Instrumental Music Staff Contact Information

Melanie Herd, Band Director

Office phone: (620)-555-5555

Cell phone: (620)-999-5555

E-mail: melanie.herd@usd123.edu

Rachael Johnson, Guard Instructor

Cell phone: (620)-999-5554

E-mail: rachael.johnson@usd123.edu

Mitchell Howard, Director Aid (College Student)

E-mail: howardm@prattcc.edu


Rebecca Bennett, Strings Director
Cell phone: (620)-888-7777
E-mail:  rebecca.bennett@usd123.edu

Mission Statement

The mission of the music program is to foster musical learning and growth while challenging and motivating students to develop as responsible, independent learners inside and outside of the music classroom.

Music education provides students with enjoyable opportunities to develop musical skills, self-discipline, confidence, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills. Students, teachers, and staff work together in a positive way to achieve their best as a team, enjoy enriching musical experiences, and maintain a classroom environment that benefits all learners. Parent support and encouragement play a vital role in the success of this department.

Band Program Goals and Objectives

• To assist students in developing performance skills and facilitate their growth as independent musicians.

• To provide students with an outlet for self-expression and creativity.

• To facilitate students' development of life skills, including responsibility, honesty, dedication, teamwork, and leadership skills.

• To expose students to music theory and history concepts, their importance, and their relevance to students' current and past musical experiences.

• To develop a sense of community among band members.

• To provide students with a variety of musical/performing experiences that also meet needs in the school and community.

Schedule of Events

*In regards to athletic events, times listed on this schedule indicate the time the event is scheduled to start--they do not necessarily reflect the time that band members need to be in the band room beforehand. Please review the attendance policy for this information.

August 6 - 10, 2012; 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - High school band camp. Details TBA.

August 31, 2012 @ 7:00 p.m. - Football vs. Jetmore

September 14, 2012 @ 7:00 p.m. - Football vs. Cunningham

September 21, 2012 @ 7:00 p.m. - Football vs. Macksville

October 12, 2012 (Homecoming)

@ 1:00 p.m. - Homecoming Parade (Report to the band room at 12:15 p.m.)

@ 7:00 p.m. - Football vs. Haviland

October 26, 2012 @ 7:00 p.m. - Football vs. Skyline

October 30, 2012 @ 6:00 p.m. - 5-12 strings concert in the high school auditorium.

November 10, 2012 @ 10:00 a.m. – Marching Band festival in Dodge City. (Details TBA)

December 13, 2012 @ 6:30 p.m. – High school vocal/band program in the high school auditorium.

December 14, 2012 @ 6:00 p.m. - Basketball vs. Bucklin

January 11, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m. - Basketball vs. Lewis

January 25, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m. - Basketball vs. Wilmore

February 15, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m. (Homecoming) - Basketball vs. Fowler

March 4, 2013 – League Solo/Ensemble Festival in Meade. Times TBA.

March 8, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m. - Basketball vs. Greensburg

March 15, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m. - Basketball vs. Minneola

March 21, 2013 - Regional strings/orchestra festival in Dodge City. Times TBA.

March 28, 2013 – Regional Solo/Small Ensemble Festival in Bucklin. Times TBA.

April 4, 2013 – State Large Ensemble Festival in Pratt. Times TBA.

April 16, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m.- 5-12 strings concert in the high school auditorium.

April 20, 2013 – State Solo/Small Ensemble Festival in Wichita. Times TBA.

May 3, 2013 @ 6:30 p.m. – High school vocal/band program in the high school auditorium.

Band Curriculum/Explanation of Ensembles

Concert Band

This is the overarching ensemble in the high school band program for the entire school year. No audition is required. Members of concert band will perform on school music concerts and annual contests and festivals (see "Schedule of Events"). Additionally, they will be expected to participate in the marching band (during football season) and in pep band (during basketball season).

Marching Band

Marching band is an athletic component of the concert band ensemble. (Students in concert band are automatically in marching band.) Rehearsals occur during the concert band time. (The director will determine which rehearsals will be devoted to concert band literature and which will be devoted to marching band.) While drill routines are not as vigorous as they are at the university level, some level of physical fitness is necessary to participate. The director should be notified of any student health concerns before rehearsals begin in August. This ensemble performs in the fall, at all home football games. Non-band members are welcome to submit an application for color guard.

Pep Band

Pep band, like marching band, is a component of concert band. Students enrolled in concert band are required to participate. (Rehearsals also take place during the concert band time.) Members are required to play at all home basketball games and possibly, depending on the basketball teams' success, at post-season tournaments.

Jazz Band

This is an ensemble that students may choose to audition for. Jazz band plays at community events and on the band concerts (see schedule). Auditions are held in late September, and rehearsals commence in October. Rehearsals are at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Performances are generally in the spring semester only.

Chamber Ensembles

Smaller chamber ensembles will be formed in the spring semester in preparation for

small ensemble contest. No audition is necessary; however, these groups may only

be formed at the request of the director or with director approval. In some cases, these

groups may be invited to perform for a community event or school music concert.

Possible groups include woodwind quintet, brass quintet, saxophone quartet, horn

ensemble, trombone quartet, flute choir, clarinet choir, and percussion ensemble.

Students are encouraged to pursue this opportunity.

Expectations and Consequences

Expectations:

Be responsible.

• Be on time to and prepared for all rehearsals and performances. (Bring all necessary materials listed above.) This means you should have your instrument assembled, music out, and be in your assigned seat ready to begin at the time class is scheduled to start. Individual warm-up exercises may take place until the director steps onto the podium.
• Resolve conflicts in a positive, professional way.
• Ask appropriate questions.
• Adhere to performance dress code, and take pride in your appearance.

Be open-minded.

• Work energetically with your ALL of your fellow musicians to reach goals.
• Communicate with teachers and peers in positive ways.
• Be accepting of different types of music. There is something to learn from EVERY piece we study.

Be respectful.

• Respect other students’ rights to learn and the teacher’s right to teach.
• Respect music resources and the belongings of others. YOU are responsible for keeping track of, maintaining, and properly storing your instrument, equipment, and music (this includes school-owned instruments and equipment). Use of any equipment that is not your own requires permission from the director.
• Participate fully in every rehearsal and performance.
• Follow instructions the first time, and follow the conductor.
• Respect the learning environment by not bringing food, drinks (other than water), gum, or electronic devices to class.

Consequences:

Students who choose not to follow one or more of the classroom expectations can expect one or more of the following consequences to occur:

• Verbal/nonverbal reprimand
• Student conference
• Detention
• Restriction on participation in events (i.e., concert, festival, etc.)
• Parent contact/conference
• In-school or out-of-school suspension

*The teacher will administer consequences as she deems appropriate in each individual situation.

Band Program Goals and Objectives

• To assist students in developing performance skills and facilitate their growth as independent musicians.

• To provide students with an outlet for self-expression and creativity.

• To facilitate students' development of life skills, including responsibility, honesty, dedication, teamwork, and leadership skills.

• To expose students to music theory and history concepts, their importance, and their relevance to students' current and past musical experiences.

• To develop a sense of community among band members.

• To provide students with a variety of musical/performing experiences that also meet needs in the school and community.