Frontier Middle School

Band Handbook
2016 2017

Ms. Anneliese Feist | Director of Bands

Mr. Richard Riederer | Assistant Director of Bands

Our Music Department Mission

Music is universal, cultural, and individual. It is with this understanding that the
Music Department of Frontier Middle School believes that every student should have the
opportunity to receive a high-quality musical training in school, regardless of grade level,
ability level, or background. The goal of this musical training is to help students achieve a
personal level of understanding, appreciation, and passion for music.
It is undeniable that music has always been an integral part of human existence. Every culture
throughout history carries its own musical traditions. In our culturally diverse society, music is one
of the few common threads that links peoples and ideas together. Music education uses the artistic
medium of musical sound to give insight into the universal human experience.

1.
2.
To play a wrong note
is insignificant;
to play a note without
passion is
inexcusable.
Ludwig van Beethoven
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3.
4.

Our Music Department Goals

5. Cultivate strong musicianship and
Enrich students' appreciation of

aesthetic awareness through the

preparation and performance of
quality musical literature.

the musical arts by attending

fine cultural events.

Create the best possible learning

environment for students
to pursue an education
in the musical arts.

6.
7.

Inspire students to become lifelong learners and intelligent

consumers of music.
Address the needs of students
seeking a future career
in the field of music.

8.

Provide opportunities for all

music students that enhance
their musical experience.
Empower students to create their
own music through composition,
arranging, and improvisation.

Create community on all levels:

within our classrooms, our
department, our school buildings,
and our local population.

Frontier Middle School Band Goals:

Classroom
Policies and
Procedures

In band this year, everyone will:

show respect at all times to others in the group.
play musically with good tone, balance,
blend, and pitch.
improve every time we play.
keep the room, instruments, and music
clean and neat.
be organized.
work as a group to reach our goals.

Frontier Middle School Band Conduct:

Always act in the best interest of the ensemble. As a band
member, you are expected to:
come prepared with all supplies.
be respectful of others.
do your best.
No large organization, such as a band, can function
properly without well-disciplined participants. Band is not a
mandatory subject and it is assumed by the directors that
all students are willing participants. It is the responsibility
of the students to adhere to the rules of the classroom. The
actions of one member reflect upon all members when
dealing with a large organization.
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play only when asked to do so.

improve every time you play.
handle only the
equipment that you use.
leave food and drink
outside music rooms.

Grading and Attendance Policies

Grades are determined through a point system. Points are accrued through

Absences: If a student is absent, s/he does not receive the daily participation

attendance, participation, effort, and improvement. The following chart

points. Any points lost due to an excused absence from school may be made up.

describes the categories and percentages of your quarterly grade. 10 points

See the below section regarding make-up work. Any points lost due to an

per day will be deducted from the grades of documents that are late.

unexcused absence cannot be made up.

PARTICIPATION GRADE

25%

Be prepared with your instrument, music, pencil, and a good

attitude. Daily class rehearsals are worth 20 points and dress
rehearsals are worth 100 points each.

Tardies: Tardiness disrupts the learning process of the entire group. Each tardy

MUSIC GRADE

result in the loss of 25% of his/her performance grade.

to class will cost the student 25% of his/her participation grade for that day (5
points out of 20). Correspondingly, tardiness for a performance call time will

50% Your musical growth and playing progress is measured via

playing tests and written assignments.
PERFORMANCE GRADE

25% Be on time, in correct concert dress, and encourage your family

to be in the audience. See Performance Absence Policy on page
6 for more detail.

Make-Up Work: If you have an excused absence from school, you will still need
to make up the missed participation grade. To make up an excused absence from
a daily rehearsal, document 45 minutes of extra home practice. This must be
turned in on a practice log with the date of your absence listed. A make-up form
(available online) is due the last day of each quarter to which the absences apply.

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The 6th grade band is a beginning band class with instruction beginning during the summer
prior to the current school year.

The 6th grade band will perform in four concerts throughout the year. They will also be
required to prepare and perform a solo for the Oswego 6th Grade Solo Recital.

The 6th grade band class meets everyday and is part of the students daily academic routine at
Frontier Middle School.

The 7th grade band consists of primarily 7th graders in their second year of instruction.

The 7th grade band members will perform in four concerts, Oswego Organization
Contest, and in the Solo and Ensemble Festival.

Students will also have the opportunity to audition for the IMEA District IX Festival
Concert Band and Jazz Band.

If a student in 7th grade who did not join band in 6th grade desires to be in band, that student
will be placed in 6th grade band for the school year.

The 8th grade band consists of primarily 8th graders in their third year of instruction.

The 8th grade band members will perform in four concerts, Oswego Fine Arts Festival, and
perform in the Solo and Ensemble Festival.

Students will also have the opportunity to audition for the IMEA District IX Festival Concert
Band and Jazz Band.

If a student in 8th grade who did not join band in 6th grade desires to be in band, that student will
be placed in 6th grade band for the school year.

Jazz
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Jazz Band is open to 7th and 8th grade musicians enrolled in band at Frontier.
Jazz Band has standard jazz instrumentation:
o 2 alto saxophones
o 2 tenor saxophones
o 1 baritone saxophone
o 4 trumpets
o 4 trombones
o 1 drum set player
o 2 keyboards

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Rehearsal/Performance Schedules & Policies

Weekly rehearsal schedules are as follows:
Daily:

T/TH:

6th Grade Band: 8:00 8:55am

7th Grade Band: 10:25 11:05am
8th Grade Band: 1:30 2:25pm
Jazz Band:

7:10 7:55am

Please feel free to access the Frontier Middle

School Music Departments Google Calendar to
view all of our upcoming events!

Performance Absence Policy

Performances are authentic artistic experiences
and assessment opportunities for students to
demonstrate combined mastery of all concepts
studied throughout the year.
Any conflicts with performance dates must be
communicated three (3) weeks in advance for the
student to receive an alternate performance
based assignment.
Students who experience a serious emergency,
illness, or have made advance arrangements for a
planned absence will be given the opportunity to
complete a performance based alternate
assignment. Those who have not made advance
arrangements for a planned absence and miss a
performance will not be given this opportunity.
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Contact Us!
Ms. Anneliese Feist

Mr. Richard Riederer

afeist@frontier.wnyric.org
(716) 926-1720 ext. 4868

rriederer@frontier.wnyric.org
(716) 926-1720 ext. 4870