Music Handbook - Band

Students will receive a paper copy of this handbook.

Performance Music Student

·         I acknowledge & understand the performance music guidelines regarding rehearsal attendance, concerts, and dress code.

·         I acknowledge & understand the information in the Jefferson Junior High School Performance Music handbook.

·         I have taken the music department music calendar home to my parents/guardian and have marked the dates on the family calendar.

·         I will do my best to be a contributing member of my performance music ensemble.

________________________________        _________

Student, printed name                                 Date

____________________________                 Grade in school_____

Student, signature

If you’re in Band or Orchestra, what instrument do you play?___________________________

Parents/Guardians:  I am aware of the JJHS music department policies and guidelines

including the performance dates.

___________________________________

Parent/Guardian, printed name

___________________________________

Parent/Guardian, signature

_________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian E-mail Address

Please print clearly.  Also, please differentiate between certain numbers and letters if they are  in your address such as the number “one” and lower case “L”, the number” zero” and the letter “O”, etc.

Please return this signed form to your director by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

The Jefferson Music Staff is pleased that you and your child have chosen to be in Performance Music.  We are very proud of our Band, Orchestra, and Chorus programs and believe that your child will have an extremely rewarding experience this school year.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR MEMBERSHIP IN JJHS PERFORMANCE MUSIC ORGANIZATIONS

·         Chorus, Band and Orchestra are full year classes.

·         Students and/or parents should address all questions regarding membership or

      attendance to their respective director.

INSTRUMENT SECURITY

·         Jefferson Junior High School provides a secured storage area for musical instruments.  Band and Orchestra members will need a JJHS Band “Master” combination lock which can be purchased from the school.  LOCKS MUST BE ISSUED BY THE JJHS BAND DEPARTMENT. Please do not buy a lock from the hardware store.  All student owned instruments must be in a locker with a lock.  Students will not be allowed to store their personal instruments in the band room area without locking them in their lockers.

·         While we do supply lockers, the school is not responsible for damaged, lost or stolen instruments.  Model, make, and serial number of your child’s instrument should be registered at home.

PERFORMANCES

Attendance at all concerts is required. The annual Solo/Ensemble Festival for Band and Orchestra members is a required performance as well. A student is excused from a performance if he/she is ill and is absent from school or is out of town with his/her family. The director must be notified of the absence well in advance.  Other absences are unexcused.  FAMILY PARTIES, SOCIAL EVENTS AND ATHLETIC ACTIVITES would not be considered an excused absence. An unexcused absence will cause the grade to be dropped by two letters for that grading period. Please note: Students who are absent from school on the day of a concert may not participate in the evening performance.  Students must be in attendance for at least five periods on the day of a musical performance event.

BAND

8^th Grade Wind Ensemble: rehearses three times per week

7^th Grade Symphonic Band: rehearses three times per week. 

6^th Grade Concert Band: rehearses twice per week.

All band members have 1 small group lesson per week.

Jazz Band: Open to all 6^th, 7th and 8^th grade band members. No audition is required.

Jazz Ensemble: Open to all 7^th and 8^th grade band members by audition.

CONCERT UNIFORM FOR ALL PERFORMING GROUPS

The concert uniform consists of a red music department polo shirt, black pants, black shoes and socks. Flip-flops are not allowed for music performances.  The music department shirt can be purchased through the school. The shirt order form is included in your Performance Music handbook.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT STAFF PHONE NUMBERS & E-MAIL ADDRESSES

You can reach Karen Campbell and Randy Kulik by dialing (630) 420-6365.

Follow the prompts to contact the individual instructor.  For Nancy Havener,

dial (630) 848-5643.  To reach Beth Connolly, Music Department Coordinator,

dial (630) 420-2957.

Mrs. Connolly, Chorus, mconnolly@naperville203.org

Miss Havener, Band, nhavener@naperville203.org

Mrs. Campbell, Orchestra, kcampbell@naperville203.org

Mr. Kulik, Band, rkulik@naperville203.org

We are pleased that your child has chosen to participate in a performance group at Jefferson.  Please read and sign the “Performance Music” form (1^st page) and have your child return it to his/her music teacher by Friday, September 18, 2009.

                               Important Information for Band Members

SMALL GROUP LESSONS

All Band members will have a small group lesson one period each week.  Since band members come for a lesson during one of their classes, they go to their class first, “check in”, and come to the band room for a lesson.  Band members are excused from a lesson if they have a test, quiz, special speaker, or a class project that can only be completed that day. After informing the director of their conflict, the student may return to class.  Since students are missing class time to come for a lesson, we are flexible.  Band lessons can be made up if a student cannot come during their regular lesson time. Also, the small group lesson schedule rotates periods so that band members do not miss the same class more than approximately once a month.

FULL BAND REHEARSALS

6^th Grade Concert Band:  Monday and Wednesday, 8th Period.

7^th Grade Symphonic Band:  Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6^th Period

8^th Grade Wind Ensemble:   Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5^th Period

Please note:  All band members can come to the band room during their lunch period and have study hall and do homework on days they have a band rehearsal.  They will need to bring a sack lunch and a drink.  In other words, BAND MEMBERS DON’T LOSE STUDY HALL/HOMEWORK TIME ON THE DAYS THEY HAVE BAND.

BAND GRADING SYSTEM

Points are given for full band rehearsals, small group lessons, section leader tests, concerts, and tests/quizzes.

Attendance

All band members are expected to be at all full band rehearsals, small group lessons (unless there is a conflict), band concerts, and the Solo/Ensemble Festival.  Concerts are considered trimester assessments and are an extremely important part of the Performance Music Program.  Unexcused absence from a concert will result in a student’s band letter grade being lowered by two letters.  Band members should always bring in a note from home to explain an absence from a concert.

Trimester Assessments

During each trimester band members will be assessed on scales and musical exercises, which will be part of the trimester grade. In the 3^rd trimester, band members will also work on “Hail to the Patriots” and the “Salute To The Fallen” for the Memorial Day Parade.

Attitude:  Band students who work hard, practice regularly, and perform to the best of their ability will always do well in band.  The Jefferson Band department puts much emphasis on EFFORT and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!