Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! My name is Brian Wyss and I am Director of Mid-dle School Bands at Lindbergh. First, I would like to welcome the new 200+ members of our begin-ning bands. The Lindbergh Band Program as a whole is very excit-ed that this many students have chosen to make band a part of their life! In addition, I am anx-iously awaiting the return of our outstanding 7th and 8th grade band students. I am equally enthusiastic about the Lindbergh Band Staff that will be working with them. Per-cussion students will have the pleasure of working with Mr. Dan Arana. Woodwind students will be taught by Mrs. Chelsea Silvermintz and Mr. Jeremy McMahon, and brass players will work with Mr. Alec Patton and myself. Finally, I’d like to introduce the Lindbergh High School Director of Bands, Mr. David Wyss who will also be assisting with our middle school band students. We take great pride in the fact that the entire band staff will be working with

your child throughout their high school years. On behalf of the directors, we are so excited for your young musician to be part of what promises to be an incredible year of band! The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint you with the expecta-tions of the LMS Band Program as a whole. Information on grad-ing procedures, performance expectations, instrument and equipment requirements, and rehearsal etiquette will all be addressed in this handbook. It has been written as a supplement to the School Handbook. Please note the classroom expectations and parent information sheet on the last page. Students will be required to turn this in dur-ing the first week of school. I will be sending updates throughout the school year. The main form of communication will be via email. Please make sure to provide any and all email

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dresses where you would like updates sent. Updates and infor-mation about the Lindbergh Band Program may also be found on the Lindbergh Band website www.lhsb.memberclicks.net. Due to the band directors’ travel-ing teaching schedules, the best means of communication is via email. Simply email the director you would like to speak with and they will either respond by email or by return phone call. All of the directors share a common plan time from 10:40—11:30. I can be reached at: bwyss@lindberghschools.ws or call 729-2400 ext.*2359.

We believe that the decision for a

young student to join band is one

the most rewarding decisions of

their life. Band goes well beyond

notes and rhythms. While teach-

ing music is the focus of the class,

students learn and develop most

from the behind the scenes work

they do. When the newness of

band wears off, self-discipline and

responsibility become the pillars of

music education. Despite any

level of natural ability, hard work

is inevitable. In a world where

instant gratification becomes more

prominent everyday, mastering an

instrument only comes with deter-

mination, practice, and time.

Through this process we hope our

students gain an appreciation for

all types of music and a passion

to perform We also hope that

above all, the students truly

enjoy band and their band direc-

tors.

Back to School—Back to Band!

“Our philosophy”

Lindbergh Middle School

Band Handbook

Points of Interest

Class Schedules

Performing Groups

Concert Dates

Grading Criteria

Accessories Needed for Band

Why Band?

Band Staff Directory

Practice Tips

Sample Practice Log

Band Calendar

Parent Contact/Information Sheet and Classroom Expecta-tions Sheet (these items must be

completed and returned)

“In a world where

instant gratification

becomes more prominent

everyday, mastering an

instrument only comes

with determination,

practice, and time.”

*Jazz band will begin during the second quarter of the year and will be open to 7th or 8th grade students who play a standard jazz instrument. Standard jazz instrumentation includes trum-pet, trombone, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, piano, bass, and drum set. Trumpet, trom-bone, and alto sax players must provide their own instrument. Drum set and piano are availa-ble for school use only and will be auditioned instruments. The school owned bari sax and tenor sax will also be auditioned in-struments. The jazz band will perform at the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band concerts. The Jazz Ensemble will be an auditioned band. Auditions will be held around the beginning of Octo-ber. The Jazz Ensemble repre-sents our schools at various jazz festivals around the Midwest.

*The St. Louis Suburban Junior High Concert Band and Jazz Band are comprised of the best junior high band students in the St. Louis area. All 7th and 8th grade students are encouraged to audition. At the high school level students must successfully audition into one of these groups to be eligible for the All-State Ensemble auditions. It is to our young musicians’ ad-vantage to participate in as many auditions as possible be-fore entering high school. It is an honor to make this group. We are proud of the students who have been selected in the past and look forward to having many of our students represent the Lindbergh District in the future. Auditions will be held on October 26 at Holman Middle School in the Patton-ville School District.

*Solo and small ensemble is one of the most valuable perfor-mance opportunities offered to young musicians. This gives any student or group of students a chance to choose their own piece of music to perform and be critiqued and rated by very experienced adjudicators. We highly recommend that your 7th or 8th grade student participates in this important event. This is another event that includes an All-State level festival in high school. Solo and small ensem-ble takes place on April 9 at Holman Middle School in the Pattonville School District.

will be part of that experience too. I have included our bands’ perfor-mance schedule. Barring a school cancellation or inclement weather conditions, these performance dates will not change. I will be sending more information home about Jazz Band performance dates as well as any other important dates that might come up as soon as they are deter-mined. Please make every effort to clear these dates on your calendar immediately. Any conflicts that may arise with these dates will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If there is a conflict with a perfor-mance, I need to know at least two weeks in advance. I would prefer to know immediately. An unex-cused absence will result in a reduction of one full letter grade for the quarter. The only excused absences will be an illness requiring a doctor’s note, a family emergency with a note from parent or guardian, or an arrangement previously made

Every student’s grade will be made up of two different categories. Each category will be weighted different-ly. The majority of their grade will come from the student’s ability to complete all of the required check-offs for each quarter. Students will receive the entire year’s check-off assignments during the first week of class. Students are encouraged to work ahead in their check-offs if they feel ready to move on. The other portion of their grade will come from practice sheets.

Concert attendance: It is pretty unbelievable to think of how many hours our young musicians spend practicing and rehearsing between concerts. There is no greater feeling as a director than seeing the students walk off the stage knowing that all the hard work in previous months just paid off with an outstanding perfor-mance. As parents, we hope you

with the director. Please plan to attend these special events with your young musician.

6th Grade Concerts: December 6

May 4

7th and 8th Grade Concerts: December 17

May 11

Performance Groups/Dates

Grading

Rehearsal Etiquette Band students are among the best students in the school. Giv-en this, we set extremely high standards in the classroom. To utilize rehearsal time to the ut-most and to provide the students with the most effective atmos-phere conducive to learning in our large class sizes, we require 100% attention. Simply put, we have adopted the policy of silent rehearsals. Students who are continuously distracting from the task at hand will be dealt with quickly. Band is a team effort, however, unlike many sports teams, no one sits the bench in band. It is simply im-possible to progress as a band unless everyone is focused on the goal that is trying to be achieved. It is also imperative that our students come to class prepared. This includes having instruments, books, binders, music, pencils, and all of the accessories required to play their particular instrument. Coming to class with all of these items will result efficient and effective rehearsals.

Practice! Practice! Practice! You have often heard that any-thing worthwhile takes time and effort. That is especially true when it comes to mastering a musical instrument. There is no substitute for practice! We will spend a great deal of time teach-ing our students correct practice habits. The truth is that your support and guidance will be the key factor in establishing the practice schedule insuring the attainment of musical goals. We require 120 minutes a week of dedicated quality practice time. We suggest that you and your young musician agree on a practice time and a special area of your home designated for their area of musical study. A final five-minute recital is ex-tremely effective in building performance responsibility and a great opportunity to show your support. Your positive rein-forcement and encouragement is the most effective communica-tion you can share with your child’s journey towards musical excellence. Although many new concepts are taught during

band rehearsals, the limited time does not afford the personal attention that is vital to develop-ing the technical facility re-quired for the upcoming years of musical exploration. Grading criteria for practice time is ex-plained at the bottom of each student’s practice sheet. Every Friday practice sheets will be checked in class for total prac-tice time and a parent’s signa-ture. Practice sheets will not be ac-cepted without a parent’s sig-nature.

of soft cotton cloth for cleaning slide for trombone 3)Mouthpiece brush – all brass instruments 4))Slide grease (for tuning slides) – all brass instruments 5)Flexible cleaning brush ALL WOODWIND INSTRU-MENTS NEED: 1)Flute- cleaning rod, small lent free rag, or swab 2)Clarinet- cork grease, swab, Mitchell Lurie reeds-strength 2 ½ - 3 (at least three playable reeds at all times), Rovner liga-ture 3)Saxophones- (grade 7-8) cleaning swab, Rico Royal reeds- strength 3 - 3 ½ (at least three playable reeds at all times, a C-

ALL BAND STUDENTS NEED: 1)An instrument in good play-ing condition 2)3-Ring binder and pencil 3)Standard of Excellence Book 6th grade-book 1 7th grade book 2 8th grade book 3 4)Pencil 5)(optional) A folding music stand to hold music while prac-ticing at home ALL BRASS STUDENTS NEED: 1)Valve oil for valved instru-ments: trumpets, baritones, tu-bas, French horn (rotor oil) 2)“Super Slick” slide cream with water bottle (mist), piece

star mouthpiece is recommend-ed but not required) 4)All double reed players will receive specific information for instrument needs after being selected Percussion students will be contacted by Mr. Arana con-cerning instrument needs.

Grading—con’t

Accessories Needed for Band

The U.S. Department of Education lists the arts as

subjects that college bound middle and junior high

students should take, stating, “Many colleges view

participation in the arts and music as a valuable ex-

perience that broadens students’ understanding and

appreciation of the world around them. It is also

well known and widely recognized the arts contrib-

ute significantly to children’s intellectual develop-

ment.”

Why Band?

“For the future of our children and our communities,

we must find new ways to engage students in the

learning process. The arts can be a powerful vehi-

cle through which to challenge young people’s

minds, stir their creativity, instill discipline and

build self-esteem.”

—Lawrence A. Hough, President and Chief Execu-

tive Officer, Sallie Mae

“During the Gulf War, the few opportunities I had for

relaxation I always listened to music, and it brought

to me great peace of mind. I have shared my love

of music with people throughout this world, while

listening to the drums and special instruments of

the Far East, Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and

the Far North — and all of this started with the mu-

sic appreciation course I was taught in a third-

grade elementary class in Princeton, New Jersey.

What a tragedy it would be if we lived in a world

where music was not taught to children.”

—H. Norman Schwarzkopf, General, U.S. Army, re-

tired