Lake Zurich 5 th Grade Elementary Band !

1. Lake Zurich 5th Grade Elementary Band!

2. Benefits of Music • problem solving • teamwork • self-expression • goal setting • Coordination • Fine motor skills • poise, concentration • self discipline • patience • social skills • listening skills • Self-esteem/confidence

3. Band Schedule • Sectional Class once a week during school for 30 min (“pull-out”). • Full band once a week on Tuesdays before school for 1 hour. A couple extra rehearsals may be added during a concert week or a different rehearsal day (i.e. Friday morning) may be substituted for possible conflicts on Tuesday mornings.

4. Once a week, on the same day unless there is a conflict. Your child will be notified. 30 minute "pull out" program on rotating time schedule. Sectional class will consist of me and a few other students who play the same instrument. This is where we learn all of the instrument fundamentals. Students should come to their sectional class even if they forget instrument at home. Please help your child remember his/her instrument and band supplies. It is very important that each beginning student has weekly contact. There will be some adjustments for classes with occasional conflict (i.e. institute days, certain holidays, early release, etc.). There will be a few selected days this year where lessons may follow an alternate schedule day. Sectional Classes

5. Full Band Rehearsals • Beginning Oct. 1 on Tuesdays. • Rehearsal is 7:10-8:10 am at May Whitney in the gymfor South and at Spencer Loomis in the gym for North. • Students should be there 5-10 minutes earlier. BE THERE ON TIME SO WE CAN START ON TIME!!! • Students can arrive anytime after 6:45 • Student drop off for band is in the front of May Whitney or Door 7 at Spencer Loomis. A bus drives IF, SA, and SP back to school after rehearsals. • Please look at the full band schedule - there are a couple added rehearsals before concerts. • A couple rehearsals will be moved to a different day this year due to conflicts with holiday & Loredo Taft. There will soon be a schedule of all full rehearsals handed out in class. • The first week of ISATs, in the spring there will be no full band. Reminder letters will be sent home around this time and any additional changes that need to be made.

6. Concerts/Concert Dress • Wednesday, December 18, 7:00 pm @ Middle School South or Middle School North • All District Band Festival: Tuesday, April 8 5:00-9:00 pm (except Sarah Adams due to Lorado Taft) • Wednesday, May 14, 7:00 pm @ Middle School South or Middle School North • Concert Dress is the band t-shirt and black from the waist down (black pants/skirt, shoes, and socks/nylons.)

7. Initial Instrument Lesson • Each instrument group will meet separately for their first encounter with the instrument for 60-90 minutes on the evening of September 10, 11, or 12. • Lessons will be held in the Gym or band room at May Whitney. • Lesson will introduce and review fundamental concepts in regards to proper tone, posture/hand placement, breathing, technique, articulation, and instrument assembly. • One parent needs to attend in order to help reinforce these concepts at home. • We will also have additional assistance from some high school band students whom play the same instrument. • Information on the dates for each instrument is provided tonight.

8. Private Lessons • Not required, but highly recommended. • Students behind can get extra help. • Students ahead get to be challenged more and fine-tune their technique. • Private teachers are hired through DIST 95. • Most lessons are taught at H.S. in practice rooms in a one on one setting. • Info. Is in the handbook.

9. Required Materials/Fees • T-shirt (purchase it for $8). We wear it for our concerts and other band activities. • For sectional classes and rehearsals: instrument, music, pencil, music stand and carrying case, method book Essential Elements 2000. • Students will also need a 3 ring binder just for band along with 5 dividers. Students will be able to keep track of materials/music handed out during the year in an orderly fashion. • $25 District Band Fee • Please contact me if you are in need of monetary assistance.

10. Home Practice • Practice Grading System 120 min.- above: A 90 – 119 min: B 60 - 89 min: C 20 - 59 min: D 0 - 19 min: U • I really encourage students not to cram a lot of practicing in on just one day. Instead, do a little each day. It helps with muscle memory and long term memory. • Helpful tip: Practice at the same time each time you practice. Try to develop a routine. • Initial excitement will taper off. The joy comes from progress and accomplishments made throughout the year. I encourage performances (i.e. holidays, parties, invite friends to come over and practice with your child). • Practice in a quiet, uninterrupted place. • Practice at home is very important because students only see me twice a week (lesson day & full band day.)

11. Practice Records - North Guidance Practice Sheets - South • There will be a weekly update on the band website specifically on what to practice. This will help guide them and help them to focus on key concepts. • Minutes for every week will be recorded on their practice record • A parent signature is required every week. • This weekly sheet is to be read (student & parent) as a weekly guide to what and how students should be practicing. They will be specific in terms of what to practice and what step(s) to follow in order to achieve the weekly goal(s). • It will cover proper warm-up exercises to cover, review, and new material discussed in accordance with the curriculum. • It will also include a couple questions each week for the students to answer. For example – “What goal was accomplished this past week?” “What exercise is your biggest challenge and why?” • This will also include an area where students fill in the minutes of their week. • Parents sign the practice sheet prior to the student’s next lesson.

12. Fran Kick – “Good-Fun-Work”

13. Parental Support • Your child will need your support through this experience. Show genuine interest in your child’s musical studies. Monitor lesson assignments and sign practice sheets. • Show patience. Progress will be slow especially at first, but your child should consistently improve. • Help practice regularly in a place free from distractions. • Help establish realistic goals. Have your child teach you what they have learned. • Remember that every child goes at their own pace. • Communicate with me if you ever need anything or have questions/concerns.

14. Report Cards • Students get “Excels, satisfactory, or needs improvement” for tone, technique, tempo, rhythm, note reading, articulation, posture, completed assignments, practice records, playing tests, and coming to sectional classes/full band prepared. All these areas are discussed in more detail on p.9 of the handbook. • I will be available on conference days. I will send out a note for you to sign up for a conference.

15. Performance Requirement/Extra Credit • Students are to attend one performance during the course of the school year. It can be a Lake Zurich band performance (middle school and up) or a professional performance. I would encourage one where their instrument is represented. • This will help build some incentive and increase motivation in their efforts. It will also give them a good idea of awaits them over the next few years. • Students will be given a brief questionnaire to fill out and hand in before the year concludes. I will have a sheet in the near future that will include all the Lake Zurich performances that you can choose from and try to schedule. • Extra credit opportunities: attending more than one pre-approved music performance, receiving private lessons, checking out musical websites along with a brief summary, sharing a recording of their instrument in a sectional class, listening exercises, and completing various handouts. Additional opportunities will be announced during the year.

16. Instrument Care • Please help your child take care of their instrument. • I will teach them proper instrument care when they get their instruments. • Some accessories are already required with certain instruments (i.e. box of reeds, swabs, slide cream, reed guards) • You will get an accessories sheet the evening of the initial lesson. • Students will need stands and stand cases. Make sure the stand is labeled when you receive it as many stands have been lost over the years.

17. Other Activities (Please watch for further info on these to be sent home this year) • Full Band picture day – students may purchase a picture if they’d like. All participate! • Cosmic Bowling Party, in Jan– optional party to celebrate our 1st concert. • HS/Elementary Band Exchange, - May 1 required to attend. • Skating Party – May 17 – optional party celebrating the end of the year. • Water Park Trip, in June – optional party celebrating the end of the year usually around the last day of school.

18. Volunteer Opportunities • There are opportunities for you to volunteer to help this year with the reception table at concerts, assistance at band rehearsals, video assistance, chaperone some field trips, and overall band liaison. Please email me or call if you are interested.

19. Band Website • This website keeps students and parents informed of any written assignments due and what pages need to be practiced in the method book. • It also includes: upcoming reminders, suggestions, dates, student pictures, and additional information for the week.

20. Band Commitment Contract • States that the student will be a team player and will behave accordingly. • If a student wants to drop band, he/she can only do it after our December concert (no later than 1 week after winter break) *Only a few students drop each year – most like it and stay. • Please help teach your child about commitments. It is preferred that students who sign up for band stay in band for the entire school year.

21. Before you leave… • If you have questions relating to Instrument Rental or complete contract, contact Music and Arts Rental Office: (888) – 731 - 5396 • Please fill out the last 3-4 pages of forms and return after meeting or when we see your kids for their first sectional class.