Name: _____________________

Parkland Middle School Instrumental Music Handbook

Director: Mr. Ragsdale 301-438-5740 [email protected]

Instrumental Music Objectives The student will be able to: ♦ Follow classroom rules and rehearsal procedures ♦ Assume full responsibility for the care and maintenance of instruments, both personal, rented, and school-owned ♦ Complete all assignments, follow all concert procedures, and any other work assigned by the teacher ♦ Demonstrate general musicianship in the areas of tone, intonation, technique, articulation, range, and scales ♦ Meet all obligations, with appropriate notice given, including concert performances and rehearsals both in and out of school ♦ Sight-read music at an appropriate level ♦ Demonstrate a basic knowledge of music theory

Rehearsals Students are expected to fully participate in all rehearsals. To fully participate the students must be on time and be prepared. That means having their instrument, whatever they need for their instrument (reeds, valve oil, etc.), all music and method book. If for some reason a student is unable to participate they must present a note signed by their parent to the teacher at the beginning of class. It should explain why the student cannot participate (instrument in shop, tightened braces, etc.) and when they will be able to. In addition to in class rehearsals there may be some after school rehearsals. These will usually be held on Wednesdays. Sometimes they will be sectionals, all the students of a like instrument, other times it will be the whole band. These rehearsals are critical to our success at the concerts and festivals we will perform at.

Grading Policy 10% In-class Playing Quizzes The students will be given in-class quizzes on the material they should be practicing. The quizzes will be without notice but they will cover what they should be practicing.

40% Formative Assessments Formative assessments in music will take two forms. Playing Tests: The students will perform scales, rhythms, excerpts from their method books, and concert pieces for a grade. This allows for monitoring student’s progress and development. The students will see where their areas of strength and weakness are. This will allow for more productive practice. Music Theory Worksheets: Work in this area is an important part of musical development. The students will complete short assignments in this area.

50% Summative Assessments Summative assessments will also take two forms. Playing tests: The work on scales, rhythms, and excerpts will culminate in larger pieces that will form the summative assessments. Concert Performance: In the marking periods that include concerts, 2nd and 4th, the concert will be 25% of the summative assessment grade.

Late Assignments/Make Up Work Formative assessments can be made up anytime until its culminating test. In other words if a students does poorly on a theory worksheet, that worksheet can be made up at anytime before the end of the marking period. After that they will not be accepted. Summative assessments cannot be made up.

Practice At the middle school level, a student should be practicing 20-30 minutes everyday. Daily practice is essential to developing the fine motor skills necessary to properly play an instrument. Group rehearsals are not practice time, there is a big difference. Here are some tips to make practicing more productive. Keep your session at the same time every day. Halfway through homework makes a good time. Practice in a quiet, well-lit spot. You should sit in a straight back chair or stand up. Use a music stand (wire stands are fairly inexpensive – black metal stands are a little more expensive). Warm up playing scales, first using notes held as long as you can, then in rhythm. Play with a clear steady tone. Work on exercises from your book. Don’t simply play through them. Start slowly, using a metronome, and work on problem spots until you get them right. Then, playing the whole exercise, gradually get faster. Slow works paid off, if you can’t play it slow you can’t play it fast. Don’t just repeat mistakes. Work on ensemble music the same way. Play something familiar to end your session. Clean your instrument and put it in the case. Most instrument damage occurs outside the case.

“Don’t confuse activity for achievement.” John Wooden

Performances Performances are the final exams in music class. It gives the opportunity to demonstrate our accomplishments to parents, students, teachers, and the community. Of course the music is the most important part of the concert but there are many other things that go into a good performance. All these things make up a part of the final performance grade. Dress: All evening concerts require formal concert dress. This includes: • Dark pants or skirt • White shirt with collar or turtle neck • Dark dress shoes • Dark/Black stockings/socks • No jeans! No sneakers! Behavior: All students are expected to demonstrate proper concert behavior for the entire evening. During your groups performance you will give your undivided attention to the director. All eyes will stay on him, no talking, no gum! During other groups performance you will model excellent audience behavior. This includes no talking, no gum, sitting quietly and listening to the other groups. Attendance: Every member of our group plays an important part. Attendance is mandatory for all music students. All concert dates are giving in advance so plan ahead. Lack of planning is not an excuse for missing a performance. If you have a major conflict a note must be submitted as soon as possible but at least two weeks in advance of the concert. The student will be informed the next day if the absence is excused or not. Emergency absences due to severe illness, accident, etc. will be excused provided a note is presented immediately upon the students return to school. All students will stay for the entire concert. All students will help with setting up and putting away equipment, this is part of the grade. Unexcused absences will result in no credit for the performance. Punctuality: All Parkland Middle School concerts start on time. Most will start at 7:00 PM. That means students must be in there seats with their music warming up by 6:30. That means arrive at 6:00 not 6:30. Yes, this is part of your grade.

School Instruments Band and orchestra instruments are available for students to borrow. We will do our best to provide the student with the instrument they want but we cannot guarantee what instruments will be available. The student is responsible for taking care of the instrument they borrow. Any damage occurring while the instrument is in the students care will result in a charge.

Method Books The students are encouraged to purchase their own method books. These can be purchased through me or at most music stores. These then will belong to the student. This allows them to write in them and to keep them over the summer to practice. Students who choose to not purchase books will be issued a book. These can be taken home but they cannot be written in. They must be returned at the end of the year and the student will be charged for any damage. Band students will use Accent On Achievement. Advanced band will use book 2, the other bands book 1. The cost of the book is $8 except percussion, which is $11. Orchestra students will use Essential Elements 2000. This book costs $9.

Parkland Music Department Calendar 2010-2011 There are many performances this year. Please mark the ones that are relevant for you and plan accordingly. Date Sept 1

Event Back To School Night

Location Cafeteria

Time 6-7

Group Selected Chamber Group Sept 29 Music Boosters Cafeteria 7-8 Parents Sept 30 AAEA Open House Cafeteria 4:30-5:30 Orchestra Oct 4 MCPS Honors Jazz Frost MS 4-9 Interested students Auditions see Mr. Ragsdale ASAP Oct 7 Magnet Open House Gym 6-7:30 Advanced Band Nov 9 MCPS Jr Honors Band Rockville HS 6-10 Interested students and Orchestra Auditions see Mr. Ragsdale ASAP Nov 19 Music for Manna Cafeteria 6-9 Jazz Band Dec 16 Winter Concert Gym 6-9 All Groups Dec 23 Music Assembly Gym 1st Block TBD Jan ? MSA Night Cafeteria TBA Jazz Band Musical TBA Band and Orchestra Students participation is voluntary Mar 4 Pep Rally Gym 4th Block Jazz Band Mar 4 Basketball Game Wheaton Gym 6-9 Jazz Band Mar 30 District II MS Orchestra Gaithersburg HS 8-6:30 Adv. Orchestra Festival Apr 5 District II MS Band TBA 8-6:30 Adv. Band Festival May 6 Music In The Parks Kings Dominion All Day Jazz Band, Adv Festival and Inter Band and Orchestra May 11 Dramatic Arts Festival Gym 6-9 Volunteers May 25 Strings Spring Concert Gym 6-9 Guitar, Orchestra, and Combined Groups May 26 Band Spring Concert Gym 6-9 All Bands June 1 Music Banquet Cafeteria 6-9 All Music Students June 2 Red Shirt Day NA All Day All Music Students June 15 Graduation Wheaton HS 6-9 Adv and Inter Band The music calendar is subject to change. Please check edline from time to time for any changes.

Student Information Please fill out and return no later than Tuesday, September 8. Name: _______________________________________________ Grade: ____ Instrument: __________________________ Parent/Guardian Names: _________________________________ Language spoken at home: ________________________________ Class: _________________________ Address: ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Home Phone: ___________________________________________ Mothers Work Phone: ____________________________________ Fathers Work Phone: _____________________________________ Student email: ___________________________________________ Parent/Guardian email: ____________________________________ Elementary School; _______________________________________ Elementary Music Teacher: _________________________________ Transportation to/from School: _______________________________ Do you take private lessons? If so, how long and who is your teacher? Do you own, rent, or borrow your instrument from school? Do you play any other instruments? Are you interested in playing any other instruments? What other activities are you involved in?

Instrumental Music Contract

Student Name: ____________________________________________

Parent Name: _____________________________________________

We understand the expectations for participation in the music program at Parkland Middle School. We understand that music requires participation in concerts that sometimes fall outside of regular school hours and that participation in these concerts is required and is part of the grade.

Student Signature: ___________________________________________

Parent Signature: ____________________________________________

Date: ________