3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
DIRECTOR’S NOTES Dear TSMS Band Parents,
We look forward to a successful year with your children! This year’s handbook is going to be purely online. If you would like a hard copy please let us know and we will print it for you.
We are going to be having another busy year and need your help to make it successful. All dates have been placed on the calendar and are in this handbook for the year. Please understand that any trip or concert listed is pending approval.
Please also note information on grading, concert/rehearsal attendance, and descriptions of each band.
We hold our students to the highest standard we can, so that they can experience musical success that will last a life time! We have also added a policy for pickups at events.
Thank you,
TSMS Band Staff
MISSION
We want our students to love band and creating music (not notes) for the rest of their lives. Students need to feel successful, likewise we must set them up to be successful. To meet this goal we must manifest solid foundations so that all students can create quality tones, maintain correct articulation, and constantly hone technique. We must always make sure to communicate with our main support of the Trinity Bands program (i.e.. parents, faculty, administration) and must always work to educate our support community on the importance of band/music in our lives. We must work to support each other, as well as our private lesson instructors and extra helpers.
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GRADING PROCEDURES
RUBRIC
Skill Unsatisfactory Needs Improvement Satisfactory Good
Tone 1-2-3-4-5-6 7-8-9-10-11-12 13-14-15-16 17-18-19-20
Technique 1-2-3-4-5-6 7-8-9-10-11-12 13-14-15-16 17-18-19-20
Articulation 1-2-3-4-5-6 7-8-9-10-11-12 13-14-15-16 17-18-19-20
Musicianship 1-2-3-4-5-6 7-8-9-10-11-12 13-14-15-16 17-18-19-20
Rhythm 1-2-3-4-5-6 7-8-9-10-11-12 13-14-15-16 17-18-19-20
Formative Learning
Daily Grade (formative) 60% -Passing off objectives (assignments) throughout the six weeks.
-Practice Records (due first day of every week).
Summative Learning
Performance (summative)
40% -Being prepared to play in class -Extra rehearsals -Being on time in the correct clothes to all concerts and contests -Sectional attendance
CONCERT AND CONTEST Concerts and contests are our benchmarks in band and the purpose of all the hard work and time. The attendance of students at these events are crucial to the success of the program. One student’s absence can drastically affect the entire performance. We understand that emergencies arise, so please weigh heavily your child's absence before missing a performance or rehearsal. Please contact us ASAP if an emergency arises (i.e. hospitalization, illness with absence from school). An alternative assignment will be given to make up any performance absence.
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Failure to attend a concert or contest may result in the following consequences, at the discretion of the directors:
1. Zero on a performance grade, possibly leading to a 6 week failure. 2. Student can not participate in after school “fun activities” 3. Excessive absences can result in removal from TSMS band.
Pickup from events
We are very appreciative of the effort that families go to for their children’s success and enjoyment in our program. Please be aware of the start and END times of events that we are hosting. Students should not only be on time for the start of an event but should also be picked up within 5 minutes of the event.
Being late for pickup makes your child feel uncomfortable as well as takes time away from the directors and their families. Please think of all the people that a late pickup of a child can affect.
The expectation for pickup after an event is within 5-10 minutes. If a child is left longer than 30 minutes we will call Keller Police Department to bring them home. If a family is more than 20 minutes late for two events that child will not be invited to our “fun activities” or other extra non required events.
UNIFORMS Concert uniforms consist of tux shirt, bow tie, cummerbund, black pants, black shoes, and black socks. You will be responsible for purchasing these items before our first concert, October 20, 2015. We will have a company come to the school, and measure all of the students. Then your shirt, bow tie, and cummerbund will be ordered and delivered to school along with a bill addressed to you. If you need financial assistance please let us know before that time. You must provide black full length slacks, black socks, and black dress shoes. If you already have these items please make sure to try them on as the students grow. Please do not wait until the night before or the night of the concert to buy these items.
INSTRUMENTS School owned instruments (bassoon, low woodwinds, oboe, french horn, euphonium, and tuba) are checked out to students for a district fee of $100. This fee allows us to get the instruments cleaned for the next student. There will also be a form that explains your responsibility for the instrument while it is in your possession. Please contact a director before taking instruments in to be repaired.
All students are required to provide a combination lock for their band locker. This is a new requirement to help avoid loss or theft of band equipment. Band lockers are for band equipment only. They are not for
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
personal or other school related items (i.e. lunch, clothes, school books, backpacks, duct tape, etc . . .).
BAND Money The first expense of the year will be the band t-shirt and Concert uniform. Another cost will be individual contests (i.e. district, region, solo contest). Any time an event or item will cost money we will send out a detailed email to your family. You are now able to pay for most band expenses online at https://intouch.kellerisd.net/
BAND COUNCIL We will have a band council made up of representatives from each band at TSMS. Students must apply the first week of school for this prestigious position. More info will be available on the application.
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
IMPORTANT DATES
Event Date/Time Location Clothes
Marching Expo September 29/TBA Keller Stadium
Band Shirt
8th Grade Middle School Night
October 1/TBA Keller Stadium
Band Shirt
Practice-A-Thon October 10, / 9:00 - 2:00 TSMS School Clothes
TSMS Plays for TCHS Football Game!
October 16/6:00 - halftime
Keller Stadium
Band Shirt
Fall Concert October 20/ 7:00 TCHS Concert Uniform
Winter Concert December 14 / 7:30 TCHS Concert Uniform
Pre-UIL March 11/TBA TCHS Concert Uniform
UIL Non-Varsity April 12/TBA Byron Nelson HS
Concert Uniform
UIL Honors Band April 13 / TBA Byron Nelson HS
Concert Uniform
Percussion only concert
May TBA / TBA TCHS TBA
Spring Contests for each band
April 28,29, or 30/ TBA TBA Concert Uniform
Falcon Jazz Cafe May ? / TBA TCHS Jazz Band Shirts
Spring Concert May 3 / 7:00 TCHS Concert Uniform
The above events are required by all students in the TSMS band program. Students must be prepared to perform at all events at least 30 minutes prior to the time listed below.
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Event Date/Time Location Clothes
Varsity District Tryouts October 17 /TBA Hillwood MS School Clothes
Varsity Region Tryouts PERCUSSION only
phase 1
November 5/TBA Wayside MS School Clothes
Varsity Region Tryouts all instruments and
PERCUSSION phase 2
November 7 /TBA Trinity Springs MS School Clothes
Non-Varsity District Tryouts
November 14/TBA Fossil Hill MS School Clothes
Solo contest February 27/TBA Timberview MS Professional Dress
Extra Rehearsal possibly March 5 TSMS School Clothes
Extra Rehearsal Honors Band only
April 23/ TBA TSMS School Clothes
The above events cost extra money to participate in. Varsity District , Region, and Solo Contest are required for the Honors Band Class. Non-Varstiy District tryouts are required for all 7th graders in symphonic band. 8th graders in symphonic band can audition for the Varsity District, but not the Non-Varsity District contest. The Non-Varsity contest is only for 7th grade students. Students in our other bands are welcome to participate in these contests but must meet the playing standards given by their band director as well as attend appropriate mandatory sectional. The only activities not listed on this calendar are Fun Activities (masquerade party,band banquet, and pep rallies). You must participate in all required activities to attend fun activities.
Event Date/Time Location Clothes
Party for the Fall Semester
Pending Approval TSMS Band Shirt
Band Banquet May 27/Pending Approval TSMS Formal Attire
FUN ACTIVITIES The students at TSMS work very hard and we want to reward them for their efforts. We have many fun activities that include parties and dances. These events are for TSMS band members only, please do not send your child with friends (not in band at TSMS) to our events. Please remember our pickup policy.
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
HONORS BAND EXPECTATIONS The TSMS Honor Band members are expected to always have their supplies and be on time. They are required to attend all, as well as all concerts and contests. These students must also attend one 45 minute sectional a week. Other after school events must be moved to accommodate their time. They are expected to follow all KISD and TSMS rules and policies. All TSMS Band students are required to practice 30 minutes a day or 210 minutes a week. The practice times will be logged on practice records which must be signed by a parent/guardian and turned in on the first day of each week. Students must also complete their objective sheets each six weeks to maintain status in the TSMS Honor Winds. Honors Band students must also audition for District and Region bands, as well as perform a solo for Solo and Ensemble Contest in May. Students must show pride in the TSMS Band and represent Trinity Springs Middle School at all events to their best ability. You are required to have been in band in 6th grade at your previous school.
Fundamental Minimum Score Full Range Scales Memorized
Tone 17 C Eb
Technique 17 G Ab
Articulation 17 D Db
Musicianship 17 F Gb
Rhythm 17 Bb Chromatic
SYMPHONIC BAND EXPECTATIONS
The TSMS Symphonic Band members are expected to always have their supplies and be on time. These students must also attend one 45 minute sectional a week. Other after school events must be moved to accommodate their time. They are required to attend all football games that the band plays at, as well as all concerts and contests. They are expected to follow all KISD and TSMS rules and policies. All TSMS Band students are required to practice 30 minutes a day or 210 minutes a week. The practice times will be logged on practice records which must be signed by a parent/guardian and turned in on the first day of each
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week. Students must also complete their objective sheets each six weeks to maintain status in the TSMS Symphonic Winds. Students must show pride in the TSMS Band and represent Trinity Springs Middle School at all events to their best ability. You are required to have been in band in 6th grade at your previous school.
Fundamental Minimum Score One Octave Scale with Music
Tone 13 C Ab
Technique 13 G Db
Articulation 13 F
Musicianship 13 Bb
Rhythm 13 Eb Chromatic
Sectionals (honors and symphonic only)
Sectional attendance is an expectation for honors and symphonic bands.
Unexcused sectional absences will result in a participation grade of 50 for that week. Sectionals can be made up for an 80 in that week. Also students can possible lose chair placement. Attending a sectional with unlike instruments is not as beneficial, so please work hard to insure attendance is constant. More than three unexcused sectionals will result in demotion. When students miss sectionals for whatever reason, they miss out on important guided practice time. If the student is falling behind because of sectional absences then the director reserves the right to cut them from parts of the music until the student does the work to catch up.
In the event that a student does need to miss a sectional, the following procedures need to be followed:
The parent needs to contact the director via email or phone at least 24 hours in advance, except in the case of illness or emergency. The director will then discuss with the student and communicate with the parent what can be done to make up the sectional time. If 24 hours’ notice is not given, the student's grade will be affected as well as other consequences stated above.
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GREEN BAND EXPECTATIONS
The TSMS Concert Band members are expected to always have their supplies and be on time. They are required to attend all football games that the band plays at, as well as all concerts and contests. They are expected to follow all KISD and TSMS rules and policies. All TSMS Band students are required to practice 20 minutes a day or 150 minutes a week. The practice times will be logged on practice records which must be signed by a parent/guardian and turned in on the first day of each week. Students must also complete their objective sheets each six weeks to maintain status in the TSMS Concert Winds. Students must show pride in the TSMS Band and represent Trinity Springs Middle School at all events to their best ability. You are required to have been in band in 6th grade at your previous school.
Fundamental Minimum Score One Octave Scale with Music
Tone 7 C
Technique 7 F
Articulation 7 Bb
Musicianship 7 Eb
Rhythm 7
GOLD BAND EXPECTATIONS
The TSMS Gold Band members are expected to always have their supplies and be on time. They are required to attend all that the band plays at, as well as all concerts and contests. They are expected to follow all KISD and TSMS rules and policies. All TSMS Band students are required to practice each week and turn in a practice record signed. The practice times will be logged on practice records which must be signed by a parent/guardian and turned in on the first day of each week. Students must also complete their objective sheets each six weeks to maintain status in the TSMS Concert Winds. Students must show pride in the TSMS Band and represent Trinity Springs Middle School at all events to their best ability. You are required to have been in band in 6th grade at your previous school.
Fundamental Minimum Score One Octave Scale with Music
Tone 5 F
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
Technique 5 Bb
Articulation 5
Musicianship 5
Rhythm 5
RULES 1. Be on time with necessary study materials.
•Instrument, All Music, Pencil 2. Respect the rights, safety, and property of others
•Follow concert etiquette at all performances on and off stage. -Do not physically touch anyone during a performance -Clap when appropriate -No cell phones at all during a concert or performance -Concerts are what we work toward. Please, do not take away from a good performance
•No horse play in the band hall -Horse play is defined by wrestling, tickling, hitting, or chasing
another student -Do not climb on lockers or equipment
•Play instrument and speak only when given permission to do so. ∞do not play outside in front of the school.
•Stop playing instrument immediately when signaled to stop. •Keep hands, feet, and objects to one’s self. •Do not disrupt any rehearsal or performance. •NO GUM, DRINKS, OR FOOD are allowed in the band hall.
3. Accept responsibility for yourself and your learning. 4. Be honest with yourself and with others 5. Be a responsible citizen. Obey all school rules.
REPERCUSSIONS First Offense - Student earns a verbal reminder of the rule Second Offense - Student earns a call to parents and detention Third Offense - Student earns detention and parent conference with a possible demotion in bands
Students may also possibly lose their chair placement for any offense. Excessive offenses can be considered grounds for demotion in bands or dismissal from the TSMS band program.
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
The TSMS band takes a zero tolerance stance on misbehavior at performances and rehearsals.
If a student misses any required event they will automatically lose “Fun Activities” for the year.
Band is a full year elective, thus dropping the class requires student, parents, directors, a principal, and a counselor to form a SAVE committee in order to evaluate the add/drop of band.
REWARDS The TSMS band will also reward the hard work of its students with Fun Activities throughout the year. If students are having a hard time behaving, turning in materials, or showing up to concerts, rehearsals, or contest then they will be excluded from these great events.
PRIVATE LESSONS
TSMS has an excellent Private Lesson Program. Students benefit greatly from the one on one instruction private lessons provide. Please consider having your child enrolled in our program. Our teachers are professional musicians ranging in experiences from masters degrees to doctorates. If you are not currently enrolled in private lessons please contact Ms. Stokes at [email protected].
COMMUNICATION
One of our main goals with parents, students, and community is communication. Our primary source of communication is your children and our website located at http://www.trinitybands.net. At our website you can find updated news, downloads for students at home, and information for band parents. Please check the website often for updates.
Parent Meeting Date:
Semester Date/Time Location
Semester 1 Sep. 8 @ 5:15 TSMS Band Hall
We will also be e-mailing this information home so please make sure your info is up to date in CHARMS (http://www.charmsoffice.com).
We will call home occasionally to let you know how your child is doing or to give you updates, so please make sure your info is current at
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
www.charmsoffice.com. The login is TRINITYSPRINGSBANDS and your child’s lunch ID.
We are always available through phone or e-mail to answer your questions. If you have an emergency situation please call and leave a message so that we can set up an appointment to meet. We will respond as soon as possible. Our schedule during the day is very full.
On the next page you will find our communication flow chart. Please make sure to follow this chart so that we can help you with any questions or concerns you might have in an efficient manner.
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net
Please go to the following link to accept the handbook and state your contact info is up to date. CLICK HERE
3550 Keller Hicks Rd., Keller, 76244 - tel.: 817-744-3576 - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] - trinitybands.net