Concert Band Overview
Concert Band is a club that meets during falcon period.
Attendance Policy:
Students will be allowed to miss a limited number of rehearsals (3) between the start of the year and mid-November and then another (3) between January and mid-April to go make up work for classes. (No choosing to miss in 2 weeks before our concerts) Field trips and other absences do not count towards this attendance count. Attending meeting for other clubs does. A student who misses 50% or more of the rehearsals, regardless of reason, may lose the privilege of public performances for that season.
About the class: Students will learn music through the performance of a wide variety of band literature in a group setting with the goal of public performance. Students must have experience on their instrument prior to enrolling in the class: this is not a class to teach you how to play your instrument, but rather a class to teach you how to make music playing your instrument along with other students.
Performances:
Public performances are a required part of this class. Students should plan to participate in the following public performances as part of this class:
Public Winter Concert: Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Public Spring Concert: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Elementary Visits: TBA
Any other performances that are scheduled, including in-school concerts and trips, will be posted as soon as possible on the board.
Public Concert Attire:
Black bottoms that are closer to the ground than your knees
White tops
Seasonally appropriate accessories that do not light up, make noise, or use electronics
Sorry, no hats or seasonal headwear
For all in-school concerts: Official HS Music t-shirt (will be issued if needed);, jeans and sneakers are ok.
Materials:
Students will be issued a folder containing the music that they will need for class. It is your responsibility to keep your music in order, have your folder with you, and return it when asked. Students may need to share their folder with another student. Music costs approximately $5 per song.
What do you need for class?
Students are expected to have everything they need for class including their instrument, reeds, valve oil, cork grease, sticks, music, and a pencil. Should your instrument need repairs, please make arrangements with the store you are having it repaired at or with Ms. Reinecke for a loaner instrument before band class.
Grading: Not applicable 23-24 as concert band is a club
Note: for a virtual learning situation grades will be on a point system with all assignments given a point value. The overall grade will be the percentage earned by dividing points earned by points possible. If classes are 100% virtual for a portion of the grading period then grades will be on a point system for an appropriate percentage of the grading period and a different grading system may be used for the remainder of the grading period.
The grade you earn will be based on the following:
1st and 3rd quarters:
50% class participation and preparation
Participation includes all playing, singing, clapping, and movement that is a part of the daily activities. Preparation includes having your own music and a pencil for use during class. Refusal to participate in any of the daily activities, not coming prepared to class, or engaging in any behavior that negatively affects participation (talking, phone use, being late to class or excessively long bathroom visits) will result in deductions from the daily participation grade. This grade will be reported daily. Students who are absent will receive a grade of ABS. Students whose absence is unexcused will receive a grade of zero.
20% homework (4 will be required: information will be posted in the classroom)
20% music quizzes (both written and performance)
10% other: reflections/analysis of music in class
2nd and 4th quarters: 50% class participation and preparation
20% concert performance/participation
10% concert reflection
If a student is sick and absent from school, and therefore unable to perform in the scheduled concert, it is his/her responsibility to contact Ms. Reinecke for the alternate assignment. This is a performing class, and the performance is a valuable part of the educational process.
10% homework (2 required)
10% other: reflections/analysis of music in class
Absences: Students who are absent and miss class will likely need to spend more time on their own rehearsing the music. Students who miss too many classes, either overall or close to performance dates, may be asked to not perform with the group. In the event that this occurs, students will be given an alternate assignment to make up for the concert participation grade. Similarly, students who are sick and unable to attend the concert will need to contact Ms. Reinecke for a concert make-up assignment. Students absent from school will receive an "ABS" meaning absent grade for that day's participation grade. This does not factor into the average. If the student's absence is unexcused, the grade will be changed to a zero.
Students will not be allowed to miss class in order to make up work for another class: passes from a teacher requesting your presence will not be honored, please do not ask.
Behavior
Students are expected to be on task throughout rehearsal. This includes having everything you need to be successful and working with the group in mind at all times. You are a team: work and behave in a manner that supports the efforts of the team.
Bags/Drinks/Food
Students who bring any kind of bag to class, including a purse, will need to store it away from the rehearsal. Bags will not be accessible during class. Food is not allowed during band, except as part of celebrations held at the end of class. The only drink that may be brought to your seat is water in a bottle with a cap that closes securely. The only items that may be brought to your seat during band are: your instrument and related supplies (reeds, valve oil), your band music/folder, a pencil, a bottle of water. You will be allowed to use a tuner or tuner app during class.
Phones
Phones apps have value and are allowed for those limited applications (ex: tuning). However, it is not possible to be participating 100% and be on a phone or other digital device during rehearsal. Students who are using their phone or digital device will lose participation points for the day regardless of the point in rehearsal they are seen using it: their maximum grade will be 7 for the day. A warning will be issued for the first offense, but subsequent offenses will affect the participation grade and may be written up as a discipline referral.
Fundraising:
The music groups will be running monthly sales of Giant Grocery cards to benefit the groups. The money raised will allow us to bring in clinicians, travel, buy supplies....what we are able to do will depend on how much is raised. Please consider supporting this sale every month so that we can have more opportunities.
Music Festivals (all information is subject to change, especially in case of the need for virtual/remote learning)
District Band:
Students interested in auditioning for District Band will need to work on their solo pieces and scales on their own time, with their private instructor. The solo audition list is posted on the following website: www.pmeadistrict10.org. You may need to play your solo and scales for Ms. Reinecke a week before the audition form is due. As soon as audition forms are available, copies will be posted on classroom. Students should check that posting for information and deadlines. Auditions will be held at Parkland High School on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at a time to be determined. Students who apply to audition must notify Ms. Reinecke immediately if they are no longer going to be at the audition. Students must remain in good standing with our band program in order to audition and to participate. Students must also abide by all the rules of the festival, including any specific school rules, in order to remain at a festival.
Regional and State Band
Students will audition at District Band. Students must remain in good standing with our program in order to participate as per the guidelines mentioned above.
Lehigh County Band:
This is a festival band that involves the public and private high schools in the Lehigh Valley. The group was formed to give students a festival experience, allow students the opportunity to work with a variety of directors, and to foster positive relationships between the band members in the area schools. Participation is by director nomination. Rankings are determined by a combination of director recommendation and district band audition results.
Please check the county band page for more information. Information will be given to the students with the rehearsal and performance schedule and other details sent out by the host.
Officers Student leaders may be appointed in the following areas:
student director-to run rehearsals in my absence
treasurer--to sign paperwork related to fundraisers (appointed by Reinecke)
librarian—to help with the distribution, collection, and storage of music
Falcon Period
Study Halls Students interested in relocating their study halls should email Ms. Reinecke. Should there be interest from students to make additional ensembles during this time this can be pursued, but otherwise this will remain a study hall. Students interested in serving as librarian or secretary/treasurer are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this in order to complete their officer duties. All students should expect to be occasionally asked to assist with concert and other music related things during this time.
Facebook:
The high school band and chorus have a Facebook page: you are encouraged to join this page. It can be a useful source of information, and has been a great way to communicate outside of school hours. It also has pictures and videos from previous years and is a great way for our alumni to stay in touch with us.
Communication:
If you need to reach me outside of the school day, the only official way to do so is by email: rreinecke@salisburysd.org. I will reply to any email that needs acknowledgement. If you do not get a response, I have not yet read your email. Please allow a full day for a response to email.
Homework options:
See the Google Classroom page for options, forms, and to submit. Homework will have posted due dates, but can be turned in until the end of the quarter deadline without penalty. Homework will need to be turned in to your class' Google Classroom and forms have been uploaded there. All homework is to be turned in on classroom even if it requires a signature: you can take a photo of signed homework and turn that in. Homework is traditionally graded and posted on Wednesdays. You should receive a returned assignment through Google Classroom in addition to seeing the grade on the portal.
Reminder: performances and performance reviews are due within one week of the performance
Posted articles for review will only be worth 7 points.
Bankable homework:
Performances that are outside the scope of this class and are service to the school may be labeled “bankable.” This means that you can cash these in at anytime during the school year by turning in a document on classroom that says “I participated in _____________ (fill in performance)” and no other review is required.
Examples include:
Marching band performances
Homecoming parade
Community Breakfast
Art Show