Students who continually choose to disrupt the learning environment of
their fellow band members risk being removed from band. Be in a habit of making
good choices - you and your fellow
musicians will benefit!
TARDY POLICY
Students have a FOUR (4) minute passing period, which
is plenty of time to move between classes. In order to encourage
our students to be prompt but careful with their expensive instruments,
the Bowman band Tardy Policy for beginning band classes is as
follows:
Students must be inside the classroom
when the bell rings (walking in through the door while the bell
is ringing is NOT acceptable). Students then have ONE (1) minute to be
in their assigned
seat with all necessary supplies. While you are getting to your seat, please
be very careful with your instrument.
Students who are not in their seat ONE (1) minute past the bell will be marked
tardy. The instructor keeps track of the time and determines if a student is tardy.
The director reserves the right to change the policy at any time.
- First tardy results in 1 demerit
being assigned and a ten minute detention.
- Second tardy results in 1 demerit
being assigned and a half-hour detention with your band director.
- Third tardy results in 1 demerit
being assigned, an hour detention, and parent contact.
- Fourth tardy results in 1 demerit
being assigned, an hour detention, and a parent/teacher/student conference.
- Fifth tardy results in 1 demerit
being assigned and a referral to the front office.
PERFORMANCES
A performance is any event in which the students, individually,
or as a group, play their instruments for an audience, judge,
or clinician. As stated in the PISD curriculum guide,
attendance
is required at all scheduled band performances. Performances
are a vital extension of the academic class, and a culminating
activity that serves as an evaluation tool for all the learning
that takes place leading up to a performance. The directors will
do everything possible to avoid a conflict between a performance
and another
school
activity.
PERFORMANCE
DRESS
It is a policy of the Plano ISD that middle school bands will
not be provided uniforms. The Bowman Band will have an official shirt that
they will have the opportunity to purchase soon after school begins. We
will wear our BMS band shirt and blue jeans at all
informal concerts
and activities.
Appropriate dress for more formal concerts and contests
will be required as shown below. Students will be informed of
these occasions far in advance.
Boys
A light-colored, collared shirt that buttons all the way down
the front, a tie, dark slacks, and dress shoes.
Jeans, shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes, or flip-flop style shoes
are not appropriate
attire.
Girls
A dress or a blouse and skirt with dress shoes.
Skirts
and dresses for formal concerts must be at least mid-calf length.
Jeans, shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes, or flip-flop style shoes are
not appropriate attire.
SUPPLIES
All students will bring supplies
to band every day.
- For all students except percussion --
Standard of Excellence - Book 1 for your specific instrument.
- For all percussion students --
Simple Steps to Successful Beginning Percussion by
Kennan Wylie
- Wire Music Stand (crucial to develop proper posture, hand position, and instrument position)
- Metronome - Many models can be found below $20.00
- 1 1/2" capacity 3-ring binder
- 6 Index dividers with divider labels
- Loose leaf paper
- Pencil -- PEN IS NOT ACCCEPTABLE
- Individual instrument supplies (reeds, mallets,
mouthpieces, valve oil, slide/cork grease, swabs, stick bags,
etc.)
- Pencil pouch
- Highlighter
GRADING
POLICIES
MAJOR GRADES (75%)
PLAYING TESTS will be
assigned periodically throughout the year. They are typically heard
during the student's regular band class.
- Any student who misses a playing
grade for any school-approved reason must make up that grade
within one week. Make-up playing tests may be performed for
the director.
- Any student who misses a playing
grade for a reason that is not school-approved must make up
the assignment by a date specified by the band director.
- Playing Tests may be rested for a higher grade
prior to the end of the six weeks.
- Students that earn a grade of below 70 (failing) for the first
test may retest for a higher grade prior to the end of the six weeks.
This is to ensure adequate
preparation and effort for the initial test.
WRITTEN TESTS (music theory,
vocabulary tests, etc.) may be given periodically.
PERFORMANCE GRADES are
given for all curricular performances. Performance grades will be counted
twice in the six weeks of the performance. The performance grade consists of
three components: attendance grade, participation, and
audience etiquette.
- The attendance component is based on arriving time and staying
for the duration of the concert.
- The participation component consists of proper concert attire
and stage behavior.
- The audience etiquette component consists of displaying respect
for the audience and fellow musicians during the performance.
PLEASE NOTE: An unexcused
absence from a performance will result in a student receiving 2 zeroes as
major grades.
This might cause a student to fail for the six weeks grading
period. Excuses are accepted only in event of illness (with
doctor's note), or a major family emergency.
DAILY GRADES (25%)
PARTICIPATION grades are
given weekly and are based on the student' sdaily participation in band
class. Points may be deducted for the following reasons:
- Lack of productive participation
in class.
- Not having required materials.
Follow classroom procedures and
rules, and your participation grade will be EXCELLENT!
PRACTICE REPORTS
are graded each week.
- A parent's signature is required
on Practice Reports in order to receive credit.
- Grades will be given based
on the number of minutes practiced per week. Students will have assigned
goals for the number of minutes to practice each day.
MUSICAL ACHIEVEMENT
PROGRAM
The Musical Achievement Program (MAP) is an individualized program
developed especially for the Bowman Bands. The program includes
TEN different achievement levels on which the student may work,
with each level gradually increasing in difficulty. Each achievement
level includes specific objectives that must be completed before
moving to the next level. Objectives on each level include technical
playing exercises on the instrument as well as behavioral guidelines
such as consistently turning in practice records and consistent
attendance at sectionals and performances. The student may take
as much, or as little, time as they need to complete each level.
This program gives every student an opportunity to work at his
or her own speed and ability level. Upon satisfactory completion
of all the objectives on one level, students will receive a certificate
of achievement and recognition at band concerts.
Since the program is so individualized,
the student's accomplishments within the MAP will have no direct
bearing on grades; however, we will be expecting
that each student in the band program will strive
to complete as many levels as possible during the year. Some
assignments in class will also be objectives in a certain level.
In these cases, an objective will be considered passed if the
grade on this assignment is 90% or higher.
The hard work and dedication
required to successfully complete the achievement levels will
make every individual a better performer on his or her instrument
and will help prepare the students for future success in the
band program all the way through the Senior High level. We hope
that this initiative will prove to be a positive and enriching
part of each band student's musical development.
SANDY LAKE BAND CONTEST
At the end of each school year, the Bowman Beginning Band will
have the opportunity to attend the Sandy Lake Band Contest.
The Sandy Lake Contest will consist of performing two band pieces
for a panel of judges and then spending a few hours enjoying Sandy Lake Amusement Park.
Due to this trip being a reward for hard work and for those participating,
there will be some minimum requirements for participation.
The prerequisites for participating with the band will be:
- Successful completion of all of Music Achievement Level 1 and portions of Level 2 by April 1, 2005
Must have passed all classes for the 5th six weeks (no pass/ no play rule)
must have received "S" or "E" in citizenship in band
four out of five six weeks.
FRIENDS OF THE BOWMAN BAND (FOBB)
Friends of the Bowman Band exists to provide an avenue for parents to assist in
the administrative, student supervision, and social planning duties of the band
program. Parental involvement is essential for the smooth operation of the Bowman
Band program and for the students to gain the most enjoyment from their band
experience. FOBB seeks to support the band directors and students by providing
an organized set of volunteers to perform helpful duties as needed. Examples of
roles filled are phone calling, making copies of music, chaperoning trips, helping
move equipment at football games, collecting and turning in Apple Corps background
forms, assisting with concert clean up, planning social events, etc. Each year
an initial organizational meeting will be held in order for parents to sign up for
specific tasks and serve on various committees. FOBB is open to any parent or
guardian of a Bowman band student and all parents are encouraged to show their
support of the program by volunteering to help out with something, no matter how
small it may be. Your children are the benefactors of your involvement in their
school activities.
PRACTICE
HABITS
You should practice only on the days you eat.
Practice is sometimes fun, sometimes
drudgery, and ALWAYS NECESSARY. The best way to make practice
more enjoyable and more productive is to get in a regular habit
of practice.
Students are expected to take
their instruments home every day. Each student should plan to
practice at least 30 minutes each night. Make certain
you listen for improvement--don't just "put in time." When your
playing improves, then all the time spent will have been worthwhile.
Many times students experience
difficulties because they do not know how to practice. Some
suggestions for successful practice have been included below.
- Practice daily. Persistence
= results!
- Warm up properly before each
practice session.
- Concentrate on producing your
best tone quality--TONE IS ALWAYS THE #1 PRIORITY.
- Always practice with correct
hand position and posture.
- IMPROVE YOUR BASIC MUSIC SKILLS, DEVELOP A DAILY ROUTINE--long
tones, lip slurs, scales, arpeggions, and technical exercises
should be practiced every night. These exercises should
make up most of your practice time since these skills transfer
to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you play.
- Practice the parts you cannot
play. It makes no sense to practice things that you can already
play well.
- Never sacrifice accuracy for
speed. If you are having trouble with a spot, slow down the
tempo, using the metronome as a guide. Only when you play a section of music
correctly should you attempt to increase the speed.
- Practice small sections. Seek
to IMPROVE them. Small goals add up very quickly to a HUGE
SUCCESS!
PRIVATE LESSONS
Individual study with a specialist on the student's instrument
is vital to ensure the development and continuation of proper
playing habits. Although private study is not required, we strongly
recommend it as a means of achieving greater musical
growth for ALL students.
We are fortunate to be able to
offer our students a highly qualified faculty from whom private
lessons are available. Each faculty member is approved by PISD
and is an authority on his or her instrument.
Private lessons are $16.00 per
week for one 25-minute lesson every week. Payments for lessons will be
arranged with the individual private lesson teacher.
These lessons are usually taught during the student's
band class or before/after school (if schedules permit.) Some
private teachers also have time available to teach lessons out
of their homes. If you are interested, please see your director.
SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
School-owned instruments will be issued only to students who exhibit
responsibility for their instrument and dedication to our program.
Neglect or abuse of the instrument will result in the student
being required to turn in the instrument.
Plano ISD has instituted a policy
regarding the use of school-owned instruments. Any student who
plays a school-owned instrument must pay a $30.00 instrument
maintenance fee. This fee has become necessary to help defray
the costs of maintenance and uupkeep that is required of the
many musical instruments that the school district owns. In the
event of students who use more than one school-owned instrument
(percussion, school/home instruments), only one fee will be
changed. This fee must be paid by August 20.
The parent and student will fill
out a form that specifies the condition of the instrument at
the time of checkout. The form also shows your acknowledgement
of responsibility for that instrument. Periodic inspections
will be conducted. The student MUST treat the instrument with
great care--as though you and your parents have made the investment.
Students are at ALL times responsible
for the instrument and its case. Any damage resulting from carelessness
or abuse will be charged to the student responsible.
LOCKERS
The Bowman Band Hall has lockers where instruments must be stored during the
day. We strongly encourage all students to use these lockers to insure the
safety of your instruments. Locks will be provided only to those students
that request them. These
locks must be returned at the end of the year, or the student will be charged
for the replacement of the lock. The Bowman Band Department supplies all locks.
REPAIRS
If an instrument should need repair, please consult a director.
The director can do many repairs at the school. If the director
is unable to repair the instrument, please take it to one of the
local music dealers. School-owned instrument repairs should always
be handled through the director.
To protect your investment and
ensure your participation in class, instrument repairs should
be done promptly. We have found that both Brook Mays Music Company and
Williamsons Music Company provide high-quality instrument repairs with
a very quick turn-around time.
INSURANCE
To protect your investment in the event of theft or vandalism, parents are
strongly encouraged to insure your instruments. This may be done through your
homeowner's policy, or through an independent carrier. For more information
about the independent carrier, please contact your director.
School owned instruments are covered by the school district while on campus.
Since school owned instruments are rather expensive to replace, we suggest that
parents seek coverage for them while they are not on campus.
Accident Insurance for injuries that may be sustained during practice or
performance in the band program is available from an independent carrier.
