Handbook / Class Info

Rehearsal Expectations

1. RESPECT others, the environment, and yourself

2. When the Director is on the podium, DO NOT TALK.

3. Always use Proper Playing Position

4. No gum, drinks, candy or food allowed in the band room.

5. Phones should be secured at beginning of rehearsal and REMAIN secured until dismissal.

6. Have fun and do YOUR best!

Rehearsal Procedures

Beginning of rehearsal

1.     Enter through the locker area and get instrument and music.

2.     Be in your chair ready to play within 2 minutes of the final bell…

·   Instrument together with reeds soaked and in place

·   Music up in order and ready to go!

3.     If ready, respectful and beneficial warming up is fine

·   Mouthpiece Buzzing or Lips Slurs

·   Testing reed

·   Difficult passages from the music

End of Rehearsal

1.     The Director, not the bell, will dismiss the band

2.     Put your instrument on the proper shelf/locker and your folder in the proper slot. 

Close and latch all cases.

Attendance

Regular attendance at rehearsals and activities is extremely important. Each person is an important member of the band. There are no “benchwarmers” in band. Performances are a required part of being in band and they are a large part (30%) of your grade. Performances are posted in the band room, online at nwjhbands.com, and will always be in newsletters from NWJH. Please refer to the NWJH BAND CALENDAR as you are making plans throughout the year.

The only absences excused for performance: illness, emergency, or other circumstances discussed with the director prior to the event.

Tardy Policy

Band rehearsals begin 2 minutes after the bell rings. Students must be in their seats ready to play at this time. Students not prepared to play at this time will be marked tardy. Please refer to the NWJH Tardy policies for consequences of multiple tardies.

Lessons

Lessons are an extremely important part of our band program and a large part of the grade. All students are required to take regular lessons. Small group lessons are available at school. Individual private lessons are highly recommended. Ask your directors for a list of recommended private teachers in the area. Students who take privately may be exempt from school lessons. Our rotating lesson program depends on your regular attendance for its success. Students who consistently miss lessons fall behind and hold back the rest of the group.

We understand that there are times that you cannot attend your lesson because of a test or classroom assignment. When this happens, simply fill out the Lesson Excuse Form and have your classroom teacher sign it.  Please be sure to do this in a timely manner. Only 3 excused lessons are allowed per quarter. You will be responsible for scheduling a make-up lesson for any additional missed lessons. Lesson attendance appears on Infinite Campus.

Auditions and Seating

All 7th Grade Band members will take the Watkins-Farnum Test the first few weeks of school to monitor progress. Any new or transfer student will take the test upon enrollment to determine placement. Initial seating for the first trimester is based on the results. 

During the second and third trimesters, seating for 7th and 8th grade bands is based on a prepared performance exam. Performance exams include scales and a prepared piece. The requirements will be given in detail prior to the exam. 

Instrument Storage and Care of Equipment

All instruments are to be in the assigned storage areas during the day. Do not leave instruments in the gym, hallway, classrooms, or other places where they might be damaged/stolen. Make sure that you have a name tag on your instrument case or percussion mallet bag.

Music folders may be taken home for practice. Communicate with your stand partner of this occurrence.  You are responsible for the condition of the folder and its contents. Students will be billed $12.00 for damaged or lost music as they are for textbooks. Keep your folder in its numbered slot in the rack, not on the instrument shelves or in your locker. You and your partner should work out a method so each of you can practice the music in the folder.

Grading

There will be letter grades for each grading period as well as the mid-term on the following scale:

                     A= 90% of total possible points

                     B= 80% of total possible points

                     C= 70% of total possible points

                     D= 60% of total possible points

                     F= below 60% of total possible points

LESSONS (40% of the total grade)

10 points for each prepared lesson. If a lesson is missed/forgotten and does not qualify as excused by a teacher, then the student may schedule/attend a make-up lesson for 10 points if within 3 weeks of the missed lesson.  Later than 3 weeks within the same trimester a make-up lesson is still encouraged, but only 9 points will be given for the grade.

21st CENTURY SKILLS / PARTICIPATION (30% of the grade)

5 points are given for each week of rehearsal in which all proper rehearsal techniques are demonstrated. This includes all rehearsal rules.

PERFORMANCES (30% of the grade)

20 points are available for every required performance listed on the calendar.                                                                                                    

Awards

Director’s Award is for the outstanding eighth grade band member at the final concert

Band Leadership Award is for the student(s)who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills during the year in such areas as role modeling, managing their band section, or band librarian.

Outstanding Jazz Award is for the student(s) who consistently perform at a high level in the jazz program.