Welcome to CK Price Band!
Parents, I want to thank you for your support, and particularly for encouraging your child in his/her study of music. The strength of support for music from the Orland community is legendary!
Students, I want to thank you for your desire to pursue music. We are going to have a great year!!
To help us have the most successful year possible, I would like to share several goals for the band program this year:
- To establish a means of self-fulfillment as well as a lifelong recreational outlet through the development of the student's musical ability.
- To provide a fundamental background in music appreciation, theory and instrumental technique, skills and knowledge necessary for independent musicianship.
- To promote responsibility and good citizenship through participation in a band organization.
- To encourage self-discipline as well as team cooperation through the mutual goal of musical achievement and excellence in performance.
- To give those students who may choose music as a career a positive, encouraging and successful early experience.
Fine musical performance goes far beyond just playing all of the notes correctly. Expressive, meaningful, musical performance requires more. It requires you to give a part of yourself. True instrumental performance is a visual as well as aural experience.
The CK Price band program is not only a place for students to be involved, but also for you as parents. Most band programs do not function well without the assistance of parental involvement. There are several ways to keep our communication lines open during the school year:
- E-mail: jenise.coon@orlandusd.net
- Phone calls: Call Mrs. Coon at 865-1225 ext.733
- Letters and other information sent home- please check your student's backpack regularly, or ask if there are any important events coming up!
Band Course Description
Band students will focus on instrumental techniques, music reading and writing, marching, concert performance and more. Advanced Band students will also attend Band Festivals and events which are helpful in learning about band performance practice and techniques. This is a full-year class which includes school and evening performances as part of the grade.
Daily Supplies Needed
- Beginning Band: Standard of Excellence Book 1 (red book)
- Advanced Band: Standard of Excellence Book 2 (blue book)
- Instrument in Good Working Order (with GOOD REEDS if needed).
- Percussionists need their own pair of 5B drumsticks.
(Hometown Sports and Music is located at 314 Walker St. In Orland 865-4178)
- Pencil, paper:
- Students will provide their own (sharpened) pencil and (lined) paper, kept in their folder at all times. Pens (including erasable pens) are NOT allowed. Students will frequently write notes, journals, concert evaluations, and complete assignments, quizzes and tests.
- 3-Ring Binder, music:
o Students will need to bring their binder containing music for rehearsals each day. Students are responsible for their borrowed sheet music until they are
checked back in. All folder and sheet music must be returned in good
condition. Music should be kept in clear plastic sheet protectors in the binder.
BAND Uniforms
CONCERT: 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade boys and girls will wear black pants or skirts, white shirts or blouses, and black shoes. This is different than previous years! Short or long-sleeves are fine, please- no miniskirts for the girls. CK has a limited supply of black pants and white shirts to check out if needed.
PARADES: White marching band jacket, black bibber pants, shako or beret will be issued to each student. All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students will march in the Orland Fair Parade. There is a $200 fee for lost or damaged marching band uniforms.
- Black shoes and socks for all occasions- comfortable enough for marching.
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Grading - 50 %
- Daily Grades (participation, skills demonstration)
- Sight-reading and Ear-Training
- Practice Journals
- Folder/Pencil Checks
- Written Assignments & Quizzes
- Citizenship ***BEHAVIOR***
Concerts (MANDATORY): 50%
- December: Winter Concert
- March: CMEA Band Festival
- April: Concert in the Park
- May: Spring Concert , Possible Big Field Trip (pending fundraising), Orland Fair Parade
- *Chaperones/help needed at every event! If you would like to help, please ask!
EXPECTATIONS (Rules)
Each band member is expected to follow the expectations listed below to increase his/her success in demonstrating his/her skills.
· Be in assigned seat when bell rings
· Have folder & pencil ready when bell rings.
· Exhibit excellent posture
· Maintain consistent focus
· Demonstrate mutual respect (no put-downs, giggling, shouting out)
· Display a positive attitude
· Be a team player
· No gum, candy, cell phones (no texting). Cell phones will be taken to the office for your parents to pick up, no exceptions!
· The bell does not dismiss you, the TEACHER dismisses you! Please stay still in your places until Mrs. Coon dismisses you.
· NO "arguing with the ref" please.
· ABSOLUTELY NO TALKING IN CLASS UNLESS CALLED ON.
Citizenship, Behavior & Discipline
***Students with 2 or more detentions given by Mrs. Coon will NOT be allowed to attend the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Music Festival field trip.
Some of the common methods I employ to assist students with behaviors include:
- Clear and high expectations with lots of positive reinforcement
- Verbal warning or "the look"
- Quick conference after class
- Extended problem solving conference before or after school (5-10 minutes)
- DETENTION with Mrs. Coon before or after school. The student will help clean and organize the music room as needed.
- Contact parent for ideas or help: phone, email, note home.
- Contract with student which may involve parents and/or other teachers, counselors, etc.
- Office referral & Detention
- Conference
Concert Attendance
All students are required to attend concerts unless they are excused by Mrs. Coon or they are ineligible (such as if suspended). Students are given a test grade based on performance, concert etiquette, and conduct. Notice for all concerts and rehearsals will be sent home in ample time to plan accordingly.
I will give make-up assignments when necessary for excused absences; however, it is impossible to re-create the atmosphere of a performance when it has been missed. The importance of each student's individual participation in the concert cannot be stressed enough, as every student has worked both individually and within the group to master the material for presentation at the concert. Attendance is both critical and mandatory!! Please see the important information below on what constitutes an excused or unexcused absence.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES from a performance: (Can be made up)
An excused absence is one that has been approved by the director and is accompanied by a written note or e-mail from a parent. I need to be made aware of these absences as far in advance as possible. I understand that there might be times of emergencies, illnesses, and sudden deaths in the family that can occur. These types of situations will be excused, but I will need a written note from the parent to provide documentation of a student absence.
Examples of excused absences:
o Significant Illness
o Family Emergency
o Death in the family
No absence will be excused the day of the performance or rehearsal other than those listed above.
Make-up Work: Students have one week from the day it is given to complete a make-up assignment. Students will be expected to use outside resources (library books, the internet) to complete the assignment.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES from a performance: PLEASE READ!!! (CanNOT be made up):
Unexcused absence from any performance will result in term grade lowering of up to two letter grades (For example: "A" grade becomes "C" grade)
An unexcused absence is one that has not been approved by the director and is not accompanied by a written note or e-mail from the parent.
Examples of unexcused absences:
- Lack of transportation
- Forgot
- Overslept
- Birthday party
- Baby-sitting
- Other events (sports, dance, recitals).
- Homework
- Shopping
· Didn't feel like going- nervous, etc.
Here's how you can help: REGULAR PRACTICE TIME
1. Provide a quiet place in which to practice.
2. Schedule a consistent daily time for practice. 15-20 minutes is enough, but it's the "consistent daily" part that is by far the most important part.
3. Remain nearby during practice time to offer help and encouragement. Have your child practice problem spots (spots where they stutter) until they can play it three times without a mistake (START SLOW) or ten times maximum in one sitting.
4. Praise your child's efforts and achievements on a daily basis. See the tips below.
PRIVATE LESSONS
As with any skill, learning to play a band instrument is best done "one-on-one." Unfortunately, this happens only occasionally in band class. Ask me where you can get private lessons. Often the students who go to the various honor bands end up teaching others when they are older.
TIPS TO PROVIDE ENCOURAGEMENT
1. Invite your child to play for family and friends.
2. Provide incentives to practice - i.e. t.v., games, visiting a friend
3. Offer compliments and encouragement on a regular basis.
4. Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including live concerts and solo recitals. High schools, colleges, and churches are excellent sources of live performances.
5. Ask them to talk with you about their band class and their assignment on a regular basis.
6. Visit your child's band class early on to get a first hand idea of how students are taught.
7. Make sure your child's instrument is in good working order.
8. As soon as your child develops some ability on his or her instrument, urge him/her to play a variety of music - not just the pieces in the method book. A number of play-along tapes and CDs exist that can enhance their music learning experience - such as "Film Favorites" and "Disney Favorites."
IF YOUR CHILD LOSES INTEREST
1. Don't panic. Most children get discouraged AT LEAST once during their musical lives. Be patient, loving, listening, and do these other steps.
2. Discuss the situation with your child to determine the reason before it's too late to do anything.
3. Talk with the band teacher. She cares A LOT and sometimes sees the discouragement after it's too late to do anything.
4. Encourage your child to stick with band for an agreed period of time.
5. Continue to offer daily enthusiasm and support.
6. Help your child to see the opportunities to develop good friendships, to go to new places, play new music, and make memories that will last a lifetime!
Concert Etiquette- For Parents and Students!
- Formal concert etiquette will be taught during class and expected during all formal concerts
- and performances. Parents can help reinforce the following basic behaviors:
- Arrive early and stay until the end. It is discourteous to arrive late, to still be settling once the program has begun, or to leave before it is over.
- If you must enter or leave during the program, do so discretely and in between performances, during the applause. We don't want to do anything to distract the performances.
- Silence cell phones and watches.
- Sit still, quiet and be attentive: Avoid any noise-making or distracting behaviors, and especially during a performance: talking/whispering, unwrapping candy, moving around in your seat, passing notes, etc.
- Do not tap, snap or clap along with the beat of a song unless invited to do so.
- Applaud enthusiastically! Applause is what affirms to the performers that the audience is enjoying and appreciative of their efforts.
o The conductor and any guest soloists are applauded when they walk onto the
stage.
o Applause for the music is held until the end of each selection or until the end
of the entire performance of an extended work.
o Applaud when the conductor turns toward the audience and bows.
o Standing ovations are acceptable for particularly moving performances.
- Catcalls, whistling, or other loud audible noises are best reserved for athletic events
- or other activities that elicit exuberant responses from audience members and are
- not considered appropriate at formal concerts.
- When young children attend formal concerts, they learn to be good audience participants. Crying chattering and otherwise noisy children, however, should be removed from a performance immediately and should return only if such behavior does not recur.
Transportation To And From Music Events
Please make sure that you have made arrangements for your child to be transported to and
from music events. This is to protect your child and insure that he/she is in a safe environment. Please pick your children up on time after events, or better yet, stay and watch! If a child is left waiting for a parent, we as the directors are obligated to wait with him/her, but we are NOT allowed to take him/her home.
Fundraisers
Fundraising provides many opportunities that could not otherwise be managed with our
regular budget: sheet music, uniforms, equipment, field trips, busses, and much more. All Band Members are expected to participate in fundraising activities if possible.
*In the past, some families (grandparents, etc) have asked if they can donate to the CK Music Department. If someone wishes to make a donation they may take it to Mrs. Zaragoza at the front office or to Mrs. Coon- they will be issued a receipt. J
CUT HERE J- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*This is the page to return to Mrs. Coon ASAP. Don't forget to fill it out and have your parent sign it as well! J
DATE CALL P
. Volunteer checklist
Orland families are great music supporters! A successful choral program depends on, among other things, strong parent support. Here are ways to contribute:
- Attending concerts is fundamental, and cannot be understated. When parents make the concerts a priority to attend, the students learn that what they have to offer - their talents, gifts and hard work - is of a fundamental value to others, their school and their community. So why not bring the whole family. Grandparents, aunts and uncles will be proud to attend and glad you invited them!
- Band Hosts: Help supervise and sit with bands before and during concerts and festivals.
- Chaperone: Be a chaperone on one or more of various field trips/festivals, including on bus rides.
- Concert Production: Help set up or take down equipment and/or decorations before and/or after concerts.
- Fund-Raising: Concert in the Park Committee
- Bring goodies for a post-concert class party: Cookies, punch, napkins, paper cups
- Not sure right now, but I'll try to find some way to help out.
8. Other:
Agreement Form
My child ______________________________ and I, _______________________
Print student name print parent/guardian name
have read through and understand the contents of the handbook. We agree to keep sheet music and uniforms in the best care.
__________________________________________________________________
Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Comments:
Parent name, phone number, and email______________________________________
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