Handbook

1.Supplies and Materials

Students must have all supplies and materials by Friday, August 21.

All supplies can be purchased at the following locations.  If you are unable to visit the store, call and they will deliver the items to Plank Jr. High.  Deliveries are made on Thursday or Friday afternoons.

PM Music

651 S. Route

Aurora, IL 60504

 630-978-9927

♫ Concert Clothing

It should be considered an honor to be allowed to wear the uniform of your organization.  When in uniform, you are no longer an individual: you are a representative of your school and community.  Each student is expected to know and understand the proper way to wear the required dress and display the characteristics taught within the program. 

6th Grade and 7th Grade                                                            

    ♪ All black dress shoes                                                                                  

    ♪ Black dress socks                                                                                 

    ♪ Black dress pants or long skirt with black nylons-NO jeans      

       and NO bare legs showing

    ♪ Black Plank Music polo shirt-order form in paper handbook      

8th Grade

♪ All black dress shoes

♪ Black dress socks  

♪ Black dress pants or long skirt with black nylons-NO jeans      

       and NO bare legs showing

♪ Ladies-at least 3/4 length sleeve black dress shirt

♪ Gentlemen-Long sleeve black button down collared shirt

♫ Supplies For All Students

    ♪ Tradition of Excellence Book 1-RED(6th/7th Grade), or Book 2-BLUE(8th Grade)

    ♪ music stand for home 

    ♪ pencil

    ♪ 1” 3 ring black binder with clear plastic coversheet  

    ♪ name tag on instrument case

♫ Brass Supplies-cornet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba

     ♪ valve oil

     ♪ slide grease

     ♪ mouthpiece brush

♫ Woodwind Supplies-flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone

     ♪1 box of reeds (clar and sax)  Vandoren Blue Box

     ♪reed guard  

     ♪swab  

     ♪ cork grease 

     ♪ 3 extra good reeds at all times (oboe)

♫ Percussion Supplies-percussionists will receive a list of supplies in class. 

2. Statement of Philosophy

Band in the Oswego School District is regarded as an academic subject for all who participate.  Students will receive a grade for band on their report card at the end of each semester.  Through your hard work and dedication, we hope Plank Junior High will help keep the tradition of musical excellence in Oswego.  We will continue to set high expectations for directors, students, administrators, and parents and strive to achieve them.  Band is an elective course, and every student has chosen to be in the class, it is expected that all students know and understand the commitment they are making. 

3. Program Structure

6th Grade Band

Students must begin band in the 6th grade.  Any student that does not join band in 6th grade or attend summer band, but wishes to join at a later date must enroll in professional private lessons and join the 6th Grade Band.  Band is a year long class, and students commit to one school year when joining band.  The 6th Grade Band is an entry level class with instruction beginning during the summer prior to the 6th grade school year.  The beginning band will perform at four concerts as well as solo festival, and the Oswego Junior High School Large Ensemble Music Assessment and Contest.  The 6th grade class meets everyday and is part of the students' daily academic routine at Plank Jr. High. 

As members of the 6th Grade, band meets during separate class periods, a time must be established for the group to rehearse as an entire ensemble.  This full band rehearsal time is used to prepare concert music, and address musical issues such as ensemble blend and balance.  This rehearsal will most likely occur on various mornings leading up to the concert. Students will be asked to come down to the band room once arriving at school and stay through homeroom. This rehearsal is required attendance. 

7th Grade Band

The 7th Grade Concert Band consists of 7th graders in their 2nd year of band.  Band is a year long class, and students commit to one school year when joining band.  These band students will perform in four concerts throughout the year as well as the Oswego Junior High School Large Ensemble Music Assessment and Contest and Solo Festival.  Select students will also have the opportunity to audition for the IMEA District IX Festival Concert Band.  As members of the 7th Grade Band meet during separate class periods, a time must be established for the group to rehearse as an entire ensemble.  This rehearsal, known as “Full Band Thursday” takes place most Thursdays and the days leading up to a concert during the first half of lunch.  This rehearsal is required attendance.

 8th Grade Band

The 8th Grade Band consists of 8th graders in their 3rd year of band.  Band is a year long class, and students commit to one school year when joining band.  These band students will perform in four concerts throughout the year as well as the Oswego Junior High School Large Ensemble Music Assessment and Contest and Solo/Ensemble Festival.  Select students will also have the opportunity to audition for the ILMEA District IX Festival Concert Band.  The 8th Grade Band meets as one class so it is not necessary to schedule Full Band rehearsals.  Students will be required to complete quizzes and sectionals during 1/2 lunch period 1 day per week.  This is required attendance. 

4. Schedule Changes

We reserve the option of a schedule change for students who have a very serious physical and/or mental health or emotional concern and need their entire schedule adapted to accommodate their medical needs.  This decision will be made following a meeting between the teacher, parent, student, student services, and any appropriate medical personnel.  This process will be the final option once all other accommodations have been exhausted and found to be ineffective in meeting the needs of the student.

5. Instrument Changes

We currently do not have the resources or schedule to accommodate instrument changes after the initial Summer Band Beginner Class. It is best that students stay on the instrument they chose during instrument appointments.  Usually the reason students want to switch is because they believe they have already learned how to play that instrument and now want to try a new one or they think they are "bored" with the initial choice.  Each instrument comes with its own set of unique challenges.  Learning a music instrument is a life long process-and one never truly masters their instrument.  There are times, however, when students are needed to switch instruments for the benefit of the band having full instrumentation: alto sax to tenor and baritone sax; baritone to tuba; clarinet to bass clarinet, etc.  Students have, on very rare occasion, been switched at a director's discretion, due to medical conditions which warrant a change.  It is normal for students to be curious and interested in learning other instruments, but the road to improvement is a single-lane, one-way, highway.  Students should stay on the instrument they chose and be committed to mastering that instrument. 

Our goal is for each student to work toward mastery on the instrument they selected at Beginner Band Appointments.  We are very careful and methodical in how we help students select an instrument before Beginning Band starts.  Once the instrumentation of the band is determined it is very critical we maintain that instrumentation for the benefit of the musical integrity of the entire ensemble.  Correct and balanced instrumentation is one of the most important factors in he success of the ensemble.  In the same way each athletic team has players in specific positions in the correct ration of players, a band must have the correct ration of players on each instrument.  With the current staff and schedule of the students we do not currently have the resources to restart the students on different instruments that are not closely related once school has begun.  

6. Grading Policy

The band grade will be determined by: performance-defined as demonstration of knowledge (in person and in smartmusic), homework-weekly practice records and smartmusic assignments, daily rehearsal performance, and concert performance.  Students will be given assignments appropriate to their level in band.  They will be graded on tone quality, posture, hand position, range, and technical facility as well as the fundamentals of music performance. When tested on concert music, students will be graded on general interpretation, which includes: tempo, dynamics, and expression.  Any student receiving a final quarter grade of F will be put on band probation.  The student must maintain at least a C average during the next quarter or they may be removed from the band program.  Attendance at performances is NOT mandatory.

7. Practice and Practice Records

It is necessary for each student to practice at home. It is strongly suggested and encouraged that a certain time and place be set aside each day for individual practice.  All students will receive practice assignments each week.  6th Grade Band members should plan to practice at home for 15 minutes most days.  7th Grade Band members should plan to practice at home for 20 minutes most days.  8th Grade Band members should plan to practice at home for 25 minutes most days.  

8. Smartmusic

All band students should have smartmusic on their home computer/ipad.  All 6th Grade Band students receive a one year subscription to smartmusic as part of the the Beginning Band fees.  It is the responsibility of the student/parent to renew this subscription when it expires each year.  Smartmusic is used extensively in all of the Oswego Junior High Band programs as a practice and assessment tool, and students will receive weekly smartmusic assignments.  If you do not have a home computer, please contact Mrs. Shields ASAP.  We will find an alternative for your student.   

9. Attendance Policy

All performances are mandatory for the successful completion of the band class.  Performances are the reason we rehearse and practice every day.  Excessive or unexcused absences from performances may result in removal from the band program. Unexcused absences from a concert will result in a failing grade for the concert.  Excused absences must be communicated to the director at least three weeks in advance and will be dealt with on an individual basis. Students missing a concert with an excused absence will be given an alternate assignment to earn concert points. Band is like being part of a team, and we support one another.  Students are expected to stay for the entire performance, complete a performance evaluation, and support all members of the program.

Occasionally due to unforeseen conflicts, a concert date must be changed.  In this instance, the change will be communicated as soon as possible.  Every effort is made to avoid this type of situation. 

♪ Excused absences consist of:  

  * personal illness 

  * family emergency

  * wedding involving close family members  

  * legitimate religious reasons as defined by law(religious education classes are not excused absences.  Please make arrangements ahead of time to make up the class.)

♪ Unexcused absences consist of:  

   * lack of transportation  

   * family vacations  

   * sporting event/practice  

   * forgetfulness  

   * homework

10. Classroom Conduct

No large organization, such as a band, can function properly without well-disciplined participants.  Band is not a mandatory subject, and it is assumed by the director that all students are willing participants.  It is the responsibility of the students to adhere to the rules of the classroom.  Proper behavior at all rehearsals and performances is extremely important and expected.

♫ All students will...

     Be respectful of all member of the group. 

     Play with their best tone at all times. 

     Always give your best effort. 

     Be organized. 

     Keep the room, instruments, and music clean and neat. 

     Work as a group to reach our goals. 

♫ Plank Band Consequences  

     1. verbal warning  

     2. private discussion concerning behavior  

     3.parent phone call or conference  

     4.Detention 

     5.Possible removal from band program

11. Use of the Facilities

We  are very proud of the band room at Plank.  It is truly a “showcase” for what our school district has done to support band and the fine arts.  It is the responsibility of everyone to treat our facilities with the respect they deserve. Keep the band room clean. Students must keep instruments in assigned storage lockers. Almost 250 students use the band room each day.  It is important that each student does his/her part in keeping things orderly and functional. Items such as music, binders,  instruments, and personal belongings should be kept in their proper places. Abuse of this rule may result in detention and/or disciplinary action. Each student is responsible for putting their name on each book and instrument case.  Absolutely no GUM/Food/drinks other than water in the band room!!! 

12. Lockers

A  space in the storage cabinet will be issued to every band student.  Lockers will be used responsibly.

♪ Lockers are to be used only by the person or persons assigned to each specific locker. 

♪ Band instruments and music are the only items allowed to be stored in the lockers. School books and lunches will be stored in the hallway locker.

13. Private Lessons

Students may study privately with a school approved professional teacher or with an approved advanced high school or college student.  A list of suitable private lesson teachers is available on the website.  Some teachers will come to Plank and teach during the school day.  Students may take a music lesson during band, lunch or study hall.  Private lesson teachers also teach out of their homes or at OHS or OEHS in the afternoons and evenings.  Lessons are typically 30 minutes once a week, and each teacher has their own payment method and plan.  Anyone teaching at an Oswego school has been approved by the district.  Please call a teacher to set up a lesson time.

14. School Instrument Usage Policy

The student usage fee for a school owned instrument is an optional donation of $50 a semester.  Any student using a school owned instrument will receive a detailed policy and contract.  All damages will become the responsibility of the student upon signature of a usage contract.