Class Information

WELCOME TO BAND!

Matthews Middle School Bands 2025-2026

We are very excited that YOU will be part of our wonderful Matthews Middle School Band program this year! You are going to have a very exciting year and we are sure you will learn a lot while having a great time. This packet contains what you need to know to start off the school year on the right note!

Directors

Mr. Rivera  6th and 8th Grade Band - arivera@d118.org

Mrs. Andolfi 7th Band - aandolfi@d118.org 

Band Office 847-526-6210 x 2628 (voicemail only)

Matthews Middle School Bands

2025-2026 School Year Information Packet

MMS Band Room Classroom Expectations:

Be Responsible: 

Have your instrument ready to play every day

Have your music, pencil and folder every day

Leave your case and other materials in the appropriate area

Be Respectful:

Sit quietly and wait for instruction during rehearsal

Treat school-owned equipment with respect

Be supportive of each other’s performances and skills

Be Safe:

Handle and play only YOUR instrument

Do not touch percussion equipment unless you are a percussionist

Keep your instrument clean and in good working order

Grading Policy:

• Grading Categories

  • 20% - Practice

  • 30% - Application

  • 50% - Assessment

• Class Assignments

  • Student Assignment Sheet 

    • Given at the beginning of each quarter to outline all the assignments and due dates. It includes:

      • Music First Assignments - 10 application pts each

      • Scales - 5 application pts each

      • Weekly Lessons - 10 application pts each

*all these can be made up or redone by the end of the quarter. 

• Bell Ringers

  • A short one question sheet given no more than once a week. 

  • These are 5 participation points. 

• Weekly Participation

  • Students will get a point each day for the following for 4 practice pts a day:

    • Starting class/ sitting in their seat on time. 

    • Having all materials for class (pencil, music, instrument, reeds).

    • Participating in class (playing and raising their hands).

    • Following expectations.

• Lesson Attendance and Engagement

  • Each lesson is 10 application pts. 

  • Being present and contributing to small group or individual lesson sessions.

  • Lessons occur weekly on a rotating basis throughout the school day.

  • Students will be expected to attend one lesson per week.

  • Lesson schedules may change based on testing days, conferences, or extenuating circumstances. 

  • Lessons will be updated on the google sheets lesson schedule.

  • Students are required to make up lessons by the end of the quarter .

  • Students can find the schedule posted around the band room and on google classroom.  

• Playing Assessments

  • Playing Checks

    • 20 assessment pts - see rubric for details. 

    • Small sections of music assigned to be listened to live or over Music First. 

    • No more than twice a quarter. 

    • Can be redone as many times as needed by the end of the quarter for full credit. 

  • Band Concerts

    • 75 Assessment pts. 

    • once a quarter. 

    • Required for all band students. 

    • The accumulation of work each band puts together each quarter. 

    • Students are responsible for making up missed concerts before the end of the quarter. 

CONFLICT POLICY

• Any conflicts with performance dates must be communicated 10 school days in advance for students to receive an alternate performance based assignment.

• Students who experience an emergency, illness, or have made advance arrangements (minimum of 10 school days) for a planned absence will be given the opportunity to complete a performance-based alternate assignment. 

• Students who have not made advance arrangements for a planned absence and miss a performance will not be given the opportunity to complete a performance-based alternate assignment.

Mr. Rivera and Mrs. Andolfi reserve the right to revise the grading policy if needed.

CONCERT UNIFORM INFORMATION

The concert uniform at MMS is a Black MMS Band Polo Shirt, black pants, and black shoes. An order form will be shared via email and available on Google Classroom. T-Shirts are $10 each. If you have a shirt from an older sibling, and it is in good condition that is acceptable - the design is the same.

Black pants/long skirt and black shoes are required for performances. Black socks should be worn as appropriate. Skirts, if worn, must extend past the knee or be worn in conjunction with black tights. Black tights are acceptable on their own provided they are solid black without any design or ornamentation. 

Please make every effort to have these items purchased before our first concert on October 1st. Students out of uniform at the performance will not receive full credit for the performance. Please let us know if there are financial challenges and we can work to help solve these issues. 

Contact Information:

Address:

Mr. Alex Rivera

Mrs. Angela Andolfi

Matthews Middle School, 3500 N Darrell Road, Island Lake, IL  60084

Email:

6th and 8th Grade Bands arivera@d118.org

7th Grade Band aandolfi@d118.org

Phone: 847-526-6210 x 2628

Band Website: http://mmsbands.d118.org 

HAVE A GREAT YEAR MAKING MUSIC!

Matthews Middle School Band 2025-2026 Calendar

Please note:  All full band performances are required and are a
major portion of the MMS Band grading scale.  

Please mark your calendars!

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU REFERENCE THE CONFLICT POLICY FOR ANY ABSENCES

All performances are held in the WHS Auditorium unless otherwise stated.

All performances have student call times of 6:30 PM and performance start times of 

7:00 PM unless otherwise stated.

Click HERE to go to our calendar page.