SkyView
Academy Band
Handbook
2015-2016
Welcome to SkyView Academy’s Band Program!
Great things are happening here at SVA, and our band program is growing! Please utilize this table of
contents to search for a category if necessary. Every student and family in the SVA band program is
required to read and understand the material presented in this handbook. Please take the time to read
through it fully. If you have questions, please consult Mrs. Alyssa Gilkey Zawack at
azawack@skyviewacademy.k12.co.us or the Secondary School’s website under “courses,” then “SVA
Band.”
Subject
Page Number
Calendar
3
Concert Dress
3
Chair Auditions
4
Chair Challenges
4
Grading Policy
4
Practice Logs
5
Practice Habits
5
Class REQUIRED Materials
6
How to Rent an Instrument
6
Extra-Curricular Ensembles
7
Large and Small Group Festivals
8
2015 – 2016 Band Calendar: All events are required for members of the specified
ensembles. Performance Points are given for each event.
November 30 – December 4, 2015 : All-State Band Auditions, Locations and times TBA
December 15, 2015: 6:30 pm at SVA : Winter Concert ALL BANDS
March 3, 2016: 6:30 pm at SVA : MS Choir, Jazz Band, Beginning Band
March 10, 2016: 6:30 pm at SVA : Symphonic Band + HS Choir – Pre-Disney Concert
March 18 – 22, 2016: Symphonic Band - Disneyland, CA for clinic and performances
April 2016 : Dates yet to be released : Large Group Festival, Solo and Small Group Festival
May 12, 2016: 6:30 pm at SVA : Spring Concert ALL BANDS
May 20, 2016 at SVA: HS Graduation, Symphonic Band performance
**There may be a fall concert added to the schedule, dates are subject to change
Concert Dress:
Our Concert Dress code policy is all black. Black top, black bottoms, black socks,
and black shoes. Tops must have a minimum ¾ length sleeve, preferably a full length sleeve. No tee shirt
or sleeveless length. Men’s shirts must have a collar. NO black jeans or denim. If women choose to wear
a skirt, the skirt length must be knee-length or longer. Closed toe shoes are required.
**If students would like to add a burst of color, students may wear a Sky Blue, OR a Maze (gold) head
band/ribbon, tie, or belt.
Chair Auditions:
Students will be required to audition for their chair placement once per year.
This audition will be live, and the material will be distributed with a minimum of a week to prepare.
Students will be asked to perform scales, excerpts from music, and sight reading. Each audition will be
graded on the following categories: Note Accuracy, Rhythmic Accuracy, Preparation, Tone, and
Musicality (phrasing, dynamics, etc). Based on the score, students will be placed into a seating
arrangement and distributed the appropriate parts.
**Beginning Band will have a chair audition later into the year, around March.
Chair CHALLENGES: Even though chair auditions only happen once a year, chairs can be
challenged and students can move up or down in their section weekly. Chair Challenges are
opportunities for any student to be where they want to be in his or her section.
The protocol is as follows: “Challenger” can ONLY challenge one chair above his or her own.
“Challenger” fills out a Chair Challenge slip, choosing a scale, a piece of music current in the band folder,
and an 8-16 measure section of that piece of music. The Slip is then submitted to the teacher for
approval, and then given to the “Defender” (person being challenged). Both members of the challenge
receive a minimum of 48 hours to prepare for their live challenge. Results are posted at the end of the
day (scores are not posted).
Grading: Students are graded in band in four categories: Daily Effort/Preparation, Written Work,
Playing Assessments, and Performances.
Daily Effort/Preparation: Each student earns 10 points per week for having ALL of their materials, being
attentive, and rehearsing. Students will lose points for lack of materials, lack of preparation,
misbehavior, etc.
Written Work: Each block day, students will complete varying theory assignments. Some of these
assignments will be completed with partners, others will be individual work. Theory quizzes will also fit
under this category.
Playing Assessments: These are commonly known as “Playing Checks.” These are opportunities at least
once a month where students will be asked to perform an exercise, excerpt, or concept through their
playing. A common example is scale pass-offs, or a technical passage in a piece of music.
Performances: Any concert performance is a 50 point assignment. Students who are present, with
materials, actively involved, earn full points.
Practice Logs: ALL students are required to submit a weekly Practice Log that is due every Friday.
For full credit on this weekly assignment, students must complete 75 minutes of practice time. Practice
Logs can be found on the Secondary Band website at www.skyviewacademy.org, under “Documents,” or
in class on the Practice Log bulletin board. All practice logs require an adult signature, and will not be
accepted without one.
When practicing, students are strongly encouraged to break up the 75 minutes over 2 or more days.
Practice makes Permanent, and the more practicing, the more points!
How to Practice: Practicing is a wonderful time for a student to begin mastery of an instrument.
There are many things to focus on during your practice time.
 Long tones: Can I sustain a note, with a full and pleasant sound, for 8 counts? Can I slur
down into my lowest register, 2 counts per note, maintaining a full and pleasant sound?
Can I imitate the sound of a famous classical musician? Am I sitting with good posture, a
straight airway, and producing a full and pleasant sound consistently?
 Scales: Scales are musical patterns that are recycled in MANY pieces of repertoire.
Chromatic Scales, Major Scales, Minor Scales, Pentatonic Scales, Blues Scales: the more
comfortable your air and fingers are with scales, the easier sight reading and
performance will be!
 Sight reading/sizzling/counting: Can I flip to a new exercise in my method book(s) and
count the rhythm I see? Can I sizzle the rhythm, giving all note values their full length?
Can I move my fingers to the correct positions while counting and sizzling correctly? Am
I considering my key signature and accidental markings?
 TRICKY sections: Am I focusing on the measures, or note patterns, that give me trouble?
Am I continuing to produce a full and pleasant sound, even on the hard parts? Do I need
to practice my finger positions, or my tempo? Is my rhythm correct? **Can I play this
section 5 times in a row, without a single error?
 Intonation: Do I match my tuner? How do I change my embouchure if I’m sharp? What
about five notes higher? What if my sound is low, or flat? How do I fix it? What different
tone colors can I imitate without changing my intonation?
 Rubank Method excercises, etudes, solos, and duets. Don’t have a buddy to play duets?
Record yourself playing! You can record the top line, and then play it back while
performing the bottom line. Recording yourself really gives you a great idea of your
progess.
Class Materials: Instruments
Students are required to provide their own instrument. A student is always encouraged to rent an
instrument before purchasing. Instrument choices allowed at Skyview Academy are as follows:
Beginning Band:
FLUTE
OBOE
CLARINET
TRUMPET
FRENCH HORN TROMBONE
ALTO SAXOPHONE
BARITONE
PERCUSSION KIT
**percussionist s are required to provide a percussion kit, bells and snare drum, as well as their own
sticks.
Year 2+ Bands:
FLUTE
OBOE
BASS CLARINET
BASSOON
ALTO SAXOPHONE
CLARINET
TENOR SAXOPHONE
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
TRUMPET
FRENCH HORN
TROMBONE
TUBA
PERCUSSION
BARITONE
RENTING YOUR INSTRUMENT:
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Go to www.musicarts.com  “Rentals” Tab
Type in our school’s zip code: 80130
If your student is going into Beginning Band, regardless of actual grade, SELECT 6TH GRADE
Scroll down to “SkyView Academy, 6161 Business Center Drive”
Select your BAND INSTRUMENT of choice from the list above, the click “continue”
Add your required “Sound Innovations” Method book (see list below)
SELECT “FALL DELIVERY” – your student will receive his or her instrument the first Block Day of
the school year. Mrs. Zawack will instruct Beginning Band students on assembling their
instruments correctly, as well as appropriate posture and producing a good sound.
Class Materials: Books
Every Student is required to provide his or her method book. The book may be purchased through Music
& Arts, SkyView Academy, Flesher Hinton, Woodwind Brasswind, or any other music store. **Your book
may be purchased at the same time of your online rental as described in the “Renting your Instrument”
section above.
Beginning Band: Sound Innovations BOOK 1
Year 2 + 3 Bands: Sound Innovations BOOK 2, Sound Innovations ENSEMBLE DEVELOPMENT
INTERMEDIATE
Symphonic Band: Sound Innovations ENSEMBLE DEVELOPMENT INTERMEDIATE
Students are highly encouraged to purchase a Rubank Methods book for their instrument of choice.
These method books are full of great exercises, duets, etudes, patterns, and solos to help add variety to
a student’s weekly practice at home.
Class Materials: Additional
Students MUST have a pencil every day to band class. Wind instruments require different needs. Please
consult the list below:
Flute: Cleaning cloth (handkerchiefs work wonderfully), polishing cloth
Clarinets, Saxophones, Oboe/Bassoon: Reeds (a minimum of 2 at all times), cleaning string with cloth
attachment, cork grease
Trumpet, Baritone, Tuba: valve oil, polishing cloth
Trombone: Slide oil OR slide cream, polishing cloth
Percussion: MALLET/STICK set (rubber mallet, yarn mallet, snare sticks with case)
Pep Band: Pep Band at SkyView Academy is an extra-curricular ensemble offered to ANY SVA
student. This is an ensemble welcoming of any instrumentation, as well, including orchestral
instruments.
Students are required to purchase the two music books: All Star Sports Pak and Championship Sports
Pak arranged by Mike Story. These books can be found at www.jwpepper.com
Pep Band will meet at SVA on Friday mornings at 7 am starting in September. Being a member of the
pep band will include performances at home Basketball and Soccer games. Students must sign-up and
perform for a minimum of 5 games to be considered a member of the Pep Band.
Jazz Band: Jazz Band at SkyView Academy is an extra-curricular ensemble offered to any SVA
student. This ensemble includes any band instrument, guitar, bass, piano, drum set, and “vibes”
(xylophone). String players interested are required to know how to read music, there will not be any
tabs available.
Students are required to purchase and provide the music book for this class: The Real Easy Book –
Volume 2 by Sher Music Company. http://www.shermusic.com/new/1883217164.shtml This book will
provide all of the repertoire for the year, and must be brought to every rehearsal.
Jazz Band will meet at SVA on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7 am. It is early, but it’s worth it!
Attendance is required, and absences must be excused 24 hours in advance.
Large Group and Small Group Festivals: Performing at a “Festival,” whether it be with
a full ensemble, quartet, or a solo, is a wonderful experience for a growing musician. It is a way to
broaden our lens, receive helpful feedback, celebrate concepts where we succeed, and continue to grow
as a team and as an individual. Each Spring, Festivals are a place where musicians from all over the area
come together to perform and share music with one another. Anyone is welcome to the concerts that
take place all day, and the admission is free. Performances are graded on a scale of 1 – 5 based on the
following major concepts: tone/sound quality, rhythmic and note accuracy, and musicality. These
musical concepts are explored year round, through the various pieces of repertoire, warm ups, and
exercises we complete.
Large Group Festival is a mandatory performance for the ensembles that are signed up. Solo and Small
Group Festival is highly recommended for all students, but not a requirement.