Bloomington Junior High School Band Department EIGHTH GRADE BAND INFORMATION PACKET

WELCOME TO 8TH GRADE BAND  Welcome to the 8th Grade Band! We believe we offer an excellent opportunity for you to grow as a musician. To make the most of this opportunity, let us give you and your parents an overview of the 8th Grade Band and other information that will help you make your year a successful one.

Band Contact Info  Mr. Michael Wallace, Director ext BJHS  Mrs. Michele Carnahan, Lesson Instructor ext. 269 – BJHS  Ms. Pamela Kelly, Lesson Instructor ext – BHS  Band Website - BJHS 8th Grade Band - BJHS 8th Grade Band

Band Schedules  All 8 th Grade Band Students come to band every day  All rehearsals and lessons are from 9:48 to 10:32a.m.

Event Dates  Oct. 13, 2014 IMEA Auditions (Selected students.) All Day.  Nov. 1, 2014 IMEA District 3 Jazz Festival - Illinois Wesleyan University (Selected students.) All Day.  Required –Nov. 7, 2014 BJHS Bands Fall Concert – BJHS East Gym. -  Nov 22, 2014 IMEA District 3 Concert Festival - Illinois State University (Selected students.) All Day  Required -Feb. 17, 2015 Eighth Grade Band with High School Bands - BHS Auditorium 7:30P.M.  Feb. 11, 2015 Solo and Ensemble Recital  Feb. 21, 2015 IGSMA Solo & Ensemble All Day – BJHS (tentative)(Performance opportunity.)  Required - April 9, 2015 Band Extravaganza- BHS Gymnasium - 7:00P.M.  Required - April 10/11, 2015 IGSMA Organization Contest – Tentative  Required - April 15, 2015 Eighth Grade Spring Concert – 7:00p.m.  Required - May 25, 2015 Memorial Day Parade - 8th Band with Marching Raiders – Morning  Other required performances may be added at a later date. I will inform you of those dates as soon as possible.

Concert Attendance Policy  Concert performance & attendance is an integral part of the band experience. Students are expected to attend the required concerts listed above.  Each concert is worth 50 grading points in the quarter in which they occur.  I understand that emergency situations do occur and I will provide for those on a case by case basis.  Students who know they have a conflict are expected to contact me at least two (2) weeks prior to the concert date. Upon notification of a conflict, the director may, at his or her discretion, make whatever seating placement changes necessary to ensure a successful performance.

BJHS MUSIC DEPARTMENT ATTENDANCE POLICY  The first unexcused absence will result in a detention and the parents or guardian will be notified via phone or .  The second unexcused absence will result in a parent/teacher/student conference at which a performance contract will be signed that contains expectations for the student and the consequences for further unexcused absences that will include:  The third unexcused absence will result in the removal of the student from the class and a grade registered for the quarter in accordance with the drop policy.

Grading Policies  Grade Weightings Rehearsals & Concert Points - 20% Scale Tests & Rhythm Tests - 25% Playing & Video Tests - 30% Written Work – 20% Miscellaneous – 5%

Grading – Rehearsals & Concert Points  Rehearsals  Students earn points for being: on time to band rehearsals with instrument(s) & materials and actively contributing in a positive manner.  Concert Points  Attendance at performances of the 8th Grade Band is required. Please see previously posted policy.

Scale Tests  Major Scales Students will be tested on two (2) major scales in approximately the third and sixth week of each quarter. Each scale will be worth 100 points. After the second test of each quarter, students wishing to improve their scale test grade may make an appointment for testing before or after school. Scores will be based on a percentage of correct notes played.  Chromatic Scales Students will be tested on one (1) chromatic scale in approximately the third and sixth week of each quarter. This scale will be worth 100 points. After the second test of each quarter, students wishing to improve their scale test grade may make an appointment for testing before or after school. Scores will be based on a percentage of correct notes played  Extra Credit - Minor Scale Students may choose to perform a fourth scale for 20 points extra credit. Students must play the scale without mistake to earn the extra credit.

Playing & Video Tests  Playing tests consist of material assigned from the lesson book, band music or supplemental material. The assigned music is to be prepared to play for the teacher at the assigned lesson. Teachers assign a point value for the test and students are awarded point for the quality of their performance.  Videotaped tests are intended to give a more in-depth assessment of students performance. Grading of these tests is based upon a rubric, which includes, tone quality, breathing techniques, playing position, and technical accuracy. Please see a copy of the rubric for more detailed information.

Written Work  Peer Evaluations.  Self Evaluations.  Parent Evaluations (extra credit).  Other written assignments as needed.

Miscellaneous Assignments  There will be various miscellaneous assignments throughout the year that may include: Pencil checks Uniform return Music/reed/posture checks Etc.

Retaking Tests  Scale tests may be retaken until the end of the quarter.  There will be no retakes on the videotape tests.  Other playing tests may be retaken for full credit up to 2 weeks after the test. Past 2 weeks the test scores will be averaged. No playing test on music from full band music can be retaken after the concert has been given without prior arrangement with the director.

Extra Credit – Parent Involvement  There is a scale that may be played for extra credit each quarter.  Students may ask parents to do an evaluation of their videotape test music for extra credit in the written work category.

Materials  Woodwinds – Will be required to have: 2-3 Playable reeds at all times Reed Guard Cork Grease Single clarinet reeds will be available for School – Cash and carry only. No credit will be advanced. Swab to clean instrument  Brass – Will be required to have: Valve Oil Trombone – Super Slick or Trombotine Small rag to wipe down instruments Cleaning snake

Materials (cont.)  Percussion – Will be required to have Stick Bag Snare Drum Sticks Student Bell Mallets Xylo mallets – recommend - Balter 91B Yarn mallets- recommend - Balter Basic medium General Timpani Mallets Pitch Pipe Balter Cord mallets Staccato Timpani mallets

Private Lessons  It is impossible for us to over emphasize the positive impact of private lessons. Individual instruction is the best way to help students fulfill their potential. The main benefit of a private lesson is weekly one-on-one instruction with a specialist on the same instrument. A private instructor will immediately reinforce strengths and give specific suggestions for improvement. Please request our list of private instructors if this is an advantage you wish to offer your child.

Instrument Identification & Storage  Your first assignment of the year is to put a name tag on your instrument by Friday September 5. (5 pts.) You may devise your own nametag or get one from me for free. We recommend keeping instruments in the band room during the school day. Parents, please take a moment and write down the make, model and serial number of your child’s instrument. Keep your records in a safe place.

Books  The book that we will be using this year will be “Technique and Musicianship” for your instrument. These books will be available for purchase at school. We make a special purchase of these books and make them available for you at a discount price. The price for the books will be $6.00 for brass and woodwind. Percussion books will be $8.00.  Make checks payable to “BJHS”.  The books will only be available at this reduced price until Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Uniform  Students provide:  Black Shoes – Black Socks – Black Pants (No skin showing)  White T-shirt If there is a financial hardship obtaining these items, please contact me or a school counselor as soon as possible.  School provides:  Band jacket – purple and white You are financially responsible for the uniform jacket while it is in your possession. If a jacket is accidentally soiled, you should NOT attempt to clean it or take it to a cleaner. Return it to school and let me know what has happened to it. You will be responsible for the cost of the extra cleaning.  Students wearing something other than the uniform described above will not be allowed to perform during concerts and will not receive the grading points for the concert.

Band Detentions  Band students can receive detentions for: Forgotten Instruments/Music Arriving late to class Missing a class Excessive talking during class Other classroom rule infractions  All Band Detentions will be served Wednesday after school from 2:45-3:15pm.

FORGOTTEN INSTRUMENTS Students who have forgotten their instruments for a rehearsal or lesson will be required to make up the time either before or after school This includes the entire instrument. Forgetting a mouthpiece, reeds, neckstrap, etc has the same effect as forgetting the entire instrument. Students should come to the make up session with music and instruments prepared to make up any tests missed and/or practice the music missed for 30 minutes.

Instrument Needs Repair  If your instrument needs repair, please bring me a note signed by your parents indicating that they are aware of the problem and that the instrument will be repaired soon.

Too Sick to Play?  If you are in school, I will expect you to play your instrument. If there are medical circumstances that require you to not play your instrument for a day or two, I will expect a note from you parents (preferably from a doctor) excusing you from band that day. Otherwise, I will expect you to “do the best that you can."

Lost/Forgotten Music  Students will be given two (2) tickets at the beginning of the year, and each ticket may be exchanged for a piece of lost/forgotten music. If a student loses or forgets more than two pieces of music over the course of the year, replacement music may be purchased at 25 cents per piece. Money collected will be used for the band program.

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Signature Page  Please sign and return this page by Friday, September 5, 2014  I have received the band information packet that includes general information, attendance policy, grading policy, uniform policy and concert dates for  _______________________________________________ Parent signature. ________________________________________________ Student Signature ________________________________________________ Parent Address