Mr. Smith

Here is the 1st Quarter Lesson Schedule for band students...

Below is the 2023-2024 Band Agreement Letter.  Every parent  needs to read it and sign at the bottom.

Welcome to the Beach Street Middle School Band Program! 

This letter will serve as an agreement to commit to this class’s expectations.  Please read through the class overview and return the bottom portion of the 2nd page of this letter, with the required parent signature, to Mr. Smith by the next (2nd) class meeting.  A copy of this letter will be posted on the Band Google Classroom for your reference throughout the year.

Band Rehearsals:

• 6th Grade Band will rehearse period 4 on Blue Days

• 7th Grade Band will rehearse period 3 on Gold Days

• 8th Grade Band will rehearse period 2 on Blue Days

Home Practice Routine:

All band students are expected to practice the materials we cover in lessons and rehearsals in a regular home practice routine.  Students must take their instruments home on a regular basis.  Everyone will have their own personal way of developing a regular practice routine at home.  A good general goal would be to shoot for a minimum of 20 minutes a night/ 4 nights a week.   

Required Materials:

Each Student is required to have the following materials with them for ALL Band rehearsals, lessons and performances:

• Instrument (Percussionists must have a stick and Mallet bag)

• One 1/4” Binder with at least 20 plastic sheet protectors.

• At least 2 Pencils

• Instrument supplies (reeds, valve oil, cork grease, etc.)

• Method book and band music (provided by Mr. Smith)

Grading Policy:

Each student is graded on the following:

• 80% Assessments and Activities

• 20% Participation

Assessments and Activities:

Performances:

Performances include concerts, field trips, adjudications, festivals and competitions.  In addition, there will be graded playing exams given throughout the year.  The playing exams will test music, exercises and other material that we learn in class.  

Lessons:  

Attendance is required at every lesson.  The instrumental class schedule is set up on a rotating basis.  Students will not come to lessons the same period as the previous week.  The lesson schedule will be posted on my Google Classroom.  

Participation:

Participation includes being in attendance and prepared with ALL materials required for lessons and band rehearsals, playing in ALL LESSONS and BAND REHEARSALS and contributing to class discussions and activities each day.

Attendance is required at every lesson, rehearsal and performance. There is no substitute for the collaborative learning that takes place in lessons, rehearsals and performances.   The effort of each student must be very consistent in order to ensure the educational integrity for all involved!   For obvious reasons, attendance and promptness are essential to your success in the class and the experience of everyone participating.  Once you do your part, the possibilities are endless!  Don’t forget that we are studying music!  It is going to be FUN!!!

Classwork:

Students will also be expected to complete various assignments and participate in activities on Google Classroom throughout the year.  

Mandatory Concert Dates:

I intend to share a list of important dates for band performances and events scheduled throughout the year with you soon.  Three dates that you should mark in your calendars immediately, however,  are…

• Beach Street Band Winter Concert- Monday, December 4th@7:00 P.M.

• 7&8th Grade Band Pops Concert- Monday, February 5th @ 7:00 P.M.

• Beach Street Band Spring Concert- Thursday, May 2nd @ 7:00 P.M.

• The Winter and Spring band concerts will be held at the Beach Street Middle School auditorium.  The 7&8th Band Pops Concert will be held at the High School.

Concert Dress: ALL BLACK!!!  Please have the proper concert attire ready for the first concert!

Boys: Black Pants Girls:  Black Pants, Dress or Skirt

           Black, button-down dress shirt Black tops

           Black ties Black shoes

           Black Socks

           Black Shoes

 Please feel free to contact me at any time throughout the year.  I can be reached through Parent Square, email – s.smith@wi.k12.ny.us or by phone – 893-3200 ext. 2148.

Sincerely,

Mr. Smith

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Return this portion of the letter of commitment to the Beach Street Band program at the 2nd class meeting

Print student name__________________________________________

Parent signature_____________________________________________