Friendswood Junior High Mustang Band!
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Friendswood Junior High Mustang Band! |
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Membership in the Friendswood Junior High Band is an honor and privilege. Our band members are some of the best students at FJH. Along with this honor come expectations and responsibilities. Our great reputation and many successes are the result of hard work and dedication by all members and their parents. This handbook outlines the policies and activities to be used this school year to reach and maintain our high level of excellence.
The directors of the Friendswood Independent School District Band program offer a positive approach to the learning of instrumental music. We believe in the development of the individual student through various opportunities of performance. Through this instruction, opportunities exist to promote self-esteem, teamwork, individual and group accomplishments, and great musical experiences. In mastering these characteristics, band students enter the next phase of their lives with pride in themselves and pride in others. The directors welcome parental support and involvement in their child’s band experience.
The purpose of these standards is to create an environment that will enhance learning and performance for every member of the band. This plan is based upon the premise that every student has a right to participate in the learning process without interference. Responsibility for behavior lies directly with the individual student. As a result, anyone who interferes with the effectiveness of the classroom, performance, travel situations or learning environment of any other student chooses to accept the consequences as outlined below.
STANDARDS
1. Always be in the right place at the right time with the proper equipment and with a great attitude.
2. Raise your hand for permission to speak.
3. Respect others and their property.
4. Play your instrument only when instructed to.
5. Food, drink and gum are to be discarded upon entering the band hall. The consequence for breaking this standard is an automatic Restriction.
6. Follow all guidelines established by the Friendswood Independent School District and Friendswood Junior High.
CONSEQUENCES
1st offense - Warning
2nd offense -Student/Teacher Conference and/or office referral.
3rd offense - Student/Teacher Conference and/or office referral.
4th offense - Student/Parent/Teacher Conference and/or office referral.
5th offense - Student/Principal Conference and possible loss of chair or band
placement change.
Severity Clause - a student who demonstrates repeated and/or severe violations of these standards will be sent directly to the office and will be subject to stronger punishment, which may include an alternative assignment, a band placement change or permanent removal from the band program.
MUSTANG BAND GRADING POLICY
Because of the kind of class band is, a grading policy similar to other academic courses is impossible to use fairly. Through various public performances, the band is graded as a unit, not as individual performers. Each student and their parents must understand that each individual’s actions reflect positively or negatively on the entire band program. Through class preparation, the directors will instill the concepts needed for a successful performance. Individual mastery of these concepts, including instrument proficiency, proper rehearsal procedure and performance excellence, will combine to determine the nine weeks average. As a result, what is considered conduct in other classes becomes a part of the earned grade in band. The logic for this is obvious: one student’s inappropriate behavior disrupts learning for 50-60 others and makes the group less likely to succeed.
Nine weeks averages in band are determined using the following components:
Participation - 25%
Performance - 25%
Tests - 25%
Practice Cards - 25%
Participation Grades: Most of the grades earned in band fall under the participation component. In this area, a student earns full credit simply by participating in a certain activity. Student participation grades are based on being prepared for band everyday. This includes having their instruments, reeds, mouthpieces, all music and a sharpened pencil. Obviously, if a student does not have their instrument at band, they cannot participate and therefore receive a “0” for the day in band class. They must also give 100% of their energies in these rehearsals. There is no such thing in band as participation for half of the time. A student who chooses to disrupt the class throughout the rehearsal could lose their participation grade that day and receive a “0” for the day. Also included in the Participation category is Listening and Sectional Attendance.
Sectional/Test Grades: Sectional/Test Grades are similar to Daily Grades in other classes. These grades are earned in band in a similar way to other classes. Live or taped playing assignments will be graded periodically during each nine weeks in order to monitor progress. These assignments will be made from segments of music, scales, or supplementary material. Taped assignments will be used to provide specific feedback towards the improvement of musical skills. Practice cards will be turned in weekly as a daily grade. A student can also expect written assignments as are necessary to provide mastery of musical concepts. In addition, daily grades may be taken for the punctual return of administrative materials (permission forms, acknowledgement forms, progress reports, etc.) requiring parent signature.
A student can expect six to ten daily grades per nine weeks depending on their band placement. Some of these grades may also effect chair placement. Late work will be accepted at a 10 point per day penalty for 5 class days. After the fifth day, the student will receive a zero for that assignment. Sectional Grades are based on the number of before or after school rehearsals that are held during one grading period. These rehearsals are vitally important to the growth of the Junior High Band Program. Please refer to the Attendance and Eligibility Policy for more details.
Performance Grades: Performance grades are usually taken during band performances. Therefore, it is crucial that each student attend each performance so that his or her grade may be determined fairly. Each performance will be graded based on successful participation and contribution towards overall group success. If the group performance is successful, through determination of the director, and if each student successfully participates, each student will receive a 100 for that grade. The number of performance grades given will depend on the number of performance opportunities during each nine weeks. It is possible for there to be only one performance during the nine weeks. Every student is required to be at the entire concert no matter what band he or she is in. At some point during every concert, students will be performing and also be an audience member. For example, Symphonic Band will watch Concert Band and then warm-up in another area while Honors Band performs. Concert Band will warm-up before the concert begins and then watch Honors and Symphonic Band. Honors Band will warm-up in another area during Concert Band and then watch Symphonic Band perform. This gives our students an opportunity to watch their peers perform and create a richer band experience for all students in the band program. It also allows a chance for each band to hear the other bands since they do not hear each other during the school day.
Extra Credit: These can be earned by attending a FISD Band concert (an event in which the student is not required to be in attendance at), an FHS Musical event, etc. These points will equal a 10-point bonus on a practice card/per accomplishment or event attended.
Remember: All performances are a reflection on Friendswood Junior High and on the Friendswood Junior High Band Program. It is imperative that all guidelines for successful performance be followed at all times.
Make-up Work: If a student is absent for any reason, it is his/her responsibility to find out what work was missed. A student has one-class days to make-up work for each day absent. If the work was assigned in class before the absence, a student will be expected to turn in the assignment upon his/her return to school.
The Friendswood Junior High Band wears two uniforms, one casual and one formal, during the school year. The performance dictates the uniform worn.
The casual uniform consists of a band polo shirt, blue jeans, tennis shoes, and a belt. The band polo shirt is to be worn tucked in so the belt can be seen and the sleeves rolled down. This uniform is worn for pep rallies, football games and other “less structured” activities. This uniform is to be provided by the student.
The formal uniform consists of black pants, a white tuxedo shirt, black socks, solid black shoes, a bow tie, and a cummerbund. This uniform is worn at all formal concerts and adjudicated performances. The student will provide the bow tie and cummerbund. Students must provide black pants (dress slacks or docker style only), a white tuxedo shirt, and all-black socks and black shoes.
There will be a 2 day period in September from 6-8 p.m. when Al’s Formal Wear will be present to size students for Tuxedo Shirts, Black Tuxedo Style Pants and you will be able to order Bow Tie’s and Cummerbund’s. The cost of the Shirt is $14, the pants are $25 and the Bow Tie/Cummerbund is $10. These are last year’s prices and are subject to change.
Region Band is a head to head competition with students from around the area. The students have required music and scales that they must perform. The students are ranked and the top students make a Region Band. The Region Band meets the next weekend with students from other schools and works all day preparing new music with a guest clinician. They perform that night in a concert for their parents. Region band is the highest honor that a Junior High student can achieve in the band field. Participation is open to all students of the band program, but IS REQUIRED for all Symphonic Band Members as listed in the course description. Any students participating must perform for one of the band directors in the weeks leading up to the competition. This is to make sure that your student is prepared.
Solo and Ensemble contest will be held here at Friendswood Junior High. The date for the Ensemble contest and the date for the Solo Contest have not been set yet. Any student interested may compete. This competition is different than Region Band in that they compete against a musical standard. The student(s) prepare music with the help of their band director and are judged based on how well they perform their selection. For solos, a pianist will accompany the students. The charge ranges from $20-$30 depending on the level of the solo. Pender’s Music Company will be coming to the FJH Snack Bar from 5-8 p.m. in November. They will be bringing a selection of solos and ensembles for our students to choose from. Students need to communicate with their lesson teachers so they know what solo they want them to purchase.
All students in the FJH Band Program will prepare a solo and an Ensemble at the end of the 2nd 9 weeks and the beginning of the 3rd 9 weeks. This solo will be selected by the student and then must be approved by their band director. The lead teacher of that class will place the students into ensembles with other students in their band class. Beginning the first day back in January from the Winter Break, every student is required to have listenings to prepare this solo. A listening is a 15-minute, one-on-one help session with their band director. The listening time is determined by the individual student in the form of a sign-up sheet. The student must sign-up for the correct number of listenings as required by their director. Every student will have a minimum of 3. On the final listening time, you will be given a grade based on the rating your director would give you if you were in a Solo Contest. The student will be given a grade of 100 for every listening they come to. If a student misses a listening time, it is in their best interest to schedule a make-up time with their director. Even though they have made up the listening, they will still receive a grade of a 0. The purpose of the make-up listening is to make sure the student has an understanding of their solo and to help in their overall Solo grade. If a student participates in the FJH Band Solo & Ensemble Contest and receives a higher rating from the judge then they did from their director, then the rating from the judge will replace the grade in the grade book for that student.
UIL CONCERT & SIGHTREADING CONTEST
UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest is a required contest for the Symphonic, Honors and Concert Bands here at FJH. It is the band equivalent to the TAKS test and is the way our program is compared to others. The bands will prepare music from January to late March. During this time there will be required sectionals and individual listenings for all Honor and Symphonic Band students. Remember, a listening is a one-on-one 15 minute time for the lead teacher of the band class to work out the individual skills needed to perform the piece of music-i.e, tone, articulation, notes, rhythms, style, etc. Students will be required to pass off the music at a level explained to them in class. These sectionals and listenings are for a grade, but more importantly they allow us to prepare the band members thoroughly in a one-on-one setting different from band class. At this contest, the students will compete as a band and be graded on their performance, but the individual performer is the key to a strong group effort. After the concert part, the students will be judged on their sight-reading skills in a separate room. There will be a set instructional time and then the students will perform to the best of their ability a piece of music that they have never seen until that day. All parents are invited to attend this competition.
MUSTANG BAND
ATTENDANCE & ELIGIBILITY POLICY
As stated previously, a successful band program is not determined by individual skills, but rather on the ability of the entire group to perform. One of the most important reasons that band exists is to let students of all abilities reach extremely high levels of accomplishment while working together. When just one member of the group is missing, even for a brief moment, the total group fails to be its very best. In order for the Friendswood Junior High School Band to reach its highest possible potential, each parent and student must constantly strive to eliminate all absences.
Because of time, space and personnel limitations, we cannot possibly address all aspects of instrumental music during class time. As a result, we are able to extend the school day through curricular rehearsals. These are rehearsals held before or after school in the form of small sectionals, large sectionals, or full band rehearsals or clinics. The performance calendar dictates which kind of rehearsal is necessary. A student can usually expect one rehearsal a week. Because these rehearsals are considered curricular, attendance is required by all band students, regardless of their current academic eligibility status.
If an absence is necessary, please make every effort to clear it in advance of the activity. In most cases, a solution can be found for a perceived conflict. In the event of an emergency, a parent note must be submitted to a band director within 1 week of the absence. Any absence not cleared will be considered unexcused and the student can expect their grade to be lowered as discussed in the Grading Policy. The enclosed calendar allows ample time for scheduling; therefore, the following will not be excused: doctor/dentist appointments, no ride, family outings, dance, piano or other private classes, etc. Please do your best to be at every rehearsal, and we will do our best to be flexible with your emergencies.
Certain events on our calendar are considered extra-curricular. This means that these events are competition-oriented, or require a loss of class time. After school and evening rehearsals for these specific events are also considered extra-curricular.
Currently ineligible band students cannot attend extra-curricular events. Eligibility is determined by the previous nine weeks grades. A student becomes ineligible if he/she earns a failing grade in any class. A three week no pass/no play penalty is administered for the first offense. If, at the end of the three-week period, the student is passing all classes, he/she regains eligibility status. A failing grade in subsequent grading period will receive a nine week no pass/no play penalty.
Please be punctual to all events. We cannot accept an excuse for tardiness. A tardy for a rehearsal before, during or after school will be reflected in the participation grade as not being prepared for rehearsal.
ACTIVITY RELEASE
If a student travels with the band on a school bus, then the student must return on a school bus. This policy is for the safety of the students. If you would like to pick up your child from an event in which they were driven to by a school bus, then you must fill out the alternate travel for school event form. They are in the band hall on the same table where the students turn their practice cards in. This form is not available on our website as it is a carbon copy form. Once the form is turned into a director, we will get it signed by an administrator. We need at least 1 school day to get it signed. Please plan appropriately. It is our legal responsibility to transport the students on a school bus to and from events the band participates in. These include, but are not limited to, FJH Football Games, Region Band Auditions, UIL Concert & Sight-reading Contest, and any band festival in the springtime, and Splashtown.
PRIVATE LESSON INSTRUCTION
The Friendswood Independent School District Band programs are experiencing higher and higher levels of playing proficiency. One of the most important reasons for this is the private instrumental lesson program. Private lessons provide an excellent opportunity for our students to study with some of the finest musicians in the Houston area. The lessons cost an average of $13-$16 per half hour lesson. Payment is handled directly by the teacher. The directors of the Friendswood Bands strongly encourage participation in the private lesson program. The advantages of one-on-one instruction on your instrument will bring faster success and many rewards. The FISD Private Lesson Handbook is available on the band website. In it, you will find all the information that pertains to our lesson program.
EQUIPMENT
Students are expected to furnish their own instruments with the following exceptions: oboe, bassoon, tenor or bari saxophone, bass clarinet, French horn, euphonium (baritone), tuba, and percussion. These instruments are usually available for rent through Friendswood Independent School District. A student using school owned instruments must sign up on the repair and replacement insurance program. Students will be assessed a fee of $100 per instrument per year or $50 per instrument per semester. The district will handle most repairs. Repair cost sustained through misuse or abuse will be charged 100% to the student. The FJH Band department will handle all billing and payment.
Full names must be clearly marked on all instrument cases with a luggage tag!!!! Many cases look alike, and at the end of the day, it is easy to pick up the wrong instrument in the rush to the bus.
All students should own a small mirror, a wire music stand, a metronome and a tuner to ensure proper playing and practice habits at home.
Rehearsal equipment requirements vary by instrument; however, all students are required to have their instrument, their band binder with their own music in it, and a pencil at each rehearsal. All single reed players are required to have four good reeds in their case at all times. All double reed players are required to have two good reeds in their case at all times. All brass players are required to have valve oil/slide grease in their case at all times. Percussionists are required to have approved sticks and mallets in a stick bag/box for each rehearsal. Finally, all band members are expected to keep the supplies necessary for their instrument to be in top playing condition.
All band members will respect the property of others. Do not touch or play any instrument beside your own. In addition, do not search in any slot or case other than yours. If you are missing materials, music, or supplies, ask an officer or a director for replacements.
Only Mustang Band Members are allowed in the band hall!!!! We ask this to ensure the safety of our equipment and facilities.
HOME PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS AND PRACTICE CARD
Each student is expected to practice every week. A letter has been given to your student based on the level of expectation required of that performing band. Every band has the opportunity to earn extra credit on a weekly basis for their practice card accomplishments. Practice cards will be used to help each student, parent, and director monitor progress. Set practice goals and notate them on the practice card. Having goals will help you use your practice time more efficiently. It is important for students and parents to set aside time each day specifically designated for practice. The parent should monitor this time. Ideally, the student should be responsible for his/her daily practice just as they are homework in other subjects. If everyone will adhere to this, our band will be GREAT!!!!!!!
This year, the Friendswood Junior High Bands will be participating in a Spring Band Festival. Participating in a spring festival will be an outstanding opportunity for our program. We have two purposes for participating in such a festival:1) to provide our students with an additional adjudicated performance opportunity, and 2) to provide a fun time for competing in the Contest. Our students will have the opportunity to do both, as they will perform for ratings at the festival, and they will get to celebrate their successes by having fun at Splashtown.
We would like to see the Friendswood Junior High Bands take advantage of the many benefits offered through participation in a festival such as this. Our students will develop a sense of dedication and commitment through rehearsal and performance demands. The performance experience will help our students to become better musicians. The performance will also help them to be more prepared for their High School Band experience. Our students will get the opportunity to perform for some of the most outstanding band adjudicators in the country. Our students will grow musically from their comments. Festival participation will also allow our students to have the opportunity to bond both as performers and as friends. All students will participate in the Festival part of the contest. If a student is ineligible to attend the Festival part of the contest, then they will be ineligible to attend the water park day.
All students will incur minor expenses for supplies and materials through the year. These expenses include, but are not limited to the following:
Lyre & Flip Folder- required for all students for Patriotic Halftime
Band Polo Shirt - required for all students
Tuxedo shirt - required for all students
Black dress pants - required for all students.
B.E.R.P.-Buzz Extension Resistance Piece-Required for All Brass Players.
Splashtown Water Park Fees - required for all participating students
Solo & Ensemble Entry Fees - required for all participating student
Solo Music-required for all students
Please refer to the band website to download important information. All the forms from the beginning of school packet will be on there in addition to this Band Handbook, Booster Club information, Scales and Exercises for your student to download and our Band Calendar. Please check the site to see when it has been updated so you make look for new items. We will do our best to put everything on there that we can, including all information passed out in classes.