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Central Park School Band Handbook
2005-2006
(Text format of the 4 page Handbook) |
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Welcome!
I am looking forward to a great year for the Central
Park Band. The activities of this organization can
be very satisfying and entertaining to not only the
student but to the entire family. I am sure that you
have many questions about the band program so I have
prepared a handbook that will assist you throughout
this year. The handbook and parent notices are also
posted on the Music Technology website listed under
'Band'.
The parents of the new band students are
encouraged to participate and to help encourage their
child in this program. We will be performing several
times during the year for programs and band festivals.
Selected students will perform at the annual band
evaluation in May.
SIGN-UP / INSTRUMENTS
Students
interested in the band program should 'try-out'
band instruments at local music stores with the help
of the band salesperson to see which instrument is
the proper one for them to play. It is important that
the student test the wind instruments to see if they
have the proper embouchure (placement of the mouth
on the instrument). For example, if the student wants
to play a trumpet, but cannot produce the 'buzz' and
a proper tone, they might need to try another instrument.
After testing the instruments, the student may choose
the instrument that he/she likes the best. The instruments
most commonly found in the elementary bands are the
flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor
saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, bells, and
the concert snare drum.
Parents are required to purchase or rent
an instrument for their child no later than the second week of SEPTEMBER, 2005. Central Park School does not provide
or sell instruments or buy them for the students.
If there is a problem with the date, I must know immediately.
Students will fall far behind in their playing ability
without an instrument! If the student cannot get a
band instrument by the 2nd week of September, they will have
to wait until the next grade to begin band.
There are
many places to get an instrument. Art's Music Store
has a RENTAL program
where you can rent or rent-to-own a new or used musical instrument. There are also pawn shops
and newspaper ads in Birmingham offering musical instruments.
However, you must be very careful that
the instrument is in playable condition. An instrument
that does not work will not be acceptable because
the student will not be able to practice or perform
with a good tone quality.
Arts Music Store Phone 995-8376 995-8377 Fax 4647-O Highway 280 Birmingham, AL 35242
Bailey Brothers Music - Band Instruments - Phone (205) 714-7827, 1006 20th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35205
Alabama Music Center (Homewood) 2819 Crescent Ave. 879-9191
BandFolio (www.bandfolio.com Band Director - J. Evans)
Birmingham Percussion Center 1615 Montgomery Highway, Suite 158, Birmingham, AL 35216, Phone 823-9911
EVENTS
In
previous years, the Central Park Band has performed
at special holiday programs in December, the All-City
Band Evaluation, and the 5th Grade Graduation in May.
We will try to participate in many of the same events
this year, depending on the students' progress.
The first
few months (Sept.- Dec.) we will be learning how to
read music, count notes and play on the instrument.
After December, we will be working to prepare for
Music In Our Schools Month, the All-City Band Evaluations,
and End-of-the-Year Programs.
The All-City Band Evaluations are held every year the first week
in May. All bands in Birmingham City Schools are required to perform. Each year, I take approximately 25-40
students and about 15 parents to the Evaluation. ONLY
those students who have had the best discipline, have
practiced and attended ALL rehearsals, and
can perform the three songs well will be able to perform
with the group. This performance is the most important
event for us every year.
CONDUCT
Students in the band program must
have excellent conduct at all times. If a student
disrupts the class by talking, getting out of their
seat without permission, and interrupting the class
to leave for non-emergencies, the class will fall
behind. At this time, we only have band two days a
week for 45 minutes. Time is very limited to learn
about music and to perform well. We would like to
learn as much as possible in music before going to
middle school. The student must follow directions
willingly at all times in the band program. If a student
constantly interrupts class, he/she will be sent back
to their regular class for that band session, and
also given extra written homework. |
SUPPLIES/COSTS
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The band student will need some supplies during
the year besides an instrument. The student
is responsible for all accessories that are
needed to clean and care for the instrument.
Usually, the student can purchase these supplies
when they get a band instrument.
The
band students wear a uniform at selected performances
during the year.
Each student will wear:
white dress shirt (with a collar, school
shirt is fine)
black dress pants (not jeans)
black dress shoes and socks
The band students who perform at the All-City
Band Evaluation will also wear a red cummerbund
and bowtie for the performance. These are owned
by the Central Park Band. Parents DO NOT need
to purchase the cummerbund and bowtie. |
All Students
(Red) Standard of
Excellence Book 1 (Bruce Pearson - Kjos Music Company) for your instrument.
Fold-up portable metal music stand to use
for proper music practice at home.
Flute
- Cleaning rod with cloth, Polishing Cloth
Clarinet (and Bass Clarinet) - Reeds (LOTS
of size 2 1/2 or 3), Polishing Cloth, Cleaning swab,
Cork grease
Saxophone (Alto and Tenor) -
Reeds (LOTS of size 3), Polishing Cloth,
Cleaning swab, Neck strap
Drums - Concert Snare
Drum, Sticks (pairs sizes 2B or 5), Drum pad, Case,
Drum stand!!
Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone , Baritone -
Polish Cloth, valve oil and brushes
There
are many costs involved in being a band parent, but
the rewards are amazing as you will see in your child's
progress throughout the school year. Music will last
a lifetime!
PROPERTY CARE
It is very important from the beginning to take care
of instruments and supplies because they are so expensive.
Please DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE, including family
members, to play with an instrument. Many instruments
have been accidentally damaged by people who did not
know how to use the instrument properly. Also, do
not place books or notebooks in the instrument case.
This will damage the instrument.
If there is anything wrong with the instrument,
DO NOT TRY TO REPAIR IT on your own. Please bring
it to me first to see if I can repair it. If I do
not have the proper tools to repair or replace the
part/key, I will refer you to Alabama Music Center's
repair department or to Nuncie's Music. Students must bring a copy of the repair
estimate/receipt stating when the instrument was sent
in and picked up from the repair shop.
One very important rule in my band class
is that 'if I see someone playing or bothering an
instrument that belongs to another student or to the
school, they will not be allowed to participate for
that class time'. Several students have to pay for
"accidents" (broken reeds, key bent, etc,)
to other students' instruments each year which can
be avoided by following rules in and out of the band
class. Any band student who deliberately damages an
instrument belonging to the school or someone else
will pay for all damages and be dismissed from the
band program.
If
a student learns to clean and care for the instrument
properly, there is no reason that it should not play
well and last a very long time.
GRADES/ATTENDANCE
Students
will receive a grade on their report card each nine
weeks for BAND. This grade is very important, as band
directors in middle and high school may determine
admittance to their band programs through grades and
recommendations.
My
policy for grading band students includes the following:
attendance, participation, bringing instrument, practice
records (signed each week by parent), worksheets/homework
assignments, quiz or test. The student will receive
a satisfactory grade for completing all of these requirements.
It
is expected that the band student will attend EVERY
rehearsal. Missing even one rehearsal will cause a
student to fall far behind. If a student misses 4
or more rehearsals during a 9-week grading period
without an excuse from the parents, teacher and/or
principal, the student will be dismissed from the
band program due to a lack of interest and dedication
to the band program.
WE ARE A TEAM AND WE NEED EVERYONE A PART OF US AT ALL TIMES!
Students must attend all performances by the band during
the school year. If a student will not be able to
come to a band concert, competition, or performance,
he/she must have a written excuse before the
performance. Failure to provide a written excuse from
the parents will result in a possible unsatisfactory grade on the report card. As I stated before,
we are a team! Without all band members performing
together, we will not sound as good. We want to be
the best!
Students
attending field trips with the Band must remain with
the group and the Band teacher at all times. No students
will be allowed to leave the group or leave the field
trip early. If there is a true emergency and the student
must leave the group during a field trip, their parent
must sign the student out (check out) on the proper
permission forms with the Band teacher only.
Any student that leaves a field trip without being
properly signed out with the Band teacher will be
disciplined according to school, Board of Education,
and Board Music Department rules.
Parents
need to encourage their child to practice their instrument
every day at home. This is the Band homework, just
as students complete homework for other classes. If
the parent encourages the student to practice each
day, they will sound much better as the year progresses.
Students that do not practice their music at home
are not prepared for the next classes, and they hold
back the other students who have done their homework.
Remember, the parent has made a financial investment
of the instrument - so encourage your child to do
their best!
SCHEDULE
A schedule for band rehearsals
(2 per week) will be established at the beginning
of the school year. I do not change my schedule unless I have a music performance or meeting to attend at
various schools, or because of pre-scheduled school
programs or field trips for other teachers.
CLOSING
I
know that this is quite a bit of information to give
you at one time, but I hope that it will answer some
of the questions you might have about the band program
at Central Park School. I am very excited about working
with you and your child this year. I hope that you
will encourage and support your child to practice
every day and to work hard in the band and in academic
work also. If you need to get in touch with me, please
leave messages in my mailbox at Central Park, or email
me through the school website. I will call or email
you on the day that I receive the message. I know
that this year is going to be a wonderful year and
that your child will learn a lot about music and have
a great time playing in the band.
Sincerely,
Ms. Garrett
Band, Music Technology, Webmaster
SIMPLE PROCEDURES and RULES FOR BAND
*Come
in to class quickly, quietly, and get materials for
band ready. Bring your instrument and music. 'I
forgot' is NOT acceptable.
*Do not touch or play any instrument except your own.
*Do not chew gum or candy right before or during band.
It will cause problems in the performance of the instrument.
(The instrument will stop working.)
*Do not talk or get out of your seat without permission.
(The more disruptions in class, the less we get to
play.)
*Complete all practice records and homework assignments
to help you understand more about the music.
*Work TOGETHER in order for the band to perform to
the best of our abilities.
http://www.centralparkschool
http://www.musictechteacher.com
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Please keep the previous pages of the handbook for your reference.
Clip the column below and return signed by you and
your child. Thank You!
Please sign, date and return this portion of the Handbook
stating that you and your child have read and understand
the BAND HANDBOOK and procedures for the Central Park
Band. Please turn this in to Ms. Garrett this week.
I
understand that band is a commitment for the entire
school year. Students cannot withdraw from the band
without prior consent from the band director and parent.
Teachers may not remove a child from band or withhold
a child from attending band without a conference with
the band director, principal, and parents.
Parent
Name and Relation to Student (SIGN)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Student's
Name (STUDENT SIGNS)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Address / Zip Phone
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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INSTRUMENT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SCHOOL - Central Park Elementary
HOMEROOM
TEACHER _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
GRADE _ _ _ _ _ _
DATE
__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2005
EMAIL
(Please Print Very Clearly !)
___________________________________________
Please
include your name, your child's name and class when
sending email to me. Thank you!
Confidential
Survey-This will help me to determine what equipment
is available for students to complete assignments
at home. Also, it will help me to create CD's or Floppy
disks with audio and video of student work to bring
home for parents to review. This information will
not be shared with anyone else. Please circle
the item below if you have these available.
-Do you have a computer at home with CD and Floppy Disk drives? YES / NO
If yes,Windows 3.1 - 95 - 98 - ME - XP -- Macintosh -- Other?
-Do you have Internet access at home? YES / NO
-Do you have a regular (audio) CD player? YES / NO
-Do you have a cassette tape player? YES / NO
-Has your child taken private piano or instrument lessons before? YES / NO
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