Thanks for taking time to check out our blog. We will be posting all of our important information here, so please be sure to check back frequently. We are very excited to have the opportunity to teach your children this year in band. We had a great start in camp, and are ready to have a wonderful school year!
For this first post, we're trying a new experiment... bear with us! In an effort to save on copy costs and keep a few more trees in the forest, we're not sending out the usual four-page welcome back letter. Instead, please read through the information here and then follow the link at the bottom to electronically "sign" the agreement.
BVMS Band students will have five large group concerts this year along with middle school solo contest in the spring. Our first performance opportunity is just around the corner; we will be playing at the football game on September 30! The full schedule is included with this post, and we hope that by giving you these dates now you will be able to plan your schedule so that your child can attend all the required concerts.
In addition to band on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, your son or daughter will also have small group lessons once per week. This schedule will be posted once school has begun. These lessons are required, and are a great way for your student to improve musically, so please help your child remember to bring their instrument back and forth to school on the days that it is needed. If a lesson is missed, our expectation is that it be made up within three school days. Students are expected to practice at home. Please encourage your child to play for you- it is always more fun and rewarding to play when you have an audience! Practice records will come home weekly and will need to be signed and turned in at each lesson, so please help your son or daughter remember to complete these.
Students will earn a grade in middle school band. The school grading scale will be followed, and the student’s grade will be broken into four categories.
1. Lessons- 30%
Lessons are a vital part of the band curriculum. Students work in small groups according to their instrument and individual ability level to gain new skills. The lesson times are assigned by the teacher to coordinate with the student’s schedule. The lesson grade will be determined by the teacher and will include both lesson attendance and preparedness for the lesson. If a student must miss a lesson for any reason, it must be made up within three school days. Students can sign up for make-up lessons in the band office.
2. Daily Participation- 30%
Participation points for group band rehearsals will be awarded in this category. Points can be earned by coming to band on time with all materials and ready to learn. Good rehearsal etiquette will ensure maximum points are earned.
3. Practice Records- 10%
Because everyone progresses at a slightly different pace, at-home practice is a very important factor in musical success. The practice requirement is meant to allow students to work on individual needs at their own pace. Practice time should be substantial enough to accomplish specific goals while not being overwhelming. It is best to break the practice requirement into 4 to 5 blocks of time throughout the week, rather than trying to complete it all in one sitting. This year’s goal is 100 minutes per week.
4. Concert Participation- 30%
We work very hard to put together outstanding performances for our friends, family, and community members, and students will be rewarded for those efforts as well!
We believe that these guidelines will help us to create a successful music learning environment while maintaining high standards of music performance at Brandon Valley. If you have any questions regarding these policies, please feel free to contact us at any time.
As parents, you can help ensure your child’s success in band by making sure that they have all the required supplies. Instruments should be in good working order and kept clean to maintain good tone and pitch. Students should bring their music to each rehearsal, and should always have a pencil. Woodwind instruments should have at least three good reeds with them at all times so that if one gets chipped they don’t have to miss out on any rehearsals or performances. We suggest purchasing the small plastic reed guards along with your reeds for storage. This will probably save you money in the long run as it will extend the life of your reeds! Brass players should have valve or slide oil with them at all times to keep their instrument running smoothly. Percussionists are expected to bring their own snare drum sticks to each rehearsal. Required books will be discussed at students’ first lesson.
We are confident that we will have a great school year. We will work hard, learn a lot, and have a ton of fun along the way. We will keep our blog updated throughout the year with our schedule, what we’re working on, and other things you may find helpful. If you have any questions for us during the school year, please feel free to contact us at school anytime. Our email addresses are Laura.C.Baker@k12.sd.us or Jesse.Miller@k12.sd.us and the Middle School phone number is 582-3214.
Please electronically "sign" that you have read and understand these policies at the link below:
"https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dGYxOHVTN09fU0VpV2RseHgwalV6dHc6MQ"
Thanks, and enjoy the year!
Mr. Miller and Mrs. Baker
2011-2012 BVMS Band Calendar
Please put these dates on your calendar today to avoid conflicts!
6th, 7th, and 8th Grades
Thursday, December 15th: 7th and 8th Grade Band Concert – 7:00pm
Tuesday, December 20th: 6th Grade Band and Chorus Concert – 7:00pm
Tuesday, March 6th: Augustana Jazz Festival – ALL DAY
Jazz Band Students Only
Saturday, April 14th: Annual Band
7th, 8th, and Jazz Bands Only
Tuesday-Friday, April 10-April 13: Recital Week
6th, 7th, and 8th Grades
Saturday, April 21st: Middle School Solo Contest
6th, 7th, and 8th Grades
Sunday, May 6th:
7th and 8th Grades Only
Thursday, May 3rd: 6th Grade Band and Chorus Concert- 7:45pm
Friday, May 11th: 7th and 8th Grade Bands Concert- 7:00pm
