2019/2020 Honor Band Syllabus

Dear Students and Parents -- Welcome to another tremendous year for the Windsor Middle School Bands and thank you for being part of our musical community!  I am looking forward to once again achieving our primary goal:   to have as much fun as possible, and to reap the many benefits of music education by creating outstanding performing ensembles!  This document should provide all of the information that you will need to have a rewarding and fantastic year!

What is Honor Band?

Honor is defined as “high respect, as that shown for special merit; esteem.”  We are happy that WMS can offer two sections of “Honor Band” this year.  The Honor Band is a specially selected group of 2nd and 3d year players.  Each group was carefully chosen to blend ability and instrumentation.  A great deal of effort was put into this process which will allow students to play in high quality groups while still taking advantage of the many other outstanding programs and course offerings at our school.  It is an honor for me to have you as students.  I know that you will honor me with your outstanding attitude, behavior and effort!

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 and participate in all of the fun things that we will do this year.  Students who develop an unacceptable attitudes or behaviors 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.  You are a member of our team, and every other member of the team is relying on you to be there and to do your best every time we are together.

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.  Because our classes are “electives”, students are more likely to be in groups with their friends.   (This is good, because we are creating a community, as noted above.)  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. Please see the “Rules” sheet for specific rules and consequences. Parents can help by supporting our efforts to maintain high standards for behavior and performance.

Calendar

Here are the important dates for the 2019/2020 School Year

Sonoma Jump Start    9/27 to 9/29 2019

Analy Fall Festival     10/25 or 10/26 2019

Winter Concert       12/12/2019

Windsor at Weill Hall   3/25/20*

Discovery Kingdom    5/16/20*

Spring Concert      5/14/20

* This date has not been confirmed.

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 curricular events and 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 for that term.  The Analy Fall Festival and Windsor @ Weill are  cocurricular events that take place outside of school hours.  Students can earn "tasks" to apply to their grade by attending these events.  It is important to remember that our ensembles are communities in which every person contributes to the work that we produce together.

Performance Attire

We ask that students wear black long pants, or skirt a white long sleeve button down shirt or blouse that will be tucked in (for guys),  and black shoes.

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. 

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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 or by mail:  smitchell@wusd.org

Thank you very much for being part of the Windsor Middle School Honor Band!  By participating in our group your are demonstrating that you are a person of character and depth who cares about your education and your future.  Every year, the WMS performing groups draw the finest individuals in the school and this year is no exception.  Thank you. 

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