P.

Steiner High School

Instrumental Music Handbook

P s H S

Mr. Chris Hettenbach, Director of Bands and Orchestras

chett@forehead.org
(443) 854 – 8079

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 Mission
The mission of the P. Steiner High School Band Program is to foster success, motivate
leadership, reinforce preparation, and to grow an understanding of respect for the art of music.
The aim of this program is to provide students with the tools to achieve an outstanding
education in the field of music as well as use creative thinking to establish individualism through
our music making processes. Overall, students should have fun and find their second home
through this program.

Table of Contents
Welcome!.......................................................................................................................................2

About the Director……………………………………………………………………………………..….3

Ensemble Descriptions………………………………………………………………………………...3-5

Class Materials……………………………………………………………………………………………5

Performance Attire……………………………………………………………………………………..5-6

Course Fees………………………………………………………………………………………………6

Planned Repertoire for the Year……………………………………...………………………………6-7

Behavior Plan……………………………………………………………………………………………..7

Grading System…………………………………………………………………………………………..7

County and Statewide Opportunities……………………………..…………………………………….8

2020-2021 Calendar……………………………………………………………………………………...9

Music and Repair Stores……………………………………………………………………………….10

Welcome!
Welcome to the P. Steiner HS music program! In addition to our vast choral program
taught by Mrs. Messina we also have a large band program with 10 ensembles! We offer small
ensembles as well as large ensembles so there are a multitude of options to pick from. At P.
Steiner HS we play amazing music you would not be able to play anywhere else in the county.
Our musical selection ranges from Beethoven all the way to Lin-Manuel Miranda and any
student is welcomed to join us in our many musical adventures!

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 About the Director
Mr. Hettenbach is a graduate from Towson University in 2021 with his Bachelor’s
Degree in music education. As an active member in the world of music, Mr. Hettenbach has
participated in leading masterclasses with the Chesapeake Symphony Youth Orchestra and
Meade High School. He has also been given the honor of playing in a multitude of pit
orchestras. Mr. Hettenbach has had many leadership positions through college as Student
Director for the Towson University Marching Band and a Vice President of Service with a
national honorary band organization.

About the Ensembles

Concert Band

The Concert Band is the beginning level band at P. Steiner HS. Any student may
participate in this ensemble if they would like, but this is mostly a place for students who are
practicing new instruments or are trying music for the first time. Concert Band performs once a
year in the Pops Concert during the spring. This performance is mandatory for all students in
the Concert Band.

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is our intermediate band at P. Steiner HS. Like our concert band,
this band is open to anyone who would like to join. All Freshman will be placed in this band
during their first year at P. Steiner HS. This band, although it is not our highest-level band, plays
mostly upper-level music. All students that are not placed in the Wind Ensemble will be placed
in the Symphonic Band and will have the opportunity to try again the following year. The
Symphonic Band plays in every concert throughout the year including the Winter Celebration
Concert, the Pops Concert, and the Spring Concert at the end of the school year.

Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble is our upper-level ensemble at P. Steiner HS. To be a part of this
ensemble, students must audition for a seat. This ensemble is considerable smaller than our
other band ensembles, not only because of the audition, but because there are a set amount of
seats in the band. The Wind Ensemble strives to maintain consistent superior ratings every year

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at county assessments. This ensemble plays in every concert throughout the year including the
Winter Celebration Concert, the Pops Concert, and the Spring Concert at the end of the school
year. Additionally, this band does two outreach concerts at local venues, one in the fall, and one
in the spring. To be a part of this ensemble, students must be a member of the marching
band.

Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra at P. Steiner HS features strings and wind players as well as
percussion. All strings may participate in this ensemble, but the wind and percussion seats are
audition only. The Symphony Orchestra strives to maintain consistent superior ratings every
year at county assessments. The Symphony Orchestra performs in every concert including the
Winter Celebration Concert, the Pops Concert, and the Spring Concert at the end of the school
year. The Symphony Orchestra also performs at two outreach concerts at local venues, one in
the fall, and one in the spring. This group also performs at the graduation ceremony in June.

Jazz Band

The jazz band at P. Steiner HS is open to any performer seeking to groove on stage.
The Jazz band performs at the Pops Concert and the Winter Concert and attends the Towson
University Jazz Festival to be critiqued by the famous jazz performers David Ballou and Jim
McFalls every year.

Marching Band

The Marching Band at P. Steiner HS rehearses after school in the fall. All after school
rehearsals are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:00 – 8:00pm. The marching band
also holds a band camp to learn the music and drill two weeks before school starts every
Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm. Band camp is mandatory for all members. The band
performs in a multitude of competitions throughout the year as well as all home football games
and the homecoming parade. All performances are mandatory. Competitions are held on
Saturday and all football games are on Friday. Competition days will include a
morning/afternoon rehearsal to prepare for the night competition. The Marching Band has been
awarded 7 Chapter V Champion Flags and 2 Atlantic Coast Championships in the past 10
years!

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Small Ensembles

The Small Ensembles at P. Steiner HS include percussion ensemble, woodwind choir,

string ensemble, and brass choir. All ensembles perform at the Pops Concert in the spring and
all rehearsals are held after school. Woodwind choir meets on Monday from 2:30 – 4:00pm.
Percussion ensemble meets on Wednesday from 2:30 – 4:00pm. Brass choir meets on Friday
from 2:30 – 4:00pm. String ensemble meets on Tuesday from 2:30 – 4:00pm. All skill levels
are accepted, but students in the band and orchestra classes receive top priority.

Class Materials
For all ensembles, students are required to have the following:

- Pencil
- Music
- Instrument
- Necessary mutes for brass
- Anything required by the instrument for maintenance

Performance Attire
Marching Band
Students will be provided with a uniform. They will need to purchase the following during
uniform fittings:
-Gloves
-Marching shoes
-Black socks
Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Symphony Orchestra
Parkside High School will provide concert dresses and tuxedos for those students
Men Women
-Black dress shoes -Black dress shoes
-Black socks -Black tights

Jazz Band and Small Ensembles

Men Women
-Solid black dress shirt -Black shirt or black dress (must go past the

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-Black pants knees and sleeves down to the shoulders)
-Black socks -Black pants
-Black dress shoes -Black tights or socks
-Black dress shoes

Course Fees
Marching Band
$90 class fee
Covers uniform cleaning fee as well as transportation fees
$30 instrument rental fee
Covers repair fee as well as cleaning fee
All other ensembles
$30 instrument rental fee
Covers repair fee as well as cleaning fee

Repertoire
For every ensemble, each student will pick one piece from the county repertoire list to play and
make a presentation on why we should play it. After the presentations, students will vote which
piece will be played.

Wind Ensemble

Selected pieces for this coming year include California by David Maslanka, First Suite in
Eb by Gustav Holst, and Variations on a Korean Folk Song by John Barnes Chance.

Symphonic Band

Selected pieces for this coming year include Incantation and Dance by John Barnes
Chance, O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen, Celtic Carol by Robert W. Smith,
and Mt. Everest by Rossano Galante.

Concert Band

TBD

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Symphony Orchestra

Selected pieces for this coming year include Pirates of the Caribbean Suite by John
Williams, Jupiter by Gustav Holst, Winds of Poseidon by Robert W. Smith, Organ Fugue
in G Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, and Farandole by Georges Bizet.

Small Ensembles

TBD

Behavior Plan
First Offense: Warning will be addressed
Second Offense: Consequence will be issued
Third Offense: Email sent home and meeting with parents
Fourth Offense: Action taken from administration
Fifth Offense: Removal from program

Grading System
Rehearsals 30% - students must attend all rehearsals
Students will be evaluated on:
- Following classroom rules
- Whether they are prepared for class with all materials
- Quality of Participation
- Demonstrate appropriate rehearsal etiquette
Performances 40% - students must attend all performances
Students will be evaluated on:
- Quality of Participation
- Demonstrate appropriate performance etiquette
Assessments 30%
In class and online assessments must be completed on time
- Playing tests
- Written tests

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 County and Statewide Opportunities
All State and All County music will be handed out to all students who ask for it.

All County Honor Band is a great opportunity for students to perform with students across the
county.

Auditions are in mid-October

All State Honor Band is a great opportunity for students to perform with the best students from
across the state.

Auditions are in mid-November

Specific dates will be announced as they are posted.

Calendar on next page

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 2020-2021 Calendar

August 3 – 7, 2020 Band Camp 9:00am – 5:00pm

August 10 – 14, 2020 Band Camp 9:00am – 5:00pm

August 28, 2020 PSHS Home Game 5:00pm

September 5, 2020 MB Comp @ Severna Park HS 10:00am

September 11,2020 PSHS Home Game 5:00pm

September 12, 2020 MB Comp @ Mechanicsburg HS 9:00am

September 19, 2020 MB Comp @ Glen Burnie HS 12:00pm

October 2, 2020 PSHS Home Game 5:00pm

October 3, 2020 MB Comp @ Frederick HS 11:00am

October 7, 2020 All County Auditions TBA

October 10, 2020 MB Comp @ Liberty HS 9:00am

October 16, 2020 Homecoming 3:00pm

October 17, 2020 MB Comp @ Laurel HS 10:00pm

October 24, 2020 MB Chapter Championships 9:00am

October 30, 2020 Final PSHS Home Game 5:00pm

November 8, 2020 MB Atlantic Coast Championships 8:00am

November 13, 2020 Outreach Concert TBA

November 17-20, 2020 All County Rehearsal and Performance TBA

December 9, 2020 Orchestra Concert 7:00pm

December 10, 2020 Band Concert 7:00pm

January 22, 2021 Towson University Jazz Fest 3:00pm

January 11-15, 2021 Small Ensembles Rehearsals Start TBA

March 8, 2021 County Assessments TBA

April 9, 2021 Outreach Concert TBA

May 5, 2021 Spring Concert 7:00pm

May 14, 2021 Pop’s Concert 6:00pm

June 4, 2021 Graduation TBA

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 Music and Repair Stores
Baltimore Brass
99 Mellor Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228
(410) 744-1722

Ann & Steve’s Music

28 Bloomsbury Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228
(410) 747-4957

Menchey Music
2444 Broad Ave, Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 453-6635

Music and Arts

1940 York Rd, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 453-0811

Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center

11151 Veirs Mill Rd, Wheaton, MD 20902
(301) 946-8808

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 Student/Parent or Guardian Information Sheet
Student’s Name: _______________________________M/F: ____ Birth Date: ______________

Student’s Email: ___________________________Student’s Phone #: _____________________

Instrument: ____________________________________________________________________

Name of Parent/Guardian: __________________________ Relationship: __________________

Parent’s Email: ________________________________________ Home #: _________________

Phone # (Best Way to Reach You): ___________________________ Work or Cell (circle one)

Second Phone #: _____________________________________ Work or Cell (circle one)

Please List the Best Times to Call You: _____________________________________________

Second Contact: _______________________________ Relationship: _____________________

Email: ___________________________________ Phone #: _____________________________

Other Info:

Handbook Agreement
I have received a copy of the P. Steiner High School Band Handbook. I have read and reviewed
all the band policies. I understand the expectations that are to be upheld by the band students and
will encourage my child to abide by the rules set in place and to fulfill their obligations to the
band.

_____________________________________ __________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date

I have received a copy of the P. Steiner High School Band Handbook. I have read and reviewed
all the band policies and I understand that it is a privilege to be a part of this program. I know
that by signing this form I have agreed to uphold these policies and have accepted the
responsibility to attend all performances and activities in which the band participates. I recognize
that each member of the band contributes greatly to the success of the program.

____________________________________ __________________________
Signature of Student Date

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