Welcome to the Rockvale Middle School Band Band Directors • Kathy Quarto • Debbie Hice Be Part of the Band! • What is band? (15 minute video clip – click here) • Why should my child be in band? (5 minute video clip – click here) What will your child learn in band? • • • • • • • • • • • • • How to play an instrument Organizational skills Leadership skills How to work with others as a part of a team Reading and language skills Mathematical reasoning Artistic interpretation Creativity Commitment & work ethic Self evaluation skills Writing skills Problem Solving Study Skills Fitting Day – Saturday, August 29 • Sign up for a time tonight (8am-1pm Sat) • Plan to be at the school for at least an hour • Director will guide your child through the instrument fitting process • Instruments to be fitted: – – – – – Flute Clarinet Trumpet Trombone Percussion (this will take place prior to August 29) Other Fitting Day Options • If you are unable to make the fitting day on August 29, see Mrs. Quarto or Mrs. Hice for an alternate after-school time Beginning Instruments • Beginning Band students will start on these instruments • • • • • Flute Clarinet Trumpet Trombone Mallet Percussion Advanced Instruments • Students who are doing well on their initial instrument may audition for one of the following in December. Regular practice at home is a must. • • • • • • • Bass Clarinet Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone F Horn Baritone Tuba Drums & Accessory Percussion Instrument Fitting • You are free to rent an instrument from any reputable music store • The Music Stop will be at the school with instruments to rent and materials to purchase for your convenience • Please do not rent or purchase an instrument before your child has been through the final fitting process Costs / Investment • • • • • Instrument Instrument Accessories Method Book ($9-$15) Pep Band t-shirt (optional) Dress slacks/skirt/dress, dress shirt/blouse/dress shoes • Audition fees – Solo & Ensemble (optional) Instrument • Large instruments (tuba, baritone, F Horn, bari sax, tenor sax, bass clarinet) are rented from the school – $50 per semester • Small instruments (flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, trombone, bell set/practice pad) are rented from a music store if not owned by the student • Percussion instruments (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, bells, bass drum, drum set, timpani, snare drum, cymbals, etc) • $25 per year user fee • Percussion pack – marimba mallets, xylo/bell mallets, snare drum sticks, mallet bag (may purchase or rent from school) – $50 purchase / $25 per year rental Instrument Rental • All music stores offer a rental program • Costs are basically the same • Some include insurance, some offer it as an addon (you need insurance) • Beware of hidden costs/fees • Initial cost is $25-$35 for the first 3 months • After the first 3 months, you can – Purchase the instrument – Purchase a used or new instrument • Check with Band directors on brands • Beware of extremely cheap instruments at pawn shops, online, or at big box stores (You get what you pay for) – Continue to rent to own Method Book 6th Grade • Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 Accessories Woodwinds Brass/Percussion • Clarinets/Saxes • Trumpets/Baritones/Tubas – Reeds – Cleaning Swab – Cork Grease • Flutes – Cleaning Rod – Cleaning Cloth – Valve oil / Slide Grease • F Horns – Rotary Valve Oil / Slide Grease • Trombones – Slide Oil / Tuning Slide Grease • Percussion – Drum Sticks, Marimba & Xylo Mallets, Practice Bells, Practice Pad, mallet bag Smart Music • • • • • • • • • Practice Program For PC or Mac App available on Ipad Optional Home subscription Access to all music in method books Sightreading Hundreds of songs $40/year for home subscription www.smartmusic.com Smart Music Performance Attire Optional • Tie-Dye Band T-shirt – $15 – Will use next year as pep band shirt Concerts • • • • Dress Up Clothes Dress Slacks/Skirt/Dress Dress Shoes Ties are optional Practicing Success Required Performances • December Concert • March Concert • Solo & Ensemble Classroom Performances Winter Band Concert • Tuesday, December 1 • RMS Auditorium o 5:45 warm-up o 6:30 concert begins • Concert attire o Dress up clothes o Dress pants, dress or skirt & blouse (no jeans) o Dress shoes & socks (no tennis shoes) Solo & Ensemble Classroom Performances • School day in May (date TBA) • Students perform solos & ensembles for 6th grade classrooms • Takes place during the school day • Students wear regular school clothes Spring Band Concert • Tuesday, March 22 • RMS auditorium o 5:45 warm-up o 6:30 concert begins • Concert Attire Optional Recommended Performances • All Rutherford County All Star Band (students selected by directors) • Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment Rutherford County All Star Band • Rutherford County Middle School (TBA) • Friday, May 13 – date may change – Rehearsal during the day – Evening concert o Parents provide transportation to and from rehearsals / performance Solo & Ensemble Festival Assessment • • • • • • • • HIGHLY Recommended 98% of RMS students participate Eagleville School Each student prepares a piece to perform as a soloist or as a part of a small ensemble Each event is evaluated and rated by a judge Students receive a rating sheet and a medal for 1st & 2nd place ratings Students are evaluated against a standard of excellence – not ranked against each other Parents provide transportation Parent Help • Encourage your child to practice – Help them to set up a regular time and place to practice • • • • Sign practice record each week to be turned in Monday Transport your child to and attend performances Poinsettia Fundraiser help Let the directors know of any issues that may affect your child’s learning • What do we need for band? Tissues, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer • Help with set-up, serving and clean-up for receptions after concerts Grading • • • • Rehearsal Technique Practicing Performances Written Assignments • Playing Tests (Performance Assessments) Private Instructors • Rebecca Murphy – flute • Rachel Grasso – clarinet • Karl Wingruber – sax, flute, clarinet, bassoon, bass • Mike George – brass (trumpet, F Horn, trombone, baritone, tuba) • Wilson Sharpe - oboe, bassoon, brass • Tim Hale – percussion Where Does My Child Get a Band Instrument? • • • • • Basic information Some options: Music Stop Music & Arts Center Concert Productions Sign up for Band Fittings • 3 Saturday sign-up sheets • A few after school options – See Mrs. Quarto / Mrs. Hice Be sure to have your child turn in the yellow band registration form