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Stetson University Middle School

Band Handbook

Karlee Wright John Lychner

Director of Bands Principal

[email protected]
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Stetson University Middle School

Band Calendar 2020-2021

September 4 Open House

September 14 All State Auditions
October 4 Middle School Night
November 13 All County Auditions
December 3 Beginning Band Concert
December 5 Advanced Band Concert
December 7 Christmas Parade
January 21 All County Band Rehearsal
January 23 All County Band Rehearsal
January 28 All County Band Rehearsal
January 30 All County Band Rehearsal
January 30 All County Band Concert
February 21 Solo & Ensemble MPA
February 22 Solo & Ensemble MPA
March 11 All County Jazz Auditions
March 27 All County Jazz Performance
April 2-4 FBA Concert Assessment
May 5 Beginning Band Concert
May 7 Advanced Band Concert
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Table of Contents

Band Calendar 2

Introduction Letter 4

Policies and Procedures 5

Uniform and Equipment 7

Grading System 9

Band Contract 10
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Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to the Stetson University middle school band program! This Handbook has been
written to familiarize you with the many aspects of the program into ensure an enjoyable an
educationally rewarding musical experience. Please take time to read the entire handbook! After
reading the Handbook, sign the last page, detach the form, and return it to the white mail box in the
band room. Band students will be held accountable for the information contained in this packet, so
please keep work for the Handbook for future reference.

Band is an elective and selective course. It differs from many other courses in that we seek to
develop and put use a skill. This course involves learning and applying math concepts (rhythm ),
learning a new system of notation, developing fine motor skills, developing the ability to listen, and
becoming sensitive to: the sounds we make, the sounds others make, and the musical demands of the
pieces we perform. These skills required cooperation with a collection of players working together
towards a common goal. This common goal requires practice at home, occasional after school
rehearsals and performances, and an investment in an instrument and equipment. While not
everyone will achieve musical greatness in their lifetime, it is possible for all students to use their
inherent musical and mental abilities to do a great job in band.

Participation in a music program is important and special for several reasons. Here is a short
list of the benefits of participating in a music program:

 Increased learning, math, and communitive skills, which translate into higher standardized
test scores, and higher grade point averages.
 Promotion of a positive self-image, internal motivation, and concern for individual In Group
achievement.
 Develops a skill that can be used to gain tuition to college, pursue a profession and to fulfill
leisure time activities

If there are any conflicts with our scheduled performances, please notify me NOW so that we
can better plan for the group. If this handbook doesn’t answer your questions, you can always call me
[school phone number]. You can additionally email me @ [school email here]. I look forward to
working with you all!

Musically,

Karlee Wright

Director of Bands

Stetson University Middle School

[school email]

[band website]
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Policies and Procedures

Respect the Room – Respect the Band – Respect its Members – Respect its Director
Band is Family

Rehearsal – Performance Procedures and Guidelines

1. Students should dispose of food and gum before entering the band room.
2. Loud distracting behavior is inappropriate in the band room.
3. Students are expected to enter the band room in an orderly manner. All backpacks,
cases, and materials not related to this class must be put away in their locker or
placed in an approved area, designated by the director.
4. Students must be seated and set up with a music stand, notebook, music, pencil, and
instrument when the bell rings. At this time, roll will be taken, and those who are
unprepared will be reprimanded.
5. Students ARE NOT allowed to play their instruments until instructed to do so by
the director.
6. Students will play only their own instrument, or one that has been assigned to them.
Do not touch or play property that does not belong to you.
7. Students must have their instrument (and accompanying materials) in their hands
daily. See pg. 6 for accompanying materials

Discipline
1 st offense: Verbal Warning (This will be your only warning.)
2nd offense:Documented conference with student and call home.
3rd offense: Documented conference with student and call home.
4th offense: Parent Conference
5th offense: Removal from Band Program
Severe discipline problems will mandate immediate removal from class and
may incur removal from the band program upon the band director’s discretion.
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Concert Etiquette

1. Everyone should remain seated during the performance of each selection. If you must leave a
concert, you should quietly exit between pieces.
2. There should never be any talking during another group's performance. Every effort must be
made to avoid distractions.
3. If you are entering the auditorium after the concert has begun, always wait until the end of
the current musical piece before finding your seat.
4. At the end of each selection, the audience should applaud.
5. When a piece is over wait for the director to lower her arms before plotting period sometimes
a piece may have several movements with silence in between period in such cases it is proper
to applaud at the end of the peace comma NOT at the end of each movement.

Attendance

Band members are expected to attend ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES. The number
of students in band, the need to work with smaller groups of similar instruments, and the de sire for
quality music education demands that sometime be developed to rehearsal after school hours. Every
effort will be made to keep after school rehearsals to a minimum, and to accommodate students and
other activities. I am very flexible when approached early with potential conflicts. However, band
students are expected to give band performances and rehearsals priority.

Absence from rehearsal: Except in cases of extreme emergency or illness, excuses from
rehearsal must be submitted to the director at least one week prior to the rehearsal in order to be
considered. All excuses must be submitted on an ABSENCE EXCUSE FORM provided by the
director upon request. This is the only acceptable way of notifying the director of an absence.

Absence from performance: Performances are essential to the success of the band. Absences
must be submitted to the director at least two weeks prior to the performance. Any absence that is
not brought to the director's attention for approval prior to the performance will be considered
unexcused. Unexcused absences from performances will result in the lowering of the nine weeks
grade, in a possible ban from participating in future band events. All excuses must be submitted on
an ABSENCE EXCUSE FORM provided by the director upon request. This is the only acceptable
way of notifying the director of an absence.
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Uniform and Equipment Information

Uniform Requirements

Beginning and Concert Band

 Band polo (purchased from the band)

 Long black dress pants
 Black socks or black hose
 ALL black dress shoes (no tennis shoes, flip flops, or sandals)

Symphonic and Jazz Band

 Boys- tuxedo shirt, tuxedo pants, black vest and box tie (rented from the band), black socks,
ALL black dress shoes
 Girls- black dress (purchased through band), black socks or black hose, ALL black dress
shoes (no tennis shoes, flip flops, or sandals)

*Without proper attire, students will not be allowed to perform. If this presents a problem please
contact the director so a solution can be found.

**The cost of the items that are rented from the band will be included in the band fee.

Financial Obligations

Being in band costs money and brings on certain financial obligations that are the responsibility of
the band member. Students will be required to provide their own instrument, accessories (such as
reeds, valve oil, etc.), book, and any other expenses that may arise during the year. Please contact
the director if you are having problems meeting these obligations and this issue will be worked out
confidentially. No student will be denied participation in band due to financial issues.

Band Fee
Operating a band program is an expensive venture. The school is able to provide only minimal
funding for the band program. There is a band fee of $50. This fee is a year -long investment into your
child’s band experience which will be a memorable and enjoyable one! If there are any conflicts with
the fee please contact me and we can work out the fee confidentially with payment installments if
necessary.
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Equipment
All students should have Trumpets
☺ Black three ring binder ☺ Mouthpiece - Vincent Bach 3C
☺ Sheet protectors for music ☺ Valve oil
☺ Pencils for music notation ☺ Tuning slide grease
☺ Mouthpiece cleaning brush
☺ Flip folder and lyre (for marching)
Flutes French horns
☺ Polishing cloth ☺ Mouthpiece – Holton Farkas MDC
☺ Tuning rod ☺ Rotary oil
☺ Flip folder (for marching) ☺ Tuning slide grease
☺ Mouthpiece cleaning brush
☺ Flip folder and lyre (for marching
mellophone)

Oboes Trombones
☺ At least 2 functioning reeds ☺ Mouthpiece – Vincent Bach 6 ½ AL
☺ Reed case ☺ Slide cream & small spray bottle
☺ Swab (silk is preferred) ☺ Tuning slide grease
☺ Container for water (to soak reed) ☺ Mouthpiece cleaning brush
☺ Flip folder and lyre (for marching)

Bassoons Euphoniums
☺ At least 2 functioning reeds ☺ Mouthpiece – Large Shank Vincent
☺ Reed case Bach 6 ½ AL
☺ Swab (silk is preferred) ☺ Valve oil
☺ Container for water (to soak reed) ☺ Tuning slide grease
☺ Mouthpiece cleaning brush
☺ Flip folder and lyre (for marching)

Clarinets Tubas
☺ Mouthpiece a.) Vandoren B45 b.) Plato ☺ Mouthpiece – Conn Helleburg
by D. McClune c.) Vandoren 5RV ☺ Valve oil
☺ Ligature (Rovner, BG) ☺ Tuning slide grease
☺ 4 functional Vandoren reeds –2.5 for ☺ Mouthpiece cleaning brush
beginners – 3 or 3.5 for advanced bands ☺ Flip folder and lyre (for marching)
☺ Swab (silk is preferred)
☺ Cork grease
☺ Flip folder and lyre (for marching)
Saxophones Percussion
☺ Mouthpiece – Selmer S80 C*(D for ☺ Stick bag
Tenors) ☺ Snare sticks SD1
☺ Ligature (Rovner, BG) ☺ Xylophone mallets (Becker Blues)
☺ 4 functional Vandoren reeds –strength 3 ☺ Timpani mallets (T4 ultra staccato)
or 3.5 ☺ Marimba mallets (yarn medium hard)
☺ Swab (silk is preferred) ☺ Black towel
☺ Cork grease
☺ Neck strap
☺ Flip folder and lyre (for marching)
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Grading System

Band is an academic class. Just like science, math, and reading, we take tests and
have homework. It is not enough to show up every day with your instrument and
music. Students are expected to come to class prepared and ready to learn.
Grades are derived from the following criteria:

1. Performance Grade and Live Assessments (35%):

a. The percentage of each individual component shifts depending on
the number of performances in a nine-week period.
2. Rehearsal Readiness Grade (35%) including, but not limited to:

a. Rehearsal Techniques
b. Daily Materials Checks
c. Binder Checks

3. Smart Music Assessments (30%):

a. Completed at home via Smart Music website
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Stetson University Middle School

Band Contract

Karlee Wright John Lychner

Director of Bands Principal

I have received and will read my copy of the Stetson University middle school band
Handbook.

I have read, or will read the SUMS band calendar, and will follow regularly any
updates throughout the school year.

I understand my responsibilities as a member of the Stetson University middle

school band family.
I understand that I must abide by the information contained within this Handbook.
I understand that a band fee of $50 is requested from each student. Payment of this
band fee will cover a band polo.

I understand that all performances are summative grades, if your son slash
daughter must miss a performance, I must have two weeks notice, except in cases of
emergency.

_________________________________________ _________________________________________
Parent Name Student Name

_________________________________________ _________________________________________
Parent Signature Student Signature

_________________________________________
Date