The Junior High and High School Handbook

Junior High and High School Handbook

Junior High	High School
Uniforms	Boosters
Classroom Expectations & Procedures
Junior & Senior High School Band Accounts

PHILOSOPHY OF THE BAND PROGRAM

The bands at Mt Zion Jr Sr High School are organized to support the musical needs of the Mt. Zion Community. They seek to stimulate musical growth, promote and sustain the proud musical heritage of the American Public Schools, promote the musical education of the students, and serve the community in the scope of its musical functions from the football field to the concert stage.

The success of the bands is dependent upon the competence of its individual members. Each student shares in the responsibility and privilege of maintaining the high standards of excellence in the organization. Teamwork among the students in the band room is as important as it is on the athletic field.

This handbook is designed to aid students and their parents to better understand the policies, organizational structure and general functions of the Mt Zion Jr-Sr High School Band Program. It is more than a rulebook, it is a source much information.

Instrumental music is a performing art and is a vital ingredient in public education. Public education in the United States actually began in Massachusetts in the early 1600s when a man named Lowell Mason organized a publicly funded school for the sole purpose of teaching the local children to read music. To fulfill this role in our schools the instrumental program at Mt Zion is organized into the following:

• Jr High Concert Band
• Jr High Jazz Ensemble
• High School Band (Marching Band – 1st 9 weeks)
• High School Percussion Ensemble
• High School Jazz Ensemble

The primary function of this department is to develop proficient PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONS. Other worthwhile objectives are:

• Improve general musical knowledge and understanding.
• Obtain the highest possible level of INDIVIDUAL performance skills.
• Develop an appreciation of music and a broadening of musical horizons.
• Develop a sense of teamwork, discipline and responsibility.
• Encourage students to participate in musical opportunities outside and after their school experiences.

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JUNIOR HIGH BAND

This class meets and rehearses daily.

OBJECTIVES – Weekly progress should include the following:

1. Improvement of tone quality
2. Improvement of intonation
3. Improvement of technique
4. Improvement of sight reading skills
5. Improvement of expression skills
     ...a. Dynamics
     ...b. Phrasing
     ...c. Articulation

PERCUSSIONISTS - Percussionists are required to bring a set of concert snare drum sticks as well as a set of timpani/cymbal mallets to each rehearsal. Percussionists will rotate through rehearsals playing all instruments until assigned a specific part shortly before each performance. This helps insure a well-rounded musician.

PRACTICE – Each student is expected to have a minimum of five 15-minute practice sessions per week totaling at least 120 minutes. It is the single most important activity of the student to improve musicianship. I highly recommend the use of a metronome as a practice tool during this time.

GRADES – Students earn grades based on the following criteria:
Weekly Class Participation.....30 Points
Playing Exams....................10 Points each
Practice Records.................10 Points per week
Semester Exams....................Approx 20% of the quarter grade

The School wide grading system is used to determine letter grades. See the school handbook for this information. For each excused absence from a performance or rehearsal, the student is required to put in an equal number of minutes in personal practice time. This is verified through a parental note in order to receive participation credit for that participation/performance grade. This opportunity is only for excused absences.

ABSENCES – Excused absences are only those in accordance with school policy and include personal illness, death in the family, or family emergency. Please inform Mr. Page IN ADVANCE whenever possible. Failure to do so may cause an absence to be considered unexcused.

JUNIOR HIGH JAZZ ENSEMBLE

This ensemble rehearses 2 days per week after school beginning in late October. It is an extracurricular class and therefore completely voluntary and ungraded. The nature of the group requires a higher level of musicianship, responsibility and commitment. Unexcused absences from rehearsals may result in being dismissed from this group. They will perform at all regular concerts, the Italian Dinner, and selected jazz festivals. Its repertoire and expectations are considerably different and varied from the concert band.

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HIGH SCHOOL BAND

The level of this program will afford many varied experiences. This group serves as both the Marching Band and Symphonic Band. The number of performances is significantly higher than Jr. High. See the calendar for more details.

OBJECTIVES – Weekly progress should include the following:

1. Continued Improvement of tone quality
2. Continued Improvement of intonation
3. Continued Improvement of technique
4. Continued Improvement of sight reading skills
5. Continued Improvement of expression skills
     ...a. Dynamics
     ...b. Phrasing
     ...c. Articulation

PRACTICE – Each student is expected to develop a habit of REGULAR practice. This is necessary to excel.

PERFORMANCES – The focal point of the program. Performances are most always scheduled months in advance and are on the school calendar. Please clear your family schedules for these events as they are required as part of the class.

GRADES – Students earn grades based on the following criteria:
Weekly Class Participation...30 Points (Marching and Maneuvering skills 50% 1st 9 weeks)
Playing Exams..................10 Points each
Semester Exams..................Approx 20% of the quarter grade

HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE

This ensemble offers a more contemporary and less traditional style of music. The ensemble performs everything from rock charts to swing and Latin. Membership is by audition only and traditional instrument players must first be in High School Concert Band to be eligible.

OBJECTIVES – The musical goals of this class are similar to High School Band, but emphasize the following:

1. Improvisational Skills
2. Development of Aural Skills
3. Expanding and developing an appreciation of a variety of jazz literature and styles
4. Develop chart and lead sheet reading skills

PRACTICE – Each student is expected to develop a habit of REGULAR practice. This is necessary to excel.

PERFORMANCES – The focal point of the program. Performances are most always scheduled months in advance and are on the school calendar. They include all home, boy's basketball games as well as some weekend festivals. Please clear your family schedules for these events as they are required as part of the class.

GRADES – Students earn grades based on the following criteria:
Weekly Class Participation....30 Points
Playing Exams...................10 Points each
Semester Projects................Approx 20% of the quarter grade

The School wide grading system is used to determine letter grades. See the school handbook for this information. . For each excused absence from a performance or rehearsal, the student is required to put in an equal number of minutes in personal practice time. This is verified through a parental note in order to receive participation credit for that participation/performance grade. This opportunity is only for excused absences. This opportunity is only for EXCUSED absences.

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UNIFORMS

HIGH SCHOOL BAND
The school provides the following:

1. Jacket
2. Pants
3. Hat
4. Plume

The student provides the following:

1. Gloves (marching season)
2. Black dress shoes and black socks

Uniforms are to be hung properly at all times and stored at the school. Damages or lost items are the responsibility of the individual the item is checked out to. Wear at T-shirt and shorts under your uniform at all times. This helps maintain the cleanliness of the uniform and modesty during the frequent occasions during competitions when changing rooms are not available. Students not in full uniform may not be allowed to perform with the ensemble. .

HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE
TBA

JUNIOR HIGH BAND
The school provides the following:

1. Red Vest
2. Black Tuxedo Pants

The student provides:

1. Black Dress Shoes
2. Black Dress Socks
3. White “Tuxedo” Shirt

Part of your student's booster goal is used towards the maintenance and procuring of the uniforms.

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CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

1. No food, drink or gum in the band room at any time.

2. Do not play any instrument that does not belong to you without permission. This includes percussion equipment.

3. When the conductor stops – you stop and listen.

4. Put everything back in its proper place.

5. Cooperation and respect of others is expected at all times.

6. Verbal passes are not adequate. Bring a written pass if you are late to class if you want the tardy to be excused.

7. Students will be held financially responsible for loss or damage to school property whether accidental or intentional.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

Upon entering the band room:

1. Store all books, etc on the shelves provided. At your seat should be only you, your music, your instrument, a pencil and your assignment book.

2. Assemble your instrument, gather your material and take your seat as quickly as possible. Check board for rehearsal plan and prepare material. DO NOT PLAY your instrument until directed. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CASE OUT ON THE FLOOR.

3. Return all material to its APPROPRIATE storage place.

4. Return to your seat and wait for dismissal.

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BAND BOOSTERS

The Mt Zion Band Boosters are an integral part of the Instrumental Music department. They provide financial and logistical support without which, the Mt Zion Band program would be crippled. They meet regularly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00PM in the band room.

Projects include:

Discount Card Sales
Cheese and Sausage Sales
Hot Dog and Chili Supper
Marching Music Games
Jr High Dances
Logistical Support for the Marching Braves
Annual High School Band Trip
Annual Jr. High Trip to Six Flags
Pony Express
Farm Progress Show
Concession Sales
Bingo
Newsletter
Italian Dinner
Scholarships
Bowl-a-thon
HS Awards Dinner
Publicity

The group is ALWAYS in need of more help. For more information, contact one of the officers:

Pat Higgins 864-4769 pahiggins3@insightbb.com
Barb Brinkman 864-9966 brinkman@insightbb.com
Jody Abbott 201-5540 gbjomama@yahoo.com
Brett Cummins 864-4079 brettc66@insightbb.com

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BAND ACCOUNTS

Each Junior High and High School Band Student has a individual Band Account maintained by the Band Booster Treasurer. The Band Booster organization does many fundraising activities throughout the year. For the vast majority of these fundraiser's, a significant portion of the profits is set-aside for the student that participated in that fundraiser. These “accounts” or intended to be used for the students to help defray the cost of band related activities.

These expenses include:
Band shoes and gloves
Band trip
Payment of uniform cleaning
Spirit wear items
Reeds/ Valve Oil, etc.

Basically any cost incurred as a result of being in the band can be paid for out of the student's band accounts EXCEPT durable goods that would stay with the student after leaving the program. State law prohibits the use of funds raised in the name of a school organization for personal property such as an instrument purchase or repair. Anything purchased with funds raised through the band boosters must remain the property of the school unless it is deemed as having no value after it's normal use (such as shoes, reeds, valve oil, etc.)

QUESTIONS?
Please contact Mr. Page or a Band Booster Officer. To determine how much is in your student's account contact the Booster Treasurer.

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