Secondary Middle School

Mr. Richard Rubin

Room: A145
Email: rrubin@sms.org
Phone: (555) 555-5555

IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC IN EDUCATION

I strongly believe that music in education is important for young students for a
number of reasons. Students involved in music classes are given the opportunity to
enhance their educational experience, receive hands-on learning, learn to stay
engaged in tasks, learn memorization skills, work individually and collectively, and
develop a different form of language. Music Education is unique, due to the fact that
it allows each student to combine material from other courses, and apply it to music.

CLASSROOM RULES
1) Always listen to the teacher, and follow instructions the first time.
2) If you have a question, RAISE your hand. Be mindful to me, and your fellow
classmates.
3) Make sure you are keeping your hands to yourself
4) Respect your classmates, teacher, instruments, and all other belongings in
the classroom.

CONSEQUENCES
1) IF you fail to follow directions after the teacher has repeated it you will be asked
to put your stuff away, and will receive a zero for the day.

2) Failure to RAISE your hand to ask a question will result with a reprimand. IF the
situation occurs more than once, you will be asked to put your stuff away, and will
receive a zero for the day.

3) DO NOT TOUCH ANYHTHING THAT DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU (Unless granted
permission by the teacher). Failure to do so will result with you receiving a zero for
the day, and a trip to the principal’s office.

4) The instruments and materials in the classroom are expensive. Each student will
be held accountable for any damage to any object in the room. Each student
involved will be given a zero for the day, and will be sent to the principal’s office.
CLASS/ENSEMBLES OFFERED
Secondary Middle School offers Concert Band/Marching Band, and Jazz Band. ALL
6th,7th, and 8th grade enrolled in the concert band will be required to be in the
marching band. The JAZZ BAND is offered to any interested 7th and 8th grade
students via auditions. Interested jazz band students MUST also be enrolled in their
prospective concert band/marching band class. NO EXCEPTIONS.

STUDENT MATERIALS
ALL BANDS: All students need…
Instrument(s) in working condition
Working, instrument accessories (reeds, valve oil, etc.)
Pencils
Binders
Athletic Shoes, Athletic clothing for marching band
Methods Book :Essential Elements 2000 (for YOUR student’s instrument)

PORTFOLIO/BINDER:
All students are required to have a binder for this class. Each binder should be
divided into categories which are: MUSIC, PRACTICE RECORDS, JOURNALS, NOTES,
Miscellaneous. Each student should keep their portfolios organized throughout the
semester, as each student will turn the portfolio in for a grade.

Practice Record (each sheet will include THREE WEEKS worth of practice). Practice
Records are due EVERY MONDAY at the BEGINNING of class. They will be
considered late after 5 minutes, and will be penalized.

PRACTICE RECORD SAMPLE:

Mon 1/1 Scales, Concert Band music 60 minutes

Tues 1/2 Scales Major/Minor, music 30 minutes
Wed 1/3 N/A 0 minutes
Thurs 1/4 Concert Band music, sightreading 30 minutes
Fri 1/5 Sightreading, scales 40 minutes
Sat 1/6 Scales, Concert Band music 60 minutes
Sun 1/7 Scales, Concert Band music 60 minutes
PARENT SIGNATURE: Joanna Doe

JOURNAL
Each student is required to write a journal every week. The content of the material
can vary from the music, scales, school concerts (other schools’ too), and any
festivals that we attended that week. The journal should be written, and half of a
page. Students are encouraged to hand write their journals, but may print them (and
may be asked to if their handwriting is difficult to read). Students are also
encouraged to write more than half a page! All students will be given the
opportunity to submit artwork at least one week before the concert. These can be
included in the journal, but DO NOT count for the overall length of the journal.
Journals are due EVERY FRIDAY at the BEGINNING of class. They will be considered
late after 5 minutes, and will be penalized.

CONCERT DATES
For each concert: Doors open at 6pm, Concerts start at 6:30pm
October 17th, SMS Auditorium.
December 6th, SMS Auditorium
March 8th, SMS Auditorium
April 30th, SMS Auditorium

CONCERT DRESS

CONCERT BLACK
ACCEPTABLE ITEMS (not limited to):
Black Dress Shirt, Black Dress
Black Pants, Black Skirt/Skort
Black Socks
Black Dress Shoes, Black Short Heels

CONCERT PARTICIPATION IMPORTANCE

ALL band students are required to attend, and perform, in all SMS concerts. Not only
does their attendance count for a grade, it is also important for them to experience
being in an ensemble, and making music with their fellow classmates.

GRADING POLICY/PERCENTAGE BREAKDOWN

A= 90 and up
B= 80-89
C= 70-79
D= 60-69
F= 0-59

Class Attendance 10 pts

Practice Record 20 pts
Journal 20pts
Concert Attendance* 30 pts
Portfolio 20 pts.
TOTAL 100 POINTS

*If a student has an excused absence from a concert, they will be able to “make
up” the points by attending our High School’s concert. (I will also provide a list of
other “acceptable” concerts). They will be required to write a 1-2 page report on
the concert, and turn it in WITH a copy of the program!
 HANDBOOK CONTRACT

I,___________________________________, have read through this handbook, and agree to all

terms and conditions listed in the handbook. As a student, I will do my part to
represent myself, the school, classmates, and the teacher in a respectful manner at
all times. I also promise to take care of my personal belongings, and treat others
around me with respect. I also understand the rules/consequences listed in the
handbook, and will do my part to make sure that all rules are followed.

Parent Signature: ______________________________ Date:_________________

Parent Print Name: _______________________________________

Student Signature: ______________________________________ Date:________________

Student Print Name: ________________________________________