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| HRMS Band Handbook |  |
 Holten-Richmond Middle School Band Manual 2011-2012 This Band Manual gives both parents and students a working knowledge of the HRMS Band program. It includes basic educational objectives, course descriptions, grading policies, rules, and important dates that help provide your child with a rewarding and enjoyable experience in our band program. If you have any questions that are not answered herein, please contact me.
Mr. Vatousios' Student and Parent Letter
Mr. Antonios Vatousios - Director 55 Conant st. Danvers, MA 01923 School Phone 1-978-774-8590 Dear Students and Parents: Welcome to Holten-Richmond Middle School and the 2011-2012 school year. I hope you had a great summer and are ready to start playing again or embark on learning a new instrument. Our band program in Danvers has a reputation for excellence and I am excited that you are going to be a member. Parents, your child’s progress is very important to me. Your encouragement and communication are essential for your child’s success as an instrumentalist. Please feel free to contact us at our school or email to discuss any of your concerns or questions. Please note email is the better way to get a hold of me. In this handbook are the procedures, guidelines, concert information and dates, and grading materials required. I ask that you please review this handbook CAREFULLY so that you are aware of the expectations for participation in band. PLEASE SIGN and RETURN the last page by the date indicated. Please stop by the band room so that we can get to know one another. I know that the terrific parental support will continue this year. THANK YOU for your interest, support, and dedication to the Holten-Richmond Middle School Band Program! I look forward to working with your children and with you. Musically yours, Antonios Vatousios Band Director HRMS Band Program Curriculum In our music program, emphasis is placed on musicianship, technique, history, theory, and the development of each student’s musical knowledge. Achieved through hard work, it is the pride in a job well done that makes our efforts worthwhile. The success of the individual leads to the success of the band. Our ability to progress and achieve both as individuals and as a band is dependent on our ability to function in an orderly, systematic manner as we strive to attain our goals. The most important value that the group should work for is the ability to become the best they can be as a group and have fun doing so.
Band Mission Statement/Philosophy
The mission of the HRMS Bands is to team with parents, students, and the school to provide an atmosphere where students can be successful in learning and performing on musical instruments, both individually and in a large ensemble. We believe strongly that music is a part of a student’s comprehensive education. We aim to uphold the traditions of the past while maintaining a commitment to excellence within each student.
“We are what we repeatedly do! Excellence then is not an act, but a habit!” -Aristotle
Band Expectations
1. Be On Time
2. Have Your Materials
a. Instrument/Supplies b. Book/Music c. Pencil
3. Do Your Best
Course Descriptions
Our band classes run during our exploratory blocks. We are on a rotating schedule so a student will, depending on the rotation, have band twice or three times a week. Each class period is 53 minutes. Due to the large number of students in our program we usually schedule more than one section for each of our concert bands. At HRMS we offer for band students the following courses:
· Sixth Grade Concert Band
· Seventh Grade Concert Band
· Seventh Grade Jazz Band
· Eighth Grade Concert Band
· Eighth Grade Jazz Band
Sixth Band Concert Band: Any student who started band in 4th or 5th grade is eligible to play in our sixth grade. All of the standard wind ensemble (woodwinds, brass, percussion) instruments are eligible to play with this ensemble. It is expected that every student will have received music fundamentals in music reading and for their individual instrument prior to starting sixth grade band. If a student played in the 4th grade but did not play in the 5th grade they may contact Mr. Vatousios if they are interested in playing in 6th grade to assure they are ready to jump right in. Attention is focused on re-introductory music fundamentals, technical achievement, and acquisition of performance and rehearsal skills through exposure to a variety of literature. Books needed: “Standards of Excellence” book 1 .
Seventh Grade Concert Band: Membership is open to all students who have successfully completed a band class in the previous year. The course will be a continuation of the technical training started during sixth grade band. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of skills necessary to meet high standards of music performance.
Seventh Grade Jazz Band: This is an auditioned group and auditions occur at the end of the sixth grade year. The Jazz ensemble performs music in the standard jazz-swing, latin- jazz and contemporary styles. The instrumentation for this group includes woodwinds, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section (bass, drum set, guitar, piano). The group will focus in traditional jazz fundamentals and form. Also, students will begin experimenting with jazz improvisation in the blues form.
Eighth Grade Concert Band: Students are acquainted with the great heritage of symphonic literature and are given the opportunity to develop high standards of musicianship. Emphasis is placed on artistic performance commensurate with the maturation level and experience of the group. After school sectional and individual practice rehearsals are recommended. Students are expected to be able to perform solo or small group literature in addition to their normal band literature.
Eighth Grade Jazz Band: This is an auditioned group and auditions occur at the end of the seventh grade year. The Jazz ensemble performs music in the standard jazz-swing, latin- jazz and contemporary styles. The instrumentation for this group includes woodwinds, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section (bass, drum set, guitar, piano). This group continues to work on traditional jazz styles both in swing and the latin styles. In addtition to what students worked on in seventh grade jazz band, students will be expected to interpret these styles more authentically and by using more improvisation. Class Procedures
Starting class: Each student is to be in his/her seat with instrument, music, pencil, etc. at the starting time and is to have his/her instrument out and ready to play within two minutes of the starting time of the period. Please take care of pencil sharpening, bathroom trips, etc. before the start of class to maximize rehearsal time.
Small group and/or sectional rehearsals: We are fortunate to have three practice rooms in our band room. We will utilize these rooms during class time and/or after school for smaller groups to rehearse their sections. This way students can best utilize their time and take charge of their own learning as they work difficult passages on their own while the director works with another section.
End of class: Students will be given a couple of minutes at the end of the period to put their instruments away. All cases are to be completely closed and stored properly. Failure to store instruments properly can result in damage to the instrument. (I will call home regarding any instrument abuse that I observe.) Students will return to their seats until the class is dismissed.
Classes are frequently recorded in an effort to evaluate and aid instruction.
Required Materials
The following materials are to be carried with the student’s instrument at all times:
Flute cleaning rod, cleaning cloth. Clarinet and Saxophone:
Oboe, Bassoon:
Trumpet, Baritone, Tuba:
Trombone:
French Horn:
Percussion:
Music Retailers
Illness
As a rule, if a student is well enough to be in school, he/she is well enough to play their instrument. If there is an illness or medical condition that will affect playing, please send a note from the doctor.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are recommended, but not required. I will be happy to provide you with a list of some of the fine private teachers in the area.
Grading System
Playing and written assignments: 35% - “Play-offs” are performance passages in our music. Performance auditions will include in-class individual performances of short sections of music for evaluation. Any student who wishes to perform after school may do so before the next scheduled time of the class by appointment.
Music Theory: 15% Written and/or oral tests that will include music theory lessons as studied in class. Practice and instruction will include music theory software like "Alfred's Music Theory". Class participation: 30% - Class participation includes bringing and maintaining proper equipment such as instrument, reeds, pencil, music, books, etc. and paying attention/ participating in class with correct posture.
Practice records: 20% - Practicing is a crucial part of learning and maintaining proficiency on a musical instrument. Students will be required to use our website to fill out the practice form of their home practice. The practice records are due each week. If the form is not completed by the end of the school day on Friday then 20 points will be deducted as being late. Students can count practice time after school in our rehearsal rooms as well. The best way to practice is in twenty to thirty minute intervals at least 3-4 times a week. The frequency of practice is more important than the number of minutes practiced.
Concerts
Band is a performance-oriented class. The major form of evaluation of any program or individual is concert performance. It is, therefore, very important that concerts be treated with seriousness. An unexcused absence from the winter or spring concert will result in a reduction of 2 letter grades for that trimester.
Dress: Dress for concerts will be white top and black bottoms. For males, nice clothes should be interpreted as dress pants, a collared shirt and presentable shoes. Skirts/blouses, dresses, or dress pants and a blouse are required for girls. Skirts and dresses must be finger-tip length, but due to the elevated seating on stage, longer lengths are strongly recommended
Possible Outside Activities
The Eighth and Seventh grade Jazz Bands will participate in the Massachusetts Association for Jazz EducationFestival sometime in early spring. The dates are not set as of yet. That festival is usually in the afternoon after school hours.
MICCA (Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association) festival is usually in the end of March or beginning of April.
The Great East Festivals (Music in the Parks) is a very popular festival among our Choristers and this year for our Band students.
North East District (Massachusetts Music Educators Association) solo auditions take place in late January. All instrumentalists in the Seventh and Eighth grade are encouraged to audition for Mr. Vatousios in order to determine eligibility for an audition.
Important Dates
Winter Concert:
Spring Concert:
THREE YEAR GOALS FOR
HOLTEN RICHMOND M.S. BAND MEMBERS
(the following is borrowed from the Wayland Middle School Band Manual but applies to all band students)
PARENT AND STUDENT CONTRACT
Student
I have read theinformation contained in the Holten-Richmond Band Manual and I agree to abide by the stated policies.
Student Name (printed) _____________________________________________
Student Signature___________________________________Team_________________
Parent
I have read theinformation contained in the Holten-Richmond Band Manual and agree to support my child’s efforts to carry out these policies.
Parent’s Name(s) (Please print)_____________________________________________ Parent Signature______________________________________Date_____________________ Home Phone:___________________ Cell Phone:_________________
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