Dexter Middle School Band Handbook
Dexter Middle School Band Handbook
Patriot Band
Dear Parents,
Greetings from the Dexter Middle School Band Program! I am delighted that your
child is in my band class this year. It is my wish that each band student develops into a
well-rounded musician who will serve as a role model for the rest of the Dexter Middle
School student body. With your encouragement and support, your child will participate in
and enjoy many exciting and rewarding experiences this academic year.
Along with this letter, I have included a copy of the Dexter Middle School Band
Handbook. Included in this handbook are the rules and regulations of the band, student
work with you to ensure the success of your child this year. Please take a brief moment to
read the handbook and discuss it with your child. If you have any questions, please feel
Sincerely,
Erica Collier
Band Director
Mission Statement
The mission of the Dexter Middle School Band is to explore the art
of music through performance while promoting school spirit, pride,
and musical excellence on our journey to success.
Class Overview
Band is a performing arts class. The art of music that we learn is shown through our
various concerts throughout the school year. Therefore, a large portion of the assessment
for this class will come from the student’s effort. The student will be exposed to various
forms of musical appreciation and etiquette. As a musician, it is very important to not
only be able to read music, but also be able to analyze it as well. Below are the objectives
that will be incorporated throughout the curriculum for this class to make the students
well-rounded musicians:
Course Objectives:
1. Correct Instrument Technique
2. Musical Expression
3. Music Composition
4. Listening & Analysis
5. Concert Etiquette
6. Basic Music Theory & Vocabulary
7. Various Music Styles and Genres
8. Ensemble Responsibility
9. Commitment to Excellence
Materials
Band Instrument
Band Fees
There is no band class fee for this year. However, students will be responsible for class
materials, such as an instrument, instrument supplies, and band uniform.
Fundraising
The band will be participating in a few fundraisers to raise money for special trips, music
awards, supplies, and other costs of running a successful band program. Brochures and
other pertinent information will be sent home closer to fundraising time.
Seating Area – There will be a designated area for all bags and books to be kept
during class. (Ladies, this includes purses and handbags, as well.) Students are to
only bring their instrument to the seating area. All necessary accessories (extra
reed, valve oil, slide grease, etc.) should be brought to your seat, as well. Students
will not be allowed to return to the instrument room during class time.
Class equipment – The piano, other music instruments, the computer, the board,
and any other classroom equipment are only to be used with permission from the
teacher.
Food and Drink – Food (including gum and candy) and drink in the classroom is
strictly prohibited. This is the ultimate form of disrespect to our classroom
environment. Water (in a clear bottle) is the only exception, as it is important to
keep our voices hydrated.
Sickness – While an occasional illness may occur, please make every effort to be
present daily and able to perform.
Exiting the Classroom – Seating areas should be clear of all materials. Students
are to line up at the appropriate door when given permission. Wait for the teacher
instruction for dismissal.
Tardies – Students who are tardy lose valuable warm-up time and information,
besides being disruptive to other students. A student will be considered tardy if
he/she is not in his/her seat with materials when roll is taken. Students will not be
penalized for the first two tardies.
Behavior – Due to the structure of band class, all student actions directly affect
the whole ensemble. Behavior issues and disrespect waste valuable class time, as
most of our instruction is whole-class based. When a student is off task or causing
others to be of task, they are not fulfilling their lesson responsibilities.
Consequences are in place for not adhering to the class rules.
Class Rules/Consequences
Class Rules
1. Participate and contribute to the class success and progress
2. Always do your best each day
3. Take pride in the classroom environment
4. Show respect to all people and property
Consequences
1. First Infraction – Verbal Warning (Conference with Teacher)
2. Second Infraction – Parent Contact
3. Third Infraction – Detention/Parent Contact
4. Fourth Infraction – Guidance Referral/Parent Conference
5. Fifth Infraction – Office Referral
6. Sixth Infraction – Office Referral
Performances
There will be several required performances throughout the year. These will include a fall
and spring concert, school events and assemblies, solo and ensemble, and concert
festival. Band is a co-curricular class (students are required to attend activities outside
the school day that affect their grade), not extra-curricular (students attend activities
outside the school day that do not affect their grade). Students will be given a
performance schedule for each semester. In the event that any additional performance
opportunities arise, students will be given advanced notice of these dates. Students are
expected to be responsible and make arrangements to attend these performances.
If you have a conflict, you are responsible for talking to the director as soon as you are
aware of the conflict. Students will be excused from the performance only for a
scheduled school region activity, serious illness, or a serious family emergency with no
grade penalties. The performance grade will need to be made up in class, within a week
of the concert. However, shopping, ballgames, parties, family outings, forgetting the
concert, etc. are not valid excuses for missing a performance. Students in these
situations will not be allowed to make up those points.
Calendar
Dexter Middle School Open House October 3rd
Beale Street Holiday Parade December
Dexter Band Holiday Concert December
WTSBOA All-West Band Auditions January 18th
Overton High School Honor Band January 23rd – 25th
WTSBOA All-West Clinic and Convention February 13th – 15th
WTSBOA Concert Festival March 10th or 11th
SCS Arts Fest 2020 April
Memphis Area Solo and Ensemble April 4th
Strawberry Festival Parade May
Dexter Band Spring Concert May
* 7th and 8th grade students will be performing at several home basketball games this
fall. Those dates will be sent home for you to make arrangements to participate.
After-School Rehearsals
Due to the performance schedule and other demands of the class, all seventh and eighth
grade students will need to attend after-school rehearsal. This will only be held once a
week. During this time, we will focus on marching, pep band, and other performance
related preparation that regular class time doesn’t allow. There will be a designated day
for beginners who need assistance, as well.
Performance Attire
School Events and Informal Performances
Males: Band Shirt, Black Pants (No jeans or shorts), and Black/Dark Shoes
Females: Band Shirt, Black Pants/Skirt (No jeans or shorts), and Black/Dark Shoes
Students who arrive in improper attire will not receive full credit for the
performance. In representing the school, it is important to have a professional and
uniform look.
Performance Etiquette
You are required to stay for the entire concert in which you perform. Because you will
spend more time in the audience than you will on stage, it is important that you behave
appropriately for the event. You must be a respectful audience member by:
1. Listening intently
2. Silencing and putting away your cell phone
3. Not talking to your neighbor while someone is performing
4. Remaining in your seat while someone is performing
5. Applauding appropriately at the conclusion of a performance (no cat-calls)
In addition to being a good audience member, I expect that you will also be a respectful
performer by:
Grading
Grading Policy: 100-93 A (Excellent)
92-85 B (Good)
84-76 C (Satisfactory)
75-70 D (Poor)
Below 70 F (Failure)
Conduct: E (Excellent)
G (Good)
S (Satisfactory)
N (Needs Improvement)
U (Unsatisfactory)
Performance Grade:
Students will receive a grade of a 100, but will receive reductions depending on how well
they meet the following expectations.
Punctuality: (10 pts.) A student that shows up on time will be awarded all points. For
every minute a student is late subtract a point. It will be no more than 10 points.
Dress Code: (25 pts.) A student that follows the dress code appropriately will be awarded
all points. Depending on attire, points will be deducted case by case.
Audience Etiquette: (10 pts) Students that demonstrate appropriate audience behavior
will be awarded the full amount. Depending upon the severity of infraction and repetition
of infraction, points will be deducted accordingly. Leaving early can result in a lowering
of grade.
Professionalism: (10 pts.) Students will be awarded 10 pts if they come with all materials
needed. Depending on what the student does not have will determine how many points
are deducted.
I have read the information in the Band Handbook and understand the expectations.
____________________________________
Student/Parent Contact Information
Please print clearly/neatly and fill in EVERY blank.
Student Information:
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Information:
Email: __________________________________________________________________
I would like to receive emails about upcoming events.
MAPS Remind
Parent Letter
This year we will be using Remind to help keep you informed about
classroom activities and assignments. Remind is a free service that lets us
send quick messages via text or email to everyone in the class. We’ll be able
to stay in touch while keeping personal contact information private.
By Text:
★ Text our class code: ______ (your code) to 81010
By Email:
★ Email ______ (your code)@mail.remind.com
CLASS CODES:
6TH GRADE BAND – @dmband6
7TH GRADE BAND – @dmband7
8TH GRADE BAND – @dmband8
Website: dextermsband.weebly.com