Awtrey Middle School Viking Band

1. Awtrey Middle School Viking Band 7th and 8th Grade

2. Welcome Back!! PURPOSE The purpose of the middle school band is to give students an appreciation for music while learning to play a band instrument. Playing in the band will help develop mental discipline and enhance social interaction. Each student will develop a sense of pride for the band program, promoting the “Group Spirit” necessary for a successful band program.

3. Welcome Back!! GRADING PROCEDURE Performance Assessments.……………………………………….30% (Playing Assessments, Written Assessments) All missed assessment grades must be made up. Students have the number of days missed from school to make up work missed while absent. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for making up a test. Practice Standards………………………………………………….10% (6th Grade Practice Logs, 7th and 8th Grade Guided Practice Sheets) Rehearsal Standards…………………………….……………..…..60% (Equipment Check, Rehearsals, Performances) Each band student must learn to function properly in a rehearsal situation.

4. Welcome Back!! Required Materials for 8th Grade: Superior Bands in Sixteen Weeks, Quincy Hilliard

5. Welcome Back!! Required Materials for 8th Grade: We provide an Over-Sized Black Folder to keep your music in throughout the year. If the Folder is Damaged or lost throughout the year, you will be responsible for the $10 replacement fee.

6. Daily Practice! Daily practice is the most effective way to build skills and musicianship. A student’s goal should be to practice at least twenty minutes, six days per week. Seventh- and eighth-grade students preparing for Solo & Ensemble, UGA Midfest, Honor Band and All-State auditions should practice thirty to forty-five minutes daily. Any student may receive extra help during morning practice 8:15 am to 8:55 am Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, as well as Monday morning by Appointment. These extra practice sessions will begin the week of August 26, 2009.

7. A change in Practicing • NO MORE PRACTICE LOGS! • New “Guided” Practice Sheets

8. Opportunities for 7th and 8th graders • Solo & Ensemble Festival • Honor Band Festival • All-State Band • UGA Midfest • Jazz Band (auditions during first week of September)

9. How do I improve?? Private Lessons!! Private lessons on an instrument provide a student with valuable one-on-one instruction. Students taking private lessons experience significant growth in their playing ability regardless of age level. Each family is encouraged to consider private music lessons to compliment the instruction received at school. Private lessons are available from several music stores in the area. An additional list of private instructors is also available at school. Statistics show that students who study privately excel not only in performance on their instruments, but in academics as well.

10. PERFORMANCE DRESS CODE • 7th Grade will remain the same: • Band Polo, Khaki Pants, Dark dress shoes and socks • 8th Grade: • Guys: • BLACK dress pants, BLACK socks, BLACK dress shoes, BLACK Belt, WHITE long-sleeved dress shirt, BLACK neck tie • Ladies: • BLACK, Floor Length Skirt (Measured and Sewn) • Black Blouse (ordered through the school) • Black closed-toe dress shoes and tights (Ballet Flats are Perfect!!)

11. Performance Attendance Concerts are an integral part of the Middle School band program. Student concerts are performance evaluations of the music and concepts that were studied during the grading period. They are the culminating activity where weeks of band rehearsals and student home practice are demonstrated publicly. Students are expected to attend all concerts as a portion of their grade. A list of concert dates is included in this handbook to assist families with scheduling. Concert dates and related details will also be communicated through class announcements, letters to parents, e-mails, and blogs.

12. Performance Attendance If a student is unable to attend a concert for any reason, they will be given two options to make up the grade: • A 5-page report on a musical subject to be determined by the directors -OR- • A recording of the student performing their concert music on audio tape, CD, or DVD

13. CONCERT DATES: • 7th Grade Concerts: • December 8th, 2009 @ 7:00pm • May 6th, 2010 @ 7:00pm • 8th Grade Concerts: • October 13th, 2009 @ 7:00pm • October 16th, 2009 – NCHS Band Night • December 8th, 2009 @ 7:00pm • February 23rd, 2010 @ 7:00pm • May 6th, 2010 @ 7:00pm

14. Instrument Care The maintenance and care of the instrument is the responsibility of each student. Daily instrument maintenance should be taken care of at home, NOT DURING CLASS TIME. If a student’s instrument is being repaired, a note to this effect is needed from a parent/guardian. All woodwind students are expected to have a minimum of FOUR (4) PLAYABLE reeds with them at all times. All brass players are expected to have valve/slide oil with them daily. Every effort will be taken by a director to mend a “small” problem but if further repair is needed, the parent is responsible.

15. Volunteers anyone? Our Fundraiser will be in November this year. We will need parents to help with: • distribution on the kick-off day • collection of forms (different dates for each grade) • helping the kids turn in money (filing out envelopes) • Organization on delivery day • Distributing items to students on delivery day

16. Any Questions? Contact Info… www.awtreyband.org AwtreyBand@yahoo.com Yahoo! Groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AwtreyBand Mr. Sessoms: Michael.Sessoms@cobbk12.org Miss Johnson: Elizabeth.Johnson@cobbk12.org