2009-2010

Lake Zurich

Middle School North

Band Handbook

Band Department

2009-2010

Dear Band Parent:

This is a copy of the Lake Zurich Middle School North BAND HANDBOOK. It contains an explanation of the policies of the program and answers questions you may have concerning activities. You will want to keep this handbook where it can be found throughout the year if you have questions. I hope you find the Handbook helpful and informative. Informed and supportive parents are vital to the success of each child. Please confirm your receipt of this booklet by signing and returning the receipt of handbook form. After you have read the handbook with your child, feel free to call me at school if you have any questions. Thank you. I look forward to another successful year!!!

Steven Stenzel
Band Director - LZMS North
(847)719-3669
steve.stenzel@lz95.org

Band is a graded, curricular course in District 95 which offers an opportunity for personal growth and enrichment, through the study of wind and percussion instruments. Band is an important part of the school curriculum and requires ongoing work and commitment. Band grades contribute to students’ GPA. The program is structured to offer opportunities for motivation, positive attitudes, and a commitment to excellence in an atmosphere of discovery and learning through music. The curriculum emphasizes musical style and listening skills, which are introduced in both full rehearsal and small group lessons. The band program seeks to foster dedication, hard work, self-sacrifice, and team effort as results of concentrated study of musical concepts and individual achievement. This individual and musical growth is the basis for a concerted group effort, and expectations will be established to promote maximum potential in both full band rehearsals and in individual lessons. Band Class consists of two primary elements: 1) Rehearsals and 2) Group lessons.

Symphonic Band (7th/8th grade) 4th period

Cadet Band (6th grade) 10th period

Jazz Band Wed - after school (45 min.)

Rehearsal attendance is very important as each person missing means there is a gap in the music. Occasionally as concerts approach, there will be the need for extra rehearsals after school. When this is the case you will be informed in advance so that babysitting jobs for the students, doctor appointments, and dentist appointments can be scheduled without conflicts. After school rehearsals are mandatory and the director must be notified in writing of any conflicts. Students will be excused from after school rehearsals at the director’s discretion. Students involved in after school sports or other activities will be excused on game days only. On sports practice days,

students will go to the practice after band rehearsal. Dress rehearsals for each concert are scheduled in the days prior to the concert. These dates should be marked on your calendar along with concert and other band dates. Except in the case of an excused absence as determined by the director, students not attending a dress rehearsal will not be allowed to perform in the concert and their grade for the quarter will be lowered one letter grade.

Grades for band will be determined by averaging the grades received in the following areas, as explained below:

1) Tests and Quizzes 30%
2) Assignments 20%
3) Lesson Attendance 20%
4) Practice Habits 20%
5) Attitude and Effort 10%

Extra credit can be obtained by attending out-of-school concerts, participating in an out-of-school music organization, taking private lessons, or listening to recordings of one’s own instrument played by professionals. The director may also approve other creative means for extra credit.

1) Tests and Quizzes - Tests will be given periodically as a means of assessing broad concepts. These tests can be either written and/or played. They will cover basic vocabulary, rhythmic exercises, and symbols in music. There may be 3 to 4 tests per year. Quizzes will be administered at the weekly lessons and will be entirely played (no written materials) on an individual’s instrument. These quizzes will be based on the assigned practice material, and are evidence of consistent hard work and practice at home.

2) Assignments - Occasional written assignments will be given to foster a broader conceptual understanding of band, an individual’s instrument or an aspect of music. These assignments will be completed at home and will be collected during lesson or rehearsal times. Assignments of this sort do not replace practice time for the week.

3) Lesson Attendance - Lessons are needed to develop specific skills on a particular instrument. An unexcused missed lesson will result in a grade of ‘F’ for that lesson. To be excused from a lesson, students must obtain permission from the director, in person, if not before, then immediately after the lesson. Parents will be contacted after two unexcused missed lessons. After three or more unexcused missed lessons, the student’s continued participation in the program is in jeopardy.

4) Practice Habits - Practice habits are at the heart of a successful program. Each individual is responsible to carry his or her own part in the program. Practicing is something that must be learned and can only be learned through repeated, guided efforts. This is one of the most important aspects of the program and should be seen as such. Each student is required to practice 5 days/week minimum 30 minutes each time. Two hours on one day is not acceptable. To monitor this I will check practice records weekly and I will assign a grade of “A” for 5 days, “B” for 4 days, “C” for 3 days, “D” for 2 days and an “F” for 1 or fewer days of practicing. Please help your child practice regularly and sign their practice records with the honest minutes written in. Please do not sign an untrue practice record - unsigned practice records are given one day of leeway and are then marked as no credit. Good practice habits result in proper posture when playing in rehearsals or lessons, evidence of work being done at home (being prepared for the weekly lesson), continual progress on an individual’s instrument, and improvement of hand position and technique in percussion and improvement of embouchure in the winds.

5) Attitude and Effort - Attitude and effort are an individual’s way to make band an enjoyable experience for everyone. Because the band is an interactive group, and appropriate behavior is vital to its success, expectations in this area will be high. Good attitude is shown through encouraging comments to other band members, not complaining, and willingness to help. Good effort is shown through consistent practicing, and focused concentration in rehearsals. Friendliness and support of other Band members is always important.

Although no single grade is given for concerts, attendance is mandatory for all students. Much like a final project in any other class, concerts are a culminating facet of the program and thus any missed concert will lower a student’s grade one full letter for that quarter. Concert dates are given at the end of this handbook and should be written on your calendar immediately so that none are overlooked.

Most instrument supplies are available from the band director. Check the supply list in the band room or ask the director for prices. All students are required to have the appropriate supplies to maintain their instrument. These supplies include a name tag for the outside of the case and a lesson book (cost $7.00) as assigned by Mr. Stenzel.

Other required supplies are as follows:

1) All band members must purchase a lesson book. ($7.00).
2)All band members must have an ID tag on their instrument case.
3) Students need other items as outlined below

Cash or check made out to “Lake Zurich Middle School North”.

SUPPLY LIST

When ordering supplies through Mr. Stenzel, please pay with cash or make a check out to LZMSN Band unless otherwise instructed.

Solo and Ensemble Contest occurs on Saturday, February 20, 2009, and is a required event for all 7th and 8th grade band members. Sixth grade students may attend with the director’s consent. Each student may participate in as many as three events, with the director’s permission. Contest consists of individual accompanied solos and/or small group ensembles as chosen by the director. Accompanists (piano players) will be furnished for solos if needed (they generally charge $25 to $30, depending on the difficulty of the piece). Students taking private lessons are encouraged to have their teacher select a solo for them. This should be shown to the director, by December 1. At contest, students are rated on their performance and on various other categories such as intonation, rhythm, dynamics, musicality, style, etc. First and second place ratings are given medals. This is an important part of the students’ development as musicians and year after year proves to be one of the most memorable events for them. It is hard work that is well worth the effort the students put into it. Please encourage your child to practice diligently for this contest.

Every Band student has an account in which band money from fundraisers is kept.  This account is credited by Band fundraisers the student participates in and is ongoing throughout the student’s participation in Band (Middle school through H.S.) These accounts are not students’ personal money, but represent school band funds a student can use for band activities such as the biannual trips the bands make, for Solo & Ensemble contest and for various other costs incurred. Money earned for the band by a student, remains with the band if a student does not continue in the program at the end of the year. Students enrolled in the H.S. band will have their account transferred to the H.S. band. There will be several fundraisers this year and the money will go toward individual accounts, as indicated, as well as toward purchase of new instruments for the band program. These are the best way for students to finance their own trips. 6th graders should begin to build up their accounts for future years. Though participation by everyone is encouraged, these are not mandatory fundraisers. As the times for the fundraisers approach, details will be passed out.

At the end of each year there is a banquet for the students. It is held at the Concord Banquet Hall in Lake Zurich. This is a culminating event for the students and is the time when awards are presented to them. The cost is $25.00 per person and can be paid for either with monies from fundraisers earlier in the year, or by cash or check made out to “Lake Zurich Middle School North Band”. A formal dinner is followed by a DJ dance. After this, parents may join us for the awards presentation. Director selected awards include; Best Attitude, Most Involved, Best Listener, etc. The Highest Award given is the Most Valuable Player award, which goes to the Band member exhibiting the highest caliber of playing in conjunction with the best example to the rest of the band in the areas of motivation, attitude, effort, practice habits and leadership. This person is usually involved in outside groups and is interested in taking part in summer camps as well. This award is truly a privilege to receive and the recipient’s name is inscribed on a plaque for permanent display in the band room.

1) No gum is allowed in the band room at any time.

2) Place books and folders on the tables provided inside the rehearsal room before getting out instruments.

3) After your instrument is put together, take your seat and warm up slowly and quietly until the director steps onto the podium.

4) Talking is not allowed when anyone is on the podium or if anyone else is talking.

5) Instruments and music are always be kept in the band room (with the exception of weekends and holidays) - never in your locker.

6) Instruments and music must go home after school every Friday (or the last day before a break) for individual practice.

7) Instruments are expensive and are not to be touched unless they belong to you.

8) Smiles and good attitude work wonders in the band room.

9) Enjoy the music and each other - it will be a fun year!

Click here for a list of the Band Performance and activity dates.  Calendar

Once you have read through the handbook - please print this receipt of handbook form, sign it and return it to Mr. Stenzel