Meyersdale Area Band Handbook

1. Meyersdale Area Band Handbook 2013-2014 Ms. Katie H. Strong - Director Kstrong@masd.net Mr. Roger Johnston – Assistant Director Rjohnston@masd.net Meyersdale Area School District 1349 Shaw Mines Rd. Meyersdale, PA 15552 814-634-8311 ext 410

2. General Policies ...7-11 Grades Lessons Attendance Policy Performance Dress code and Uniform care Loss or damage of School Property Code of Conduct Football Games Fundraising Schedule ....12 Forms Handbook Agreement Form Health Form Order form for shoes and Polo shirts Rehearsal/Performance excuse Form 2 Table of Contents • Welcome to Boosters! … 3 • Band Descriptions .... 4-6 • Marching Band • HS Concert Band • MS Concert Band • Jazz Band • Brass Band • Additional opportunities for performance

3. Welcome to the MASD Band Boosters 3 Dear Parents: The best way to encourage your child’s progress in the music program is to become a part of the boosters organization! The Boosters are the backbone of the band program. With your support, there is no limit to what the students in the band can learn and accomplish. The Band Boosters includes a group of volunteer parents who assist the band directors in the organization of fundraising, fitting and maintenance of uniforms, chaperoning trips and hosting festivals. Parents and Guardians who are interested in chaperoning need to have a criminal background check and clearances. These clearances can be done through the district office. Students are also encouraged to attend meetings and participate in working the concession stands and help with booster functions. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm in the HS band room. • Currently, the organization has a need for volunteers for the Band Boosters Concession Stand. • The Organization will also be in dire need of help with the organization and alteration of the new uniforms.

4. Band Descriptions 4 • Marching Band “The Pride of the Tribe” Marching Band is open to grades 9-12. The marching band is the spotlight of the music department weekly in the fall semester as they take the field at HS Football games. Because of this exposure, the marching band members require a lot of time, dedication and pride. Rehearsals focus on marching techniques, drill, and music. Marching band members should take pride in their performances and in their school. • Concert Bands • MS Concert Band • Open to grades 7-8 • HS Concert Band • Open to grades 9-12 A strong concert band is the musical backbone of an excellent instrumental program. The MAHS Concert band follows the marching band season. The MS Concert Band begins the first day of school. There are 2-3 scheduled performances each year. The repertoire of the concert bands covers a wide variety of genres, styles and time periods of music. It is important to study the classics and modern styles of music to have a well rounded music education. In rehearsals students are challenged to work on music that is either at the level of their playing ability or above.

5. Band Descriptions 5 • Jazz Bands • Black Band Jazz Band • Taught by Mr. Johnston • Red Band Jazz Band • Taught by Ms. Strong Jazz band is an additional ensemble that meets during the student’s homeroom period. It is comprised of a saxophone section, trombone section, trumpet section and a rhythm section (piano, drum set, bass and guitar). There are two bands. The black band is for underclassmen and beginning players. The red band is mainly upperclassmen and those students with experience in jazz. The ensembles are asked to play for some non-school events within the community.

6. Other Performance Opportunities 6 • Meyersdale students have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of arts programs at MASD. • Marching Band • Concert band • Jazz Band • Chorus • General Music • Musical • Lessons • Outside Meyersdale • Somerset County Band • PMEA District 6 Band, Chorus and Jazz – with opportunity to advance • IUP Honor Band • Frostburg Community band • Somerset Community band • Johnstown Youth Symphony • Local theater companies • Private lessons

7. General Policies 7 • Grading Grading for marching band and concert bands are as follows: Scale: A - 90-100% B - 80-89% C - 70-79% D - 60-69% F - 0-59 % • Lessons Instrumental students at Meyersdale Area are fortunate enough to have a lesson program that other schools do not have. It is a requirement of all students playing an instrument to take lessons. A lesson schedule will be given to all students and are required to attend at least four lessons each quarter. In lessons students will learn rhythm, scales and arpeggios, sight reading, and theory. They will also have a lesson book and their band music. The instructor may add additional music such as duets or solos to their lesson material. Lessons are graded on a Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory scale. Grading is based upon attendance, preparedness and participation in lessons. Lessons are graded separately from band. • Grading is based on: • Concert Attendance/performances +50pts • Rehearsal Attendance/Performance +5pts each • Playing Test – If necessary, Given once each grading period +10pts • -Scales, sight reading, selection from band music • Additional Points may be earned for performing in additional ensembles and PMEA Fesivals or attending concerts/performances. +2pts each

8. General Policies 8 • Attendance Attendance is part of your grade. Therefore it is essential that you attend all rehearsals and performances. In the event that you know you will have to miss a performance, fill out the “excuse form” and turn in 1 week in advance. Forms turned in after the 1 week window will only be accepted on an emergency basis. Performance absence will result in a make-up written assignment. According to the music being performed the student will be asked to compose a 1 page essay on the composer, era, style, genre or purpose of a piece from the repertoire. Remember, The ensemble is a team. Without a member of the team, the group suffers. Your attendance is vital to the ensemble. • Performance Dress Code and Uniform Care • Marching band • Official MAHS Polo, Uniform Jacket, Uniform Bibbers, Hat/Plume, Black Socks, Black Band Shoes, Blue Jeans and Rain Jacket – Rain Day • Uniforms are Dry clean only and should be kept neat and clean throughout the marching band season. Students are responsible for the care of their own uniform. Dry cleaning will be done through a local dry cleaning company and paid for through the band boosters organization. • No jewelry. Piercing should be removed or covered with a band-aid. • Concert band • Traditionally, the dress of the concert bands has been White top, Black skirt/pants and black stockings/socks/shoes, mild jewelry. • Loss or Damage of School Property • Uniforms and instruments • Uniforms and all borrowed instruments are property of the Meyersdale area school district. Any damages or loss of property will be paid for by the student who posses that uniform or instrument.

9. General Policies 9 • Code of Conduct • It is expected that while with the band you remember that you not only represent yourself but the entire band and your school. Therefore, it is expected that you respect yourself and others, leave all areas clean, respect curfews, respect dress codes and understand that the school district’s discipline policies are in effect while you are representing the ensemble. • Cell Phones are permitted in the stands, but should not interfere with your ability to perform. • ABSOLUTELY NO GUM. • It is important to remember to clean up after yourselves. Don’t leave a mess. • A physical fighting altercation, lack of cooperation, swearing, lying, stealing, arriving late, or any other conduct deemed inappropriate by directors/advisors are behaviors that may lead to suspension or removal from the ensemble. • There should never be any smoking, drinking of alcohol or use of illegal drugs. Remember that the school’s discipline policies are in effect when you are with the band. If caught, these are behaviors will be dealt with by administration. • While on a trip, bags, suitcases, purses, etc. will be checked by band staff prior to leaving the school. • Quitting: Should you choose to quit band in the middle of the school year, you may not be eligible to rejoin in the future.

10. Football Game Policy During the game you are not only there for half-time. Our job is to support the team on the field. Break for all students will be given THIRD quarter only. Water is provided for students. No food may be purchased until third quarter. Students are also asked to use the restroom prior to the start of the game or during third quarter. Cell phone use is permitted as long as it does not interfere with performances or playing of stand tunes. Directors may remove your cell phone from you if it is too much of a distraction. Dress in the stands should always be appropriate. Jackets may be removed but pants must be worn with BOTH shoulder straps up. These uniforms are new. Please keep them looking nice. Students must ride the bus to events. Students may be signed out by their parent/guardian only following an event. Student may be signed out by another adult with a note provided by the student’s parent/guardian. Student may not drive themselves to or from events. We’re here to have fun and support the team. We also have a job to do. Your cooperation will make these events more enjoyable for all. Eligibility: School Eligibility Rules must be followed. If you are ineligible to perform, you will be asked to attend games and dress. However, during performances you will not be allowed to perform. 10

11. How are we going to get there? Fundraising Throughout the year, there will be multiple fundraisers. Some of the money these fundraisers collect will be placed in a private account for each student unless otherwise specified by the boosters organization. Money may be used for trip expenses. Fundraisers will be presented at rehearsals to each student, as well as at band booster meetings. Fundraisers are run by the band boosters. Fundraisers are NOT just for trips. The band boosters organization provides for students to attend county band, district and region band and other band festivals. Upkeep of instruments and purchase of instruments also comes from the general fund. Please do your best to participate in fundraising. It effects all of us. 12

12. 13 Schedule of Events Mini Camp – June 26-27 8:30 am – 12pm Grantsville Days – June 28 Band Camp – Aug 5-9 8am-3pm Aug 12-16 8am-12pm Raider Fest – Aug 17 Fair Parade – Aug 18 @ Blacklick Aug 30 H Windber Sept 6 (senior night) @ Conemaugh Twp Sept 13 Somerset County Band Fest TOB Sept 14 H Portage Sept 20 @ Ferndale Sept 28 H Conemaugh Valley Oct 4 @ North Star Oct 11 H Berlin Oct 18 Championships at IUP TOB Oct 19 Johnstown Halloween Parade Oct 24 @ Shade Oct 25 H Tussey Mt. Nov 1 _______________________________ Winter Raider Fest County Band Dec 4-5 @Rockwood District Band Auditions District Band @Meyersdale Region Band @ District 4 Maple Festival Parade Memorial Day Parade