2015-20166th Grade Band Concerts

Concerts are mandatory and required for your grade.

February 3, 2016 7:00 PM in the Drum Commons

Band Finale June 8, 2016 7:00 PM in the Drum Commons

Drum Intermediate School 6th grade band

Welcome Letter 2015-2016

September 8, 2015

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome back to band at Drum! I’m looking forward to another great year in band. We will begin playing the third day of school, so students should bring their instruments on Thursday.

Tomorrow students will be receiving their band handbook. Please take the time to read this carefully, sign, and return. The handbook outlines everything you need to know about being in band, including classroom expectations and grading.

Please put the concert dates on your calendar now! They are listed below.

The class materials list is on the back of this letter. All materials are due by Monday, Sept. 14.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: Phone 566-5660 Email acarpenter@upsd.wednet.edu

I look forward to a wonderful year of making music.

Sincerely,Anne CarpenterBand Director

Drum Intermediate Band When and where is class?

Band class meets every day in room 27. What do I need?Class Materials, due by September 14th.

Where should I rent/buy these things?Ted Brown Music …6228 Tacoma Mall Blvd...272-3211Music and Arts…Lakewood Towne Center…581-2926

Some school instruments are available. More information will be in the band handbook.If this is your first year in band, some instrument sections may be full. See Ms. Carpenter before deciding on an instrument.

Flute1. Instrument2. Standard of Excellence Book One

(red cover) for flute. You should already have this from last year.

3. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for flute.

4. Cleaning cloth. The music store can recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home.

5. Pencil

Oboe, Bassoon1. Instrument2. At least two reeds at all times.3. Reed case4. Standard of Excellence Book One

(red cover) for your instrument. 5. Standard of Excellence Book Two

(blue cover) for your instrument.6. Cleaning swab.7. Pencil

Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

1. Instrument2. Box of #3 reeds for your instrument.

Replace when you are down to your last 2 reeds. Recommended brands are Vandoren, Mitchell Luri, or La Voz. Avoid Rico reeds.

3. Reed case4. Cork grease5. Standard of Excellence Book One

(red cover) for your instrument. You should already have this from last year.

6. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for your instrument.

7. Cleaning swab.8. Pencil

Trombone1. Instrument2. Standard of Excellence Book One

(red cover) for your instrument. You should already have this from last year.

3. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for your instrument.

4. Trombone slide oil5. Tuning slide grease6. Cleaning cloth. The music store can

recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home.

7. Pencil

French Horn1. Instrument2. Standard of Excellence Book One (red

cover) for French Horn. You should already have this from last year.

3. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for French Horn.

4. Rotary valve oil5. Spindle oil6. Slide grease7. Cleaning cloth. The music store can

recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home.

8. Pencil

Trumpet, Euphonium,Tuba

1. Instrument2. Standard of Excellence Book One

(red cover) for your instrument. You should already have this from last year.

3. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for your instrument. Euphonium should get the book for Baritone B.C.

4. Valve oil5. Tuning slide grease6. Cleaning cloth. The music store can

recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home.

7. Pencil

Percussion1. Bell kit2. Snare sticks. Recommended: Vic Firth SD-1 Generals3. Standard of Excellence Book One (red cover) for drums/mallets. You should already

have this from last year.4. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for drums/mallets.5. Stick bag6. Pencil

Please note: I strongly recommend against purchasing instruments from pawnshops,

the internet, or stores that do not specialize in band instruments. The instruments they carry are

poor quality and make it difficult to play. These instruments often use non-standard parts that may have to be replaced rather than

repaired.

Instruments

6th Grade

Drum Intermediate School

Band Handbook

2015-2016

Students may choose from the following instruments to play. Most 6th graders will stay on the same instrument, but a select few can change to an advanced instrument such as oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, French horn, or tuba. Please note: some instrument sections may be full. If this is your first year in band, please see Ms. Carpenter for permission before choosing an instrument.

FluteOboeClarinetBass Clarinet Bassoon Alto and tenor saxophone

Trumpet or cornetFrench horn TromboneBaritoneTubaPercussion (bell kit)

Instruments can be rented at these local music stores:Ted Brown Music …6228 Tacoma Mall Blvd...272-3211Music and Arts…Lakewood Towne Center…581-2926

School InstrumentsDrum Intermediate School has a small selection of school instruments available for student use. A yearly maintenance fee of $100 is required. Students in financial need may qualify for a reduced rate. If you are interested in a school instrument, please write a note on the band contract and I will send home more information.

School instruments available to all students: oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, French horn, euphonium, tuba

School instruments only available to students in financial need (free or reduced lunch):flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, bell kit

Please note: I strongly recommend against purchasing instruments at stores that do not specialize in music. The instruments they carry are poor quality and difficult to play. In addition, these instruments often use non-standard parts and may have to be replaced rather than repaired.

Supplies needed

Flute1. Instrument2. Standard of Excellence

Book One (red cover) for flute. You should already have this from last year.

3. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for flute.

4. Cleaning cloth. The music store can recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home.

5. Pencil

Oboe, Bassoon1. Instrument2. At least two reeds at

all times.3. Reed case4. Standard of Excellence

Book One (red cover) for your instrument.

5. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for your instrument.

6. Cleaning swab.7. Pencil

Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

1. Instrument2. Box of #3 reeds for your

instrument. Replace when you are down to your last 2 reeds. Recommended brands are Vandoren, Mitchell Luri, or La Voz. Avoid Rico reeds.

3. Reed case4. Standard of Excellence Book One

(red cover) for your instrument. You should already have this from last year.

5. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for your instrument.

6. Cleaning swab.7. Pencil

Trombone1. Instrument2. Standard of Excellence

Book One (red cover) for your instrument. You should already have this from last year.

3. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for your instrument.

4. Trombone slide grease5. Tuning slide grease6. Cleaning cloth. The

music store can recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home.

7. Pencil

French Horn1. Instrument2. Standard of Excellence

Book One (red cover) for French Horn Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for French Horn.

3. Rotary valve oil4. Spindle oil5. Slide grease6. Cleaning cloth. The

music store can recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home.

7. Pencil

Trumpet, Euphonium,Tuba

1. Instrument2. Standard of Excellence

Book One (red cover) for your instrument. You should already have this from last year.

3. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for your instrument. Euphoium players get the book for Baritone B.C.

4. Valve oil5. Tuning slide grease6. Cleaning cloth. The

music store can recommend one, or you can simply use a soft, absorbent cloth from home.

7. Pencil

Percussion1. Bell kit2. Snare sticks.

Recommended: Vic Firth SD-1 Generals

3. Standard of Excellence Book One (red cover) for drums/mallets. You should already have this from last year.

4. Standard of Excellence Book Two (blue cover) for drums/mallets.

5. Stick bag6. Pencil

Being successful in band class means being prepared. Band is a participation class; it is impossible to participate without having everything you need. To count as prepared for class, students need to bring everything they need to play their instrument and read their music. If they are unable to play their instrument (for example, if the instrument needs repair), parents must send a note or email from home which explains the situation. Otherwise, the student will be counted as unprepared for class.

Grading Policy

Class Participation and Behavior: Class participation is a significant portion of the student’s grade. This includes playing ability, behavior, and contribution to the class. Classroom Guidelines 1. Be on time with all materials.

o In the room with all materials (instrument, music, pencil) on time. o Students who are unprepared or tardy three times will serve detention.

2. Respect all people and each other’s property. o Leave other peoples’ belongings, including instruments, alone.o Follow directions from the teacher or adult the first time.

3. Use appropriate classroom behavior and show good “band etiquette”.o Stay seated and facing forward once class begins.o Quietly listen or review your music while others are being helpedo Play only when askedo Be a good audience to those performing

4. Only Water!o NO food, candy, other beverages or gum.

Performances: 6th Grade Concerts

February 3, 2016 7:00 PM in the Drum Commons

Band Finale Concert June 8, 20167:00 PM in the Drum Commons

Band is a team effort, and every player counts. By signing up to be in band, you are committing to participating in the concerts. Attendance is mandatory and part of your grade. Circumstances such as team practices, social events, or lack of planning for transportation are not an excused absence. In the event of an illness or unforeseen emergency, I must receive a phone call before the concert in order to excuse the grade and plan a make-up assignment.

For all grades, concert dress is black bottoms and white shirts. The school has a limited supply of clothing for students to borrow; please have your student ask in advance if he or she needs to borrow clothing.

We have a band t-shirt made for the Band Finale Concert in June. For that concert only, concert dress is black pants and the band t-shirt.

Home Practice: Students are responsible for practicing at home and recording their minutes in a practice log, and turning it in. The practice log must be signed by a parent/guardian and is due every Tuesday. To earn full points, students must practice at least 80 minutes per week. If students practice for fewer than 80 minutes, they will still receive some points.

Playing tests: Students will be tested individually throughout the year. Playing tests can be re-taken until the end of the quarter.

Written work: Occasionally students will be given short written assignments during class.

Extra Opportunities

Solo and Ensemble Festival Every year, local school districts participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival. At this event, small ensembles (usually duets or trios at our level) perform for an adjudicator and earn a rating. This year’s festival will be on Saturday, March 12. This event is entirely voluntary for students who are interested in additional performance opportunities. It is a great way for students to perform with friends. Additional information will be sent home in January.

Private lessonsPrivate lessons are a great way for students to learn more about their instruments. With many different instrument types in a band class, band instruction is more generalized. In private lessons, students can work one-on-one with the teacher and receive specialized information about their instrument. They will have a competitive edge for auditions as they get older. I strongly recommend private lessons for any student who is serious about his/her instrument. Please see me for a list of local teachers. Students who take private lessons will receive extra credit.

Smart MusicOur school subscribes to a computer program called Smartmusic. This interactive program allows students to play along with the computer and receive immediate feedback on their performance. It’s a valuable learning tool and makes practice much more fun as well. Students can use the program before or after school in the band room. Better yet, they can subscribe at home for about $40 a year by visiting www.smartmusic.com.

After School Enrichment ClassWe have an additional music class available for students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:20-4:00. Bus transportation is available. More information will be sent separately for interested students. The class meets as follows:

Fall: 6th and 7th graders. Beginner class for students new to band or switching to a new instrument.January to March: 6th and 7th Graders. Small ensembles for the Solo/Ensemble ContestApril to June : 7th graders. Open to 6th graders as needed and by audition. Advanced Music Enrichment (AME): advanced band and combined band/orchestra.

Band Contract and Information Page

Please return this page by Monday, September 14. Returning this page is part of your grade.

About you:

_____________________________________ your name

_______________________________________________________homeroom teacher

_______________________________________________________parent/guardian name (the best person to call if I have a question)

________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ DAYTIME phone number PARENT email address

Something you would like me to know about you, or something interesting about you:

Your Instrument:I play the ________________________ in band.

The brand name of my instrument:________________________ Serial number:__________________

Both student and parent/guardian please sign and return.Student:I have read the band handbook. I understand how I will be graded, and I can follow the rules and procedures in band.

Signed:

_______________________________________ date ________________________

Parent/Guardian:I have read and discussed the band handbook with my child, and I know the concert dates. I will support my child’s efforts to be successful in band.

Signed:

_____________________________________ date __________________________

Please see the back of this form for important information about online grading and progress reports.

Band Progress reportFamily Access Form

Why wait to see your student’s grades? Parents can sign up for Family Access and view grades for any class online. To sign up, see the main office for a password.

Band progress reports are sent home once a quarter. If you are signed up for Family Access, you may not need paper progress reports sent home. Please choose an option below.

__________ I already check grades online through Family Access and will not need any paper progress reports for band

__________ Continue to send home paper copies of band progress reports.

Student name (please print)

Parent signature date

Your preferences can be changed during the school year. Just send a note to Ms. Carpenter if you would like to be added to the online progress report list later.