RBHS Band Handbook | Roanoke-Benson Band Department

2011-2012 RBHS Band Handbook (pdf)

2011-2012 RBHS Band Handbook Signature Page (pdf)
Signature page needs to be signed and returned by Tuesday, August 20, 1011

Request to be excused from a Performance (pdf)

“Whatever we accomplish in life, if it’s solely for our own good,
then it doesn’t mean that much. The things you do that affect
others in a positive way are the ones that count. Whatever facet
of life you’re in, God has given you a gift; do the best you can
with that gift. ” — Alberto Salazar

Preface

This 2011-2012 RBHS Band Department Handbook has been developed for the Roanoke-Benson High School Band members and their parents. This handbook contains the objectives, expectations, and policies of the RBHS Band Department. All members and parents are encouraged to read the entire handbook which explains the policies of the RBHS Band Department.

Objectives of the RBHS Band Department

To develop and foster creativity
To teach music by its actual performance
To develop performance skills on the student’s individual instruments
To develop the ability to read and play music with insight and expression
To acquaint students with some of today’s technology that is applicable to music in their lives
To acquaint students with music theory and music history and how it relates to the music being rehearsed and performed
To appropriately provide for the musical needs of the school and the community
To work as a team member with fellow band members
To develop self-discipline
To develop the ability to function as a responsible member of a group
To foster leadership

Rehearsal Objectives

Reading and understanding music notation and terms
Overall musicianship
Tone quality
Intonation
Rhythmic accuracy and development
Precision of attacks and releases
Clarity of articulation
Control of tempo
Technical facility appropriate for music
Control of dynamic levels
Proper emphasis of balance and blend
Interpretation – phrasing
Music history as it pertains to music being rehearsed / performed
Music theory as it pertains to the music being rehearsed / performed

Expectations

Performance Expectations

The following are expectations that will apply to all students during each performance.

To represent the communities of Roanoke and Benson, the R-B School District, the RBHS Music Department, the RBHS Band Department, past and future RBHS Band members, our families, and our selves to the best of our abilities.
Arrive in sufficient amount of time to be seated, in proper uniform, with instrument ready to warm-up at the designated time. Be a responsible member of the band – NEVER force the entire band to wait for you individually.
After every rehearsal, each student will be responsible for storage of his/her instrument and music.
After every performance, each student will be responsible for storage of band equipment as instructed by the band director. NOTE: Percussion student are responsible for storage of percussion equipment. Sticks, mallets, and small percussion instruments will be stored in the percussion cabinet. All percussion players are responsible of all percussion equipment. The excuse of “I put away [this or that]” doesn’t excuse a percussionist from the responsibility of making sure that all percussion equipment is properly put away.
After using an RBHS Band uniform, each student will properly hang up their uniform in their garment bag and then will hang up the uniform, in alphabetical order, in the uniform room. RBHS Band hats should be placed the correct hat box and placed back on the shelves with the other hats.
Each student will perform to the best of his/her ability
Student will conduct themselves to the highest professional standards
Good Posture, not an option
Focused on the performance
Refrain from talking
Refrain from any actions during the performance that will distract from the band’s performance
Students will demonstrate proper concert etiquette (i.e. applauding for soloists, not talking …)
No gum allowed during any part of a performance – this includes percussionists
Mobile electronic devices (cell phones, ipods, ipads, …) are not allowed with a student during performances

Classroom Expectations

Arrive on time with all necessary materials (if not, the student will be counted tardy)
When the Band Director starts rehearsal, be in your assigned place with music and equipment ready to rehearse (if not, the student is counted tardy)
If books are brought into the classroom, they must be kept under your chair
No gum during the entire 1st period -including time spent putting instruments and music away – Student chewing gum will be counted tardy
No food or drink is allowed in the rehearsal room
Fully participate in rehearsals and daily activities
Give your very best effort – at all times – work with a good attitude
Good posture is never a suggestion; good posture is required
Read the rehearsal announcements on the markerboard (before asking questions)
Percussionists should get out instruments to be used for selections listed on the board
Percussionists should make sure all parts are covered at all times – if a person is absent, then someone must volunteer to cover that part for rehearsal. The percussion section should be proactive in this.
Students must have his/her name on their instrument case
Only handle or play your own instrument (non-percussionists do not have permission to play percussion instruments)
When excused, properly store all music, instruments and equipment
When excused, percussion equipment should be neatly arranged; sticks, mallets, and small percussion instruments are stored in the percussion cabinet – a pathway to the fire exit should always exist.
Supplies and repairs should be taken care of outside of rehearsals when possible. When possible, supplies should be ordered online through www.kiddermusic.com
Remain in the room until the bell rings

“What you permit, you promote.” Ron Kiesewetter

Consequences

Verbal warning, grade deduction, teacher-given detentions, parent notified, referral to office

Use of School Property

Students are expected to treat school-owned property with care and respect. Any student caught vandalizing school property will be held responsible for the repair or replacement of property that is damaged as deemed appropriate by the band director and disciplined according to the RBHS student handbook. Non-percussionist handling percussion equipment will be considered an act of vandalism. If damage occurs to school owned property as a result of student negligence, the student will be held responsible for the complete repair or replacement of property that is damaged as deemed appropriate by the band director and disciplined according to the RBHS student handbook.

Students will not be held liable for repairs, of school-owned instruments, which resulted from normal care and use. Students are not allowed to bill repairs, on school-own instruments, to the school themselves.

Grading

Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, RBHS Band students will receive a full credit for participation in band. High School grades are given at the end of each semester. Grades will be calculated on the following percentages:

Differential Instruction: 20 points
Attendance of Performances: 60 points
Final Exam: 20 points

The grading scaled used by Roanoke-Benson High School is as follows:

A	100-95	C	79-77
A-	94-92	C-	76-74
B+	91-89	D+	73-71
B	88-86	D	70-68
B-	85-83	D-	67-65
C+	82-80	F	64-0

Differential Instruction Grade

How does differentiated instruction work?

Differentiated instruction is based upon the belief that students learn best when they make connections between the curriculum and their diverse interests and experiences, and that the greatest learning occurs when students are pushed slightly beyond the point where they can work without assistance. This point differs for students who are working below grade level and for those who are gifted in a given area. (http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/)

Because the unique structure of differentiated grading. The differentiated grades will be posted once at the end of the semester.

Each of the different level within the differential grading portion is worth 20 points. Students will be given the opportunity to select from the following areas of study for their differential instruction grade:

Level 1

Note names and fingerings
This level is for students who struggle with knowing the basic fingerings / notes names needed to play.
This level can be repeated with the director’s permission.

Level 2

Terms, rhythms, key signatures covered in class pertaining the music being performed.
This is considered the general level for most students.
This level can be repeated as many times as the student wants without the directors permission.

Level 2.5

Students who take private lessons their band instrument (not piano or voice) may opt out of level two assignments, but must take the same final exam as Level 2 students.

Level 3 (available second semester only)

Students who participate as an instrumentalist in the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest may qualify for Level 3
A student may repeat this each Spring semester
Student is responsible for their own entry fee
If a student fails to participate in the contest he/she will be placed in Level 2.
The Level 3 student will take the same final as Level 2 students.

Level 4

Juniors or Seniors may apply for Level 4
Permission for Level 4 will be granted by the band director
Level 4 is basically an independent study level. Each Level 4 student is free to create a project that interests him/her. Each Level 4 project must be directly related to music.
Students must complete the Level 4 application and have it approved by the director within the first two weeks of the semester or the student is placed in level
Students are encourage to be creative in planning their projects for within level 4.
Some possible ideas for Level 4

Study private lessons on any instrument ( including voice, piano, guitar…)
Create an online blog about a particular aspect of music that interest you. A blog would be set up for the student under the rb60.com domain.
Arrange or compose a composition
Music technology project
?

Depending on the Level 4 project, an alternative final exam (i.e. presentation) might be utilized. If an alternative exam is not utilized, then the Level 4 student will take the same final exam as Level 2 students.

Performance Grade

A successful performance of prepared music is one of the primary objectives of band members. Rehearsals are geared toward preparing for public performances. Many hours of preparation go into each performance, and each band member (along with our school and communities) relies on all the others to make the performance the best it can be. It is extremely important to the success of the entire band that every member participates in every performance.

Please refer to the RBHS Band Department Calendar webpage for a complete list of events and plan to participate in all performances accordingly. Unscheduled last minute performances or changes in performance dates will be kept to an absolute minimum. Students and parents should refer to the RB Band website and online calendar for up-to-date information.

A band parent once said that when he was in his high school band,
there was only one possible excuse to miss a performance. That excuse
was that the student had to go to a funeral – their own funeral!

An absence by any individual hurts the entire group. Only in the case of extreme personal illness, death in the family, religious conflicts, or other reasons pre-approved by the band director will absences be excused. To request to be excused from a performance, a student must complete and submit the “Request for Excused Absence” form three weeks prior to the performance. This form is available from the band director and online at www.rb60.com/band.

If a student is granted an excused absence from a performance, the student will be given an alternate “make-up” assignment as deemed appropriate by the band director. Example of a make-up assignment are cleaning the band room, music lesson after school, sorting music for the band’s library.

A great deal of effort is put forth to not conflict with school athletics. Dealing with co-op sports is difficult. If a student is in a co-op sport, then he/she should make the Band Director and their coach aware of any conflicts.

No excused absences from a band performance for a sports practice will be given. If a coach wants a player to miss a performance for a special play-off type practice, then it is the coach’s responsibility to contact the band director.

Unexcused absences will result in the performance grade being lowered as follows:

One unexcused absence will result in the performance grade being lowered by 21 points (resulting in the highest possible grade of a 79 / C)
Two unexcused absences will result in the performance grade being lowered by 30 points (resulting in the highest possible grade of a 70 / D)
Three unexcused absences will result in the performance grade being lowered by 36 points (resulting in the highest posibble grade of a 64 / F) A student with three unexcused absences within one semester will be dropped from the band.

Performance grades are cumulative – one grade for all performances. Performance grades will be posted online at the end of each semester.

The majority of problems, in the past, have occurred as a result of students’ procrastination. Students and parents need to be proactive in dealing with conflicts.

Inappropriate behavior by a student during a performance (including immediately before and after) may result in the lowering of the student’s performance grade as deemed appropriate by the band director.

Final Exams

With the added benefits of a full credit given to band, comes with the additional responsibility of a final exam. RBHS school policy states that final exams are 20% of your semester grade. Final exams will be based on material covered within the student Differentiated Instruction level. Levels 2, 2.5, 3, and 4 will all have the same final exam. Level 1 students will have their own individual final exam.

Band Supplies

Instrumental supplies (reeds, oil, method books, etc…) are not sold, on a regular basis, through the RB Music Boosters. Parents are to purchase instrumental supplies online through the website of Kidder Music Service, Inc. These supplies will be delivered to the school without shipping charges. The supplies, ordered online, are the same price that the RB Music Boosters would have paid for them, but the need and liability of the RB Music Boosters to operate a re-sale account is eliminated. RBHS and RBJH will continue to keep a limited amount of instrumental supplies on hand for those families that do not have the ability to order supplies online. These supplies will be sold on cash in advance basis.

Neither the Roanoke-Benson School District, nor does the Roanoke-Benson Music Boosters, endorse one particular music store. Parents are free to order instrumental supplies from whomever they wish to. Kidder Music is the only dealer in the area that routinely visits the school to deliver supplies. If parents have any questions they should feel free to call or email (shayes@rb60.com) the director.