Band Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Click on the headings below, or scroll down for the complete Band Handbook. 

ALL BAND FAMILIES ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE BAND HANDBOOK.

Please mark your calendars for our band concerts this year

December 9: PHS Band Concert (Honor Band performs) 7:00 pm, PHS Auditorium

December 16: PMS Winter Band Concert (intermediate, beginning, 6th grade band performs) 7:00 pm, PMS gym

March 18: PMS Spring Band Concert (all bands) 7:00pm, PMS gym

June 7: PMS band concert and awards (all bands) 7:00pm, PMS gym

Many other events will also take place as our Tri-M Music honor society gets off the ground this year- you can always check this website at the "Calendar" tab at the top for dates and times and locations.

Most of all, I’m excited to welcome our new students to the Parkrose Band Family! Band takes EVERYONE’S hard work, musicianship, discipline, critical thinking, and TEAMWORK to make the group the best it can be. Band is a special class where we learn to take care of each other and to truly recognize the talent, hard work, and beauty around us. We are going to have such a great time together!

Please take the time to read thoroughly through this handbook as a family. When students and parents are all on board and understand the commitments and expectations of the band program, and if they know where to find important resources, we are guaranteed to have the MOST successful and enriching year in band. Be sure to bookmark this band website as that will be a place to find important information and communication. 

Looking forward to the best year yet!

Jessika "Chef" Smith

jessika_smith@parkrose.k12.or.us

(503) 408-2963

Band Program Overview

Grading policy

Students are graded on each Standard above on a scale from “4” (highest) to “0” (lowest). A score of “4” means that the student has demonstrated ADVANCED understanding of the standard. A score of “3” means that the students has demonstrated COMPLETE understanding of the standard (most students will score a "3"). A score of “2” means that the student has demonstrated PARTIAL understanding of the standard. A score of “1” means that the student has demonstrated VERY LIMITED/NO understanding of the standard. A score of “0” means there is no evidence of understanding. 

A variety of assessment methods will be used, including playing assessments, written assessments, concert performances/festivals, and daily rehearsal participation.

Performance Policy

Attendance: In order for us to sound the best we possibly can, it is CRUCIAL for each and every member of the band to attend our concerts. If another activity conflicts with a band performance, notify Mrs. Smith IMMEDIATELY. Your attendance and participation at concerts is part of your grade. Students will only be excused from a performance due to a serious personal illness, death in the family, or serious emergency. Not having a ride to a performance is not an excused absence. If you need help finding a ride, contact Mrs. Smith at least one week before the performance. If your absence from a performance is excused, you will still need to complete the required make-up work for a grade.

Concert Dress/Uniforms: Band students wear black pants, black shoes, black socks, and a band shirt (school provided) for performances. The cost of the band shirt is included in the $25 participation fee at the beginning of the year. Replacement shirts cost an additional $10.

(If you have spare or extra performance clothes that you’d like to donate, Mrs. Smith will gladly take donations for students who may need help getting the appropriate attire.)

Class Fees

All band students are required to pay the class participation fee of $25. This fee helps pay for your band book, band shirt, and getting new music to play. Students who use school owned instruments during the year will be asked to pay an additional $50 usage fee. Please plan on attending Beginning Band/Rental Night on September 10 to rent your school-owned instrument, or to pick up your rental from Beacock Music.

Required Materials

Students are required to have their instrument (in good, working condition), sheet music/method book, and a sharpened pencil EVERY DAY. Students also need certain supplies to maintain and care for their instrument. Having these things ready each day is part of your grade. If your student chooses to play an instrument that requires a reed, please be prepared to provide reeds for their instrument.

Instrument Supplies

Students are responsible for providing their own supplies for their instrument. Supplies can be purchased through local music stores, or online. Mrs. Smith has extra supplies on hand for emergencies, and for students with financial need. Follow the "resources" tab at the top of this website for local music store information, suggested supplies, and links to retailers.

All students (except percussion) should purchase an instrument care kit. This will include nearly all of the supplies you'll need for at least the first couple of years. 

Clarinet, Saxophone: Please purchase a box of reeds for your instrument. I recommend Rico, Rico Royal, La Voz, Vandoren, Juno, Mitchell Lurie, D'Addario Reserve. Typically, 1st year players will need strength 2.5 and 2nd/3rd year will need strength 3. Plastic reeds are also available and usually last much longer than cane reeds if treated with care. I recommend Legere, D'Addario Venn, or Fiberreed USA. The strengths for plastic reeds are more or less the same as the cane reeds I listed above.

Percussion

If your student is going to play percussion (all sorts of drums and keyboards), the requirements for this instrument are quite different. 

Required: SD1 or 5B drumsticks and an at-home practice pad 

Optional: bell/glockenspiel kit with mallets

The bell kits are usually available to rent from local retailers, or you can choose to purchase a kit for your student to practice on at home. Mallet parts are usually far more challenging than snare parts, so any at-home practice on this skill will really pay off. You can search for "bell kit" if you're looking online. 

Percussion students will not need to bring anything back and forth from home to school except for their music folder.
They will use all of the equipment we have in the band room for daily rehearsals.

Instrument Maintenance & Care

Having a quality instrument in good repair and in working order is essential for our band students to be successful. It is essential that students follow the care and maintenance guidelines discussed in class and in writing. It is the player’s responsibility to uphold these guidelines whether it is their personal instrument or the school’s instrument. 

NO STUDENTS MAY PLAY, TOUCH, HANDLE, OR MOVE SOMEONE ELSE’S INSTRUMENT WITHOUT CLEAR INSTRUCTION TO DO SO.
Students should be able to/strive to do these things:

• Assemble/disassemble your instruments carefully

• If possible, wash hands and rinse mouth before playing

• Keep your mouthpiece clean!

• Don’t store books or other items in your case unless your case is specifically designed to do so.

• Repairs must only be done by a qualified repair person.

• Label your case and locker with your name.

It is likely that your student's instrument will need repair at some point in their middle school years. You can contact any of the local music stores I listed above for info on repairs- or talk with Mrs. Smith about it. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX YOUR STUDENT'S INSTRUMENT UNLESS YOU ARE A QUALIFIED MUSIC REPAIR TECHNICIAN.

Instrument Purchase

If a student plans on continuing in band into high school, it is strongly recommended that they purchase their own instrument (rather than borrowing from the school). Be careful when choosing an instrument to purchase. There are many very low-quality instruments available on the internet that will ultimately set your child up for frustration and failure in band. These cheap instruments often do not have replacement parts available, so if something breaks or is lost, the instrument will become worthless. Some repair technicians will even refuse to service these instruments. If you find an instrument that you’re interested in buying, please reach out to Ms. Smith so I can let you know if you’re making a good purchase. There are many high quality used instruments available on consignment or for independent sale online, you just have to know what to look out for.

Behavioral Expectations

Typically, students in band do not struggle with behavior expectations at school. Parkrose MS follows "ROCK" expectations. See our band version of "ROCK" below.

Responsible: Be on time, and be prepared for rehearsal. Clean up after yourself, and don’t bring food/drink other than water into the band room. NO GUM!

Organized: Have your instrument (in good, working order and with necessary supplies), music (organized in your folder or binder), and a sharpened pencil every day.

Cooperative: Participate to the best of your ability EVERY DAY. Be the first student ready, and the first student to stop. You are choosing to be in band. Give the best you can at all times.

Kind: Treat each other, Mrs. Smith, and any other people in the band room with respect. Be kind to our equipment, and don’t touch anything that isn’t yours. Be kind to yourself! We’re all here to learn TOGETHER.

Discipline Policy

All students are expected to positively contribute to the rehearsal and performances. The following behaviors will not be tolerated: disruptiveness, profanity, open defiance, abusing equipment and talking at inappropriate times.

• 1st offense: warning

• 2nd offense: student conference with teacher, parent notified.

• 3rd offense: parent notified, possible referral.

• 4th offense: conference with parent and student, referral.

*Depending on the severity of the problem, preliminary steps may be skipped, and the student may be removed from the class.

Stay Connected/Help the Band

I understand that remembering verbal information from class and remembering to bring home paper copies of things is a challenge for many of the youth I work with. Please bookmark this website for your future reference. I post digital copies of everything I send home in case they get misplaced, and I will update our calendar on this webpage as it changes and evolves.

ParentSquare (clickable link) is a really great way to communicate with me quickly. I post updates for concerts, events, Tri-M and more on ParentSquare. I particularly love how I can ask for volunteers, chaperones, and donations for band community events (like Band Burrito Night!) on this app. I recommend downloading the app for your smart device and setting up notifications to your preference. 

Parkrose Music Boosters is a fabulous group of adults/parents/guardians who support our music programs by raising money through various means of fundraising. They also help with volunteer work- especially at the high school. If you are wanting to give a little time and/or have expertise in fundraising, connections with donors, or other things you could contribute, please join the email list by filling out this FORM (clickable link), or by reaching out to Chef Smith directly.

Parkrose Charger Band Instagram is a fun way to stay connected, get updates, and most importantly, see funny band memes. I will never post photos of your children without prior consent. It's really mostly memes. :)

Band Contract/Parent Support Form

Now that you've made it through the entire Band Handbook, give yourself a high-five or celebrate by other means. 🥳 👏 🎊 🎉

Then, please fill out this quick GOOGLE FORM (clickable link, or direct below) to make sure I order the right size t-shirt for your child, to earn them their first grade in the gradebook and to ensure that we'll have the best year yet!