HANDBOOK AND CALENDAR
2000-2001
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION FROM MRS. LAWRENCE
PREFACE
This handbook has been written for the Miller Falcon Band members and their parents in order to provide information regarding the purpose, procedures, expectations and activities of the band program. By having this information at the beginning of the school year, conflicts and misunderstanding can be avoided.
The Music Department of the Pasadena Independent School District dedicates itself to the concept that music plays a vital role in the development of each Individual. The broad purposes of the music program are to afford each student, according to his abilities and interests, opportunities to develop to his highest potential intellectually, technically, and socially. It is our goal to have each student learn responsibility, preparedness, commitment and concentration in order to become the best musician he/she can be -- thus, a better person in life.
Participation in the fine arts engenders discipline, a sense of community, trust, and teamwork. All of these qualities are essential to a student's potential success in the workplace.
--Dr. Mike Moses, Texas Commissioner of Education
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A recent study states that music majors have the highest rate of admittance to medical school, a whopping 66.7%. Biochemistry, the subject area closest to medicine, has a rate of 59.2%.
--Rockefeller Foundation
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Music students always outperform non-music students on achivement tests in reading and math. Because of their study of music, their skills are better in reading, anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall and concentration.
--B. Friedman "An Evaluation of the Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrumental Music Classes."
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According to a recent statewide survey, student involvement in extracurricular or ocurricular activities makes students resilient to current substance use among their peers. Secondary students who participated in band, orchestra or choir reported the lowest lifetime use of all substances.
--1994 Texas School Survey of Substance Abuse Among Students: Grades 7-12
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All-State music students consistently score over 200 points higher on the SAT than non-music students, indicating that high performing students have a strong interest in pursuing serious music interests while excelling in other academic areas.
--Texas Music Educators Association Survey, 1988-98
GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF BAND
1. To afford a desirable musical experience for those who wish to participate in band.
2. To provide for several levels of ability and achievement within any given grade and age grouping by placing students in musical groups according to musical maturity and ability.
3. To encourage a sense of responsibility and self-discipline required to reach and maintain goals that are set.
4. To develop the technical skills and musicianship of each student according to individual ability.
5. To present a course of study in which a student may participate in a progressively arranged curriculum.
6. To provide opportunities for creative musical arts for those students endowed with exceptional ability.
7. To create the desire to give the best possible effort at all times, whether performing in a group or as an individual.
8. To create a love for music through band participation.
9. To develop attitudes necessary for successful group participation wherein personal relationships and responsibilities become more meaningful.
10. To provide a means for individual and group expression.
DESCRIPTIONS OF BANDS
Students at Miller Intermediate belong to one of three different Bands: (1) Symphonic; (2) Concert; or (3) Beginner Band.
Symphonic Band is the top performing group and is made up of the most advanced players. Symphonic Band plays at football games, parades, student assemblies and at various other opportunities, along with all band concerts.
Concert Band is the second performing group and is made up of intermediate and advanced players. Concert Band is encouraged to perform at all football games and parades with the Symphonic Band, as well as all band concerts.
The Beginner Band is for the students who have never had band. They are taught the basic concepts of their instrument and music. Beginners perform at several concerts throughout the school year.
V. W. Miller Intermediate School
1002 Fairmont Parkway
Pasadena, Texas 77504
(713) 948-4200 (713) 948-4208 Fax
Darla Massey
Principal
The administration, faculty, and staff at V. W. Miller Intermediate take pride in being able to offer a full and varied instrumental music program. The Band courses offered include Beginner, Concert, Symphonic Bands, Beginner Band Theory and Symphonic Band Theory. All students, regardless of ability, are welcome and encouraged to participate in one of our Bands.
Although we consider participation in instrumental music programs a basic right of all students enrolled at Miller Intermediate, it is understood by the Band Directors, Mrs. Lawrence and Miss Sanders, and the administration that the selection to and participation in the band is a PRIVILEGE. This privilege is earned by the student showing:
1. Responsible behavior
2. Willingness to work
3. Dependability
4. Dedication to musical excellence
5. Commitment to teamwork
It is the Directors’ goal to produce outstanding bands. It is also our belief that students learn more and develop better self-discipline, responsibility, knowledge and take more pride in outstanding bands than in poor bands.
The following pages will outline the basic requirements for band. Please review this manual and sign and return the last page of this Handbook. This will indicate your notification and acceptance of the policies of the Miller Intermediate Bands. Please retain the remainder of the Handbook at home so that you may refer to it when necessary.
Sincerely,
Darla Massey
V. W. Miller Falcon Band
V. W. Miller Intermediate
1002 Fairmont Parkway
Pasadena, Texas
(713) 948-4200
Band Hall (713) 948-4207
Band Parents and Students,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all Band students and parents to another great year in the Miller Falcon Band. I am looking forward to the students improving their musical abilities individually and as a group, and also having fun this year.
I feel that Band has many advantages for students. Studies have been done which show that Band/Music students across the country routinely scored higher on standardized tests. This is the result of the self-discipline, responsibility and work habits that are developed and maintained by successful Band students. In order to be successful, Band students must develop a daily/weekly routine that makes the most of their time and that is stricter than that of an average student. These good habits are carried over into other areas of life as well.
My goal is to build every students’ self-confidence and to have them believe in themselves. There are opportunities for students to excel in individual and group performances. The only thing holding the students back is how much effort they want to put forward. Band students are met with many chances to feel good about themselves and their school.
Parents, I hope you share my enthusiasm in wanting your child to succeed. Please encourage your children to practice their instruments daily and to keep up with and turn in their practice cards. If you ever have any questions regarding the information contained in this Handbook, or questions regarding any other aspect of Band, please contact me at school. The Band Hall telephone number listed above rings directly into the Band Hall after hours. After hours is anytime the main office telephone is not being answered.
I am excited about all of the great things in store for the Miller Bands this year!
Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Sanders
DAILY SUPPLIES
All students are expected to have their (1) instrument, ready to play, (2) all of their music and/or books, and (3) a pencil every time they come to Band. In addition, students are required to always have the following supplies, according to their instruments:
Flutes
Oboes and Bassoons
Saxophones
REEDS - All reed instrument players must have at least TWO (2) good reeds at all times! Recommended brands: Clarinets - Vandoren 3 or 3½, Bass Clarinets - Vandoren 2½ or 3, Saxophones - Vandoren 3 or 3½, Oboe and Bassoon - Jones or Meason medium/medium hard
All reeds are expensive, but these brands seem to last longer than most. Rico reeds are NOT recommended.
Cornets/Trumpets/Baritones/Tubas
1. Valve Oil
2. Slide Grease
3. Soft rag for wiping off fingerprints
French Horns
1. Rotary Valve Oil
2. Slide Grease3. Soft rag for wiping off fingerprints
Trombones
Percussion
1. Drum sticks - Vic Furth SD1 or Ludwig2B
2. Bell mallets - Medium Hard
SCHOOL INSTRUMENTS
Those students playing school instruments are expected to bring their own supplies as outlined above. These supplies ARE NOT provided as part of the school instrument.
DAILY RULES AND PROCEDURES
Expectations
1. Bring your instrument, music, supplies and a pencil to class every day. You need to have them with you when you sit down in your chair.
2. Be in your seat, ready to play no later than 3 minutes after the tardy bell rings.
3. Save questions for after the daily announcements.
4. Do not call out - raise your hand.
5. Respect other people and their things.
6. Keep hands and feet to yourself at all times.
7. Take pride in your instrument - take good care of it.
8. Take pride in the Band Hall. Do not write or lean on the stands, write on the chairs or any other equipment.
Rewards
1. Praise
2. Positive Rehearsals
3. Band privileges (playing "fun" music, etc.)
4. Free timeConsequences
Note: In case of defiance, destruction of property, or severe disruption that prevents teaching and learning from occurring, the student will be sent immediately to the Assistant Principal.
GRADING
The overall grade is determined as follows:
Daily Grade 50%,
Playing exams, Written exams, After School Rehearsals, Performances 30%
Practice Cards (at home practice) 20%
DAILY GRADE
50% of a student’s grade is determined by their performance in each class. Students receive a 100 just for showing up for each class prepared. Prepared means that he/she has their instrument (with needed supplies), music and a pencil. If a student forgets their instrument or cannot play because they do not have a reed or a mouthpiece, they will receive a zero (0) for that day. If a student forgets his or her music or pencil, the daily grade will be marked down accordingly. Lost music can be replaced at the cost of 50¢ per page.
PLAYING GRADES/ PERFORMANCES/ SECTIONALS
30% of a student’s grade is determined by grades received on playing tests and attendance at performances and sectionals.
Playing grades are given based on how well the music is played on tests in class.
Performances - Students receive a 100 for attending each performance. If a performance is missed due to an unexcused reason, the student will receive a zero for that performance. The schedule of all performances is included in this handbook. Please note the dates of all performances on your calendar to avoid any conflicts. If a conflict does arise, please let me know as soon as possible before the performance. Please note: not having a ride is NOT an excused absence from a performance. If transportation is a problem, let me know in advance and I will help make arrangements for transportation, when possible.
A performance is considered to be any event in which the students, individually or as a group, play their instruments for an audience, judge or clinician. In a band program, performances are a "final exam" and culminating activity for a particular unit taught during the year. Attendance at all performances is required of all students.
Sectionals - Sectionals are extra rehearsals held before or after school mainly for Symphonic Band members who are required to attend weekly sectionals from 7:30 - 8:05 a.m. Concert and Beginner Band students will occasionally have sectionals. Students receive a 100 for attending each sectional. If a sectional is missed, the student receives a zero, which can be made up by attending another instrument’s sectional. All sectionals must be made up before the end of the 6 weeks grading period.
As students develop their musical skills on an instrument, individual and small group teaching is important to help promote and improve positive playing habits. In most cases, this teaching is not possible within the large band classes. To accommodate this need, students in the band program will participate in regularly scheduled sectionals for his or her instrument. Band music, technical exercises, All-City/All-Region audition music, and Solo & Ensemble music will be covered in sectionals. Sectionals are geared toward individual instruments, and certain playing techniques which are specific to those instruments are stressed. Sectionals are used not only to improve the quality of the band as a whole, but also to develop and improve the quality of the individual players within the band.
Attendance at sectionals is required of each Symphonic Band student. Sectionals begin at 7:30 a.m. The Sectional schedule will be as follows:
Mondays - Flutes, Clarinets
Tuesdays - Alto Saxes, French Horns, Trumpets
Wednesdays - Low Brass, Low Woodwinds
Thursdays - Percussion
7th Grade Symphonic Band members who are not enrolled in Band Theory are expected to attend Sectionals each Gold Day beginning at 7:30 a.m. during the Spring Semester.
Practice cards - Practice cards count as 20% of the overall grade. Students will be given practice cards on which to write down the amount of time practiced for that week. Completed cards are to be turned in at the beginning of the following week. Cards turned in late will be penalized 10 points for each day they are late. If a card is lost, the practice time can be written on a regular piece of paper. Be sure to include: Student’s name, week of practice, time practiced and parent’s signature. You must turn in your practice card by Friday to receive credit. PLEASE NOTE THAT A STUDENT'S GRADE WILL BE AFFECTED IF PRACTICE REPORTS ARE NOT TURNED IN. The practice cards will be graded as follows:
3½ hours/210 minutes = 100
3 hours/180 minutes = 95
2½ hours/150 minutes = 90
2 hours/120 minutes = 85
1½ hours/90 minutes = 80
1 hour/60 minutes = 75
½ hour/30 minutes = 70
Practice is essential to being a successful Band student. Everyone likes to do what is fun. When you can play your instrument well, it is fun. The more you practice, the better you play your instrument and the more fun you will have. The best way to make practice time more enjoyable and productive is to establish a regular habit of everyday practice. Students are expected to take their instrument home every day and practice at least 30 minutes. Students should strive to practice for results, not just a specific length of time. When your playing improves, then all the time spent practicing will be worthwhile. Students are encouraged to buy music books specifically for their instrument that contain songs the students know.
Many time students experience difficulties because they do not know how to practice. For this reason, some suggestions for successful practice have been included below.
1. Practice daily for maximum results.
2. Warm-up properly before each rehearsal or practice session. A proper warm-up includes long tones and flexibility exercises such as lip slurs. NEVER warm-up by playing high or loud notes.
3. Concentrate on producing your best tone quality. It makes no difference how fast, loud or high you can play if the tone is not enjoyable to the ear.
4. Always practice with correct hand position, posture.
5. Scales and technical exercises should be practiced every night.
6. Practice the parts you cannot play. Do not play just the parts that you can already play well.
7. If you are having trouble with a spot, slow down the tempo. Only when you can play a spot well should you attempt to increase the speed.
8. Practice small sections of music. Set small goals and you will be amazed at what you can learn in a short amount of time.
9. Running through sections of music is not practice. Practice to make improvements in the music.
10. Practice the assignments you are given at sectionals or rehearsals.
11. Practice to be perfect.
CONDUCT GRADES
Conduct grades are determined based on the number of conduct marks received during each 6 week period. Conduct marks are given for talking without permission, disrupting class, not paying attention and for anything that takes away from the rehearsal. The grades are as follows:
A = 0 - 4 Conduct Marks
B = 5 - 8 Conduct Marks
C = 9 - 12 Conduct Marks
D = 13 - 16 Conduct Marks
F = 17 or more Conduct Marks
CHAIR ORDER
All Band members are seated in "chair order" within each instrument. The player who does best on a playing test will be 1st Chair, and so on. Beginner Band members will be placed in chair order in the weeks before the Christmas Concert.
A player can improve his or her chair by challenging the person immediately ahead of them. Challenge guidelines are outlined in the following section. A player can lose their chair by losing a challenge or by receiving 2 conduct marks in one class period.
CHALLENGES
A player can move up in his or her chair order by challenging the player immediately ahead of them. The Challenger (person challenging) completes a challenge form and has the Challengee (person being challenged) sign the form. Challenge guidelines are:
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility applies to all students participating in Academics, Athletics, Fine Arts, Career and Technology, or any other school-related extracurricular activity. Academic eligibility is a Texas state law (Texas Education Code 33.081) and does not apply only to UIL events. As such, Band students are subject to the "No Pass, No Play" rule.
If a students fails a class on a report card, that student is Ineligible for any extra curricular activities for the following 6 week period. However, it is possible for an ineligible student to regain their eligibility after the first 3 weeks of the following grading period if that student is passing all of their classes by the end of school on the day designated as the "3 week grade check".
The following list of activities are deemed extra curricular and subject to No Pass, No Play:
Football games, Pep Rallies, Parades, All City Band tryouts, All Region Band tryouts, Solo & Ensemble Contest
Regular Band Concerts are NOT extra curricular and ALL students are required to attend.
The issue of No Pass, No Play can be confusing, so I have summarized the rule below:
UNIFORMS
The Band uniform will be worn at all performances. The uniform for our concerts will consist of the Band Shirt and Khaki slacks with a belt. The Band uniform for parades and football games will consist of the Band Shirt and Khaki slacks or shorts, with a belt. Khaki shorts must have at least a 5 inch inseam.
CALENDAR
The dates on the calendar have been set as accurately as possible and are subject to change. Sufficient notice will be given if a change occurs. Our 2000-2001 Calendar is as follows:
August
10 School Starts
25 Fundraiser ends
September
11 Beginners bring instruments to school for the first time.
19 Bondy v. Miller - 8th Grade Football Game @ Auxiliary Stadium (Symphonic Band and members of Concert Band who wish to participate)*
27 Miller v. Jackson - 7th Grade "B" Football Game on the Miller campus (Symphonic Band and members of Concert Band who wish to participate).
October
2 Fall Concert - all Bands.
3 Beverly Hills v. Miller - 8th Grade Football Game @ Memorial Stadium (Symphonic Band and members of Concert Band who wish to participate).*
14 Pasadena Rodeo Parade (Symphonic Band and members of Concert Band who wish to participate).*
17 Miller v. Southmore - 7th Grade "A" Football Game on the Miller campus (Symphonic Band and members of Concert Band who wish to participate).
28 Region Band Auditions @ Bondy Intermediate (for all interested Symphonic and Concert Band members)
November
4 All City Band Auditions @ Queens Intermediate (All interested Symphonic and Concert Band Members)
11 Region Band Clinic/Concert for those making the Region Band.
11 8th Grade Band night with South Houston High Trojan Band @ Memorial Stadium
20-24 Thanksgiving Holidays
December
2 South Houston Parade of Lights (Symphonic Band and members of Concert Band who wish to participate).*
5 Christmas Concert
18-31 Christmas Holidays
January
1-2 Holidays
13 All-City Band Clinic and Concert @ Dobie
15 Student Holiday
February
2 Overnight Lock-in for Band members participating in Solo & Ensemble contest.*
16 Student Holiday
17 Solo & Ensemble Contest @ Beverly Hills Intermediate. (Open to all Symphonic and Concert Band members and those Beginner who qualify
20 TAAS Writing Test
March
2 UIL Lock-in (Symphonic Band)*
12-16 Spring Holidays
22 Pre-UIL Concert @ SHHS (Symphonic & Concert Bands)
24 Pre UIL @ South Houston High School (Symphonic Band)*
31 Concert Band Festival @ Bondy Intermediate (Concert Band)*
April
10 or 11 UIL @ Clear Brook High School (Symphonic Band)*
12-16 Holidays
24 TAAS - Math
25 TAAS - Reading
26 TAAS - Social Studies
27 TAAS - Science
May
10 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. South Zone Festival Rehearsal @ Phillips Gymnasium. Students will travel by school buses.*
10 7:00 p.m. South Zone Festival @ Phillips Gymnasium for all Beginner Band members.
12 Strawberry Festival Parade for ALL BANDS!*
15 Band Spring Concert - all Bands.
* These performances will require Chaperones. Please indicate on the last page of the Handbook if you can help chaperone.
PERFORMANCE DEFINITIONS
FOOTBALL GAMES
Miller Games
The Symphonic and Concert Bands will play at several 7th and 8th Grade football games. The 7th Grade games will be at the Miller campus. 8th Grade games will be at either Memorial Stadium or Auxiliary Stadium.
8th Grade Night with the South Houston Trojan Band
Each year, John Goode and Mike Adamcik, Directors of the Trojan Band, invite the 8th grade Band students to perform with the Trojan Band at one football game. The 8th graders get to sit in and play with the Trojan Band in the stands.
PARADES
Pasadena Rodeo Parade
The Symphonic and Concert Bands will march in the Pasadena Rodeo Parade down Southmore Street, beginning at the Southmore and Richey intersection and ending at the Town Square Mall.
South Houston Parade of Lights
Symphonic and Concert Band members will march in this Parade. The Parade will run down Spencer/College, beginning in front of South Houston Intermediate and ending at the Spencer and Allen Genoa intersection. Because this Parade is at night, all band members will have their instruments decorated with battery-operated lights.
Pasadena Strawberry Festival Parade
The Symphonic and Concert Bands and any Beginner Band Students who would like to, will march in the Strawberry Festival Parade down Southmore Street. This Parade begins in front of City Hall and will continue to the Southmore and Richey intersection.
CONTESTS
All-City Band
This is an individual competition. Auditions are held every fall to determine the most outstanding band members in Pasadena ISD. Those who make the All-City Band will attend a one day clinic in January and perform a concert that same evening. This competition open to Symphonic and Concert Band members.
All-Region Band
This is also an individual competition and is similar to the All-City Band auditions except that in the Region Band auditions, our students compete with band members from all over our Region making the competition even tougher. This is an extremely high honor to achieve. On a subsequent Saturday, those making Region Band will attend a one day clinic and perform at a Concert the same evening. This competition is open to Symphonic and Concert Band members.
Solo & Ensemble Contest
This can be an individual or small group competition. At this contest, each student performs a solo (by themselves) and/or in an ensemble. The music is chosen by the student and approved by the director and performed before a judge. Students are rated based on their performance and will receive a medal for a superior performance. All Symphonic and Concert Band members are encouraged to attend. Beginner Band members who have excelled and proven themselves will also be allowed to compete.
Pre-UIL Contest and Sightreading
This event is hosted by PISD to help the band prepare for the actual UIL contest in the coming weeks. Experienced judges give suggestions for final polishing of the concert music. This is for Symphonic Band only.
UIL Concert and Sightreading
Symphonic Band will attending a contest hosted by the University Interscholastic League. The students will play three prepared selections and then they will sightread a piece of music they have never seen. For a superior performance in either Concert or Sightreading, the Band will receive a First Division rating and be awarded a plaque. However, for a superior performance in both Concert and Sightreading, the band will receive a Sweepstakes Award trophy - the highest local honor a band can achieve. This is for Symphonic Band only.
Concert Band Festival
This is a Festival hosted by PISD. The Concert Band will perform three selections and sightread a piece of music they have never seen before a panel of judges. Judges' comments will help polish the music for the final concert of the year.
CONCERTS
Fall Concert
In October, the Miller Bands will perform a concert to show off the progress made so far in the year. The concert will feature songs and music from movies and television. All Bands will perform.
Christmas Concert
In December, the Miller Bands will perform holiday music to display the achievements of the semester. All Bands will perform.
Beginner Band Festival
The Beginner Band from Miller will join the Beginner Bands from the South Zone of the District to perform a concert in the Phillips Gymnasium.
PreUIL Concert
The Concert and Symphonic Bands will perform at this concert to help them prepare for their upcoming UIL Contest and Concert Band Festival. Parents will get a chance to see how the contests are run and will also take part in "judging" the bands.
Spring Concert
At the end of the second semester, the Miller Bands will play a concert to end the school year. All Bands will perform.
BAND BOOSTERS
Parental support is vital for the success of our Band program. I need your help and input to make our Band the best it can be for your child. There are specific activities where parental support is needed, such as chaperones for Band trips, help with fundraisers and communicating with all parents.