Mater Dei High School Band

JUNIOR HIGH BAND
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Junior Band Schedule ’09 – ‘10

6-8^th Band 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

5^th Band 5:15 – 6:00 p.m.

October           

21 – 6^th -8^th Marching Band March-a-Long 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

November       

4 – Regular Rehearsal

11 – Regular Rehearsal

18 – Regular Rehearsal

25– NO REHEARSAL (Thanksgiving Break)

December       

2 – Regular Rehearsal

8 - Dress Rehearsal for the Concert (REQUIRED) Mater Dei Auditorium         5^th – 4-4:30  6-8^th 4:30 – 5:30

9 – Christmas Concert (REQUIRED) 6:30 pm Mater Dei Auditorium.      Report time 6:00 p.m.

16 –NO REHEARSAL

23 – NO REHEARSAL (Christmas Break)

30 – NO REHEARSAL (Christmas Break)

January           

6 – NO REHEARSAL

13 – NO REHEARSAL

20 – NO REHEARSAL

27 – NO REHEARSAL

February         

3 – Regular Rehearsal

10 – Regular Rehearsal

17 – NO REHEARSAL (Ash Wednesday)

24 – Regular Rehearsal

March             

3 – Regular Rehearsal

10 – Regular Rehearsal

17 – Regular Rehearsal
24 – NO REHEARSAL (Spring Break)

31 – Regular Rehearsal

April   

7 – Regular Rehearsal

14 & 15 – Feeder School Tour  (50% Attendance Required at Jr. Band Rehearsals to be eligible to attend)

21 – Regular Rehearsal

27 – Dress Rehearsal for the Concert (REQUIRED) Mater Dei Auditorium 

5^th – 4-4:30  6-8^th 4:30 – 5:30

28 - Spring Concert (REQUIRED) 6:30 pm Mater Dei Auditorium                                                

 Report time 6:00 p.m.

FeederSchool Band Class Syllabus

Fall 2009 – Spring 2010

Class Description:

            Students in band are provided with a balanced comprehensive study of music.  Instruction is designed to enable students to connect, examine, imagine, design, extend, refine, and integrate music study into all areas of academic life.  Ensemble and solo activities are designed to develop elements of musicianship including, but not limited to:

• Tone Production
• Technical Skills
• Intonation
• Music Reading Skills
• Listening Skills
• Analyzing Music
• Studying historically significant styles of literature

Experiences include, but are not limited to, improvising, conducting, playing by ear, and sight-reading.  Students are given opportunities to develop the ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performer with the audience.  Time outside the school day may be scheduled for dress rehearsals and performances.  Students are required to participate in these performance opportunities outside of the school day that support and extend learning in the classroom.  Band is a two semester commitment.

Materials:
            Students must have an instrument (one may be provided through the school for a fee, unless waived by the director), method book (provided by the student) and other music (provided by the director), and a pencil (with eraser for lightly marking and erasing music and taking notes in class).

Grading Scale:

            A         96-100%         C+       83-85%           F          69% and below

            A-        94-95%           C         80-82%

            B+       91-93%           C-        78-79%

            B         88-90%           D+       76-77%

            B-        86-87%           D         70-75%

Grading Composite and Description:

            The grade is broken up into four different categories, each composed of a percentage of the total grade.  The categories as well as their weight in the final grade are listed below, and they are followed by a brief description of each category.

                In Class Participation:             50%

                Weekly Practice Records:       20%

                Concerts and Dress Rehearsals:      20%

                Playing Tests:                                    10%

In Class Participation:

            A daily grade is given to students from the following criteria: being on time to class, having proper materials (listed above under materials), behavior and attitude during class, and student participation with class activities.  Points will be deducted from students for causing class disruption, being unwilling to participate, unexcused tardies or absences, or not having all required materials. Students are responsible for replacing lost materials such as their Essential Elements book within one week to avoid losing participation points.

Out of Class Participation:

            Time spent outside of the school day may be scheduled for dress rehearsals and performances.  Students are required to attend these events.

The Fall Concert is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9^th at 6:30 pm in the Mater Dei Kempf Auditorium.  The dress rehearsal, which is required for all students, is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8^th from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Mater Dei Band Room. (5^th Grade 4 – 4:30 / 6-8^th Grade 4:30 – 5:30) The Spring Concert is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28^th at 6:30 p.m. in the Kempf Auditorium.  The dress rehearsal is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27^th from 4 – 5:30 in the Mater Dei Kempf Auditorium. (5^th Grade 4 – 4:30 / 6-8^th Grade 4:30 – 5:30)

Any student unable to attend the dress rehearsal or concert must have written permission from the parent for missing the concert.  The absence will only be considered an excused absence if it meets the requirements of a school absence.  These students will be given an alternate assignment to fulfill this requirement.

Concert Dress:

            Dress code for school concerts will be:

Boys:  White dress shirt or polo (school polo acceptable), black slacks (no jeans), black belt, and black dress shoes.

Girls:  White blouse or polo (school polo acceptable), black skirt (knee length or longer) or slacks, and black dress shoes.

Playing Tests:

            Students will be given music excerpts and exercises to practice on their instruments at home.  Students may be tested on these materials as well as being tested on music for upcoming concerts.  Students will be given no less than one week’s notice of an upcoming playing test.

Practice Sheets:

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Rationale

Our band program is almost exclusively funded through membership fee collection and band booster fundraising events. These fees not only ensure that we are able to have a successful and productive year but also ensure the future of this organization. The directors and boosters have gone to great lengths to minimize the amount of time, effort, and money that is required of students and parents of this organization to help run our program. Any fees or fundraising asked of members of this program are done because it is believed that they are necessary and will greatly enhance the program.

Students that fail to meet the financial needs placed on them by this program, without reasonable explanation, are subject to exclusion or removal from the activity and/or program by the discretion of the director(s) despite their musical ability level. If you are unable to meet your financial obligations in any way, you must notify the director(s) so that they may understand and attempt to help you as much is reasonably possible. Both the director(s) and band booster cabinet will handle your situation discreetly and objectively and will make every effort to allow you to stay in the program.

FEEDER SCHOOLS BAND FEES FOR THE 2009-2010 YEAR WILL BE:

$140 Per School Year

All feeder school band students will receive a statement from Mater Dei regarding their fees at the end of September.  Fees should be paid by the due date on the bill.  Checks should be made out to the Feeder School your child attends and should include the student’s name, grade, and school on the subject line.  Any student that begins a school year in band will be charged for a full year.

$60 Per Year  (Only if renting an instrument from Mater Dei)

A limited number of instruments are available for rental to feeder and high school band students.  Please speak to a director regarding their availability.  Students are expected to treat these instruments with utmost care and will be responsible for any damage due to negligent behavior.  Mater Dei is responsible for routine maintenance.  A contract must be filled out and returned to the directors within one week of receipt. Checks should be made out to Mater Dei Band Boosters and should include the student’s name, grade, and school on the subject lines.

I have read and understand the Feeder Band Syllabus.  I also understand that band is a two semester commitment. 

Parent Signature___________________________________________Date__________

Student Signature_________________________________