E.

Russell Hicks Middle School Band

E. Russell Hicks Middle School

1321 South Potomac Street

Hagerstown, MD 21740

E-mail: Ms. Hull

Hullmic@wcps.k12.md.us
301-766-8110 ext. 77206
301-766-8999 ext. 77206
Welcome Back!
I am excited to have the opportunity of working with you and your student to provide the best
instrumental experience for each student. Our goals are as follows:
To challenge each student to excel with his/her individual playing ability
To expand the basic marching band techniques
To provide small and large ensemble performance experience/opportunities
To prepare eighth graders for the high school program
To have each student enjoy, take pride in and appreciate being part of the E.R.H. Band program.
To incorporate IPad usage into class activities
In order to accomplish these goals, encouragement and support from parents is needed to enhance
each childs educational experience.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
7TH GRADE Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 from 6th grade and they will need to purchase
Essential Elements 2000 Book 2.
8th GRADE Essential Elements 2000, Book 2 from 7th grade and they will not need to purchase
a new book this year
General needs for both grades: reeds for woodwind players (clarinets, saxophones), swabs, and
cork grease. Valve or slide oil for brass players, cleaning snakes mouthpiece brush. Concert
sticks for percussionist and bell kits. All students will need pencils.
UNIFORMS:
Marching Uniforms - Each band member will be issued a band uniform and charged a one time rental
fee of $60.00 (a change from previous years due to cost increases). This fee includes the dry cleaning of
the uniform (black bibs, green jacket, and black hats/berets), transportation fee, black socks, black
gloves, black shoes, and a band tee shirt. More information regarding payments is included in the
packet. If there are any financial restrictions that would prohibit this fee, please inform Ms. Hull at your
earliest convenience.
In the next few weeks we will be placing an order with Enhanced Printing for ERH Band Apparel. If you
will be chaperoning this year, please consider purchasing a green t-shirt and or sweatshirt. We ask our
chaperones to wear green and black.
Concert Band Attire Our performances are formal; therefore the following items will be needed: black
long pants, black socks and shoes (Marching Band items). The band boosters are currently in the
process of pricing white shirts for the girls and green vests and neck ties for the guys. More to come and
we will keep you posted!

Our appearance is the first impression we give to the audience at each performance. We need to be
professional in our behavior and uniform when in public. We have much to be proud of in our band and
demonstrate that to those that view our performances.
INSTRUMENTS: All students will be assigned a locker/shelf in the band room for their instrument. It is
highly recommended that all instruments remain in the band room during the school day (for your
protection). School owned instruments (bass clarinets, tenor and bari-saxophones, french horn,
baritone, and tuba) will be signed out to interested students. There will be a $25.00 one time rental fee
for the school year. During marching season, all drummers will be assigned a school owned instrument
at no charge. Students are responsible for the proper care of their equipment. Any damage beyond
normal usage may be subject to an additional fee.
Reeds are available as a service in emergency situations only: $2.00 (clarinet), $3.00 (alto sax), $4.00
(tenor sax and bass clarinet) and $5.00 (bari-sax)
GRADES: Grades will be based upon the following:
Playing Grades: (50%) Students will be tested on the music being rehearsed/performed each marking
period. All instruments should go home on Friday. PRACTICE IS ESSENTIAL for the progression of each
individual as well as for the overall group performance.
Participation: (50%) Students will receive a weekly grade based on participation in class activities
(having instrument, music, method book, pencils, following classroom rules). During marching and
concert season, attendance of performances will also be included in this participation grade. All
performances are mandatory.
Band is a team effort. It takes every members participation to make this a successful experience for
all. If there is any reason a student cannot attend a performance, please give prior notice. Adjustments
will need to be made to ensure a good showing for the group.
GRADING SCALE:
90%-100% - A
80%-89% - B
70%-79% - C
60%-69% - D
Below 60% - F
Extra credit is always encouraged and will be averaged in with the overall grade. Examples of extra
credit include: attending other band performances/concerts, staying after school for additional
practices, Jazz Band, participating in out of school musical activities. See the Band Director for details.
CLASSROOM RULES AND PROCEDURES:
No loitering in the band room. Students will be seated immediately and will have their
instrument, music and pencil out and ready before class begins.
Students will remain seated until the teacher/band director dismisses them.
All equipment, music and instruments will be properly put away.
No food, drinks or gum is permitted in the band room at any time.
No talking during instruction and or performances.
Students, who cannot follow directions and continually disrupt class, may be removed from the
band program.

AWARDS: It is important for all students to be motivated in any program, therefore please see the
following list of awards that will be given this year.
TOP MUSICIANS Students will be chosen for this award bi-monthly based on the following criteria:
cooperation, dependability, readiness to play on time, performance of assigned music at an adequate or
better level, leadership, positive attitude, participation etc.
OUTSTANDING BANDSMAN Awards will be given to any student who maintains a 99-100% average for
the year.
DIRECTORS AWARDS - This award is given yearly to 2 students in 8th grade who demonstrate
responsibility, commitment, enthusiasm, leadership and active involvement in the program.
UNSUNG HERO This award is given to an 8th grade student or students who go above and beyond what
is expected of them.
MOST IMPROVED Award is given to2 student in 8th grade 8th who have improved the most over the
course of their time in the ERH Band.
Other awards may be added at a later date. In addition to these awards, all students will be presented
participation awards for each group.

Throughout the year you will be receiving letters and or e-mails for all events. If you have any
questions, please feel free to e-mail Ms. Hull @ Hullmic@wcps.k12.md.us or call 301-766-8110
ext. 77206. The cooperation and commitment of all parents through chaperoning, participating in
fundraisers, and attending band booster meetings (please refer to enclosed calendar for those dates) is
crucial for the success of our students. Our first band booster meeting of the 2015-16 is Tuesday,
September 1st @ 7 PM. Your support is essential to the success of the band program. Together we can
make this program enjoyable and rewarding!!

Looking forward to a FANTASTIC year!

Ms. Hull Band Director

P.S.
Please be sure to update me if there should be a change of address, phone number or e-mail. I will try
to communicate as much as possible through e-mail. Informational/event letters will also be sent home
with the students. You may also visit us on our facebook page at E. Russell Hicks Band Boosters or
ERHBandboosters.weebly.com