Palos District 118 Band
Program Goals
The goals of the Palos District 118 Beginning Band Program are to allow each student to:
1. Select a musical instrument best suited for himself/herself using the following criteria:
Physical characteristics
Balanced instrumentation
Student Interest
2. Learn to play a musical instrument using proper posture, hand position, and tone quality.
3. Develop an awareness of major and minor tonalities, a means to decode rhythms, and techniques for good tone production.
4. Develop an understanding and respect for different musical styles and their links to various cultures both past and present.
5. Develop the ability to set individual goals, maintain a good work ethic, and realize a sense of achievement upon completion of goals.
6. Develop the ability to work towards common goals in large groups.
7. Respect the talent and diversity of others while participating on a musical team.
Rehearsal Schedule
Palos East
All band students will participate in a large group rehearsal each Tuesday from 8:00-8:45. In addition, all students will receive a weekly small group lesson during their music time on Mondays.
*Please bring your own music stand to before school rehearsals.
Combined Rehearsals
East and West bands rehearse together twice in the year. These combined rehearsals are vital to our practice, as the bands perform together as one Beginning Band at our winter and spring programs.
Private Lessons
The value of a one-to-one private lesson has a tremendous influence on proper skill development and musical growth. Individual instruction is the best way to help students fulfill their potential. Please see the recommended list of private instructors if this is an advantage you wish to offer your child.
Band Buddies
Students will have the opportunity to be paired with an older instrumentalist at the middle school. The buddy program is designed to give beginning band students the chance to work one-to-one with an older, more experienced student. This program begins in January.
Performance
Performances are an important evaluative tool for instrumental music and an integral part of each child’s complete musical experience. For this reason, attendance at all performances is required. Dates are provided in advance and every effort has been made to avoid conflicts with other activities. Should an emergency arise, please contact me as soon as possible.
Practice
A student’s success on a musical instrument is dependent upon not only positive participation in group instruction but on individual practice. Students should practice 20 minutes five times a week to reinforce the good habits introduced in class. Students will maintain a weekly practice record that will be monitored closely.
Parent Responsibilities
Parents play a crucial role in helping their children succeed in the Beginning Band Program. The following guidelines will help contribute to your child’s success:
· Help your child establish a designated time for practice
· Provide a quiet area for daily practice sessions
· Sign your child’s weekly practice record (their grade depends on it!)
· Contact your child’s instructor if you have any questions or concerns
· See that your child is present and on time for all rehearsals and concerts
· Attend all concerts and other performances
Repairs
Should a student’s instrument be in need of repairs within the school year, you have the following options:
· Leave your instrument at school for a Quinlan & Fabish representative to pick up, repair, and return to school
· Take the instrument yourself to a music store for repairs in a timely manner
*Please indicate on the final sheet of this handbook which repair option you would like to choose.
Re-evaluation Procedure
Because of scheduling problems, students are only allowed to withdraw from the Beginning Band program after the second quarter. Written notice from a parent is required. Once the third quarter has started, students are expected to commit to the program through the end of the year. Withdrawing at any other point is extremely weakening to the band and problematic for the music schedule.
Materials Needed
All Beginning Band students need the following:
· An instrument in good playing condition
· Music stand for after school rehearsals (optional)
· Name label on instrument case
· Essential Elements 2000 with DVD method book 1
· Pencil to be stored in instrument case
All woodwind students (flute, oboe, clarinet, and saxophone) also need the following:
· A minimum of two reeds in good playing condition (strength 2½ Rico Royal or Vandoren reeds for clarinet and saxophone)
· Reed guard that will accept two or more reeds
· Cork grease
· Cleaning swab appropriate to the instrument
*flute students do not need reeds, guard, or cork grease
All brass students (trumpet, French horn, trombone, and baritone) also need the following:
· Valve oil appropriate for the instrument (except trombone)
· Tuning slide grease
· Side cream and spray bottle (trombone only)
All percussion students need the following:
· Percussion kit (including orchestra bells and practice pad)
· Bell mallets and snare drum sticks
Concert Attire
All Beginning Band students will wear the following outfit for all performances unless otherwise specified:
· Black pants or skirt
· White shirt
· Black socks/hose
· Black shoes
Grading
Progress Reports
Progress reports will be sent home twice yearly. These reports will also recommend methods of improvement for each child. Percentage grading is shown as follows:
Consistently Demonstrating (CD) = 80%-100%
Progressing (P) = 60%-79%
Beginning (B) = 0%-59%
The Effort scale is shown as follows:
1 = The student is:
· Self motivated
· Consistently participating in class activities
· Prepared to learn; brings necessary supplies
2 = The student is:
· Participating in class activities
· Prepared to learn; brings necessary supplies
3 = The student needs to:
· Participate in class activities
· Be prepared to learn; bringing necessary supplies
Lessons and Rehearsals
Each lesson and rehearsal will be worth 4 points.
4 points Attends and participates in rehearsal/lesson with all materials required
3 points Performs assigned music with minor errors with all materials required or is occasionally inattentive during rehearsal/lesson
2 points Performs assigned music with major errors with all materials required or is often inattentive during rehearsal/lesson
1 point Attends without music/instrument or is inappropriately talking/behaving in rehearsal/lesson
0 points Absent from rehearsal/lesson for ANY reason or refuses to play by self or small group when asked by the instructor
Playing Tests
Playing tests will be administered throughout the year, at least one per quarter. The value of each playing test will depend on the amount of material covered. Most tests will be recorded on the student’s tape during class lessons.
10 points Plays music at a high level, at proper tempos with no major errors
8 points Plays music with a few minor errors
5 points Plays music with major errors in rhythms, notes, tempos
0 points Refuses to play test or make-up test within an acceptable time limit
Concerts and Performances
Each concert and performance will be worth 10 points.
10 points Attends and participates in appropriate concert dress and behavior
8 points Late to performance call time or inappropriate dress or behavior
5 points Late to performance call time AND inappropriate dress and/or behavior
0 points Absent from performance for ANY unexcused reason
Practice Record
Practice records will be turned in during the student’s lesson. Records may not be turned in during after school rehearsals.
5 points Completes 100+ minutes of practice for the week with parent’s signature
4 points Completes 75-99 minutes of practice for the week with parent’s signature
3 points Completes 50-74 minutes of practice for the week with parent’s signature
2 points Completes 25-49 minutes of practice for the week with parent’s signature
1 point Completes 1-24 minutes of practice for the week with parent’s signature
0 points Does not turn in practice chart or Practice chart not signed by parent
Performance Schedule
After School Rehearsal Schedule
Private Teachers & Music Stores
Cathy Alberts (Double Reeds) 630-719-9286
Kathy Cargill 361-4843
Al Carver 448-2010
Joyce Williamson 448-6617
Linda Gruette (Flute) 460-9330
Dave Edwards 974-3076
Dave Peterson 448-6010
Mark Bailey 448-4367
Daniel Busta (French Horn) 361-9012
Megan Teidt (Low Brass) 847-671-0347
Percussion
Bill Zervos 598-7208
Ryan Paulaskas 361-8202
Treble Clef 598-7208
Burns Music 361-8202
Russ Caifano (Piano) 448-0717
Quinlan & Fabish Music Company 630-654-4111
Harmony Music 499-2500