Wellsville CSD: Secondary School

2017-2018

MUSIC DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK6th Grade Band, 7/8th Grade Band, HS Band

6th Grade Orchestra, 7/8th Grade Orchestra, HS Orchestra6th Grade Chorus, 7/8th Grade Chorus, Lion’s Chorale, Chamber Choir

Mr. Jeff Joslyn, Band Director

Mrs. Linda Stevens, Choir Director

Mrs. Alyssa Christensen, Orchestra Director

Name:__________________________________

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us! Communication is the key to success.

Mr. Jeff Joslyn – jjoslyn@wlsv.org / 585-596-2100 ext. 5115Mrs. Linda Stevens – lstevens@wlsv.org / 585-596-2100 ext. 5404

Mrs. Alyssa Christensen – achristensen@wlsv.org / 585-596-2100 ext. 5124

Dear Students and Families,I cannot begin to say with words how excited I am to start my new journey. For those of you that have been

around, you’ll remember I originally started my teaching career at the middle school level in 2001. It was then I assisted with the Wellsville Marching Lions and helped capture third place in the state competition at the NYSFBC at Syracuse Dome. For three years I helped with field band and it was then I met my wife Annie (Liana Weirich) and decided to move to the lower grades to teach music. I’ve enjoyed my time at the elementary level, watching your children musically grow from K-5 during their early years of music education. Working with young children has taught me patience, the importance of exceptional communication, and the amazing desire children have to learn and make music. I can say with confidence, I have seen the music program grow & shrink many times while teaching and living here. I’m proud to say, with the staff now onboard- the WCS Music Department has big plans to rebuild our programs and make our town proud of our Lion Pride. Thank you for the opportunity to work with your children, letting them to develop a strong pride of musicianship so they can take those skills with them to adulthood.

With Music in Mind,Mr. Joslyn

Dear Music Students and Families,My name is Linda Stevens and I am the new choral director for Wellsville. I have been in Wellsville for 15 years

with my husband and three children. Noah graduated in 2015 and Rebecca and Sarah graduated in 2016. My husband, Jeff, is the Interim Dean at Alfred State College of Technology (Wellsville Campus). I love our small town atmosphere and am very excited to be a part of the music staff here at Wellsville. I started out working at Wellsville CSD as a teaching assistant for 7th grade special education in 2005 and then moved on to finish my bachelor’s degree. I graduated from Houghton College with a Bachelors in Music Education in 2011 and from Grand Canyon University with a Masters in Special Education in 2014. I have been working in Allegany County since 2011 at both Andover Central School and most recently at Belfast Central School. I am very involved in ACSMA (the county music association) and all of the county festivals/solo festivals that we host. I am very excited to be back at WCS, this time as a part of the music staff. We have an exciting year planned as a music department and I can’t wait to see how each student develops as a creative and talented musician.

In Music,Mrs. Stevens

Dear Music Students and Families,I am so thrilled to be coming back as the Orchestra director and Woodwind teacher for the second year. Last year,

our Orchestras expanded in size and quality, performed admirably at the concerts, and most importantly, were a place students felt comfortable, made life-long friendships, and supported each other. I am truly looking forward to continuing that momentum this year! A little about me: My husband and I have been building our dream home by hand for the past few years in Holland, and although it’s far from finished, we are finally living in it this year! I keep myself entertained during my long commute by listening to audio books along the way (Harry Potter and my Spanish course being my favorites). I have two “kids” (my dogs) – Border Collies named Luna and Moby.

Students, we have lots of exciting events happening this year! Solo Festivals, All-County, Area-All-State (for those that participated in Solo Fest last year and made it in this year), the Houghton String Festival, and lots of great

concerts throughout the year. High School Orchestra, we will once again be going to NYSSMA Majors and seeing a concert by the BPO or RPO! One of the most important things you can do to make this a great year is to PRACTICE YOUR INSTRUMENT! And if you need help, I am available every day after school. Let’s make this a great year!

Musically,Mrs. Christensen

Instrumental Student ExpectationsPunctual & PreparedBe on time to lessons and ensembles with ALL needed materials (instrument, pencil, music, etc.). Ensemble rehearsal is meant to learn how to play and together, not to learn how to play our parts. It is fully expected that students practice at home so that rehearsal time is not spent learning notes and rhythms, but rather making music!

ParticipationParticipate actively in rehearsals and lessons! This is YOUR ensemble, so make the most out of it! Ask questions, try your best, help others succeed, and work as a team.

RespectStudents are expected to be respectful AT ALL TIMES! Respect yourself (be kind to yourself, make good choices for yourself), respect your peers (be kind and supportive), respect your teachers (they are working hard to give you your best shot at success), respect the instruments (students are responsible for the repair and cost of damage incurred by abuse of instruments), and respect the classroom (this is a learning environment, so pick up after yourself, don’t bring in food or drink, and try to make the classroom look BETTER than when you entered!)

Lesson Attendance and ExpectationsLessons are the cornerstone of the Band and Orchestra program. Lessons are designed to establish and work toward individual and ensemble goals for each student. Material covered in each lesson will include warm-ups and tuning, individual lesson book or solo material and ensemble literature. Specific playing assignments for each individual, including scale knowledge and testing of specific sections of concert repertoire, will be required throughout each quarter.

**Lessons are mandatory, and account for 40% of each student’s total grade.**Each month, a new lesson calendar will be posted, handed out in class, and emailed to your student. One missed lesson will be excused each marking period. On the days you are absent from school (or we are off from school), the lesson will be excused. All other missed lessons will be entered as a “zero” until they are made up.

Required Equipment and Lesson BooksProper maintenance of your instrument/equipment is vital to your ability to perform at the highest level possible. At the first lesson, instruments will be examined to assure that they are in adequate condition. In addition to regular instrument maintenance, the following accessories are strongly encouraged:

LESSON BOOKS: 6th Grade String Instruments - please purchase Essential Elements Book 1 (for the appropriate instrument) or you may bring in $9 so Mrs. Christensen could buy it for you.All Other Instruments/Grades – Mrs. Christensen or Mr. Joslyn will assign you a book, or tell you what to purchase after they assess your playing level.

FLUTE: Be sure that there is a cleaning rod in the case. Use a small rag or cloth for cleaning, approx.10in x 4in.CLARINET & SAXOPHONE: Clarinet and Saxophone players should have a minimum of three reeds at all times, a cleaning swab and cork grease. A Rico reed guard and mouthpiece brush is optional, but highly recommended.TRUMPET, BARITONE, & HORN: Valve oil and tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush (optional, but highly recommended). Baritones and Horns only- rubber mouthpiece case. ** Horns- please make sure that the oil you use is Rotor

Oil.TROMBONE: Slide-O-Mix and Slide grease. Mouthpiece brush: Optional, but highly recommended. DRUMS: The drum and bell kit you rent will include a pair of size 2B drum sticks, a snare drum, and a bell set with mallets. Small stick bag (optional but highly recommended). STRING INSTRUMENTS: Be sure you have a soft cloth and a supply of rosin.***ALL INSTRUMENTS*** (Not required, but highly recommended.) A music stand is a very beneficial and inexpensive investment (usually around $12). Music stands make practicing at home easier and they help to develop proper posture and breathing.

Instrument RentalsThere are a couple different options for getting an instrument. The Music Store (though Robert M. Sides) has a rent-to-own program that is very popular. We will be having a Rental Night on September 13, 2017 from 6-8 PM. Please mark the date in your calendar if you think you might want to rent-to-own your instrument! You can also rent online at RMSides.com (your instrument will be delivered to the school, and you will get it sooner if you do this right away).

The school also provides a limited number of instruments for students to borrow at $5/month or $50 for the school year. This helps to cover routine instrument maintenance and repairs on the instrument every year. Students who use a school-owned instrument will be required to complete a usage form (rental contract). This document must be signed by a parent or guardian and will indicate the current condition of the instrument and serial number. The instrument must be returned at the end of the school year, unless the student is involved in summer lessons and/or has permission from their director to use the instrument over the summer.

Choral Student Expectations

Punctual & PreparedEach student is responsible for knowing the classroom rules and adhering to them. If a seating chart is displayed, refer to it and seat yourself accordingly. Allow yourself plenty of time to stow your belongings, retrieve your pencil and music, and find your seat. Remain quiet during announcements and check the board each day for sight-reading, repertoire, objectives, and special instructions.

ParticipationParticipate actively in rehearsals and lessons when they are scheduled! This is YOUR ensemble, so make the most out of it! Ask questions, try your best, help others succeed, and work as a team.

MusicNumbered music will be distributed to each student. You are responsible for the care and return of this materials. If materials are not returned or are returned damaged, you are required to compensate the music department for their replacement. Keep your numbered music in the corresponding numbered slot. It is required that you use a pencil in rehearsal for marking your music. Please keep a pencil in your folder. I will do spot checks for a grade. You will also need a highlighter that will be turned in to me and kept in the class for use.You must have your own music for rehearsals, coming to class without your music will affect the participation portion of your grade.

Lesson Attendance and ExpectationsLessons/sectional rehearsals will be periodically scheduled. In order to make the most out of the time we have in the classroom students need to know their individual parts. When a lesson is scheduled it is required. If you are not able to attend the lesson you will need to make it up within a reasonable amount of time. Lessons are designed to work on the current folder music as a group and tackle the parts that you struggle with. You will receive a grade for lesson attendance

(Choral continue)Concert Dress – This applies to all 6-12 performing ensembles, Band & Orchestra

Boys: Black pants, button down white dress shirt, black socks, black shoes and a tieGirls: Black knee length skirt or dress pants, short or long sleeve white blouse or shirt (NO sleeveless tops or spaghetti straps) black socks/stockings and black shoes (preferably flats - heels at not the best support to sing in)

Cell Phones:

A charging station will be available for you to use during class if you feel you need to bring your cell phone with you. I will provide a space and an outlet for you to plug your phone into, you will have to provide your own charger. You must plug your phone in at the beginning of class and it must remain in the charging station the entire class, or until the director tells you that you can get it. If you choose to keep your phone in your possession it must remain either in your bag or in your pocket, if you take it out or you are caught using it, it will be taken away from you and you will be written up. You will have to pick your phone up at the end of the day.

Tardiness:

You will be written up if you are late more than 3 times. You will lose points on your participation grade for being late on every occurrence. You must bring a pass with you from a teacher if the tardiness is to be excused. No pass, no excused tardy

Participation:

You will earn 5 points every day you are in attendance. In order to keep the five points you must be on time, have your own music and pencil, be in your assigned spot when class beings, participate in all activities in a positive way, use proper singing/breathing techniques and be respectful to everyone in the class.

Facebook Assignments:

You will be doing short writing assignments throughout the year. These assignments will focus on a different musician or composer every two weeks and they will be graded. You will be responsible for researching a given musician/composer and coming up with 2 to 3 different, interesting facts about that person. You will be writing a short paragraph (minimum of 5 sentences) containing these facts. I will not accept bullet points or incomplete sentences. You will be submitting these assignments to me electronically. If they are not turned in on the due date you will not receive full credit for the assignment. Initially I will give you the composer/musician to research but towards the end of the year, you will be choosing your own.

Important Dates 2017-2018***Concerts in BOLD are mandatory for students! Please mark on your calendars!***

September 13 Instrument Rental Night (or rent online RMSides.com) – Elem. School 6pm-8pm

October 27 & 28 High School Fall Play @ 7:30pm

November 3 & 4 Jr. High Area All State, Hornell H.S. (Only for students that participated in Solo Festival last year and applied this year. Applications are due by Sept. 15th).

November 17 & 18 Sr. High Area All State, Elmira H.S. (Only for students that participated in Solo Festival last year and applied this year. Applications are due by Sept. 15th).

December 5 HS Winter Concert: Grades 9-12, High School Aud. @ 7:00pm

December 12 MS Winter Concert: Grades 6-8, High School Aud. @ 7:00 pm

December 14 Elementary Winter Concert, High School Aud. @ 7:00pm

January 19 & 20 ACSMA All-County Festival I: Intermediate Band, Strings, Sr High Show Choir (Only for students that participated in Solo Fest last year and applied this year.)

February 10 ACSMA Solo Festival, Genesee Valley Central

February 13 HS Valentine’s Pops Concert, High School Aud. @ 7:00 pm

March 2-3 ACSMA All-County Festival II: Jr High Band, Jazz Band, Sr High Choir (Only for students that participated in Solo Fest last year and applied this year.)

March 16-17 ACSMA All-County Festival III: 6th Choir, Jr High Choir, Sr High Band (Only for students that participated in Solo Fest last year and applied this year.)

April 20, 21, 22 High School Musical 7:30pm

May 15 MS Spring Concert: Grades 6-8, High School Aud. @ 7:00 pm

May 16 HS Westside Instrumental Majors, Hornell High School

May 18 & 19 Houghton String Festival, Houghton College

May 22 HS Spring Concert: Grades 9-12, High School Aud. @ 7:00pm

May 23 HS Eastside NYSSMA Instrumental Majors, Elmira H.S.

May 24 NYSSMA Choral Majors, Prattsburg Central

May 24 Elementary Spring Concert, High School Aud. @ 7:00pm

June 1 & 2 Bolivar-Richburg NYSSMA Solo Festival

June 22 HS Graduation @ 7:00pm – all HS Band & Orchestra students will be performing!

Grading Policies1 st & 3 rd Quarter

Participation / Attitude 60%Throughout the course of daily instruction, students will be required to:

* Have folder, music, and pencil in hand at the beginning of class;* Demonstrate appropriate posture as taught by teacher;* Demonstrate appropriate breath management as taught by teacher;* Demonstrate appropriate listening skills;* Execute directions given by the teacher;* Produce appropriate tone as required by the literature and / or the teacher’s interpretation;* Demonstrate active listening, offer supportive commentary, and work respectfully with peers in small groups

Lessons Attendance/Homework/Sight-reading/Test 40%Daily practicing at home is required. This may include written assignments or preparing one’s part for performance proficiencies as a soloist or in small groups. Memorization is important, and occasional assignments may be made in this area as well (Choir). The improvement of music literacy is an important aspect of our work as musicians. As a means to that end, sometime during each rehearsal will be devoted to the improvement of music reading and rhythm reading skills. Individual or group tests will be administered and occasional quizzes or other work may be assigned.

2 nd & 4 th Quarter

Participation / Attitude 50%Same as above

Lessons Attendance/Homework/Sight-reading/Test 20%Same as above

Concert Attendance 30%The most important aspect of performing group is participation in performances throughout the year. As a result, the music program sets forth the following policies with regard to performance and attendance:

1. Students must be in attendance prior to the tardy bell for morning session classes the day of a concert in order to be eligible to perform in a concert. CONCERTS ARE MANDATORY and count as a high percentage of your grade! Examples of acceptable excuses for missing a concert include funerals and extreme illness. In the event of an acceptable excuse, an essay will be assigned as a make-up.

2. Students who are illegally absent from a performance, (or unexcused by the director), will receive a zero for the concert participation portion of their grade for the marking period during which the performance occurred.

3. Students are required to stay for the entire concert in order to receive full credit for the performance. Everyone has worked very hard on their music and they all deserve to have a full audience and support from their peers. There will be a sign in/sign out that is required. Students that arrive late or leave early will not receive full credit for the concert.

It is the responsibility of each child and his or her parents/guardian to be aware of the performance schedule (see “Important Dates”) and make every effort to attend the required concerts. 

Extra participation opportunities: There are a number of wonderful instrumental music opportunities that music students are highly encouraged to participate in. State and county Solo Festivals are open to any instrumental student, and All-County and Area All-State are options for those who are selected. Other available musical groups include the Wellsville Lions Pep Band, the musical Pit Band/Orchestra, and Parade Band. Any student who participates in extra-curricular music events will receive extra points toward their final grade.

Please Fill Out and ReturnBy Friday, September 8, 2017

My child is in: __Band __Choir __Orchestra

I, (parent or guardian) _______________________________ have read this handbook and understand the expectations of being an active member of the Wellsville Bands and Orchestras. I agree to comply with these expectations on a daily basis in order to ensure my child’s success as a musician.

Parent Signature _________________________________________________Parent Email:____________________________ Phone Number______________________________

Yes, I would like my phone number to be added to the Band, Orchestra, and/or Choir Remind 101 account. This will enable me to receive reminders about concerts and updates with how my child is doing in class. Personal contact information stays private. Phone numbers aren’t exchanged between teachers, students, and parents.

I, (student) _______________________________ have read this handbook and understand the expectations of being an active member of the Wellsville Bands and Orchestras. I agree to comply with these expectations on a daily basis in order to ensure my own success as a musician.

Student Signature __________________________ Phone Number______________________________

Yes, I would like my phone number to be added to the Band, Orchestra, and/or Choir Remind 101 account. This will enable me to receive reminders about concerts and events from my teacher. Personal contact information stays private. Phone numbers aren’t exchanged between teachers, students, and parents.

School instrument rentals are on a first-come, first-serve basis. We may not have enough instruments for every student (in which case your payment will be

returned). If you would like to rent a school instrument, please fill out the Rental Agreement on the back of this page. School Rentals cost $5/month or $50 up front.

Students renting 2 instruments only have to pay $50 (not $100). Please write checks to Wellsville Central School District.

Place a check in one of the following boxes:

I own my instrument and do NOT need to rent.

I will be renting a ______________ from the school (fill out rental agreement and enclose check).

I plan on renting an instrument from Robert M. Sides. (Even though it is more money each month, it goes towards the cost of my own instrument). I will rent online at RMSides.com or go to Instrument Rental Night at the Elementary School on September 13th from 6-8 PM.

Wellsville Secondary School (4-12)

Instrument Rental Contract

I, _____________________________, am acknowledging that I will be receiving a musical instrument for the 2017-2018 school year. The instrument I will be receiving is (an) _______________________ Serial # __________________. It is understood that the replacement value of the instrument is $_______________, which I will be responsible for if I do not return the instrument by the end of the school year. Specific details, listed below, must also be followed:

1.) The student will take care of the instrument, as instructed, to the best of their ability.2.) If there is a problem with the working condition of the instrument, the student is responsible to notify

the teacher as soon as they notice a problem.3.) The student must be continuously enrolled in band and/or orchestra class, and be working satisfactorily.4.) The teacher reserves the right to take the instrument away at any time if they feel the instrument is being

abused/mistreated, or the student is not working to the best of their ability.5.) If the instrument is not returned at the end of the school year, the student will be liable for the

replacement cost, and will not receive a grade in ensemble class until the instrument is returned.6.) While the instrument belongs to the school, the student may be responsible for various other costs

associated with the instrument which may include (based on the discretion of the teacher):Method bookReedsMouthpiecesValve Oil/ Cork GreaseStringsRosinShoulder RestsRock StopsCleaning products for the instrument

7.) If the instrument is severely damaged, the student will be responsible for the repair costs necessary to bring the instrument back to working order.

The fee for the 2017-2018 school year’s rental is $50, or $5/month. Please send in a payment with this contract. Make all checks payable to “Wellsville Central Schools”. If no more school instruments are available for rent, my payment will be returned.

Please signed and date if you agree to the above conditions.

Student Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________

Parent Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ___________________