Northwest School of the Arts
BAND
HANDBOOK
2012-2013
Mr. Mark Johnson, Director
NWSA Band
Mr. Mark Johnson, Director
1415 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
Phone: 980-343-5500
25 August 2011
Dear Band Parents and Students:
Welcome to a new school year here at NWSA. I’m excited to start a new year of music with each
and everyone one of you.
While it is impossible to anticipate every single situation that may arise during the school year,
this handbook will address most of the daily policies and procedures regarding band class. Please
be sure to read this information thoroughly so that you understand your responsibilities. Do not
hesitate to call or e-mail me with questions.
Sincerely,
Mr. Johnson
Band Director
The following pages should be signed and returned to Mr. Johnson by Friday, September 2:
*Student Information Form
*Behavior Contract
*Discipline Record
A NWSA BAND MEMBER WILL…
1. Be prepared to do his or her very best.
2. Respect the space and belongings of others.
3. Leave gum, candy, food, and drink (other than water) outside the classroom.
4. Adhere to all school wide rules and policies.
5. Be a positive team member.
6. Keep cell phone in purse/bookbag/pocket until the end of class
Consequences
Students not following the classroom rules are subject to consequences detailed in
the CMS Rules and Responsibility Handbook. The use of the following consequences
will be determined by the director:
 Warning
 Phone call home
 Time out
 Parent teacher conference
 Referral to administration
Cell Phone Policy
Any cell phone in sight or in use during class will be confiscated. Students may use
phones/ipod as a tuner before class begins. Phones should not be out during class for any
reason.
Grading Policies
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Formal
Performances:
22.5%
Playing/Written Tests: 22.5%
45%
Informal
Class Participation: 30%
Quizzes/Class Work: 15%
45%
Homework
Homework Assignments: 10%
Informal
Class Participation: 30%
Quizzes/Class work: 15%
45%
Homework
Homework Assignments: 10%
10%
HIGH SCHOOL:
Formal
Performances:
25%
Playing/Written Tests: 20%
45%
10%
Performances:
I.
Attendance at all concerts and performances is mandatory.
Exceptions will be dealt with on a one-to-one basis. Other than
emergencies (ex. broken arm day of concert or very recent death in the
family), absences from a performance must be cleared well in advance of
the performance.
II.
Students who are not receiving a passing grade in their band class or
who are displaying behavioral difficulties in class will not be allowed to
perform in concerts.
III.
At performances, each student is required to be a performer as well as a
listener. This means that all students are expected to stay until the end of
the entire concert, and practice good concert etiquette.
IV.
All students will wear the assigned performance attire:
Middle School: Red NWSA Band polo shirt (available from Mr. Johnson),
and black pants or skirt. Skirts must be below the knees. Black dress shoes.
High School Ladies: Solid black pants/skirt and shirt or dress. Skirts must be
below the knees. Black dress shoes.
High School Gentlemen: Black dress shirt, black tie, black dress pants, black
socks and shoes.
The following items are unacceptable at a concert: sneakers, jeans, Tshirts, short skirts, anything against school dress code, etc.
Students that are not in performance attire will NOT be allowed to participate in
the concert and will receive a 0%. This counts as an un-excused absence.
Concert Make-up Assignments
A concert in band is like a test or exam in any academic class. It is a major
portion of your quarterly grade. If you have an approved absence, or are on academic
probation you must complete a concert make-up assignment. Students that have an unexcused absence will NOT be allowed to submit a make-up assignment. The information
on the concert make-up assignment is found on the following page:
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A four page (4) page research paper based on the music that your ensemble is
performing. For example, if your ensemble is performing a march by John Phillip
Sousa you may write a paper on Sousa or on the American march style. (Middle
School students will write a three [3] page paper)
The paper must be four (4) full pages. Three pages and an additional paragraph
does not count as four pages.
The paper should be in 12 point Times New Roman font.
The paper must be double spaced.
All margins should be set to 1 inch
Plagiarism will result in an immediate zero (0) and a referral to the administration.
Sources must be cited in Chicago or MLA form. Internet sources must use the
full website not www.google.com. For citation info see
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/
These assignments are due one week following the concert. Make-up assignments for the
December 18th concert will be due on December 20th due to the holiday break.
Class Participation:
I.
Class participation is where students will learn the most as a band
member. Students can earn up to 10 class participation points every
class period. Students will lose points for the following infractions:
-Missing Instrument: 5 point loss
-Missing Supplies: 3 point loss (music may be replaced at a $1.00 charge
per piece)
-Disrupting/sleeping/or not participating: 1-10 point loss
-Failing to participate in class activities: 1-10 point loss
II.
You must have ALL materials in class before Monday, September 10th
(sooner is better!). Refer to the materials list for the specific items.
Tests (Playing and Written):
I.
Playing tests are given approximately once a month and are announced at
least one week in advance. Students play the selected material one by one
in class. Should any student have severe performance anxiety, he/she is
welcome to take the test at 8:45am the day of the test or any day before
test day. For high school students, playing tests will sometimes serve as
seating placement auditions.
Quizzes/Written Class Work
I.
Quizzes: Quizzes are sometimes announced and sometimes unannounced.
II.
Written Class Work: Written class work includes listening drills, theory
practice, notes, comparison charts, exit slips, etc.
DAILY PROCEDURES
When your instrument is in repair
1. Bring a note from home with the date the instrument went into repair and
where the repair is taking place.
2. Place the note in the assignment box, and let me know it’s there.
3. If available, I will allow you to use a school instrument for class.
4. Repairs should never take longer than 7 days. You will be required to practice
the material that you missed during the time the instrument was in repair as
soon as you have the instrument. This means you will have to practice a little
extra for as many days as the instrument was in repair.
When you forget your instrument
1. If a school instrument is available, you can use it, but will still lose 5 of your
class participation points.
2. If no instrument is available, you can complete a make-up assignment.
3. Turn in your packet BEFORE THE END OF THE CLASS PERIOD. No late
packets will be accepted.
4. Please understand that you will only be able to earn 5 out of your 10 class
participation points for completing a make-up assignment, as there is really no
way to “make up” a missed class period.
MATERIALS FOR CLASS
The following materials are needed for each student:
 Pencils
 Loose-leaf paper
 Instrument and assigned music
Specific sections will need additional supplies
CLARINETS AND SAXAPHONES
 4 reeds to use in rotation
 Plastic multi-reed case for storage (preferred over individual reed
cases)
OBOES AND BASSOONS
 3 reeds to use in rotation
TRUMPETS
 Valve Oil
 Mutes: Straight Mute and Cup Mute (a combination straight and
cup mute is available)
F HORN
 Rotary Oil
 Straight Mute
ALL LOW BRASS
 Valve Oil
PERCUSSION: MIDDLE SCHOOL
 Pair of yarn mallets (Preferred brand: Innovative IP240)
 Pair of hard mallets (Preferred brands: Innovative, Vic Firth)
 Pair of snare drum sticks (Preferred brand: Vic Firth SD1)
 Stick Bag
 Practice Pad
PERCUSSION: HIGH SCHOOL
 High school students should have all the recommended materials
from the middle school list
 Pair of timpani mallets (Preferred brand: Vic Firth T1)
Middle School Ensembles
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Beginning Band (6 grade band) is for any student with little or no prior experience.
Instruments will be selected based on student input and mouthpiece testing. All students
will need to learn a wind instrument; there will be NO students playing percussion in this
band class. Students will need to purchase “Essential Elements 2000 Book 1” for their
instrument
7th Grade Band is for students with one year of experience. This class will also use
“Essential Elements 2000 Book 1”. Some students may still have this book from 6th
grade.
8th Grade Band is for students with 2 years of experience. We will begin the year using
“Essential Elements Book 2”. Students will have the opportunity to perform with the
high school Concert Band during 2nd semester.
High School Ensembles
Concert Band is open to students in grades 9-12. At the director’s discretion 8th grade
students may participate. Students will perform music focused on individual and
ensemble growth. Music reading ability is mandatory for all students. Percussionists
will acquire experience on all percussion instruments.
Wind Ensemble is the advanced ensemble at NWSA. It is extremely important that
students prepare and practice their parts due to each performer having a unique part.
Students will perform music of all styles and all time periods. The Wind Ensemble may
perform with guest performers or guest conductors. Entrance to the wind ensemble for
the 2013-2014 school year will be based on audition. These auditions will take place in
April after spring break. The Wind Ensemble will be restricted to the following
instrumentation:
4 Flutes (1 Piccolo)
4 Trumpets
2 Oboe
4 F Horns
2 Bassoon
3 Trombones
4 Clarinets
1 Euphonuim/Baritone
1 Bass Clarinet
1 Tuba
2 Alto Saxophones
6 Percussion
1 Tenor Saxophone
1 String Bass
1 Baritone Saxophone
These numbers may be adjusted at the director’s discretion.
Jazz Ensemble is an audition only ensemble at NWSA. The Jazz Ensemble will perform
at concerts at NWSA as well as other gigs in the greater Charlotte area. The Jazz
Ensemble performs music from all jazz styles. Students in the Jazz Ensemble will study
the history and theory of jazz as well as improvisation. Auditions for entrance into the
Jazz Ensemble for the 2013-2014 school year will take place in April after spring break.
The Jazz Ensemble is restricted to the following instrumentation:
5 Saxophones
2 Piano
5 Trombones
2 Guitar
5 Trumpets
2 Bass
2 Percussion
School Owned Instruments
There are a small amount of school owned instruments available for student use.
These can be borrowed from the school if there is a financial need. Please contact Mr.
Johnson with any questions related to these.
Large instruments, such as tubas and percussion instruments, are available for student use
at school. Should these instruments be mistreated in anyway, students will lose the
privilege to use these instruments and would be responsible for providing their own
instrument.
Instrument Storage
NWSA provides cubbies for student instrument storage. These cubbies will be
assigned within the first week of school. There are no locks on the individual cubbies,
but there is a lock on the storage room door. Mr. Johnson, NWSA, NWSA BoB, and
CMS are not responsible for instruments left inside this storage room.
Private Lessons and Individual Practice
It is extremely important for students to have a daily practice time. I recommend
20 minutes a day. It is better to practice for a small time everyday then to practice for a
long time once a week.
Private lessons, while not required, are extremely recommended. A good private
teacher will challenge your child to be the very best musician he or she can be, and, at the
same time, provide individual support when your child needs it most.
Student Led Ensembles
I encourage students to participate in student led ensembles. If you are interested
in forming one of these groups and need practice space, please contact Mr. Johnson. The
band room, with Mr. Johnson’s supervision, is available on certain days before school
and after school. For a student ensemble to perform as a representative of NWSA, the
ensemble must be approved by Mr. Johnson. A hearing will need to be scheduled for at
least 2 weeks prior to the performance. Mr. Johnson reserves the right to disband any
student group, or cancel any performance representing NWSA.
Practice Rooms
Practice rooms are available upon student request. These rooms are for use by
one student at a time. No food or drink is allowed in the practice rooms. Mr. Johnson
reserves the right to deny practice rooms to students who have failed to follow these
rules.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any questions or concerns regarding
the handbook, grading system, or anything else, please contact me by phone: 908-3435500, or by email: markp.johnson@cms.k12.nc.us. Please fill out the next two pages of
information, as well as the discipline record, and return them to me by Friday, August
31st. Also, remember that students must have all supplies in class by Monday,
September 10th.
STUDENT INFORMATION FORM
Band member’s Name: _______________________
Date of Birth: ____________
Instrument:____________ Make:______________ Serial #:
Bus or Car Rider?_________ Morning Bus #:_________Afternoon Bus #:___________
Parents’ Names: _______________________________________________________
Parent’s Address(es): __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Home Phone: _______________________
Parents’ Daytime Phone(s): __________________ Cell Phone(s):___________________
__________________
___________________
Emergency Contact (if parents are unavailable): _________________________________
Email Addresses: Mom___________________________________________________
(Optional)
Dad____________________________________________________
Student_________________________________________________
Please list any health concerns of which Mr. Johnson should be aware:
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
There may be times during the upcoming year that I will need some parental assistance
for special activities. If you would be willing to volunteer for these duties, please check
the area(s) in which you would be interested:
___
Concert chaperone
___
Trip chaperone
___
Phone calls/Emails to parents
___
Fundraising Chair
other special abilities or talents not listed above:_____________________
___________________________________________________________
*Please return this form, discipline record, and the behavior contract to Mr. Johnson by
Friday, August 31st. Keep the rest of the handbook for your records.
BEHAVIOR CONTRACT
I understand that my responsibilities are
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To be prepared to do my best
To respect the space and belongings of others
To leave gum, candy, food, and drink outside the classroom
Adhere to all school rules and policies, and strive for democracy
To be a positive team member
Keep my cell phone in my pocket/bookbag/purse until class has ended
I understand that the consequences of breaking this contract are:
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Warning
Phone Call Home/Student and Teacher Conference
Time Out/Essay
Referral
We have read, and thoroughly understand the NWSA Band Handbook and behavior
contract. We understand the expectations and consequences of this contract. We will
keep the handbook for our records. We agree to adhere to all policies set forth in this
handbook, and follow the behavior contract.
Band Member’s Name (P-R-I-N-T): ______________________________________
Band Member’s Signature: ______________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Name (P-R-I-N-T): _____________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature: _____________________________________
*Please return this form, the discipline record, and the Student Information
form to Mr. Johnson by Friday, August 31st. Keep the rest of the
handbook for your records.