2018-2019 Handbook

Mrs. Leah Williams

 Neuse Charter School
909 Booker Dairy Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
Leah Williams, Director of Bands

Dear Neuse Charter School Band Families,

Welcome back to another school year at NCS! I am filled with excitement for a brand
new year! Students gain valuable skills such as self-discipline, self-confidence,
cooperative learning, teamwork, how to read music, music history and theory. Many
studies have shown that learning to play an instrument helps your brain development
in ways nothing else can. Music performance improves student’s skills in math and
language arts as well. It's an excellent place to meet great people and develop
everlasting friendships.

This year we have 17% of the entire school involved in band, 26% of the intermediate
and senior academies are in the band this year! I believe this program is growing so
rapidly because of the level of confidence our students gain in Music Education. Our
elementary students play xylophone, recorder and learn to read music notation all
before setting foot in band class. Students enjoy being part of something bigger than
themselves, working with a team, leading and mentoring one another. Our band
students range from sixth graders to twelfth graders. All of them strive for excellence
through performance.

Please take a look at our band website, http://neusemusic.weebly.com. Much of the

information in this document is found there, and I will be keeping it updated with
calendar events, reminders, and resources that will be useful to your student.

Thank you,

Leah Williams
 Contents
Welcome Letter

Contents/ Music Stores

Band Faculty/ Expectations

Rules/ Consequences

Grading Policy/ Concert Attire

Supplies

Rehearsals/ Instrument Storage/ Fundraising

NCS Band Websites/ Essential Elements Interactive/Canvas/ Smart Music

Practice Tips/ Music Lessons

Band Awards/ Parent Volunteers

Music Stores & Resources

Big Note, http://www.bignotemusic.com

Music and Arts, http://www.musicarts.com

Woodwind and Brasswind, http://www.wwbw.com

Muncy Winds, http://www.muncywinds.com

Amazon, https://www.amazon.com

NC Bandmasters, http://www.ncbandmasters.org

Echelon Trumpet and Brass Studio, https://www.facebook.com/Echelonbrass/

Hampton Music Institue, https://www.facebook.com/Hamptown/

JoCo Music and Arts Foundation, https://www.facebook.com/jocomusicarts/

 Band Faculty

Leah Williams

Director of Bands

lwilliams@neusecharterschool.org

Expectations
“Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work…” -Albert Einstein

It also comes from knowing what to do, how to do it, and the willingness to work over
a long period of time to get the job done well. With this in mind, we hope each
student will approach this band year with the desire to achieve and be successful in
all that you do. These are the basic expectations for the band. All school-wide rules
will apply in band class. Each individual class will discuss specific classroom
procedures.

• Have your instrument, music, and other materials needed for class each day

• Play your instrument in class every day

• Show total effort at all times

• PRACTICE at home every day! (Essential to success!)

• Successfully complete ALL assignments

• Perform in all performances throughout the year

Mrs. Williams’ students will Respect, Reflect, Represent, and be Responsible.

 The Rules The Consequences

1. Absolutely NO TALKING 1. Warning, email to parent,

or PLAYING when the and weekly grade
Band
teacher is working. reduction 30%

2. All music making stops 2. 10 Minutes without playing,

INSTANTLY when the email to parent and weekly
teacher gives the signal. grade reduction 40%.

3. Raise your hand and wait 3. Detention- 30 Minutes,

to be recognized before after or before school in
speaking in class. band room, email parent
and weekly grade will also
4. Respect our Band.
be reduced 50%.

🎵 Certain behavior problems may result in an automatic office referral.🎵

We have a large number of students entering and leaving the band room area,
everyone must enter and leave in an organized manner. It is important that students
enter orderly, sit in their assign seats, assemble their instrument carefully, quickly and
quietly waiting for further instruction. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.
Learning cannot occur in an unstructured and noisy environment. We have important
work to do improving our music technique for our performances.
 Grading Policy
Students will receive a letter grade for band based on the following:
Weekly Participation (30%)
• Students must be prepared for class with band instrument, band book, reeds,
drumsticks, pencil.
• If a student receives detention there weekly grade is dropped.
Written or Notebook Check Assignments (30%)
• Students will be asked to complete activities in their books, music worksheets,
on Canvas online and compose music using Noteflight.
• Assignments are due on given due date. Late assignments will be accepted for
a ten point deduction. All assignments must be completed one week before
the end of the nine weeks.
Performance and Playing Test (30%)
• Students are expected to attend required performance and will be graded.
• Required concert dress for ladies is a combination of black/white; gentlemen
should wear black dress pants and a white, long-sleeve dress shirt.
• If a performance is missed due to sudden circumstances (sickness, death in the
family, etc.) a parent ASAP should contact Mrs. Williams. 
Practice Charts (10%)
• Active practice is essential for musical growth.
• The expectation is 20 minutes per night or 100+ minutes per week at the
minimum.
• This will be recorded through (MS) Essential Elements Interactive/ Book or (HS)
a Google Doc, where you have to answer questions about your practice time.

Concert Attire
For formal concerts:
All students will wear concert white & black attire as follows for formal concerts:
Boys: Girls:
White Dress Shirt White Dress Shirt/Blouse
Black Dress Pants Black Dress Pants/Skirt
Black Shoes/Socks/Belt Black Shoes
Bow Tie or Tie *Black & White Dresses are acceptable
High School Girls: Will wear a concert black dress. (All Black Dress)
For informal events:
All students will wear their NCS Band T-shirt and blue jeans. Band shirts are $15.
Specific attire information will be provided prior to the performance.
 Supplies

1” Black Band Binder

• w/ 20 sheet protectors and more if they need them.
• w/ white lined paper
 Method Book
• 5th and 6th Grade–Essential Elements Book 1
• 7th Grade– Essential Elements Book 2
• 8th Grade- Essential Technique Book 3
• High Schoolers will receive Music Theory Sheets, Scale Studies and more.

Pencil
Instrument w/ Instrument Specific Materials (DAILY)
Flute:
• Cleaning Rod (should come with flute)
• Silk Swab for cleaning
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophones:
• Cork Grease:
• Box Reeds (at least three at all times)
• Silk Cleaning Swab (Make sure you buy the swab for your instrument.)

• Neck Strap (Saxophones only)

Brass:
• Tuning Slide Grease
• Valve Oil (not trombones)
• Trombone Slide Cream or Oil (trombone only)
• Spray Bottle for water (optional for trombone)
• Cleaning Snake and Mouthpiece Cleaner
• A cloth to blow your spit into. This is like the “Brass Can”.
Percussion: (At home you should have a snare drum and bell kit.)
• Drumsticks
• Marimba Mallets – IP240, medium yarn mallets
• Stick Bag (INN-SB3 – Percussion Fundamental Stick Bag)

We can always use pencils, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and tissues.
We will gladly accept any donations all year!
 Rehearsals
Each student is responsible for having their instrument, accessories, pencil, band
binder with music in sleeve protectors, and method book for class each day.
Participation in daily rehearsals is a requirement of every band member. Any after-
school rehearsals and/or events are required. You will be given as much advance
notice as possible – usually several weeks – for any after-school rehearsals. All events
are on the attached calendar. If you are unable to attend an after-school or weekend
rehearsal and/or event, a Music Event Absence Request Google Form must be
submitted to a Director a minimum of three weeks prior to the scheduled activity.
Forms are located on the NCS band website.

Instrumental Storage
Only large instruments like trombones, trumpets, and saxophones are allowed to be
stored in the band room storage room during the school day. Students may drop
them off in the morning immediately upon arrival on campus and pick them up after
school. Students will pick up their instrument shortly after dismal. Instruments must go
home every night for practice and security reasons. Please encourage your child with
this.

NCS Band Websites

http://neusemusic.weebly.com/5-band.html

http://neusemusic.weebly.com/6-band.html

http://neusemusic.weebly.com/7-band.html

http://neusemusic.weebly.com/8-band.html

http://neusemusic.weebly.com/concert-band.html
 Essential Elements Interactive
https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com

To use the Essential Elements Website…

1. Go to https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com/createStuAcct.asp
2. Enter School Code: NeuseChartBand93
3. Choose a User Name and a password.
4. Write your user name and password in the Essential Elements book. 
If you forget your account user name and password, I can reset it for you.

Canvas
A link to Canvas is on our NCS Home Page and also on our Band Page online,
https://ncs.instructure.com/login/canvas.

Students will need to access Canvas for Band announcements,

calendar events, music and more. Parents should observe their
students through Canvas.

Smart Music
In order to use the Smart Music Program (in Chrome) you need to create a
SmartMusic account and join the class using these codes:

Concert Band: KAZPP-VT7AU

8th Grade Band: P26QA-FXTJ6

7th Grade Band: RPTD2-GDQAL

6th Grade Band: FNMJ4-Y2VRM

5th Grade Band: 6LLJM-UDT4K

 Practice Tips
1. Quality not Quantity, a small amount of focused practice everyday with a routine is
much better than a large unfocused amount once a week.

2. Time entered for practicing records should reflect actual playing time on the
instrument.

3. No matter which class, 100 minutes of practice per week is the minimum
requirement. Some students may desire much more time.

Things Parents can look for to help with practicing:

1. Good Posture- sitting or standing, feel flat on the floor.

2. Embouchure (mouth placement)- Four “F”s

• Firm corners of the mouth.

• Flat Cheeks

• Flat Chin

• Fast Air

3. Percussion can practice all parts on a snare drum, practice pad or bell kit. (Even
bass drum and crash cymbal parts.)

4. Positive comments about commitment and responsibility in response to your child

during times of not wanting to practice will help your child in their success. Remind
your child that success takes time and is not immediate.

5. If you notice a change in your child’s attitude regarding band, please discuss the
change with your child and contact Mrs. Williams’s as soon as possible so your child
can get back on track.

Practice Logs will be submitted electronically through Essential Elements Interactive

for middle school students. High School Students will have to submit electronic
practice logs through Google Docs.
 Band Awards
All-District and State Recognition

Musicianship Award

Leadership Award

Outstanding Mentor Award

Parent Volunteers
As the program grows we need more parents to help support our band students.
Especially throughout our community performances. Please look at the list below and
let me know how you can help!

Fundraising

Collect and Receipt Money

Transporting Equipment to Events

Move equipment for Community Performances

Event Logistics

Organizing and filing band documents

Copying Music

Trip Planning

Recording/ Video Production

Help with the planning of the End of Year Band Awards

 Calendar Dates
Open House August 7, 3:00- 3:30PM For A-M and 4:00- 4:30 PM for N-Z.

Please come out and see the new Band Room!

December 7, 2018, 6:00PM Winter Concert (Concert Dress)

January 12, 2019 High School All-District Auditions at Sampson Middle School

February 2, 2019 Middle School All-District Auditions at Mac Williams Middle School

January 25-26, 2019 High School All-District Clinic

February 15-16, 2019 Middle School All-District Clinic

March 2, 2019 All-State Auditions for MS and HS

March TBA UNC-P Honors Band (MS and HS students have to be recommended and chosen.)

April 12, 2019, 6:00PM Spring Concert (Concert Dress)

May 2, 2019 6:30 PM Band Awards

May 3-5, 2019 All-State Band Clinic at UNC-Greensboro

May 17, 2019 Graduation- Grades 7-11, Play Pomp and Circumstance.

TBA- Fifth Grade will still attend the NC Symphony and tour the Art Museum this year.