Beginning Grade Band – Class Syllabus

Directors: Mr. Geoff Webb, Mr. Casey Weaver, and Ms. Samantha Canon.

Room Middle School Band Room

Office After School: 3:00 – 4:00

Hours

Description:
Students will learn basic fundamentals on their instrument and how to maintain proper care of it.
Students will learn the basic procedures of band rehearsal. Students will perform in a variety of concert
settings in front of their parents and peers. Finally, students will continue learning valuable skills needed
to be a productive musician.

Materials:
Book: Ed Sueta Band Method Book 1

Supplies: 1” 3-Ring Binder

10-15 Clear Protective Sheets
Pencils – traditional or mechanical (no pens will be used in band)
Instrument in good playing condition
Metronome/Tuner
Supplies that are specific to your instrument (sticks, reeds, valve oil, slide oil, cleaning swab,
etc.)

Goals:
· Learn basic fundamentals of your own instrument through professional guided class
· Learn and understand the routine and procedures of a concert band setting
· Learn leadership, punctuality, and other responsibility skills
· Obtain a love for creating and listening to multiple types of music

Classroom Rules:

1. Always be on time.
2. Always have instrument, book, pencil, binder (with music), and other necessary supplies.
3. Always be attentive so as not to disturb the learning in the classroom.
4. Be in seat when the bell rings.
5. Respect your fellow band members and their property and all equipment in the band
room.
6. Do not touch anything that does not belong to you or has not been checked out to you.
7. No gum, food or drinks in the band room at any time. (Bottled water permitted)
8. Always have name labeled on your instrument case.
9. Always follow the directions of the band director and display a cooperative attitude
concerning music, hard work, and learning.

Behavior Modification Steps:

1. Verbal or non-verbal warning

2. Reductions of appropriate grade.
3. Conference with one or all directors to implement behavior modification plan.
4. Assignment of misconduct, bandroom-cleaning duty, lunch detention, or call to parent.
5. Referral to principal and probable removal from band program.

The director reserves the right to proceed immediately to step #5 in the case of severe or
threatening student conduct.

Grading:
Daily Participation and Student Conduct
· Each student will begin each semester with 100 participation points.
· Any student who does not participate during class or intentionally disrupts the learning in the
classroom will lose points for that day.
· A student with a consistently low participation/conduct grade may be considered for removal
from the band program.
· Points deducted will be based off of the chart below.
· The band director is the final authority concerning excused absences from
performances. Any student who skips a performance may not earn a passing grade for the
semester. The director will make this decision.

Performances
· Concert performance will be for a grade. Performances are the most important part of our
progress and vital to student success. Participation is absolutely mandatory. Absences will result in a
zero. The director will be the final authority concerning excused absences from a performance.

Performance Tests
· Most weeks a playing or counting test shall be administered worth 100 points.
·
· Students will be asked to commit daily time to practice. Students must practice at home and
work hard in class to maintain the required playing level.

Extra Credit
· Achieving a playing level above what is required.
· Being nominated and performing in the All-Star Honor Band
Classroom Procedures:
Entering the classroom

Be in the room, horn ready, and in seat before the bell rings. Have everything that is listed on the board
for the day’s rehearsal ready. Use slide cream, valve oil, cork grease, etc. to keep your instrument in
proper playing condition. Stay on task until your director has stepped onto the podium. If you finish
maintenance on your instrument before called then sit quietly without talking.

Tardiness

If you are in your seat with your instrument before the bell rings, then you are on time. If you enter after
the bell rings or still gathering your instrument and music, then you are tardy and will lose 5 daily points.
Multiple tardies may result in detention or loss of privileges.

Getting Up During Class

Students will for no reason get up out of their seat during class. Bathroom breaks are to be done during
the passing period before or after class.
You have a 5-minute passing break, use it wisely.

Paper, Pencils, Etc…

Students must bring all materials to class each day. Students who are habitual about not bringing their
materials to class will lose behavior/participation points.

Testing

Playing Tests
Band is a PERFORMANCE class and therefore most playing tests will be performed in front of an
audience: your peers. During playing tests everybody must:
· Be absolutely silent for respect of the performer
· Look at your stand and music, not the performer
· Have respect for whoever is playing and be courteous when they are finished
· Any audience member who disobeys any of these will be deducted 5 points from their
performance test!

Written Tests
At times written exams are presented as either 9 weeks tests or final exams. Each test must be completed
in pencil. Test will be over the Theory we have gone over in class.
· Cheating is not accepted
· If you are caught cheating in ANY form:
o You will receive no credit
o Lose all behavior points
o Referred to Mr. Cast for Academic Misconduct

Referring to the Directors

All students will refer to the directors as Mr. Webb, Mr. Weaver, Ms. Canon, Sir or Ma’am.
Same applies to any other director who stands on the podium or in front of your class.
Instructor Space and Vandalism

There should be NO student in the band office unless told otherwise by a director. Never find yourself in
the band office by yourself. Do not attempt to use my computer, sit at my desk, use my materials, etc.

Respect the property of Sallisaw Public Schools and the band room. There will be zero tolerance for
anyone found touching an instrument that does not belong to them or defacing property.

A Normal Day in The Sallisaw Middle School Band Room

The band room is your classroom for one hour a day but the band directors’ for the whole day. The band
room must stay tidy and neat.
Mornings
1. You may enter the Fine Arts wing, and put your instrument inside the band room.
2. After you put your instrument up, you are to leave the Fine Arts wing.

Entering for Class

1. Enter the room quickly and quietly.
2. Put binder under your chair
3. Get your instrument from its designated space
4. Be in chair before the bell rings
5. Take care of your instrument until rehearsal begins.

During Class
1. No Talking during rehearsal
2. Have all materials on your stand (all music and pencil) at all times
3. Stay engaged in rehearsal at all times Even if the teacher is not working directly with you
4. Raise your hand to be acknowledged
5. Show respect to yourself, others around you, and the director on the podium

After Class
1. Director will dismiss you when class is over
2. Quickly and quietly put your instrument back in its designated space and your binder on the shelf.
(close all latches on case)
3. Pick up all belongings from your seat and quickly go to your next hour

After School/After School Band

1. If you are in the band room after school you are to be PRACTICING
a. Do not be a distraction to students trying to practice
2. If you wish to have help from a director after school, either write your name on the board or find
a director and ask them to help you.
3. The band room will close at 4:00 so make sure you have a ride!
Asking or Responding to Questions

If a student needs to ask or respond to a question, please raise your hand and leave it raised until you’ve
been called on.
· Do not blurt out questions or answers
· Speak CLEARLY at all times.

Cleanliness
The band room is to stay clean at all times. Always make sure you take care of any mess you make.
· Do not move chairs or stands when the band room is set up for rehearsal
· Keep all of your belongs in your binder or in your locker (no extra clutter in the band room)
· If there is trash near you, pick it up and put it in the trash (even if it isn’t yours)

SMS BAND CALENDAR

2016-2017

**August 16…………………………………………….Instrument Rental Meeting

*September 15………………………………………………….All District Entries Due
#October 21................................................................Band Night (Football Field)
*November 5………………………………..………………EDBDA Auditions (Ft. Gibson)
#December 10………………………………………………………Sallisaw Christmas Parade
**December 15…………………………..…….SMS Christmas Concert (SMS Gym)
December 15……………………………………….SHS Christmas Concert (Auditorium)
January 6-7…………………EDBDA Clinic (Tahlequah—EDBDA members only)
@March TBA……………………………..Elementary All Star Band (Tahlequah)
*Spring TBA……..Spaghetti Dinner (Cafeteria) Solo/Ensemble + Jazz Band
*Spring TBA………..………………..…………Solo and Ensemble Contest (Tahlequah)
**May TBA………………..…………………………………...SMS End of Year Concert (Gym)
#May TBA……………………………………………………………….Graduation (Football
Field)

All Performances are REQUIRED!! Skipping a Performance will result in a *0*, and
other possible penalties as decided upon by the directors!