1. Back to School Parent Meeting
August 17, 2017 – 6PM RHS Auditorium

2. Why Are We The Rampart Instrumental Music Program?
The music program at Rampart is more than just one band or performing group. Together we represent roughly 20% of the overall student body at the school, and it is our goal that each student can find a sense of belonging and community somewhere within the program.
Our goal as directors is that every student finishes the school year a stronger individual musician than they started. IT IS ALL ABOUT THEIR GROWTH!
We aim to teach students how to be successful in life through the vehicle of music.
We hope to foster a stronger sense of unity through the overall instrumental music program throughout the school year.

3. What Classes Make Up The Rampart Instrumental Music Program?
At Rampart we offer a variety of ensemble classes that are all geared towards your student’s success through music.
Blue 1 – Music Theory – Mr. Sapienza
Blue 2 – Percussion Techniques – Mr. Acuncius
Blue 4 – Concert Band – Mr. Acuncius/Mr. Sapienza
Gold 1 - Jazz Ensemble 1 – Mr. Sapienza Wind Ensemble – Mr. Acuncius
Gold 2 – Advanced Jazz Ensemble – Mr. Acuncius/Mr. Sapienza
Gold 3 – Symphonic Band – Mr. Sapienza Beginning Guitar – Mr. Acuncius
Gold 4 – String Orchestra – Mr. Sapienza

4. What Classes Make Up The Rampart Instrumental Music Program?
We are also fortunate to offer several extra-curricular opportunities for students to get involved at the school in musical groups.
Spring Musical Pit Orchestra – By Audition
Auditions begin in early February
Winter Guard (Indoor Colorguard) – Open to any student at RHS
Information meeting for interested students/parents in November or December
Winter Percussion Ensemble – Open to any student at RHS
Marching Band, The Rampart Regiment – Open to any student at RHS
Information on joining next year’s marching band will begin to be distributed in February

5. How the year will look.
There are a multitude of performance opportunities for students involved at every level of the instrumental music program.
Our Fall and Mid-Winter Band and Orchestra Concerts are split into two nights – ensures that everyone gets a seat, and ensures that students are not here too late in the evening.
November 8th - Symphonic Band and String Orchestra
November 9th – Wind Ensemble and Concert Band
February 27th – String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble
February 28th – Concert Band and Symphonic Band
The Spring Concert is a “collage” style concert – where all groups perform together on the same evening.
Currently Scheduled for April 26th, Possible change to April 24th, Final details will be sent out on September 1st, 2017.

6. How the year will look.
There are a multitude of performance opportunities for students involved at every level of the instrumental music program.
Our Fall and Mid-Winter Band and Orchestra Concerts are split into two nights – ensures that everyone gets a seat, and ensures that students are not here too late in the evening.
November 8th - Symphonic Band and String Orchestra
November 9th – Wind Ensemble and Concert Band
February 27th – String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble
February 28th – Concert Band and Symphonic Band
The Spring Concert is a “collage” style concert – where all groups perform together on the same evening.
Currently Scheduled for April 26th, Possible change to April 24th, Final details will be sent out on September 1st, 2017.

7. How the year will look.
All of the Concert Bands will have at least one opportunity to travel to a festival in the school year.
The Colorado Band Master’s Southern Regional Concert Band Festival will be held at Palmer Ridge High School on March 8, 2018
Both the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble perform at this festival as a qualifier for the State Concert Band Festival.
State Concert Band Festival is held at CSU, Fort Collins on April 16th or 17th, 2018.
Concert Band will travel to and perform as part of the CHSAA Large Group Festival held in Colorado Springs.
They receive a rating from 3 judges, a short clinic, as well as a sight reading evaluation.

8. How the year will look.
Jazz Band Concerts are held in the auditorium, with possible additions to venues outside the school based on availability.
Fall Jazz Concert – November 29, 2017
Mid Winter Jazz Concert – February 15, 2017
Mile Hi Jazz Festival (CU Boulder) – February 16, 2017
Jazz Bands also perform on the Spring Concert.
Our String Orchestra is also planning for the following performance dates.
December 1, 2017 – Mountain View High School Orchestra Festival (Loveland, CO)
CHSAA Large Ensemble Festival – CHSAA Dates have not been released, but it is typically late April.
We are also planning to create the first ever Academy District 20 Honor Orchestra with the help of other directors in D20!

9. Other Performance Opportunities
We are always encouraging our students to participate in honor bands/ensembles over the course of the school year. These groups give students the chance to meet other musicians from outside their school, perform with world-class conductors and clinicians, as well as create life-long memories with friends.
Members of the Advanced Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble are required to submit a completed audition for a grade to the directors. Students may choose to have that audition submitted for individual honor ensembles.
Honor groups we plan to attend as a program:
Western State Honor Orchestra (Nov. 2, 3, and 4) UNC Greeley – open to all ages
All City Jazz Band (Dec. 4, 8, and 9) Held in Colorado Springs
CSU Honor Band (Dec. 7, 8, and 9) CSU Fort Collins
All City Honor Band (Jan. 17, 18, and 19) Held in Colorado Springs
All State Jazz Band (Jan. 25, 26, and 27) Held at the Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
All State Orchestra (February 8, 9, and 10) CSU Fort Collins, Wind players encouraged to apply. Only open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
CU Honor Band (February 23 and 24) – CU Boulder
All State Band (April 5, 6, and 7) – UNC Greeley, only open to Juniors and Seniors

10. Our Expectations
We know and understand that being a high school student today requires that they focus an enormous amount of energy on homework in other classes, however – for any student to be successful and grow on their instrument, individual practice is a necessity.
Each student will receive several unit assignments that they will need to complete over the course of a semester.
Independent practice outside of class time will be required to be successful on these assignments. Recorded performance assessments will be uploaded to Google Classroom and graded by the directors in a timely fashion.
You can help your student be successful by helping them organize their practice schedule:
Roughly minutes per day of dedicated practice time.
Needs to be someplace free of distractions.
Remember you are their best audience – your encouragement matters!

11. Our Expectations
We expect each student to be prepared for rehearsal every class.
This means having their instrument, their music, a pencil, and a great attitude.
As an Arts department, we have decided that all of our classes will be “No Cell Phones Allowed”
If we see them, we will take them – please encourage your students to leave their technology somewhere where it won’t distract them.
Other Items required for a successful experience in an ensemble:
Woodwinds – MUST have 3 working reeds at all times. Without a working reed, there is no way for them to play.
Brass – Need to use the mouthpiece listed on the syllabus or approved by the directors.
Saxophones and Bass Clarinets must have a neck strap.
Orchestra Students must have rosin, the correct chin rest for Violas and Violins, and a rockstop or tether for Cellos/String Bass
Local music stores can set you up with any of these items.

12. We are here to help!
We can be reached at , however we are much, much faster at responding to s.
Keith Acuncius –
Angelo Sapienza –
Our door is also always open if you’d like to schedule an appointment or have questions about any aspect of our program.
Our top priority as directors is to be your students strongest advocate. We want to see them be successful in any avenue of life in the future. Our main goal is to create a life long love of music in each of them – no matter what they decide to do or become.

13. How you can help!
If your student is involved in a performing ensemble at Rampart High School You ARE:
Already a huge supporter of the arts in public education.
Part of the promotion of the music community in Colorado Springs, one of the strongest musical communities in the state and region.
Dedicated! Seriously…seriously dedicated! (I’ve taught beginner oboe, I understand)
Also already a member of the Rampart Instrumental Music Boosters…but what does that mean?
In the same way that you are your students most important audience – we also need your continued help to ensure that we can offer students the best experience in our program.

14. Rampart Instrumental Music Boosters
There are a number of volunteer positions that could always use a helping hand throughout the school year and summer.
If your students like or are engaged by anything we do, there is likely parent support and help behind it in some way.
Without this help, there is no way that two directors could adequately meet the needs of over 200 students.
We’d love to see you get informed, get involved, and be active in the growth and development of the Rampart Instrumental Music Program.
The Booster organization serves the students of Rampart High School’s Instrumental Music Program. They strive to give each student access to the best materials, educational resources, and experiences possible.

15. Meetings and Newsletters
The best way to get involved is to come to a Booster General Meeting. Typically held in the band room or the Tech Wing Auditorium on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30PM
We’ve made them shorter! 
Also a great way to meet other parents involved in music at Rampart.
The Music Boosters also send out a weekly newsletter. Once students have turned in required forms for classes this year, you will automatically be added to the list.
As always, if you aren’t sure about an event or the happenings in the classroom feel free to the directors!

16. Other sources of information.
The music program also has a website where news and event details will be posted.
We also maintain two facebook pages with frequent updates regarding music program events.
Search on facebook to find out more about marching events.
Search to find out more about program wide events.

17. What are the needs of the program?
Rampart High School’s overall enrollment is booming, along with the rest of D20.
Each of the bands, guitar class, orchestra, and even the music theory classes are bigger. This is great news!!!
However, we are already experiencing a shortage of instruments and equipment.
We are currently looking to replace outdated equipment, and ensure each student has access to a quality instrument that they can be successful on.
We are currently in need of:
Tubas – most are over 15 years old and require a significant amount of maintenance to keep working
Mallet Percussion Instruments – Our vibraphone requires a new pedal and dampening mechanism.
Oboes – The oboes owned by the school are rapidly approaching the end of their playability.
Bass Drum Stands – currently in need of replacement.
Wind instruments available to students – more students equals a greater need for more instruments.
String Instruments – As the string orchestra continues to grow rapidly, we will need to add additional string bass and violins a year.

18. How we can meet the needs of the program.
Over the course of the school year, there are numerous fundraising opportunities for students.
Our biggest program-wide fundraiser this year will be a new endeavor with Custom Fundraising Solutions.
Has the potential to raise funds for the immediate purchase of new equipment and instruments for students in the program.
Doesn’t require students or parents to sell anything, only spread the word.
Has had success with other programs in D20
Liberty High School Bands – Raised over $18,000
The Classical Academy – Raised over $9,000
If you were unable to come to the meeting, please check the facebook pages and newsletters to get up to speed on the mattress fundraiser.