Puente de Hozho
Band Club Handbook
2012-2013
Jeremy Schroeder,
Band Director
Welcome to Band Club! My goal is to teach students everything I can about music and
help them to become the finest and most musical performer possible. I also want to
prepare students to be successful in the middle school program if they choose that
path. If you always make your best effort, you will experience much success. The
study of music can be both very rewarding and a lot of fun.
Everything in this handbook is important, so read it carefully with one or both of your
parents. Then sign the included Band Club Contract and return it to me.
If you have further questions after reading this handbook please contact me.
Email: jschroeder@fusd1.org
Visit my web page on the PdH web site, or go to: http://www.fusd1.org/Page/2094
I will have this document on my web page, as well as other information about Band
Club.
There will be more information to come regarding the following:
Informance (an informal, informative performance within the first month of band)
Tips for students on beginning with their individual instruments.
Practice expectations.
How to care for instruments.
Review of note reading on the staff.
Questions and answers for Puente de Hozho Band Club
What is it?
Band Club is an optional instrumental ensemble offered to 5th grade students at PdH.
When does it meet?
PdH Band Club will meet after school on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:30pm.
(except for the first week, see, “band boot camp”)
Band boot camp
Band club will start the first week with band boot camp. For one week only, starting on
September 17, individual instruments sections will meet on their own day. Each band club
session will meet for 90 minutes for this week only. The schedule will be as follows: Monday,
flutes. Tuesday, clarinets. Wednesday, saxophones. Thursday, trumpets and trombones.
Friday, percussion.
What instruments are offered?
Students may choose from flute, clarinet, alto saxophone*, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and
percussion.
(*alto saxophone students must take private lessons outside of band club)
My child doesn’t know which instrument to play.
In Friday’s music class, students will have a chance to try out several of the instruments to
produce a sound and what might work for them. Hopefully this will help them decide.
Percussion is special.
If a student would like to play percussion for band, there will be an try out process. Students
will be asked to play simple melodies on concert bells, read rhythms on a snare drum, and
keep a steady beat with a song.
Percussionists in beginning band play a melodic instrument, concert bells, and a rhythmic
instrument, snare drum. They will need to rent a percussion kit that consists of a snare drum,
concert bells, drumsticks, mallets, and a stand. The kit looks like a small suitcase on wheels.
My child would like to play a band instrument not listed here.
If your child is interested in other band instruments such as piccolo, bass clarinet, oboe,
bassoon, English horn, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, French horn, or tuba I would
strongly encourage your child to choose and play one of the instruments in the “offered” list.
The instruments in the “offered” list translate well into the more “exotic” band instruments if
they are somewhat related. Trumpet to French horn, baritone to tuba, clarinet to bass clarinet,
and alto saxophone to tenor saxophone are just a few examples.
My child is interested in other instruments such as guitar, piano, and stringed
instruments such as violin. Can he or she use any of these instruments for band?
Unfortunately, these instruments are not offered as part of the band club curriculum at this
time. If you have further questions, please contact Mr. Schroeder.
What is the level of commitment required?
Students are expected to be present with their instruments and books at every rehearsal and
concert (at least one in December, and one in May).
Will attendance be taken?
Attendance will be taken, and an attendance policy will be adhered to.
What is the attendance policy?
Students will be expected to attend 80% of rehearsals before winter break or 20 of 25, and
80% of rehearsals from January until band ends in mid May or approximately 24 of 30.
Forgetting an instrument twice equals one absence.
What happens if I miss more than the allowed amount of rehearsals?
If a student, for whatever reason, misses next to the allowed amount, a note will be sent home
to notify parents and the student. A second note will be sent when the student has missed the
maximum number of rehearsals. After this warning, any more missed rehearsals will indicate
that the student has forfeit or given up his or her participation in Band Club and will be asked
to turn in any school owned equipment at that time.
What is my child responsible for?
Each student will be expected to bring their own instrument, method book/sheet music, and
any other supplies needed with their instrument for each rehearsal.
How can instruments be obtained for band club?
There are at least three choices: 1. Rent a school owned instrument. 2. Rent an instrument
from a local music store. 3. Buy a new or used instrument. (not recommended in most
circumstances)
1. Rent a school owned instrument.
Renting from the available instruments at PdH is probably the most economical option. For
$80, the instrument may be rented for the school year. Payments of $40 up front and $40 in
the spring may also be made in some circumstances. General “wear and tear” of instruments
rented from PdH will be repaired by PdH. In the case of abuse or neglect of an instrument,
parents will be asked to pay for repairs or replacement costs. If you would like to try and rent
a school instrument, let me know as soon as possible as instruments go out on a first come,
first serve basis.
2. Rent an instrument from a local music store.
Renting from a local music store means that the store will be responsible, in most cases, for
keeping the instrument repaired and in good working condition. You may also accumulate
“equity” on rentals that may eventually be applied towards purchasing an instrument. Costs
vary depending on the kind of instrument. A starting range for instrument rentals is usually at
around $25 per month.
3. Buy a new or used instrument.
Since band is new for most students, the least recommended option is to buy an instrument.
Rather, let students try their choice for a school year before making the commitment to
purchase. Also, a “good deal” online or from a pawn shop may need expensive repairs, or may
make starting out very difficult because of elusive problems that are difficult to diagnose or
repair.
In other words: The better the instrument’s working condition, the better chance for the
student to have success on their instrument.
Students will be asked to purchase the appropriate materials to use and maintain their
instrument. Here are some basic suggestions.
Method Book: Students should purchase a Standards of Excellence (Red book) from a local
music store. Books are instrument specific.
Flute: Students need to have a small cloth and cleaning rod to swab the inside of the
instrument.
Clarinet and Alto Saxophone: Students will need to purchase at least 4 number “2” reeds for
the first 6-8 weeks of band. After that, students should buy “2 ½” reeds and keep at least four
working reeds in their case at all times. Reeds may be purchased individually, or by the box.
The 2 and 2 ½ refers to the hardness of the reed. Beginners start on softer reeds (2), and then
move up to harder reeds (2 ½).
Clarinets and alto saxophones also need the appropriate “swab” to keep the instrument clean
after each use. A swab in this case is a small cloth attached to a weighted string to be pulled
through the body of the instrument.
Alto saxophones need to have a neck strap that hooks into the instrument to help support the
instrument.
Trumpets and baritones: valve oil, cleaning cloth, slide grease.
Trombones: slide cream, a small spray bottle with water, cleaning cloth
What are the expectations for rehearsals?
The primary responsibility in band is to learn about music. Any behavior that distracts from
or interferes with this learning process is not allowed. Even though this is a “club” the
rehearsals will be treated as a class.
No gum, candy, food, or drink, except water, is allowed in rehearsals.
Students will have about 10 minutes to eat snacks, get drinks, and use the restroom before
band starts at 2:30.
By 2:30, students should be ready to start the rehearsal.
Students may touch and play only their own instrument.
Students will take proper care of their instrument and music/book.
Students will play their instrument when asked to.
Give attention to the teacher so you and your fellow musicians can learn.
Remain seated, except for percussionists, during rehearsals.
Commentary:
After directing Band Club for the past two years, I have discovered that an attendance policy
is needed. When some of the excitement wears off, usually around January, the pace of
learning quickens and some students “hit the wall.” This is especially the case if students have
fallen behind and have become frustrated. I tell students that there are usually two
“progressions” that students may fall into.
The first progression is: 1. Students attend nearly all rehearsals with their instruments2.
Students make progress on their instruments3. Students become more proficient on their
instruments4. Students have fun and continue strongly to the end of the year.
The second progression is: 1. Students begin to miss rehearsals and “forget” their
instruments.2. Students lose interest and become frustrated 3. Students fall further
behind as the pace quickens.4. Students quit band .
Parents and students might consider that beyond the excitement of learning a new
instrument, band teaches students much more.
1. How to be responsible for valuable equipment.
2. How to be responsible to bring instruments on the appropriate day.
3. How to work hard through practice.
4. How to persevere through challenges that may not always be fun.
5. How to work as part of a team. (playing in any music ensemble is very much a team
sport)
6. This list could go on, but I’ll end with a quote from a mentor, “Band is serious fun, not
silly fun.”
Parents, please have a discussion with your child to find out the commitment level of your
child for band club. Although band is social, social shouldn’t be the only reason for joining.
Other interests such as sports or other after school activities may come up later in the year,
and a student’s interest for band may wane or become divided. Band isn’t for everyone. I will
not be offended if students do not choose to participate in Band Club, but I do become
frustrated when students do not commit to participating fully for the entire school year. In
some cases, instruments and positions are limited. Taking a “position” could mean that other
students may not be able to have it. That is okay as long as you keep it through the school
year.
I look forward to a new year of PdH Band Club, and having a successful year with students.
please sign and return this portion
Band Club Contract Agreement
I have read, understood, and agree to the attendance policy and rehearsal
expectations for PdH Band Club.
_________________________________________ student signature
_________________________________________ parent signature
Please return by September 14.