CLC Tiger Bands Handbook
Expectations
- Students and Director will come prepared to rehearsals each day with the appropriate instrument, equipment, pencil, and music.
- We will all show respect for one another, our space, and our equipment.
- No extraneous talking when learning is taking place
- All equipment put away in the appropriate space
- All garbage cleaned up
- Students and Director will display a hard work ethic and a positive attitude.
- 3 minutes after the bell rings, students will be completely prepared to begin rehearsals (instrument assembled, warmed-up, music in order, pencil ready)
- Students and Director are expected to practice independently outside of class.
- Students and Director will be working at the highest level at all performances.
- Students and Director will have an instrument in good working order along with all of the appropriate accessories (see below on specific requirements).
- Student and Director will keep instrument lockers appropriately clean and containing ONLY band equipment and materials.
- Students and Director will be aware of all scheduled band events by reading the Band Calendar, paying attention to announcements, and checking e-mail/website.
- Students will communicate with their parents regarding all scheduled band activities.
- Students will look at the weekly rehearsal schedule posted outside the bandroom each week and be in the right place at the right time with the right equipment.
- Students will resolve all conflicts with band activities well in advance of the event (at least 3 months for major concerts & performances).
- Students will communicate with the Director all absences from events by e-mail or a written note from a parent BEFORE the absence.
- Students will ask the Director what was missed on school days in which the student was absent.
- Students and Director will follow all rules as outlined in the student handbook.
- Students and Director will have FUN.
Symphonic & Concert Band Grading
The
credit received per semester is ¼ credit and impacts your GPA that amount only.
| Item | Percentage of Total Grade |
| Rehearsal Participation & Classwork | 20% |
| Tests (playing exams, written tests) | 20% |
| Homework (SmartMusic) | 20% |
| Performances | 40% |
Percussion Studies Grading
| Item | Percentage of Total Grade |
| Rehearsal Participation & Classwork | 30% |
| Tests (playing exams, written tests) | 30% |
| Performances | 40% |
General Grading Information
- Students can earn 5 points for each school-day rehearsal (tabulated weekly).
- If a student does not come prepared to rehearsal (no instrument, no music, no reeds, etc) the student will earn ZERO points for that day.
- Participation points may be awarded based on the activity of the day (i.e. video day = points for completion of a handout).
- Points missed from being legitimately absent from school (ill, field trip, etc.) can be made by home practicing. 30 minutes of practice = 5 points. Students must complete the appropriate “Make-up Practice Form” and return it to Mr. Levin with a parent signature.
- All Make-up work must be completed within 1 week of the absence.
- Any late assignments (SmartMusic or otherwise) will receive a 10% point deduction for each day late.
All other assignment point values will be indicated on the on-line gradebook.
Standard D155 Grading Scale will be used:
|
A+ 97.5-100 |
B+ 87.5-89.99 |
C+ 77.5-79.99 |
D+ 67.5-69.99 |
F 0-59.99 |
|
A 92.5-97.49 |
B 82.5-87.49 |
C 72.5-77.49 |
D 62.5-67.49 |
|
|
A- 90-92.49 |
B- 80-82.49 |
C- 70-72.49 |
D- 60-62.49 |
|
| Final Semester Grade | 40% 1st Quarter | 40% 2nd Quarter | 20% Final Exam |
Extra Credit
- Various extra credit opportunities are available throughout the year. Some examples include auditioning for IMEA, participating in Mads Brass/Recorders, and participating in musical.
Pass-Fail Option
Students have the option to take Band pass/fail. If the student elects this option, the appropriate form must be completed and submitted to Mr. Levin by the 10th day of the semester.
Performance Policy
Students will not be allowed to leave a performance until dismissed by the director. This includes staying for the entirety of concerts, football games, and shows and also cleaning up equipment after a performance. To violate this policy unexcused is to forfeit up to 100% of your points earned for the events.
Instrument Policy
All instruments (school or personal) are to be in good working order. This includes no leaks or major dents; appropriate lubricating of valves/slides/corks; clean bores/mouthpieces; and all necessary accessories. Any instruments in need of repair are to be dealt with immediately with an appropriate “loaner” provided while the instrument is in the shop. Once each quarter instruments may be inspected for a grade. To earn full credit the student must have an instrument in good working order as well as the following accessories:
Instrument
Required Accessories Flute
Cleaning rod with handkerchief
Oboe/Bassoon/Clarinet/Saxophone
3 good reeds in a reed case, swab, cork grease
Trumpet Valve oil, slide grease, straight & cup mutes Horn Valve oil, slide grease, mute Trombone Valve oil, slide grease, spray bottle with water Tuba/Euphonium Valve oil, slide grease Percussion Stick Bag with: concert snare sticks, yarn mallets, and plastic or rubber mallets. Percussion Binders & HQ Real Feel Practice Pads are provided and must be in class daily.
Instrument
Flute
Cleaning rod with handkerchief
Oboe/Bassoon/Clarinet/Saxophone
3 good reeds in a reed case, swab, cork grease
Lunch Policy
- Only students that have no assigned lunch periods will have the privilege of being allowed to use part of the band period to eat.
- Students are encouraged to “brown bag” lunch.
- Students that must use the cafeteria to purchase food will be allowed an extra 5 minutes to buy food and bring it up to the bandroom to eat. They will also receive a special sticker to place on their ID's to show the cafeteria workers and security guard.
- Students are expected to go immediately from the previous period to the cafeteria to arrive before the big rush. Any students wasting time in the hall before going to lunch will lose the privilege of eating during band.
- Students that eat in class must eat during times when we are not playing (i.e. between pieces, during announcements, when working with other sections, etc.).
- Student that eat lunch in the bandroom are responsible for cleaning up all trash produced from their lunch. Failure to do so will result in a warning. Repeated failures will cause the student to lose the privilege of eating during band.
- Rehearsals that are deemed “Starving Musicians” indicate that NO ONE is allowed to use the band period to eat lunch. These days include rehearsals with special guests, rehearsals in the auditorium, or special presentation days.
Marching Band Uniform Policy
- Students are expected to properly care for their marching band uniform.
- Uniforms are neatly hung on their hangers in a closet at home
- Uniforms (except for hats) are not to be left at school.
- Students are expected to achieve a proper fit for their uniform.
- Jacket sleeves and pants may be hemmed, but NO MATERIAL is to be cut from the uniform.
- Jacket sleeves should end at the wrist bone.
- Pants should NOT have a break in the cuff.
- Suspenders are to be worn with the uniform.
- Hats are to be kept at school in the proper cabinet.
- Plumes are to be returned immediately after all performances to the Plume Boxes.
- Socks must be BLACK and end mid-shin.
- Shoes must be specially made marching band shoes ONLY.
- Uniforms are returned after the Memorial Day parade for dry cleaning.
- Any dry cleaning during the school year is the responsibility of the student.
- All uniform parts remain property of Community High School District 155 (including hangers). Any damage to the uniform will result in the student being charged for the repair/replacement of the uniform part.
- Any student not treating their uniform properly as indicated above will receive a warning with a letter home followed by a detention on any subsequent violations.
Concert Bands Uniform Policy
The following uniform is expected for a concert
performance unless otherwise indicated by the director. All clothing must be appropriate for school and indicative of a "professional classical music atmosphere."
| Men | Women | |
| Top | White button-down dress shirt with black or "seasonal" necktie | Dressy white blouse |
| Bottom | Black dress pants with dressy black belt | Black skirt (knee-length or lower) OR black dress pants |
| Socks | Black dress socks | Black or nude nylons as appropriate |
| Shoes | Black dress shoes | Black dress shoes |
NO DENIM OF ANY KIND IS ALLOWED.