August 25th, 2014 Dear Band Students and Parents, Welcome back! I hope that you summer was fun-filled and relaxing. I am excited about the year to come. Here are a few things to get us started: Attached to this letter are the following documents: Band Events Calendar (back of this letter) * Please mark these dates on your calendar* Hawfields Middle School Band Handbook HMS Student Information Form Parents: Please include your e-mail address if you would like to receive weekly updates on band activities. Personal Property Waiver Students are not allowed to use the instrument storage room unless this form is on file by Friday, August 29th. Band Order form Please read through this packet and the Band Handbook with your son or daughter so that everyone is aware of the class requirements. Please sign and return all of the forms in this packet by Friday, August 29th. Thank you, Mrs. Beddingfield ***Keep first two pages, and return the blue page.*** 2 * As the year progresses, any changes and additions will be given with as much notice as possible. * Please pick-up students on the Garrett side of the building anytime students stay after school for band practice. ♥ Friday, September 26th Send home Carowinds info ♥ Friday, October 24th ♥ Friday, October 24th SAHS 8th Grade night Begin Fruit Fundraiser in class ♥ Monday, November 3rd All-County Band Auditions 6-8pm Southern High School ♥ Monday, Nov. 17th and Tuesday, Nov. 18th Middle School All-County Clinic with Concert on 2nd dayWilliams HS ♥ Saturday, November 15th Christmas Parade Participant Practice (with all MSs in the county) *Attend if you are planning to participate in the Burlington Christmas Parade 10-11:30am ♥ Saturday, November 22nd Burlington Christmas Parade ♥ Monday, November 17th -Nov. 21st Collecting Fruit money during this time. After Nov. 25th, no money will be collected. ♫ Thursday, December 4th 6th Grade Band Informance 7-7:30pm in the cafeteria (students meet at 6:30pm in the band room) ♫ Friday, December 5th In class 7th and 8th Grade Band and Chorus Music Rehearsal ♫ Monday, December 8th After School 7th and 8th Grade Band and Chorus Concert Dress Rehearsal, 3:30-5:00 ♫ Wednesday, December 10th 7th and 8th Grade Band and Chorus Concert, 7pm ♥ Dec. 15th-Wed., Dec. 19th Fruit Delivery Week (date TBA) ♥ March Discount Card fundraiser kick off ♫ Thursday, April 23rd Rehearsal for all going to Carowinds (3:30-5:00)- BYE for sports ♫ Wednesday, May 6th ♥ Wednesday, May 6th Final Carowinds Rehearsal (3:30-5:00) Required Meeting for Carowinds chaperones (5:10-5:45pm) ♥ Saturday, May 9th Spring Trip to Carowinds (7th and 8th only)- ALL DAY ♫ Tuesday, May 19th Final Band Concert- 7pm ♥ Thursday, May 21st Chorus Concert- 7pm (EXTRA CREDIT) ♫ = Required and will be graded ♥ = Select students only/Optional/Extra Credit 3 (336) 563-5303 Jennifer Beddingfield, Director of Bands Greg Hook, Principal Introduction: Welcome to HMS Band! I hope that you will find learning and performing with us to be a rewarding experience. However, it is your responsibility to conduct yourselves in such a manner to create an environment that everyone can learn and be successful. You will determine the type of organization that you would like this band to be for yourselves. Our goal is to become the best musicians that we can be. The goal will require teamwork, dedication and individual hard work. Every student must make an effort so we can be the best we can be. Band is combination of the hard work of many individuals, which means everyone counts toward our achieving our goals. Grading: Written Assessments (tests/quizzes- tests are worth 3x the points of quizzes) 40% Performance Assessments (Performances, Afterschool rehearsals, playing tests, pass-offs) 40% Written Classwork Assignments (practice reflections, theory, concert self-assessments) 20% * Most assignments may be retaken before school, if a student would like to improve their grade. * Pass-offs: All students will have graded pass-offs. They will have a set number of pass-offs to learn and will receive a grade based on the percentage they complete. I will be available Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:308:00am to give struggling students more opportunities/individual opportunities to pass-off. Chairs/parts in 7th and 8th grade will be determined by scale pass-offs. Practice Reflections: Practice Reflection Self-Assessment will be completed in class to reflect the goals of practice, strategies used to accomplish these goals, and future learning goals. Tests: Written tests will be given to assess the student’s knowledge of music theory. Most playing tests will be in the form of pass-offs. Extra Credit: (This will be added to your Written Classwork Assignment grade) 1) Attend a concert of another musical organization (bring program), 2) Audition for or perform with another musical organization. (Ex-All-County Band, church band), 3) Taking private lessons from an area instructor. Materials List/Daily Supplies for Band Class: Instrument and accessories (ex- reeds, valve oil, neck strap, mallets) Binder with notebook paper and 10+ sheet protectors and pencil pouch for all grades. o In pencil pouch: Pencil, 1 highlighter, extra reed (if applicable) Method Book for Grade Level (MUST HAVE BY FRIDAY, SEPT. 12th) 6th Grade: Measures of Success Book 1 7th Grade: Measures of Success Book 2 8th Grade: Tradition of Excellence Book 3 (order from Mrs. B- it is brand new) Concert sheet music will be provided. Request for extra copies of lost music must be submitted in writing. After the music is lost, copies will cost 10 stamps or the student may handwrite the music/ arrange to copy a friend’s music. * If you have difficulties obtaining any of the supplies, please contact Mrs. Beddingfield. * 4 Percussionists only Supply List: The following list of supplies is a daily requirement for band class. Your mallets and sticks are your instrument, therefore will result in a written assignment each time you are missing a necessary mallet/stick in band class. -Drum Sticks, Bell Mallets, Soft Yarn Mallets -Mallet Bag (HIGHLY recommended- can be any bag the student puts their mallets in) CONCERT ATTIRE: Attire will be: Ladies- white blouse and black dress pants/skirt OR a solid black dress and dress shoes, Gentlemen- white button up dress shirt with a tie, black dress pants with black dress shoes. If you have any problems acquiring any of the items, please see Mrs. Beddingfield and we will help you acquire these materials at least a week before a concert. All 7th and 8th grade students are required to purchase a Hawfields Middle School Band orange tye dye t-shirt to be worn for such as Carowinds (same shirt as last year). 6th graders may opt to purchase a band shirt. After-School Responsibilities: Part of being in a performing ensemble is performing. Performances are essential to the development of the students as musicians. With that said, students are required to attend all performances in their ensemble. Students are expected to stay for the entire concert to support all members of our organization. Concert dates will be given in as much notice as possible, so you can plan ahead. I understand that occasionally there will be unavoidable conflicts. Please let me know in advance if there is a conflict or your student must leave a concert early. If there is a conflict: Please contact Mrs. Beddingfield directly (email, phone, or visit), to inform of the conflict. Many conflicts can be avoided through communication. Students who are absent from the performance for any reason will be given the opportunity to complete a written assignment to help decrease the effects of the missed performance grade. Classroom Expectations: In addition to all HMS PRIDE classroom expectations, the following rules apply in the band room. Postive: Keep instrument and voice quiet when it is not your turn. Ready: Bring your instrument, book, music, and pencil EVERY DAY. Involved: Put instrument up when Mrs. B’s arms are up, & attempt to play every section you are asked. Dependable: Follow all expectations, and silently help other students that are confused around you. Excellent: Practice at home, and come to class prepared to learn NEW material. Failure to Meet Expectations: 1st offense: Name on board and/or ask 4 questions (1-What are you doing?, 2- What are you supposed to be doing?, 3- Are you doing what you are supposed to?, 4- What will happen if you don’t do what you are supposed to do?) 2nd offense: Signature 3rd offense: Pick-up by administrator, and call home * Not meeting expectations will result in loss of field trip privileges and/or the removal from band class.* 5 2014-2015 HMS Band Student Information Form FULL NAME________________________________________________ LAST FIRST MI GRADE_____ PARENT/GUARDIAN EMAIL (s)___________________________________________________________ Please put e-mail address if you are interested in receiving weekly updates on band activities. This will ensure you receive everything sent home because it will also be emailed. If you have already received a group email from me, please omit your email or note this next to the email. Personal Property Waiver Students who bring musical instruments and other personal items onto Alamance Burlington School System (ABSS) campuses are responsible for the security of such items. Students will also be responsible for the security of personal items when involved in performing arts activities off campus (performances, contests, festivals, auditions, etc.). ABSS is not responsible for the property of others that is placed on campus at any time or at other locations during school sponsored events. On campus storage facilities such as band rooms and various student lockers are provided as a convenience to students. By my (our) signature below I (we) understand that the school system does not guarantee the safety or security of stored personal property and I (we) agree to hold the school system harmless in the event or property loss or damage. ___________________________ Student Name ______________________________ Parent Signature ___________________________ Instrument Make/Model/Brand (ex- Jupiter CES- 810) __________ Date ______________________________ Serial Number This form must be kept on file for students to leave instruments in the instrument storage room at HMS. This form does not need to be kept on file if you do not plan to use the instrument storage room. Student Name: _________________________ Band Block: _________ DUE on September 5th Circle requested items and please make checks out to Hawfields Middle School. Write you child’s name on the check, or put cash in an envelope (with student’s name). Shirts will be delivered to the school. Orange Tye Dye Music T-shirt $10 Circle size (adult sizes) YL S M L XL XXL Black Band Hoodie $23 Circle size (adult sizes) S Tradition of Excellence Book 3 8th grade ONLY $10 Instrument: ______________ Required for 7th and 8th graders going to Carowinds (same as last year’s Carowinds shirt), Optional for 6th graders M L XL XXL Required for 7th and 8th graders participating in the Burlington Parade (same as last year), Optional for all others. Total: ___________