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Introduction Welcome to the River Trail Middle School Band program. We are glad that you are eager to experience music and share your talents. This handbook is designed to answer many questions you may have about the band program at River Trail, and also serve as a guide for many of the policies and activities that affect students. Back to Table of Contents Approximately half of the River Trail student body is involved in music through participation in Band, Orchestra, Chorus, or General Music classes. Band is one of four music courses offered to students at River Trail. The River Trail Band program has a total enrollment of approximately 300 students in grades 6, 7, and 8. From this enrollment are created four bands – Sixth Grade Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band. The Sixth Grade Band is created from two classes. These classes are scheduled during the school day according to instrumentation. These are formal classes for which students earn full academic credit. Students who have not received previous band instruction will be placed in a beginning band class. These students will then be placed in their respective band class once the directors have determined them to be musically ready, which is usually by the end of the first nine weeks. Private instruction is strongly encouraged for all students, but especially for beginning band students. The Concert Band is made up of 7th and 8th grade students, and is created by combining two grade-level Concert Band classes. Concert Band is a formal class for which students earn academic credit. Students are placed into the Concert Band by way of formal performance audition. Chair placements within each section are determined by the most recent full-band playing test. The Concert Band performs primarily Levels 2 to 3 concert band literature. The Symphonic Band is made up of 7th and 8th grade students, and is created by combining two grade-level Symphonic Band classes. Symphonic Band is a formal class for which students earn academic credit. Students are placed into the Symphonic Band by way of formal performance audition. Chair placements within each section are determined by the most recent full-band playing test. The Symphonic Band performs primarily Levels 3 and 4 concert band literature. The Jazz Band meets outside of regular school hours, and is open by audition only. Students do not receive academic credit for participation in Jazz Band. Chair placements within each section are determined by audition. Course Description Each band class at River Trail provides students with learning and performance opportunities on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. The primary focus is on the development and expansion of basic performance skills continued from the previous year which are necessary for effective instrumental music performance. Performing standard literature for young bands is the primary focus of each class and ensemble. In addition to performing with the main ensembles, individual growth and achievement are encouraged through private lessons, participation in solo and ensemble festival and honor bands. Topics and skills covered include:
Back to Table of Contents Program Objectives The primary objective of the River Trail Band program is to give students an opportunity to express themselves musically through performance in band. Our nation's public schools have a long and proud tradition of quality school band programs, and it is the intention of the directors to give all students a positive experience as they become a part of this uniquely American tradition here at River Trail. Due to the outstanding academic record of River Trail students, our school has been recognized as a "National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence". Therefore it is also the objective of this program that band students perform at a level commensurate with this fine academic record. Back to Table of Contents Curriculum The River Trail Band program curriculum conforms to the Fulton County Schools Instrumental Music Education Standards, which are drawn from national standards as outlined by MENC, The National Association for Music Education. Specific curriculum materials for the RTMS Band program are outlined per ensemble as follows:
Students must provide their own copy of Standard of Excellence, which can be purchased through local music dealers or via the web through a host of online vendors. Simply search the internet by the appropriate title to find a vendor of your choice. All band literature is provided by the school. Students are responsible for bringing with them to every class their method book and all issued materials with them to every class. Back to Table of Contents Band Program Directors Find out about Ms. Reynolds and Ms. Compton on our Directors page. Back to Table of Contents Grading Policy Band students are graded in three areas: Preparation, Participation, & Performance. Each grade will be averaged as follows to calculate the final grade for each grading period.
Preparation Grade (10 points weekly averaged as 25% of total grade) 1. Bring complete instrument to class. 2. Bring method book, and all issued music and handouts to class. 3. Bring mechanical pencil to class, clipped to the top of music stand when not in use. 4. Bring tuner/metronome to class. 5. Two (2) points deducted from Preparation Grade if any item is not brought to class. Participation Grade (10 points weekly averaged as 50% of total grade)1. Be inside the band room door before the bell rings. 2. Be seated within one (1) minute after the bell rings. 3. Be ready to play within three (3) minutes of the bell ringing. 4. Participate fully in all class activities by being attentive and on-task. 5. Follow instructions on the first request without hesitation. 6. Start and stop playing precisely with the conductor’s gestures. 7. Two (2) points deducted from Participation Grade for tasks not accomplished. Performance Grade (100 points each averaged as 25% of grade)1. Quizzes & Written Assignments 2. Playing Tests (results also used to determine Band assignment and Chair placement) 3. Performances (In-class playing tests for those students who do not attend performances). 4. Tests and performances are evaluated on a 100-point scale. Tests are then averaged to form the total Performance Grade.
Students who fail to bring their instrument to class without an acceptable excuse will have points deducted from the Participation and Preparation Grades. The Fulton County Schools grading scale is as follows:
*By state law any grade below 69 is failing. Opportunities to recover from low grades are outlined on the following page of this handbook. Daily Classroom Expectations In order to learn and achieve, students in band must meet certain expectations. Meeting these expectations will ensure a positive experience for all students in the classroom.
Classroom Conduct Band students must demonstrate respect for the learning environment at all times. Behaviors that are distracting to the class are regarded as serious disciplinary infractions. Students are expected to meet all expectations as set forth in the RTMS Agenda and Fulton County Schools Code of Conduct. Within the band class, unsatisfactory conduct will be handled as follows:
Students who present classroom disruptions may be temporarily removed from the classroom setting in order to minimize further disruptions. A parent-teacher conference may be required in some instances. Students who continually present classroom disruptions will be deemed ineligible to participate in full band performances and must then perform a playing test in class the next school day after the concert which will stand in place of the missed performance grade. Provision for Improving Grades (Recovery) The Fulton County Policy for grade recovery is as stated below.
Band students may earn points to add to their Final Grade by accomplishing any of the following tasks:
Each task is valued at two (2) points each and must be completed to the satisfaction of the band director. Points earned will be added to the student’s final grade. Students wishing to earn recovery points must sign-up for the appropriate task as times are available. Students who sign-up are expected to arrive and be on time. Those who do not show or who are late must notify the director in advance if possible, and also must provide an acceptable excuse in writing from their parent. Recovery tasks can be performed only outside of regular class time, such as in the morning before school, during homeroom with the homeroom teacher’s permission, or after school. Only in unusual circumstances may recovery points be earned during class time. There is no limit to the amount of Recovery points a student may earn; however, the maximum final grade may not exceed 100. Chair & Band Placement Chair placement within each performing ensemble is determined by the most recent full-band playing test. Individual playing tests (such as a student might perform in place of a concert absence) do not affect chair order. Playing test scores not only factor into each student’s grade in band, they are also used to determine chair order within each section. Chair order will be posted following completion of each full-band playing test; however, individual student scores will never be posted publicly. For 7th and 8th grade band students, the final full band playing test held at the end of each semester will also determine to which band a student is assigned for the following semester (Concert of Symphonic). Students who fail to maintain satisfactory performance standards, or who demonstrate significant improvement in daily performance, may be accordingly re-assigned band classes at the band directors’ discretion. Additionally, students that do not maintain minimum performance standards (75% or better on individual playing tests) will be deemed ineligible to perform with the full band in concert. Individual playing tests will be given during each nine week grading period. The date of the playing tests will be scheduled and made public at the beginning of each school year. The following expectations will be mandatory for the playing tests: 1. There will be no exceptions made for not having an instrument to perform the test. If an instrument is sent for repair, a rental instrument must be obtained so the student may take the test. If an instrument is left at home, the student must make arrangements to get the instrument brought to the school or must borrow an instrument from a classmate. Failure to comply to the above criteria will result in the student receiving a zero on his/her playing test. 2. If a student is physically well enough to attend school, then he/she must take their playing test. Students that attend school with illnesses will not be excused from playing their test. 3. During the testing, students will be allowed one restart. Additional restarts will result in point deductions. Calendar of Activities A calendar of band activities will be posted and made available to students and parents early in the school year. All performances listed on this calendar are MANDATORY unless otherwise stated, and students will receive full academic credit (100 points) for each performance. Students who are unable to meet this requirement must perform a playing test for a grade in class the next school day which will stand in place of that missed performance. Each performance will be preceded by a specified number of extra-curricular rehearsals held before or after school, which are noted on the calendar. Students must attend ALL rehearsals in order to be eligible to perform with the band at that concert. Students who do not meet this expectation must then perform a playing test in class the next school day after the concert which will stand in place of the missed performance grade.
Furthermore,
students will be expected to be on time to rehearsals. A student that is late
15 minutes or more to rehearsal will be demoted one chair placement. If the
student is sitting last chair, the tardiness will count as a missed rehearsal
and the student will not be allowed to perform in the next concert. A student
that is late 30 minutes or more to rehearsal will not be allowed to perform in
the next concert. Students who do not meet these expectations must then perform
a playing test in class the next school day after the concert which will stand
in place of the missed performance grade. RTMS 2009-2010 Band CalendarBack to Table of Contents Missed Performances Students who are unable to attend performances for any reason must provide an explanation IN WRITING from their parents. In these instances the student must complete a playing test in class the next school day after the concert which will stand in place of the missed performance grade. Material for such playing tests will include excerpts of music performed by the band on that concert, and will be selected at random by the director at the time of testing. Back to Table of Contents School Absences The Fulton County Board of Education Policy for absence make-up is as stated: “Upon returning to school following an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the teachers to request make-up work. Make-up work must be completed by the student within the time specified by the teacher.”
Prolonged absences (one school week or longer) prior to a performance will
prevent students from being eligible to perform with the band at that concert.
Students who are not eligible to attend the performance will be given an
alternate playing assignment which will stand in place of the missed performance
grade.
Students will be graded for performances based on the criteria listed below. Total Possible Points 100 pts. Point Deductions
Late -20 pts. Talking/Playing/Misbehavior -10 pts. (per incident) Attire Infractions -10 pts. Incorrect Attire Not allowed to perform Band Folder Each student will be issued a folder in which to keep band music, scale sheets, handouts, etc. It is the student's responsibility to take care of the folder and ensure items are not lost or damaged. Students should report lost materials to the director for replacement. Lost music will result in a two (2) point deduction from the Preparation Grade. The band folder may be stored in the student's folder storage space when not in use. Back to Table of Contents Required Materials Band students are responsible for providing the following materials every day in class:
Back to Table of Contents Private Lessons Band students are encouraged to study privately on their instrument. Research has indicated repeatedly that the study and daily practice of music has a dramatic impact on many areas of learning and growth, not to mention the intrinsic joy that it brings to one’s life. Therefore, in addition to the band classes and performing ensembles that are a part of the River Trail Band experience, students are encouraged to seek out and study with one of the many professional musicians in our area. A list of private instructors will be made available to students and parents to help with the search for those who are interested. This is an excellent way to supplement the work done in class and get the most out of band. Back to Table of Contents School-owned Instruments The school maintains a small inventory of instruments which are available to students on an “as-needed, first-come, first-served” basis. Fulton County School suggests a $25 fee for use of a school-owned instrument to help the school defray the cost of instrument maintenance. Students wishing to check-out a school instrument must obtain and return the check-out form signed by the parents before the instrument will be issued. Back to Table of Contents Instrument Storage Students will be assigned a storage space in which they may keep their instrument at school when not in use. This space is to be used for the student's instrument only, and should not be shared or changed without permission from the band director. School instrument storage is a privilege, which will be taken away from students who abuse it. Back to Table of Contents Classroom Procedures Students should bring with them to their assigned seats their instrument, spare accessories, band folder, and mechanical pencil. Students should bring backpacks, purses, school books, or other personal items with them to their seats and store them under their chairs during class. The River Trail band room is a small space for a large number of students. It is important that band students take care of this space and keep chairs, music stands, and other equipment in their designated spaces. Music stands are not to be used for any purpose other than holding music, and should not be leaned-on or otherwise misused. Back to Table of Contents Instrument Care & Maintenance Students will be taught in class the proper methods of instrument care and maintenance, and are expected to follow these guidelines at all times regardless of whether the instrument is school-owned or personally-owned. Maintaining an instrument in proper working order is essential to success in band. Students should report any instrument defects to the director, who will advise the proper course of action for repair. Students using school-owned instruments must take special care to ensure that the instrument is maintained properly and is not damaged due to negligence. Damage, loss, or theft of school-owned instruments must be reported to the band director immediately. Repeated negligence of a school-owned instrument by a student may result in loss of use of the instrument. Back to Table of Contents Instrument Repair The only acceptable excuse for a student not bringing his or her instrument to class is due to the instrument being unplayable. In this case, it is the responsibility of the student to communicate to the parent(s) that the instrument needs to be repaired. Further, it is the responsibility of the parents to make reasonable effort to take the instrument to the shop for repair as soon as possible. The student may be temporarily issued a school-owned instrument to use provided that one is available. If not, an alternative assignment will be given to the student during class. Points will not be deducted from the student's Participation Grade provided that the assignment is completed as instructed. The student is then responsible for completing - to the best of his or her ability - additional practice time outside of class to catch up for time missed. Points will not be deducted from the student's Preparation Grade provided that the student brings to the director a receipt from the repair shop indicating the date(s) the instrument was in the shop. Allowance will be made to accommodate time for parents to deliver and collect the instrument from the shop, since it is not always possible to do so immediately. Back to Table of Contents Students who are selected for jazz band will be required to attend all rehearsals. The band will rehearsal on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 to 8:30 AM. The exact rehearsal days are included in the calendar of activities that is given to the students each year. Students with three unexcused absences will be removed from the band. All absences must be cleared with the directors BEFORE the absence occurs.
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