Mardela Middle and High School

6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Grade Band 2008-09 

            The various grade levels of the Mardela Middle School Instrumental Music Program will strive to advance all participants’ personal and group performance skills.  The focus of activities will be on posture, finger and breath technique, lesson book and band literature, practice, rehearsal techniques, listening, and basic music theory. 

            The band experience will be a changing mix of individual, small group, and large group musical activity.  All students will be required to obtain a lesson book at their own

expense.  The following is the general book sequence:

6^th Grade:  Essential Elements 2000, Book 1

7^th Grade:  Essential Elements 2000, Book 2

                 Alfred Drum Method, Book 1

8^th Grade:  Essential Elements 2000, Book 3

                  Alfred Drum Method, Book 2                 

Each grade level class will meet 3 times in a 6-day cyle (ACE or BDF).  On a usual day, the following is a list of class expectations:

• Come to every class with instrument, music and pencil

• Arrive to class before the bell

• Gather stand, chair, music, and instrument without delay

**special note:  do not assemble instruments in storage rooms; space is limited

• Check the chalkboard for the day’s agenda and order your materials

• Cease non-musical talk when director begins class

• Be attentive to director’s suggestions and guidance of the entire band

• Put materials away to leave only when released by director

• Replace stand, chair, music, and instrument to where they were found at the beginning of class please make sure all instruments are packed away properly either in cabinets or on storage shelves 

            A Middle School Instrumentalist has several opportunities to perform through the year, dependant upon their effort and development; these may include:

• Holiday Concert (Dec.8, 2008) and Spring Concert (May 6, 2009)

• Audition (Nov 15, 2008) for 2009 All-State Jr. Band

• Audition (Jan.31, 2009) for 2009 All-Shore Jr. Band (April 17-18, 2009)

• Participate in District Solo/Ensemble Festival (Feb.25, 2009, WMS)

• Compete as a band in the MS District Band Festival (April 2, 2009)

• Assist “Warrior” Marching Band or Bandfront (by invitation or Audition)

           Most students will be assigned to a performing band with other 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students.  Two bands will be formed:

Middle School Intermediate Band:  Budding Middle School musicians focus on basic knowledge and skill on their chosen instruments.  They learn to play independent parts together with balance, organization, and  good tone.

Middle School Advanced Band:  These Middle School students work diligently to acquire more advanced skills on their instruments.  Their music is increasingly more difficult. Chosen students also compete in the Middle School District Festival.
 

         Since neither of the above groups meet together during the regular school day, it is necessary to meet after school.  A typical schedule will have each meeting 1 day per week, 3-4:15pm October-December, February-May; this schedule will be distributed.  Failure to attend practices will result in reduction of grade and, after 3 absences, dismissal from performance (with grade reduction) or reassignment into Intermediate Band. 

          Grades in band will be broken into weighted categories:

40% Class

• 5 points per day of Class: 1 pt instrument, 1pt music, 3 pts effort and discipline

• homework assignments (READ articles, homework, band critiques, grade reports, etc)

20%  Tests and Quizzes

• Playing tests (live or taped), written quizzes (announced and unannounced)

                      [Complete taped quizzes (previously announced) on day assigned]

20%  Practice Calendars

• 2 hours practice per week, recorded on a practice calendar (provided by teacher).
• Parent signature is required to confirm each day of practice.
• Calendars are collected the first class period of each week and graded.
• 1 point per half-hour of practice is awarded; 4 points per week is the expectation.
• Students may earn an extra point per week for practice atleast a half-hour beyond 2 hours (grade is then 5 out of 4).
• Late calendar credit (returned 2 days late or more) will be reduced by 1 point [If student practices 2 hours, then his/her 4 points will be reduced to 3]

20%  Practices and Performances

• Each scheduled after-school rehearsal of the Adv. and Int. Band is 15pts earned or lost.
• Each performance is 60pts earned or lost.
• Excused Absences are absence from school, sudden illness (affirmed by nurse) during school, or family emergency.
• Unexcused absences are county/rec sports, work, forgotten instruments.

**special note:  any absence should be explained by a parent note the following day

            All of the above materials, practice calendars, schedules, and announcements will be available ON-LINE at www.wcboe.org/schools/mmhs/band.  Book mark this web page for easy access in the future.

            Any questions can be directed to my school phone (410)677-5170, or my email address cboltz@wcboe.org.