2019/2020 Beginning Band Syllabus

Dear Students and Parents -- Thank you for being part of the Windsor Middle School Musical Community.  Music enriches our lives in many ways, and the work that we do together enriches the overall climate and culture of Windsor Middle School.  Consequently, we have a responsibility to our selves and to our school to live up to our potential and to create the best bands that we possibly can!  I know that the students in this year’s bands are capable of great things.   I truly believe that we can create some of the best music ever produced at Windsor Middle School, and I look forward to working together, having fun, learning many things and taking advantage of your abundant talent.  This document should provide all of the information that you will need to have a rewarding and fantastic year!

Attitude

Attitude is the most important thing in life, and certainly the most important thing in our bands.   Attitudes are contagious:  bad attitudes tend to spread to others and can ruin a group and the experience for every member.  Similarly, good attitudes can sweep through a group creating a feeling of connectedness and loyalty that can make good groups great.  As Charles Swindoll said, “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church (a band)... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude..I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.”  Your attitude and your behavior account for 1/2 of your grade in this course.  Please be here because you want to be here to participate in all of the fun things that we will do this year.  Students who develop an unacceptable attitude that affects other members of the group will be removed.                                                          

Community

Band classes are different from other classes.  In Band, we learn by working together to create something that none of us could create on our own.  Every person in the group affects every other person to a much greater extent than in other types of classes.  Each person’s behavior and performance directly influences both the quality of the music that we produce together, and the amount that we can learn.  Because we perform in public and represent Windsor Middle School, the quality of our work reflects the quality of our WMS community.  Each person in the group has a responsibility to every other person, and to the school at large,  to do their best, in class and in performance.   It is critical that we work together to create the best possible experience for ourselves, and an outstanding impression on the community. 

Behavior

Behavior in instrumental music classes presents a unique challenge for both students and teachers.  Think of it this way: the goal of our class is to create sound - beautiful, artistic sound hopefully.  We have large classes full of students who have instruments that can make a great deal of noise.  The challenge is to enjoy the company of our friends and to create an environment that allows everyone to learn.  It is imperative that students have outstanding behavior in the classroom and in public performances.  A list of Band Room Rules was sent home with a section to be signed by both the student and the parent.  Please consult the “Rules” sheet for specific rules and consequences.   Parents can help by supporting our efforts to maintain high standards for behavior and performance. Students who develop an unacceptable pattern of behavior that affects other members of the group will be removed.

Calendar

Here are a list of the dates that we have on the calendar for the 2019/2020 school year:

Winter Concert     12/12/19

Windsor Day Parade  5/2/20

Spring Concert      5/14/20

It is my hope that with this advance notice you will be able to keep these dates in mind as you plan your other activities.  The Winter and Spring Concerts are considered part of the student’s grade.  Unexcused absences to the Concerts will cause a student’s final grade to be reduced by one letter grade, but extra credit work will be available for any student who is uanable to attend. 

Performance Attire

We ask that students wear black long pants, or skirts a white shirt or blouse (tucked in for boys), and black shoes. 

Grading

Fifty percent of a student’s grade is based on behavior, attitude and participation in class.  These will be listed as “Behavior” points.  Fifty percent of their grade is based on completing  “tasks”.  The first two tasks involve turning in an instrument loan agreement, and turning in a signed “Rules” sheet..  Other tasks can include:

·       Come in for Flex

·       Practice one hour outside of class

·       Turn in a “Music Evaluation Sheet” (worked on in class)

·       Make a recording with Smart Music

·       Complete 2 short music theory or composition assignments from the book

·       Fill an instrument vacancy (worth 3 tasks)

·       Apply for being a “Band Officer”  (worth 3 tasks)

·       Other tasks made by arrangement.

Grading for Bands at Windsor Middle School

Half of the student’s grade will be based on Behavior:

90-100%  = A

80-89%    = B

70-79%    = C

60-69%    = D

Behavior scores are calculated using Class Dojo and Dean’s List.  Students will need to have their instrument, book, music and a pencil every day in class.  Being unprepared, disrupting the class, violating any school rules including gum, food or phones out during class time will lower a student’s Behavior Score and result in other consequences.  Please see the “Rules” sheet for the particulars of the grading rubric for Behavior. 

Half of the student’s grade will be based on Tasks:

7-9 tasks = A (90-100%)

4-6 tasks = B (80-89%)

2-3 tasks = C (70 – 79%)

less than two tasks = D

·       Come in and practice during Flex = 1 task

·       Practice one hour outside of class = 1 task

·       Turn in a “Music Evaluation Sheet” (worked on in class) = 1 task

·       Make a recording with Smart Music (can be done during flex or before school.  Home subscriptions are available for $12.) 

·       Complete 2 short music theory or composition assignments from the book

·       Fill an instrument vacancy (worth 3 tasks)

·       Apply for being a “Band Officer”  (worth 3 tasks)

·       Attend Analy Fall Festival and W@Weill Hall and Windsor Parade (worth 2 tasks)

·       Other tasks made by arrangement.

·       Play in Jazz Band at Flex on Friday. 

The grade will be calculated as an average of Behavior scores and Tasks completed.

It should be much easier and clearer to students and parents how to obtain the appropriate percentages for the grade the student will earn. A task sheet must be turned in every quarter, to earn a passing grade.

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Instrument Selection

It is very important that beginning students select the correct instrument when they are starting out.   A student is much more likely to be successful and reap the benefits of studying music, if they choose an instrument that they are well suited for.  Each person’s body and face is different and most people will find that they have an easier time with some instruments than with others.  Many students already have an idea of  what instrument they would like to play, or the student’s family has an instrument that they can use.  Please keep an open mind about instrument selection.  Our goal is to have everyone be successful in their efforts to play an instrument.   The students in the Beginning classes will soon be trying out the different instruments mouthpieces to see which instruments will suit them.  A letter will be coming home soon letting you know how your child did on the instrument tryouts.

WMS Instruments 

We are fortunate to have school instruments that we will be able to loan to students for the year.  If your student has already brought in an instrument loan agreement, they should have received an instrument.  We are expecting to receive another shipment of new instruments soon so we should be able to accommodate everyone.  The sooner a student turns in a loan agreement, the sooner they will get an instrument in their hands.

Percussion

Students who wish to play percussion instruments will be able to apply and audition for one of our percussion positions after our Winter Concert.  Our percussionists must be among the finest musicians in our group.  Not only do they need outstanding music reading and rhythm skills, they need to be proficient in reading both treble and bass clefs.  They also must have outstanding classroom behavior, a strong work ethic and outstanding musicianship.  For these reasons, we wait until half way through the year to determine which students will be selected to play percussion.  A student who really wants to play percussion will have to demonstrate that they can play all of the material that we are playing on their first instrument.  Parents who would like to help their child become a percussionist can help by making sure their child is successful on their first instrument. 

Practice

 Beginning students will have the best success if they adhere to a regular practice schedule to develop the skills that are taught in class. Coming in at flex and/or practicing outside of class will really help students to be successful.  Students who do not practice outside of class will have a much harder time being successful in class and will be much more likely to want to quit. Parents can help by providing a quiet space and time for students to practice.  Listening to your child and providing a few words of encouragement can really help!

Thanks again for encouraging your child to play music and thank you for supporting music at Windsor Middle School!  As always, you can reach me at 837-7737 ext 8134.  It is often easiest for me to communicate via e-mail:  smitchell@wusd.org.  If you prefer to communciate via e-mail please send me a message so that I have your address in my address book.  Thank you !! 

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