Welcome new and returning members of the John Drugan Dragon Band!
As a member of the Dragon Band, you are committing yourself to a music program which is
dedicated to continuing traditions of outstanding musicianship and school pride. The success of
the John Drugan Dragon Band will depend on the loyalty, cooperation, and dedication of each
and every member.
This booklet is for your reference. Please read through it carefully sign and return all
acknowledgement pages by Friday, August 7th.
GENERAL BAND OBJECTIVES
The following objectives have been developed to encourage the highest standards of
musicianship and self-discipline.
I.
To develop a clear-thinking individual
A.
To develop self discipline
B.
To develop good working habits
C.
To assume responsibility
D.
To develop a healthy competitive spirit
E.
To develop a cooperative attitude
II.
To work for continuous musical growth
A.
In the school
1.
To develop an appreciation for good music
2.
To promote high standards of performance
3.
To maintain a well organized band
4.
To encourage the students to continue their musical
growth and experience from middle school to high school
and beyond
B.
In the community
1.
To encourage music in the home
2.
To cultivate good public relations
3.
To encourage attendance at professional music events
4.
To contribute to the spirit and morale of the school
1
EXPECTATIONS
Beginning Students learn basic fundamentals of playing the band instrument. No prior musical
experience is required. Classes are offered for flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone,
baritone, and tuba. IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT purchase or rent instruments until your
child has been tested on different instruments. Once you have been assigned an instrument to
play on it is highly recommend that you try your personal best and stick with that instrument.
Remember, Rome was not built in a day, it takes time, patience and lots of smart practice to play
your instrument.
Returning Students will be expected to advance their musicianship by becoming a role model
to beginning students and applying prior knowledge to excel on their instrument. They are also
encouraged to try out for All Region Band, play a difficult solo at Solo and Ensemble contest,
and always be the top performers of their section. Aside from our holiday and end of the year
concerts, advanced band members will also have performances at the “Americas High school
Band Night” football game in September and our SISD and UIL Band Contests in April.
Attendance will be very important.
CLASSROOM CODE OF CONDUCT








Be respectful of yourself as well as others
Be on time and set up as carefully as possible
Be prepared and have all materials
No bullying, arguing, rude gestures, teasing or put-downs allowed.
No food, drink, or gum inside the band room
No electronic devices allowed
No playing out of turn
Watch and listen for Mr. Padilla’s instructions
The consequences for breaking any classroom or school rule will be handled as stated in school’s
Student Code of Conduct.
MUSICIANSHIP
Musicians must meet expectations to achieve their goals. Participation in band is a privilege not a
right. Discipline problems of any kind will not be tolerated. Classroom disruptions are a waste of
time and energy. They also create an unpleasant rehearsal for everyone. Behavior problems can
result in reassignment to a different band, and in persistent cases, the student may be denied the
privilege of participating in band.
REWARDS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Verbal Praise (and lots of it!)
Gift Incentives (Stickers, Pencils, Buttons, Erasers, Magnets, Etc.)
Possible reward days (work with smart music program, musical puzzles, musical games)
Seasonal Rewards (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s, Easter)
2
GRADING POLICIES
All grades are recorded and kept on file in a grade book (hard copy) and will be transferred to an
electronic grade book. Parents/guardians who use the districts parent portal will see grades
updated on a weekly basis. If you have a question about your child’s grade, feel free to email or
call and I will gladly provide you with a current grade. When a student is in danger of failing, I
will do my best to notify the parents.
Students will receive grades for the following:
Participation - Students will be graded on a daily basis for participation. Students are eligible to
receive a “100” for having their materials. Participation grades will be averaged on a weekly
basis.
Playing Tests - Students will be tested once a week on an assigned part from their music or book.
Students will be able to retest after school so they can make a higher grade. This year we will be
using Smart Music which will also be a part of the student’s grade. Grading remains the same,
the student can retake the assignment until they get a good grade. Smart Music is available in all
practice rooms in the Band Room. A student version of Smart Music is available for home use
for $36 (for 1 year), strongly recommended but not required. For purchasing and other
information please visit www.smartmusic.com
Theory - Students will be given a theory worksheet periodically.
Performances - Students are required to play at all band performances. Every performance is
counted as a major test grade. If the student does not attend, grades will suffer, with the
exception of excused absences and emergencies. Please let the director know in advance when
possible for an alternative grading assignment
Extra Rehearsals and Sectionals - Students will be asked to participate in some extra rehearsals
outside of the regular school times. If the student does not attend, it may affect the ensembles
success in the future, with the exception of excused absences and emergencies. Please let the
director know in advance when possible.
**I will try to avoid conflicts with other school functions. Students will be excused for religious
activities. If you have a routine doctor’s appointment, please try to schedule it around sectionals
and regular band classes. If other unavoidable conflicts are brought to the director’s attention in
advance, they can usually be excused. However, during the time directly preceding a major
performance (see the enclosed calendar), i.e., band contest, absences will be accepted only in
cases of extreme emergency. Absences may easily keep a student from performing, lower his/her
seating, and/or lower the grade.
3
MAKE UP GRADES
If you absent the day of the test or are not happy with the test grade that you earned, you may
retest. You must advise Mr. Padilla in advance and you may only retest after school. It is YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY to set up a time and to prepare for your retest. You will have until Friday, of
the same week, to make-up a grade. A retest does not mean that your grade will automatically be
raised. However, your grade WILL NOT be lowered on a retest.
EXTRA CREDIT
An extra 100 in participation may be given for the following:



Attend live musical performance and bring program (includes El Paso Symphony, UTEP
Wind Ensemble, El Paso Wind Symphony, Armed Forces band, etc.)
Attend an Americas Band Concert or Football Games (Watch the marching band!!!)
Attend a Marching Band Competition and bring ticket or program
*If no program is available, student may write short paragraph about their experience to
get credit.
* Dates will be given to students ahead of time and posted on John Drugan Band Website
PRACTICING
Practice is often fun and sometimes a chore, but is always necessary. The best way to make
practice time more enjoyable is to get into a regular routine of practicing every day. (Beginners
start at 15 to 30 minutes a day then increase practice times as your endurance improves) When
your playing improves, all the time spent practicing will have been worthwhile and the band
improves as a whole. Daily practice is expected and required. Instruments and music folders left
at school overnight, especially on weekends, will affect the Nine-week’s average.
***INSTRUMENTS MAY NOT SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE BAND ROOM***
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
Private study is very helpful for any student, however, is not required. Private lessons may help
the student progress twice as fast as group instruction and may help the student better prepare for
participation in band activities, region band auditions, and solo and ensemble. If you are
interested in private lessons for your son or daughter, please contact the director.
4
ELIGIBILITY
Texas law mandates “No Pass, No Play” for all extra-curricular activities. A grade of 69 or
below on a report card will deny you competitive performance privileges. If everyone
implements the following suggestions, we can minimize the problems which eligibility presents:
*
*
*
*
You are in school to do one thing, which is to learn. Do everything you can in
order to understand what the teacher is presenting.
Do all of your homework and hand it in on time.
Prepare all tests and projects well in advance.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Extra help is usually available during lunch or after school. Don’t wait until the last minute! If
you don’t understand something, go in and seek help right away. Each student needs to assume
responsibility for his/her grades and practicing. Students need to realize that their grades and
practicing have the potential to affect other people. Students with repeated academic difficulties
may be denied participation in many activities.
SOLO AND ENSEMBLE
The school district sponsors a Solo-Ensemble Festival every year. The work of students on an
individual basis on either solos or in small ensembles can provide the student with an excellent
musical experience and is strongly encouraged. Assistance with finding appropriate music and
preparation for performance is also available for the Band Director.
ALL-REGION
The Texas Music Educators Association sponsors a series of auditions to all eligible students in
grade 7 through 12 for the purpose of selecting students for participation in All-Region Bands.
A list of required audition music will be available from the directors. Any student interested
should see the director as soon as possible. The preparation for the All-Region Band auditions
will greatly improve student’s musical ability and the audition itself will provide valuable
experience for future auditions.
FUNDRAISING
Fundraising activities are essential in building and maintaining any outstanding organization.
All students are strongly urged to participate in fundraising since they are the ones who benefit
from the proceeds. Proceeds are used to offset the cost of trips, purchase equipment, music,
contest entry fees, and transportation costs, etc. Parents and students need to understand that the
student will be held responsible for returning the money or merchandise at the end of the
fundraiser.
5
MATERIALS NEEDED
Students must come to class prepared with:
1. Pencil – Please no pens, markers, colorful, glittery, messy items.
2. Binder notebook - one inch- black 3 ring binder with 10 plastic page protectors for
their sheet music.
3. Instrument and its accessories – students will be given a set date to when this will be
needed.
4. Books and Music – All Beginning band students need to purchase "Essential
Elements 2000 Book One” at any music store. *This is not needed until instruments
are selected*; Advanced players will need “Foundations for A superior
Performance”
5. Wire Music Stand – Please purchase this for home practice. Every student MUST
buy a personal stand. They run anywhere from $8-$50. Our local music stores will
have good, solid, cheap stands when you purchase you books and materials.
6. All students will also be issued sheet music for which they will be held responsible.
Band Uniforms
During formal concert performances, ALL Band students need to wear
1. solid black dress slacks (example: Dockers)
2. black dress shoes
3. black socks
4. White, long sleeve, buttoned, collared dressy shirt.
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Brass students must oil instruments once a week and when needed.
Woodwind students must apply cork grease to areas needed once a week .
Clarinet/Saxophone players must have working, unchipped reeds
Brass Instruments
Valve oil or slide oil
Slide Grease
Mouthpiece and mouthpiece brush
Flexible "snake" for cleaning the inside
Woodwind Instruments
Supply of at least 4 good reeds
Cleaning cloth and swabs
Reed guard to protect reeds from warping
Cork grease
Percussion Instruments (only students who are pre-screened)
Stick bag
General Timpani mallets
Set of SD1 General snare sticks
Small/Slim Practice Pad
Hard rubber (no plastic) mallets for
Metronome
xylophone
6
INSTRUMENTS
IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT purchase or rent instruments until your child has been tested on
different instruments. (Beginners Only)
Instrument Test and Selection
Students will be tested on ALL offered instruments in the course. Students will go over all
instruments and their characteristics during the first few days of school. Mr. Padilla will
carefully match each student to an instrument where they will have the greatest success.
Where to get Instruments:
In the majority of cases, students are expected to furnish their own instruments. The following
music stores are available in the El Paso are for rental of instruments:
Olivas Music
1320 N. Zaragoza
El Paso, TX 79936
(915) 858-6700
Bertie’s Music
1407 Lomaland Dr#101
El Paso, TX 79935
(915) 591-1759
White’s Music Box
1475 D George Dieter
El Paso, TX 79936
(915) 525-9052
*These stores are all stocked with supplies needed for each instrument*
The following exceptions are possible to get from the school: French horn, trombone, baritone,
and tuba. Students renting the above mentioned instruments from SISD will need to return the
required rental agreement cards and $45.00 fee before an instrument is issued. Supplies still need
to be bought from the music store.
Care of your instrument





Students are responsible for the care of their own instrument.
See “materials needed – equipment and supplies” above after you have chosen an
instrument and keep them handy at all times.
If you think something is wrong, show it to me first, I may be able to fix it without the
need of a repair shop. THIS WILL SAVE YOU MONEY. If your instrument must go to
the repair shop, please bring the claim tag from the music store which is repairing the
instrument to avoid lowered grade for no instrument. Student must still have other
materials handy and still must participate in class even though their instrument is not in
hand
PLEASE avoid taking out your instrument and showing it off or playing it outside
campus when waiting for your parents to pick you up. Others will not know the
sensitivity of your instrument and will try and grab it or play it. You can also get injured
if others try and joke with you. (I have witnessed people get hit in the face)
DO NOT let others play your instrument.
7
DAILY CLASS PROCEDURE
1. Bring instrument to designated storage area of class room before school officially starts.
Statistics show that an instrument is more likely to be stolen or damaged if a student
carries it with him/her throughout the school day.
2. When it is time for band class, make sure you are in your seat ready to start class when
the bell rings
3. Backpacks will go in a designated area in the classroom
4. Mr. Padilla WILL allow students to pack everything away with plenty of time before the
bell rings to dismiss students.
5. When class ends please storage instruments and supplies in the correct location
6. Do Not forget to Pick up your Instrument after school to practice at home
Avoiding Stolen Instruments Outside Class





Every student should be very cautious while carrying their instruments. DO NOT
LEAVE IT UNATTENDED.
Students need to LABEL ALL PERSONAL EQUIPMENT. Many of the cases look the
same, so be aware. Many students tie a colorful ribbon around the case handle for easy
recognition.
The district does not carry insurance for personal property, and neither SISD nor its
employees can be held responsible for loss or damage to an instrument.
The Band Director will record the serial numbers for all school and personal instruments.
Parents should also record the serial number of the instrument and keep it in a safe place
at home.
It is strongly suggested that parents insure their child's instruments. This includes any
school-owned instrument checked out to a student. Your family insurance agent should
be able to provide the necessary information.
8
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
As parents you can be extremely beneficial to your child’s success by doing the following things:







Insist that your child practice on a regular basis. Daily practice is essential when trying
to learn a musical instrument.
Ask your child to play for you often. This teaches them performance skills as well as
shows them that you support their music education.
Be sure to praise your child often. Let them know you enjoy their playing and encourage
them to keep improving.
Take your child to local music events such as the symphony, a Broadway show or a
concert in the park. There are many free opportunities in the area to hear great music.
Purchase some CD’s or DVD’s of great instrumentalists. Try to find recordings of music
that feature your child’s instrument. The internet provides instant access to many great
musical resources.
Attend your child’s performances. These kids have worked very hard to put on a great
concert. Your attendance is important to all of us! By attending concerts you are
showing your child that what they do is important and valuable!
Chaperone band trips. You are always welcome to attend our trips with us!
9
2015-2016 Dragon Band Calendar
Below are the Events/Performances that the Dragon band student is required to attend.
I will forward more details as information is passed along to me. Details and a reminder of the
event will be sent home with at least a week’s notice. If transportation is required by school bus
for any event, a permission slip will be sent as well.
All Students




December: Winter Concert @ Drugan (Gym), 6:00 PM (Date/time TBA)
February 6, 2016: SISD Solo and Ensemble @ Montwood HS (Times TBA)
May 20th: Western Playland Superior Festival Contest
May : Spring Concert @ Drugan Gym (Date/time TBA)
Note: Solo and Ensemble is a district wide Saturday event and times are given to directors a week
before the contest. Awards will be given to top performers
Note: Western Playland Superior Festival is a school field trip performance that must be
approved by administration. If a student is ineligible, he/she may not attend.
Advanced Students
 September 18, 2015: “Middle School Band Night”
– Americas Vs Midland Christian Football game @ Socorro Activities
Complex, 8:00 P.M.



October 31: TMEA Middle School All-Region Band Tryouts (Phase One)
– @Bel Air High School ***Optional for students who wish to audition***
November 10: TMEA Middle School All-Region Band Tryouts (Phase Two)
-@Wiggs Middle school ***Students who advance form phase one***
November 13-14: TMEA All Region Middle School Clinic and Concerts
-@Coronado High School ***Students who make All-Region Band***
 April 7th-9th: SISD Middle School Band Contest @ El Dorado HS (Time
TBA)
 April 19th-21st: UIL Middle School Band Contest @ El Dorado HS (Time
TBA)
10
Sincerely,
Christopher Padilla
“Music is the universal language of mankind.” - Henry Longfellow
11
Please print and return this page as soon as possible.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
My signature below indicates that I have read the Band Handbook & Calendar and I will abide
by the policies to the best of my ability. I realize that if we are going to have a successful band
program it is going to take the efforts of everyone involved and I promise to do my part.
___________
Period
___________
Student ID
_______________________________________
Student Email (print) *Required for Smart Music*
__________________________________
Student Name (print)
____________________
Home Phone
__________________________________
Student Signature
____________________
Date
My signature indicates that I have reviewed the Band Handbook with my child and we
understand the policies outlined.
__________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (print)
____________________
Work Phone
__________________________________
Parent Email
__________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
____________________
Date
12
13