Rockford High School BAND MANUAL Grade 9-12 2017-2018 Table of Contents 1. Our philosophy of music 2. What s new this year 3. This year s leaders 4-6 Leadership policy 7. Uniforms/Equipment 8. Rehearsal and department guidelines/ Band accounts 9. Concert Attendance/Lettering criteria 10. Summer marching schedule and lettering criteria 11-12. Grading Policy 13. Curriculum and auditioning requirements 14. All-State band/honor bands/resale prices Go Rockets!!!!
Rockford Bands A Philosophy of Music It is the goal of this department to provide the best training possible and to increase the student s musical skills in areas of performance, technique, theory, appreciation, and history. Music allows us to communicate in ways not possible in any other form. Music causes us to feel things we normally do not feel. We not only send messages through music, we receive them. Music ignores differences in opinion, religion, politics, race, lifestyle, and personality. Music allows young people to create works of lasting beauty and gives us the opportunity to watch those same young people become leaders in society. Music gives us the opportunity to perform some of the greatest works of art, written by some of the greatest geniuses that have lived on this earth. Music will enrich a person s life. Final thought.. When you graduate, did you get the most out of your high school experience? Did you leave your mark? Consider the three A s Academics Athletics Arts 1
What s new for this year?? 1. Use of instrument storage area: -please continue to use/begin to use padlocks! -Keep all music in designated folder slots (not instrument storage) -Belongings cannot be 100% safe in storage area 2. Continued summer marching band program. We had a great 4th year with this and we want this to grow!! This year, 65 students participated! 3. Grading: Check out the grading and curriculum pages. 4. Make sure you look over the calendar and save those dates!! 5. A lot of new music ordered for this year including four new pep band tunes. Concert Band: New Pep Band Tunes: Sweet Caroline, On Top of the World, Come On, Feel The Noize, The Greatest Contest Piece: Symphonic Dance No. 3 or Songs of Sailor and Sea Varsity Band: Concert Music: Metal!, Calliope March, and some challenging stuff for the winter! 6. New equipment! New snares with harnesses. Coming soon bass drum harnesses, etc. 7. Guest clinicians again this year. We are also hosting large group contests this year (mid March). 8. Jazz band going back to Bemidji State University for Jazz Festival
Rockford High School Concert Band 2017-2018 Band Officers: Band President: Grace Rootness Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Joe Seymour Drum Majors: Penina Boros Maria Schirado Head Flags: Heidi Trandahl Lila Beck Drumline Section Leaders: Ellitot Hellman Catie Schiltz Wind instrument section leaders: Flute Grace Rootness Clarinet Penina Boros Bass Clarinet Armand LaPlume Saxophones Lila Beck Charlotte Faue Maria Schirado Trumpet Caleb Duerr French Horn McKenzie Raymond Trombone Joe Dieter Baritone Lucas Botten 3
Leadership Drum Majors: Drum majors will be selected in May for the following school year. Criteria: -Must be a member of the Rockford band program -Must be seniors the following school year -Must audition in the spring the year before their senior year -Must be present at performances of the marching band including Homecoming, Fall Marching Band Concert, Memorial Day, Summer Marching Camp -1 drum major must be present at other various marching performances throughout the summer -Must be leaders in the band program -Must be proficient marchers and be able to demonstrate marching basics -Leadership qualities Audition Process: All potential Drum Majors will audition in May by conducting the concert band. Students will be videotaped in order to judge conducting ability. All potential Drum Majors will also be judged on marching technique. Duties of Drum Majors: 1. Be present and conduct all marching band performances. 2. Lead the marching band through rehearsals. 3. Meet regularly with the band director to discuss rehearsals, upcoming performances, etc. 4. Always serve as a positive model to the rest of the marching band and to the school and community. Flags: Criteria: -Must be a member of the Rockford band program -Student must be in 9 th -11 th grade -Must audition in the spring and attend rehearsals leading up the audition day -Must be present at marching band performances including Homecoming, Fall Marching Band Concert, Memorial Day, Rockford River Days, and the Summer Marching Camp -Must be able to participate in the majority of summer marching performances -Must be proficient marchers and be able to demonstrate marching technique -Must attend rehearsals in the fall before school for Homecoming and the Fall Marching Band Concert 4
Audition Process: All potential flags will attend rehearsals in the spring in preparation for the audition. Two outside judges will be brought in to judge all potential flags. Head flags will also be selected during this time. Duties of the Flags: 1. Perform at marching band performances including Homecoming, Fall Marching Band Concert, Memorial Day, Rockford River Days, and the summer marching camp. 2. Be on time for all rehearsals before school in the fall. 3. Always do your part to make the flags successful. Head Flags: 2 head flags will be selected during the audition process to run the rehearsals of the flags the following year. Head flags will meet with the instructor in August to go over music for the Fall Marching Band Concert. Head flags will also design the routines once music is selected. Head flags have a great responsibility to the marching band program and serve as models to the rest of the flags in our program. -A current flag can lose their place on the roster at try-outs if they score lower than a new flag.-any flag can be cut from the roster due to tardiness or unexcused absences Drumline: Criteria: - Must be a member of the Rockford Concert Band - All students must audition in the spring - All students must be present at marching performances including Homecoming, Fall Marching Band Concert, Memorial Day, Rockford River Days, and the Summer Marching Camp - Must be able to attend the majority of other summer marching performances - Must be proficient marchers and be able to demonstrate proper marching band technique Audition Process: All percussionists will audition in the spring for chair placement for the following school year. At this time a section leader or leaders will also be selected. The audition will include a prepared etude on snare, the cadence, assigned mallet work, and sight-reading. Duties of Drumline: 1. Be on time for all rehearsals before school in the fall to prepare for Homecoming and the Fall Marching Band Concert. 2. Be present at all marching performances as well as the summer marching camp. 3. Always do your part to make our drumline successful. 5
Section Leaders: Section leaders will lead all rehearsals before school in the fall. Section leaders also have the privilege of selecting 1-2 percussion ensemble pieces for the fall marching band concert. They will meet with the instructor in August to go over possible selections. Section leaders must always serve as an example to the rest of the section. Band Officers: Band officers will be elected in June for the following school year. Criteria: -Must be a senior the following school year -Must attend meetings throughout the school year Duties of Band Officers: 1. Attend all scheduled meetings 2. Officers will make decisions on band shirts 3. Officers will assist on all band trips/outings 4. Always set a positive example and demonstrate leadership in and outside the band room. 5. Officers are welcome to voice concerns related to the band program Section Leaders Section leaders will also be chosen for each section. Section leaders will be selected by the instructor. The section leader will be responsible for running sectionals, lesson help, and assisting less experienced players in the section. The section leader may not be the best player in the section. The section leader will be chosen based on their experience, attitude, ability, reliability, and participation in the program. 6
Uniforms/Equipment Band Uniforms Most band uniforms will be assigned the week of the marching band camp. Once uniforms, hats, and shoes have been assigned, they are the responsibility of each student. The school district pays for the cleaning of uniforms. Students may not switch uniforms once they have been assigned. Shoes should stay with the uniform. *We also have a summer marching shirt available for purchase. These shirts will also serve as our tour shirt and our shirt if we need a uniform for pep band. Shirts are $10.00 each. Band Shoes!!! Everyone will be purchasing their own marching band shoes!! The price is: $25.00 a pair for new shoes and $10.00 a pair for gently used shoes Equipment Lyres: Each student is responsible for purchasing their own lyre for the upcoming school year. They may be purchased on your own or through the school district. Please see the instructor if you would like to order a lyre through the school district. Flip Folders: Each student will be assigned and provided with a flip folder for marching and for the pep band season. Once a folder is assigned they are the responsibility of the student until they are checked back in. Any damage or abuse to a flip folder will be covered by the student that was assigned to that flip folder. School Instruments: Students that currently use a school instrument will be required to fill out a contract for that instrument for the upcoming school year. Any abuse or damage done to a school instrument will be covered by the student. School instruments are rented for $60.00 for the school year. Percussionists do not pay a fee for using the percussion equipment at school. Percussion Equipment: Percussion equipment will be provided by the school district. Any abuse or damage done by a student will be paid by that student. You are welcome and encouraged to purchase your own sticks and mallets. Audio Equipment: Any CD s, cassette players, etc. lent out must be returned to the instructor unless special permission has been given. 7
Rehearsal and Departmental Guidelines 1. Always put your best effort forward 2. Be on time 3. No gum, pop, or food except on special occasions 4. Keep cell phones in pockets and turned off (not on stands) 5. Please keep hats in your lockers 6. Keep language clean Band Accounts All band students in grades 9-12 have an individual band accounts. These accounts are used for band trips held every two years. We have many opportunities throughout the school year to fundraise money for your account including Happenings Books Sales, food sales, and working at the Metrodome. All money you fundraise goes directly into your account. Accounts will be posted in the band room. **Remember** Band accounts will not be transferrable to younger siblings. Students can fundraise for the amount of the trip only. Money raised above the cost of the trip will remain in the high school band activities account. 8
Concert Attendance We spend a lot of time each week preparing for our concerts. It is expected that students make this a priority. It is not unreasonable for me to expect 100% attendance. We expect students and parents to check schedules weeks and months ahead of time to get concert dates on their calendar. Attendance at concerts is required (please see grading). Students will be required to be in uniform for the Winter Concert, large group contests, and graduation. The marching band attire will continue to be used for the Fall Marching Band Concert, Homecoming, Memorial Day, the Rockford River Days Parade, Hanover Days, and other summer marching performances. Concert Uniform for the Winter Concert and large group contests Concert Band Women Concert Band Men Band Uniform Band Uniform Uniform top with black skirt Uniform top with uniform Dress shoes or heels Slacks Black shoes and socks Concert Uniform for the Varsity Band (Fall Concert and Winter Concert) Varsity Band Women Varsity Band Men Black Skirt or Slacks Black Slacks Black Shoes Black Shoes White Long Sleeved Button- White Long Sleeved Button down Shirt with Collar shirt with Collar Black Socks Black Socks Lettering Criteria 1. Be in band for two years for the first letter 2. Maintain a B average in band 3. Must not miss more than two events per year (unless excused by instructor) 4. Must be enrolled in band every trimester 5. Additional letters are earned each additional year that the student in enrolled all three trimesters 9
Summer Marching Schedule and Lettering Criteria 2018!!! Rehearsal Schedule: Tuesday, June 5....Marching meeting/first rehearsal 3:15pm-5:30pm in the high school band room July 24-26.... Rehearsals from 9am-11am July 31-Aug 1.....Rehearsals 9am-11am Thursday, August 2. Rehearsal 3pm-5pm Thursday, August 2.... Band Picnic 5:30pm *Drumline/Flags will have additional rehearsals Performance Schedule: Saturday, Aug. 4.... Hanover Parade Sunday, Aug. 12......Rockford River Days Parade Sunday, Aug. 19...Montrose Parade State Fair Performance To Be Announced!!! Lettering Requirements: Details will be laid out in the marching handbook
Grading and Attendance Policy Grading for students in grades 9-12 will be based on concert attendance, pep band attendance, lessons, rehearsal participation, evaluations, and playing tests held throughout the school year. The following is a breakdown of the grading scale for trimesters 1 and 3 for Concert Band, trimester 1,2,3 for Varsity Band. Concerts..40% of your grade Lessons/Practicing/Assignments.... 40% of your grade Participation........20% of your grade The following is a breakdown of trimester 2 (Concert Band) Lessons/Practicing/Assignments. 80% of your grade Participation.20% of your grade Pep Band: To ensure a great sounding pep band at every event, pep band performances are required and are part of your overall grade. Concert Band students are permitted to miss 2 excused pep bands per season (including play-off games) and not have it affect their grade or their ability to letter in band. An excused pep band needs to be accompanied by a parent email or note. This does NOT include Homecoming. More than two pep band misses per trimester will result in the lowering of a student s grade and disqualification of lettering. Exceptions will be made for illness, vacation, etc. as long as the director has written notification of the miss. Another extra-curricular activity that conflicts with pep band does not count against a student. All concerts are required: Concerts are 40% of your grade. In an emergency situation a student can complete a make-up assignment with the instructor s permission. Make-up assignments will include a lengthy written assignment and/or extra performance. *Memorial Day and Graduation are considered required performances! Remember!! To receive full credit for your concert grade, you must arrive to warm ups on time, behave appropriately during warm ups, and display appropriate concert etiquette during concerts. Memorial Day.. Students not participating in the Memorial Day Program will complete an alternative assignment. This assignment is due the Friday before Memorial Day. The length of this assignment will be similar to the length of time the band spends preparing for the Memorial Day program. Lessons: Students in grade 9 will have an individual lesson approximately every 3 weeks. Students will be graded on their preparation for lessons and practice times. Students receive 1 point for every 10 minutes of practicing. 20 points is considered a score of 100% for practicing (200 minutes every 3 weeks). Students will receive extra credit for extra practicing (again, 1 point for every 10 minutes of practice). *Lessons are for non-private lesson students. 11
Extra Credit Opportunities: Students that participate in jazz band or perform outside the school district will be given extra credit. 1. Jazz Band: Participation in jazz band will help your grade by up to 10%. Attendance will be taken at rehearsals. To receive full credit you must be at the rehearsals and be on time. Students must also perform all performances to receive full credit. 2. Solo/Ensemble Contests: Varsity Band students that participate will receive extra creidit. 3. Ferdig Fridays: First Friday of each month. Perform at the public library for extra credit. Tardy Policy for Concert and Varsity Band To receive full credit for their participation grade, students must be one time. A tardy results in lost points for that day. Definition of TARDY : Anyone that is not in the band room or instrument storage area prior to the 2 nd bell. Anyone already in the hallway will not be marked tardy as long as they are hustling the door. 12
9 th Grade Band requirements for auditioning for Concert Band 1. Page 30 of lesson book (Student Instrumental Course, Int. Level) 2. Must prepare all 12 major scales (percussionists: perform on mallets, 2 hands) 3. Mastery of chromatic scale (percussionists: perform on mallets) All criteria above must be completed by May 4th This criteria is for non-private lesson students (students that stop taking private lessons will then need to complete the above criteria) Exceptions can be made to students that start band late but must first speak to the director Concert Band Curriculum Trimester #1 1. * Chromatic Scale (from memory) (20% of your grade Trimester #2 1. *Prepared etude (for students not participating in solo/ensemble contests only, jazz band does NOT exempt you from the etude) (40% of your grade) 2. Sectional in preparation for large group contests (40% of your grade) Trimester #3 1. Preparing for the 2018-2019 audition Seniors will perform senior song and will not audition (40% of your grade) *Indicates an assignment for non-private lesson students only 13
All-State Band Auditions/Honor Bands Students that excel on their instruments are strongly encouraged to audition for All-State Band. All-State Band is an ensemble made up of the top high school players in the state. Each year about 1,200 students audition and about 200 students are selected. There are about 40,000 band students in the state of Minnesota. A student that makes All-State is virtually guaranteed scholarships in college even if you are not a music major. In addition to All-State, the state of Minnesota also has an All-State honor band for grades 9-10 and for jazz band. In addition to all-state, there are also other honor opportunities throughout the school year. All honor bands coming up will be announced well ahead of time. Membership The band program is open to any student in grades 9-12. Students may join at any time with the instructor s permission. Membership may be withheld from any student whose attitude is not acceptable. This organization will always choose quality over quantity. Students will be removed from the band program if the director feels it is in the best interest of the band. Reed/Oil Prices -All reeds are $3.00 each (except for oboe and bassoon) -Ask about the cost for a box of reeds -Valve oil is $5.00-$7.00 a bottle -Used marching lyres are $1.00 each -New marching lyres are $5.00 each We also have cleaning kits, mouthpieces, neck straps, reed guards, snare sticks, and other items on sale. 14
Rockford High School Band Calendar 2016-2017 Friday, September 2 @ 5:00pm Tuesday, September 13 @ 5:30pm Friday, September 23 @ 6:15pm Thursday, September 29 @ 6:15pm Friday, September 30 @ 5:15pm Tuesday, October 11 @ 6:15pm Friday, October 14 @ 6:15pm Tuesday, November 1 from 7-10pm Thursday, November 3 @ 7:30pm Thursday, December 8 @ 6:15pm Friday, December 16 @ 6:15pm Friday, January 13 @ 6:15pm Tuesday, January 17 @ 6:15pm Thursday, January 26 Tuesday, January 31 @ 6:15pm Friday, February 3 @ 6:15pm February 4-5 Friday, February 10 @ 6:15pm Monday, February 13 Saturday, February 18 Tuesday, February 28 @ 6:15pm Football: Watertown-Mayer Boys/Girls Soccer: New Prague Football: Melrose Volleyball: Mound Westonka Homecoming: Holdingford Volleyball: Annandale Football: Pierz Healy Marching Band Rehearsal Marching Band Concert w/ Varsity Band GBB: Fair School BBB: Twin City Academy BBB: New London-Spicer GBB: Dassel-Cokato Wrestling: Mound Westonka GBB: Watertown-Mayer BBB: Litchfield Jazz Festival at Bemidji State University GBB: New London-Spicer Solo/Ensemble Contests @ Howard Lake All-State Band/Choir Performances BBB: Watertown-Mayer Tuesday, March 14 @ 7:30pm Wednesday, March 15 (during day) Saturday, May 6 Wednesday, May 17 @ 8:00pm Thursday, May 25 @ 8:00pm Monday, May 29 @ 10:00am Tuesday, June 6 July 25-27 August 1-3 Thursday, August 3 Saturday, August 5 Sunday, August 13 Sunday, August 20 To Be Announced!!! Winter Band Concert Large Group Band Contests@ Watertown Prom Spring Band Concert Jazz Concert Memorial Day Program Evening Marching Practice/Meeting Summer Marching Practice Summer Marching Practice Marching Band Picnic/Final Rehearsal Hanover Parade Rockford River Days Parade Montrose Days Parade Performance at the state fair *All events in bold are for both Varsity Band and Concert Band *Pep band times indicate when students should report to the band room, concert times indicate when concerts begin *Pep band will also play at play-off games for football, volleyball, girls basketball, and boys basketball
Jerald Ferdig Rockford High School Dear band parents and students: Each year students have the opportunity to take private lessons on their instrument. Private instruction gives students the opportunity to learn from an instructor that specializes on their instrument. It s a tremendous opportunity for students and is one of the reasons Rockford has maintained a highly successful band program. This year Chuck Armstrong will be our woodwind specialists. Kevin Fuhrman will be our percussion specialist. Loren Endorf will be the brass specialists. All of our private teachers are experienced teachers and educators and have worked in the Rockford School District for years. There is a fee for private lessons. Depending on the instructor, they range from $25.00-$28.00 per lesson. Students typically get 4 lessons per month with each lesson 30 minutes in length. Payments will be made directly to the instructor. (do not write checks to Rockford Schools) Lessons will begin the week of September 12 th. *Private lessons are taught during band/choir time or before/after school. Please take a minute and complete this form and return to high school/middle school band room. This form is worth 20 points to the students so please complete this form even if you are not interested in private lessons. This form is due by Friday, September 9. Thanks for your time and consideration and for supporting the Rockford band program. Sincerely, Jerald Ferdig ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLEASE COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW. THE FORM MUST BE TURNED IN BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9. THE FORM IS WORTH 20 POINTS TO STUDENTS EVEN IF THEY DO NOT TAKE PRIVATE LESSONS. THANKS!! Yes, I want to sign up for private lessons!!! Name of student (please print clearly) Signature of parent/guardian Telephone Email No, I do not want to sign up for private lessons at this time. Name of student (please print clearly) Signature of parent/guardian