Ishpeming Bands

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Ishpeming District Schools Band Program is to empower students to perform, enjoy, and understand music through a comprehensive curriculum, in keeping with each child's interests, needs, and abilities, contributing to the culture of the community.

Definition of Program

The Ishpeming School District Band Program shall be defined as the instrumental music program of the Ishpeming Public School District. The program includes: Fifth Grade Band, Sixth Grade Band, Seventh Grade Band, Eighth Grade Band, and High School Band, components of which include, but are not limited to: Concert Band, Marching Band, and Pep Band.

Director of Bands

The chief executor of the Ishpeming School District Band Program, responsible for all aspects of the administration of programs, shall be the Director of Bands. The Director of Bands is under the authority of the school principals and superintendent of schools.

Expectations

General Rules of Classroom Conduct

1. Be seated with music on stand, instrument in hand, prepared to play instrument at the start of class.
2. Remain quiet when the teacher/conductor gives instructions.
3. Raise hand and be recognized by teacher before speaking out in the class.
4. Respect the property of others and of the school district.
5. No beverages, gum, candy, or food are to be consumed in the classroom during school.

   Attendance & Performance Expectations

   Students are expected to attend and participate in all rehearsals and in scheduled performances (concerts & games). Varsity athletic students may be excused from performing at games where there may be conflicts in schedules. The attendance expectations apply to all rehearsals and performances during the year that may not be normally scheduled (i.e., band festivals, play-off games, parades, etc.).

   Concert & Performance Dress Expectations

   1. Students are to wear formal black and white at Concerts unless otherwise instructed by the director.
   2. Students must wear uniforms and/or shirts (supplied by the school district) when called upon by the Director. Students will be issued uniform pieces at the start of the year. Students will be charged a fee for uniform replacement for items not returned in good condition.

   Sheet Music and Textbooks

   The School District provides students with sheet music and method books for use. Students are expected to keep all music in good condition and return them at the request of the Director. Students may be charged a fee for music not returned. Students are assigned specific areas for music storage and are expected to utilize these designated areas. Students are encouraged but not required to purchase method books to keep.

   School-Owned Instruments

   In some cases, students may be issued school-owned instruments. Students must complete an Instrument Loan Agreement Form before acquiring a school-owned instrument. For the school year 2007, students using school owned instruments will be charged a $40 user fee for the school year.

   Instrument Maintenance Expectations

   All students are expected to keep their instruments in good working order. Students are also expected to supply their own auxiliary equipment (reeds, mouthpiece, lubricant, lyre, flip-folder, etc.). This expectation applies to students who rent/own their instruments as well students who use school-owned instruments.

   Competency & Performance Expectations

   Students are expected to attain certain standards of competence as defined by the Director of Bands. The Director may use quizzes and tests to measure student competency and may prescribe special methods to aid in a student's pursuit of musical excellence. Students are expected to practice outside of the classroom.

   Failure to abide by these expectations may result in grade reduction, disciplinary action, or removal from the program. It should be noted that the intention of all rules and expectations is to, 1) insure the best possible learning environment, 2) promote responsibility, and, 3) inspire each student to work as a team member.

   Student Assessment

   Grading Procedures

   Band grades are determined by the summation of points students earn. Students earn points through personal and group achievements and participation in activities, rehearsals, and performances.

   1. Participation in rehearsals/class (30%).
   2. Attendance and active participation in concerts and performances (40%).
   3. Written and performance evaluations (10% performance, 10% Theory quizzes).
   4. Out of class practice. Required in 5th grade, extra credit for all other grades.
   5. Organized and well kept music folder (10%).

   Grades will be with held if a student fails to return school equipment, uniform pieces, music, or designated fees.

   Fees: Hat-$38, Spats-$6.50, Cummerbund-$15, Plume-$14.25, Gauntlets-$5.75, Gloves-$2.50, Cords-$9, Bibs-$54, Jackets-$75, Bag-$4, Windbreaker-$30, Polo-$20, Tshirt-$9. Book-$7, Sheet Music-$.50/copy. Other equipment may be included. It is impossible to list all items.

   Chair and Band Seating Arrangement

   During the course of the school year, the Director may ask students to audition for chair placement.

   Switching Instruments

   Students are encouraged to stay with one instrument through the duration of their time in the program. Early in their commitment, however, students may switch to a different instrument if progress becomes too difficult on the initially-chosen instrument. The decision to switch instruments should be done under the advisement of the Director and should not be made in haste by the parent and student alone.

   Learning New Instruments

   Students who demonstrate exceptional musical proficiency may, under the advisement of the Director, have the opportunity to learn additional instruments. Students may be asked by the Director to play other instruments in order to achieve instrument balance in the band.

   Student Officers

   The Director may appoint certain students to positions of service and leadership. Those positions include, but are not necessarily limited to: Drum Major, Intern, Student Director, Section Leader, Librarian. Job descriptions and responsibilities may vary according to the discretion of the Director and by consultation with students.

   Band Trips

   The band may have opportunities to travel as a group. Students traveling with the band are at all times expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the policies of the School District and the Band Program. The Director reserves the right to make certain contingencies of students for participation on a trip (i.e., fundraising requirements, etc.). The Director also reserves the right to exclude certain students from participating on a trip for behavioral reasons.

   Classroom Discipline Procedures

   
   1) Verbal warnings 2) After School Detention 3) Referral to Principal's Office 4) Removal from Band Program

   Students may be given special assignments as a form of discipline in some cases when expectations are not met. For example, if a student fails to attend a scheduled performance, he may be given a writing or performance assignment, or an after school classroom assignment.

   Acknowledgment of Terms

   I, the undersigned, acknowledge the following statement as true:

   I have read the Band Handbook and Class Expectations and understand what is expected of my child. I will do my best to ensure that my child understands and follows the guidelines and procedures of the Band Program.

   ___________________________________________ _________________

   Parent/Legal Guardian Date

   I, the undersigned, acknowledge the following statement as true:

   I have read the Band Handbook and Class Expectations know what is expected of me as a student enrolled in the Ishpeming Public School Band Program. I will do my best to learn and grow as a good bandsman in keeping with the expectations of the Director.

   _____________________________________________ __________________

   Student Date

   Please detach and turn the Acknowledgment of Terms to the Director.

Appendix One - Ishpeming Bands Handbook

Band Class Participation Expectations

Be Respectful (be polite & courteous)

1. Of other people
2. Of school, classmates, and personal property

Be Ready

1. Be in the class room before the 2nd (tardy) bell. Class will start two minutes after the bell. Students will be in their seats. Director will be in the process of taking attendance.
2. Bring only instrument, music materials, and pencil to your seat.

Be Responsible

1. Give proper care to instruments and equipment.
2. Be sure you have all the music.
3. Store instruments in cases when not in use.
4. Store equipment in appropriate storage areas.
5. Keep school owned music in folders and storage slots.

Rehearsal Conduct (participation expectations)

1. Students will be in the classroom before the tardy bell rings.
2. Place back packs and non-band materials at the side of the classroom, not by your chair.
3. The rehearsal/class will begin when the conductor steps onto the riser after attendance. Students will be in their assigned seats with instrument, music, and appropriate materials.
   
   Special Expectations for Percussionists
   1. Team Assignments will be on the board. Each student is assigned to a team.
   2. During warm-ups (scales or in method books), all drummers should play practice pad, snare or any auxilary. Students need not be on the instruments assigned for the Teams.
   3. Students are to stand near the team's music folder during performance.
4. When rehearsal begins, there will be no unnecessary talking or playing. The rehearsal agenda will be on the board. Percussion students are prepared to perform in teams on assigned instruments.
5. If you do not have a piece of music that is scheduled to be performed, let the director know at the end of the rehearsal (fill-out a note card with your name and piece of music you need - place it on the conductor's stand). Read from a neighbor's during the class if possible. If you are the only one in your section, ask the music librarian to get it for you. Do this before the rehearsal begins. Be responsible for your own music.
6. Maintain proper posture and embouchure as you play.
7. No gum, food, or drinks are to be consumed in the room during class. Water bottles are allowed, however, please do not abuse the priviledge.
8. Rehearsals will end about 3 minutes before the final bell.
   1. Keep chairs and stands in an orderly row before leaving your seat.
   2. Do not leave any waste (reeds, etc.) On the floor or on the music stand.
   3. Put away your instrument and music. Percussion students must work together to put all equipment in the proper places.
   4. Wait for the final bell before leaving the room.
9. The black boards and white boards are for the teacher's use.
10. Practice rooms are available for student use by teacher permission only.
11. Percussion equipment is for percussion students use or by those with teacher permission.
12. To be excused from the room during the class period, the teacher must sign a hall pass.

Grades

A portion of a student's band grade is based on classroom participation.

Band Handbook

The band handbook contains all information about the Ishpeming Band Program. All students are expected to read and understand this information. A paper copy of the Handbook is available to all band students and it is also available on line at the Ishpeming Band Web Page. Search www.google.com for Ishpeming Bands.

Appendix Two - Ishpeming Bands Handbook

Band Class Grading Procedures

Ishpeming Bands Grading Procedures for Phelps Bands

Band Grades Are Earned by Participation and Achievement

1. Students will earn a Participation Grade, based on classroom participation
2. Students will earn a Practice Grade (Beginning Band Only)
   1. 75 min. Each week is required for 25 pts.
   2. 8 weeks will be graded.
   3. For each 15 min. Of practice, a student will earn 5 pts. For example, if a student practices 60 min. One week, he will have earned 20 pts. Out of 25.
3. Students will earn a Performance Grade based on achievement on playing quizzes.
4. Students will earn a Music Theory Grade based on achievement on written assignments.
5. Students will earn an Organization Grade based on accountability for equipment and music.
6. Extra Credit may be earned by extra practice (5 pts. For each 10 min.). Helping Mr. Korpi.

   Ishpeming Bands Grading Procedures for I.H.S.

Band Grades Are Earned by Participation and Achievement

1. Students will earn a Participation Grade, based on classroom participation.
2. Students will earn a Performance Grade based on achievement on playing quizzes .
3. Students will earn a Music Theory Grade based on achievement on written assignments.
4. Students will earn an Attendance Grade based on attendance at scheduled performances. For basketball games, 10 pts. Are earned for pre game, 10 pts. For halftime.
   1. There is no excuse for a missed performance. How can it be made up?
   2. An assignment may be completed to make up to 90% of the performance points. It is the student's responsibility to get the assignment sheet for each missed performance.
5. Students earn an Organization Grade based on accountability for equipment & music.
6. Extra credit may be earned by the following:
   1. 10 pts. For every 30 min of donated service to the band - worked assigned by director.
   2. 10 pts. For every 30 min. Of out-of -school practice.

   This is a listing of all currently scheduled performances. The indented or asterisk dates are the games we may not do.

   • Meeting time and place for basketball games (unless otherwise stated) will be 6:45 p.m. In band room.
   • For basketball games, the band performs @ varsity pre game and half time.
   • Students may miss one basketball game (20 pts). Extra credit points will be awarded for games not on the following list.

Appendix Three - Ishpeming Bands Handbook

Equipment Checklist (Organization Grade)

School Year: _______________________

Name of Student: _____________________________________

At the beginning of the school year, you will be issued some or all of the following items. You will be responsible to keep and maintain all school-owned items. Check and write down each item you receive. At the end of the school year, you will need to account for each item.

• Uniform

Jacket Pants (Bibs) Cumber bun

Hat Plume Spats

• Additional Uniform Piece (Warm-up)
• Polo Shirt #
• Music Folder. Write song titles. Do not include Pep Songs. Have in Folder When Turned In. Extra song titles or exercises write on back of sheet.

• Pep Folder with all 69 songs
• Additional Equipment



Mute Flip Folder Lyre



• School-owned instrument. What is it? Brand? (serial number #)

Organization Grade First Marking Period: _____________________

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