Welcome! Being a part of the band program in Chatham Schools is exciting and rewarding! We want every student who participates in band to have a positive, rigorous and musical experience. Students will grow as musicians as we learn to perform individually and as a group. We encourage a lifelong appreciation of and participation in the creation of music. This handbook contains important information that will help students have a successful band experience.
The instrumental band program contains two components: band and lessons. Band meets Wednesdays and Fridays. Lessons meet on a rotating schedule. Each lesson group will meet on the same day each week, but at a different time so as to minimize any disruption of learning in other classes. Lesson schedules will be posted in the band room and on the band website (www.medband.weebly.com). More information about band and lessons is below.
Lessons are designed to meet each individual student’s needs and learning style. All instrumentalists progress at his or her own speed. The learning environment will be structured to promote individual progress in lessons and group progress in the full band.
Band is the large performance group. We start band right away in September for 5th graders and will meet twice weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays. We will have two concerts this year on January 25 and May 16, both at 7pm. More information about concerts will come home closer to those performance dates.
Following these Classroom Rules and Procedures will be a vital part of ensuring a positive learning environment for all students. Students are expected to:
Bring only your instrument and music folder to the band room.
Enter the room quickly and quietly.
Gather your materials and take your seat.
Put your instrument together and warm up at a reasonable volume.
Stop playing and listen silently for directions when your teacher asks for quiet.
Raise your hand to ask a question or for permission to share something with the class.
Show respect for our classroom, your classmates, our learning environment and the adults in the room.
Concerts are mandatory and exciting experiences! We have lots of time to prepare our band music carefully and to play fun and challenging pieces. These evening performances are where we show our work for the semester. We dress alike to show our unity as an ensemble. Concert dress for boys is: the black fine arts booster club shirt and nice pants; for girls: black fine arts booster club shirt and nice pants or knee-length or longer skirt.
Individual practice is vital to success – especially when learning an instrument. The requirement for fifth grade is 100 minutes of practice at home per week. Students are to fill out practice logs and parents sign it before each lesson. Some students may need more than 100 minutes of practice and some students will find themselves progressing faster than their classmates when practicing that much (which is completely ok!). The important thing is to maintain steady progress. Here are some tips for consistent and effective practice:
Find a quiet place to practice away from distractions like television and the internet.
Make sure that you have a straight-backed chair, music stand and good light.
Try to practice at the same time every day so that it becomes a routine.
Look up fingerings that you don’t remember in the back of your lesson book.
Make sure that you can clap and speak the rhythms before you try to play the notes.
Always play with a steady beat – consider buying and using a metronome.
Work from very slow up to your performance speed.
Subscribe to Smart Music and use it to monitor your playing ability.
Play instruments with your friends – it’s so fun!
Never give up. If you’re feeling frustrated take a break and try again later. Come in and practice with Mr. Hoffman or a peer tutor after school.
Equipment that is in good working order will make learning to play much more enjoyable. If your instrument is not working well, come and see Mr. Hoffman before taking it to the repair shop. If you plan to buy an instrument always check with Mr. Hoffman first. By working together we can find and purchase an instrument that will play well and last for a long time.
You will need some Supplies as a band student. You can get everything that you need from John Keal Music (they deliver weekly to the school for free). Call them at 482-4405 or fill out a trip saver and give it to Mr. Hoffman or order online (www.johnkealmusic.com). There are also lots of places online to buy band supplies. (www.wwbw.com) has really great prices and a huge selection. Here is a short list of necessary supplies:
Everyone will need a lesson book – we use Essential Elements 2000 book 1 for band here in Chatham. Be sure to get the book for your instrument. If you do not have one already, get a stand to put your music on while you practice. The wire ones work great for at home. Make sure that you have a nametag on your case.
Clarinet and saxophone players will need reeds and a reed case. Start out with a box (10) of Rico Royal #3. You will also need a swab to take the moisture out of your instrument and a tube of cork grease to lubricate the connection points.
Trumpet, French horn and euphonium players will need valve oil. I highly recommend Ultra Pure Professional Valve Oil.
Flute players will need an old handkerchief or a piece of t-shirt and a cleaning rod (which usually come with the flute).
Trombone players will need some slide cream (Trombotine is great) and a spray bottle for water.
Percussionists will need their own drum sticks (Vic Firth SD-1 General, or similar).
The MED Band Website will be a vital communication tool for the class. Please check there for lesson schedule, music links, announcements and extra credit assignments. Here is the link: www.medband.weebly.com
Parents, please call Mr. Hoffman at any time with questions or concerns. Return the bottom of this form acknowledging receipt of these classroom guidelines by Friday, September 16.
We read and understand the 2015-2016 5th Grade Band handbook and understand the expectations required to be successful. We also are aware of and available for the scheduled concert dates, January 25 and May 16.