HUDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS

The Music Program of Hudson is committed to the education of the whole person. The goals of total education include musical literacy, intellectual development, aesthetic perception, cultural understanding, and self realization. As part of this, we are committed to the development of those thinking skills intellectual, creative, and aesthetic - promoting a basis for a life-long appreciation of music.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND HANDBOOK

2011-2012
WELCOME TO THE HUDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM

The purpose of this handbook is to inform both parents and students about expectations and offerings provided by the band program at the Hudson Middle School. Please keep this handbook for future reference. Both parents and students are asked to read this handbook carefully, sign the form below, and return it school by Friday, September 16, 2011. This is an assignment that will count for the students first trimester grade, and in addition, a quiz on the information in the handbook may be given. From time to time, we may be in need of some extra hands to insure that the needs of our Band students (and parents) are met. With 335 students involved in Band at the Middle Schoolvolunteers can assist us in many different ways in our various activities. Listed below are many ways you can be actively involved, serving your children, our Band program, our school, and our community!

-------------------------------------------cut on this line------------------------------Please sign this form and return it to your band director by Friday, September 16, 2011 (this is the first graded assignment for the first trimester). Signing this form indicates that I have read and I understand the policies of the Hudson Middle School Band Program. Please pay particular attention to the concert attendance and the concert attire policies. I have discussed the information with my child.
I am interested in volunteering to help support my child in their Hudson Middle School BAND activities. Please check all that apply. o o o
o

o o o o o

Chaperon for our Band Festival Help at the registration table at Beginning Band sign up Assist Cabaret Night Performance fund raiser (food, set up, clean up) Help (supervise, food, set up, clean up) at the 8th Gr. /HS Band Extravaganza Donate cookies/bars/juice for student functions Video tape concerts using school equipment Supervise the Hudson Band apparel table at concerts Help sort/organize music at the end of the school year Supervise students (with band director) bagging groceries at Family Fresh

_______________________________________________ Students Name (PLEASE PRINT) _______________________________________________ Parent or Guardians signature

___________ Grade _____________ Date

HMS BAND DEPARTMENT STAFF

Paul Krasin: Connie Root: Carl Meincke:

Band Lesson instructor for 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Bands Director of 6th and 8th Grade Bands, 8th Grade Jazz Ensemble and band lessons Director of 7th and 8thth Grade Bands, 7th Grade Jazz Ensemble and band lessons

COMMUNICATION Hudson Middle School phone number: 377-3820 Mr. Krasin (ext.4178), Mrs. Root (ext. 4173) or Mr. Meincke (ext.4175) Hudson Middle School Web Site: http://ms.hudson.k12.wi.us Mr. Krasins email address: krasinpm@hudson.k12.wi.us Mrs. Roots email address: rootca@hudson.k12.wi.us Mr. Meinckes email address: meinckcr@hudson.k12.wi.us

2011-2012 HMS BAND CALENDAR - Grades 6, 7 & 8 November 3 (Thu) Gr. 7 & 8 Shell Lake Middle Level Honors Band, all day in Shell Lake, WI November 11 (Fri) Gr. 8 Band at Veterans Day Program, 9:00 AM in the MS gym November 15 (Tue) 7th Gr. Band & Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM in the MS Multi Purpose Room November 29 (Tue) Gr. 6 Band, Choir & Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM in the HHS Auditorium December 6 (Tue) Gr. 8-12 Jazz Ensemble Concert, 7:30 PM in the MS Multi Purpose Room December 8 (Thu) Gr. 8 Band & Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM in the MS Multi Purpose Room December ? 7th Gr. Band, Choir & Orch. Holiday Concert at Elem. School, time and school TBA January 13 (Fri) Gr. 8 Band and HS Band Extravaganza, 3:00-9:00 PM, at the MS & HS School January 25 (Wed)- 7th Gr. Bands to Minnesota Orchestra February 1 (Wed): 8th Grade Band to Minnesota Orchestra February 9 (Thu): 6th Gr. Band & Orchestra Conert, 7:00 PM in the MS Multi Purpose Room February 18 (Sat): Middle and High School Band Cabaret Night, 7:00 PM in the HS cafeteria February 24 (Fri): District Jazz Festival at UW-River Falls, all day February 29 (Wed) Gr. 7 and 8 Band at District Band Festival, half day, site TBA March 2 (Fri) 6th Grade Bands to Minnesota Orchestra March 3 (Sat) Gr. 7 & 8 District Solo/ensemble Festival, in River Falls, 8:00 AM- 12:00 PM March 8 (Thu) 7th Gr. Bands, HS Concert Band, 6:30 PM in the HS Auditorium March 8 (Thu) 8th Gr. Band & & HS Varsity & Wind Ensemble, 8:00 PM in the HS Auditorium March 12 (Mon) Gr. 7-12 Percussion Ensemble Concert, 7:00 PM in the HS Auditorium March 26 (Mon) Gr. 5 Beginning Band Parent Meeting, 7:00 PM in the MS Band Room March 29 (Thur) Gr. 7-12 Jazz Ensemble Concert, 7:00 PM MS Multi Purpose Room April 2 (Mon) Gr. 5 Beginning Band Sign up, 4:00 8:30 PM in the MS Music Department April 21 (Sat)- State Middle Level Honors Group Auditions, in Eau Claire April 28 (Sat) Eighth Grade St. Croix Music Educators Assoc. Band, Choir & Orch. Festival, all day, HHS May 10 (Thu) Gr. 7 & 8 Bands perform at the Middle School Academic Open House, 6:30-8:30 PM May 17 (Thur) - Gr. 8 Band and Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM in the MS Multi Purpose May 22 (Tue) Gr. 6 Band and Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM in the MS Multi Purpose Room May 31 (Thur) Gr. 7 Band and Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM in the MS Multi Purpose Room June 7 (Tues) Gr. 8 Band, Choir and Orchetra at the 8th Gr. Fare Thee Well, 7:00 PM in the MS Gymnasium Events in BOLD print are required attendance for the grade level indicated\

VERY IMPORTANT

CONCERT ATTENDANCE POLICY All Bands

All band members are required to be in attendance at concerts by the groups in which they are members. Because the concerts are like final tests, and credit is earned, an unexcused absence for a concert or failure to complete make up work will result in a lower grade for the trimester. Students receive a grade and academic credit for these classes. If it is known in advance that an absence from a concert is unavoidable, a WRITTEN explanation should be sent to the director BEFORE the concert. Pre-make up work will be assigned. Full credit may not be earned for an absence due to a non school activity. If a student is ill or an emergency situation arises for which a student must miss a concert, a WRITTEN explanation should be sent to the director immediately upon the students return. Make up work will be assigned. Students are expected to stay for the entire concert. Leaving a concert early may result in a grade reduction. Students must be in attendance a minimum of a half-day to participate in a concert held that day or evening. In unusual cases, the half-day requirement may be waived and permission may be waived and permission to attend the concert may be granted by the principal or associate principal. These requests should be made before the concert. Students with pre-arranged absences are eligible for attendance at the concert. If you are unclear or unsure how this applies to your son or daughter, please contact the band director. This policy has been approved by the Hudson Middle School administration.

Please mark the concert dates on your home calendar.

CONCERT ATTIRE

The objective of wearing appropriate attire for a concert is not to draw attention to what one wears, but to draw attention to the sounds of the ensemble. With that in mind, band students are asked to adhere to the following guidelines: Concert Attire for 6th Grade Band Students are expected to dress up. Blue jeans, t-shirts, shorts, and sweat shirts are NOT acceptable. Shirt tails must be tucked in. Concert Attire for 7th and 8th Grade Bands Boys: concert attire is ALL white dress shirt (with collar), black slacks and a tie. Girls: concert attire is ALL white top or blouse, and black slacks or skirt. No short-short skirts. Length should be finger-tip length or longer. No flip-flop shoes (i.e.: a thong between the toes and nothing between the heel and ankle). No shoes or boots with high, stacked heels. No shirts with lettering or logos across the front. No bare midriffs or spaghetti straps. CONCERT PROCEDURES 6th band concerts are held in the Middle School Multi Purpose Room. Students should be at school and ready to warm up by 6:40 PM for 7:00 PM Concerts. For 7:30 PM concerts, warm up time is 7:10 PM. The 2-4-6 band will warm up in the band room, and the 1-3-5 band will warm up in the choir room. Baritone and horn players need to bring their instruments from home for concerts. Sixth grade concert attire is addressed in the concert attire section in this handbook. At the conclusion of the concert, students need to help return all of the musical equipment to the band room and rack the chairs in the multi purpose room. Students are expected to remain for the entire concert. 7th Grade concerts are held in either the Middle School Multi Purpose Room or the High School Auditorium (check the concert schedule). 7th grade concert attire is addressed in the Concert Attire section in this handbook. For 7:00 PM concerts, students should be in their assigned warm up rooms by 6:40 PM; for 7:30 PM concerts, students should be in their assigned warm up rooms by 7:10 PM. . Baritone and horn players need to bring their instruments from home for concerts. At the conclusion of the concert, students need to help return all of the musical equipment to the band room and rack the chairs in the multi purpose room. Students are expected to remain for the entire concert. 8th grade concerts are held in either the MS Multi Purpose Room or the HHS Auditorium. 8th grade concert attire is addressed in the Concert Attire section in this handbook. Students should be in their assigned warm up rooms 20 minutes prior the beginning of the concert. Each band will be assigned a specific warm up room. Baritone, tuba and horn players need to bring their instruments from home for concerts. At the conclusion of the concert, students need to help return all of the musical equipment to the band room and rack the chairs in the multi purpose room. Students are expected to remain for the entire concert.

CONCERT ETIQUETTE

One of the goals of music education is to teach discriminating listening as well as performance skills. To aid in the process, and to enhance the enjoyment of performer and listener alike, we ask the audience to observe the following guidelines: Please No food or drink in the auditorium or multi purpose room. Please respect this facility by keeping feet off the seats. Please use the aisles to reach your seat. Please enter, leave, or change seats only between selections or groups. The noise and motion of people moving around is often quite distracting to the performers and the audience. Conversation is appropriate only during applause times and between groups and selections. Any conversation during the performance is disturbing to both the performer(s) and audience. Applause and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated, but other sounds such as whistling, shouting, etc., are out of place in the concert setting. Please make sure that all cell phones and pagers are turned off prior to the concert. Please use flash photography only before or after the concert, or between selections. Please plan on staying for the entire concert. We try to keep our programs from being too lengthy and appreciate having both students and other audience members stay for the complete concert. BAND GRADING POLICY Student Grades in 6th Grade Band will be based on the following areas: 1) Lessons (57%) 2) Quizzes (10%) 3) Concerts (25%) 4) Practice Chart (8%) Student Grades in 7th and 8th Grade Bands will be based on the following areas: 1) Lessons (54%) 2) Quizzes (8%) 3) Concerts (20%) 4) Practice Chart (8%) 5) Scales and arpeggios (10%) 1st Trimester: The following items are due by September 16 to receive an A grade on each item: Signed band handbook/voluteer form Two (2) No. 2 pencils (not mechanical) Practice chart stapled in lesson book Name tag on non school owned instrument cases and stick bags If the above assignments are completed after September 16, the grade on each late item will be lowered. Extra Credit: Students may earn extra credit in the following areas: 1) Extra lessons beyond scheduled lessons (4%) 2) Attend a concert: concert program and one page concert review must be turned in for credit. The performing group should be at middle level age or greater - high school, college, professional.

Maximum of two per trimester. The performance needs to be a quality musical performance (2%). 3) Extra practice at school (during PAT or before or after school-a maximum of four per trimester (1%). 4) Music library help (sorting and/or organizing music) during PAT or before or after school-a maximum of four per trimester (1%). PENALTIES The band department wishes to encourage the development of self-discipline and responsibility of band students. Students will receive a notice when they fail to bring their instruments to band rehearsal, miss a make up lesson, or leave their instrument at school over the weekend (extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis). When the total number of incidences per trimester reaches four, a student will be required to practice during a PAT in the music department. Students without a PAT will negotiate an alternative consequence with the band director. If students fail to attend their assigned PAT practice, the practice time will be doubled. COURSE DESCRIPTION The emphasis of the band program is on the individual development of music skills and understanding. Students will have a band lesson once every weekly school cycle and will present several concerts per year (see concert schedule). 6th Grade Band: 6th Grade Band is a one-year course. Students are placed in one of two 6th grade bands of equal ability, meeting on an every-other-day basis. It is an elective open to all 6th grade students. Membership in the organization is based on the students initiative, progress, and interest. Students entering 6th grade begin their instruction during the one week Summer Band Camp prior to the beginning of the school year. Students may also begin an instrument after the start of the school year, and will be admitted to the band rehearsal when they have reached the appropriate performance level. Students who are not members of orchestra or choir, may if they so wish, play in both bands. 7th Grade Band: 7th Grade Band is a one-year course. Students are placed in one of two 7th grade bands of equal ability, meeting on an every-other-day basis. It is an elective open to all 7th grade students. Membership in the organization is based on the students initiative, progress, and interest. Students who are not members of orchestra or choir, may if they so wish, play in both bands. Students who have no prior band experience may begin an instrument at the beginning of 7th grade, and will be admitted to the band rehearsal when they have reached the appropriate performance level. Students will participate in the district band festival. Students have the opportunity to participate in the district solo/ensemble festival, 7th Grade Jazz Ensemble, and audition for local and state honors groups. Small ensembles will rehearse before or after school with membership based upon student interest at the discretion of the director. 8th Grade Band:

8th Grade Band is a one-year course. 8th grade band(s) meet on an every-other-day basis. It is an elective open to all 8th grade students. Membership in the organization is based on the students initiative, progress, and interest. Students who have no prior band experience may begin an instrument at the beginning of 8th grade, and will be admitted to the band rehearsal when they have reached the appropriate performance level. Students will participate in the district band festival. Students have the opportunity to participate in the district solo/ensemble festival, 8th Grade Jazz Ensemble, and audition for local and state honors groups. Small ensembles will rehearse before or after school with membership based upon student interest at the discretion of the director. LESSONS 1. 2. 3. Band students will have a 15-minute lesson once every weekly school cycle. These lessons may be individual or with another student depending on the need and time availability. Lessons may be scheduled during a students core classes. Every attempt will be made to accommodate students preference as to when lessons are scheduled. If a student misses a lesson for whatever reason, the student will need to schedule a make up lesson as soon as possible. Make-up lessons will receive full credit (See information below on how to schedule a make-up lesson). If a director cancels a lesson, students are not required to make up that lesson. Be on time for lessons. Students should leave their classroom ONLY 3 minutes before their lesson time, and come directly to the band room. Students are expected to come to their lessons prepared (lesson book, band music when assigned, and scales/arpeggios). Practice charts should be stapled to their lesson book on the inside right page. Practice charts need to be filled out weekly. 6th and 7th grade students need parents initials for each week. Students do not need a pass to come to their regularly scheduled band lessons as all teachers have a copy of the lesson schedule.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

HOW TO SCHEDULE A MAKE-UP LESSON Each trimester, students and teachers are given a new lesson schedule whether or not lesson times have changed from the previous trimester. There is a make-up lesson schedule for each band teacher located on the table in the band room. Students should sign up for a make-up lesson time when needed. Next, students should get a blue make-up lesson pass (found on the table in the band room or in each music teachers office) and have it signed by a music teacher. The blue make-up lesson pass needs to be taken to the classroom teacher from whose class you wish to leave to make up the lesson. The pass should be presented before class begins. Release from class is at the discretion of the classroom teacher.

Near the end of the trimester, regular lessons will be canceled to provide extra make-up lesson times. ENROLLMENT EXPECTATIONS Band classes at Hudson Middle School are full-year courses, and students are expected to complete the entire year in which they begin. However, due to scholastic needs in other areas, a schedule change may be prudent. This will be done through consultation with the band director, the parent(s), a counselor or associate principal, and the student involved. A band drop form (available from the band directors) must be completed before a students schedule is officially changed. REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS and GUIDELINES 1. Students are required to attend each scheduled rehearsal. Band is an academic class, an unexcused absence from a rehearsal will be treated as a truancy. Having homework to do is not an excuse to be absent from band. Band is an academic class for which credit is earned. (However, if a student has an extended absence or there are extenuating circumstances, arrangements can be made with the core class teacher(s) and the band director to give the student time to complete make-up work during band rehearsal). Arrive on time. Sometimes this is difficult as the music department is a long distance from the other end of the building. If students arrive to the band room after class begins, they are expected to have a late pass from a teacher, or they should explain the situation to the band director. Three unexcused tardies per trimester will result in a noon detention. Students are required to have their instruments, mouthpieces and music at each rehearsal. Upon arrival at rehearsals, students are expected to take out their instruments, sit in their assigned seats and check the white board for the daily rehearsal schedule. A lost and found box is located underneath the white board. Absolutely no gum, food or pop is allowed in the band room. Band music is required to be kept in their assigned band folder. Students are required to hand in their band music after performances. Those students who fail to do so will be assessed a fine. Students will be assigned a cubby for their instruments. Students are expected to keep them clean and organized. 7th and 8th grade band students may have chair auditions several times during the year. Students will be assigned several exercises plus scales/arpeggios for their audition. This will take place during their regular band lesson and is graded. This audition allows the student to demonstrate what they have learned, and also allows the band director to determine areas that need improvement. INSTRUMENT CARE, MAINTANANCE and SUPPLIES 1. 2. Students are expected to have extra reeds and proper cleaning supplies. Brass instruments should be flushed and cleaned once a month by the student.

2.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

3.

All personally-owned instruments must have name tags on the cases (Tags maybe purchased from the band department for $1.00). Percussionists should label all of their equipment (sticks, mallets, pitch pipe, etc.) with their names. Students are expected to obtain their own musical instrument supplies. General instrument supplies (reeds, cleaning equipment, lesson books, music stands, cork grease, oil) may be ordered from music stores, with forms available in the band room. If parents chose to purchase supplies directly, the following music stores are located in our area: Brickhouse Music-River Falls (426-6776); Eckroth Music-White Bear Lake (800-543-8255), Schmitt Music-Maplewood (651-770-0091), and Schuster Music (715-531-1380). The middle school has a very small supply of reeds and supplies for emergency purposes. Students may complete an IOU form to obtain a reed. When sending money to school for IOUs, please make checks payable to Hudson Middle School and return in an envelope with the students name, amount, and the purpose of payment. Students are expected to resolve their financial obligations as soon as possible. Students with unpaid financial obligations at the end of the school year will have a hold placed on next years registration until obligations have been met. For instrument repairs, if you have a maintenance contract with Schmitt or Eckroth Music, the instrument can be picked up by their representative at the Middle School. For instrument repairs for those who do not have a maintenance contract, the following music stores have repair technicians: Schuster Music (Hudson), Brick House Music (River Falls), Eckroth Music (White Bear Lake) or Schmitt Music (next to Maplewood Mall) In case of theft, school-owned instruments are covered by the districts insurance policy. Parents are encouraged to make sure their home owners policy covers personally owned instruments. 7th and 8th grade trumpet players should be playing on a 5C mouthpiece. 7th and 8th grade trombone players should be playing on a 6.5 AL mouthpiece. Directors will notify students of mouthpiece sales.

4.

5.

6.

7. 8.

ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS FOR BAND MEMBERS DISTRICT SOLO/ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL 7TH and 8th grade band students are eligible to participate in the District Solo/Ensemble Festival. This festival gives students the opportunity to perform in a solo, duet, trio, quartet or larger ensemble. Students will choose and practice their music with guidance from their music teachers, and perform their music for a judge who will give them an oral and written critique on the performance. Their performance is rated from 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest. Music chosen for this festival is selected from the WSMA state music list, which are categorized by difficulty (There is a nominal registration/participation fee for this festival, details of which will be sent home at a later date.) For accompanied solos, the band department will provide an accompanist. When the festival is held outside of Hudson, the school district will provide transportation.

SHELL LAKE ARTS CENTER HONORS BANDS

7th and 8th grade students are eligible to audition for the Shell Lake Arts Center Honors Band program located in Shell Lake. Students wishing to participate will receive a list of audition selections in September and will audition for the Hudson band directors at a designated date. The audition results will be sent to Shell Lake Arts Center in Shell Lake and they will determine the membership of the honors bands. For students selected, there is a participation fee, and the festival will take place on a school day in November with a concert in Shell Lake at 6:00 PM. DISTRICT EIGHTH GRADE FESTIVAL BAND 8th grade students are eligible to participate in the St. Croix Valley Music Educators District Festival Band the last Saturday in April. Directors from the area middle schools submit names for potential members and students are selected to participate by the association. The students selected rehearse during the morning with a guest conductor and present a concert on that Saturday afternoon. STATE MIDDLE LEVEL HONORS PROGRAM 7th and 8th grade students are eligible to audition for the annual WSMA (Wisconsin School Music Association) State Middle Level Honors Program. Approximately 1600 students from around the state audition annually for one of 300 openings in the honors band, choir or orchestra. Audition requirements are to perform a challenging (Class B or A) solo, required scales from memory, and sight reading for an adjudicator. These auditions take place in April in Eau Claire. There is a $25.00 fee to audition. Students are responsible for their own transportation. If selected, students will go to Madison the last weekend in October and rehearse with musicians from across the state, and present a concert at the State Music Convention, open to the public (There is a participation/registration fee which will cover meals and lodging for the weekend. Details will follow.)

JAZZ ENSEMBLES Students who participate in either 7th or 8th grade concert bands may choose to participate in either 7th or 8th grade jazz ensemble. The 7th grade jazz ensemble rehearses after school on Tuesdays until 3:30 PM. The 8th grade jazz ensemble rehearses on Monday and Thursday after school until 3:30 PM. Instrumentation in a jazz ensemble consists of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, baritones, tuba, drum set, vibes, bass guitar, and keyboards. Students who play instruments traditionally not found in the jazz ensemble, may, at the directors discretion learn a second instrument in order to participate in jazz ensemble. Athletic coaches and the band directors cooperate in order to allow participation in both activities. The jazz ensembles perform in two concerts per year and also participate in the district jazz festival.

MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL CABARET NIGHT Students will have the opportunity to perform at the Cabaret Night, which is a fund raiser for the middle and high school band programs. Students may perform solos or in small ensembles, jazz ensemble, jazz combo, and percussion ensemble. As a fund raising event, food will be sold and there will be a silent auction. SUMMER MUSIC CAMPS

There are many summer music camps available to band students around the state of Wisconsin and Minnesota for a nominal fee. Students can experience a week of musical opportunities intended to develop their total musicianship through master classes, private lessons, elective music class choices, opportunities to perform in small groups, as well as large ensembles. In addition to the day-time schedule, the evening performances and recreational activities allows students to go home with a greater understanding of their musical talents and abilities, in addition to greater self-confidence and new friends. Information will be available in the spring from the band directors. Camp registration forms are available from the band directors. Scholarships for summer band camps are available, contact your director for information. SUMMER BAND CAMP One week prior to the school year, a Summer Band Camp is offered to all incoming 7th and 8th grade band students. Students will have the opportunity to explore music theory and composition in the computer labs, perform in a small ensemble, participate in large group band rehearsals and perform in a concert at the end of the week. The camp is scheduled from 1:00 PM -3:45 PM and the cost is $5.00. This camp allows students to positively prepare themselves for the school year after summer vacation.

PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS In order to improve, succeed, develop self confidence and be a viable contributing member of the band, students are expected to practice their instruments outside of the school day. Students will receive a practice chart at the beginning of each trimester which should be stapled to the first page of the lesson book. In order for students to receive credit, a weekly parental signature on the practice chart is required for 6th and 7th grade (8th grade band students will be on the honor system for practice chart times). The practice chart indicates the letter grade received for the amount of practicing. Due dates for submitting practice charts are indicated on the chart. Practice charts submitted after the end of the trimester will receive no credit unless there are extenuating circumstances. To receive credit, practice charts need to be totaled, and for 6th and 7th grade students, signed by a parent /guardian when submitted. Students who practice piano or string instruments may include one half of that time on their practice chart. If students are ill or away on an extended trip, this should be indicated on the practice chart so that a students grade will not be penalized. Students, who use their personal instruments at school, are expected to take their instrument home on weekends to practice.

PRACTICE TIPS FOR STUDENTS Students should: At the beginning of each practice session, students should warm up properly. Set aside a time and place for daily practice. Wind players should sit in a chair that encourages good posture and use a music stand. Remember, a few short practice sessions are better than one long marathon practice session. Students should follow their teachers suggestions from the previous lesson or rehearsal. Practice difficult material the most.

The lesson book series used at the middle school includes an accompaniment cd. Students are encouraged/expected to use this cd when practicing. Listen to recordings of their instrument-try to imitate the sound of professionals. Look up fingerings/trombone positions they are not sure of. Count and clap difficult rhythms before they play them. Practicing correctly the first time is much more effective than having to un-learn something or break bad habits later. Look up definitions of musical terms and symbols. Review previous lessons. Learn all they can about their instrument. The library and the internet can be resources. excellent

Keep in mind that playing and practicing are not the same thingaim for quality in your playing-not in quantity of minutes spent with your instrument. MUSIC DEPARTMENT PRACTICE ROOMS There are several practice rooms located in the music department for student use. They may be used during, before or after school. If students wish to leave their PAT in order to practice, they need to obtain a signed pass from a music teacher. These passes are located in the band room. Passes should be presented to PAT teachers before class commences. Students are expected to be practicing or involved in a musical activity when they use the practice rooms. Students who fail to use appropriate behavior will lose this opportunity SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS Due to the extreme cost of the following instruments: French horns, baritones, tubas, oboes and bassoons; the school district has purchased and allows students to rent (including mouthpieces) these instruments. Rental is $75.00 per year, due in October. Due to the difficulty of transporting horns, baritones and tubas, students will have one at home, and one will be available for the student at school. In addition, the middle school has several trombones that have been donated, and are available for trombone students. Trombones, due to the size of the case, can be difficult to carry on school buses. For a $25.00 per year fee, trombone students may use a school trombone at school. Trombone students will keep their personally-owned instrument at home for practicing, and bring it to school for concerts. In order to add depth and tonal color to ensembles, students may volunteer to be chosen to play bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, tenor saxophone, and baritone saxophone. If chosen, students will be provided with a mouthpiece and use of a school-owned instrument at no charge. Students will need to purchase their own reeds through the music department. Students will still practice and attend their lessons with their personally-owned instruments (clarinets or alto saxophones). All students who use school-owned instruments will be supplied with a mouthpiece at home and school. Students who lose or damage a school-owned mouthpiece will be charged for replacements of the mouthpiece (cost ranges from $35.00 - $175.00).