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: 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 th 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 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: 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.