Hello Band Families!

Welcome to the 2016-2017 Bay Ridge Prep Middle School Band! Im

excited to get to work with you all again! There are quite a few
changes in our schedule this year, so please read this letter
thoroughly, sign, and return to me on the first day of school.

Schedule:
This year our academic schedule is split into three trimesters.
Students now have the option of selecting three different arts electives
that change each trimester. Many band students only chose to enroll in
my class for one or two trimesters.
ALL STUDENTS enrolled in band will be given once-weekly
small group lesson on their instruments, even during trimesters
that they are not taking my course. This will allow the students to
continue their musical education and prepare for concert performances
throughout the whole year, even when they are not meeting with the
full band class.
The small group lessons will take place during advisory
and break periods in students schedule. Teachers, advisors,
students, and parents will be made aware of which students have
lessons on which days. I will be sending out a lesson schedule (as well
as posting it to our website, http://brpband.weebly.com) as soon as I
lock it down.
There are several important musical performance dates that
band students and families will need to know as well:

January 19th 6th Grade Pot Luck/Arts Share

March 2nd 7th/8th Grade Arts Showcase
June 2nd PRISM Concert and Drama Showcase (5th8th Grade)

My hope is to add more small performance opportunities for music

students throughout the school year. I will notify students and families
of those dates as they arise.

Instrument Rentals:
All students are responsible for obtaining their own
instrument for the length of the school year. Even if a student is
only enrolled for a couple of trimesters, theyll need to have their
musical instrument for small group lessons for the entire school year.
We currently refer students to Rayburn Music to rent their
instruments. You can call them at 1-888-RAYBURN to arrange a

rental. I will also have Rental Contracts for students to bring home
once school starts as well. Its important that students enrolled in
band in the first trimester try to have their instruments as
soon as possible.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for knowing their schedule and

bringing their instruments, folder, music, and a pencil to all
classes and lessons

Students are responsible for being on-time to all classes

and lessons. We leave the building for Band Class, and
students need to have their materials and be ready to go
by the start of the period. For lessons, we only get 20
minutes, so being punctual is essential to being able to
utilize our time.

Students are responsible for at-home practice on their

instrument. I recommend 20-minute practice sessions 3
times a week. Learning an instrument is hard, and requires
consistent time spent in order to make progress on music,
reinforce good playing habits, and stay caught up with the
group.

Band Policies
1. Students are to have all materials (instrument, reeds,
folder, music, pencil) with them for each class. Once
loaner copies are gone, theyre gone. Dont lose things. If
an instrument is forgotten for class, the student will not
join the class in our rehearsal space, and will instead utilize
the band time to work on an alternate assignment. If an
instrument is forgotten 3 times, a conference may be
requested.
2. Woodwind students are responsible for obtaining their own
reeds and keeping a supply stocked. The school provides a
limited number of reeds for students, and once the supply
is exhausted, they are not replaced. Students are expected
to eventually replace any reed they borrow as soon as they
are able to replenish their own supply. Percussionists are
responsible for having their own pair of drumsticks. The
school has a few extras, but should not be depended upon.

3. Students are expected to be on time for all classes and

lessons. If a student is late, they will require a note from
their previous period teacher. If I have already left to walk
the class over to our rehearsal space at Union Church, the
student should check in with the main office and find
someone to escort him/herself over. At no time is a student
allowed to leave the building on their own without an
escort.
4. Cell phones are not allowed in band. If I see a phone out, I
will collect it and hold it until the end of the school day.
The school cell phone policy states that phones are not to
be seen or heard throughout the school day. Occasionally, I
will give specific permission to use a phone app such as a
metronome or music player. Smart Watches are to be used
for telling time only.
5. Food, gum, or drinks (except water) are not allowed at any
time during band. These substances corrode instruments,
get jammed or stuck in them, and cause poor playing
technique.
6. We only use pencil, never pen, to write on our music or
lesson books. Sheet music is to be kept neat in folders and
not folded, crumpled, or torn.
7. Practice assignments are given each class period as
homework. We can work on them during small group
lessons a bit, but its crucial that assignments are practiced
so that we can move forward during the next class period.
Students who are not keeping up with practice
assignments may be asked to come in for extra music help
during free periods or from 2:45 to 3:00 on days they are
available.
8. Positive critique is good. Offering helpful suggestions or
feedback is how we learn and improve as musicians. Every
one of us will make mistakes in our playing this year, and
that is absolutely to be expected. Negative or derogatory
language toward any member of the ensemble is not
tolerated and will result in immediate removal from class.
9. Students are required to be at all performance dates.
Formal Concert attire is required for the PRISM concert at
the end of the year, and consists of black slacks and a

white, button down shirt, or a black and white skirt/dress. If

students can not attend a concert for any reason, please
contact Mr. Tofte as soon as possible.

Grading
Students will be graded on a scale of 1 to 4 on each of the
following skillsets. They are graded during class as well as during
small-group lessons.

Readiness and Preparedness for Music Class

o Student regularly has all materials and supplies needed for
class and lessons
Developing Musical Literacy Skills
o Demonstrates a growing ability to read, write, and
understand music
Demonstrates Appropriate Instrumental Technique
o Applies proper breathing, posture, articulation,
embouchure, and hand technique
Demonstrates Appropriate Instrumental Progress for Ability Level
o Progresses through band and lesson book material at an
acceptable pace for the individual. Indicates out-of-class
practice is occurring.
Demonstrates Respect for Materials and Instruments
o Instrument is played properly at all times and not
mistreated, music and supplies are kept undamaged and
organized.
Interprets and Discusses Work Analytically with Relevant Musical
Vocabulary
o Demonstrates ability to correctly use musical language and
concepts when discussing work in class
Demonstrates an Appreciation of the Musicianship of Others
o Is encouraging to peers and allows for uninterrupted peer
performance, instruction, and practice during class.

I realize that this is a lot of information to process in one chunk, and I

apologize. My hope is that parents and students will each read over
this sheet and fully understand everything that is stated. I will post this
on our band website (http://brpband.weebly.com) so that it can be
reviewed at any time during the school year.

Please sign, detach, and return the bottom portion of this

sheet to me for our first band class! Thank you so much everyone,
and I cant wait to get playing!
Scott Tofte
Instrumental Music Director
Bay Ridge Prep Middle School
stofte@bayridgeprep.org
http://brpband.weebly.com

I have read this form and understand all the information contained
within.
Parent/Guardian
Signature______________________________________________

Student Print
Name_______________________________________________________
Student Signature
_________________________________________________________