2023-2024 BAND HANDBOOK

Anderson Middle School

Ms. Mary Colligan, Room 107
mary.colligan@cuesd.com
Welcome and Introduction
Welcome to the Anderson Middle School Band! I am so thrilled for the start year and excited to be stronger than ever. Our
goal at AMS is to create musical excellence and understanding. This requires hard work and dedication to the art form of
music and performance. The purpose of this document is to act as a reference for both parents and students. All
procedures and policies are found in this book and any questions can be directed to my email which I
check every day. I reserve the right to make changes to this book throughout the year as needed.

Student and Parent Expectations-

“Students will” “Parents/Guardians will”

• Arrive in your seats, ready to play within three
minutes of the start of class.
• Be prepared with music, instrument, pencil
• Be focused with phones put away out of sight.
• Encourage and uplift other band members
• Arrive on time and perform their best at all
performances
• Maintain a clean band room/work space
• Come to class prepared for rehearsal and playing
tests.
• Complete and turn in quality and original work.
• Ensure their students have access to all their
materials (Binder, Music, Pencil)
• Ensure their students understand the phone policy
and refrain from texting/calling their students in
class.
• Ensure their students arrive in their required attire
and on time for performances.
• Ensure their students practice at home so they are
prepared for their assignments/tests.

Grading Policy
1. Daily Tasks 30%
2. Tests/Concerts 30%
4. Assignments 30%
5. Sectionals 10%

Daily Tasks will include preparedness for the day’s rehearsals. If a student is disruptive, non-attentive, or any other
behavior that is demonstrating their inability to participate fully in the rehearsal, they will lose points. Participation
includes having all materials (instrument, music, pencil).

Students will start with 100pts a trimester and points will be lost for the following infractions:

Points deductions
Late to Seat -1pt No Pencil/Pen at Seat -1pt No instrument -5pts No music/book -2pts
Leaving materials/instrument out after clean-up -1pt Eating in the classroom -2pts Conference/Referral -5pts

Rehearsal Procedures and Expectations

Come to class prepared to play with:
All issued music Instrument Pencil

• Quietly get the instrument out and warm-up independently. This is NOT phone or hangout time.
• During the course of the rehearsal students are to refrain from talking. When another section is rehearsing,
silently follow along, should you be called upon to join in, or critique the performance. This also provides
constructive rehearsal time.
• Students should stay in their seats for the entirety of class unless invited up or excused to leave their seats.
• No eating is allowed in the band room. It attracts pests and damages the instruments.
• Use of cellphones in class will result in the seizure of the phone and be turned into the office.
Phones should be put away in backpacks and NOT stored on the stands. If I see it, I will take it
away. This will result in the loss of points. Students can request that their phone be put in the
secure phone cabinet for the length of the class time if they would like.
Music/Instrument/Uniform Policies
Each student is assigned copies of all music, books, and handouts each trimester. If more copies are required for a student,
they need to put in a written request or make the copies themselves. I will not waste class time handing out music. Lost
music will result in the loss of participation points. All instruments and uniforms have significant costs. If there is loss or
damage to them from intention or neglect, the family may be responsible for the cost of repairs or even replacements.

Boosters
Anderson Middle School Band Booster Club is the main parental support group for the instrumental music department of
Cascade Union Elementary. This group has a history of supporting the program by fundraising, chaperoning, donating
materials or merely donating time. Your experiences, knowledge, and help at boosters meetings and in fundraising events
can help us as we reach for our goals!

Join Boosters and you’ll be able to make the biggest difference for your student! Remember!
Successful students have involved parents!

Instagram
I have a school Instagram that I created to share experiences, performances, trips, announcements, etc. I
suggest adding me! @ms.colligan

Practice Club
The band room will be open for extra practice after school every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:07-3:35. This is a chance to
practice without having to take the instrument home, get extra help from Ms. Colligan, or practice with friends!

Sectionals
Each band will have assign sectional times that occur once every week. As the school year gets situated, more information
will come home about the scheduled time. Sectionals are an opportunity for one-on-one, instrument specific help that will
prepare the students with more confidence and knowledge. They are a graded part of class and it is the responsibility of
the students to come to class during their assigned time!

Calendar
A calendar will be sent home late this month with any known dates of performances. I will send notice home of
performance dates through Parent Square, email, as well as with the students. Dates will also be posted on the school
website and through the daily announcements as well!

Concert Attire
A musical performance is a formal occasion, and our dress should reflect
that. Please keep that in mind when securing performance attire. Students
are required to wear specific attire for our main school concerts and
festivals. PLAN AHEAD NOW so there is not a scramble to find appropriate
attire in December for our first performance.

ALL BLACK BAND POLO, and black dress pants (no denim),
black socks, black dress shoes (no color) OR long black skirt. Black, closed
toed shoes. Please make sure knees are covered when in a seated position.

Band polos will be handed out to students one week prior to their
first performance this year. They are considered a school uniform and will be due by the end of year. All performances will
have students wearing the band polos and black bottoms. Lost or damaged band polos will result in a $25 fine.

Performance attire should confine to the rules of the school dress code.

If obtaining concert attire is a financial hardship for your family, please let Ms. Colligan or the office know and we can
make arrangements for your student before December.
Anderson Middle School Music Agreement/Contract (Initial and Sign Below)

Due:______________________

Parent/Guardian and Student Initial each line Below

____________I have read and UNDERSTAND the Anderson Middle School Cougar Band Handbook.

____________I understand and will follow the procedures and guidelines that are expected of both student and
parent.

____________I understand that the student will have required performances throughout the year and will be at
risk of failing if they do not attend the required outside events.

____________I understand that any damage done to school property including the room, the instruments, the
music, or uniforms, will require parents or guardians to replace it or pay for repairs.

____________I understand that the student will have daily assignments and will be required to practice outside
of school time.

____________I understand the multiple ways in which I can obtain information about upcoming dates, events,
and any required forms.

___________ I understand the expectations of me as a parent and of my student as a band member.

___________ I understand the responsibilities of finding appropriate formal concert attire for my student before the
first December concert.

Signature of Student:___________________________________________________

Print Student Name: _______________________________________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian:___________________________________________

Print Parent/Guardian name: ______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Email:________________________________________________

Student School Email:________________________________________________________

Permission to Use Photograph

I grant Anderson Middle School and Mary Colligan the right to take and use photographs and videos of my student in
performances. I am aware this could be used both in print and online publishing and will not be used for profitable gain.
These pictures would be available on both the school website, the department website, as well as the school
facebook/instagram account. These photos will NOT be used for personal or financial gain in any way. I have read and
understand the above:

Parent name: __________________________________________________________________

Signature of parent or guardian ____________________________________________________