William Hazlett- Director of Bands

bhazlett@prov.org

Exploratory Band               Middle School Band      

weekly playing test                 weekly playing test

Upper School Band            Fifth Grade Band  

Weekly Schedule                 weekly assignments

Providence Stallion School Band Handbook and Policies

DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS

Band is designed to instruct students in applications of instrumental music performance. Band instruments include woodwinds (flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones and bassoons), brass (trumpets, trombones, baritones and tubas) and percussion.  Students will enhance their music reading skills, technical ability on their instruments and musical interpretations.

High School band classes will be organized by instrument families: woodwind, brass and percussion. This will enable instruction to be more specific to the individual needs of each instrument. There will be a morning full band rehearsal at least once a week (see attendance and grading policy for details).

Students in advanced ensembles will be expected to attend extracurricular performances and before or after school rehearsals. These performances and rehearsals will be announced well in advance so the students can clear their schedules on those dates. It is the student's responsibility to stay informed and to keep parents informed of upcoming events. The band provides a monthly calendar to keep students and parents informed of important dates.

Students will provide their own instruments and have them in class each day. Large instruments can be rented from the school. Students using a school instrument should provide their own mouthpiece. Reed instruments (clarinets and saxophones) should always have four playable reeds available for use in class (see recommendations).  High School band students should purchase a lyre and flip folder.

FUNDRAISING

There will be a cheesecake sale in the fall. Each student will have an individual account which they can use to deposit money for various band activities.

 RECOMMENDATIONS

Students can get assistance in choosing an instrument at instrument fitting night which will take place in the fall. Music stores and instrument vendors are professionals who can guide students to the appropriate brand, make and model of instrument. I strongly suggest the following:

• All clarinet and saxophone players should purchase a ROVNER LIGATURE.
• All clarinets are recommended to get a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece.
• All saxophone players are recommended to get a Selmer C Star mouthpiece.
• All clarinet and saxophone players should use quality reeds (Mitchell Laurie or Vandoren) beginners grade 2 ½, advanced 3 or 3 ½ .

All reed players should have at least 4 playable reeds in class every day.

• All trumpet players should use a 3C mouthpiece.
• All trombone and baritone players should use a 6 ½ AL mouthpiece.
• All tuba players should use a 24 AW mouthpiece.

All brass players should have a bottle of valve oil at all times.

Private lessons are an excellent way to help students excel on their instrument. They provide one-on-one, in-depth learning geared specifically to the student and the instrument they play. Ask the director for a list of approved instructors.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The band room is a place for learning. There will be no running or loud talking. Students will be asked to leave if they exhibit the wrong behavior.

Students are to be in their seats when the bell rings. They are tardy if they are not in their seat.

No food or drink will be permitted in the band room.

When the conductor or anyone steps on the podium, talking should stop immediately and students should direct their attention to the podium.

Do not touch the property of other's.

Students will be subject to all classroom rules, which are attached to this handbook.

ATTENDANCE AND GRADING POLICY

Band is a co-circular course. This means that all after school activities are required as part of the grading process. Students will be informed of all activities so that they may clear their schedule. Excused absences must be approved in advance and must be submitted in writing.  An unexcused absence counts as a zero on a major exam grade.

Full band practice will take place on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Students with conflicts must submit them in writing in advance to avoid an unexcused absence.

* Any absence at a performance without previous notice will result in a drop of two letter grades off of the nine weeks average.

Practice is essential. No improvement will take place without practice. Students should be encouraged to practice a minimum of 30 minutes each night. Students will turn in practice cards with a parent's signature each week. Practice records may be obtained from the director. *(High school band will not be required to turn in practice cards but may do so for extra credit.)

* Please look over and post the schedule of events attached to the back of this handbook.

CHAIR PLACEMENT AND CHALLENGES

The director will assign students to parts to achieve good balance in the ensemble. It should be remembered that all parts are important to proper balance; therefore sections may be staggered to provide the best sound possible.

Students who feel they deserve advancement in a section may challenge the person directly ahead of them. Challenge forms are available in the band room. There should be at least two days notice before each challenge.

INSTRUMENTS, STORAGE AND FOLDERS

Students and parents must either buy or rent their band instrument. Beginning band students are encouraged to rent an instrument until they are sure their child will continue in band. There are many reputable music dealers in our area.

The band (school) will rent large and hard to find instruments such as Baritones, Tubas, French Horns and Bassoons. Each student who uses a school instrument should fill out and return an instrument loan agreement, which states that he or she will be responsible for the instrument and the instrument's maintenance as long as the student uses the instrument.

A storage area is provided for each student to place his/her instrument each morning and pick it up at the end of each day. Nothing but the proper instrument should be put in the storage area.

Music folders will be assigned at the beginning of the year. A folder slot will also be assigned. Students are expected to keep all band music and books in their folders. The folder should always be returned to the proper slot at the end of each rehearsal. Students are permitted to take the folders home but they should be returned each day.

UNIFORMS

Students will be expected to have the appropriate uniform for each performance.

• Pep band uniform consists of long black pants, black shoes, and a band shirt. A separate uniform order form will be given out so each student may purchase the proper sized garment.
• Band shoes should be ordered through the band director.
• Formal uniform consists of black dress pants, tux shirt, cummerbund and bow tie for guys, long black dress for girls.
• All uniforms should be purchased through the band director.

ATTITUDE

There are factors other than musicianship, which have a bearing on our program:

Obedience - Courtesy - Alertness - Self-control- Dependability - Cleanliness – Honesty- Effort - Initiative

Remember: YOU, as a member of the Providence Stallion Band represent yourself, your family, your school, and your community.

PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS

• Band parents are expected to be aware of student expectations so they can be more helpful to their students.
• Band parents are expected to provide the necessary materials for their child’s class work and the study of music.
• Band parents are expected to be actively involved in the Band Parents Association which supports the overall band program.
• Band parents are expected to be aware of the academic progress of their child at the end of each grading period. Failure to maintain the required GPA will result in nonparticipation in field trips.
• Band parents are expected to reimburse the band for any lost or damaged music or school owned property.
• Band parents are expected to send written documentation for any missed rehearsals or instruments that are in the shop.
• Band parents are expected to pick up their children at the appointed time following any band activity.

HONORS GROUPS AND FESTIVALS

Many musical activities are available to band students outside the normal Stallion Band functions. All students are invited and encouraged to participate in the activities outlined below:

• All-State Band- this is a group chosen by audition composed of students throughout the state of Florida. If chosen, students are invited to Tampa each year in January where they rehearse with a special clinician for three days and then perform at one of many concerts, which take place during the weekend. It is a very intense experience and the highest honor a middle school band student can achieve. Auditions take place at the end of September each year. Requirements are available from the director.
• All District Band- this is a group chosen by audition composed of students from the Jacksonville area. Students who are chosen rehearse with a special clinician and perform a concert at the begging of February. It is highly recommended that students audition for All-State and All-District Bands because of the great amount of growth, which takes place during preparation. District auditions take place in January. All-State band members are automatically accepted into the All-District Band.
• Solo and Ensemble Festival- this is an opportunity for students to show their individual excellence. Students must pick a piece of music which is on the state music list and they must have a piano accompanist. At Festival, they play their solo for a judge and receive a rating. All those who receive a Superior will get a medal. Students may also work in groups such as clarinet quartets or trumpet trios. No pianist is necessary for these performances. Ratings are given the same as for solos. Students who wish to participate should sign up before the Christmas holidays.

• Concert Festival- this is an event where the entire band is judged and rated. Each member in a band that scores superior will receive a medal. Concert Festival dates are:

High School Festival dates are March13-14, 2009

              Middle School Festival dates are March 20-21, 2009

• Concert Dates: Fall concert- (Middle and High School Bands, September 30, 2008)       Christmas concert-(Middle School and Beginning Band) December 9, 2008)

            Christmas Extravaganza- (High School) December 11, 2008

            Winter concert- (High School, Middle School) February 24, 2009

            Spring concert- May 5, 2009 (HSB, MSB, BB)

Aim high. You may fall short, but you will go further than if you had never aimed at all!

Providence Band

Schedule of Events

2008-2009

The following schedule is intended to help you plan your calendar. The schedule is subject to change and will likely have performance dates added. High School band events are designated (HSB), Middle School band events are designated (MSB), and Exploratory Band is (EB)

August

7- School begins

19- Instrument fitting night (EB, 5th Grade)

 September

5- Football game (HSB)- 7:30

12- Football game (HSB)- 7:30

13- All-State Band Auditions (HSB, MSB)- Mandarin M.S.

19- Football game (HSB)- 7:30

26- Football game (HSB)- 7:30

30- Fall Band Concert- 7:00 p.m. (HSB, MSB)-  NLCF Sanctuary.

October

10- Football game (HSB)- 7:30

HOMECOMING

24- Cheesecake Sale begins (HSB, MSB, EB)

24- Football game (HSB)- 7:30

November

3- FBA Marching Band MPA

              (not a required event)

December

9- Christmas Concert (MSB, EB)

              7:00- NLCF Sanctuary

11- Christmas Night of the Arts

              (HSB)7:00- Gym

January

13- All District Band Auditions (HSB, MSB)

February

13-14- Solo and Ensemble Festival

24- Pre-Festival Concert- 7:00 p.m. (HSB, MSB)- Room B-205

March

13-14- High School Concert Festival (FBA*) (HSB)

20-21- Middle School Concert Festival (FBA*) (MSB)

April

 Middle School Band Trip

 High School Band Trip

              Dates to be announced

May

5- Spring Band Concert

16- Graduation

*Florida Bandmasters Association

HSB- rehearses Tuesday mornings at 7:00 a.m.