Lavaca Bands

Lavaca Bands Syllabus 2020-2021 School Year

 

Mr. Logan Dooly, Head Band Director

Mr. Scott Gann, Assistant Band Director

 

Welcome to Band!

 

Band is a fun and exciting way to gain many valuable skills for life! I hope to instill upon each of you the value of hard work, dedication and teamwork through the avenue of music. We will play, perform alone and with others, improvise, compose, read and notate music, listen, analyze and evaluate music performances and understand relationships between music and other disciplines, history and culture. I hope that you come away with a new appreciation for yourself, your classmates, music and the world around you! Band is a YEAR-LONG course. Skills learned along the way prepare the group for festivals and concerts throughout the year. All members commit for the ENTIRE year. All parts are important and depended on. As this IS an academic class, you are expected to practice and study just as you would for any other class.

 

Here is a breakdown of what you will be graded on:

 

Daily Participation 25%

 

You will receive 5 points per day. If you disrupt class, one point will be deducted for each offense. A time out will mean automatic zero for the day. ***Students will be allowed to “shadow” for one day after having braces tightened. After the first day, students will need to make up the class time on their practice slip. Suggestion: Plan orthodontic visits on Thursdays or Fridays to ensure maximum class participation. If you feel too sick to play, headaches, sprains/strains/mouth injuries report to the nurse and/or provide a doctor’s note.

 

Concerts 25%

 

You are expected to be at all performances (performing). As band is a “performance group,” it is necessary that all participants rehearse and perform with the ensemble. If you must miss a concert for any reason, a maximum “C” grade may be made up. To make up a “C”, you must conference with Mr. Dooly/Gann to agree on a suitable assignment. (Example- Music/Composer essay) If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a planned vacation, you need to let me know 2 weeks prior to the concert. It is also expected that all band members will assist with set up, tear down, and STAY for the entire concert. Band is a community. We all need to support this community. (Please keep in mind that music performances are scheduled far in advance. Occasionally a performance may come up with short notice. You are expected to participate unless there are extenuating circumstances.)

 

Playing/Performance or Written Tests and Assignments 25%

 

Each quarter there will be at least one test. This may be a playing test, a written test, or even an oral report. Playing tests are performed individually in front of the entire class. You will be graded on such things as accuracy and expressive elements. If you fail a playing test, it may be retaken ONCE. Assignments are generally given on Thursdays, and are due the following Monday. Expect that all students are required to perform scales and/or percussion rudiments as a final exam by the end of the school year. Scale requirements differ for each class and level.

 

Daily/Weekly Practice Homework 25%

 

You are required to practice (outside of class) 2 hours per week. (That boils down to one 30 minute session, 4 days each week.) It is expected that this practice be done several times per week, and not all in one long session. You must turn a record sheet that is signed by your parents each Monday (no later than Tuesday). At the end of the quarter, you must have 18 hours for full credit. Please keep in mind that daily practice is to insure that you can play your part (adequately and improving). If you are struggling in class, you must practice more. As with all classes, you are expected to come prepared!

 

As an alternative to the practice sheet, you may submit your practice test material using our Google Voice recording service by calling the following number: ..(follow message instructions) Digital practice records are the method we will be transitioning to this year.

 

Required Materials For Band Beginning Band:

 

Essential Elements in your instrument (Students are expected to purchase their own Essential Elements 2000. This allows you to make notes in your personal copy. In cases when students are not able to purchase their own book, a book will be provided by fundraising.

 

Woodwinds and Brass:

All need an adjustable music stand, tuner and metronome. Flute: cleaning kit, tuner and metronome. Reed instruments: Cork grease, cleaning kit, tuner, metronome, at least 3 good reeds at all times. (Reeds may be purchased from Mr. Dooly/Gann, or feel free to keep yourself adequately supplied.) Brass: Valve/slide oil, slide grease, tuner, and metronome. (Oil and grease may be purchased from Mr. Dooly/Gann, or feel free to keep yourself adequately supplied.)

 

Percussion: Practice pad/snare drum and bells kit for home use (when at school, use the equipment provided), Vic Firth SD-1 or comparable sticks, medium yarn mallets, brass/plastic glockenspiel mallets, metronome and adjustable music stand. (These may be purchased at any music store.) *Note that beginning band percussionists will be on bell kits until after the winter concert. At this time, students transfer to snare drum will be trained after the winter holiday.

 

About the tuners, metronomes and stands: These are for home use only— please leave them at home. These items are important for efficient and accurate practicing. Metronome: This device is used to keep steady beat. A young player will often play inconsistently, and will not develop the internal clock they need to play steadily without it. Tuner: This device checks to see if the student is playing “in tune”. As young players develop their embouchure (mouth muscles), it is necessary to check that they are playing properly. For instance, a clarinetist may play flat, not knowing that his/her embouchure is not firm enough. A tuner would let them know that they need to firm up their embouchure, thus correcting themselves. Also, consistent hearing and playing in tune leads to a better developed “ear” for distinguishing perfect/relative pitch while playing alone and with others. Adjustable Music Stand: This, along with a straight, armless chair is necessary for students to practice comfortably and with correct posture. The stand needs to hold the book or sheet music at a comfortable angle and height to be played with correct posture.

 

Due to the cost of replacing materials, you can visit the band website: lavacabands.wix.com/band to replace missing music as it will be available to download and print at home. As a responsible member of this musical community, you are required to keep your sheet music clean and free of folds, crumples, or origami. Music must be kept neatly in designated band folders at all times. Destroyed sheet music will be charged according to the list price of the replacement. If the music is out of print, you may find yourself doing a few hours of copy work.

 

Each member must bring necessary materials (music folder, sheet music, Essential Elements 2000, pencil, instrument and reeds/oil/grease/sticks) every day to band class. Furthermore, each member is expected to come prepared to participate at personal best. How else will we see improvement? You will have one free “Oops, I forgot my…” day per quarter. If you are unprepared a second time, you will not be allowed to participate, and your grade will be affected (0).

 

Concert Dress

 

All students are required to dress appropriately for concerts. Concerts are a dress-up event. Everyone puts forth much time and effort to ensure that the group sounds great. Let’s give that extra edge by looking great, too!

 

This is the required outfit:

 

High School 9-12 Grade

Dress Concert Blacks

Men: Black dress shirt, black dress pants, black socks and black dress shoes.

Ladies: Black dress shirt/blouse, black dress pants or skirt (knee length or longer), black hose/socks, and black dress shoes. Hats and sunglasses are not part of concert dress.

 

Middle School 7-8 Grade

Sunday best

Boys: Button up shirt, dress pants, long socks, and dress shoes

Girls: Long Dress or Long Skirt pass knees, other appropriate dress clothes and dress shoes

 

Beginning Band 6th Grade

Sunday best

Boys: Button up shirt, dress pants, long socks, and dress shoes

Girls: Long Dress or Long Skirt pass knees, other appropriate dress clothes and dress shoes

 

 

 

 

The first test of the year will determine seating placement in each section. The test is taken just like a normal playing test, and scores determine from highest to lowest the seating order of the section. In order to keep the seating in sections competitive and fair, you may challenge up to a higher chair. There are a few rules to keep in mind for this process: The one being challenged picks the music, you must accept a challenge or automatically lost your seat. If you lose a challenge, you must wait 2 weeks to re-challenge. There will be no challenges 2 weeks before any concert. Once you have decided on the challenge piece, you need to come let Mr. Dooly/Gann know. You will then have 3 days to practice. On the 4th day, you will each play your music for the class behind a screen. The class will then vote blindly (recording) on whom they think did a better job. The winner either moves up or stays in their existing seat.

 

Instrument Rental

 

All students must have an instrument in good working order. There are several options for students.

 

School District Rental:

Are first come first serve for the school year. Generally, these instruments are well-used. Repairs must also be done through the district, and may take a while. The student IS required to make up lost practice and rehearsal time later on.

 

Local Music Store:

There are several music stores in the Ft. Smith area that range in cost from $25 a month. Some businesses offer a “rent-to-own” program. These instruments are in good shape, and clean. When repairs are needed, local stores are the quickest route for getting the instrument back with minimal band days lost.

 

Buying Your Own:

This requires a commitment of more money up front, but pride of ownership and not having to return a beloved instrument at the end of the year might make it worth it. Instruments can be found for a variety of prices on Craig’s List, garage sales, and pawn shops and new from local stores and online. A little investigating may bring a decent savings. Be sure to look the instrument over carefully, watching for cracks, loose/missing parts, bad dents and things that don’t move easily. You might even take along a more experienced player to check out the instrument before you buy it.

 

Classroom Agreements

-Respect others and their instruments/property *Do not mess with equipment that is not yours except for special circumstances.

-Report problems promptly: broken equipment, safety, social No Horse Play!!!!

-Be on time and prepared No eating, drinking (water bottles only), or GUM.

-Keep room clean—instrument and music stored appropriately, and garbage picked up.

-Tardy Policy I adhere to the school’s tardy policy.

Be in the room when the bell rings! You have 2 minutes, after the bell, to be ready for the downbeat in your designated seat.

 

Discipline Policy

 

Verbal/non-verbal acknowledgement of a problem. You have the first chance to solve it on your own for free.

If you choose not to solve the problem, or cannot solve the problem, I will do something. This will cost you 1 point.( 5 Daily Total) 

If the problem continues and time out is necessary, all points will be lost.

During time out, you are required to complete a “Do It Better Letter” and turn it in before you will be allowed to participate again.

This will result in the parents being informed.

 

Mr. Dooly/Gann Office Hours 3:30-4:00PM after school each day, students are welcome to drop in or make an appointment with us. Students may discuss class material, have a private lesson on their instrument, buy reeds, and replace lost music, visit, or make a minor repair. These kinds of interactions may be refused during band class, as it interferes with the rest of the class’ lessons.

 

Students are encouraged to sign up for after school lessons on a weekly basis. There will be a schedule to sign up at the beginning of every week. If you sign up for lessons, you must call to cancel BEFORE your lesson time. Please make transportation arrangements and have your ride at the band room when your lesson is completed.

 

This syllabus is subject to modification throughout the year.

 

Thank you,

Let’s Work Hard! Go Lavaca Golden Arrow Band Mr. Gann  &  Mr. Dooly