West End IB World School

2023-2024
Band Handbook

Julie Jolly, Director

Trey Stephens, Principal

Karlton Davidson, Asst. Principal
Cheris Johnson, Dean of Students
Dr. Tekeysha Mccown, Dean of Instruction
 WEST END IB WORLD SCHOOL BAND
3529 West End Avenue | Nashville, TN 37205 | (615) 298-8425 x 738126

West End Band Students and Parents,

Welcome to the West End IB World School Band Program! Many of you are familiar with our program,
either returning to band from last year, or through involvement with other students and siblings.
However, each year there are always many families new to the West End Band.

Now, more than ever, we have information to justify why we do this demanding yet rewarding activity.
Experts have concluded that the study of music helps with spatial reasoning, test taking, and overall
quality of life! Factor in social skills, emotional development, group interaction, music making, and the
discipline of being in a successful band program. The ultimate goal is a lifelong understanding and
appreciation for quality music and music making!

EVERYONE SHOULD READ THE INFORMATION IN THE HANDBOOK. This is the go-to guide that
keeps us running smoothly and efficiently. Most of your questions can be answered by consulting the
handbook and policies will be adjusted from year to year as the need arises to clarify issues within the
program.

Please complete the Student Information Form by Friday, August 11 th.

This handbook is your reference to the activities planned for the Band Program this year. It also outlines
program policies and procedures. Please review this handbook with your child and refer to it as
necessary throughout the school year. The handbook can be referenced at
www.westendband.weebly.com.

Communication will be primarily by email to the parents. Please make sure that we have up to date
email addresses on the Student Information Form.

The West End PTSO has an email that they send out every week called the Blue Jay Bulletin. This
contains many schools-wide announcements, often including band announcements. You can sign up at
www.westendptso.org.

If you have any questions concerning the handbook or the band program, please feel free to email or call
for further information. We look forward to working with you and your child this coming school year,
and we hope to see you at our concerts. I am honored to be your band director and we are looking
forward to a great year!!

Sincerely,

Julie Jolly
Band Director

Email: Julie.Jolly@mnps.org
Phone: 615-298-8425
Band Website: www.westendband.weebly.com
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 Band Class Expectations

1. Students are expected to enter the Band Room on time, calmly, and quietly.
2. Students are expected to assemble their instruments promptly and look over the class
assignments.
3. Students are expected to handle their instruments and all Band property carefully and
with respect.
4. Each student will ONLY hold or play their own instrument and ONLY when directed to do so.
5. Students are expected to treat everyone with respect (teachers, substitute teachers,
school staff, administrators, and peers).
6. No food, gum, or snacks in the Band Room.
7. Students are responsible for the proper storage of their own instrument

Behavior Guidelines

Our goal is a high standard of musical excellence in band and so our standard should be high in
conduct as well. If students follow these guidelines, they will enjoy a very productive, positive, and fun
year in band. However, as with all of us, some days are more difficult than others to perform our best.
Therefore, we have a plan in place to help assist those in need and to help continued progress, not only
for the individual student, but for the entire class.

Off task behaviors will be treated in the following sequence:

-Low intervention prompts (eye contact, teacher proximity cues, etc.)
-Verbal reminders of class expectations (warning)
-Physical change (pack-up instrument) and/or written reflection
-Parent contact by phone, letter, and/or email
-Administrative referral

Please do not be discouraged if your child needs assistance in improving class conduct at some
time during the school year. School is a place to learn many skills, including proper interaction with
peers and adults. By working together (students/parents/teachers) all band students will experience a
positive and successful year.

Change of Enrollment
The West End band director reserves the right to remove students from the program at any time. Reasons
for removal from band include but are not limited to a student’s consistent lack of interest, failure to
maintain acceptable progress, or constant disruption to the band class.

Grading Scale
Formative & summative assessments will be used to grade students for learning. Parents are encouraged
to monitor your child’s progress in band class using Infinite Campus online.
Ensemble Performance Music Literacy
Individual PerformanceConcert Attendance
Listening & Evaluating

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 Performances

Concerts are required playing assessments that are entered in our gradebook, as they are the summative
expression of learning in this class. Attendance affects all performers. If a student is absent, for any
reason, a video recording of their individual part may be submitted as a make-up. Once received, a
make-up grade will be entered for the student.

Performance Uniforms

6th grade
West End Band T-Shirt, tucked in (will be available for purchase in the fall)
Pants
Sneakers

7th & 8th grades

White, collared shirt tucked in
White undershirt free of writing
Black dress pants
Black dress shoes
Black dress socks/black tights
Black belt
Storage Area Expectations

Students may use the storage area in the band room to drop off their instruments in the morning before
school. This area will be open following afternoon announcements to allow students to pick up their
instruments for at home practice.

Band storage areas should only be used for the materials necessary for band class: instrument stored in
its case, instrument supplies (valve oil, slide grease, reeds, reed cases, drum sticks, neck straps, seat
straps, pegs, cleaning supplies, etc. will be kept inside the case), band binders, method books, etc.
Textbooks/materials for other classes & food/drink of any kind may not be stored in the instrument
storage areas.

Private Lessons

Private lessons provide students with valuable one-on-one instruction. Students taking private lessons
experience significant growth in their playing ability regardless of age level. Each family is encouraged to
consider private music lessons to complement the instruction received in band class. Private lessons are
available during school hours.

We would love to get you in touch with a Private Instructor. Please contact Mrs. Jolly for a list of
contacts.

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 West End Band Supply List
**Students are expected to have all materials in class each day. **

 Band Instrument in good working order, clearly labeled with student’s name (a luggage tag on the
handle works well for this) *If your instrument has to go in for maintenance or repair, please bring in a
note from a parent or from the music store stating that it is out for repair. If there is no note, each day
without the instrument will have a negative impact on your grade.
 Required Text 6th Grade: Traditions of Excellence – Book 1 (red)
7th Grade: Traditions of Excellence – Book 1 (red)
8th Grade: Traditions of Excellence – Book 2 (blue)
 Music Binder: 1-inch, black, hard cover binder with pockets.

 At least 10 sheet protectors

 3-ring pencil pouch (this will hold pencils and highlighter in your binder)

 2 Sharpened or Mechanical Pencils

 Highlighter

 Instrument-Specific Supplies: (equivalents are fine)

Flute: Tuning rod (specific to your make & model), cotton cleaning swab or bandana.

Oboe: 3 reeds at all times (Martin Lesher medium-soft or equivalent, no wires), reed
case, 35mm film canister (for reed soaking), weighted silk swab, cork grease.

Bassoon: 3 reeds at all times (Jones medium-soft or equivalent), reed case, 35mm film
canister (for reed soaking), weighted silk swabs (for boot joint and wing joint),
bocal brush, cork grease.

All Clarinets: 4 working reeds at all times (Vandoren Traditional: strength 2 ½ for 6th grade, enter Hillsboro with
strength 3-3 ½), Vito reed case, weighted silk swab, cork grease.

All Saxophones: 4 working reeds at all times (Vandoren Traditional: strength 2 ½ for 6th grade, enter Hillsboro
with strength 3-3 ½), Vito reed case, neck strap, weighted silk swab, cork grease.

Trumpet: Valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning cloth.
Bach 7C mouthpiece or equivalent is best.

French Horn: Valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush.

Holton MDC mouthpiece or equivalent is best.

Trombone: Slide lubricant, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning cloth.
Bach 6 ½ AL mouthpiece or equivalent is best.

Euphonium & Tuba: Valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush.
For euphonium, a Bach 6 ½ AL mouthpiece or equivalent is best.
For tuba, a Bach 24 AW mouthpiece or equivalent is best.

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 Percussion: Innovative Percussion FP-2Pack (comes with stick bag), Practice Pad (for at home practice)

West End Band Calendar 2023-24

Date Event Students Involved Time Location Uniform

First Day with
9/5/23 6th Grade Class
Instruments
Jump Start West End
9/6/23 6th Grade 4:00-5:30
Session classrooms
HHS 8th Grade
FALL TBA 8th Grade TBA Hillsboro HS Green & Gold
Band Game
West End
West End
FALL TBA Homecoming 7th & 8th Grades TBA Blue & Gray
Football Field
Game Pep Band

MNPS MS 7th & 8th Grades Times announced

FALL TBA TBA Performance Appropriate
Honor Band (selected students) closer to event

Doors open at 7
MS Mid-State Wilson Central
12/02/23 7th & 8th Grades AM Registration Blind Audition
Band Auditions HS
begins at 9 AM

Students Report at 6th Grade:

6:30 West End Band Shirt & Pants
12/14/23 Winter Concert ALL GRADES
Concert Begins at Auditorium 7th-8th Grades:
7:00 pm Formal Uniform

1/18-20/ Midstate Clinic 7th & 8th Grades Times announced

TBA Performance Appropriate
2024 Weekend (selected students) closer to event

Concert
3/6-7/ Performance
7th & 8th Grades TBA TBA Formal Uniform
2024 Assessment
(CPA)
Solo &
Ensemble
Times assigned
4/27/24 Performance 6th-8th Grades Freedom MS Performance Appropriate
closer to event
Assessment
(SEPA)
Students Report at 6th Grade:
6:30 West End Band Shirt & Pants
5/16/24 Spring Concert ALL GRADES
Concert Begins at Auditorium 7th-8th Grades:
7:00 pm Formal Uniform

**Please mark these dates on your calendar. Every musician is crucial to the success of the group and it is
important that your child fulfills their commitment to our band**

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 Director Contact Information
Julie Jolly: Email – Julie.Jolly@mnps.org
Helping Your Child Succeed in Band
Parental involvement and guidance are critical to a child’s education, especially with beginning band.
There are many things that parents can do to help ensure success with your band student.

How You Can Help Your Child Learn:

-Provide a quiet environment, music stand, and proper chair for your child to practice.
-Schedule a consistent daily time for practice.
-Remain nearby during practice times to encourage and support.
-Praise your child’s efforts and achievements regularly.
-Encourage your child to play for family and friends.
-Try to provide tutoring by an accomplished musician.
-Attend concerts and recitals with your child, encouraging them to experience a wide variety of music.
-Engage your child in conversations about music.
-Keep your child’s instrument in working condition.
-Encourage your child to play many types of music, not just study material.
-Help your child build a personal home library of recordings and sheet music.
-Encourage your child to make at least a two-year commitment to band.
-Show constant interest in your child’s progress and band activities.
-Show support by attending band functions and concerts.
-Talk with the band director on a regular basis about your child’s progress.
What To Do If Your Child Loses Interest:
Occasionally, students will become frustrated with progress on their instrument, especially when the
“newness” ends. It is important to help your child through these situations.

-Discuss the situation with your child to determine why their interest is declining.
-Talk with your child’s band director to see what might be done to stimulate interest.
-Encourage your child to continue for a specified length of time.
-Offer increased enthusiasm and support.
-Find new sources of inspiration such as live musical theater performances, different artist’s recordings
and concerts that feature your child’s instrument
-Attend band festivals, college band performances, community band and symphony orchestra concerts,
allowing your child to project their possible future musical experiences.
-Seek advice from parents of other band members.
-Find an older student mentor for support and musical interaction.
-As a last resort, discuss the possibility of switching to another instrument with your child’s director.