CALHOUN MIDDLE SCHOOL - Denton · PDF fileWelcome to the 2016-2017 Calhoun Band. ... Continued development of basic to intermediate skills in drumset styles and world music traditions

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CALHOUN

MIDDLE SCHOOL

BAND

HANDBOOK

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BAND

HANDBOOK

2016-2017

Table of Contents

Welcome to the 2016-2017 Calhoun Band…………………………………………………………….…….3

Calhoun Band Goals……………………………………………………………………………....…….……3

Calhoun Band Ensembles……………………………………………………………………………..……...3

Band Dues…………………………………………………………………………………………………....7

School Owned Instruments…………………….………………………………………………………….....8

Band Hall Procedures………………………………………………………………………………………...8

Grading Policies/Procedures…………………………………………………………………..…………....10

Eligibility....……………………………………………………………………………………..………..... 10

Equipment and Materials ...……...……....……………………………………………………………...…..11

Student Supplies…………………………..…..………………………………………………………..…...11

Band Officer Qualifications/Responsibilities…………………………………………………………….....11

Fundraisers………………………………………………………………………………..…………………12

Private Lessons…………………………………………………………………………………………..….12

Facebook ………….………………………………………………………..……………………………….12

Reminders…………………………………………………………………………………………………...12

Contact us………………………………………………...…………………………………………………12

Calhoun Middle School Band Agreement………………………………………….……………………….12

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Welcome to the 2016-2017 Calhoun Band! Welcome to the Calhoun Cougar Band! The band program will provide participating students with an enriching,

creative, educational, and rewarding experience. This handbook has been prepared for Calhoun Cougar Band students

and their parents to inform you of our band’s goals, objectives, and policies. The reason for these policies is to continue

to build a band program of the highest quality and to give every band student the best instruction possible. All students

and parents are expected to read the entire handbook carefully to avoid conflicts with the procedures and rules stated

within. We are extremely fortunate to have school board members, administration, faculty, and especially parents who

are committed and dedicated to creating and maintaining a band program of the highest quality! If you have any

questions or concerns throughout this year, please do not hesitate to contact us by either email or telephone or look at

our website, http://www.dentonisd.org/cmsband

Allison Suding (940)369-2468 [email protected] Director of Bands, CMS

Marco Gonzales (940)369-2430 [email protected] Associate Director of Bands, CMS

Phillip Elder (940)369-2225 [email protected] Director of Percussion, DHS

Calhoun Band Goals To instill an individual desire to succeed.

To promote cooperation and teamwork.

To promote respect for one another.

To express the aesthetic value of music through performance skills and theory comprehension.

To academically fulfill the state and district requirements for fine arts in the school curriculum.

Cougar Band Ensembles

Beginner Band The beginner band classes are comprised primarily of sixth graders and very few seventh graders. In the beginner band classes, students will learn basic and more advanced skills for playing their individual instrument.

Beginner band students are required to participate in all scheduled performances, all before and after school rehearsals,

and a band festival in the spring. Performances are REQUIRED because band is a performance-based class.

Beginner Band Objectives Demonstrate correct posture while playing an instrument

Demonstrate correct embouchure while playing a wind instrument

Demonstrate correct hand and stick position while playing a percussion instrument

Be able to produce a characteristic tone on your instrument

To understand and demonstrate various articulation markings; slurring and tonguing

Clap and count various rhythms that include whole, half, quarter, dotted quarter, eighth notes, and sixteenth

notes

Play nine major scales and arpeggios at least one octave and the chromatic scale

Develop technical motor skills such as tapping your toe to the beat and clapping rhythms at different tempos

Develop listening skills including intonation: the ability to play in the center of the pitch – not sharp or flat

Demonstrate correct knowledge of musical terms

Develop listening skills within small and large ensembles of alike and different instruments

To develop socially through large-group interaction

To develop personal and social self-discipline

Beginner Band Performance Expectations/Requirements Winter and spring concerts

3-4 after school rehearsals before each performance

Participation in Solo & Ensemble Contest

Passing off performance objectives each quarter

15-30 minutes of daily practice

Have all materials daily: instrument, band binder with music book, sheet music, handouts, and a pencil

Beginner Band Performance Attire Band shirt and school-appropriate blue jeans

mailto:[email protected]



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Pounce Percussion (7th/8th Grade Percussion) This group is comprised of all 7th and 8th grade percussion students in the Calhoun band program. Students learn and

perform specific percussion techniques and literature and are selected by audition to perform at various concerts and

contests with the Symphonic or Wind Ensembles. Performances are REQUIRED because band is a performance-

based class.

Pounce Percussion Objectives Demonstrate proficient achievement of 2 octave 12 major scales, minor scales and chromatic scale

Demonstrate proficient achievement of 20 Percussive Arts Society International rudiments

Basic 4 mallet technique

Continued development of aural skills including pitch and interval recognition, phrase structure and harmonic

progressions

Recognition of melodic motives and harmonic structure, including common chord progressions in classical,

jazz and world music styles

Introduction to beginner and intermediate drumline technique, including contemporary rudimentary styles

and composition techniques

Continued development of basic to intermediate skills in drumset styles and world music traditions of Latin,

Asian, African, Indian and Middle Eastern music

Introduction to jazz improvisation and harmonies

Continued development of small and large ensemble performance skills, including percussion ensemble and

full band techniques, following a conductor and ensemble balance/blend

Continued sight reading development, including counting, clapping and playing of intermediate to advanced

rhythms, recognition and understanding of meters, key signatures and common modes

Introduction to basic composition, including a student collaborative composition project performed by the

class

Understanding and consistent follow-through of classroom and performance procedures and personal

Basic care and maintenance of percussion instruments used throughout the year

To learn performance procedures including stage presence and perform before a live audience

To understand the consequences of individual actions at a group level

Pounce Performance Expectations/Requirements: (These items are graded)

Winter/Spring Concerts (parent transportation to and from)

Festival/Clinics/After School Rehearsals and Concerts


Have all materials daily!


Champions Recital

Percussion Bash Concert

Concert Band This ensemble is comprised of seventh and eighth graders in our band program. This band will review skills and

techniques learned during the beginner band year and work to advance them throughout the year. Concert Band

students are required to participate in all before or after school rehearsals and all scheduled performances and festivals.

Performances are REQUIRED because band is a performance-based class.

Concert Band Objectives Demonstrate ability to clap, count, and play sixteenth notes, triplets, and dotted eighth sixteenth note rhythms

To further develop listening skills including intonation

To comprehend musical phrasing

Learn the art of following a conductor in a large ensemble

Demonstrate ability to play in different musical styles

To demonstrate knowledge of nine major scales along with the chromatic scale corresponding with All-

Region requirements.

To learn performance procedures including stage presence and perform before a live audience


Concert Band Performance Expectations/Requirements: Winter/Spring Concerts (parent transportation to and from)

Festival/Clinics/After School Rehearsals and Concerts



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Symphonic Band This group is comprised of mostly seventh grade and some eighth grade band students. The Symphonic Band will

compete at the Non-Varsity level at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest. The standards are high for this group and

they play music that is technically and musically challenging. Symphonic Band students are required to participate in

all before/after school sectionals and all before or after school rehearsals. Performances are REQUIRED because

band is a performance-based class.

Symphonic Band Objectives Demonstrate ability to clap, count, and play sixteenth notes, triplets, and dotted eighth sixteenth note rhythms

To further develop listening skills including intonation: the ability to play in the center of the pitch – not

sharp or flat





District/All-Region requirements

To learn performance procedures including stage presence


Symphonic Band Performance Expectations/Requirements: Pep Rallies (during school day)

One to two MS Football Games (parent transportation to and from)


1 Festival (UIL/ or other local festival – school transportation)

Festival/UIL Clinics/After School Rehearsals and Concerts

UIL (during school day – school transportation)



45 minute sectional once a week (scheduled around most school conflicts)

Participation in Solo & Ensemble

Pass ALL classes to maintain eligibility for District Auditions, Region Auditions, and UIL

Participation in All-District tryouts if director feels you are prepared

Participation in All-Region tryouts if director feels you are prepared (school transportation to all

region)

Wind Ensemble This group is comprised of the most advanced seventh and eighth graders in the Calhoun Band program. The

Symphonic Band will compete at the Varsity level at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest. The standards are very

high for this group and they play music that is technically and musically challenging. Wind Ensemble members are

required to participate in all before/after school sectionals and all before or after school rehearsals. Performances are

REQUIRED because band is a performance-based class.

Wind Ensemble Objectives Demonstrate ability to clap, count, and play sixteenth notes, triplets, and dotted eighth sixteenth note rhythms

To further develop listening skills including intonation: the ability to play in the center of the pitch – not

sharp or flat





Region requirements



Wind Ensemble Performance Expectations/Requirements: Pep Rallies (during school day)

One to two MS Football Games (parent transportation to and from)


1 Festival (UIL/ or other local festival – school transportation)

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Festival/UIL Clinics/After School Rehearsals and Concerts

Recording Sessions during the spring semester

UIL (during school day – school transportation)



45 minute sectional once a week (scheduled around most school conflicts) Pass ALL classes to maintain eligibility for District Auditions, Region Auditions, and UIL


Participation in All-District tryouts

Participation in All-Region tryouts if director feels you are prepared (school transportation to all

region)

Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble Performance

Attire

Pep Rallies and Football Games o Blue jeans and band shirt.

All other stage performances o Black band polo shirt (embroidered with the Calhoun Band logo), black slacks or skirt, black socks,

black shoes.

o A portion of your band dues will go toward the purchase of an embroidered black polo shirt that

will be worn for concerts. Besides this shirt, students will need to provide their own “Concert

Black” – black bottoms, black socks/tights, black belt, and black shoes. See below for more

specific info for girls and boys.

Jazz Band This ensemble is for seventh and eighth graders interested in playing in the group. They perform music from the big

band, Be-Bop, swing, and rock eras.

Jazz Band Performance Expectations/Requirements Jazz Band meets AFTER SCHOOL from 3:45-5:15pm every Wednesday. All students in the band program are

welcome to be a member of jazz band. These students will play the same instrument as they do in their regular band

class unless they have received specific permission from Mr. Gonzales.

Students who participate in Jazz Band will pay a fee of $10, which includes the cost of festival entries

and transportation.

Continued absences from Jazz Band rehearsals will result in the student being dismissed from Jazz Band at

the directors’ discretion.

Jazz Band Objectives Demonstrate ability to perform different styles

Demonstrate the ability to play scales in different modes.

Demonstrate knowledge of different jazz musicians from different eras in jazz.

Introduction to jazz improvisation

Demonstrate ability to audibly identify different forms of jazz.



Jazz Band Performance Expectations/Requirements: Pep Rallies (during school day)

7th/8th Grade sporting event games.


Denton Arts and Jazz Festival

Chet Baker Educational Jazz Festival (Host Band)

1 to 2 Organized jazz festivals

Recording Sessions during the spring semester

Practice of 20-40+ minutes daily


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After school rehearsal on Wednesday from 3:45-5:15pm


Performance Attire for Jazz Band Blue jeans and jazz band shirt for most performances, black polo and concert black for designated performances.

Band Dues for Beginner Band ALL students are required to pay band dues. All Beginner Band students will pay $60 in dues. This fee covers: band t-

shirt, band binder and all its supplies (pencil pouch, pencils, highlighters, sheet protectors, dividers), method books, music, handouts, solo and ensemble contest entry fee, social events, entry fees for Sandy Lake, UIL, other contests and

festivals, and meals for those events. Until the dues are paid no student will be allowed to receive their band shirt or

participate in the activities covered by this cost. The dues do NOT cover instrument usage fees or payments for fee

waiver instruments. Dues are not refundable if your child becomes ineligible to participate due to failing classes.

Please make checks payable to CALHOUN BAND.

Although you may pay off the entire amount of $60 in advance, it is required to at least keep up with the following

installment plan:

September 2nd, 2016: first payment of $15

October 7th, 2016: second payment of $15

November 4th, 2016 third payment of $15

December 2nd, 2016: final payment of $15

Band Dues for 7th and 8th grade band students ALL students are required to pay band dues. All 7th and 8th grade band students will pay $85 in dues. This fee covers:

band t-shirt, black band polo shirt, band binder and all its supplies (pencil pouch, pencils, highlighters, sheet protectors, dividers), method books, entry fees for district and region auditions, music, handouts, solo and

ensemble contest entry fee, social events, UIL, other contests and festivals, and meals for those events. Until the dues

are paid no student will be allowed to receive their band shirt or participate in the activities covered by this cost. The

dues do NOT cover instrument usage fees or payments for fee waiver instruments. Dues are not refundable if your child

becomes ineligible to participate due to failing classes.

Please make checks payable to CALHOUN BAND.

Although you may pay off the entire amount of $85 in advance, it is required to at least keep up with the following

installment plan:

September 2nd, 2016: first payment of $25

October 7th, 2016: second payment of $20

November 4th, 2016 third payment of $20

December 2nd, 2016: final payment of $20

Replacing items covered by band dues Once the directors give a student ownership of an item they have paid for in their band dues, the student will be

responsible for that item. If an item needs to be replaced, the student will be fined for that replacement.

Fines for replacement items:

T-shirt: $7

Polo shirt: $15

Binder: $5

Method book: $9

Theory book: $5

Flip Folders & Lyres All Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band members must purchase a flip folder that is used at pep

rallies and football games. Lyres should be purchased if you play flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, or trombone.

Frequent supply checks will be made in class. If a student does not have all their materials when a check is done, they

may be moved down to last chair, points will be marked off their daily participation grade, a detention may be given,

and/or parents or guardians may be contacted.

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Flip folders and lyres may be ordered from:

Penders Music in Denton, located at the corner of Elm and Stroud St. 940-382-7124

Music and Arts Centers in Lewisville, located at 500 E. FM 3040, Suite 121 972-315-8400

***Flip folders and lyres must be purchased and brought to class by the end of the 2nd week of school.***

School Owned Instruments

For all students playing oboe, bassoon, tenor sax, bari sax, euphonium,

tuba, and percussion: An instrument usage fee of $125 charged is to all school owned wind instruments. These funds are used to do any up-

keep on the instruments as needed (cleanings, drum head replacement, repairs due to normal wear and tear, etc.). Any

repairs due to students mishandling or neglecting the instrument will be charged extra to the student (dents, stuck

valves due to irregular oiling, valve mechanism damaged due to mishandling, foreign objects found in the instrument,

etc.) For percussion, this also covers specialty mallets students are not required to purchase such as bass drum beaters,

gong beaters, triangle beaters, chime mallets, etc., as well as drum heads, and maintenance on percussion instruments.

Fill out the School Owned Instrument Form (provided to you by the band directors) and return by Wednesday, August

24th.

For all students in 6th grade percussion: Students in Beginner Percussion will pay only $50 for their first year, as they do not use as many instruments as our 7th

and 8th graders.

Fill out the School Owned Instrument Form (provided to you by the band directors) and return by Wednesday, August

24th.

For all students who qualify for FREE or REDUCED lunch: This program is for band students who are on the free/reduced lunch program and may qualify to use an instrument at a

reduced fee.

To qualify:

Apply for free/reduced lunch online through the DISD website. Students will not be approved for an

instrument until they provide proof of free/reduced lunch via the approval letter that DISD mails home.

Fill out the School Owned Instrument Form (provided to you by the band directors) and attach your notice of

approval for free and reduced lunch meals form.

Turn in both of these forms by Wednesday, August 24th.

Students must maintain good behavior in band class and keep the instrument in good condition. If the

instrument is damaged due to neglect or carelessness, you will lose the privilege of using the instrument for

the rest of the year and your schedule will be changed to another class.

Students who qualify for FREE lunch will pay a $25 fee to use a school owned fee waiver instrument.

Students who qualify for REDUCED lunch will pay a $50 fee to use a school owned fee waiver instrument.

Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch must still pay their band dues!

Usage fees are due September 2nd, 2016. Please make checks payable to CALHOUN BAND.

***Because of our increasing numbers in the band program, every school owned instrument will be used. Any student

using a school owned instrument will be held to a high standard of practicing and performance. If continual progress is

not being made, students on school owned instruments will lose the privilege of using the school instrument. To

continue in the band program an instrument will need to be rented or purchased from a local music vendor.***

Band Hall Procedures

Before School Procedures Every morning when you arrive at school, enter through the fine arts doors, put your instrument in your band locker,

and then go to the designated area of the school for your grade level to wait for the first bell to ring. If a sectional is

going on in the band hall, enter quietly and do not disturb the sectional. Student may arrive as early as 7:45am to

practice in the band hall or a practice room. No more than the allowed number of students per practice room at a time.

Practice rooms are first-come first-served.

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After School Procedures You must take your instrument home every day. You are expected to practice a minimum of 15 - 30 minutes, five days

a week. Do not hang around the building after school. The only band students allowed to be in the band hall after

school are those who have sectionals or private lessons.

Daily Classroom Procedures and Expectations Enter the band hall quietly (no running, yelling, or horseplay).

Put your personal belongings under your chair and out of the way.

Go to your band locker, put your instrument together, and take your seat.

Large instrument cases need to be left in your band locker.

During Rehearsal… Raise your hand if you have a question.

Listen attentively to the director.

Listening (not talking) = Learning

Please Do… Treat your band directors with respect.

Treat your fellow band classmates with respect.

Raise your hand if you have something to say.

Listen carefully to all directions.

Try your best.

Please Do Not… Bring food, drinks, candy, or gum into the band hall. Food & drink in the room will NOT be tolerated!

Detentions will be assigned.

Touch equipment or instruments that are not yours. Only percussionists can touch the percussion equipment!

Run in the band hall.

Use foul language. Inappropriate language is unacceptable!

Talk during class without permission.

Enter the director’s offices or music library without permission.

Tardies All students must be inside the band hall when the tardy bell rings. Those who arrive late, without a pass signed by a

teacher, will be assigned a tardy.

The director will take the podium to start class 3 minutes after the bell rings. Students must be in their chairs with all

supplies ready and instruments put together in ready position. Those who have not done so by 3 minutes after the bell

will be assigned a tardy. All tardies are submitted directly to the Calhoun administration, who will handle this issue

directly.

Calhoun Band Consequences Should a student not meet the expectations for behavior in band, the directors will administer the following

consequences:

Verbal or Non-verbal warning

Instructed to pack up his or her instrument and no longer participate with the rest of the class

Discipline writing assignment

Detention

Call to parents

Office referral to principal

Parent/Teacher/Principal conference

Removed from the band program

If a student is in ISS, Suspended, or in AEP for any reason (academics, disciplinary, dress code, etc.) during the

school year the band directors reserve the right not allow the student to participate in any reward parties or field

trips such as Contests, Six Flags, or other band parties.

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Grading Policies/Procedures

Attendance Students are expected to participate in band rehearsals and activities that are scheduled outside of the school day. We

understand that absences for personal illness and other extenuating circumstances are sometimes unavoidable. When

possible, parents/guardians should give advance notice to one of the directors. Unexcused absences from class or any

rehearsal or performance will result in a lowered grade or a zero for that particular event. Please make every effort not

to schedule doctor’s appointments, etc. during sectionals, rehearsals, and performances. Remember – each person is an

important part of the band program and cannot be replaced. Communication of attendance conflicts is an important skill

for students to develop. Development of this skill requires the continued assistance of the parents/guardians and the

directors. Please remember that it is always a good idea to have a written and verbal communication plan. The main

office does not tell the directors the details of a student’s absence or if it will be prolonged. Please call the band

hall at (940) 369-2468 or email a director to notify the directors of all absences.

Major Summative 60% Fine Arts examples only, not an exhaustive list:

Concerts

End of Unit Tests (Written)

End of Unit Tests (Performance)

Objective Sheet

Minor Summative 40% Fine Arts examples only, not an exhaustive list:

All classroom assessment criteria including, but not limited to:

Pretests

Music Theory

Fundamentals

Weekly Playing Quizzes

Technique Exercises

Scales

Sectional/Rehearsal Performance

Eligibility Band activities are divided into two categories: 1) Co-Curricular 2) Extra-Curricular.

1) Co-Curricular activities are not subject to the “no- pass, no-play” rule. They are treated as class requirements.

Examples of co-curricular activities: Winter/Spring Concerts, Pep Rallies, after school rehearsals, clinics, sectionals,

etc.

2) Extra-curricular activities are subject to the “no-pass, no-play” rule. Examples are: Football games, festivals, UIL,

Six Flags and other “reward” field trips. To participate in one of these activities the student needs to pass all classes. A

student is ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities for the 9 weeks period immediately following a grade of

69 or below in any subject. However, if after the progress report comes out, that student is passing all of their classes,

they become eligible at the end of the following week. Students have a responsibility to pass their classes to be eligible

for extra-curricular band activities. It has been our experience that the most common reason for failing a class has been

not turning in homework. Attendance is mandatory for any performance pending eligibility.

Equipment and Materials

Instrument Lockers Each student will be assigned an instrument locker to keep their band materials in during the school day. Please keep

lockers locked and clean. No instrument should be left in the band hall overnight or on weekends/holidays. This is a

security measure for the safety of the instrument as well as the home practice requirements. Students should not tamper

with other students’ locks. If a student loses a lock they must pay $5.00 to replace the lock.

Music and Binders Please take care of your music and band binder.

Put your name on your binder and all of your music

All markings on your music should be done in pencil. No pens.

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Band Hall and Practice Rooms These are your facilities and they should reflect your attitude towards the band program.

Show respect to each other by keeping all these areas neat and clean.

Absolutely no food, soft drinks, or gum will be allowed in any practice room or the band hall. Water only is

allowed. Students in violation of this rule will be given an AUTOMATIC DETENTION without a

warning.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the practice rooms to fulfill their practice requirements.

Students must ask permission to use a practice room. They will remain locked until the band director

gives this permission.

The same rules for food, drinks, and gum apply to the practice rooms.

No more than the allowed number of students per practice room at one time.

Practice rooms are for practicing, not socializing or doing homework.

Director’s Office The office is the director’s work area. Please do not come into the office without director consent. The telephone is for

office use. Students will only be allowed to use the phone in cases of emergencies with the director’s permission. A

phone is located in the main office for student use.

Chairs/Stands The chairs are for sitting only. Please keep all four legs on the floor. The band hall and large ensemble room chairs are

set up for the largest class. Please do not remove chairs from the rows. Music stands are for holding music only. They

are expensive to replace and can be broken easily by leaning or doing homework on them. Please help keep these for a

long time by taking care of them now.

Required Daily Band Materials Instrument

Pencil

Band Binder issued to you

Music

Band book(s)

Any handouts and/or notes given to you in class

Student Supplies All students are expected to provide the appropriate supplies for their instrument. Supplies may be purchased from one

of the band directors or at any music store.

Flute Cleaning/tuning rod, soft cloth/swab, metronome/ tuner

Reed Instruments Minimum of 3 good playable reeds, reed guard (case), cork grease, a swab for cleaning, metronome/ tuner

Brass Instruments Soft cloth for grease and oil, valve oil, slide grease, a cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush, a water spray bottle for

trombones, metronome/ tuner

Percussion Each percussion student will be provided with a list of recommended mallets and sticks the first day of school to be

purchased each year and continuing through high school. Percussionists will also need a metronome.

Band Officers Band officers are selected with great care by the band directors to represent the Calhoun band and go above and beyond

to make our bands outstanding. Band students can apply to be a band officer by filling out the form posted outside the

directors’ office and submitting it by Friday, September 2nd, 2016.

Qualities of a band officer:

Consistently on time and prepared for all required band rehearsals, sectionals and performances.

Has a positive attitude.

Demonstrates a good work ethic.

Treats all peers and adults with respect.

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Leads other band students by example.

Positively represents the band in the school and in the community.

If a student is selected as a band officer, he or she is expected to:

Maintain all of the qualities listed above.

Attend all band officer meetings.

Attend all band functions, including all performances and fundraisers.

Carry out all duties for his or her band officer position.

Fundraisers Sponsorship letters will be made available to send out to family members and friends. The band has already

drawn up a professional letter describing how a contribution to your child’s band dues can enhance his or her

education. You and your student will simply need to supply the names and addresses of those to whom you

would like to send this letter. Those funds will go directly toward your child’s band dues.

The Lollipop Fundraiser allows students to sell lollipops to other Calhoun students, family, or friends. Those

funds raised by your child will go directly toward your child’s band dues.

The Fajita Fundraiser will be held Friday December 9th, 2016. This will be the biggest money-maker for the

band all year, and will require a great deal of help from both parents and students. More information will be

distributed throughout the first semester. Students will sell tickets for this fajita dinner, at which we will have

the Calhoun Bands perform. These funds will go to the general band fund.

We are always looking for new fundraisers, and may add some opportunities throughout the year.

Please make any checks payable to CALHOUN BAND.

Private Lessons Private lessons are extremely beneficial for your child. Besides individual daily practice, lessons are the most beneficial

thing for your band student. Lessons are once a week for thirty minutes. All private lesson teachers hired by any

Denton school have been through an interview and approval process. The teachers are high quality, professional

musicians that teach around Denton and the Metroplex. Private lessons are available to all band students. This type of

one on one instruction will be extremely beneficial for your student. The lesson teacher will be able to customize the

time with each student to meet that student’s needs, whether they are beginner or advanced. This opportunity is similar

to learning to play basketball from Michael Jordan. These private teachers are the “Michael Jordans” of their

instrument. Lesson times are available before school, after school, and during the student’s band class. Students will

receive one 30 minute lesson per week. Lessons are required for all double reed students (oboe, bassoon). Lessons are

not required for other instruments, but are highly recommended to get your student ahead and performing at the top of

the class. They will make a tremendous difference in the success of each student and the entire band program. Our goal

this year is to have 25% of our overall band program in private lessons.

Please see the CMS Band website for a list of our private lesson teachers and their contact information.

Facebook Like us on Calhoun Middle School Cougar Band page on Facebook to stay up-to-date about band news!

REMINDERS Both fee waiver forms for students that qualify for free/reduced lunch DUE Wednesday, August 24th.

All forms must be filled out, signed and turned in by Wednesday, August 24th.

o You will need to initial on the blue Information/Medical Release form that you have read and

understand all the responsibilities outlined in this handbook.

Dues payments and all other fees must be turned in by Friday, September 2nd.

Contact us at:

Allison Suding

Director of Bands

(940) 369-2468

[email protected]

Marco Gonzales

Associate Director of Bands

(940) 369-2430

[email protected]

Phillip Elder

Director of Percussion

(940) 369-2225

[email protected]

Band Handbook Agreement: Please see the STUDENT INFORMATION/MEDICAL FORM sent home with your child where you

will initial the clause stating that you understand your responsibilities and your child’s responsibilities

pertaining to the band program, including all financial obligations, as outlined in this handbook.




Documents

CALHOUN MIDDLE SCHOOL - Denton · PDF fileWelcome to the 2016-2017 Calhoun Band. ... Continued development of basic to intermediate skills in drumset styles and world music traditions