eblanchard@novischools.netnovimsband.weebly.com

Welcome!I am very excited about the 2015-2016 school year and the opportunities to share great music making with the Novi Middle School Bands. Please read the information below about our courses, our basic guidelines and syllabus, as well as other important information and sign and return the signature page no later than Tuesday, September 15 th .

Seventh Grade CONCERT BAND:

Band at Novi Middle School offers students many new and exciting performance opportunities as they continue to develop as young musicians. Each student will perform at least four times with the full band, with numerous additional performances available. These include Solo & Ensemble Festival, where students can perform a solo or in a small ensemble with friends, a Barnes & Noble bookstore performance, the Music in the Parks Festival during our Cedar Point trip, and the Memorial Day Parade. In addition to these annual opportunities, we often add to this list events like going to Paradise Park as a music department (we reserve the whole park just for us!), a movie night at a local theater, Band Activity Night with the 6th Grade Band, and various performances in the community. As a Novi Middle School band student, you will make high-quality music while simultaneously building lifelong friendships with your band peers through the fun events we do throughout the year. Students may elect to switch to a special instrument that is needed in our band (bassoon, oboe, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, French horn, trombone, or tuba). If you enjoy playing music with your friends, taking trips with the band, setting high standards for your personal development, and making your world a better place through music, this is the place for you!

Eighth Grade SYMPHONIC BAND:

The primary difference between Concert Band and Symphonic Band is that the Symphonic Band is expected to reach a higher level of sophistication in every area because the musicians have an additional year of experience. The Symphonic Band also allows the student to perform with the High School band on multiple occasions, which provides a window into Novi's award-winning high school band program. Middle school band students are in the middle of our 5-12 band program here in Novi, and Mr. Hourigan (the high school director) and I encourage all 8th grade students to continue their music education into high school, regardless of experience or ability level. High school band is an exhilarating experience!

Materials List:7 th Grade Band Students:

1. Instrument in good working condition2. Sound Innovations Book 23. Padlock for instrument storage locker (if needed/lockers will be assigned)4. Folder (preferably not binder) for band ONLY (sturdy, high-quality folder—larger is better!)

5. Pencil (keep one in your folder or instrument case so you never forget it)6. Woodwind instruments: Instrument, mouthpiece, ligature, mouthpiece cap, box of reeds, cork

grease, cleaning swab.7. Brass instruments: Instrument, mouthpiece, valve oil, slide grease, trombone slide grease,

cleaning snake.8. Percussionists: Bell kit/ practice pad for at home, stick/mallet bag, snare drum sticks, bell mallets,

xylophone mallets. Please label all sticks and equipment.9. Metronome/tuner for home use (free apps available).8 th Grade Band Students:

Same as 7th grade list, but the book is Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development (Book 3)

TO ALL STUDENTS: Please note that the school does not provide reeds, oils, waxes, sticks, mallets, or any other standard care equipment. Students using a school instrument should provide their own mouthpiece/ligature, neckstrap, and reeds.

Grade Requirements:

30% Participation

➢ Class Participation ● Arriving to class on time with all instrument parts, music, and pencil.● Actively contributing to the learning process in the classroom.● Returning instrument, music, materials, to their proper place at the end of the class

period.● Following general classroom expectations listed above.

➢ Daily Practice/ Class Preparation Frequent practice of an instrument is as homework is to other classes. In order for any student to be successful in instrumental music, focused practice is essential. Please encourage your child to play his or her instrument! Specific requirements will be outlined in class.

*Students who need assistance may make an appointment with the director before or after school.

30% Assignments and Assessments

➢ Playing evaluations: ● At least one per grading period● Primarily based on playing, may also include elements such as posture and hand position.● Evaluations take place during class.● Evaluations based on what students focus on each day in class (e.g. tone, articulation,

dynamics, etc.)● Automatic zeros will be given to students who are a distraction (through misbehavior) or

disrespectful to others during evaluations.

➢ Written assignments/assessments: ● Frequent (approx. 1/week)● New material is given a completion/effort grade● Previously taught material is graded for accuracy● Cheating (including consciously assisting others cheating) will result in an automatic zero

40% Concert and Rehearsal Attendance:

➢ Concert Attendance Policy Because each person is an important part of the group, all full band performances are required in order to meet the academic expectations of the class. Concerts are the best way for students to exhibit what they have learned over the course of the year, and they are a vital part of each student’s music education. Performances are a unique experience that cannot be re-created. Since unexcused absences from a performance cannot be tolerated, a student’s overall grade will be lowered by a maximum of one letter grade. The director may consider special circumstances for absence. Written excuses from the parent must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to a performance. Emergencies and illness will be treated on an individual basis, but generally an illness excuse must be presented to the teacher within 24 hours of the students return to school. Improper notification could result in an unexcused absence.

Excused absences from a concert need to be supplemented. An individual who finds himself/herself in this situation needs to make an appointment with the director to determine a supplementary assignment.

➢ Concert Dress o COMPLETELY BLACK PANTS (guys and girls)o Black socks (girls: if applicable)o COMPLETELY BLACK SHOESo COMPLETELY WHITE dress shirt

*Black jeans or athletic pants are not acceptable. Tennis shoes are not acceptable.*Any student who is unable to acquire appropriate attire must inform the director at least 2 weeks prior to concert so he can find or purchase school-owned items for you to borrow.

➢ Rehearsal Attendance Policy Before each concert, students will have 1-2 full band rehearsals so they can play their music with every student in their grade, not just the students in their individual class. These rehearsals are required. The only after-school function that takes precedence over a rehearsal is a school athletic COMPETITION. Outside of school sports or activities do not excuse a student, nor do school sports practices. The director may consider special circumstances for absence if more than 24 hours’ notice is given. Emergencies and illnesses are treated as they are for concerts.

Additional Information:

Solo and Ensemble Festival

Students will have the opportunity to perform at Solo and Ensemble Festival in December. At this event students will perform a solo, an ensemble or both in front of a judge. Students will receive feedback on their performance and a rating of I-V (a I is superior). Those students that receive a rating of I or II earn a medal. Students find the experience to be quite rewarding, even though it may be intimidating the first time. While not required, each student is strongly encouraged to participate in this event. Students MUST play their solo or ensemble piece for the director at least 4 weeks prior to the event in order to participate.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We are hosting Solo & Ensemble this year, and we will need many parent volunteers as students, parents, judges and other music teachers converge on our school on Saturday, December 5th. Please consider volunteering for this busy and important event! Detailed information and volunteer forms will be sent home soon.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are strongly encouraged for all band students. A student working independently with a teacher can develop individual skills as well as learn solo music and other repertoire specific to their instrument. Moreover, private lessons help students develop the skills necessary to be successful musicians. A private teacher list is in this handbook and is available in the band room and on the band website. Specific recommendations can be made upon request.

Music

Each student will need a quality folder in which to keep their music and class materials. This folder is to go to and from school on a daily basis. Students are responsible to keep track of their music and have it in class. Do not rely on other students to have theirs, as they may forget or be absent. Students are responsible for returning original copies of music in acceptable condition at the end of the school year and will be required to pay for lost or damaged music. Sheet music and rehearsal books take the place of textbooks for other classes.

Lockers

Each student is assigned a band locker at the beginning of the school year (unless he/she does not want one). Some students may have to share lockers as space is limited. Students are responsible for providing locks to secure their lockers. Novi Middle School cannot be held responsible for items missing from an unlocked locker. Therefore instruments CANNOT be kept in lockers without a lock. Please provide the combination for your lock to the director. This information is kept confidential and is only used if a student forgets their combination or in other emergency situations.

Percussion Instruments

There is a large amount of expensive percussion equipment in the band room. Only percussionists enrolled in a band class are allowed to play them. Percussionists are expected to store all auxiliary instruments in the percussion cabinet after each class. Percussionists are responsible to set up all equipment on stage before concerts and remove the equipment after the performances. All percussionists must help, regardless of when/what they play during a concert.

This class may NOT be recorded (audio, visual, or audio-visual) without the written consent of the course instructor.