Dedham Middle School Instrumental Music Handbook 2012-2013 Director: Mr. Daniels jdaniels@dedham.k12.ma.

us ENSEMBLE DESCRIPTIONS Grade 6 Band This band is open to beginners and students who began instruction in the elementary school. Students in this band will focus on pedagogical skills and will perform repertoire of at least level 1 within the music classification system. Students will perform at the Winter Concert, the Spring Concert and various other venues throughout the school year. Students rehearse twice a week before school and have group lessons once a week during school. As concerts approach, there will also be a few after school rehearsals. Grade 7&8 Band This band is open to all 7th and 8th grade students. Students in this band will continue with pedagogical instruction and will perform repertoire of levels 2 and 3 of the music classification system. Students will perform at the Winter Concert, Spring Concert and various other venues throughout the school year. Students rehearse twice a week before school and have group lessons once a week during school. As concerts approach, there will also be a few after school rehearsals. Jazz Ensemble (Show Band) This is an audition ensemble open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Auditions will be held in September. Students will be given the audition music at least a week before the audition. In this ensemble, students will learn about music indigenous to America and will embark upon learning to perform various jazz styles. This ensemble will perform at the Winter Concert, Spring Concert, Jazz Night and may perform at a jazz festival. Students rehearse once a week before school and select dates after school. String Ensemble This ensemble is the newest addition to the instrumental music program at DMS and is open to students wishing to learn a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello or bass). Students will receive proper pedagogical instruction and learn appropriate beginning repertoire. Students will perform at the Winter Concert, Spring Concert and various other venues throughout the school year. Students rehearse once a week after school.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE Monday & Wednesday: Grade 7th and 8th Band, Before School from 7:45-8:20. Begins: 9/10/12 Tuesday & Thursday: Grade 6th Band Before School from 7:45-8:20 Begins: 9/11/12 Friday: Jazz Band Before School from 7:45-8:20 Begins: 9/21/12

*String Ensemble Schedule TBD Will be once a week after school **In-School Lessons will begin the week of 9/17/12 WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR CLASS All Ensembles (Band, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble) Working instrument and all accessories See chart of suggested instruments below. Essential Elements 2000 Method Book 1 binder (any color) This will be used as the class notebook. Multi-colored notebook dividers Music Folder This will be provided. Students will keep their warmups and current music in this folder. Pencil

Instruments, Mouthpieces and Accessories It is important for each student to play on a good instrument in order for him or her to have the best chance of succeeding. Students that do not have an instrument in good working order can become easily frustrated and will limit the success and progress of the student. It is also important for each student to have a good mouthpiece as this is where the production of sound begins. The following instruments, mouthpieces and reeds are recommended: Flutes Oboes Brand: Gemeinhardt or Yamaha Head Joint: Better flutes have solid silver head joints. Brand: Yamaha or Fox Reeds: Consult with Band Director

Clarinet Saxophone Trumpet French Horn Trombone Baritone Tuba Percussion Strings

Brand: Buffet, Vito, Selmer or Yamaha Reeds - 6th Grade Vandoren (blue box) 2-2 Reeds - 7th/8th Grade Vandoren (blue box) 3-3 Brand: Selmer, Yamaha th Grade Vandoren (blue box) 2-2 Reeds 6 Reeds 7th Grade Vandoren (blue box) 3-3 Brand: Yamaha or Bach Mouthpiece: Bach 5C or 7C Consult with Band Director Brand: Yamaha or Bach Mouthpiece: Bach 12C or Bach 6 AL Consult with Band Director Consult with Band Director 6th Grade: Drum Kit (Snare Drum ONLY) 7th/8th Grade: PLK Kit (Snare Drum AND Bells) Consult with Band Director

Instrument Rentals Most students participating in band or orchestra rent instruments. The preferred rental company is Music and Arts. Music and Arts has two nearby stores that students can go to in order to purchase instrument accessories: 839 Beacon Street Newton Centre, MA 02459 (617) 332-3578 25 Walpole Park South #1b Walpole, MA 02081 (508) 668-1185 School-Owned Instruments The school owns the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba. If you would like to borrow one of these instruments for the year, please contact Mr. Daniels. Any student who damages an instrument beyond normal wear and tear will be responsible for all damages.

Other Instrument Accessories Folding Music Stand: Each student should purchase a folding music stand for home practicing. These can be purchased from Music and Arts. Metronome: A metronome is highly recommended for at home practicing. Instrument Care Kit: Each student should be in the possession of an instrument care kit and clean their instrument regularly. Most rented instruments come with a care kit.

Percussion Equipment All 6th grade percussion players should rent the Drum Kit that contains only the snare drum. All 7th and 8th grade students should rent the Percussion Learning Kit (PLK Kit) that contains both the snare drum and bell set. BAND UNIFROMS 6th Grade Band: Guys: DMS Band Shirt, Black Dress Pants, Black Dress Socks, and Black Dress Shoes. NO Jeans or Tennis Shoes will be allowed for performances. Girls: DMS Band Shirt, Long Black Skirt or Black Dress Pants, Black Dress Shoes. NO Jeans, Tennis Shoes or flip-flops will be allowed for performances. 7th/8th Grade Band: Guys: DMS Band Shirt, Black Dress Pants, Black Dress Socks, and Black Dress Shoes. NO Jeans or Tennis Shoes will be allowed for performances. Girls: DMS Band Shirt, Long Black Skirt or Black Dress Pants, Black Dress Shoes. NO Jeans, Tennis Shoes or flip-flops will be allowed for performances. Festival Dress Guys: White Button-Down Shirt, Black Dress Pants, Black Dress Socks, and Black Dress Shoes. Girls: White Top, Long Black Skirt or Black Dress Pants, Black Dress Shoes

Jazz Band Guys and Girls: DMS Jazz Shirt, Black, Dress Pants, Black Dress Socks, and Black Dress Shoes String Ensemble Guys: DMS Orchestra Shirt, Black Dress Pants, Black Dress Socks, and Black Dress Shoes. NO Jeans or Tennis Shoes will be allowed for performances. Girls: DMS Orchestra Shirt, Long Black Skirt or Black Dress Pants, Black Dress Shoes. NO Jeans, Tennis Shoes or flip-flops will be allowed for performances. **Please remember to adhere to the Dress Code found in the Student Handbook. BAND FACILITIES The use of the Band facilities before, during and after school is a privilege. Students should treat the band room and everything in the band room with respect and care. Those students who abuse the facilities or its equipment will be disciplined accordingly. Main Rehearsal Space This space is NOT your personal dumping group. Students should not leave personal items out in the main band room space. All personal items should be kept in student lockers. All chairs and stands should be stored appropriately after each rehearsal. Instrument Lockers Students should keep their lockers neat and organized. All instruments must be placed in cases and stored in the locker. Lockers MUST be locked at all times. Students are permitted to bring a lock from home. Please make Mr. Daniels aware of the combination. The school does have a limited supply of locks if you are unable to purchase one. Please contact Mr. Daniels if you will need to use a school lock. Percussion Equipment All percussion equipment, including the drum set, is off limits to all students except percussion students. Non-percussion students found playing percussion instruments will be disciplined accordingly.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS Students are expected to be on time (early) to each rehearsal and performance. Students should be ready to play with their instrument assembled by the designated start time. Tardiness will affect the students overall grade (see grading policies below). Please keep this famous saying in mind:

To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is unthinkable!

Students will come to all Band rehearsals and lessons with the following items: Working instrument and accessories Essential Elements 2000 Method Book Band Notebook Band Music Folder and ALL Music Pencil Practice Logs

Grading Policy Grading Scale: A+ = 97-100 A = 93-96 A- = 90-92 B+ = 87-89 B = 83-86 B- = 80-82 C+ = 77-79 Grade Breakdown: Rehearsal/Lesson Attendance 25 points each Performance Attendance 100 points each Class Participation 100 points each term Music Notebook 20 points each term Playing Quizzes 10-20 points each Practice Logs 5 points each week C = 73-76 C- = 70 -72 D+ = 67 -69 D = 63-66 D- = 60-62 F = Below 60

Rehearsal/Performance Attendance Band members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Due to the nature of this activity, each student plays an integral part to the ensemble as a whole and when one person is missing, the group is not as good as it can be. Because of this, half of your students grade will be based on attendance at all rehearsals and performances. Absence Request Form If a student knows he or she will be absent for an event, he or she must fill out an absence request form at least one week prior to the conflict. The form must contain both a student and parent signature and the reason for being absent. Class Participation Class participation is vital to each students success in any ensemble. Each members contribution affects the overall quality of a performance. Each student will be begin with a perfect 100 points at the beginning of each term. Students can lose points for the following reasons: Not prepared for class (no instrument, music, pencil, etc.) Late to class and not ready to play on time Disruptive or off task behavior Playing or talking out of turn Not keeping the band facilities and locker clean and organized Getting out of your seat without permission Music Notebook Each student will be required to keep a notebook. This notebook should contain the following sections separated by colored notebook tabs: Class Notes/Handouts Class Assignments Playing Quizzes Practice Logs Class Music (other than current music) This notebook will be graded and worth a total of 20 points each term. Playing Quizzes Students will periodically be given playing quizzes during their lesson time. These quizzes are designed to track the students progress and to pinpoint weaknesses so together the student and myself can make them stronger. Students will receive a playing test result sheet after each test that contains their grade, strengths, weaknesses and recommendations for practicing. Depending on the exercise, the maximum score on these tests will be 10-20 points. These result sheets should be kept in the music notebook.

Practice Logs Practicing outside of rehearsals and lessons is KEY to your success in band. While practicing might not always be fun, it is necessary to build skill and get better on your instrument. If a student does not practice at home, there is a greater chance of falling behind and becoming frustrated, which can lead to not wanting to continue with the ensemble. Each student is required to turn in a practice log each week. Students are expected to practice at least 5 days a week for 30 minutes a day. Each day will be worth 1 point. Students can earn extra points for practicing more than 5 days a week. LOW BRASS/LOW WOODWIND CLASS One of the biggest challenges facing many high school and colligate music ensembles is the lack of low brass and low woodwind instruments. Any student who would like to learn how to play a low brass or low woodwind instrument will have the opportunity to do so free of charge after school. The day will depend on the availability of the students who are interested. Students who choose to learn how to play a new instrument can still choose to play their primary instrument in band class. There will be no pressure to switch. However, at the high school level and beyond, students who play more than one instrument will have an advantage as they will be able to step-in to many different roles to help the ensemble achieve the perfect balance. ________________________________________________________________________ By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the policies outlined above and agree to follow them. I understand that if I do not follow the above policies I may face disciplinary action including being dismissed from the instrumental music program. ________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature Print Name Date ______________________________________________________________________ Parent Signature Print Name Date