Download - Bloomfield Central School

Bloomfield Middle/High School Bands
2016-2017 Handbook
Course Offerings
MS/HS Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble
Design: Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble are elective courses designed for those students who wish
continue the study of a musical instrument through group participation. Students will develop skills in
musical performance through work in rehearsals, concert performances, and required weekly group
lessons.
Goals: Students will develop artistic sensitivity, awareness and ability to perform different musical
styles, and individual musicianship through participation in various performing ensembles.
Motivation and self-discipline through individual and group work, will serve as the foundation for this
development.
Skills:
1. Characteristic tone production.
2. Understandings of proper balance, blend, intonation, and tone quality (Individual tone quality
as related to the whole band sound).
3. Recognition of major and minor scales and keys.
4. Pitch and rhythmic reading.
5. Musical phrasing
6. Understanding of various musical styles and genres.
Evaluation (based on): See Grading Policy
Middle School Band (Grades 6 and 7)
Middle School Concert Band is a performing ensemble made up of students in grades 6 and 7.
Students are either continuing their musical study from the elementary level, beginning musical study
on a new instrument (different from the instrument studied in grade 4 and 5), or are playing an
instrument for the first time. The Middle School Band is a group that meets every other academic day
during period 10 (B Days, or 2,4,6), over the course of the entire school year. Students will prepare
for several performances throughout the year including, but not limited to; a Holiday and Spring
Concert, and the Darien Lake Music Festival All concerts are MANDATORY, as participation is a
calculated part of the final course grade. Seventh graders in the Middle School band will be required
to march in the following parades: the Homecoming Parade in the fall, and the East Bloomfield
Memorial Day Parade. Members of the Select Marching Band will participate in various competitive
marching band pageants, festivals, and events in the spring. (And the West Bloomfield and Ionia
Memorial Day Parades) Sixth grade students ARE able to perform with the marching band if they
wish, BUT will be admitted in the spring BY AUDITION ONLY. (See the Marching Band section for
more details regarding this performing group.)
High School Band (Grades 8-12)
High School Concert Band is a performing ensemble comprised of students in grades 8-12.
The Senior High Band meets every other academic day during 8th period (A days OR 1,3,5), over the
course of the entire school year. Students will study a wide variety of contemporary and classic
concert band selections at a higher degree of difficulty than that of the Middle School Band.
Attendance at scheduled concerts (school concerts and competitive performances and trips) is
MANDATORY, as failure to attend scheduled events could adversely affect the student’s final grade.
All Senior High band members will be required to march in the Homecoming Parade, the
Bloomfield area Memorial Day Parades, as well as a number of competitive marching band events in
the spring. All marching band rehearsals will be in the evening. All fall and spring marching band
events are on the 2016-17 Music Calendar attached to this packet. *Events and rehearsal times are
subject to change.
Color Guard
The Bloomfield Color Guard is a part of the Bloomfield Marching Band. Participation is open
to the entire Bloomfield student body. *Generally, band members cannot opt out of the marching
band wind/percussion section to be in the color guard. The Color Guard serves as the front unit to
the marching band during parades. (Three parades in the spring…Henrietta, Memorial Day, and
Sherburne) **Possible Bristol Parade in mid-June.
*Exceptions may be made, please see Mr. Hoffman
High School Jazz Ensemble
Members of the HS jazz ensemble are selected by the band director from the HS concert band
(exceptional players may be chosen from the MS band). Students will learn about various styles of
music within the world of jazz through the study and performance of a wide variety of standard and
contemporary big band selections. Improvisation is the foundation on which the jazz idiom is built.
Therefore, improvisation will be an integral part of the course. Jazz Ensemble meets 7th period on B
days (2,4,6). Attendance at scheduled school concerts and competitive performances is required, as
failure to attend may adversely affect the student’s final grade.
Middle School Jazz Ensemble
Middle School jazz is an extra-curricular performing group that rehearses weekly beginning
in October. The group is open to students in grades 6-8 who play typical big band instruments (Sax,
trombone, flute, trumpet, drum set, piano, bass, and rhythm guitar). The group will perform on the
winter and Spring concerts, and although no credit is given (except extra credit on your concert band
grade), and no grade received…members are expected to be at all rehearsals and performances.
Members who fail to meet this requirement may be asked to leave the group. This is as an
opportunity to involve more students with jazz at an earlier age, and to prepare each student to
potentially become a HS jazz band member in the future!
Lessons...
…are fun! They are also very important for the success of the whole band. Come prepared,
ready to work!
Students are expected to attend all scheduled lessons and to be on time. Each student will receive
one lesson every six day cycle.
Middle School Lessons: B Days, periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9
High School Lessons: A Days, periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10






Students are responsible for notifying Mr. Hoffman of any conflicts that will prevent them from
attending a lesson.
“No shows” receive a failing grade.
Make-up lessons will be offered throughout the school day when students and Mr. Hoffman
are free, as well as after school when Mr. Hoffman is free.
Make-up lessons will consist of 30 minutes of individual or group practice.
Make-up lessons can be completed at any time during the quarter. Parents will be contacted
after students miss TWO lessons in a quarter. Make up lessons receive ¾ credit!
See attached grading policy.
Marching Band
Marching Band is a required activity for band students in grades 7-12. Sixth graders are not
required to march. Sixth grade band students can be admitted into the marching band by
audition only. The audition will take place in the spring, and will consist of the spring marching
band music, as well as a basic marching skills test. The marching band will perform in the
Homecoming Parade in September (8-12 only), as well as the Bloomfield/Ionia Memorial Day
parades, and pageants/festivals/trips in the spring. (Spring: ALL 7th graders and 6th graders who
are accepted will be added) All band students will play their primary instrument in the marching
band. Musicians may not elect to be in the color guard**. Rehearsals will be at night from 6:308pm. Color Guard members will be students outside of the band program who attend Bloomfield
MS/HS. (**Director may make exceptions.)
All County Band/Orchestra
All students are eligible. The participants are selected (by audition only) at Canandaigua
Middle School by county band directors in early December for the Jr./Sr. ensembles. Students
wishing to be considered for elementary all county ensembles will need to audition for Mrs.
Sterner and Mr. Hoffman.
Area All State – Jr./Sr. Band and Orchestra
Students who have performed a NYSSMA solo the previous year and received a rating of A+, A, or
A- at a difficulty level of 5 or 6 will be submitted by written recommendation of the band director.
NYSSMA Solo Festival
Students who would like to perform a solo, or in a small ensemble are encouraged to participate!
A schedule of this year’s festivals appears on the attached 2016-2017 music department schedule.
Instruments/Supplies


Each student is expected to keep their instrument in clean, working order and to have
necessary supplies for their instrument on hand at all times.
Woodwind players are expected to have 3 good working reeds at all times.



Brass players are expected to have valve oil/slide cream at all times.
Percussionists are expected to have a pair of matching, quality sticks at all times.
Mobile Music in Canandaigua is close and convenient for all of your supply needs.
Music




Students will be expected to own their own lesson/etude books.
Each section in the concert band will have a folder (Clarinet 1, 2, 3 for example) that
will stay in school for all rehearsals. In these folders will be original copies of band
music.
Students can either provide their own folders to keep all of their lesson materials, or
ask Mr. Hoffman for one.
Band music will be copied prior to rehearsing a piece. Take what you need!
Locks and Lockers


For security purposes, all students are to use lockers when storing school and
individually owned instruments.
Combination locks will be made available to all students, just ask Mr. Hoffman…I
suggest you use one!
Student Aides
Mr. Hoffman is currently looking for volunteers to take an active role in making sure the band
program runs smoothly on a daily basis. Several positions are available, and extra credit (3 points
added to the quarter grade every 10 weeks) is given.


Attendance: One person per ensemble (jazz and both concert bands) Responsibilities –
take attendance before each rehearsal and input into computer program. Take
attendance at all marching band rehearsals.
Music Librarian: One for jazz, two for each concert band. Responsibilities – Sort/file
music.
**Please sign-up in the band room for any position in which you are interested. In the event
that more people than needed apply for a position, Mr. Hoffman will speak to each person and
make a final decision on who gets the position.
***Commitment Contract 2016-17***
A great deal of effort has been expended in order to provide the music
department schedule well in advance. In signing up for instrumental music, the
parent and student mutually agree to abide by the aforementioned schedule in
order to fulfill the attendance requirements for this activity.
It is understood that extreme family emergencies (death in the family, severe
illness, etc.) are legitimate excused absences, and that every reasonable attempt
will be made to notify the teacher that the student will be absent. The band
office number (with voicemail) is 657-6121 ext. 1183, or E-Mail
(preferred)…[email protected]. Unexcused absences will have a
negative impact on the student’s grade. School-related conflicts will be handled
with the understanding that the student/parent will notify Mr. Hoffman
immediately upon learning of the conflict. Every attempt will be made to provide
a reasonable compromise in the best interest of both the student and the group.
Music students learn commitment as part of a team working toward a common
goal. It is important that the performing group as a whole be a stable “team” in
order to be successful. All students are therefore committing to the program and
the performances for the entire year. Extenuating circumstances may create
exceptions where both the teacher and parents agree that it would be best for the
student to leave the program. A parent/teacher conference would be necessary
before any such exceptions could be made.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I, __________________________ agree to abide by the Commitment Contract for
the 2016-17 school year. I fully understand my responsibilities as a member of
the Bloomfield Instrumental Music Program.
Student Signature_______________________________ Date_______________
Parent Signature________________________________ Date_______________
(*Please detach and return to Mr. Hoffman)
Bloomfield Middle/High School Grading Policy
2016-2017
Part1: LESSONS Portion (40%) of the Quarterly Grade
The Lessons portion of your quarterly grade is a simple average of all lesson grades and
Playing Exams (One per Quarter) completed in the lesson. Students are graded at each
lesson; the earned grade will be written on the Practice Slip, which is to be turned in at each
lesson. All lessons are mandatory.




Lessons not made up will show a grade of ZERO, greatly affecting your Lesson Average.
Playing Exams can be re-taken multiple times to raise your grades.
Missed lessons must be made up before the official end of each quarter. Make up lessons
receive ¾ credit.
One missed lesson will be addressed between the student and teacher. After two missed lessons,
your parents will be contacted so we can get you back on track!
Part 2: ENSEMBLE Portion (60%) of the Quarterly Grade
Student has attended all scheduled performances, and works diligently during rehearsals
to perform at their highest possible level. Band members are good team members. Be
encouraging, respectful, and help the band be the best it can be.
1. Ensemble Performance Deductions
A. No Deduction: an absence from a required performance has been an Emergency and the
director has been informed (written excuse must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the
scheduled event, or immediately after the performance).
B. Deduct 10 points: warning was given one week or less about a non-emergency absence.
C. Deduct 30 points: for an unexcused absence from a required performance (A “NO SHOW”)
2. Director’s Deductions
These deductions are recorded by the director during daily class periods, and reflect daily
participation, behavior, and observed effort. Deductions are recorded for gum chewing,
distractions, inattentiveness, disruptive tardiness, no instrument, and any other such behaviors
which affect the entire class. These deductions can be viewed by the student at any time.
Extra Credit* (added to the Quarterly Grade)
Circle the Extra Credit(s) you’ve earned:
For each occurrence during this Quarter…





5 points for: Performance (*See below for descriptions)
___ Solo
___ Aural
___ Service
___ Academic
5 points for: Membership in an outside youth (or adult) concert band, jazz ensemble,
performing ensemble. (I.e. Victor Community Concert Band, Hochstein, Finger Lakes
Concert Band, etc.)
5 points for: Maintain private lessons throughout the entire quarter (submit note from
teacher)
3 points for: Audition: All-County, audition for a community/school event (talent show,
etc.)
10 points for: Festival: All-County, Area All-State, NYSSMA All-State, etc.
*******
1. Solo Performances (almost any solo performance qualifies; ask for more information.)
a. NYSSMA solo (can be counted on the 3rd and 4th quarter)
b. Solo in a public venue (bring a program or someone to verify it)
c. Talent Show performance (must be on musical instrument or voice)
d. Other, approved by the director: ___________________________________
2. Aural (Listening) Performances
a. Attend ONE concert and submit the program from that concert with a written description
of what you observed (one page, double-spaced)
3. Academic Performances
a. Write any pre-approved paper
b. Compose or arrange pre-approved music
c. Write Program Notes for a printed concert program
d. Other approved project (Describe please: ________________________________)
4. Service Performances
a. Recruitment/Mentoring Trips to the Elementary School
1. 10-12 graders only, must be pre-approved by both band directors)
b. Tutor another student (must be pre-approved, only 2nd,3rd,and 4th quarters)
c. Community-service music (must be pre-approved by director)
Students Name ________________________________