Louisville
Middle School
Band Handbook
Director:
Erin Moriearty [email protected]
www.lmsperformingarts.org
A Letter to Students and Parents
Welcome to another great year of band at LMS! Participation in music ensembles is a fantastic way of encouraging self-expression,
creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, aural proficiency, and so many other skills essential for building a well-rounded individual!
Not only will students be learning how to perform on their specific instrument in large and small ensembles, they will be learning and creating music from throughout history
and around the world, composing their own pieces, listening to great musicians, improvising, and so much more!
We have some amazing opportunities this year!
I’m incredibly excited to kick off the school year with another great group of students!
Take a few minutes to look through this handbook. It provides some very important information for this year in band. Please sign electronically sign
and return the Policy Approval Form (page 10) by Friday, September 1st. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email Mrs. Moriearty at [email protected]! Otherwise,
I look forward to seeing you all at Back-to-School-Night!
Table of Contents
Classroom Policies and Expectations……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………3 Grading Policy……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4 Private Lesson Information…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5 Area Music/Repair Stores…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5 Extra-curricular Performance Opportunities…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 Concert Dress………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Instrument Information……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 Tips for Efficient Practice……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8 Calendar of Events……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………9 Contact Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10
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Classroom Policies and Expectations
Attendance
We are a community that relies on the participation and attendance of all members.
Attendance at all events, both inside and outside of the school day, is mandatory.
All concert performance and other event dates will be announced at the beginning of the school year. If a student has a conflict with an event, they must contact Mrs. Moriearty with a note from a guardian at least
one month in advance of the conflict.
Participation and Practice
Excellent attitude, effort, participation and preparation are essential! Make the commitment.
There is always something to be practiced for rehearsal! If you’re not sure what that is, check the blog on the webpage or email Mrs. Moriearty. I recommend 15-45 minutes a day, four to six days a week
(depending on grade level and goals). See page 8 for some tips on getting the most out of your practice.
1. Respect others. 2. Only touch and play your instrument. 3. Do not chew gum or eat in the band room. 4. Only water is allowed as a drink. 5. Be in your seat, ready to play or complete your “DO NOW” activity, at the beginning of rehearsal and stay in your seat (unless instructed otherwise) until dismissed. 6. Try your best!
Possible Consequences
Verbal Warning Contact Parents
Note on Report Card Detention
Referral to Office Suspension from
Performance/Event
All students must have the following at each rehearsal:
1. Instrument
2. Music
3. Pencil
4. Band Notebook and Method Book (see page 7)
5. Appropriate Supplies (valve oil, cork grease, extra reeds, sticks, etc.)
6. LMS Planner (to note assignments/important dates)
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Grading Policy
Complete musicianship requires performance skills as well as a great deal of knowledge and ability to critically think about and evaluate music and subject matter associated with it. Therefore, students will be participating in a wide range of activities designed to assess their comprehensive knowledge of and skills in music. An outline of the grade allocation and breakdown for each semester can be seen below.
Keep in mind that I encourage students to make up/redo most work (especially playing tests) throughout
the grading period. Redos and make ups stop 2 weeks before the end of the grading period.
If, at any time, there are questions about student grades, parents should feel free to call or email and set up a conference to view the student’s portfolio of work.
For Each Semester: Practice: 10% Homework, Practice Journals, “Do Now” Activities, etc. Formative Assessment: 40% Daily Playing Tests, Sight-Reading, Rhythm-Clapping, Quizzes, Self/Peer/Ensemble Evaluation, etc. Summative Assessment: 50% Written Tests, Major Playing Tests (including concerts), Projects, etc. Grading Scale: A = 90 – 100% B = 80 – 89% C = 70 – 79% D = 60 – 69% F = 59% and below
Tutor Times I am here before school most days from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
and after school some days from 3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. HOWEVER:
Tutor times are best set up in advance by email due to my many after/before school responsibilities (LMS jazz bands, concerts, commitments with my other school, MELT, faculty meetings, etc.)
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Private Lessons
All students are highly encouraged to take private lessons on their instrument. These lessons allow for more one-on-one time than a large group rehearsal. Students are able to move at their own pace and
concentrate on areas in which they may be weak or areas in which they are especially interested. Below is a list of recommended instructors for each instrument.
Name Instruments Taught Phone Email Malia Van Rooy Flute (303)514-5722 [email protected]
Emma Shubin Flute (585)704-5751 [email protected]
Alaunde Copely-Woods Flute (720)406-8722 [email protected]
Kristen Puster Flute (720)878-6611 [email protected]
Steven Maijala Oboe (256)566-2496 [email protected]
Jason Olney Clarinet (208)339-4090 [email protected]
Karen Dusek Clarinet (303)378-3942 [email protected]
April Johannsen Clarinet (303)746-0683 www.apriljohannesen.com
Christopher Harmon Clarinet (719)502-9787 [email protected]
Kellan Toohey Clarinet (303)981-2940 [email protected]
Michael Maisonpierre Clarinet, Saxophone (303)786-9540 [email protected]
J.D. Little Saxophone (940)395-6770 [email protected]
Dr. Grant Larson Saxophone (701)866-6802 [email protected]
Heath Walton Saxophone [email protected]
Stephanie Doctor Saxophone (708)941-7771 [email protected]
Dave Camp Clarinet, Saxophone (303)995-7212 [email protected]
Cathy Pai Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone (303)472-2100 [email protected]
Derek McDonald Trumpet (303)656-1412 [email protected]
Tyler Richardson Trumpet (602)370-5958 [email protected]
Margaret Romero Trumpet (303)437-7149 [email protected]
Terry Sawchuck Trumpet (prof. at CU) (303)492-8649 [email protected]
Dawn Kramer Trumpet (303)898-4827
Derek Lewis French Horn (617)823-4645 [email protected]
Johanna L. Burian French Horn (812)272-5973 [email protected]
Michael Scheimer French Horn (412)526-0801 [email protected]
Devon Park French Horn (303)514-2876 [email protected]
Meredith Healy Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba (469) 607-8824 [email protected]
Steve Vaughn Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba (607)341-6018
Ryan Van Gilder Trombone (303)345-5435 [email protected]
Mason Jackson Trombone (970)509-9804 [email protected]
Jack Hoeksema Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba [email protected]
Danielle Chollet Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba (303) 661-0787
Chris Beers Percussion (720)837-5410 [email protected]
Alex Heaton Percussion (802) 779-6408 [email protected]
Colin Spear Percussion (303)956-0055 [email protected]
Don Newby Percussion (303)665-0256 [email protected]
Steve Turney Percussion (303)903-4165 [email protected]
Aaron Bagby Percussion [email protected]
Kevin Keith Percussion (989)600-8074
Rocky Mountain Center for the Musical Arts
All (303) 665-0599 200 East Baseline Road,
Lafayette
Area Repair Stores
Rocky Mountain Music Repair (303) 955-8064 555 Burbank Street, Unit Q, Broomfield Travis Band Instrument Repair (303)413-0054 3101 28th St, Boulder
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Performance Opportunities
We are so fortunate in the Denver-metro area to have fantastic opportunities for students to perform outside of the regular classroom. These groups allow students to meet music students from other
schools, work with other teachers, further their performance skills, and have a lot of fun! Below are just a few of the many ensembles you can be a part of!
If you have questions about any of these groups, or any others you may have heard of, ask Mrs. Moriearty!
LMS Jazz Band Open to all 7th and 8th grade students: Tryouts are on August 25th or 28th from 7:30-8:30 a.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m
Be sure to sign up for a spot in the band room!
LMS Chamber Ensemble Gives students a chance to work in small groups (of their choosing) on a variety of literature
Open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students
University of Colorado Middle School Wind Ensemble http://music.colorado.edu/departments/music-education/cu-mswe-home-page/
Boulder Youth Symphony
http://www.bysymphony.org/
MHS Middle and High School Percussion Ensemble See Mrs. Moriearty for details – this group is being developed
CU Music Works! Middle School Band Summer Camp
http://bands.colorado.edu/concerts_events/music_works.html
University of Colorado Middle School Honor Band http://bands.colorado.edu/concerts_events/middle_school_hb/
Rocky Mountain Center for the Musical Arts Ensembles
http://www.comusic.org/music-education/lessonsprograms/
BVSD Middle School Honor Band Details to come
Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts Ensembles
http://www.jazzarts.org/programsclasses.html
Solo and Ensemble Contest For Solo and Ensemble Contest, students work with Mrs. Moriearty or their private lesson instructor to prepare a solo or small chamber ensemble performance. More details about this event will be made available at a later date.
Colorado State University’s Rocky Mountain Summer Music Camp (7th-12th grades)
http://www.bands.colostate.edu/camp/index.html
Colorado Honor Band Association http://cohonorband.org/members/classes/
Colorado Bandmasters Middle School Festival: Metro Area
http://cbamiddleschool.org/
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Concert Dress
Additional Information
Concerts are opportunities for students to demonstrate the performance skills that they have developed over the course of a semester or year.
These events are some of the most special for students
and their families. Accordingly, specific and professional concert dress is required.
Concerts are dress-up occasions. It is the family’s
responsibility to provide the appropriate clothes listed on the right. Please be sure to have these by the first
performance.
***If there is any issue in obtaining these items, feel free to contact Mrs. Moriearty before the day of the
performance***
Black 3-Ring Binder with Page Protectors Students are required to have a black 3-ring binder/notebook to
hold handouts, written assignments, and concert music. Inside the binder, please have 20-30 clear page protectors to hold music and
important documents.
Textbooks 6th Grade: Essential Elements 2000, Book 1
7th Grade: Standard of Excellence Book II by: Bruce Pearson and Foundations of Superior Performance by: King and Williams
8th Grade: Standard of Excellence Book III by: Bruce Pearson and Foundations of Superior Performance by: King and Williams
I have ALL of the 7th and 8th grade books available for purchase right here! To get both, just go to RevTrak on the LMS Website.
*If there is ANY problem purchasing these items, please tell Mrs. Moriearty!
Smart Music (recommended but not required) Smart Music is a cutting edge, software and internet-based music
practice program. This interactive program allows students to practice with full ensemble accompaniment, track their progress, and
get immediate feedback. Costs include a $36 annual fee and a $20 microphone. To watch a video on all the benefits of the program, go
to www.smartmusic.com. If you don’t have a computer or can’t afford the costs, be sure to let Mrs. Moriearty know.
Instrument Rentals
Louisville Middle School does have certain instruments for students to rent out. As per school district
policy, there is a $100 dollar usage fee per year for these instruments. The fee covers cleaning and minor
repairs. If there is a problem in paying this fee, please let Mrs.
Moriearty know!
In order to be issued a school-owned instrument, the student and guardian must sign a rental form acknowledging their full
responsibility if the instrument is lost, stolen, or greatly damaged.
Be sure to have a written record at home of the make, serial number,
and finish of the instrument in case it is lost or stolen.
*REQUIRED*
White collared shirt/blouse Black dress pants/skirt
Black socks/tights Black dress shoes
Please, no: T-shirts Shorts
Sweatpants Tennis shoes
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Tips on how to Practice
If a passage is hard, slow it down! Don’t be afraid to slow the passage down as much as you need to! Playing at slower speeds will help you make sure that you’re hitting the right notes. Then, gradually bump up the tempo as you get more comfortable with the music.
Play the three penny game! If you think you have a song or passage perfect, this is the test to make sure. Put three pennies on your stand. Play the piece of music. If you get it correct, move one of your pennies to the other side of the stand. Play the piece again. If you play it perfectly, move another penny to the other side of the stand. If you mess up, all the pennies you’ve moved have to come back to their starting point and you begin again! Play this way until all pennies make it to the other side of the stand. If you can do this, you’ve got that piece of music down!
A little bit at a time. Practicing isn’t just running through the pieces. When you practice, you play little bits of the piece that you have trouble with. Be sure you end with something you’re good at, though!
Break it down! If you’re having trouble with a section, try breaking it down. Try clapping through the rhythm or playing the rhythm on a single note. OR, try playing the pitches and not worrying about the rhythm. Once you have both going well separately, it will be easier to put them together!
Remember the Details! Pitches and rhythms are great to practice, but don’t forget about the details. Aspects like dynamics, articulation, phrasing, and tempo are what make your performance musical!
Consistency. Practicing 20 minutes each day of the week is much more productive than practicing 140 minutes in one day. Plus, it doesn’t tire you out as much! Think of yourself like an athlete; they get better through consistent practice, not a bunch of practice one or two days a week.
Play with the CD that accompanies your book, recordings on jwpepper.com, and SmartMusic You have a CD that comes with your book. Don’t be afraid to use it! It plays accompaniments for each piece. Practicing in this way will give you both a better sense of consistent tempo and a better sense of intonation! Besides the CD that comes with your book, almost all of our concert pieces can be found on jwpepper.com and/or SmartMusic. Listening to the pieces and playing with the recording are both incredibly beneficial!
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Band Calendar: 2017-2018
These are our important dates as of the beginning of the school year. The events below are mandatory for those students in the ensemble.
*Please mark your calendars*
6th Grade Band
November 13th – 3:30 p.m. – After-school practice as a full band!
November 14th – 6:00 p.m. (Warm-up at 5:30)– LMS Winter Band Concert February 21st – 6:30 p.m. – POPS Concert with MK8 and EK8
May 7th – 3:30 p.m. – After-school practice as a full band! May 8th – 6:00 p.m. (Warm-up at 5:30)– LMS Spring Awards Concert
7th and 8
th Grade Bands
November 14th – 6:00 p.m. (Warm-up at 5:30)– LMS Winter Band Concert
January 31st – Field trip to Monarch High to practice for festival January 31st – 7:00 p.m. - 7th and 8th Grade Festival at Monarch High School
May 8th – 6:00 p.m. (Warm-up at 5:30)– LMS Spring Awards Concert *8th Grade Only* May 10th – all day – Elitch Gardens Music in the Parks Festival
Jazz Band
November 14th – 6:00 p.m. (Warm-up at 5:30)– LMS Winter Band Concert February 21st – 6:30 p.m. – East County Jazz Dance at Eldorado K8
May 1st – Performance for 5th grade students and families May 8th – 6:00 p.m. (Warm-up at 5:30)– LMS Spring Awards Concert
*Open enrollment night in December TBA* *Skyline Jazz Festival – May TBA*
*Lunch Performances TBA*
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Policy Approval Form
Once you have read the handbook, please follow the link below to sign the policy approval form: https://goo.gl/forms/tPKDFGOqDEdfWh9v2
If you would rather, you can print and sign this and have your student turn it in as a hard copy. By signing below, parents and students indicate that they have completely read, understand, and agree to the information included in the band handbook. The student agrees to commit themselves fully to the band program and attend all rehearsals and performances. Student’s Signature ___________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________________ Parent’s Signature ____________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________________
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