WSMS Band Handbook
TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S FIELD TRIP YOU MUST SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE TO SCHOOL. IN ADDITION:
you must play at the Spring Concert and two out of the following three performances*:
Veteran's Day Parade
Winter Concert
Music in our Schools Month Concert
“The band field trip is a reward that must be earned.”**
I have read and understand the grading policies and schedule for the West Springfield Middle School Band.
_______________________________________________ __________________________
Parent, guardian signature Date
_______________________________________________
Student’s name
In addition to the performance requirements, students must return all school-owned parade gear (jackets, percussion equipment, sousaphones, etc.) before being considered eligible for the field trip.
Cancelled or rescheduled performances will not affect any student’s eligibility requirements.
Absence from a performance due to suspension from school affects field trip eligibility. Students serving a suspension from school on the day of the field trip will likewise be ineligible.
This cover sheet is due before the end of 1st term.
*exceptions made for religious beliefs. Contact Mr. Turcotte (call 263-3404, or email: turcotte@wsps.org) to arrange an exemption.
**special thanks to CS
WSMS Band website: https://sites.google.com/a/wsps.org/wsms-band/
September 8, 2022
Dear WSMS Band Member and Parent,
I’m looking forward to another exciting year with our band. This letter will provide important information regarding performance dates and expectations.
Our program’s success will be the result of emphasis on three very important concepts:
COMMITMENT- ALL Band members play ALL of the time. We have no first, second or third teams. We depend on everyone’s best effort at all times. Band members are expected to arrive in a timely fashion to every scheduled rehearsal and performance with appropriate equipment and supplies (instrument, music, pencil, reeds, valve oil, slide cream, etc.)
COOPERATION- The WSMS Bands function just like a great society does. We cannot be successful unless we respect each other, follow common sense rules and realize how our individual parts contribute to the whole group.
CONCENTRATION- Successful performance is the result of intense concentration all of the time.
Each student will receive a grade at the end of each term. This grade is not an evaluation of talent, but rather a reflection on how the student has developed skills in COMMITMENT, COOPERATION and CONCENTRATION
The three concepts above translate to two grades per day each band member can earn: one for PARTICIPATION and one for PREPARATION.
PARTICIPATION-
A = followed every instruction; was always ready to play when directed; never played when not directed to do so.
B = followed most instructions; played when directed most of the time; sometimes played out of turn.
C = ready to play about half the time; off-task about half the time.
D = almost never ready; frequently off-task.
F = did not participate
PREPARATION-
To earn an "A" in PREPARATION, each student must:
have their music folder on a music stand in front of them/put folder away properly after rehearsal
have their instrument*
have a pencil
play with proper posture and hand position for their instrument
not be chewing gum/eating
*Grade will drop one letter grade lower each consecutive week a student does not bring their instrument (or sticks) to class. Students whose instruments are under repair will be given an additional time.
(grading policies continued)
Preparation grade is adjusted according to deficiencies noted in the items above.
Daily grades are averaged together at the end of each term.
PERFORMANCES-
A calendar of our performances can be found on the next page. It has been provided to help in your family's planning for the school year.
An unexcused absence from a performance will result in a drop in that student's grade by at least one full letter.
To be excused from a performance, please bring in a note written by a parent or guardian explaining the reason for the absence BEFORE the performance you will miss; your grade will not be affected. If the absence is due to injury or illness, the note should be submitted upon the student’s return to school. If a doctor’s note has been submitted to the office to excuse absence from school, that will suffice.
To make up an unexcused performance absence grade, simply stay after school for band 4 times before the end of that term.
ATTIRE*
Concert attire:
Boys- white or light colored shirt with collar (no tie required), dark or black pants (no jeans), dark socks and shoes.
Girls- white or light colored blouse or shirt (no tank tops), dark or black skirt, or dark or black dress (skirts/dresses must cover knees when seated), or dark or black pants (No jeans. Leggings are not pants) and black or dark shoes.
Parade attire:
A blue nylon WSMS Band windbreaker will be provided to every student a few days in advance of each performance in which parade attire will be required. The jackets should be returned on the next school day following the performance. They should not be worn except to perform. Students may wear whatever is appropriate for the weather along with their parade jackets.
*when in doubt, just try to look your best! There’s never a need to buy new clothes for a performance!
PERFORMANCE DATES
Attached is a list of dates to aid your family’s planning for the school year. Dates and times are subject to change. I will notify you of changes by updating our band website, and by sending a note home with your child at least two weeks prior to the event in question.
9/19/22 (Monday) Big E Parade. (7th and 8th grade only). Band members should be assembled in the Gate 1 Visitor’s Center (bus depot) by 5:00pm. Parents: tell the gate attendant that you are dropping off a West Springfield Middle School band member, and you’ll be allowed to drive all the way to the visitor’s center (where the shuttle vans park) and drop your child off there. Students: wear your band jacket in the car, so the gate attendant can verify you’re in the band. The parade will begin at 6pm and last until approximately 6:45. Supervision of students will only be provided from assembly time to the end of the parade. I will watch your instrument for you after the parade while you’re in the park, but only until 8:00pm!! Sorry, the Big E does not allow free passes for band parents. Parade attire will be required (see above for more info).
10/7/22 (Friday) High School football game. (8th grade band only) 8th grade band members will play in the stands with the high school band! Pizza in the High School cafeteria at 5:00! Short rehearsal begins at 5:30pm in the high school band room. Game begins at 7pm. Wear your band jackets and dress for the weather!
11/11/22 (Friday) Veterans Day Parade (required for all band members)
Assemble in St. Thomas School parking lot at or before 9:15am. Parade steps off at 10am and ends approximately one hour later at West Springfield Town Hall on Central Street. The band will be needed to play at the exercises at the conclusion of the parade, which typically lasts for 20-30 minutes. Leave your instrument cases at home or in the car, as there are no facilities for storing or moving them. Parade attire is required. (see above for more info).
1/12/23 (Thursday) Winter Concert- Middle School auditorium (required for all band members). Arrive in the Middle School band room no later than 6:10 to warm up and tune. Concert will begin at 6:30pm and be approx. one hour in duration. Concert attire is required (see above for more info).
3/23/23 (Thursday) Music in our Schools Month (MIOSM) Concert- High School auditorium (required for all band members). This concert is a showcase for all West Springfield bands from elementary school through high school, culminating with a piece performed by all band members of all ages! Details will be shared as they become available. Concert attire is required (see above for more info.)
6/1/23 (Thursday) Spring Concert- Middle School auditorium (required for all band members). Arrive in the Middle School band room no later than 6:10pm to warm up and tune. Concert will begin at 6:30pm and will be approx. one hour in duration. Concert attire is required (see above for more info).
6/12/23 (Monday) Field Trip to Martha’s Vineyard (for eligible students.)
To be a Chaperone: Please contact me by email (turcotte@wsps.org). The chaperone list will be generated in the order chaperone requests are received. We generally need about 10-12 chaperones per year.
REPAIRS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
There are music stores that will deliver almost anything you require directly to the middle school. I encourage everyone to purchase a lyre (a small music holder that attaches to the instrument for marching in parades). Lyres are typically from $5 to $10. Each music shop will also pick up instruments in need of repair and return them to the school. They accept credit cards, or you may make a check payable to the appropriate music store and leave it with me at school.
Gerry’s Music Shop (delivers Thursdays)
80 Lamb St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
(413) 534-7402
Falcetti Music (delivers when needed)
1755 Boston Rd.
Springfield, MA 01129
(413) 543-1002
Here’s a list of some of the more essential items for your young musician to have:
Flutes: Cleaning rod and cloth
Clarinets/Saxophones: Cleaning swab, cork grease, and REEDS, REEDS, REEDS!
Trumpets/French Horns: valve oil/rotor oil
Trombones: slide lubricant
Percussion: Sticks, at the very least. Some percussionists prefer to purchase their own mallets.