Band Policy

Objectives of the Westwood Regional Band Department

• Instill and develop overall musicianship, including the following musical skills: tone quality, intonation, technique, articulation, musicality, dynamic contrasts, balance, phrasing, expression, contrast, correct musical style, and tonality. 

• Nurture the well integrated, responsible, clear thinking young adult through performance and participation in an instrumental ensemble; by fostering of the following positive characteristics: personal responsibility,  personal work habits, self-discipline, acceptance of criticism, personal integrity, self-expression, emotional stability, cooperation, team player, able leadership, social development, poise. 

• Develop the students’ technical skills on their instrument. 

• Develop the students’ theoretical understanding of the procedures and materials necessary for advanced ensemble performance from both the technical and evaluative perspectives. 

• Develop the students’ awareness of proper musical styles concerning musical period performance, jazz idioms, folk-idioms, and modern techniques. 

• Nurture the students’ positive self-image through critical and self-analysis and self-discipline. 

• Develop within each student a personal practice routine. 

• Work for the continuous musical growth in school and in the community by contributing to the spirit and morale of the school.

Band/Rehearsal Policies and Procedures

• Golden Rule: Be Respectful and Responsible at all times. No action of yours may interfere with the education of another student.

• Please arrive to class promptly, prepared with your instrument, music, and a pencil. (All reed instruments must keep 3-5 reeds in their cases. 

• Rehearsals -- Band classes meet three to four times a week. These class sessions are the rehearsals that help us to prepare for our concerts; where we put the various aspects of a piece of music together, not where you learn or practice your part. It is vital that you come to every rehearsal prepared by having practiced prior.

• Rehearsal Citizenship -- In any successful group, everyone must work together from a common set of standards, which are not only understood, but also accepted by every member. Inability or unwillingness to follow the citizenship expectations will result in a lowered ensemble grade and possible removal from the group.

1. Before Rehearsal Begins -- Students will be in the band room when the bell rings. Quickly get out your instrument and begin to warm up individually. Five minutes will be allowed for this before rehearsal begins. For example, if the late bell rings at 9:04, students should be seated and ready to play by 9:09. The teacher has the right to mark a student late for class if that student is not ready by that time. Students should tune before the group warm-up. Students must check the board for daily instructions and announcements.

2.  During rehearsal -- Talking and other disruptions during rehearsal take away from the group’s musical productivity, and therefore should not happen. When the conductor stops, stop playing immediately and listen for instructions. At the end of the period, we will give you approximately 4 minutes to pack up before your next class. All percussion equipment should be neatly packed away and covered, and all folders should be put away in their designated spots.

3. General Items

   • All school rules are in effect at any band function (including after-school rehearsals, concerts, and field trips).

   • Students are expected to treat all equipment and other people with high respect. Vulgar language, disrespectful behavior, insults, or sarcasm have absolutely no place anywhere around music or the music department and will not be tolerated. Please refrain from touching any instruments or eequipment that you are not assigned to play. 

   • Band Students are not permitted to have food, drink, or GUM anywhere in the music area (including practice rooms before and after school,  and during all performances). 

   • Students are expected to have the necessary items at every rehearsal.  

   • Students are expected to be prompt for all functions; in place, and ready to perform at call time. “EARLY is on- time, ON-TIME is late.” 

   • Good posture is important to create good music and students are expected to use good posture at all times. (This will be graded.) 

   • We will notify you of which pieces we will be playing daily, and the specific measures that will be worked on. Students are expected to practice their band music at home so that they are prepared for the rehearsal each day. 

   • All students will be provided with locker space. Instruments should be stored there during the day and then picked up after school. The room will be open every morning at 7:30 AM for you to put your instruments away before Period 1. Your instrument and folder are your responsibility. Please do not leave instruments in the hallway unattended in the morning! 

**The Westwood Visual/Performing Arts Department is NOT RESPONSIBLE for loss or theft of any student-owned instrument.  

**Lockers and locks will be provided. Students are responsible for storing their instruments properly, and taking them home on the weekends.

• • Students are expected to rent or purchase their own instruments. Certain larger instruments can be loaned to the student by the school, but a mouthpiece must be purchased for that instrument as well as any extra supplies such as neck straps, reeds, etc. It is highly encouraged that students playing baritone rent their instrument. We do have school instruments, but they are used by many people and are not always available.

Lessons

• This year, you will be required to attend about four pull-out lessons each marking period. These are mandatory lessons and you will miss the designated class period to attend your lesson. Lessons will take place in the band room unless specified otherwise and you will be meeting with all members of your section from the entire band (ex. All saxophones from the Concert Band will meet together in your lesson). The only times that you are able to miss a lesson is if you are taking an assessment in the class you are missing, you are absent from school, or I have had a conversation with you and the teacher PRIOR to the lesson. During these lessons, we will be strengthening instrumental techniques, reviewing and learning new repertoire, etc.

Practice

Home practice is an important part of the music student’s participation. A specific time should be set aside for daily practice at home. Students should practice approximately 20-30 minutes per day, 6 to 7 days a week. 

Equipment to Purchase 

• All woodwind students are required to purchase reeds (reed players should be playing on a minimum of a size 3 reed), an instrument swab, and a reed case. Students are encouraged to keep 3-5 spare reeds in their cases. Boxes of reeds can be kept with either Mrs. Peterson or Mr. Peña. Please make sure that your name is written on the boxes of reeds. 

• All brass students are expected to own valve oil, an instrument cleaning kit, and their own mouthpiece. 

• All percussion students are asked to purchase a stick bag, medium yarn mallets, hard plastic bell mallets, 5B drum sticks, and T1 General Timpani mallets. WE WILL NOT BE LENDING THESE ITEMS OUT.   Vic Firth among other drum stick manufacturers have  Intermediate Education Packs that include all of this equipment.

**Students are required to come to class prepared on a daily basis. If you are unprepared due to a lack of reeds, sticks, mouthpieces, instruments, etc. it will result in a lowering of your grade. Please make sure that you are prepared, and always have backup supplies! 

Concerts

Concerts and concert practices are mandatory for all students participating in the band. Performances are the outgrowth of the instrumental program and a benchmark of progress. Participation at the graduation ceremony is also mandatory for band students in grades 9 - 12.  A student will receive a zero for missed performances if they cannot provide a medical note or evidence of an extenuating circumstance. This will significantly impact the student's grade.  

Concerts at Westwood Regional Jr./Sr. High School are treated as a professional experience and thus require professional attire. Please adhere to the dress code below.  

WHITE DRESS Shirt

BLACK DRESS Pants (no jeans, skirts, dresses, leggings or athletic pants)

BLACK DRESS Shoes

BLACK DRESS LONG Socks

We realize that as growing students, your child may not always have these items in their current wardrobe, and no one is expected to make a major purchase for the concert.  However, students are expected to dress appropriately.

The scheduled concert dates are: 

• December 13, 2023 @ 6:30 pm Campbell Auditorium (Winter Concert) Snow Date: December 16

•March 27, 2024 @  6:30 pm Campbell Auditorium  (Spring Concert)

•May 3, 2024 - Music in the Parks 

•May 22, 2024 @ 6:30 pm Campbell Auditorium  (Pops Concert Grades 9-12)

• June 20, 2024 @ 6:00 pm HS Field (Graduation) *

* In the case of inclement weather the Senior High School graduation ceremony will be held in Campbell Auditorium and the band may be required to participate. 

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL CONCERT PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY. IF A STUDENT DOES NOT ATTEND A CONCERT HE OR SHE WILL RECEIVE A ZERO (0) FOR THAT PERFORMANCE.  A STUDENT WILL ONLY BE EXCUSED FOR A SEVERE ILLNESS OR FAMILY EMERGENCY.  PLEASE REVIEW THIS LIST OF PERFORMANCE DATES BEFORE PLANNING VACATIONS OR PURCHASING TICKETS FOR THEATER, CONCERT, OR SPORTING EVENTS.

All combined rehearsals before the concert are mandatory. The teacher will inform the students of the times and dates of these rehearsals, several weeks before the rehearsals. All absences will be excused or unexcused by the director. 

Please note that a note from a parent does not automatically excuse a student from a required rehearsal. All unexcused absences will result in receiving a 0 (F) for that rehearsal. 

Students with a conflict or emergency should contact Mr. Peña as soon as possible via email:  melvin.pena@wwrsd.org

Concert Make-Up Assignment

If an absence is deemed excused, students will make up the missed concert by submitting a recording through Google Classroom of selected music from the missed concert. The selections to be played will be chosen by Mr. Pena or Mrs. Peterson.

Google Classroom Assignments

The music department will be utilizing Google Classroom when giving out assignments. These assignments are factored into the marking period grades.

Classroom Codes:

• • Concert Band Period 3: 4pwelgb

  • Concert Band Period 8:  rqttlf7

  • Wind Ensemble :  amdktae

Marking Period Playing Assessment

Each marking period students will have to complete a playing assessment. The Marking Period Assessments will be assigned 2 weeks prior to the due date. The assessment must be passed off by the due date given. Please be advised that assessments are weighted heavily (30-40% of your marking period grade). Students can take their assessment at home, before or after school, and/or during lunch/study. Students will be given time during their lesson to work with their lesson teacher on the assessment.

Specific assignments will vary by instrument group. The following is an example of what to expect for an assessment: 

• Perform 2 scales. (20%) 

• Perform excerpts from lesson or band literature. (80%) (Pitches, Rhythmic Accuracy, Sound Quality, and Articulation will be assessed)

Grading Policy

Students are expected to come prepared to class with proper equipment such as their instrument, reeds, drum sticks/ mallets, music, and a pencil. 

Grading Criteria

• Preparation/Participation/Behavior(50%) 

• Concert Participation (30%) (0% in 1st Marking Period)

• Assignments/ Marking Period Assessments (20%) (50% in 1st Marking Period)

County/Region Ensemble Audition Dates

If you are interested in auditioning for County or Region Ensembles, please see Mr. Peña. Dates for auditions are as follows: 

High School County Band Auditions - Paramus HS, Paramus, NJ  time TBD

HS Region Auditions- Paramus HS, Paramus, NJ 

HS All-State auditions -  Location TBD

JHS Region Auditions- Location TBD

Things to get involved in

Bergen County/Region/All-State Band 

Marching Band 

Jazz Band 

Pit Orchestra

Music Theory 

Music Technology

Tri-M Honors Society 

Ensemble Night