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BAND
HANDBOOK
Waverly-South Shore School
Director: Miss Nelson
Statement of Band Policy
Being a member of the Waverly-South Shore Band is a privilege. All members of the band must be responsible and work together to insure that a quality musical experience and an excellent learning environment is created for all members involved. Every member of the band should strive for improvement of their skills and abilities and work to their absolute fullest potential. Working together and following these guidelines will insure success and a terrific year full of music.
Band Member’s Responsibilities
1. Be in regular attendance
2. Be responsible and bring all materials needed for rehearsals.
3. Respect others and their belongings.
4. Work for daily improvement.
5. Be open to new ideas and experiences.
6. Contribute positively to the group and avoid negativity.
Instrumental Music Dept. Responsibilities
1. Provide proper rehearsal room and equipment.
2. To create a positive learning environment.
3. To ensure that each individual receives the assistance they need to further grow in their musicianship through rehearsals, performance, and teaching.
4. Follow the school policies that have been set by the student handbook as they relate to all discipline problems.
5. Keep parents informed about student’s progress in the band.
6. Grade each band member according to the grading policy as stated and make sure all members receive feedback as to how they are improving on their music skills.
Objectives
-To develop students’ musical knowledge and playing abilities.
-To provide students a place where they can express themselves through music.
-To provide a safe environment where students can have fun and learn how to work cooperatively with others.
Band Equipment
- Concert Dress- Each male member must provide: white dress shirt, black dress pants, black shoes, and black socks. Each female member must provide: white dress shirt, black dress pants or black skirt (appropriate length for school), black shoes, and black nylons or socks.
- Instruments-Students are required to have their own instruments unless there is a problem. If there is difficulty in getting a student their own instrument please contact the band director. Students borrowing an instrument will sign a contract agreeing to take care of the instrument. Instruments may be borrowed to students during the summer upon talking to the band director and signing an agreement.
- Music and Folders-These are property of the school and music department. They will be handled with care and kept in top condition. Folders may be taken home overnight for practice. Ask for a copy of music if you share a part. Mark the music only with a pencil.
Pep Band
Students in band are required to play in the pep band. Other students from the school are also welcome to play. The group will rehearse at the director’s discretion and performances will be decided by the director and the athletic department. If a member of the band is involved in the sport being played at, they will be excused. If for some other reason you can not attend the pep band performance and it is a legitimate reason, you will be excused. The student must give the director a signed note from a parent or guardian stating the reason for the absence.
Jazz Ensemble
Open to students in grades 7-12. This ensemble will rehearse and perform music of the jazz idiom including early jazz, big band, modern jazz, and rock. This ensemble will rehearse once a week before school and will perform at all concerts and possibly community functions.
Ensemble/Solos
All band members are encouraged to participate in a solo and ensemble festival. The director will help students prepare for this festival. At anytime throughout the year, students may put together an ensemble or work on a solo. Ask the director and help will be provided as well as performance options.
Independent Study
Students may seek out independent study with the band director for further help and improvement of skills.
BAND CURRICULUM
Rehearsals: Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday focusing on technique, skill, musical style, interpretation, and listening skills to ensure each student receives a well rounded musical experience. .
Lessons: All members of the band are encouraged to take private lessons from an expert or professional on their instrument. The director will also be available to give some private lessons upon request.
Semester Exams: Once each semester students will be required to prepare an etude or solo to play for the band director. At the examination time, students will also be required to play a scale and a short sight-reading exercise for the director. This performance will be graded. Music will be handed out at the beginning of the semester.
Practicing: Practicing your instrument is important to insure that everyone is improving and working together to create the best possible musical experience. It is your responsibility as a band member to practice and learn your parts. Each band member is important and their decisions affect the group as a whole.
Grading Procedure
Students will be graded on a point system. Students will earn points for a playing exam, daily participation, concerts and performances. Points do not carry over into the next semester. Students will loose points for unexcused absences, missing performances that were not excused by first talking to the director and producing a handwritten note from parents, exhibiting a bad attitude such as poor posture, smart talk, too much talking or a non-willingness to work, and not bringing instrument and music to rehearsal. Lost points can be made up by choosing to complete one or more of the options listed on the “extra credit point projects” list.
Points received per Semester
Playing exam 0-25 points
Daily participation 0-5 pts./day
Concert 50 pts.
Pep-Band Performances 20 pts. each
*If students receive most amount of points possible for each of these areas without loosing points, they will receive an A for the quarter.
Points that can be Lost
Missed Performance
(Including band performances/festivals) minus - 50 points each
Missed Pep Band Performance - 20 points each
Daily Participation (contributing negatively during rehearsal will result in the loss of points) - 0-5
Playing exam -0-25 points
List of Extra Credit Projects
Play in an ensemble + 20 points
Prepare and play a solo + 20 pts.
Attend an Approved Concert with written review + 0-20 pts.
Book Report + 0-20 pts
Compose a piece of music + 0-20 pts.
Perform in Solo/Ensemble Festival + 20 pts.
Perform in the community + 20 pts.
Private lesson + 20 pts.
Article Report + 0-10 pts.
Worksheet + 0-10 pts.
Practicing + 0-10 pts/week
File music + 0-10 pts.
Short power-point presentation (music topic) + 0-10 pts.
Misc. Projects + 0-10 pts.
Play in an ensemble: Form a small ensemble (example- clarinet trio) and prepare to perform the song for the group.
Prepare and play a solo: Prepare a solo and perform it for the group.
Attend an Approved Concert with written review: Attend a concert not associated with Waverly-South Shore School and write a one page review of the concert. Write about what you liked, found interesting, something you learned, something you did not know about prior to going, and/or a question you had about what you heard or saw. Hand the report in with the ticket stub or concert program.
Book Report: Read a book having to do with music and write a written report on what you read. Book must be approved by the director.
Compose a piece of music: You may compose any type of song you want, but it must make musical sense.
Perform in Solo/Ensemble Festival: Prepare and perform a piece in a solo/ensemble festival.
Perform in the community: Prepare a solo or ensemble piece and perform it somewhere in the community. Ask the director for assistance on piece selection and performance locations.
Private Lesson: Receive a private lesson from director or other professional musician.
Article Report: Read an article having to do with music and write a 1/2 pg-1pg summary report on the article. Include your reaction or feeling to what you read in the article. Article must be approved by the director.
Worksheet: Choose any one of the worksheets from the folders on top of the folio racks. Complete the worksheet and turn in to the director.
Practicing: Bring to the instructor a list of how long you practiced each day of the week. It must be signed by a parent. You need to have practiced at least 105 min. for the week to receive the full 10 points (105 min. breaks down into 15min/day).
File Music: Set a time with the director to file music. Report at that time and you will be shown what to do.
Short power-point presentation: Create a short power-point presentation having to do with a music topic. Topic must be approved by director and presentation will be shown to the director.
Misc. Projects: If you have your own idea for a project, explain the idea to the director and see if it will work.
CHOIR
HANDBOOK
Waverly-South Shore School
Director: Miss Nelson
Statement of Chorus Policy
Being a member of the Waverly-South Shore High School choir is a privilege. All members of the choir must be responsible and work together to insure that a quality musical experience and an excellent learning environment is created for all members involved. Every member of the choir should strive for improvement of their skills and abilities and work to their absolute fullest potential. Working together and following these guidelines will insure success and a terrific year full of music.
Choir Member’s Responsibilities
1. Be in regular attendance.
2. Be responsible and bring all materials needed for rehearsals.
3. Respect others and their belongings.
4. Work for daily improvement.
5. Be open to new ideas and experiences.
6. Contribute positively to the group and avoid negativity.
Choral Music Dept. Responsibilities
1. Provide proper rehearsal room and equipment.
2. To create a positive learning environment.
3. To ensure that each individual receives the assistance they need to further grow in their musicianship through rehearsals, performance, and teaching.
4. Follow the school policies that have been set by the student handbook as they relate to all discipline problems.
5. Keep parents informed about student’s progress in the choir.
6. Grade each choir member according to the grading policy as stated and make sure all members receive feedback as to how they are improving in their music skills.
Objectives
-To develop students’ musical knowledge and singing abilities.
-To provide students a place where they can express themselves through music.
-To provide a safe environment where students can have fun and learn how to work cooperatively with others.
Choral Equipment
- Concert Dress- Each male member must provide: white dress shirt, black dress pants, black shoes, and black socks. Each female member must provide: white dress shirt, black dress pants or black skirt (appropriate length for school), black shoes, and black nylons or socks.
- Music and Folders-These are property of the school and music department. They will be handled with care and kept in top condition. Folders may be taken home overnight for practice. Ask for a copy of music if you share a part. Mark the music only with a pencil.
Independent Study
Students may seek out independent study with the director for further help and improvement of skills.
CHORUS CURRICULUM
Rehearsals: Rehearsals will be held Monday’s and Wednesday’s focusing on technique, skill, breathing, musical style, interpretation, and listening skills to ensure each student receives a well rounded musical experience.
Semester Exams: Once each semester, students will be required to sing their choice of choir music for the director. Students will be graded on their pitch accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, musicality, and attention to the details we have worked on in class.
Practicing: Practicing your music is important to insure that everyone is improving and working together to create the best possible musical experience. It is your responsibility as a choir member to practice and learn your parts. Each choir member is important and their decisions affect the group as a whole.
Grading Procedure
Students will be graded on a point system. They will earn points for a singing exam, written music exams, daily participation, and performances. Points do not carry over into the next semester. Students will loose points for unexcused absences, missing performances that were not excused by first talking to the director and producing a handwritten note from parents, exhibiting a bad attitude such as poor posture, smart talk, too much talking or a non-willingness to work, not bringing materials and music to rehearsal. Lost points can be made up by choosing to complete one or more of the options listed on the “extra credit point projects” list.
Points received per Quarter
Singing exam 0-35 points
Written exams 0-35 points
Daily participation 0-5 pts./day
Concert 50 points
*If students receive most amount of points possible for each of these areas without loosing points, they will receive an A for the quarter.
Points that can be Lost
Missed Performance
(Including chorus performances/festivals) minus - 50 points each
Daily Participation (contributing negatively to the rehearsal will result in the loss of points) - 0-5 points
Singing Exam - 0-35 points
Written Exams - 0-35 points
List of Required Projects and Extra Credit Point Projects
Sing in an ensemble + 20 points
Prepare and sing a solo + 20 pts.
Attend an Approved Concert with written review + 0-20 pts.
Book Report + 0-20 pts
Compose a piece of music + 0-20 pts.
Perform in Solo/Ensemble Festival + 20 pts.
Perform in the community + 20 pts.
Private lesson + 20 pts.
Article Report + 0-20 pts.
Worksheet + 0-10 pts.
Practicing + 0-10 pts/week
File music + 0-10 pts.
Short power-point presentation (music topic) + 0-10 pts.
Misc. Projects + 0-10 pts.
Sing in an ensemble: Form a small ensemble (example: duet, quartet) and prepare to perform the song for the group.
Prepare and sing a solo: Prepare a solo and perform it for the group.
Attend an Approved Concert with written review: Attend a concert not associated with Waverly-South Shore School and write a one page review of the concert. Write about what you liked, found interesting, something you learned, something you did not know about prior to going, and/or a question you had about what you heard or saw. Hand the report in with the ticket stub or concert program.
Book Report: Read a book having to do with music and write a written report on what you read. Book must be approved by the director.
Compose a piece of music: You may compose any type of song you want, but it must make musical sense.
Perform in Solo/Ensemble Festival: Prepare and perform a piece in a solo/ensemble festival.
Perform in the community: Prepare a solo or ensemble piece and perform it somewhere in the community. Ask the director for assistance on piece selection and performance locations.
Private Lesson: Receive a private voice lesson from director or other professional musician.
Article Report: Read an article having to do with music and write a 1/2 pg-1pg summary report on the article. Include your reaction or feeling to what you read in the article. Article must be approved by the director.
Worksheet: Choose any one of the worksheets from the folders on top of the folio racks. Complete the worksheet and turn in to the director.
Practicing: Bring to the instructor a list of how long you practiced each day of the week. It must be signed by a parent. You need to have practiced at least 105 min. for the week to receive the full 10 points (105 min. breaks down into 15min/day).
File Music: Set a time with the director to file music. Report at that time and you will be shown what to do.
Short power-point presentation: Create a short power-point presentation having to do with a music topic. Topic must be approved by director and presentation will be shown to the director.
Misc. Projects: If you have your own idea for a project, explain the idea to the director and see if it will work.
Result of the 2008 Solo Contest
8th Grade
Melissa Comes- Superior I+
Lenora Heyduk- Superior I
Megan Minatra- Superior I
Riley Mohr- Excellent II+
Victoria Moyer- Superior I+
Andrew Thyen (Bells)- Superior I
Andrew Theyn (Snare)- Superior I
Branden Thyen- Excellent II+
Brent Zemlicka- Superior I-
7th Grade
Cassie Boettcher (Bells)- Excellent II
Cassie Boettcher (Snare)- Excellent II
Jesse Bush- Excellent II+
Sam Pond- Superior I
6th Grade
Morgan Bendt- Superior I-
Chandler Britzman- Superior I-
Brenna Hoium- Superior I
Kendra Thyen- Superior I+
Michaela Zaug- Superior I
5th Grade
Kelbey Isack- Excellent II+
Dustin Lehrke (Snare)- Superior I+
Dustin Lehrke (Bells)- Superior
Kristen Moyer- Superior I-
Troy Robbins- Superior I
Jason Thyen- Superior I
Samantha Zahnow- Superior I-