Carl Albert Middle School Band Student Handbook

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Carl Albert Middle School band handbook is to inform band members and their parents of the expectations of the middle school band program. The following guidelines are designed to promote the constructive teaching and learning environment needed to develop and maintain a successful program at the highest level of excellence.

 

CA BAND PHILOSOPHY

The CA band department is dedicated to helping students become responsible young people through participation in musical ensembles. The band program is an important part of the total school life. This band represents a large, visible, and highly disciplined segment of the school groups. Being a member of the Carl Albert Middle School band requires commitment, responsibility, and organization. Members are given the opportunity to develop self-esteem, poise, and confidence in addition to strengthening their musical abilities. The band staff considers these personal traits vital to the success in adult occupations and professions. It is our goal to give every student the finest musical experiences available.

 

GENERAL RULES

·  No gum, candy, food, or drink is allowed in the band room.

·  No talking when the director is in front of the class.

·  If you are not early, you are late. When in doubt, don’t.

·  If it is not yours, leave it alone.

·  Leave the room in a neat and orderly condition.

·  Return items to their proper place.

·  Be responsible with school and personal equipment.

·  Respect our band, our goals, and our members.

·  We are and always will be a first class organization.

·  Always do your best.

·  Always be prepared musically and mentally.

·  Anything can happen.

·  No guts, no glory. No effort, no glory.

 

SOURCE OF INFORMATION/COMMUNICATION

www.camsband.com

The band web page is an outstanding source of information for students and parents. Students will be held responsible for dates and information posted on the web site. The web page also provides an additional avenue of communication for parents and directors. The "Contact" link contains Mrs. Scott’s email address and school phone number.

 

SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS AND FEES

School-owned instruments (oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, bari sax, French horn, baritone and tuba) will be checked out to students during the year. A $50.00 fee will be required from students using school-owned instruments/equipment and is due before instruments will be checked out. This fee will be used for the normal upkeep and repair of the instruments. The middle school band department will assume financial responsibility for normal maintenance and repair of school-owned instruments and equipment. Students are expected to properly care for and maintain school instruments while it is their possession. Any damage, loss, or neglect of an instrument that is not considered normal will be the responsibility of the student and their parents.

A $30.00 fee will be due percussion students before use of school percussion equipment.

GRADING

Grades in band reflect the student's performance in all aspects of being a responsible member of an organization. Every band member will be held accountable for his/her attendance, materials, and preparation.

School policies for tardies and absences will be observed. Excessive tardies and/or absences may affect a student's eligibility and participation in band.

Tests will be given at the discretion of the director. Students are held accountable for any material covered in a previous lesson. Tests and tryouts for chair placement will usually be announced in advance. Students who miss a chair test will go to the last chair of their section, but will have the opportunity to make up the grade.

Performances are required and are graded as multiple tests. Each unexcused absence from a performance will lower a student's grade. I will affect their future enrollment in band.

Extra credit will be given to students for attending musical productions outside of their performance group requirements as long as a program is provided.

6^th grade students will be required to turn in weekly practice forms as a portion of their grade. Band members are expected to take their instruments home and practice each evening. The total amount of practice time will be verified by parental signature and turned in on the first two school days of each week. Practice times must be turned in on the required practice journal provided by the band director. Occasionally, material and maintenance grades will be taken to ensure that students have all of their required items for the band class, and that they are caring for the instruments properly.

PERFORMANCE & PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

All band students are expected to participate in rehearsals, concerts, and any other school function in which the band takes part throughout the school year.

Personal illness, family death, unsafe road conditions, or conflicts with other school- sponsored activities may be considered excused absences from rehearsals and performances.

Parents and students should notify the band director well in advance of any possible scheduling conflict.

A director may exclude a student from a performance for inappropriate dress, excessive absences, or lack of individual preparation.

Once a student has chosen band as an elective, the expectation is for the student to remain in band for the duration of the school year.

Rehearsals outside of the normal school day may need to be scheduled in preparation for concerts and contests. These rehearsals will be announced well in advance.

 

ELIGIBILITY

The standards mandated by the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association and those of Mid-Del Public School District will be used to determine a student's eligibility for performances. Students who are considered ineligible will not be able to participate in concerts, contests, or trips. This absence from the performance will hinder future band enrollment.

 

PERFORMANCE ATTIRE

The uniform worn by the seventh and eighth grade bands are a visible symbol of our groups as legitimate school organizations. When in uniform, each student is a representative of the band program, our school district and our community. Therefore, the uniform should be worn and kept in a respectful manner. No contest medals, buttons or pins are worn on the uniform and jewelry should be conservative in nature. The designated concert uniform for the seventh and eighth grade bands are as follows:

7^th & 8^th Grade MALE                                             7^th & 8^th Grade FEMALE

*White, flat pleat, wing-tip collar tuxedo shirt           Black dress socks or hose

*Black wrap around bow tie                                       Black dress shoes (pumps)

Black socks

Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes)

* Purchased at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby

The uniform will be worn at the Holiday Concert, the Pre-District Contest, the District Contest and the Spring Concert.

All band students will be required to purchase a band t-shirt. This shirt will be worn with jeans, socks, and tennis shoes for football game performances, Heartland Music Festival Contest, Mid-Del Honor Band, CODA Honor Band, Six Flags trip and Out-of-State trip.

Students who disregard any of the performance attire may not be allowed to participate in the concert.

 HONOR BAND AUDITIONS

Band members are strongly encouraged to audition for membership in honor bands. Membership in the Central Oklahoma Director’s Association Honor Band is a great honor and holds much significance for university officials when distributing scholarship offers. Preparation for these auditions requires a great deal of initiative and self-discipline, as most of the practice is done out of class. Students auditioning for C.O.D.A. are strongly encouraged to include sight-reading as part of their preparation for the audition. Sight- reading is a major portion of the audition process and has a direct impact on whether a student makes the honor band and how high they place.

 SOLOS & ENSEMBLES

Another opportunity for musical growth is through participation in solo and ensemble contests. It is another opportunity for exposure to challenging music of various styles on an individual basis or through a smaller group. Students will have the opportunity to compete the District level contest. As with honor bands, a great deal of initiative and preparation is done outside of class. Regular rehearsals with accompanists or ensembles will be scheduled in the spring.

 BEHAVIOR ON TRIPS

At the Middle School level, students will begin to take out-of-town and possibly out-of- state trips for various concerts, contests, or festivals. The following is the proper etiquette expected on these trips:

We are and always will be a first class organization. When you are with our band you are representing our school, our community, and our state. Every band member should be conscious of their behavior and the impressions that it makes. Your words and actions will be heard, seen, and interpreted by many people. Do not draw undo attention to yourself. Represent this program in the manner that it should be represented. Take pride in what you do and how you do it.

Bus drivers, directors, and chaperones have disciplinary authority while students are riding the buses. School policies will be observed at all times.

No student will exit a bus before the entire bus is determined to be clean by the chaperones on board. The responsibility of cleaning the bus is yours not anyone else’s.

 PRIVATE LESSONS

Students are also highly encouraged to study privately on their instrument. This gives the student the opportunity to study with a person who specializes on their particular instrument. Also, be advised, there are opportunities to receive a private lesson scholarship both fall and spring semesters. A list of reputable teachers can be found at www.camsband.com. If more information is needed, please contact Mrs. Scott.

 

 

 

HANDBOOK COMPLIANCE FORM

Please complete, sign and return front/back page of the handbook for a grade by Monday, August 16th, 2010. Keep the remainder of the handbook throughout the year for reference. The back page is the medical release needed for every student that plans on traveling with the band.

I have read, understand, and agree to comply with the rules and policies set forth by the Carl Albert Middle School Band Department for the 2010-2011 school year.
 Student’s Printed Name __________________________________________________ Grade ______

Student’s Signature _____________________________________________________

Parent’s Signature ______________________________________________________
 

Please PRINT the following information. This information is strictly for use by Mrs. Scott and/or the Band Parent Organization to assure prompt communication and will not be used for other purposes. If you choose to receive emails as a text, your cell provider is needed in order for that to work.

 

 

 

Mid-Del Schools Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment

for Students on Out of State/Overnight Trips
 

Name of Student ____________________ Age____ Date of Birth _______

Address______________________________________________________

Telephone Numbers:       

Home Phone: _______________   Father’s Work Number: _____________

Mother’s Work Number: _________________

Emergency Contact Name and Phone Number:_____________________

(in the event none of the above are available)

Contact Parent/Legal Guardian Signature___________________________

Allergies/Prescription Medications

           Is the student allergic to any medications? Yes  or  No

           Will the student be on prescription medication during the trip?  Yes   or  No

If yes to either, please list and/or explain below. (If needed attach additional sheets)

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Insurance Information: Name of Insurance Company _________________

Group #____________  Member#__________  Effective Date__________

Employer___________________ Primary Care Physician ______________

Phone Number __________________


I, ______________________________ give permission for Becky Scott to secure emergency medical treatment for ______________________________while                                                     (full name of son/daughter)

participating with the CAMS Band on school approved trips. I understand that the cost of any such treatment will be my responsibility (or that of my insurance company). I also understand that every effort will be made to contact me as soon as possible.
Signature of Full Name of Parent/Legal Guardian (must be a notarized signature)

 

__________________________________________________

Please use this space for notary information.