Concert Band

2022-23

Concert Band

Handbook




Rutherford High School


Mr. Joseph Cavezza, Director







Rutherford High School Musicians,


On behalf of our administration and myself, I welcome you to the Rutherford High School Instrumental Music Program. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy being a part of this great organization. We aim to grow and maintain the strong music tradition here in Rutherford.

Our Instrumental music program will offer many things to the individual student: an opportunity to develop a sense of responsibility; an opportunity to meet and make new friends; an opportunity to perform as a representative of Rutherford High School; and an opportunity to discover the unique thrill of performance.

This handbook is provided to make your orientation to the Instrumental Music Department a quick and easy task. In it, you will find all you need to know to have a successful year in Band(s). I encourage you to read this handbook along with your parents/guardians so that you may better understand our policies, regulations, and expectations.

I am looking forward to working with each of you. Your talent and hard work can make this year at Rutherford High School a very exciting and rewarding one for all of us.


Sincerely,

Joseph Cavezza

Joseph Cavezza

Director of Bands


Class Objectives


The object of this course(s) is to engage in the process of natural music production. Students will explore contemporary styles in musical literature that are relative to the concert band idiom. This course will encompass various musical styles and genres and is designed to meet the needs of all students who are interested in participating in instrumental music. In addition to the regularly scheduled Concert Band period, there are required lessons that meet on a rotating basis one period a week. This lesson period rotates so a student will not miss the same class more than once every three weeks.

A main objective of the class(s) is to increase self-awareness and self-reliance. Each individual must fulfill his or her obligation to the whole, so we may become a true ensemble. These obligations are listed, but not limited to, the operating procedures in this handbook.

In addition to this class, various other instrumental ensembles such as: Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble and various Chamber Ensembles are available at different times of the school year.






Classroom Conduct and Operating Procedures


We are all here because we have at least one thing in common; we respect the power of music. How we sound as a group has a lot to do with how we work together. If you follow the class procedures listed below, the result will be an ensemble that can truly create beautiful music.


  1. Instruments will be kept in assigned compartments. Only instruments and binders may be kept here. Nothing except the required instrument components should be kept in the instrument cases. The student's name should be kept on the instrument, binder and folder at all times.

  2. Students will be required to adhere to all rules set forth by the band members created throughout the year.

  3. Upon entering the room for rehearsal, make sure you have everything that you need for the period (folder, Binder, pencil, working instrument and all necessary components etc.) before you are seated. Also please use the restroom before coming to Band or WE.

  4. Please have a sharpened pencil in your folder at all times. We will use them to mark our music; never mark music with pen, all marks must be erased at the end of the year. Coming to class unprepared will lower a student’s class participation grade.

  5. With the exception of percussion and string bass, all of our sound is made by our own air; therefore, no gum, food, or candy during class. Not only do objects in the mouth affect the production of sound, but also can damage instruments and instrumentalists alike. Please be understanding and remember to remove all gum and candy before you enter the Band Room.

  6. Please remember that proper posture is sitting or standing up tall, feet flat on the floor, instrument in rest or playing position.

  7. During class sectional rehearsals the instruments not playing should always be following along in their parts so that total knowledge of the work is achieved.

  8. Each student is responsible for his/her folder, binder, music and instrument. Any negligent damage to music, folder or instrument, is the responsibility of the student to whom it was assigned.

  9. It is your responsibility to always have your music in class and be seated promptly.

  10. Since we will be working with each other very closely over the next year, common courtesy is a must. Please treat each other with respect and understanding.

  11. Students with any problems or concerns can feel free to contact Mr. Cavezza at any time to discuss them in private. Communication between all of us as an ensemble is extremely important to being successful. My door is always open to ALL of you.

  12. You are responsible for the care and condition of your instrument at all times. Wind and Brass players are responsible for the purchase of all Reeds and appropriate disposable materials.

Grading & Lessons

Concert Band does require homework and written assignments as in other classes. The main form of homework is working on music theory based on https://breezinthru.com/. This is an ongoing quarterly assignment where the student is responsible for the completion of the work. This monitors the student’s progress while identifying strengths and weaknesses so the student can more efficiently progress. Other work such as reading, writing and video assignments, are assigned periodically and will be graded for completion and content.

Playing and written tests and quizzes will take place in lessons and/or at home via music software and recording programs. Students will always have sufficient advance notice for all playing assessments. Failure to perform the quiz/test at the assigned time may result in a reduction of the student’s grade. Make up playing assessments must be scheduled in advance and be completed in a timely manner.

Since all of our students are at different experience levels, individuals in concert band will be graded on a personal improvement utilizing a well- crafted and balanced method of musical performance assessment. Participating and being a responsible member of the group is also graded and is based on the above procedures.


Band Lessons: Weekly lesson attendance is mandatory for all music students. Lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis so a student will only be asked to miss the same class once every three weeks. If students miss a lesson for an appropriate reason with advanced notice, they are responsible for scheduling a makeup lesson with me at a mutually convenient time and in a timely manner. On the day of a scheduled lesson students should report to their scheduled class and inform the primary teacher of their scheduled lesson. They should then REMAIN in class for 15 Minutes before coming to the lesson. This is to accommodate for any instructions, assignments or materials to be disseminated before the students lesson.


Combo Band/Choir- Students enrolled in Combo Band Choir have elected to take on a more rigorous music study that demands increased individual attention and initiative. Students in combo band choir will be responsible for ONE lesson a week either band or choir. Combo students should alternate scheduled band and choir lessons every other week. Depending on the number of weeks in the marking period students will be responsible for either 4-5 band and 4-5 choir lessons per marking period. A weekly lesson grade will be administered accordingly. Any attended lessons beyond the 4-5 per class (Band or Choir) requirement are optional and will not serve in a graded capacity. Students should see Mrs. Blanchard or Mr. Cavezza if a conflict with a lesson occurs and make arrangements immediately to avoid losing credit for the lesson. Mrs. Blanchard and I are in daily communication regarding combo lesson and participation assessment. We are both very flexible and accommodating regarding lesson scheduling if communication initiated in a timely manner. We have and will work with students if they have any concerns about their pull out lessons.


An explanation of the Concert Band & Combo Band/Choir grading system

Participation 30%

Lesson Attendance 15%

Classwork & Quizzes 5%

Playing Tests & Projects 25%

Homework/Practice 10%

Benchmark Assessment (quarterly) 15%



Participation Rubric

2

3

4

5

Total (x5)

Prepared for class

The student is unprepared for class more than three times during the week.

The student is unprepared for class twice during the week.

The student is unprepared for class once during the week.

The student has their music, folder, pencil, and instrument everyday

Participation in class activities

Very minimal participation in spite of direction and encouragement by the teacher.

Student participates but needs direct supervision to ensure that class time is used wisely

Student participates with minimal supervision.

Student fully participates in class activities without needing supervision.

Knowledge of music

The student does not know his/her part and cannot follow along with the music.

The student knows his/her part but has trouble following along with the music.

The student knows his/her part only if other people are performing.

The student knows his/her part and can perform it alone.

Sight-singing

Very minimal participation in the performance activities in spite of direction and encouragement by the teacher.

The student participates but needs direct supervision from the teacher to stay on task.

The student participates with minimal supervision

The student fully participates in the performance activities without needing supervision.






Concert Dress

Audiences hear with their eyes so Special Dress for concerts will be required for all band members. Gentlemen &/or Ladies will need a long sleeve solid black shirt (winter), Dark Socks, slacks or dress pants, necktie and dressy shoes (no Sneakers or boots) for concerts. Ladies will need a concert appropriate black dress (winter)/ skirt or dress pants for concerts. Skirts/Dresses must be fingertip length and all tops must cover shoulders. Dress Shirts and pants as described above are acceptable for both male and female students. The spring dress is the same as above but will contain color or patterns. All clothing is subject to approval and must meet our school dress code. Please see Mr. Cavezza with any questions.


Performances

For a detailed calendar of all music related events and additional information please visit my google site.


Performances are an extremely important part of being in Band and are an extension of our classroom. We work constantly to be prepared to perform at a high level. When performing, students receive a deeper appreciation of music and a greater feeling of unity. Performances and dress rehearsals are mandatory and graded for all students in concert band & wind ensemble. Please plan accordingly and negate all conflicts in advance. If you are not able to attend the parades listed below, an alternate assignment will be given.


The below dates are tentative but attendance is mandatory.

Performances:

Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal Tuesday, 12/13/19*

Winter Concert Thursday, 12/15/22

Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal (UMS) Tuesday, 05/08/23*

Spring Concert (UMS) Thursday, 05/10/23

Evening of the Arts TBD

Holiday Day Parade Saturday, 11/26/22

Memorial Day Parade Monday, 05/29/23


Festival Competition (mandatory if attending) TBD(June)*

*Tentative dates see calendar for up to date details


Honors Bands

Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to audition for various honors bands offered through the state.


Bergen County Band

Auditions will be held (Mahwah HS) on Thursday, 11/29

More information can be found at mebci.org

Region 1 Band

Auditions will be held (sight TBA) on Saturday, 1/07

More information can be found at NJSMA.com

All-State Band

More information can be found at NJMEA.com