8th Grade Band

Welcome to 8th Grade Band!

Join our Google Classroom! Use code oyl51u

Please be sure to read our Beginning of Year Info:

Dear 8^th Grade Band Parents/Guardians and Students,

Welcome back! I hope that you have had a great summer and are ready to get back to school and making music. This will be my first year working with the 8th Grade Band at Chenery, and I am very excited to get the opportunity to work with your ensemble this year. I cannot wait to make music with you in rehearsal every day!

We will talk about our shared goals for our band this year and some of our group expectations for our rehearsals and performances. In the meantime, here are some of the basic expectations and guidelines that we will work with this year:

Student Expectations - What do we expect of each band member?

Have your instrument with you in full working condition. If your instrument is being repaired, please ask the repair shop for a loaner instrument. We can help you with this is you have your instrument repaired by David French Music. If you use another repair shop please make arrangements with them for a loaner instrument.

Have all of your materials with you, including your music and a pencil. Always.

Be prepared to play your parts by practicing outside of rehearsal. There will be occasional playing exams and music checks throughout the year. An example of a basic practice regimen should be at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Many of you may already do more – great! Your goal is personal growth; if you’re ready for more, go for it!

Be respectful of yourself, your classmates, your teachers, your instrument and the music we play together. Always.

Strive to do your best every day!

Director Expectations - What can you expect from me?

1. To treat you with kindness, respect and fairness. Always.
2. To model the same level of effort and preparation that I expect from students.
3. To select repertoire that I am excited to teach and that will be appropriately challenging for you.
4. To listen and give consideration to your ideas, opinions and suggestions.

Some general reminders about GRADING:

Grades are based primarily on daily class participation, concert participation and quarterly assignments that will be submitted via Google Classroom.

• Participation in all concerts/performances is a requirement for this class. The concert schedule is provided below for you to add to your personal calendar for the year. Any changes, adjustments, unforeseen issues etc. will be communicated as quickly as possible.
• Students may be excused from performances in the case of serious illness or family emergencies that requires absence from school. Other conflicts that may require a student to miss a performance should be communicated to me at least two weeks in advance. It is up to the director’s discretion to determine whether or not the reason validates an excused absence.
• If a student misses a concert, a makeup assignment for partial credit may be assigned.

Grading Percentages:

Daily Participation (bringing your materials) 25%

Daily Preparation (actively participating with prepared music) 25%

Playing Assignments (quarterly and check - ins) 25%

Concert/Performance Participation 25%

Concert Attire

Performances are our time to shine, where we show everyone the results of our hard work and preparation. The way we dress should reflect the level of effort we have put into preparing for the performance.

Dress for performances is:

• Black pants or black skirt (knee length or longer). No jeans please.
• Black shoes and socks
• White shirt/blouse, short or long sleeves, no tank tops please.

Concert Dates:

Please mark your calendars with the following dates for 2019-2020:

December 9^th 7:00PM Grade 7&8 Band Concert

March 12th 7:00PM Grade 7&8 Band Concert

June 1^st 7:00PM Grade 7&8 Band Concert

Other important dates and “Good to Knows”:

September 27^th 3-9pm (approx.) 8^th Grade Marching Band Night @ BHS

February 1st TBA - Junior District Auditions

March 25, 27& 28 - after school Junior District Festival

Other Information

• Please purchase a 3-ring binder with a pocket as well as some “no-shine” sheet protectors. This will help keep your music is neat and protected during your travels to and from school, and it will help you remain organized throughout the year. It is your job to hold on to your copies – this system really helps!
• You will be provided a locker if you require one to the best of our ability and space limitations. More than likely you will be sharing. If you are given a locker you are responsible for the lock and knowing your code. Lost locks will be the responsibility of the individual students. You must use our lock to use a locker. (We need to be able to help open if there’s an issue!)
• Jazz Ensemble and Chenery Winds will be starting in a few weeks. Announcements will be made in class as well as via our Google classroom regarding auditions.

Please be sure to complete the “Get to Know You” survey on Google classroom – it’s our first assignment! Our class code is: oyl51u

Sincerely,

Jaclyn Viscardi

Chenery Band and Music 5-8

____________________________________________________________________________

I have read and understand the expectations for the 2019 8th grade band at Chenery Middle School

Student Name:__________________________________________________________

Student Signature:________________________________________________________

Parent Name:____________________________________________________________

Parent Signature:_________________________________________________________

Listening 1: Our Sight-Reading Pieces: