Ricardo
Band Policies and Procedures
2010 – 2011
CONGRATULATIONS on your decision
to be part of the RICARDO MIDDLE SCHOOL
YELLOW
JACKET
BAND!! This booklet is
designed as a guide for both parents and students to give specific details
concerning all aspects of the band program. You can also check the website for updates throughout the year at
www.ricardoisd.us Click on Middle School, then scroll down to
Band, and click on that link. It will
take you to our web page!
RICARDO BANDS:
There
are 2 bands here in Ricardo. The
Beginner Band consists of 6th graders and works on basic mechanics
and musical thoughts for the first year. The
Symphonic Band is the Varsity performing group and consists of 7th
& 8th graders. This
group will perform at all pep rallies and football games.
There
is also a music theory/recorder class being offered for all students
in the 5th grade. This is a
very basic music class where the students will learn how to read music, play the
recorder and also how to sing. They will also learn the discipline that it
takes to be in band. Everyone in this
class is required to have a recorder for class.
CHAIR
PLACEMENT/AUDITIONS
Throughout the year, the 6th, 7th,
and 8th grade students will audition for chair placement at the
Director's discretion and will
sit accordingly. For 7th & 8th graders, chair placement will be determined based on
playing test grades. Challenges will also be permitted.
CHALLENGES:
·
If
a student doesn’t like his or her chair placement, he or she may challenge
another student for his or her chair.
1. They will be scheduled outside of
class-before or after school.
2. The challenger can only challenge the
person one chair in front of him or her.
3. I will let the students choose the
music unless I disagree with what they have chosen.
4. They will not be graded.
5. The challenger can only challenge the
same person twice and must wait until after the
next test to challenge again.
MATERIALS:
1. Instrument
2. Music (provided)
3. Method Book
4. Yellow Championship music book,
binder for music
w/ plastic inserts and lyre and flip folder for football games (7th
& 8th grade)
5. Band folder (5th
& 6th grade)
6. Pencil
7. Maintenance
materials (oil, grease, cleaning cloth, reeds, etc.)
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.
Have respect
for the teacher, your classmates, and all equipment in the band hall at all
times. Rehearsal time must be spent rehearsing not disciplining.
2.
Be ON TIME
(in your seat with your music, instrument, and pencil when the bell rings) for all
rehearsals!
3.
Band members
are to have all materials for class each day. This includes instruments, music,
folders, extra reeds, valve oil, pencil, etc.
Not being prepared for class two days in a row will result in a
30-minute detention. Random
equipment checks will be conducted weekly.
Not being prepared will effect the participation grade!
4.
ALWAYS do
your best to learn and improve daily by using your talent to positively impact
each person in the band. (TAKE PRIDE IN
WHAT YOU DO!!)
5.
Be
RESPONSIBLE for:
§
and accept
consequences of your actions.
§
information
about what is going on in band and relaying it to parents.
§
keeping your
band hall clean.
§
wearing the
proper uniform for each performance.
6.
Students are
not to bring toys, food, candy, gum, or drinks into the band hall at any time.
ENTERING THE BANDHALL:
1. Enter
quietly, and get your instrument and your folder/binder quickly.
2. All
backpacks and personal items should be place along the wall, not under your
chair!
3. Take care
of any problems before class (bathroom, talking with director,
instrument/music problems). Do NOT interrupt class!!!
4. Sit in your
seat, and study your music or warm-up while you are waiting for class to
begin.
5. You will have
at least 5 minutes to get ready for class, so don’t be late!!
6. Being ready
on time consistently will result in a reward.
DURING
REHEARSAL:
1. Show respect to the teacher and other
students by being quiet while they are
talking/teaching.
2. Hands & baton up=horns up!!
3. Cut off=stop playing!!
4. Always have good posture!!
5. Practice at home (not during class) so that you will know your
part!!
5. Go to the bathroom before class!!
You will only be allowed to go if it is an
emergency.
LEAVING THE BANDHALL:
1.
Put
horns and folders away quickly, quietly, and neatly.
2.
Do
NOT pack up early!
3.
I
dismiss you; the bell does not!!
REWARDS:
1. Guest musicians
2. Band Bucks
·
Rewarded for: being a
helper, being kind to others, good behavior, rule following, extra practice,
attending concerts, and bringing paperwork back on time
·
Can be used for: buying prizes in the Band Store.
3. Leaving first
4. Stickers
5. Band Store
6. Band Trip/Party
CONSEQUENCES:
1. First
offense: verbal warning
2. Second
offense: time out
3. Third
offense: conference with the director
4. Fourth
offense: parent contact and 30 minute detention
5. Fifth
offense: referral to the principal’s
office
CONDUCT:
Band members are
expected to maintain the highest standards of behavior at all times. Band
members not only represent the band and Ricardo Middle School, but the entire
school district and the community of Ricardo. Any band student who repeatedly
chooses not to follow the rules or exhibits conduct that reflects negatively on
the band, can, at the discretion of the administration and band director, be dropped
from band. Being a member of the band puts you before the public’s eye. It
should be your desire to do all that you can to represent the band in the very
best light possible. One person’s actions affect everyone.
Disrespect for any member of the administration, faculty, staff or one
another, inappropriate language, vandalism of school property, graffiti, theft
and fighting will not be tolerated. If any of these severe infractions occur,
the band student will be sent immediately to the principal’s office. STUDENTS ARE IN THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE
THEY “WANT TO BE,” NOT BECAUSE THEY “HAVE TO BE.”
GRADING:
The following criteria
will be used in helping determine your band grade:
1. Class
participation and daily conduct
o
Weekly grade that counts 1X
o
Each student starts each class with a 100. If any of the following occurs, points will
be deducted, and the total number of points will be divided by 5 or however
many days were in the week.
1. Infractions
1. Unexcused
Tardy 10 pts.
2. Disruptive
Behavior 20 pts.
3. Gum 25 pts.
4. No Instrument
50 pts.
5. No Music 40 pts.
6. No Pencil 30 pts.
7. Food or Drinks
Other
than water 15 pts.
2. Attendance at
after school/activity period rehearsals and sectionals (announced)
o
Counts 1X
3. Playing exams
(announced and unannounced)
o
Weekly grade that counts 2X
4. Performances
o
Counts 3X
* Extra Credit
1. Attending
concerts + 10
2. Extra Practice +
20
3. Researching a
composer + 30
4. Participating in
indiv. competitions such as Region band or Solo/Ensemble + 40
Every student must actively participate in every rehearsal. In this program, every person
has a key role. In order
to achieve excellence, we must be focused on our goals so that
time is not wasted!
There is no time for disruptive behavior in rehearsal, and it
will not be tolerated! Our
time is limited, and it must be used wisely! When you are in class, it is assumed that
you
are there to learn.
SECTIONALS/TUTORING:
After school sectionals will be scheduled
whenever necessary. While some time can be spent working with a particular
section during class time, sectionals during band are not possible. Rehearsals
need to have the entire band actively participating as much as possible.
You will be given advance notice of after
school sectionals so you can plan accordingly. I will talk to the athletic
coaches if a rehearsal interferes with any practices. Attendance is strongly
recommended. Those people who do
not attend will receive a lower grade!!
Make arrangements to have your parents
pick you up on time at 3:40 p.m.
HOME PRACTICE:
Home practice is one of the most important
responsibilities of every band student. The band will not “happen” if home
practice is not a daily habit.
Rehearsals will not make up for a lack of practice at home. In the past, I have
seen many band students succeed once they were determined to practice. Every
member can make a viable contribution and improvement will be heard as a result
of home practice. I recommend 20-30
minutes each day.
This is your band hall, so all band
students are welcome to practice before (7:20-7:45 a.m.) school or after school
(3-3:45 p.m.). I know that sometimes it
is difficult to get your practice in at home.
Please take advantage of this privilege!!
Home practice records will be an optional
chance for extra credit this year.
However, if I see that a student is having difficulty passing his/her
playing exams, I will require that this student turn in a practice record every
two weeks with a parents’ signature as an important part of his/her band
grade. To receive a 100 on a practice
record, the student must practice a total of 4 hours over a 2-week period. That is an average of 18-20 minutes per
day. Practice records that are turned
in late will result in a grade of 70.
This same policy will be applied to those students desiring extra credit
for practicing.
·
The students will be graded on:
o
Accurate Rhythm
o
Accurate Pitch
o
Good Tone
o
Correct Articulation
o
Musicality/Expression
o
Steady Tempo
o
Being in tune
o
Being disruptive while someone else is taking his or her test will result
in either points off or a loss of chair position!!! So, respect each other!!
·
Not all quizzes will be chair tests. I will inform the students if a quiz will be a chair test.
·
If a student forgets his/her horn on the day of his/her
quiz, he/she will receive 10 points off his/her grade and be moved to last
chair.
·
If a student begins to make consecutive low grades on his/her
tests, parents will be contacted and a practice record and/or tutoring after
school will be required until his/her grades come up.
·
All quizzes will be done during class in front of the entire
band.
·
If a child is absent, he/she will make it up the following day.
·
Test material will be posted each Monday for the following
week. This way each section has a week
to practice.
o
I think this will be a great way to keep them accountable for
practicing.
o
If they are not practicing, their test grades will show it.
PERFORMANCES:
Attendance
is required at all performances including pep rallies, football games,
concerts, U.I.L. Contest, and any other special event in which the band is
asked to play. Every member is important to the overall sound
of the band! The band requires teamwork
to be successful. Therefore, we need 100%
attendance at each performance.
At football games and pep rallies,
cheerleaders are excused from playing.
Football players must play at pep rallies. They must also play their instruments in whatever game they are
not playing football. Seventh graders
must play in the band while the 8th grade game is going on and vice
versa.
At Christmas and Spring Concerts, all
students are required to stay for the entire concert as part of their grade
that counts three times!
Anyone failing to participate in a
performance without a legitimate excuse will:
·
receive a
50,
·
lose their
chair position,
·
submit a
written excuse for why he or she was absent, and
·
write a
2-3-page music essay…topic to be determined by director.
If
there is an emergency, an extenuating circumstance, and the student knows
he/she will be absent on a performance,
·
the director
and the principal will consider the situation,
·
a note needs
to be provided well in advance, and
·
he/she will
write a 2-3-page music essay…topic to be determined by director.
· Not having a ride doesn’t count as an extenuating circumstance. Work that out before the night of the concert.
All students will be graded in the
following areas at each performance:
·
Correct
uniform
·
Behavior in
stands, on stage, and in the audience
·
Being on
time
·
Participation
and effort
·
Following
all rules and expectations of the director
COMPETITIONS (for 7th & 8th grade
students only):
Individual competitions are extra credit
and voluntary. However, if a student
commits to participating, I expect him/her to fulfill his/her commitment. It costs the school money and lets certain
people down if students don’t do what they say they will do. Therefore, a deposit of $5 will be required
in order to register for solo/ensemble and all-region competitions. If the student performs, the $5 will be
returned to the student. If the student
does not perform, he/she will not receive his/her $5 back!! Don’t over-commit yourself!!!
Competitions also require practice. Students WILL stay after school so that I can monitor their progress. Not being prepared will result in your being withdrawn from competition by the director. If this occurs, the $5 deposit will not be returned!
A position in these bands is attained by audition only, and the
student must be eligible to participate.
To be selected is a great honor.
Though students are not required to audition, they are strongly
encouraged to do so. There will be some
time in class dedicated to rehearsing this music, but most of the time spent on
it will need to be either after school or at home individually. The most important part of making these
bands is the preparation, not just the participation!
Students will be required to perform two prepared pieces, the
chromatic scale (2 octaves), and any other scale that might be asked (Bb, Eb,
F, C, or Ab). Sight-reading may also be
required.
If selected to one of these bands, the student will be given the
opportunity to play in a clinic and concert in the weeks following the
try-out. It will be a weekend event
where all of the students in the band will get together to rehearse the music
for a day-and-a-half (all day Friday and half of Saturday). The concert will be open to the public
Saturday night.
Making the region band is an awesome experience. Because of the hard work and effort that
goes into preparing for such a competition, the students that succeed will be
greatly rewarded. They will receive:
1.
A plaque at
the Spring Concert.
2.
Their name
will appear on a plaque that will be posted in the band hall.
3.
And Mr. Rios
will take them out for a congratulations dinner!
4. Name and picture will
appear in newspaper if possible.
before contest. We are a team! If we succeed, we succeed together. If we fail, we fail
together!!
In order to play in an
extracurricular performance, the students must be eligible. This means that
they must be passing all of their classes at the end of each 9 weeks. If he is not, he will be ineligible to
participate in extracurricular activities like traveling to football games and
participating in UIL competitions and contests. However, the student may gain eligibility if he is passing all of
his classes after progress reports are handed out. Having excessive absences from school may also result in
ineligibility. I want all of the
students to be successful, so I will do my best to encourage them as much as
possible.
OFF CAMPUS TRAVEL:
Students
are expected to be on their best behavior, on time, respectful, and responsible
at all times.
o
Students
may be sent home at the parents’ expense, be held liable for damaged property,
be removed from the band, or put in ISS if their conduct is questionable.
o
Attire
should be in good taste at all times.
o
Boys
will not sit with girls after dark.
o
Sponsors
will be treated with respect at all times!
o
Self-discipline
is the key.
o
We
are representing our school; do it well!!
FOOTBALL GAMES:
·
If a parent
needs to take his child home, then a written note will need to be given to the
director before the game, and the parent must personally pick the student up
before he or she will be released.
·
Students may stand up and cheer for our team,
but booing the other team will not be tolerated.
·
Students will only be allowed to play
their instruments when the band is playing a song together. Playing randomly displays bad organization
and chaos.
·
Be careful of all of the expensive
equipment around you.
·
Once seated, the students will remain in
their “spot,” because we need to look sharp at all times.
·
Only band students will be allowed in the band section.
·
No food or
drinks will be allowed in the stands
while playing. Water will be issued, and a break will be
given at 3rd quarter.
·
Students that are late for the 4th
quarter will loose their 3rd quarter privileges at the next game!
·
Third quarter privileges will also be
lost if a student violates any of the above rules.
·
Sponsors will be treated with respect at all times!
UNIFORMS:
For pep rallies, trips, football
games and informal concerts like PTA meetings, the band will wear:
·
band shirts (tucked in),
·
blue jeans (w/ a belt),
·
and tennis shoes.
For formal concerts like spring
or winter concerts and contests, the band will wear
·
white shirts (boys-button-up w/ collar)
(girls-nice blouses) (no T-shirts or colored designs),
·
black slacks (no jeans) or skirts, with
·
black dress shoes/sandals/boots (no
tennis shoes) with
·
black socks or stockings.
·
THIS IS PART OF EACH STUDENTS’ GRADE!!
CARE
OF INSTRUMENTS:
Students are
expected to properly maintain and care for their instruments. Repairs can be costly.
When an instrument needs to be sent out for repairs, the student isn’t
practicing or rehearsing. This makes proper preparation for performances more
difficult and puts the student behind. DO
NOT TRY TO FIX OR REPAIR AN INSTRUMENT YOURSELF!
Band members are
not to allow anyone else to play their instrument. You are responsible for what happens to your
instrument!
Percussion
equipment is off limits to everyone except percussion players!! Those students that do not know how to
properly play the percussion equipment could possibly damage it. It is VERY expensive. Therefore, band students that do not play
percussion instruments will be given one warning to stay away from the
percussion equipment. If that warning
is ignored, and it happens again, he/she will be given detention.
Students also need to be aware of maintenance materials
that are needed for their specific instrument.
Oil, grease, cloths, and other various cleaners are needed to keep the
instrument in good working condition.
STORAGE
OF INSTRUMENTS:
Instruments must
be brought to the band hall in the morning before school starts and picked up
after school. Do not leave instruments
in the classrooms.
Instruments also need to be put in the case correctly and
stored away IN A LOCKER/CUBBY. Don’t
leave your instrument out where it can get damaged!
Make sure that your name is on your instrument case so that
you can find it easily and someone doesn’t take your instrument by
mistake.
Never put music or
method books in your case with your instrument! These objects can damage the keys, valves, etc.
SCHOOL
INSTRUMENTS:
Those students are going
to play the bigger, more expensive instruments like tuba, French horn, tenor sax,
etc., will be given an opportunity to check out a school instrument. An “Instrument Loan Card” will be filled out
with the instrument’s information and the student’s information before the horn
will be issued to the student. The
student is expected to take care of this instrument as if it were his own. If it is damaged because of
irresponsibility, the student’s family will be asked to pay for the
repairs. If it is stolen or lost, the
students will be expected to replace the instrument. Insurance may be purchased for a minimal fee from South Texas
Music Mart. These instruments are very
expensive, so be careful and responsible!!!
BAND HALL:
Every band member is expected to keep the
band hall clean and in order. This is your band hall. Take pride in it. Much
can be said about a band’s pride by the way the band hall looks. Let’s all do
our share in making the band hall a pleasant place to rehearse.
Only band students will be allowed in the band hall. Friends can wait outside.
No band student is allowed in the band
director’s office w/o permission. No
exceptions!
This is your band hall, so all band
students are welcome to practice before (7:20-7:45 a.m.) school or after school
(3-3:45 p.m.). I know that sometimes it
is difficult to get your practice in at home.
Please take advantage of this privilege!!
MUSIC:
Students are expected to take care of all
the music that is passed out to them. Replacing music can be expensive. Be
responsible and take care of your music.
MUSIC FOLDERS:
All 5th & 6th
grade band students will be given a band folder to hold all of their music. Do
not put your folder or book in your instrument; it will damage the
instrument! Place your folder in your
assigned slot in the music cabinet everyday!
All 7th & 8th
grade students need to get a binder with plastic pages that you can insert your
music into. This is extremely helpful
at football games when it is windy or wet.
It also keeps the music in good shape.
Bring this with you everyday along with your pencil!!
GENERAL NOTES:
Woodwind players
need to supply their own reeds.
However, I will have them available for anyone who wants to purchase
them for$2.00.
FUND-RAISERS:
All band students are expected to participate in the
fall fund-raiser. This money will pay
for meals on
out-of-town trips, band T-shirts, Spring trips, awards, parties, and
incentives/rewards
throughout the year. Each student will
also be asked to sell a certain
number of items
or raise a certain amount of money. If
he/she does not achieve this goal,
he/she may be
asked to purchase his/her shirt or spring trip. This band is a team, and
each member will
be expected to pull his/her own weight!
Each grade level
will have it’s own account. Any money raised
by that class will go
directly to
their account. Fifth and sixth graders
will only need to raise money for their
Spring parties
and incentives. Any extra money can be
saved for T-shirts and band trips
for the coming
years.
Be sure that all
money and orders are turned in on time!!!
If any student
drops out of band or is asked to leave the band at any time, he/she will not
be allowed to
participate in any trips or incentives.
Money will not be given back to any
students that
leave the band either.
If your money is
stolen or lost, you will be responsible for it. Be careful, safe, and aware!
TRIPS:
Symphonic Band
will be allowed to go with the school U. I. L team trip as long as they can afford
it based on how much money was
fundraised. (Schliterbaun, etc.)
6th
graders will have a snack party and movie in the band hall.
A
student must be academically eligible for any and all trips including Football
trips. In
Addition, he/she
must not have exceeded his/her number of allotted absences for the year.
He/she must also
meet the expectations of the director.
If a student is a chronic discipline
problem, then
he/she will not go on the trip.
OFFICERS:
o
Officers will be elected by the band
o
Officers must:
1. be a member of
the band for at least one year (exception: 5th grade rep.)
2. have been
academically eligible for at least 3-4 grading periods during the preceding
year.
3. have no grade
lower than a 90 in band during the preceding year.
4. have spent no
time in AEP, ISS, or suspension from school for any length of time during the
preceding year.
5. have no conduct
grade lower than an “S” for the preceding year in any class.
6. have
participated in all performances.
o
Band Officers 2009
1. President-presides over
band meetings, voice/leader of the band, organizes parties and projects
2. Vice-president-assists prez.
3. Historian-takes
pictures/video at band activities and organizes a scrapbook or video,
advertises events associated with the band
4. Librarians-helps organize
paperwork & music
o
Duties
1. Plan parties
2. Encourage friendly
relationships between band members
3. Establish a role
model of how a good band student should act
BAND MEETINGS:
o
They will be held after school in the band hall at 3 p.m.
o
Those people who do not attend will not get to vote.
Any questions or concerns can be
directed to the band office at 361-592-3713.
My email address is jrios@ricardoisd.us
Thanks,
Jesus D. Rios
Director of Bands, RISD
Please detach
and return with signatures of student and guardian.
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- -
Please read the above and sign below to
confirm that you have read and fully understand the requirements for this
class.
I have read these rules and understand
them. I agree to aid the director in
the enforcement of these rules as they pertain to my child. I also understand that it is my right to
have a conference with the director when/if I have a question concerning my child’s
participation in the RISD band program.
Parent/guardian signature: ____________________________ Date:
_______________
I have read these rules, and we have
gone over them in class. I agree to
abide by these rules and regulations. I
also agree to be the best band member I can be, and to try to make the band
better than it was when I entered it.
Student signature: __________________________________ Date:
________________