Click any of the links below for more information:
Preface
Contacting Information
Alcott Middle School Philosophy of Instrumental Music
Classroom Policies
Chair Tests
Concert Dress
Grading Policy
Private Lessons
Practicing and Commitment
Sheet Music Policy
School-owned Instruments
Trips
Materials
Jazz Band
Click here for a copy of the Band Handbook to print
Click here for a copy of the permission slip
Preface
This handbook has been written for the Alcott Middle School band members and their parents with the intent
of providing information regarding the purpose, procedures, expectations and activities of the band program.
All band students and parents are expected to read the entire handbook carefully to avoid conflicts
with the policies stated herein. As a member of the Alcott Middle School Band you have the honor and
responsibility of participating in an organization with high standards of excellence and pride. We are
extremely fortunate to have parents, administrators, faculty, and school board members that are committed
and dedicated to a quality band program. We look forward to having you a part of the band program!
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Contacting Me:
E-mail ryanm@norman.k12.ok.us
Website www.nhsband.net (You will be able to find almost any info you need here)
Phone 366-5845
The Band Hall opens at 8:35 which is the first bell. Students are not allowed to enter the building earlier
without permission. Students may enter the band room to put away their band materials in their cubby and
then go on to their locker and first hour class. Students that are found in the building before 8:35 without
permission will receive a consequence.
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Alcott Middle School Philosophy of Instrumental Music
A well-rounded education is enhanced by one of the most basic of all studies...the study of music. Music
develops self-confidence. Music teaches discipline. Music gives each student a feeling of pride and
accomplishment . Playing in band teaches students the importance of working with others and helps them
develop the social skills necessary to be part of a performing organization. Instrumental music engages students
in a group activity that allows them to use their free time constructively. Band instills values : responsibility,
purpose & direction, devotion to duty, spirit of cooperation, and sensitivity to beauty. Not all band students
become great musicians, but certainly all become more mature, cooperative, selfdisciplined, hard working
members of society with an appreciation of the arts. Music is a subject that affects all sides of a
student's personality. These include the intellectual, physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and social
aspects of a person. Pride and commitment to excellence are important elements of a quality organization.
External discipline creates internal discipline. This self-discipline demonstrates each student’s own initiative.
Pride is having a desire to succeed in what you do while respecting yourself and others around you. It is taking
what you do seriously while enjoying what you do. Pride is a state of mind. A person's quality of life is in
direct proportion to their commitment to excellence - whatever their field of endeavor.
Classroom Policies
1. Respect your fellow band members, band directors, and YOURSELF. We are a BAND FAMILY and should
treat each other in that manner. As an elective class, participation and membership in the Wildcat Band is a privilege.
2. No food, drink, gum, nor running in the band hall or practice rooms. The band hall facility is provided for you by
the taxpayers of Norman Public Schools. Take pride in keeping it clean and free from damage. Band Students
are the ONLY ones allowed in the band hall, non- band students must "check-in" with a band director immediately
upon entering.
3. Be prepared for each rehearsal. Bring the proper equipment and supplies (including a pencil) to every rehearsal.
Practice your part so that you are ready for the rehearsal both mentally and physically.
4. Lockers: Band Lockers are for musical instruments and music folders only. They are not for books, or materials
from other classes. You must shut your locker every day, if you want to use a lock that is great !
5. Communicate effectively and promptly regarding conflicts with the scheduled calendar of events.
CONSEQUENCES : The directors hold members of the Alcott Middle School Band program to high standards of
discipline. The actions of each member of the band program affect the overall image of the band in both the school
and the community. Students who choose band as their explo are among the best students in the school and discipline
problems should be uncommon in the Alcott band program. However, if discipline actions are needed, the following
consequences will occur.
1. Verbal warning &/or Written Warning
2. Removal from rehearsal, student conference, & possible detention
3. Detention, loss of chair placement, parent contact
4. Parent conference
5. Office referral.
Chair Tests
Performance tests in band are used not only for grades, but also for chair placement. Chair tests are held frequently,
typically on a bi-weekly basis. Therefore, there are many opportunities to compete for chairs. A student must be
present the day of the test in order to compete for a chair. If a student is absent, he/she will be able to make up
the grade for full credit but will not be able to compete for a chair. They will sit at the end of the section
until the next chair test. Concert chairs will be the exception, students who have an excused absence on a try-out
date will make up the try–out when they return to school and be placed in the appropriate chair according to their
performance.
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Concert Dress
Our concerts should be a source of pride to our students, staff, and school. Therefore, we will expect that students
performing in a band concert are appropriately dressed for the occasion. Students not following the dress code
will not be allowed to perform until the problem is corrected. The dress code found in the Alcott Middle School
Handbook will be enforced at all band functions! Please make arrangements now to acquire the appropriate concert
attire, please notify Mr. McKinney ASAP if you will not be able to acquire the clothes from this list.
6th grade gentlemen: Collared shirt or sweater (not a T-shirt), Slacks, Socks, Dress Shoes
6th grade ladies: Dress or Slacks/Blouse, Dress Shoes
* Note: Please be certain your choice of attire does not inhibit your ability to play your instrument in proper playing position.
7th and 8 th grade: Black polo shirt ($20) ordered through school
Black pants or skirt (appropriate length) - ALL Black
Black shoes and black socks or black panty hose that cover your entire leg while sitting.
Grading Policy
Performance Grades (50%):
Students will play assigned material for a grade. Students will also complete assigned quizzes, attend sectionals, and
other required rehearsals. The average of all these items will be used to determine the total performance grade.
A student may replay a playing test for a better grade before the grade cutoff. However, this replay will not alter
chair placement.
Participation Grades (20%):
Each student is expected to fully participate in Band class every day. If a student is unable to participate due to
forgetting an instrument, reeds, sticks, music, or does not participate in a positive manner, he/she will lose 10
participation points for the day.
Concert/Contest Grades (20%):
Every band student is expected to perform at concerts and contests scheduled throughout the year. Please
mark your calendars now! When a musical ensemble performs, everyone must participate to ensure a successful
performance. Those who have excused absences will be assigned an alternate assignment to make-up the
points. Those with an unexcused absence will receive a zero for the concert. Please contact Mr. McKinney
immediately in case of a conflict. In the event that there is not a scheduled performance in a quarter, an
assignment will be given in its place.
9 Weeks Test (10%):
The students will be assigned a 9 weeks test for each quarter. Students will be informed early in the quarter
of the contents of the test and may start taking it early. If a student is not satisfied with their grade they may
retake the test up until the last week of the quarter.
Extra Credit:
There are many opportunities for extra credit! These include attending concerts by classical, jazz, or teacher
approved performing groups. Proof of attendance will be necessary to receive the extra credit. Extra credit is
also awarded for participation in extra school ensembles (percussion ensemble, woodwind choir, jazz band, etc.)
The Private lesson activity is a critical factor in the success of the music program. All Students are encouraged
to take private lessons. Due to the large band classes with several different instruments, we highly recommend
that each student take the opportunity to study privately. The special attention of a steady, private study
plan gives the student a greater confidence and a more thorough understanding of the instrument. I will
have a list compiled in the first few weeks of school of recommended teachers available on the website
(www.nhsband.net).
Playing in the band requires some outside practice time. For beginning students we recommend 15-20 minutes
per day for the first month, increasing to 30 minutes after that. Practice is something more effectively done in
several short segments rather than all at once since you need to build muscular strength and control gradually.
Practice Guidelines for Parents
Your child's success in band will depend a great deal on what is achieved during daily home practice sessions.
Learning takes place in school, but proficiency is gained at home. You can use the following guidelines to help
your youngster at home.
TIME SCHEDULE
A half hour a day is the minimum amount of practice time recommended for the average student. Practicing
at the same time every day is good, but some flexibility should be built into this schedule. Don't bring the
world to a halt at 6:30 pm every evening because it's practice time - kids need time for fun and relaxation
just as adults do. If the situation merits, reschedule the practice session to an earlier or later time. Note:
Beginners ONLY need to practice 15 minutes per day the first month of school and then start 30 min. per
day after that. This is because their facial muscles have not matured enough the first month to handle 30
minutes of a practice routine without forming bad habits.
CLIMATE
Practicing should be done in an area that is free of distractions away from the TV, radio, stereo, and family
traffic. Good lighting, a straight-backed chair, mirror, metronome, and a music stand are definite assets. Reed
players should have several reeds available during the practice session.
ENCOURAGEMENT
Spend some time listening to your youngster practice. Offer constructive, criticisms. You do not need to
be a former band member or musician to be able to hear improvement. Encourage them to play assignments
and tests for you. Each time the student plays for a friend or relative, it helps them to feel more comfortable
with a performance or competitive event.
IS YOUR CHILD PROGRESSING?
For the beginning band student, the field of instrumental music is new for your child. He is learning to use
his facial and finger muscles in a different way and his breathing apparatus for a different purpose. There is
a new language of symbols (notes) that require the use of his mind and body to translate this into musical sounds.
All this takes time! Even parents who have had former instrumental experience have probably forgotten the
struggle of producing those first few notes and songs.
Parents can evaluate practice sessions by asking :
1. What is your assignment for today?
2. Am I hearing the same daily drill each day? It is important to play the daily drill before beginning the assigned material.
3. Am I hearing music that they can already play, or am I hearing attempts at new material?
4. Is the tone quality becoming more characteristic of the instrument, or is the tone harsh, unmusical, and unpleasant?
5. Does the familiar tune or exercise move along steadily with some sort of fluent rhythm, or is it halting and jerky
with no steady rhythm?
Learning how to practice is an important part of playing an instrument!
Practice Guidelines for Students
IT'S HOW YOU PRACTICE THAT COUNTS
Incorrect habits are sometimes more easily developed than correct habits, and a habit is hard to change so THINK
when you practice. Avoid simply going through the motions! Remember, the playing of your instrument comes
through development of coordination, just like any athlete. Patience is a virtue for the ambitious player.
1. Warm up correctly. Each instrument should have a separate warm up for home practice that differs from
the band warm up. Use a mirror and concentrate on tone quality and embouchure during long tone warm ups.
2. Set a goal for the practice session. Don't try to do too much at one sitting.
3. Isolate a problem or a section in a piece of music. It may be a rhythm, a measure, or a line of music. Repeat
it over and over many times - just like shooting baskets in the basketball goal. Practice it slowly at first,
and then gradually build up the speed using a metronome. Before you finish the practice session, play the
difficult measures with the rest of the line or exercise.
4. Correctly played Repetition of a problem area reinforces muscle and mental memory.
5. In difficult technical passages, change the rhythms and articulations in the practice session to develop even,
accurate, and fluid technique.
6. Practice involves learning and reinforcing areas that are difficult for the student. Practice, therefore, is not
always fun because you must play music that you have not yet mastered. Try to end each practice session
with something that is fun to play and that has already been mastered!
7. Structure your practice session to get the most benefit out of your time!
EXAMPLE OF A STRUCTURED PRACTICE SESSION
Material Practiced Time (minutes) Goal
1. Warm up and daily drill: 5 - 10 Fundamentals: tone, (long tones, scales, lip slurs) breath control, embouchure,
technique, tonguing, etc.
2. New material and assignments 10 - 15 Develop new technique, increase range, expand capability of student
3. Previous and continuing material 10 - 15 Improvement of finger dexterity, tonguing, tone, musicality, etc.
4. Personal music choices 5 - 10 Enjoyment!
The practice session will vary depending on assignments and time constraints. The more consistent you
are with practice time, structure, and climate, the better your results will be. Efficient use of time is
important in your busy schedule.
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Sheet Music Policy
1. You are responsible for replacing your music if it is lost.
2. Some materials that will be passed out will be available to download from our website. (www.nhsband.net)
3. You will need to see me after school or make other arrangements to meet with me to get the music and go
copy it in the library, outside of band class .
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School-owned Instruments
The school may provide the following instruments to students: oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor and
baritone saxes, French horn, baritone/euphonium, tuba, 7 th grade percussion spring semester, and
8th grade percussion all year . The upkeep for school owned instruments are $40 per semester or $80.00
per school year, and $40.00 for summer. Once checked out, the student and parent/guardian will be
liable for the instrument, including repair and loss. Please refer to your user agreement signed at the time
of checkout.
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Trips
The band will take trips to rehearsals and contests. Students are to follow the rules set forth in the Alcott
Student Handbook and the Alcott Band Handbook. Any student not following these rules will be subject to
disciplinary action. Represent our school to the best of your ability!
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Materials
In addition to an instrument and appropriate accessories, each student is required to have a pencil, and a 1”
black notebook. There is also a method book for each grade level, which each student must provide. These
are listed below and are available at local music dealers.
Sixth grade: Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 & 5 minute theory by Mark Wessels
Seventh grade: Essential Elements 2000, Book 2
Eighth grade: Foundations for Superior Performance
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Jazz Band
The Alcott Jazz Band will hold auditions at the beginning of the year for 7 th and 8 th grade students that are
interested in participating. The Jazz Band meets after school 1-2 days a week for rehearsals from 3:45- 4:30.
AMS Band Calendar 2007-2008 Posted on the front page on Airset calendar. Written copy posted soon.