HAMMOND MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND HANDBOOK





OBJECTIVES:



Increasing of students' technical proficiency on their instruments, including --

reading of music

tone quality

ability to play with good intonation

ability to play with attention to ensemble balance and blend, precision,

dynamics,and overall musical phrasing, style, and nuance

techniques indigenous to specific instruments.



Increasing of students' overall musicianship.



Increasing of students' knowledge of music theory and music history.



Increasing of students' appreciation and enjoyment of music.





ATTENDANCE:



Attendance is required for all performances and rehearsals, including any evening performances and rehearsals. Band is a school class and activity, and is thus a high priority. Under normal circumstances a student will be excused for the following reasons, provided that the director is given as much notification as possible--

illness

death in the family

religious confirmation or similar function

a commitment made to another organization before a commitment that we make, if a compromise cannot be arranged, though the director must know about it when he asks about problems before scheduling a commitment.



Please notify the director as soon as possible when a conflict or problem exists so the best solution can be reached.



Participation in band enables a student to put to practical use "life skills" such as being a person of integrity, honoring commitments, exercising self-discipline, being responsible, dependable, prompt, and empathetic to the needs and feelings of others. I feel that development of these is even more important than development of musical skills.



It would be fair to say that I am passionate about the importance of honoring one's commitments. So much time is spent in schools teaching facts and skills that often relatively little time is spent with things that are frequently even more important to success, such as dependability and the honoring of one's commitments. I believe that most people would agree that a commitment should be kept unless arrangements are made for an adjustment with the person to whom the commitment was made (except, of course, for emergencies). In the case of our band, we depend on each other to play our parts in order to produce a quality performance. When someone is missing, it is not just one person out of 70, it is usually one out of a small number playing a unique (for example, a 2nd trumpet) part. As with sectionals, if we had a "come when you feel like it" or "come when there's nothing else you think you should do" policy, we would not have an experience worth having for the students. A student who does not show up to a performance does more harm to the band’s performance musically than if the student wasn’t in the band at all. But to me, it is not the performance that is most important; it is the integrity shown by the honoring of one’s commitments. In attempting to prevent problems from occurring, I very clearly tell students they should not join one of the performing band classes unless they are willing to make a full year commitment to the band.



GRADING (when applicable):



performance in playing tests

performance in written tests

performance in performances

performance in band rehearsals

performance in sectionals

attendance*



*Attendance with proper equipment is, of course, necessary to participate properly in the band program. Students who miss a performance due to an unexcused absence may have their grade lowered by up to two letter grades. Students who miss a rehearsal that is scheduled outside of the school day due to an unexcused absence may have their grade lowered by up to one letter grade.



Extra-credit--contact director for details.



Improvement, effort expended, and pursuit of quality will be considerations in determining grades, along with attendance at performances, rehearsals, and sectionals (please see below) as well as appropriate conduct. A minimum of 30 minutes of intelligent, hard-working practice at least 6 days a week is encouraged. (Intelligent practicing means that the student should not just run through music, but should start slowly and gradually speed up, work out the challenging sections separately, and work out rhythms using a system of counting and foot-tapping. Of course, practicing on technical aspects of playing is also necessary.) Band rehearsals exist for the purpose of working on ensemble balance, intonation, blend, and certain aspects of precision, dynamics, and overall musical phrasing, style, and nuance. It is not a time for students to practice their music; that is best done on the student's own time. It is hoped that every student will do their individual practicing so they and the band can reach their potentials. Grades can be improved on an ongoing basis, and Mr. Miller will be happy to help.





SECTIONALS:



Teaching band is similar to teaching English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, and Latin all in one class. Whereas some of what is taught is common to all instruments or all languages, some is specialized and unique to an individual instrument or language. Additionally, it is easy to imagine the difficulty a foreign language teacher would have in deciphering what students were saying if they were speaking simultaneously in six different languages. Sectionals exist so the band director and the students can work on music, techniques, and theory that are relevant to specific sections of the band, and they are vital to a good band program. Though teachers will be notified of the sectional schedule, students, before coming to a sectional, should first go to the teacher of the class they will be missing and remind the teacher that they have a sectional during that period.





SEATING:



Though subject to change, seating will generally be determined by audition scores and grades. Generally, beginning of the year auditions will determine seating through the Winter Concert, and 2nd quarter progress report grades will determine seating through the end of the school year. The director may change seating at any time for any reason.





PRIVATE LESSONS:



Students are enthusiastically encouraged to take private lessons on their instruments. The director is not a specialist in all of the instruments (percussion is his specialty), and he does not generally see students on a regular one-to-one basis. Therefore, a private teacher would greatly aid a student in becoming a better player. Please contact the director for recommendations of teachers. If a student wants to study privately but is not able to for financial reasons, please contact the director. He may be able to work something out, and it will be well worth the effort. It is probably the single best thing a student can do to excel on a musical instrument!





HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUMENTS:



Students are also enthusiastically encouraged to have high-quality instruments. The student will sound better, and the band will sound better. Often, a high-quality instrument is motivational to students and may hold its value quite well. Please see the director before you purchase any instruments. A selection of instruments usually should be tried, since no two are exactly alike. Also, he can help you shop for the best instrument for the student's purpose at the best price.





ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:



Mr. Miller’s e-mail address is: robmilfam@verizon.net

(For most communication, I prefer to converse than write, so if you have a question, problem, comment, or anything else, please feel free to call me at--

home: 410-992-1933

school: 410-880-5830.

If you prefer, though, feel free to e-mail me.)



The Hammond Middle Band website is at: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6wvvs/ and is also accessible through the school’s website at: http://www.howard.k12.md.us/hms/ then click on HMS Staff, then click on my name.



Students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. If this does not occur, appropriate consequences will normally be chosen by Mr. Miller from the following:

A) Reminder

B) Note written by student for documentation

C) Conference with student

D) "Time-out"

E) Written plan for change

F) Practice following the rule (usually after school or during lunch)

G) Phone call or note home

H) Conference with parent(s) and student

I) Conference with administrator, parent(s), and student.

(When appropriate, Mr. Miller will work first with the student to help solve problems.)



Each student is asked to bring pencils to all band functions. Pencils are the only writing implement to be used on music; they should be kept on the music stand during rehearsals and practicing, and their use is encouraged.



Music that is distributed is school property, is to be returned when collected, and should be kept in good condition.



All students are asked to have the proper accessories for their instruments, i.e. extra reeds, valve oil, slide cream, mutes, etc.



Students are asked to take their instruments home every day, unless the student has one at home or has practiced in the band room before or after school. Please place names on all student-owned instrument cases. Students are asked to store their instruments in the band room during the school day, and to pick them up at the end of school.



Students are encouraged to see the director if more practice material is desired.



School-owned instruments and music are the responsibilities of the students, and the students and parents will be held responsible for their return in the same condition that they were loaned, aside from normal wear, or will be financially assessed. The instruments and music should receive the best possible care from all students. Please do not attempt repairs yourself; please contact Mr. Miller if an instrument should need repair. Please maintain your instruments properly, though; please see Mr. Miller if you need extra assistance with this.



Students should only touch their own instrument, unless permission to do otherwise has been received from Mr. Miller or the owner. The responsibility for the care of an instrument at any time is that of the person who is in possession of the instrument at that time. The director will not assume responsibility for instruments that are in someone else's possession.



Section leaders are encouraged to help individual section members and to schedule and run extra rehearsals.



Lateness can cause a band many problems, including leaving for performances without members, incomplete instrumentation, missed instructions, having one's instrument locked up while the band is in a different location, disrupted rehearsals or performance preparations, etc., so please be prompt.



Students receiving orthodontic treatment should take into consideration band performances before scheduling appointments or changes in appliances, since there is often a period of adjustment that is needed before they can properly play their instruments.



Symphonic and Concert Band members are making a full year commitment to the band, and should not join one of these groups unless they are willing to keep the commitment. Other alternatives exist. We depend on each other in a band, and personnel changes are very disruptive. I try to emphasize that whether or not people join a band or similar group is their choice, but once they have joined they are obligated to meet their commitments to the group, since the other members are depending on them. This, in turn, makes for a better experience for the group as a whole and for the group members individually. On the other hand, band members who do not want to be in the band can cause a lot of problems, so these students won't be forced to stay at the expense of the rest of the band. They will normally be asked to at least "give it their best" for a couple of weeks so they don't make a decision they would regret later. Often, for example, people make quick decisions when under a lot of pressure, and it's important to have a good perspective when making a big decision. Overall, we only want people in the band who want to be there; it's more fun for everyone. Please remember to talk to Mr. Miller if you have any problems or suggestions, though. He wants to make participation in the band as enjoyable and educational as possible.





UNIFORMS:



All band members are to wear the following uniforms at all band functions when required by Mr. Miller, in order to look good, encourage "oneness," and enhance pride:



BOYS GIRLS



White button-down shirt White blouse

Dark dress slacks Long (below knee) dark skirt or dress slacks

Dark socks Black or brown dress shoes

Black or brown dress shoes





RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:



Band rehearsals require a lot of self-discipline by members, and do not offer much social time. Band members often enjoy socializing with each other, and opportunities to do so are sometimes provided in the form of recreational activities. Unless otherwise specified, THESE ACTIVITIES ARE NOT SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES, AND IT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD THAT HAMMOND MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND MR. MILLER ARE NOT TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR OCCURRENCES DURING THESE ACTIVITIES. Of course, Mr. Miller will try to exercise reasonable supervision, and any parental assistance would be appreciated. But the RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE STUDENT AND HIS/HER TRANSPORTATION IS THAT OF HIS/HER PARENT(S). Parents are welcome and encouraged to come to these activities, whether or not they wish to assist. Student participation in these activities is optional, of course.