T'A' Howard Middle School BAND PARENT MEETING

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T.A. Howard Middle SchoolBAND PARENT MEETING
HANDBOOK2009-2010

• Nathaniel Neugent, DirectorMeredith Keller,
  Associate Director [phone]

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Meeting Agenda - 8/27/09

• Introduction
• Most Important Info
• Handbook Information
• Forms and Fees
• Band Calendar
• Answer Any Questions

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MII 1 Practice Records

• Teach responsibility first, music second
• Due every Monday, in basket by 410 pm
• 30 points off is one day late (correction)
• Must have a Grand Total
• Must be signed by parent Sunday evening
• Encourage your kids to be honest and accurate
• A 60 is better than a zero

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MII 2 Attendance

• Communication is the key.
• If your child will miss a rehearsal or
  performance for any reason, please communicate
  that to us ASAP.
• Email or a signed note is required.
• A phone call is best if it is a last minute
  emergency but follow up afterward in writing.

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MII 3 Daily Rehearsals

• They must have all their materials and necessary
  instrument supplies present at each rehearsal to
  receive full credit.
• Before and after school rehearsals count twice as
  they are very important and very few of them.

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MII 1, 2, 3 Grades/IC

• You can check your students grades weekly in
  Infinite Campus (IC).
• It automatically puts zeroes after the due
  dateso if we are behind in entering them, it
  shows as a zero
• Feel free to email us anyway just to be safe ?

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MII 4 Private Lessons

• Students are now in large classes with multiple
  instruments making individual instruction more
  difficult.
• Private Lessons will help your child improve more
  than anything else we do.
• Half-scholarships are available for those with a
  financial need. You must qualify for free or
  reduced lunch to qualify.
• An updated list of teachers is available on our
  websitethey will also be calling those who
  turned in the MMEP forms.
• Lesson times are set up on a first come-first
  serve basis. Those first in line get the premium
  times (in class).

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MII 5 Pep Rallies Football Games

• Students must arrive wearing band shirt (tucked
  in), blue jeans, tennis shoes
• Bring Wire Stand (and take home when done)
• Clothespins help hold music down
• Tubas Bari Saxes from home are required
• Tue, Sept 15 is our 1st Pep Rally
• Fri, Oct 2 Tue, Oct 27 are our 2 Football Game
  performances

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MII 6 Band Concerts

• Arrive in with Tux shirt on and tucked in
• At Willie Pigg, drop off in back by band hall
• Students are expected to listen to other bands
  after their performance given the few
  opportunities they have to hear each other
• Tubas Bari Saxes from school are required,
  except Concert Band kids from home
• We are still waiting for Pigg dates to be
  released!
• Please support our new Fine Arts facility on the
  district blog on www.mansfieldisd.org

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Fine Arts/Prof Dev Facility
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MII 7 Charms (Mass Email)

• With new info for parentsand prior to every
  event, we send home a handout, post it on our
  website, and mass email using Charms.
• Please keep your email address up to date with
  us.
• Changing it in IC does not change it with us. A
  short email is the best way.

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Expectations for ALL Bands

• Exemplary Rehearsal Skills
• Band Materials present prepared every day
• Instrument goes home every day
• Except Tubas Bari Sax take MP only
• Must bring to performances
• Weekly Practice Records
• Each band has different grading scales
• Attendance at all required Performances

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Band Class Schedule

• A Days
• 730 830 Sectionals
• 845 1010 1st Symphonic Band
• 1015 1055 Quest
• 1100 100 2nd Honor Band
• 105 230 3rd Concert Brass
• 235 400 4th Conference
• 410 - 510 Sectionals

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Band Class Schedule

• B Days
• 730 830 Sectionals
• 845 1010 1st Music App. (Neugent Team)
• 1015 1055 Quest
• 1100 100 2nd Honor Band
• 105 230 3rd Percussion (Keller Team)
• 235 400 4th Concert Woodwinds
• 410 - 510 Sectionals

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GRADING POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• PERFORMANCE 40
• REHEARSAL 40
• PRACTICE 20
• EXTRA CREDIT

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PERFORMANCE GRADES - 40

• Are made up of the following components
• Playing Tests
• Written Work
• Public Performances (concerts, contests, etc)
• These count in your average twice. If you do not
  attend a concert and do not have an approved
  excused absence, two zeroes will be entered into
  the grade book.
• We also expect proper concert etiquette from our
  students while listening to other bands perform.
• Students are expected to stay and listen to all
  bands to receive full credit for the
  concertlistening is part of the learning process.

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Playing Tests

• Students should expect weekly playing tests that
  will be announced in advance. These tests could
  cover, but are not limited to covering, the
  following
• Daily Drill
• Scales
• Exercises
• Pep Band Tunes
• All-Region Band audition materials
• Concert band music (your part)
• Students must pass-off their part at a minimum
  standard to perform with their band at contest.
• Tests may decrease as we approach performances.

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Public Performances

• With a performance oriented curriculum our
  performances are the most important grade we take
• We have very few performances each year so they
  weigh heavily in their average
• Are on the Band Calendar and include but are not
  limited to
• All Concerts
• All Band Contests
• Individual contests such as All-District, Region,
  Solo Ensemble Contest
• Football games Pep Rallies

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Public Performances

• Attendance at all public performances is
  required, except in the following circumstances
• Death in the family
• Critical family emergency (for example, a car
  accident)
• Bed-ridden illness (for example, pneumonia)
• Once-in-a-lifetime family event (for example,
  your grandparents 50th wedding anniversary)

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Public Performances

• In the case of a once-in-a-lifetime family event,
  parents must contact the director as soon as
  possible, in writing, stating
• 1. The students name.
• 2. The date and time of the conflict.
• 3. The specific reason for the conflict.

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Public Performances

• An unexcused absence from a public performance
  could result in any of the following, at the
  directors discretion
• Loss of their chair position
• Exclusion from any end of year party.
• Exclusion from contest trips (Any student that
  misses a required concert or competition will not
  go to Schlitterbahn).
• Reassignment to another ensemble.
• Removal from the band program.

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Daily Rehearsals

• Beginning Monday, any student without their
  instrument or mouthpiece will receive a ZERO for
  their daily rehearsal grade
• Tuners Clips will have one more week to pass
  out
• You must have a signed note from your
  parent/guardian if your instrument is in the shop
  for repairs. (Please include where and when it
  was taken to the shop on the note.)

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Daily Rehearsals - 40

• Students will receive full credit (100 points)
  for each rehearsal that they
• Have their materials present and in working
  order
• Instrument
• Mouthpiece, good reeds, or appropriate
  sticks/mallets
• Band Binder (clean w/dividers, pencil bag, blue
  book all music)
• Pencil (no pens)
• Tuner w/clip (required for All Brass Woodwinds)
• Follow entry exit procedures outlined in
  Rehearsal Expectations
• Actively Participate in the rehearsal process by
  following the etiquette outlined in Rehearsal
  Expectations

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Daily Practice - 20

• Practice is monitored through Practice Records
• Minutes are recorded Monday - Sunday
• PRs are due by the end of Monday regardless of A
  or B day
• Must be signed by parent to be countedplease
  reviewdont just sign

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Practice Records

• HONOR BAND
• 240 minutes per week 110
• 210-239 minutes 100
• 180-209 minutes 90
• 150-179 minutes 80
• 120-149 minutes 70
• Less than 120 minutes 60
• No parent signature 0
• SYMPHONIC BAND
• 210 minutes per week 110
• 180-209 minutes 100
• 150-179 minutes 90
• 120-149 minutes 80
• 90-119 minutes 70
• Less than 90 minutes 60
• No parent signature 0

• CONCERT BAND
• 180 minutes 110
• 150-179 minutes 100
• 120-149 minutes 90
• 90-119 minutes 80
• 60-89 minutes 70
• Less than 60 minutes 60
• No parent signature 0

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Extra Credit

• Attending or participating in a non-Howard
  concert (15 pts.)
• Auditioning for All-District band (10 pts.)
• Making All-District band (20 pts.)
• Auditioning for All-Region band (20 pts.)
• Making All-Region band (40 pts.)
• Watching the HS band at half time (15 pts.)

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Extra Credit

• Bring proof (ticket stub, program, note from
  parent) and signed by parent
• Turn it in with their next Practice Record
• We file it away and enter it in IC at the end of
  the 6 weeks

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UIL Eligibility

• Extra-curricular vs. Co-curricular
• Contests vs. Concerts
• Can lose eligibility each 6 weeks
• Can regain every 3 weeks
• Must wait for the one week grace period

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Section Rehearsals

• Occur before school from 730 - 830
• A few small sectionals may be scheduled after
  school from 410-510
• Since most sectionals only meet once a week,
  attendance at every sectional is crucial for the
  individual and sections progress.
• An unexcused absence to a sectional will
  adversely effect your students grade, jeopardize
  their chair in the ensemble, and leave them
  behind in the music and on playing tests we do in
  sectionals.

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Band Supplies

• Should have all rehearsal supplies from
  Registration
• Must purchase supply again if lost or broken
• Binder, music (.25 per pg.), Blue Bookthe tuner
  Clip can break easily if not cared for properly
• If you need to wait to buy more costly supplies
  like a WW mouthpiece, please email me and let me
  know your timeline
• See Handbook for recommended list
• MA Price list will be published on website
• Students can purchase supplies from MA through
  us - make checks out to Music Arts

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Instrument Maintenance and Care

• Store daily in slot and take home each day and
  every weekend
• We cannot be responsible for lost/stolen
  instruments
• Brass students should clean, and oil/grease them
  once every 2 weeks. This can be counted as
  practice time!!!
• WWs should swab after every practice and use key
  oil every month. Check for loose screws once a
  week.

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Instrument Maintenance and Care

• Parents, if there is a problem with an
  instrument, please do not attempt to repair it.
• Send it with a student to us as we can often save
  you repair money by fixing it ourselves.
• We will not attempt a repair we know we cant do
  and we will then recommend sending it to a shop.
• Recommended repair shops are listed in the
  Handbook.
• We will have a MA Rep come once a week.
• We encourage parents to purchase insurance
  coverage on your childs instrument.
• The Music Agency offers affordable and thorough
  instrument only insurance.

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School-owned Instruments

• Are provided by the district due to cost
• Include Piccolo, Oboe, Bassoon, Tenor Bari
  Sax, French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba, and large
  percussion
• MISD requires a 60 fee for Brass Woodwinds and
  a 20 fee for percussion
• Maintenance and repair is student/parent
  responsibility while checked outconsider
  insurance
• Tubas Bari Sax are provided one to stay home
  due to size. You must bring your home
  instrument to all performances (except Honor Band
  tubas use school)
• Extra School-owned instruments for home practice
  can be checked out if we have one available for
  an additional 60 fee.

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Step-up Instruments

• Can drastically improve your childs performance
  as they begin to physically outgrow the smaller
  beginner models
• Please seek our advice along with your Private
  teachers advice when considering buying one
• Do not buy online unless it is a quality used
  hornwe can help with that
• See recommended list in Handbook
• Stepping up often means you will need a new
  mouthpiece (esp. for brass)
• Even once youve settled on a make model, try
  several different samples before buyinggood
  music stores will loan them to us before buying
  so we can try them out!
• Consider keeping your beginner horn for high
  school marching band

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Fee Summary

• Howard Fees (make check out to Howard Band)
• Band Registration Fee 5 (covers misc. supplies)
• Howard Band T shirt 12 (parents can still buy)
• Tuxedo Shirt 14
• MUSIC SUPPLIES (make check out to Music Arts)
• Metronome/Tuner Combo
• Tuner Clip

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Fee Summary

• MISCELLANEOUS
• Instrument Usage Fee (School-owned Winds) 60
• Instrument Usage Fee (Percussion) 20
• Private Lesson (per half-hour lesson) 16
• Make checks out to your private teacher
• Lost Sheet Music (per page) .25
• Pay with cash
• Lost Blue Book 7 for Winds, 10 for Percussion

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Calendar

• We are still waiting on Willie Pigg Dates for
  Concerts so No calendar yet
• We will email everyone when the calendar is
  posted on the website

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Upcoming Events

• Mon, Aug 31-Nov 13 Weekly All-Region Music
  Sectionals begin this Monday 730-830 am
• Wed Thu, Sept 2 3 - Fundraiser kick-off
• Cookie Dough - 2 weeks long Cumulative Prizes
• Tue, Sept 15 - Pep Rally - (3-4 pm)
• Wed, Sept 16 Fundraiser Order Money due

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Oct-Nov Events

• Fri, Oct 2 - Game performance Summit Band Night
• Summit vs. Mansfield at Newsom Stadium (Visitors
  side)
• Meet here, ride buses from Howard
• October ?? - Fall Concert Willie Pigg, we hope
• Fri, Oct 16 - Legacy Band Night
• 8th graders zoned to Legacy RL Anderson - meet
  there
• Tue, Oct 27 Howard Game Performance
• RL Anderson Stadium meet here, ride buses from
  Howard
• Thu, Oct 29 Howard Band Halloween Dance
• Sat, Oct 31 All-District Auditions Jones MS
• November All-Region Audtion stuff

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Questions???
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THE END