Wayne Middle School Band Handbook and Calendar

Welcome to Band!
Dear Parents or Guardians: I am happy to be working with your child to develop his or her musical talents. The Wayne band program has a proud tradition of excellence. Your child has taken his or her first steps to becoming an integral part of the continued success of the program. Congratulations on making the decision with your child to participate in this program. Students who participate in the band dont only acquire musical knowledge, but they also develop many skills that will help them in their lives beyond school. Band students develop teamwork skills, learn problem solving techniques, and develop critical thinking. They also learn self-discipline through committing to practice regularly. Another important skill that students learn through participation in band is perseverance. Every band student goes through a time when he or she gets frustrated with his or her participation in band and the students whose parents push them to stay involved will learn not to give up when a task is difficult. This skill is imperative to success in adulthood. Parents are often curious as to what they can do to help their child to succeed in band. After talking with parents of many successful band students and reading books on band parenting, I have found that a few things seem to be common themes. 1. 2. 3. 4. Be sure to attend your son or daughters band (and vocal) concerts. There is nothing more important than showing your child that his or her performance is important to you. Attend concerts of other groups that come through the area. The high school band performances are fantastic and will show your child what he or she can sound like in the future. Ask your child about what he or she is learning in band. Make practice time part of the daily routine. It gets easier for a child to practice when it is a normal part of the day.

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Encourage your child to stick with it through the difficult times. He or she (and you) will be greatly rewarded later for his or her efforts.

I am very excited to share my enthusiasm and love of music with the students and parents of the band. I plan to make this year excellent for the students by helping them to be as successful as they can. If you have any questions at any time during this year, please feel free to call me in my office or send me an email at tyler.morgan@wayne.k12.ia.us. Sincerely, Tyler Morgan Band Director

Mr. Morgans Contact Information tyler.morgan@wayne.k12.ia.us (641) 872-1034 - Office Phone (641) 895-7144 - Cell

Assessment
Each students grade will derived from his/her achievement in these four areas: 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. Performances Performances play a major role in the musical development of our students and are an extension of the classroom experience. The band performances are the students opportunities to show their family, friends, and community the hard work and dedication that they have put forth. While we understand that there are situations outside of our control, it is essential that all students participate in each of the required performances. The band is a team and each individual is vital to the success of the group. A student will be excused from a required performance only when he/she is ill or has a family emergency. In the event of an emergency, parents are asked to contact the director as soon as they become aware of the situation. When other situations dictate that a student must miss a required performance, the parent must contact the director no fewer than three weeks prior to that performance. An unexcused performance absence will result in the reduction of the students letter grade being lowered one letter grade and the student will be required to complete a make-up assignment. If the student does not complete the performance make-up assignment there grade will be lowered another letter grade (two total). All students who miss a performance (excused or unexcused) will be required to complete the performance make-up assignment. The letter grade of students with excused absences will not be penalized unless they fail to the complete the make-up. In this event, the students grade will be lowered one full letter grade. 2. Rehearsals (25%) Rehearsals are the core of our program; your performance in these rehearsals ultimately defines our ability to grow as a musical ensemble. Students receive a grade for each rehearsal. Maximum credit is earned by being on time, having all required equipment (instrument, music, pencil, etc..), being attentive and engaging in the rehearsal process, and exhibiting good posture, etc. Points are deducted for inattentiveness, talking, failure to have all required materials, lack of participation during class, and unexcused absences from rehearsals. Performances (see below) Rehearsals (25%) Lessons (45%) Musical Growth (30%)

3. Lessons (45%) All students are required to take school band lessons. Lesson times will be assigned during the first week of school with lessons beginning the second week of school. Full lesson credit is achieved by having all required materials at the lesson (instrument, lesson book, band music, etc.) and demonstrating progress from lesson to lesson. 4. Musical Growth Any of the following may be used in assessment of the students musical growth. Playing tests Scale tests Written Tests Music markings (student turns in band music with required rehearsal markings) Additional assignments as required Extra Credit Extra credit will be available as the occasion arises. Students will be informed of upcoming opportunities.

Performance Attire
Marching Band The dress for the two marching band performances will be: Wayne Band T-shirt (cost of $12, but will be used through high school band) Jeans (no jean shorts) Black or white tennis shoes Concert Band The band will use newsprint colors for our concert attire. Students are to wear nice clothes that are black, white and/or grey/silver. This will look quite nice on stage if all students strive to find appropriate dress clothing in these colors. Please be sure that your attire is appropriate for the event. Wear shoes that are comfortable and wear clothes that allow you to sit with correct posture with your instrument. If you are having trouble finding appropriate attire for this please feel free to call or email Mr. Morgan. No jeans or t-shirts will be allowed. If the acquisition of these items creates a financial burden for your family, please see Mr. Morgan.

Instrument Needs and Chair Placements

Instrument Needs Instrument supplies can be purchased from Riemans music through the band director. Please call or email Mr. Morgan with your order and he will have the music store road representative bring the item on his next visit. Essential items such as reeds, slide oil, and valve oil will be kept in stock at both the Elementary and Jr. High school band offices. Resale prices will be posted. If at any time you believe your instrument is in need of repair, please have your student bring it into the band office. We could save you a trip to the music store if it is an easy repair.

Chair Placements

Typically, chair placement of students will be done based on progress in the band lesson book. On occasion, practice habits, behavior in rehearsal, and a playing test may be used to supplement the lesson book in making decisions on chair placement. Chair placements can change throughout the year based on the progress of students. There will be a period of time before each concert where chair placements will be frozen to help accommodate a great performance.

Calendar
Date Sept. 27th Oct. 11th Event Homecoming Parade Time TBA Location JH/HS HS Football Field

Home football game pre-game (combine TBA with the high school band to perform the National Anthem) Winter Concert Solo/Ensemble Contest in Centerville. (Optional) Voxman Honor Band (6th grade only) Spring Concert 7pm All Day All Day 7pm

Dec. 9th Feb. 8th Mar. 22nd May 6th

JH/HS Gym Centerville Lakeview Elementary Centerville HS JH/HS Gym

Concert Attire
The band will use newsprint colors for our concert attire. Students are to wear nice clothes that are black, white and/or grey/silver. This will look quite nice on stage if all students strive to find appropriate dress clothing in these colors. Please be sure that your attire is appropriate for the event. Wear shoes that are comfortable and wear clothes that allow you to sit with correct posture with your instrument. If you are having trouble finding appropriate attire for this please feel free to call or email Mr. Morgan. No jeans or t-shirts will be allowed. If the acquisition of these items creates a financial burden for your family, please see Mr. Morgan.

Mr. Morgans Contact Information

Email: tyler.morgan@wayne.k12.ia.us Office Phone Number: (641) 872-1034 Cell Phone Number: (641) 895-7144 Music Department Webpage: http://www.wayne.k12.ia.us/music-department

Falcon Pride!