Cadet Band

Goals: To allow students the opportunity to gain an appreciation of music through the skills of performance on a musical instrument, to provide lessons in the fundamentals of music theory, and to promote responsibility, self-discipline and good citizenship through structured musical activity.

Cadet Band is a beginning level course that is designed to teach beginning instrumental skills to students with little or no previous experience. Students will learn to assemble and maintain their instrument, produce a good quality sound/tone, read and write musical notation, basic music theory, performance skills and etiquette and to work with others toward a common musical goal.

Students will need the following items to participate fully in this course:

1 – An instrument.

· We will spend the first weeks reviewing band instruments so that students will be able to make informed instrument choices.

· Students are encouraged to provide their own instruments. School instruments will be made available for students who demonstrate need.

· Please contact Ms. Gubler with any questions regarding the acquisition of instruments.

2 – A method book (Sound Innovations – Book 1)

3 – A 3 ring binder, with a pencil case, pencil, thin highlighter, and 2 plastic sheet protectors.

4 – Reeds (4 - at all times for Clarinets & Saxophones), valve oil (brass), and cleaning/care supplies.

Email Ms. Gubler if you need help with any of these items.

Instruments and band binders will be stored in the band room cabinets during the entire school day. Students are expected to respect the property of others & share the cabinet space in a polite manner.

40% - Daily classwork, participation & cooperation. (functional instrument & music present)

40% - Performance tests, quizzes and projects.

10% - Performances

10% - Evidence of home practice

Grades for work turned in on time will be posted in a timely manner. Late work will be graded as time allows. Please check often.

Attendance is mandatory at all performances and rehearsals. The nature of a performing group demands the presence of all its members at every performance. New material and information is presented at each rehearsal (during school hours), and an individual’s absence not only puts that student behind but it also makes learning difficult for the students who are in attendance at the practice session. A missed performance or rehearsal will only be excused for genuine illness, a death in the family or religious conflict. In the event that a problem may arise at the last minute, you must contact Ms. Gubler. You will not be excused from rehearsal or performance for baseball, football, dance etc. Your absence affects the entire band and its performance quality.

Performance and rehearsal schedules will go out in a timely manner, and are available online – please check often for more information or updates.

Concert Uniform – Cadet band member uniform is black pants, band t-shirt, black shoes and black socks. Band members are expected to obtain appropriate uniform pieces on their own.

Please contact Ms. Gubler if your family needs help with obtaining a uniform.

Band students are, at all times, expected to show their Bulldog P.R.I.D.E.:

Professional –

Be on time, in your seat, with your supplies out (instrument, music & stand) when class starts.

Listen and observe when instructions are given – no talking while the teacher is working.

Respect –

Do not use or touch any instrument that does not belong to you (or has not been checked out to you).

Keep the band room clean (no food allowed – plain water only).

Keep yourself and others out of the band office and storage rooms, unless given permission.

Integrity –

Do not run, yell, or throw anything in the classroom.

Always use polite language (no crude words or profanity).

Determination –

Never give up – Learning can sometimes be difficult, but we can do it together.

Raise your hand if you have a question or need help.

Empathy –

Always be supportive and helpful to our band family.