MUSIC HANDBOOK
RACHEL M. KAUFFMAN
6 , 7 , & 8th Grade Bands, 6th Grade Chorus,
& 8th Grade Career Skills
Lynnhaven Middle School
1250 Bayne Drive
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454
Rachel.Kauffman@vbschools.com
757.648.4850 Ext. 61634 VM: 71687
http://bluefishmusic.weebly.com
th
th
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Meet the Director……………………………………………………………………….…3
Curriculum Outline………………………………………………………………………..3
Expectations…………………………………………………………………………….…4
Consequences……………………………………………………………………………...5
Materials………………………………………………………………………………......5
Instrument rental/purchase supplies…………………………………………….………....5
Grading……………………………………………………………………………………5
Absences/Make-up work………………………………………………………………….6
Performance Goals………………………………………………………………………..6
Important Dates………..………………………………………………………………….6
Concert Dress……………………………………………………………………………..7
After school rehearsals…………………………………………………………………….7
Solo & Ensemble Requirement……………………………………………………………7
Assessment Band ……………………………………………………...………………….7
Tutoring ……………………………………………………………………………….….8
All-City Eligibility………………………………………………………………………...8
Band Booster Program…………………………………………………………………….8
Student & Parent Agreement Form……………………………………………………….9
2
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Ms. Rachel Kauffman – 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band, 6th Chorus, & 8th Grade Career Skills
Ms. Kauffman is excited to start her second year of making music with the students at
Lynnhaven Middle School! Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Ms. Kauffman
began her musical journey by joining the choir in sixth grade and later began playing
clarinet in eighth grade. She participated in various instrumental and vocal ensembles
through middle and high school. Ms. Kauffman went on to complete her Bachelor of
Music in Music Education degree from West Virginia University (Go Mountaineers!).
For the next three years, Ms. Kauffman taught General and Instrumental Music in
Northern Virginia. In the summer of 2014 Ms. Kauffman completed her Master of Music
Education degree from Penn State University.
Ms. Kauffman has been fortunate to work and create music with students across all grade
and skill levels. She is a current member of the National Association for Music
Education (NAfME), the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA), the Virginia
Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA), and the Pennsylvania Music
Educators Association (PMEA).
CONTACT INFORMATION:
The best and most efficient way to contact Ms. Kauffman is via email.
Email: Rachel.Kauffman@vbschools.com
Work Phone: 757.648.4850 Ext. 61634 VM: 71687
Website: http://bluefishmusic.weebly.com
CURRICULUM OUTLINE
Music Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools
Board of Education
Commonwealth of Virginia
June 2013
Middle School Instrumental Music: Beginning, Intermediate, & Advanced Levels
The standards for Middle School Instrumental Music, Beginning, Intermediate, and
Advanced levels enable students to begin and continue receiving instruction on wind,
percussion, or string instrument of their choice with guidance from the music teacher.
Instruction may begin at any middle school grade level. Students demonstrate proper care
of the instrument and become familiar with the technology of the instrument. They
demonstrate basic positions, fingerings, and tone production, and they count, read, and
perform music Solo Literature at various Grade Levels of the Virginia Band and
Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA). Students begin to describe, respond to,
interpret, and evaluate works of music and create basic variations of simple melodies.
They investigate career options in music. Students may use standard method books in
3
either homogeneous or heterogeneous class settings. Students are provided with
opportunities to participate in local, district, and regional events.
Middle School Vocal/Choral Music: Beginning Level
The standards for Middle School Vocal/Choral Music, Beginning level enable students to
obtain musical knowledge and skills in the choral setting. Students begin to develop
choral skills, including singing in unison and two part harmony, with emphasis on vocal
production and technique. Students learn to read, write and compose music, using basic
music theory. They explore and perform music in a variety of music styles. In addition,
students develop an understanding of acceptable concert etiquette. Students are provided
with opportunities to participate in local, district, regional, and state events.
EXPECTATIONS
Make quality choices
Use proper manners
Speak/play/sing when the teacher says
Involve yourself in the music making process
Care for ALL music room equipment





All students will enter the music room and will be ready with proper equipment and
materials and seated/standing in assigned space within 5 minutes.
Students who enter class after the bell rings must report to the tardy table located in
the Commons and return to the music room with a pass.
Students should use the restroom BEFORE coming to class. Restroom passes will
only be issued on an emergency need basis.
Students will only play on their ASSIGNED instrument/voice part. Only
percussionists may use percussion equipment.
Students will follow all LMS rules and procedures at all times.
CONSEQUENCES

Students who choose to make improper choices will result in the following actions:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Phone call or email home
3. Detention
4. Referrals
5. Removal from field trips/special events
4
MATERIALS
(Please contact Ms. Kauffman as soon as possible if you wish to discuss other
options in regards to obtaining materials/instruments.)
All students:
 (1) Black 1” 3-ring binder
 Recommended- Approximately 20-25 clear sheet protectors
 Concert music (provided by LMS)
 Pencil
 Loose leaf paper
Band students:
 Instrument
 Method book: Beginners – Standard of Excellence Book No. 1
2 year + - Standard of Excellence Book No. 2
(Students transitioning between 1st and 2nd year playing should have
both books.)
 Folder (provided by LMS)
 Woodwinds: cleaning swab, 2+ working reeds (excluding flute), cork grease
(excluding flute)
 Brass: valve/slide oil
INSTRUMENT RENTAL/PURCHASE SUPPLIES
Moe’s Music
2923 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA
757.431.8888
Music & Arts
829 Lynnhaven Parkway #117
Virginia Beach, VA
757.431.9300
GRADING**
Performance/Rehearsal Skills 50%
Music theory/literacy
15%
Music history & cultural context
Analysis, evaluation, & critique
10%
25%
**NOTICE to Parents & Students: Students must receive a minimum grade of 70% in
every core subject for all four report cards, or they will be pulled from this elective and
placed in to Academic Support at the conclusion of any marking period throughout the
academic year.
VBCPS Grading Scale (%):
A
100-93
A92-90
B+
89-87
B
86-83
B82-80
C+
79-77
5
C
D+
E
76-73
69-67
64-below
CD
72-70
66-64
ABSENCES/MAKE-UP WORK
If a student is absent from class, it is his/her responsibility to find out and complete what
was missed. If a student has an excused absence from a concert/performance, the student
will be required to play his/her performance music for Ms. Kauffman in the following
rehearsal.
Please note, ALL concerts are MANDATORY for each student participating in the
performing arts. Concerts will be graded as a Performance Goal (see below). An
unexcused absence from a concert will result in the student’s grade to drop at least one
full letter grade.
If a student must miss an after school rehearsal or concert, please communicate the
information to Ms. Kauffman as soon as possible.
PERFORMANCE GOALS
All students will be required to complete and perform Performance Goals to Ms.
Kauffman every other week. Ms. Kauffman may assign what students are to perform and
help students to work toward setting their own goals as the school year progresses. It is
the student’s responsibility to prepare for the Performance Goal to the best of their
ability, this may mean taking the instrument home to practice!
Performance Goals will be checked by Ms. Kauffman every Wednesday/Thursday in
class. This allows the student the weekend to work on Performance Goals,
IMPORTANT DATES
(Ms. Kauffman will send more information as concert dates approach)
VB Holiday Parade – Saturday December 5, 2015
*8th Grade Band students interested in Marching Band and
attending First Colonial HS may participate
District Band Auditions – Saturday December 12, 2015
Winter Concert
District Band Event – February 4-6, 2016
Pre-Assessment Band Concert - TBA
VBODA Assessment – March 3-5, 2016
6
All-City Band Music Event – April 7-9, 2016
Virginia Arts Festival Tattoo – Friday April 22, 2016
Spring Concert
*Additional concerts/performances may be added but will be communicated in timely
fashion.
CONCERT DRESS
BAND: Please follow LMS dress code
 Ladies: Black pants or skirt (must be knee length or longer, white shirt, black
socks or tights, and black shoes.
 Gentlemen: Black pants, white shirt, black socks, and black shoes
 ASSESSMENT BAND: concert uniform provided by LMS, black socks, black
shoes
CHORUS: Please follow LMS dress code
 “Sunday best”
AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS

As concert dates approach, after school rehearsals may be needed to solidify material
and concert procedures. Ms. Kauffman will send information as concert dates
approach.
SOLO & ENSEMBLE REQUIREMENT

Every student will work towards preparing a solo or small ensemble piece during the
second half of the academic year. Ms. Kauffman will aid students in repertoire
selection and how to prepare his/her given piece.
ASSESSMENT BAND
Assessment Band is an additional ensemble that rehearses to perform a higher caliber of
repertoire for VBODA assessment. Students who are eligible for this ensemble have
participated in band for at least one full year. Ms. Kauffman may add and dismiss
members as she sees fit. Much of the rehearsal takes place outside of school hours.
Assessment Band rehearses on WEDNESDAYS after school from 4:00-5:30pm. If your
child is asked to participate in this ensemble, please plan accordingly so your child can
attend as many rehearsals as possible. Students may take the activity bus home or be
picked up on or before 5:30pm.
7
TUTORING
Ms. Kauffman is available for before and/or after school tutoring. This is NOT a time for
students to receive additional lessons on his/her instrument. This is a time designated for
students who may need extra assistance. Please contact and schedule a time with Ms.
Kauffman. Ms. Kauffman is happy to refer your child to a fantastic private instructor for
further development of skills. 
ALL CITY ELIGIBILITY
6th and 7th grade band and choir students to wish to be potentially selected for the All City
Music Event MUST be registered for their given ensemble for the full year. The more
students enrolled in the performing arts classes, the more students LMS can send to All
City!
LYNNHAVEN MS MUSIC DEPARTMENT BOOSTER PROGRAM
This 2015-2016 school year, the LMS Music Department will be restarting a Booster
Program. The by-laws can be found on Ms. Kauffman’s website. The purpose of the
Booster Program is designed to support the music department and further develop
parent/guardian involvement. All families of students active in the performing arts
classes are automatically enrolled in the Booster Program. A fee of $10.00 per student is
required and will be due within the first two weeks of school. This fee will help cover
the costs of district auditions, district participants, and VBODA assessment. More
information is to come within the first few weeks of school and will be discussed further
at open house.
8
STUDENT & PARENT BAND/CHOIR AGREEMENT
Lynnhaven Middle School
2015-2016
I, ________________________________, agree to the policies and procedures listed in
this handbook for the 2015-2016 academic school year. I understand and will follow the
given expectations. I understand failure to follow these expectations will result in the
consequences listed within this handbook.
___________________________________
Student Signature
_______________
Date
I, _________________________________, agree to the policies and procedures listed in
this handbook for the 2015-2016 academic school year. I understand that my child will
face the consequences listed within this handbook if these policies and procedures are not
adhered to.
___________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
________________
Date
Parent/Guardian Email: _____________________________________________
Preferred Phone: ____________________________ (Circle: Home/Cell/Work)
Preferred method of contact: Email or Phone
Best time to contact: _____________
Please sign, detach, and return to Ms. Kauffman
9