Longfellow Middle School Spartan Band Handbook George Tullos, Director of Bands Alma Perez, Assistant Director Jonah Bahta, Assistant Director The Legacy Continues TABLE OF CONTENTS BOARD OF EDUCATION 3 INTRODUCTION 4 BAND CALENDAR 5 BANDS AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 6 PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS, PRACTICE RECORDS, & SECTIONALS 7 GRADING GUIDELINES 7 ELIGIBILITY 7 COURSE OBJECTIVES & CURRICULUM 8 TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 9 ABSENCES/ TARDIES 10 STUDENT BEHAVIORAL & REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS 11 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS 11 TRANSPORTATION 12 FUNDRAISING 12 BAND SUPPLIES 13 INSTRUMENT POLICY/ USAGE FEE 14 BAND BOOSTERS 14 UNIFORMS 15 "2 BOARD OF EDUCATION Patti Radle, President Arthur V. Valdez, Vice President Debra Guerrero, Secretary Ed Garza, Trustee James Howard, Trustee Steve Lecholop, Trustee Christina Martinez, Trustee Superintendent of Schools Pedro Martinez Deputy Superintendent Dr. Pauline Dow Assistant Superintendent Dr. Judith Solis Fine Arts Senior Executive Director Dr. Daniel Loudenback Principal Dr. Aurora Terry Assistant Principals Linda Rios-Garcia, Robert Hernandez, Abel Martinez Counselors Jessica Cavazos, Jennifer O’ Grady Fine Arts Department Isabel Romero, Elementary Music/Secondary Choral Coordinator James Orozco, Theater Arts/Visual Arts Coordinator Dr. Peter Acosta, Instrumental Music Coordinator Dianne Marks, Dance/ Spirit Teams Coordinator Ashley Draven, Administrative Secretary Judy Thompson, Department Clerk Gilberto Elorreaga, Chief Band Repair Technician Frank Abrego, Band Repair Technician The San Antonio Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability, in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. "3 INTRODUCTION Congratulations, and welcome to the Longfellow Spartan Band! We are one of the top organizations on campus, and take great pride in all our endeavors. There is a lot of tradition at Longfellow Middle School, much of which extends to the band program. Over the years, the Spartan Bands have maintained high standards in excellence, performance, behavior, and academics. Some of these achievements include: • The Honor Band has receiving consistent Superior Ratings (1st Division) at UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest since 1998. • Spartan Band members earning placements in both District Honor Band and Region Band on a yearly basis. • The Honor Band has received 15 consecutive “Sweepstakes” Awards at UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest. • The Honor Band has receiving the “Outstanding Performance Award” at the Texas Lutheran University Band Festival for 12 years, and the “Exceptional Musician Award” in 2013. • The Honor Band receiving 1st Division, “Outstanding Performance” and “Best in Class” Awards at the Big-D American Classics Festival in Dallas, TX in 2015. This Band Handbook has been created for both students and parents to outline our expectations for all Spartan Band members. These guidelines include behavioral and academic expectations, policies, procedures, and other important criteria for maintaining excellence. Parents, please feel free to contact us for any questions you may have. Our hope is that your child has a great band experience so that we can make… The Legacy Continue! CONTACT INFORMATION Mr. George Tullos - Director of Bands [email protected] Ms. Alma Perez - Assistant Band Director [email protected] Mr. Jonah Bahta - Assistant Band Director [email protected] Address:1130 E. Sunshine, San Antonio, TX 78228 Band Office Phone: 210.438.6520 (ex. 75024) Conference Period: 2:30-4:00 PM "4 BAND CALENDAR 2017-2018 Below is a list of tentative events for all band members. Specific information regarding each event will be provided throughout the year via notification letters. Dates, times and locations are subject to change. Parents, please refer back to this calendar throughout the year to avoid as many schedule conflicts as possible. AUGUST 14th: First Day of Classes SEPTEMBER 28th: World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser OCTOBER 3rd: Marching Band Showcase — Alamo Stadium 6th: Jefferson vs Lanier “Feeder Night”— Alamo Stadium 17th: SAISD Honor Band Auditions — Poe MS NOVEMBER 4th: TMEA Region Band Auditions — Poe MS 10th: Jefferson vs Edison “Tommy Bowl” — Alamo Stadium DECEMBER 1st-2nd: TMEA Region Band Clinic/Concert — TBA 12th: Beginner Band Exhibition Concert — Longfellow Cafeteria 14th: Advanced Bands Winter Concert — Longfellow Cafeteria JANUARY 26th-27th: SAISD MS/HS Honor Band Clinic Concert — Edison HS FEBRUARY 20th-21st: SAISD Pre-UIL MS Concert & Sightreading Evaluation — TBA MARCH 7th: UIL MS Band Concert & Sightreading Evaluation — TBA APRIL 21st: SAISD Solo & Ensemble — TBA MAY 10th: Beginner Band Spring Concert — Longfellow Cafeteria 17th: Advanced Bands Spring Concert — Longfellow Cafeteria 30th: Last Day of Classes "5 BANDS AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS The band program at Longfellow Middle School is comprised of three bands (2 advanced bands, and 1 beginner band). Yearly band placement in each band and occasional changes are based on instrumentation needs and limitations, eligibility status, overall performance and consistent progress, attendance at band functions, attitude and behavior, and audition. It is at the discretion of the band directors to place each student in the band where they will excel and be the most successful. HONOR BAND (Mr. Tullos, director) is the top-performing group; designed for students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement and outstanding musical competency. This band represents the school at several musical events, and requires a commitment to excellence in musicianship and teamwork. Requirements for all Honor Band members: • Participating in school-related performances, including marching band showcase, pep rallies, winter and spring concerts, UIL and pre-UIL Concert & Sightreading Evaluations, and elementary recruitment concerts • Auditioning for District Honor Band, and District Solo & Ensemble Contest (class III solo) • Demonstrating musical competency through performing Region Concert Scales • Maintaining academic and behavioral excellence in all classes • Attending weekly sectionals SYMPHONIC BAND (Mr. Bahta & Ms. Perez, directors) is open to students with at least one year of successful band experience. Symphonic Band is designed to develop musical fundamentals in order to prepare students for more advanced ensemble experiences. Requirements for all Symphonic Band members: • Participating in school-related performances, including marching band showcase, pep rallies, winter and spring concerts, UIL and pre-UIL Concert & Sightreading Evaluations • Auditioning for District Honor Band and District Solo/ Ensemble Contest • Maintaining academic and behavioral excellence in all classes BEGINNER BAND is open to any student with little or no band experience. It is designed to start students on a band instrument and to learn music fundamentals. Beginner instruments include flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Any 7th or 8th grade students who progress quickly may advance to either Symphonic or Honor Band, at the approval of the band directors. All members will have the opportunity to participate in school concerts, competitions, and District Solo/ Ensemble Contest. "6 PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS, PRACTICE RECORDS, & SECTIONALS It is required for all band members to take their instruments home to practice a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Because our school runs on a blocked schedule format, students will only have Band every-other-day. It is critical that our students’ musical technique and skills develop correctly, which can be achieved by spending time each day and practice. Beginner band members will not be taking their instruments home for the first few weeks until they are able to demonstrate the basics of instrument carriage, assembly, and tone production. All band members will be issued a Practice Record at the beginning of the each week. Students are to record the amount of time (in minutes) they’ve practice each day, and write what they specifically worked on during that time. Practice Records are counted as homework assignments (see Grading Guidelines) that are due every Monday or Tuesday. Sectionals are designated times outside of class rehearsal for band members to gain additional practice so they may improve their technique and music. Sectionals take place either before school (7:45-8:30 AM) or after school (4:15-5:15 PM). Students will be notified after the first two weeks of school when their sectional is to take place. All Honor Band members will be required to attend a sectional once a week. Any band member that fails to attend their sectional may not be allowed to participate in extracurricular performances, and/or placed in a lower level band. GRADING GUIDELINES The following grading breakdown will be used for all band members: Assessments (40%) — performances, written and playing tests, writing quizzes/ tests, mid- term projects, district/ region audition material for advanced students, and concert/sight-reading evaluations. Homework (60%) — daily/ weekly participation, rhythm studies, music theory assignments, practice records, supply inspections, and weekly assignment sheets. ELIGIBILITY Texas law enforces the “No Pass, No Play” rule; any student with a grade average