Hudson Middle School Band Handbook 2015 2016
Hudson Band Motto Good enough is the enemy of the very best. Directors Ronnie Ross, 8th Grade Band Director Office: 936-875-9322 Cell: 936-414-3632 rossr@hudsonisd.org Ramona Elliott, 6th & 7 th Grade Band Director Office: 936-875-9409 Cell: 936-404-6607 elliottrs@hudsonisd.org Brad Comeaux, Director of Bands (High School Bands) Office: 936-875-9246 Cell: 936-676-5327 comeauxb@hudsonisd.org Hudson Middle School Administration Mr. Crenshaw, Principal Mrs. Herbst, Assistant Principal Mr. Davis, Assistant Principal Mrs. Rollins, 7th/8th Grade Counselor Mrs. Peterson, 6th/7th Grade Counselor
Student Expectations Be prompt To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. Show up early enough to be ready to start rehearsal on time Be prepared Have all necessary items for a rehearsal, practice or performance Instrument, music, pencil, instrument maintenance supplies, etc. Have correct uniform for the performance (pep rally vs. concert) Be present Be actively engaged in rehearsal Work to maximum potential Student conduct expectations As a member of the Hudson Band, students represent the Hudson Band at all times: when in other classrooms, on campus, on field trips, and even outside of school. (NOTE: this DOES include conduct OFF campus and conduct on social media, i.e. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) Hudson Band members are held to high expectations at all times. Please conduct yourself in a respectful manner and think about how your actions affect others and the Hudson Band. The Hudson Middle School Student Code of Conduct applies to all band events both on and off campus. Daily classroom procedures Students have an additional1-2 minutes to be seated and ready to play Students not ready to play the first note with the band director will be given a tardy Students will have time to store instruments before moving to the next class Excessive tardies will result in penalties as set forth by the Administration of HMS Tardies may result in a reduction of points from participation grades Procedures for rehearsals and performances Students are to be ready to play at the start time given by the band director ex: Pep rallies are first period and students must be in the band hall ready to warm-up at 7:30 AM, not showing up at 7:30 AM If a rehearsal lasts until 5:00 PM, students will be dismissed at that time; please allow time for student to pack up their equipment and clean up the band hall. Students who are not ready to go at the beginning of a rehearsal may lose points on the grade for that rehearsal Students who fail to attend required rehearsals/performance will receive a grade of 0 for that rehearsal/performance Please make every effort to avoid conflicts with rehearsals as we have a very limited number of rehearsals and every rehearsal is very important. Should a conflict arise, please notify the band director as soon as possible to work out a solution BEFORE the rehearsal
Cell Phone Policy Technology is very powerful and can be a helpful tool in band when used appropriately. Students might be given an opportunity to utilize their phone or tablet during rehearsals; however, the students must adhere to the following policies. It is understood that all cell phones are prohibited unless otherwise specified. Failure to comply with result in the phone/device being turned over to HMS Administration. This DOES include AFTER SCHOOL rehearsals during the year. Acceptable Use If given permission to use cell phone/device during class, students are to utilize the phone only for the intended purpose described by the band director. Students who choose not to follow instructions given by the director can have their phone taken up for inappropriate use and turned over to the HMS Administration. This includes texting/twitter/facebook/snapchat/etc. during an instructional activity where these activities are not allowable. Attendance Policy COMMUNICATION Effective communication is very important to the success of the Hudson Band program. We have so much technology available today (call office, call cellphone, text, email, facebook, etc.) that some effort of communication needs to be made with a band director prior to a conflict with a rehearsal or performance. Band requires many extracurricular activities throughout the school year. Rehearsals, sectionals and performances are an extension of the classroom. Students are required to attend all rehearsals and performances. Should the need arise for a student to a miss band event, the director(s) must be notified ahead of time. Failure to notify the band director may result in a grade penalty. Performance and rehearsals are scheduled far enough in advance for conflicts to be avoided. The following items are excusable reasons for missing a rehearsal or performance (please note, a band director must be notified in advance!): Medical emergencies Personal Illness Death in the family Reasons cleared by a band director in advance The following are NOT excusable reasons for missing a rehearsal or performance: Doctor/Dentist appointment Extracurricular sports not related to Hudson ISD* (such as youth sports leagues) Family vacations/trips Visits from family members Hair appointments Situations where student does not have a ride to/from rehearsal or performance *Conflicts with Hudson ISD sports will be worked out ahead of time between the coach and Mr. Ross. The general rule is a game/performance always supersedes a practice/rehearsal.
Eligibility The University Interscholastic League requires that all students must be passing all classes at the nine-weeks reporting period or at the 3 week progress check in order to participate in any UIL sanctioned event. These events include All-Region auditions, UIL Solo & Ensemble contest, and UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. Academic eligibility also applies to any extracurricular events or performances, such as parades and pep band. Eligibility does not apply to rehearsals or admission-free concerts; all members are required to attend these events unless otherwise notified. Equipment / Instruments Members of the Hudson Band are privileged to have to have some of the nicest facilities and equipment in the area. As such, students are responsible for maintaining the quality of the band hall facilities and all equipment that is owned by Hudson ISD. Facilities The band halls are maintained by the Hudson ISD Maintenance department. It is the responsibility of all students to ensure these facilities stay NEAT and CLEAN. Band directors are not maids! Instrument Lockers Instrument lockers are provided for students to secure their instrument and music ONLY Instrument lockers are NOT personal lockers to store items not related to band (textbooks, clothes, food, etc.) The lockers are still brand new and must be kept in this condition Equipment/Instruments Students are responsible for their own instruments. Lockers are provided for storage during and after school School-owned instruments are property of Hudson ISD and must be treated with care. Students assume responsibility for damages to instruments owned by Hudson ISD Students are to care for their OWN instrument. If you are not a percussionist, you should not play on percussion equipment! Practicing / Practice Sheets Middle school band students should be practicing roughly 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week (150 total minutes). Practicing daily helps to train the muscles and mental processes necessary for musical performance. It is not possible to cram for a chair test or audition by practicing several hours at once. It is advisable to practice in smaller intervals in a routine to ensure muscle development and prevent fatigue. We may not utilize practice sheets during the school year unless students prove that monitoring of their practice is necessary; i.e., students choose not to practice.
Remember: Practicing helps you become a better musician and helps the band become a better ensemble. Everyone is affecting by a student s decision to practice or not to practice. **Practice should not be used as punishment.** Pep Band The purpose of the middle school Pep Band is to support the basketball teams. We are there to provide entertainment and promote school spirit. It is important to realize that game appearances are a performance - students are not there as spectators. The Pep Band consists of all 8th grade band students and any 7th grade student who wishes to audition. Pep Band has a few outside-of-school rehearsals, usually the day of the game. Students are required to be in the agreed-upon uniform in order to play. Students must maintain academic eligibility to perform with the Pep Band. Grades for pep band performances consist of being on time, having the necessary supplies (and uniform), and behavior during the games. Concert Attire Students will be required to wear concert black attire for all concerts throughout the school year. Concert black is defined as follows: Boys Shoes - black dress shoes and black socks Pants - black dress pants/slacks Shirt - black long sleeve, button down shirt Tie - a tie is required with the outfit - any color, shape, pattern tie will work Girls Shoes - black dress shoes (flats or with short heels) - NO SANDALS Dress/skirt - ALL black dress or skirt that extends PAST the knees when seated!! Shirt - Shirts must be black and button down (if not wearing a dress) *note* Blouses and dresses must not be low cut Grading Policy The grading policy for Hudson Middle School states that Daily Grades and Test Grades are weighted 50/50 for a final average. Daily Grades Practice sheets Theory worksheets Sectionals (attendance and participation) Classroom participation Test Grades All performances pep rallies, pep band performances, parades, concerts, etc. After school, full-band rehearsals (not sectionals) Playing tests
Chair tests Music pass-offs
Hudson Middle School Band 2015-2016 Handbook Acknowledgement Form Please Sign & Return: I have read the Hudson Middle School Band Handbook for the 2015-2016 school year. I have read and understand the policies it contains. I agree to hold my band student accountable for the rules in this handbook. Student Name (please print) Grade: Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature Date