The Upper School Concert Band is a music club/ensemble that is tied within the requirements of the Instrumental Lessons program at MaST II Tacony. Students in grades 7-12 who participate in the Instrumental Lessons program at MaST II are required to attend rehearsals once a week after school to be in the Instrumental Lessons program. Students who are in the following instrument lesson groups must attend these rehearsals:

1. Baritone/Euphonium/Tuba

2. Bassoon

3. Clarinet/Bass Clarinet

4. Electric Bass

5. Flute/Piccolo

6. Oboe

7. Percussion

8. Saxophone

9. Trombone

10. Trumpet

If your student's instrument is not listed then that lesson student is not required to participate in this ensemble. Students in this ensemble will acquire skills in the performance of their instrument, and the practicing of music in a variety of styles at several different levels of difficulty which appropriately match their performance level.

Students who participate in Upper School Concert Band must be taking lessons on an instrument within the instrumental lessons program at MaST II Tacony. Students must bring the following materials to each rehearsal in order to participate properly.

1. Lesson Instrument - A student must bring their lesson instrument to rehearsals twice a week in order to work on their concert repertoire. The only exception is for percussion students. For percussionists they are allowed to leave their bell set, snare drum, and/or drum set at home for proper practice. I provide the required percussion instruments in the general music classroom for use in rehearsals, sectionals, and performances.

2. Pencil - A student must bring a pencil to rehearsal to ensure that they can write in the names of notes, notate rhythms, and make any necessary changes to the music as is announced by their band director.

3. Binder/Folder - A student must bring a binder/folder to rehearsal to store all of their materials (concert music, pencils, etc.) These binders/folders are provided by the band director to students. The binder/folder color must remain unaltered and black due to the concert requirements.

4. Water Bottle - A student must bring a water bottle to every rehearsal. Doing this can allow for proper hydration while working on music in rehearsal. Students are permitted opportunities to fill their water bottle during rehearsal.

The following items are optional for students to begin to enhance their ability to rehearse their concert repertoire.

1. Earplugs - A student may bring in earplugs to wear during rehearsal if they are particularly sensitive to loud noise, or if they have sensitive ears. If a student brings in earplugs for rehearsals they may wear them during sectional work, and individual practicing, but they MUST remove them during whole group runs, or concert runs of the music to prevent the balance of the ensemble's sound from being compromised due to altered hearing patterns that occur when wearing them.

There are set expectations for students with regards to attendance and behavior in order to participate in the ensemble. These are listed here along with the information sheet that is distributed prior to signing up for the program.

Attendance

Students must attend rehearsals once per week after school. The times for rehearsals are listed below:

Every Wednesday from 2:30pm - 3:30pm in Mr. Williams' general music classroom 224W.

Students who are absent from rehearsal must let me know within 24 hours of the rehearsal in order to excuse the absence. I accept contact in the form of Remind Messages, Google Classroom messages/comments, email messages, phone calls, and in-person conferences. If an in-person conference is used to excuse the absence it must be the student who was absent, or the absence will remain unexcused. If I do not receive notification within 24 hours of the missed rehearsal time the student's absence will be labeled as unexcused. Listed below is our procedure for the number of absences a student may receive within the ensemble, and the consequence associated with the number of absences.

First absence: no action is taken.

Second absence: a conference with the student occurs reminding them of expectations.

Third absence: a conference with the student occurs reminding them of expectations.

Fourth absence: a conference with the student's parent/guardian occurs reminding them of the expectations and that their student has been absent. (If the student is in 9th-12th grade the student is contacted instead.)

Fifth absence: a conference with the student's parent/guardian occurs reminding them of the expectations and that their student will be dismissed if they are absent one more time. (If the student is in 9th-12th grade the student is contacted instead.)

Sixth absence: the student is formally dismissed from both the Upper School Concert Band Program, and the Instrumental Lessons Program. The student will no longer be allowed to participate in this year's program.

Behavior

There are also behavioral expectations for students within the Concert Band program. These expectations with their accompanying procedures for their violation are listed here along with the information document distributed upon signing up for the program. If a student's behavior is disruptive to the point of interrupting the pace of rehearsals for the ensemble the following actions will be put into place as established consequences for the behavior.

First Offense: The student will be pulled to the side after rehearsal to discuss their behavior.

Second Offense: The student will be pulled to the side after rehearsal to discuss their behavior, and their parent/guardian will be contacted to discuss the students' behavior.

Third Offense: The student will be suspended from rehearsal for one week.

Fourth Offense: The student will be suspended from rehearsal for two weeks.

Fifth Offense: The student will be formally dismissed from both the Upper School Concert Band Program, and the Instrumental Lessons Program.

There are two concerts in which students are required to participate in for the Upper School Concert Band Program. These concerts are mandatory in order for students' to be in the program. If a student has any conflicts related to either Concerts or their accompanying tech rehearsals they must contact me by the deadline of September 13th, 2024. This will allow for the proper time to plan alternative plans for performances and tech rehearsals. Listed below is the concert schedule for students participating in the Upper School Concert Band Program at MaST II Tacony:

Upper School Winter Concert Tech Rehearsal: TBD.

Upper School Winter Concert Date: TBD - Doors open at 6:00pm.

Upper School Spring Concert Tech Rehearsal: TBD.

Upper School Spring Concert Date: TBD - Doors open at 6:00pm.