Roanoke - Benson High School Band Student Information Page

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2008 - 2009 Roanoke - Benson High School Band Handbook

Click here to download the 2008-2009 RBHS Band Handbook.

Welcome to an exciting year as a member of the Roanoke - Benson High School Band! The RBHS Band is an important part of our entire school district and the communities of Roanoke and Benson. Years from now, you will look back upon your time in the RBHS Band as a rewarding experience full of many great memories. It's because of the hard work done by previous RBHS Bands, that the RBHS Band Department is greatly respected. It will be because your hard work and dedication that the RBHS Band Department will continue to be respected.

Preface

This 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 urged to read the entire handbook carefully to be informed of RBHS Band Department policies.

Objectives of the RBHS Band Department

To teach music by its actual performance

To develop performance skills on the various wind and percussion 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/history and how it relates to the music being rehearsed / performed

To 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

The following are objectives that will apply to all students during each rehearsal.

Tone quality

Intonation

Rhythmic accuracy and development

Precision 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

Reading and understanding music notation and terms

Overall musicianship

Music history as it pertains to music being rehearsed / performed

Music theory as it pertains to the music being rehearsed / performed

Performance Objectives

The following are objectives 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 performance, each student will be responsible for storage of his/her instrument and band music.

After every performance, each student will be responsible for storage of band equipment as instructed by the band director.

After every performance, percussion student are responsible for storage of percussion equipment. Sticks, mallets, and small percussion instruments will be stored in the percussion cabinet.

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

Posture
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 …)

Classroom Expectations - in addition to rules as stated in the RBHS Student Handbook

Arrive on time with all necessary materials

Two minutes after the bell, be in your assigned place with folders/ equipment ready to rehearse

Leave books outside the classroom or in your locker

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 absolutely required

Read announcements on the markerboard

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

Students must have his/her name on their instrument case (labels will be provided)

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

Supplies and repairs should be taken care of outside of rehearsals when possible. When possible, supplies should be ordered online through kiddermusic.com

Stay in the room until the bell rings

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.

If damage occurs to school owned property as a result of student negligence, the student 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.

Students will not be held liable for repairs, of school-owned instruments, which resulted from normal care and use.

Grading

High School grades are given at the end of each semester. Grades will be calculated on the following percentages:

Daily effort grade: 10%

Attendance of performances: 90%

Daily Effort Grade

Three points per day will be awarded. Daily effort grade will be posted online once a week.

Because a daily effort grade cannot be made-up after an absence, a student will be automatically awarded the full 3 points for each day of excused absence. This is done for two reasons; 1) to not penalize a student for being absent; 2) to make the grading of a large number of band students within the district more manageable. If the student's absence is unexcused, the student will receive zero points for that day. If a student misses rehearsal for serving an in school suspension, he/she will be docked the 3 points for that day.

Performance Grade

Performance is one of the primary objectives of being a band member. 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 Calenda webpage for a complete listof events and plan to participate in all performances accordingly. Unscheduled last minute performances or changes in performance dates shall be kept to an absolute minimum. Students and parents should refer to the RB Band website and online calendar for up-to-date information.

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 needs to supply the director with a written note from a parent three weeks prior to the performance.

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

One unexcused absence will result in the performance grade being lowered by 25%.

The highest possible final semester grade would be 77.5% (Letter grade = C)

Two unexcused absences will result in the performance grade being lowered by 38%.

The highest possible final semester grade would be 66.8% (Letter grade = D-)

Three unexcused absences will result in the performance grade being lowered by 50%.

The highest possible final semester grade would be 55% (Letter grade = 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 need to be proactive in dealing with conflicts and never procrastinate.

Inappropriate behavior by a student at a performance may result in the lowering of the student's performance grade as deemed necessary by the band director.

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 the director.