Carthage Middle School Band Handbook
2023-2024
Miss Maresa Badour
6-8 Band Director
Course Expectations and Requirements
Students will be required to attend all rehearsals as noted on their daily schedule. During this time we will learn how to be part of the ensemble and work toward meeting our large group instructional goals. Students will be expected to demonstrate cooperative attitudes and behavior during all rehearsals.
Students will also be assigned to a small lesson group that meets once weekly for instrument specific instruction. This is where we will work to get better at our own instruments and learn specific skills necessary to meet individual instructional goals. Students will be supplied with a rotating lesson schedule that they are expected to follow each week. Students should work with Miss Badour and their classroom teachers to make sure any material they miss for a lesson is made up. If students have concerns about attendance at lessons, they should communicate that to Miss Badour ahead of time so other arrangements can be made. Students are responsible for attending lessons as scheduled or communicating conflicts that arise. If a lesson is missed students will be required to make that lesson up within 2 weeks to earn a grade. After that time grades will be entered as missing assignments.
Attendance at all formal concerts and parades (see dates below) is required. Our time in class is spent working up to these performances so all students should be prepared to attend and perform with the ensemble. Each student’s contribution to the overall performance is extremely important as we are an organization where every instrument is vital to our success.
Learning an instrument involves skills that are not always used in other areas of study. Because of this it is extremely important that students are patient with themselves throughout the process. In addition to our time together at school they can help themselves be more successful by practicing at home. Practice will not be tracked formally but the expectation is that students and families will work together to create a practice routine at home.
In Class Expectations
The student is expected to be on time, to enter the band room quietly, to have all materials daily, and to participate in the class in a positive manner.
The student is to be seated in his/her assigned seat, with all class materials ready, no later than 2 minutes after the bell.
The student will demonstrate good citizenship, be courteous, and will respect teachers, guests, and other students and their property.
Chromebooks should be charged for class activities.
CELL PHONES should be turned off and put away during class.
Only Percussion students should be in the percussion area at any time.
The student is expected to play or touch their instrument only.
The student is expected to take his/her instrument home daily and PRACTICE.
The student is expected to participate in all required band functions.
There is to be no FOOD/DRINK allowed in the band room, with the exception of bottled water. No GUM ALLOWED.
Performance Dates
REQUIRED 6th Grade Concert Band Students:
Holiday Concert: December 6th 2023, 7pm, HS Auditorium (Snow Date December 7th 2023)
Festival of Bands: May 8th 2024, 7pm, HS Auditorium
Optional Individual or Small Group Opportunities:
MS Fine Arts Night: March 7th 2024, MS Commons
MS In House Solo Festival (NYSSMA): March 27th 2024, MS Music Rooms
REQUIRED 7/8 Wind Ensemble Students:
Holiday Concert: December 6th 2023, 7pm, HS Auditorium (Snow Date December 7th 2023)
Festival of Bands: May 8th 2024, 7pm, HS Auditorium
Memorial Day Parades: May 27th, 10am, Felts Mills and Black River
Optional Individual or Small Group Opportunities:
MS Fine Arts Night: March 7th 2024, MS Commons
MS In House Solo Festival (NYSSMA): March 27th 2024, MS Music Rooms
NYSSMA Solo Festival: May 3rd or 4th, Carthage MS
Performance Expectations
Dress: Students should wear black for all scheduled concerts. This should consist of dress pants, dress shirts, black shoes and black socks, dresses, black sandals or flats. Flip flops and sneakers are not preferred. Part of our ensemble goals are to prepare students to serve as community musicians throughout their future and dressing appropriately for performances is an important aspect of this goal. All items of clothing MUST fit in the school dress code. Marching Band uniforms will be provided by the district.
Attendance Policy: Attendance at all performances is mandatory. If your child is unable to attend you must notify Miss Badour by e-mail or by sending a note to school in advance. All missed performances require a make-up assignment that involves playing the required pieces with the band or a recording of the band for the director. Any questions or concerns about this make-up assignment should be communicated with the director prior to the absence. Another ensemble goal deals with promoting responsibility, accountability and communication in situations where conflicts may arise. We would appreciate your support in holding your child accountable for the commitments they have made to this program and encouraging them to have open communications when necessary.
Grading Policy
Weekly Lessons: 50%
Grades for lessons are determined based on the student’s ability to successfully perform the concepts addressed on each page in the lesson book and the completion of predetermined benchmarks based on student performance. Any missed lessons should be made up within two weeks to earn a grade for that lesson.
Weekly Rehearsals: 25%
Grades are determined based on written work, preparation with materials, ability to perform band music correctly and overall effort/participation during rehearsals. This includes being on time and prepared for class with instrument, music and pencil as well as student behavior. Students who are unprepared will complete an alternative assignment in order to earn a grade for the day. Any behavior issues will be addressed in a progressive nature and if severe enough may involve removal from certain aspects of the program.
Performances: 25%
Attendance and performance at scheduled concerts and parades makes up 25% of overall grade and is a required part of the course. Any student who misses a performance will be asked to complete a make-up assignment to earn a grade for the event.
*Student progress will be evaluated each quarter and communicated with parents via comments on five week and quarterly report cards. In the event that insufficient progress is being made, students and parents may be asked to re-examine participation in certain aspects of the program. *
Practice Expectations
Setting up a consistent practice routine outside of school is vital to your child’s success as a musician. Students will be expected to “pass off” at least one page in their lesson book each week as a sign of their continued progression. They will be expected to meet predetermined benchmarks every 5 weeks based on their individual ability. These tasks will not be easily accomplished if they are not working on the material outside of class time. Some weeks they will need to devote more time to complicated examples and other weeks they may pick up on things more quickly. There is no set amount of time that is necessary for each child. A good goal to aim for would be 3-5 days per week for about 10-15 minutes each day.
Practice is also important for muscle development so that our students are creating healthy and safe playing habits.
The most important part of learning to play an instrument is patience and encouragement outside of school. You can help your child understand that some things require hard work and that the results can be very gratifying when they accomplish something challenging.
Please work as a family to help your child set up a practice routine and encourage them to always set their expectations higher no matter where they are in their musical journey!