Bloomington Junior High School
Band Department
2014-2015
EIGHTH GRADE BAND
INFORMATION PACKET
WELCOME TO 8TH GRADE BAND
 Welcome to the 8th Grade Band! We
believe we offer an excellent opportunity for
you to grow as a musician. To make the
most of this opportunity, let us give you and
your parents an overview of the 8th Grade
Band and other information that will help
you make your year a successful one.
Band Contact Info
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Mr. Michael Wallace, Director
 827-0086 ext. 269 - BJHS
 wallacem@district87.org
Mrs. Michele Carnahan, Lesson Instructor
 827-0086 ext. 269 – BJHS
 carnahanm@district87.org
Ms. Pamela Kelly, Lesson Instructor
 828-5201 ext. 2298 – BHS
 kellyp@district87.org
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Band Website BJHS 8th Grade Band http://bjhs8thgradeband.weebly.com
Band Schedules
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All 8th Grade Band Students come to band every day
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All rehearsals and lessons are from 9:48 to 10:32a.m.
Event Dates
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Oct. 13, 2014 IMEA Auditions (Selected students.) All Day.
Nov. 1, 2014 IMEA District 3 Jazz Festival - Illinois Wesleyan University (Selected students.)
All Day.
Required –Nov. 7, 2014 BJHS Bands Fall Concert – BJHS East Gym. Nov 22, 2014 IMEA District 3 Concert Festival - Illinois State University (Selected students.)
All Day
Required -Feb. 17, 2015 Eighth Grade Band with High School Bands - BHS Auditorium
7:30P.M.
Feb. 11, 2015 Solo and Ensemble Recital
Feb. 21, 2015 IGSMA Solo & Ensemble All Day – BJHS (tentative)(Performance
opportunity.)
Required - April 9, 2015 Band Extravaganza- BHS Gymnasium - 7:00P.M.
Required - April 10/11, 2015 IGSMA Organization Contest – Tentative
Required - April 15, 2015 Eighth Grade Spring Concert – 7:00p.m.
Required - May 25, 2015 Memorial Day Parade - 8th Band with Marching Raiders – Morning
Other required performances may be added at a later date. I will inform you of those
dates as soon as possible.
Concert Attendance Policy
 Concert performance & attendance is an integral part of the band
experience. Students are expected to attend the required
concerts listed above.
 Each concert is worth 50 grading points in the quarter in which
they occur.
 I understand that emergency situations do occur and I will
provide for those on a case by case basis.
 Students who know they have a conflict are expected to contact
me at least two (2) weeks prior to the concert date.
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Upon notification of a conflict, the director may, at his or her
discretion, make whatever seating placement changes necessary to
ensure a successful performance.
BJHS MUSIC DEPARTMENT
ATTENDANCE POLICY
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The first unexcused absence will result in a detention and the parents or
guardian will be notified via phone or email.
The second unexcused absence will result in a parent/teacher/student
conference at which a performance contract will be signed that contains
expectations for the student and the consequences for further
unexcused absences that will include:
The third unexcused absence will result in the removal of the student
from the class and a grade registered for the quarter in accordance with
the drop policy.
Grading Policies
 Grade Weightings
 Rehearsals & Concert Points - 20%
 Scale Tests & Rhythm Tests - 25%
 Playing & Video Tests - 30%
 Written Work – 20%
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Miscellaneous – 5%
Grading – Rehearsals & Concert Points
 Rehearsals
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Students earn points for being:
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on time to band rehearsals
with instrument(s) & materials
and actively contributing in a positive manner.
 Concert Points
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Attendance at performances of the 8th Grade Band is required. Please
see previously posted policy.
Scale Tests
 Major Scales
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Students will be tested on two (2) major scales in approximately the third and sixth week of
each quarter. Each scale will be worth 100 points. After the second test of each quarter,
students wishing to improve their scale test grade may make an appointment for testing
before or after school. Scores will be based on a percentage of correct notes played.
 Chromatic Scales
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Students will be tested on one (1) chromatic scale in approximately the third and sixth week of
each quarter. This scale will be worth 100 points. After the second test of each quarter,
students wishing to improve their scale test grade may make an appointment for testing
before or after school. Scores will be based on a percentage of correct notes played
 Extra Credit - Minor Scale
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Students may choose to perform a fourth scale for 20 points extra credit. Students must play
the scale without mistake to earn the extra credit.
Playing & Video Tests
 Playing tests consist of material assigned from the lesson book,
band music or supplemental material. The assigned music is to
be prepared to play for the teacher at the assigned lesson.
Teachers assign a point value for the test and students are
awarded point for the quality of their performance.
 Videotaped tests are intended to give a more in-depth
assessment of students performance. Grading of these tests is
based upon a rubric, which includes, tone quality, breathing
techniques, playing position, and technical accuracy. Please see
a copy of the rubric for more detailed information.
Written Work
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Peer Evaluations.
Self Evaluations.
Parent Evaluations (extra credit).
Other written assignments as needed.
Miscellaneous Assignments
 There will be various miscellaneous
assignments throughout the year that may
include:
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Pencil checks
Uniform return
Music/reed/posture checks
Etc.
Retaking Tests
 Scale tests may be retaken until the end of the
quarter.
 There will be no retakes on the videotape tests.
 Other playing tests may be retaken for full credit up to
2 weeks after the test. Past 2 weeks the test scores
will be averaged.
 No playing test on music from full band music can
be retaken after the concert has been given
without prior arrangement with the director.
Extra Credit – Parent Involvement
 There is a scale that may be played for
extra credit each quarter.
 Students may ask parents to do an
evaluation of their videotape test music for
extra credit in the written work category.
Materials
 Woodwinds – Will be required to have:
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2-3 Playable reeds at all times
Reed Guard
Cork Grease
Single clarinet reeds will be available for purchase @ School – Cash and carry only. No
credit will be advanced.
Swab to clean instrument
 Brass – Will be required to have:
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Valve Oil
Trombone – Super Slick or Trombotine
Small rag to wipe down instruments
Cleaning snake
Materials (cont.)
 Percussion – Will be required to have
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Stick Bag
Snare Drum Sticks
Student Bell Mallets
Xylo mallets – recommend - Balter 91B
Yarn mallets- recommend - Balter Basic medium
General Timpani Mallets
Pitch Pipe
Balter Cord mallets
Staccato Timpani mallets
Private Lessons
 It is impossible for us to over emphasize the
positive impact of private lessons. Individual
instruction is the best way to help students fulfill
their potential. The main benefit of a private
lesson is weekly one-on-one instruction with a
specialist on the same instrument. A private
instructor will immediately reinforce strengths and
give specific suggestions for improvement.
Please request our list of private instructors if this
is an advantage you wish to offer your child.
Instrument Identification & Storage
 Your first assignment of the year is to put a
name tag on your instrument by Friday
September 5. (5 pts.) You may devise your
own nametag or get one from me for free. We
recommend keeping instruments in the band
room during the school day. Parents, please
take a moment and write down the make,
model and serial number of your child’s
instrument. Keep your records in a safe
place.
Books
 The book that we will be using this year will be
“Technique and Musicianship” for your instrument.
These books will be available for purchase at school.
We make a special purchase of these books and
make them available for you at a discount price. The
price for the books will be $6.00 for brass and
woodwind. Percussion books will be $8.00.
 Make checks payable to “BJHS”.
 The books will only be available at this reduced price
until Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.
Uniform
 Students provide:
 Black Shoes – Black Socks – Black Pants (No skin showing)
 White T-shirt
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If there is a financial hardship obtaining these items, please contact
me or a school counselor as soon as possible.
 School provides:
 Band jacket – purple and white
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You are financially responsible for the uniform jacket while it is in
your possession. If a jacket is accidentally soiled, you should
NOT attempt to clean it or take it to a cleaner. Return it to
school and let me know what has happened to it. You will be
responsible for the cost of the extra cleaning.
 Students wearing something other than the uniform described
above will not be allowed to perform during concerts and will
not receive the grading points for the concert.
Band Detentions
 Band students can receive detentions for:
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Forgotten Instruments/Music
Arriving late to class
Missing a class
Excessive talking during class
Other classroom rule infractions
 All Band Detentions will be served
Wednesday after school from 2:45-3:15pm.
FORGOTTEN INSTRUMENTS
 Students who have forgotten their instruments for
a rehearsal or lesson will be required to make up
the time either before or after school This includes
the entire instrument. Forgetting a mouthpiece,
reeds, neckstrap, etc has the same effect as
forgetting the entire instrument. Students should
come to the make up session with music and
instruments prepared to make up any tests missed
and/or practice the music missed for 30 minutes.
Instrument Needs Repair
 If your instrument needs repair, please
bring me a note signed by your parents
indicating that they are aware of the
problem and that the instrument will be
repaired soon.
Too Sick to Play?
 If you are in school, I will expect you to play
your instrument. If there are medical
circumstances that require you to not play
your instrument for a day or two, I will
expect a note from you parents (preferably
from a doctor) excusing you from band that
day. Otherwise, I will expect you to “do the
best that you can."
Lost/Forgotten Music
 Students will be given two (2) tickets at the
beginning of the year, and each ticket may
be exchanged for a piece of lost/forgotten
music. If a student loses or forgets more
than two pieces of music over the course of
the year, replacement music may be
purchased at 25 cents per piece. Money
collected will be used for the band
program.
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Signature Page
 Please sign and return this page by Friday, September 5, 2014
 I have received the band information
packet that includes general information,
attendance policy, grading policy, uniform
policy and concert dates for 2014-15.
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Parent signature.
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Student Signature
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Parent Email Address