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2016 - 2017 HS Handbook aconia High School Band Handbook 2015-2016 PURPOSE Dear Parents/Guardians and Students: Welcome to the Laconia Band Program! I hope you have had an enjoyable summer and are looking forward to the upcoming school year. In this handbook you will find policies, procedures, and other important information regarding the Laconia High School Band Program. Please take the time to read this material, as the success of our band depends upon each individual working toward the same goals. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at school. Thank you for your interest and support of the Laconia High School Band Program. I am looking forward to working with your children and meeting with you at our upcoming events. Sincerely, Mr. James R. Blashe Mr. Wayne Weber Director of Bands Principal Phone: 920.872.2161 x5380 Email: blasjam@rbsd.k12.wi.usCLASSROOM RULES AND EXPECTATIONS Rules: 1. Be respectful of everyone and everything in the classroom. 2. Bring all materials to class with you. This includes music, instrument, pencil, reeds, valve oil, etc. 3. Raise your hand and be recognized by the teacher before speaking. 4. No food allowed in band room. Water only will be allowed. Expectations: 1. Students will support and respect each other and each other’s ideas and thoughts. 2. Students will learn about and appreciate the different styles, eras, and types of music. 3. Students will learn the theory and the mechanics of music. 4. Students will achieve an increased understanding of how music is created. 5. Students will work together to accomplish a common goal – to create good music! Consequences: Step One: Warning or reminder of the rule. Step Two: Student/Teacher discussion after class Step three: Detention Severe Discipline Clause: In the event of any damage caused to equipment, danger to another student or teacher, disobedience to teacher, or vulgar communications, student can be temporarily or permanently suspended from the band with no warning given.GRADING POLICIES This grading procedure is based on the fact that the quality of a band program is tied directly to the commitment of its members to self-improvement and to the band program as a whole. We aim for excellence in everything we do! Students’ grades will be based on the following: Rehearsal Points (weekly): Students can earn up to 10 points weekly for participation in class. This includes effort, contribution, attentiveness, and attitude. Lesson/Scales Points: Occassionaly students will be asked to come in for a lesson or performance assessment. These will be worth 25 points. Assignments: Assignments generally will be worth 15 to 25 points each. Performances: Concert performances are similar to exams for band class. Concerts are worth 100 points each. Pep Band: Participation in band includes being a part of the Spartan Pep Band. Performances include home football, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling matches. STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS (WRITTEN OR PERFORMED) THAT WILL BE USED TO TRACK STANDARDS KNOWLEDGE. THESE WILL NOT BE USED FOR GRADING PURPOSES.CONCERT ATTENDANCE POLICY Concert time can be the most exciting time for ensembles. It is the finished product after many, sometimes difficult, rehearsals. Concerts are our opportunity as musicians to “show-off” our work. Because performing is such an important part of the musical experience, we will be performing multiple times throughout the year. Please mark the dates on your calendars. There may be some revisions to that schedule during the year. I will notify you of any changes. These concerts are a requirement of the class. They are equivalent to a final exam for that grading period. Students may not miss a concert without a prior excuse. Every person is important and has an effect on the sound and quality of the band. If you are sick the day of the concert you will need to ask for an additional assignment to make up the points that you did not earn from the concert. Please inform your employers of your concerts and take the necessary measures to take those nights off. I also ask families planning vacations, medical appointments, or other events to consider our concerts as an important event to be scheduled around. To be excused from a concert, a parent must contact me 2 weeks in advance. If an emergency arises between the end of the school day and the time of the concert, please leave me a voicemail before the concert by calling 920-872-2161 Ext 5380 or by email at blasjam@rbsd.k12.wi.us. Notification after the concert may not be sufficient to excuse a student from a concert and could result in a lowered grade. An alternative assignment will be given to students who are excused or sick and miss a concert.Concert AttireAll bands will dress in any combination of Black and White. At some concerts an accent color may be added. You are not required to use the accent color. The following are not permitted: T Shirts, shirts with writing on them, jeans, shorts, unclean or generally ratty looking clothes, tennis shoes, school inappropriate clothes involving dresses that are too short, too low, or expose the midriff. Your job is to look professional. If your attire is inappropriate as judged by your section leader and the director you will not be allowed to perform until you have fixed the problem. Failure to perform will be treated as a skipped concert (see above).Pep Band DatesPep Band dates will be published in the band room and on the band page. The band plays all home football games, Parents Night Volleyball, Parents Night Wrestling, Boys and Girls Basketball games plus all tournament games played at home. Other performances and tournament play may be added. Students are expected to be at pep band if possible. The sign out sheet is on the band office door. If you cannot make the performance that night, you need to cross off your name on that sheet and you will be excused. Points towards grades are earned through pep band attendance (1 point) or crossing off your name (.5 point). Students in the sport that the band is playing for will earn 1 point per contest.Solo-EnsembleSolo and ensemble is not required, however, it is highly encouraged. Students wishing to participate must have music selected early to allow ample time to prepare. I will be available for private or small group lessons to help you prepare for the event. I strongly suggest that you take advantage of the lessons to ensure your highest quality performance. I want you to succeed. Please see me for further information if you are interested. Students will present a preview performance approximately one month before the event. Students who do not give an adequate preview will not be allowed to participate at the district festival. Students wishing to participate must pay a one time $10 fee to aid in the registration costs. Students participating in both choir and band will have to pay the registration costs for both groups, $20 total, if performing in Solo-Ensemble for both groups.FeesThere will be a limited resale of reeds, oil, flip folders and other equipment. Prices will be posted. Please plan accordingly as all items must be paid for. I recommend buying reeds by the box to avoid any problems. Each percussion section will be supplied with all the mallets and toys. Intentional damage to percussion equipment will be billed to the student. ALL PERCUSSION MEMBERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR OWN SNARE DRUM STICKS (INCLUDING MARCHING SNARE DRUM STICKS.) Sticks required for class: Concert Snare – Vic Firth SD1 Marching – Vic Firth Ralph Hardimon Nylon TipFund Raising PolicyThroughout the year the band may be doing fund raising to help students with the cost of trips. Profits from the fundraising go into the students band account. This money can only be used for the trip. A student cannot use the fund for petty cash on the trip if they have earned more than is needed. The student or a sibling can only use the money in a students’ account; it cannot be transferred to another student. The money is non refundable. This includes if you stop playing in band, move to another district or any other reason.2015-2016 DISTRICT MUSIC DATESTuesday November 3 - early Vocal Solo-Ensemble at Mayville TBDFri/Sat/Sun November 6/7/8 - Musical Thursday November 12 – Just Jazz Concert 7:30pmMonday Dec. 7 - District vocal concert (RI/Brandon/Lac) 7:30PM Thursday December 17 – Laconia Band 7:30pmMonday January 11 – BR Band Winter Concert @ Brandon 7:00pmThursday January 21 – RI Band Winter Concert @ Laconia 7:00pmMonday February 8-RI 4-6 Concert @ Laconia 7:00 pmMonday February 22-Brandon 4-6 Concert @ Brandon 7:00 pmSaturday February 27 – Vocal/Piano Solo-Ensemble at WLA TBD Saturday March 5 – Instrumental/Piano Solo-Ensemble at WLA TBD Tuesday March 8 – Laconia Band 7:30pmTuesday March 15 - Laconia Choir 7:30PMThursday March 17 - Large Group Vocal Contest TBDThursday, March 31-Brandon K-3 7:00 pmFri/Sat/Sun April 1/2/3 - PlayMonday, April 11-Rosendale Primary K-3 1:30 and 7:00 pm Tuesday April 12 – More Just Jazz 7:30 pm Wednesday April 27 – Laconia Band 7:30pm Saturday April 30 – State Solo & Ensemble TBDMonday May 2 - Laconia Choir 7:30PM Wednesday May 11 - Open House / Polka Fest Friday May 13-Sunday May 15 – Laconia Band/Choir Trip OhioTuesday May 17 – RI Band/Choir Concert @ Laconia 7:00pmTuesday May 24th – BR Band/Choir Concert @ Brandon 7:00pm Monday May 30 - Memorial Day TBD Sunday June 5 - GraduationPEP BANDFOOTBALLFri Sept 4 – vs. Lomira 7pmFri Sept 25 – vs. WLA 7 pmFri Oct 2 – vs. Mayville 7pm HOMECOMINGFri oct 16 – vs North Fondy 7pmBOYS/GIRLS BASKETBALL11.17.2015 Tuesday Poynette 7:15 Girls Pep 11.19.2015 Thursday Elkart-Glen 7:15 Girls Pep 12.1.2015 Tuesday Ripon 7:30 Boys Pep 12.8.2015 Tuesday Omro 7:30 Girls Pep 12.10.2015 Thursday Winneconne 7:15 Boys12.22.2015 Tuesday St. Mary 7:30 Girls1.5.2016 Tuesday Waupun 7:30 Boys Pep 1.7.2016 Thursday Lomira 7:30 Boys1.15.2016 Friday Omro 7:30 Boys Pep 1.19.2016 Tuesday Lomira 7:30 Girls Pep 1.22.2016 Friday N. FDL 7:30 Girls1.26.2016 Tuesday Mayville 7:30 Boys1.29.2016 Friday WLA 7:30 Boys Pep 2.4.2016 Thursday N. FDL 7:30 Boys2.9.2016 Tuesday St. Mary 7:30 Boys Pep 2.11.2016 Thursday Mayville 7:30 Girls PepDates for Parents/Senior nights have not been set. Will update when available.Wrestling Parents and Volleyball Parents night will be scheduled in fall. Will update when available.All performances are important. Please make the necessary arrangements with work, etc. for pep band, parades and Memorial Day. The Eldorado Parade is always the 3rd Sunday in July.DUE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11THPlease review this information – performance dates! – with parents. Sign and return the sheet by Friday September 11th. (Student) I have read and understand the Band handbook policies. (Parent/Guardian) I have read and understand the Band handbook policies.Any questions or concerns can be directed to the director. All concerns will be addressed to better accommodate students and make the band experience a positive one!