Welcome p. 2
Courses Offered p. 3
Class Descriptions p. 3
Goals and Objectives p. 4
Class Requirements p. 4
Class Rules p. 4
Discipline Plan p. 5
Attendance Policy p. 5
Required Materials p. 5
Borrowed Music Policy p. 5
Practice Policy p. 6
Sectional Rehearsal Policy p. 6
Grading Policy p. 6
Concert Dress Policy p. 7
Honor Ensemble Policy p. 7
Important Dates p. 8-9
Important Forms p. 10-11
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Welcome
Dear Music Students and Families,
Welcome to the Vista Del Sur Accelerated Academy instrumental music department. I am pleased that you have decided to join us in our endeavor to create and perform music at Vista Del Sur this year. You will have many opportunities to use the talents that you have been given and worked hard to develop. We will have the opportunity to perform at concerts, school assemblies, parades, and honor ensemble festivals.
I have compiled useful information for you to read. Inside this handbook you will find helpful resources to help guide you through the year. It outlines expectations, class policies, grading procedures, and many other aspects of the music department. Also, please make sure to read and sign the music contract at the end of this packet. If you have a question or concern about anything, please contact me via email (lwolfe@laveeneld.org) or phone.
I am looking forward to working with you and your family this year!
Sincerely,
Laura Wolfe
Director of Bands
Vista Del Sur Accelerated Academy
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Courses Offered
Concert Band
Jazz Band
Chamber Music
Class Descriptions
Concert Band
Concert Band is offered every day for the year. In this class, the progressing instrumentalist will have the opportunity to gain experience playing in a group setting. The class will include five band classes per week, sectional rehearsals (scheduled periodically after the school day). In addition to rehearsals, the student will also be involved in the aspects of performing. There will be scheduled concerts for the school year, during which the student will perform a variety of music. Musical genres will include relevant works from the different eras of music history, as well as multicultural selections and lighter works from today’s budding artists. The students will also have the opportunity to play at school assemblies, Arizona music festivals, and Arizona music competitions for young artists.
Jazz Band
Jazz band is held before school once a week for the second half of the school year. In this class, the advanced instrumentalist will explore the genre of jazz music. Jazz band is open to students who play the following instruments: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drum set, guitar, bass, and piano. Students will be involved in the aspects of performing, listening, and improvisation. There will be concerts for the school year, as well as multiple community performances and competitions. Upon acceptance into the jazz band, students are expected to make a huge time commitment. Jazz band is open to students in grades 6-8 who successfully audition for Mrs. Wolfe.
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Chamber Music
Chamber Music is held once a week outside of the school day (Schedule will be set based on participants and instructor’s schedule). In this class, the advancing instrumentalist will explore the art of making music in small groups. Students will have the opportunity to participate in solo & ensemble competitions, perform at concerts, and perform in the community. Chamber Music is open to students in grades 6-8 who are a part of the band.
Goals and Objectives
1) The student will progress in their ability to read music.
2) The student will progress in their ability to play their individual instrument in a group setting.
3) The student will progress in the art of performance in a group and/or solo
setting.
4) The student will grow in their musicianship in the areas of rhythm, tempo, meter, dynamic expression, articulation, melody and accompaniment balance, and blend in a band setting.
5) The student will expand their knowledge of a variety of music.
6) The student will gain additional mastery of their instrument through sectional rehearsals.
7) The student will progress in their ability to sight-read music.
Class Requirements
1) Attend all rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, lessons, concerts, and competitions.
2) Be on time for all rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, lessons, concerts, and competitions.
3) Have instruments, music, and a pencil at every rehearsal, sectional, and concert.
4) Be able to play each piece of music chosen by each concert date.
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5) Be able to play their scales.
6) Play sections of music and/or scales for each playing test. (Tests will take place either during a sectional rehearsal or during band class).
Class Behavioral Requirements (Rules)
- The student will respect the teacher, classmates, and other’s property.
- The student will be responsible/prepared for class and follow directions the first time.
- The student will discard gum/food before coming to class.
Consequence (Discipline Plan)
If you break a class rule, one of the following will happen:
1) You will receive a warning.
2) You will receive an infraction.
3) Your parents will be notified through a note, e-mail, or phone call.
4) You will be removed from the classroom and sent to a buddy room.
5) You will receive a referral.
6) You will be removed from the class.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend class each day. They are also required to be at every performance. If a student is not in attendance at a performance, their grade will be lowered significantly. Students may be excused from performances if there is an emergency (such as illness, death in the family, car breaks down, etc…). In the case of an emergency, students must have a written note, email, or phone call placed with the band office. Students who fail to communicate, will see their grade reduced.
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Required Materials
Concert Band– instrument, band book, instrument accessories and cleaning kit, concert music, concert dress, pencil, music stand
Jazz Band– instrument, instrument accessories, concert dress, pencil, music
Chamber Music– instrument, instrument accessories, concert dress, pencil, music
Borrowed Music Policy
If a student is lent an original piece of music, it is their responsibility to take care of it. If a student loses a piece of music or returns a piece of music which is damaged it is the responsibility of that student to pay to replace the music.
Practice Policy
The saying “Practice makes perfect” rings true. Without practice, a student cannot hope to reach their full potential in music. Students are encouraged to practice daily outside of class. At the middle school level, 20-30 minutes a day is recommended for band/ jazz band students, and 20 minutes for beginning band students. Students will be evaluated during band class to track their progress.
Grading Policy
Grading is based on the following criteria:
- Practice-includes practice sheet, and evidence of practice through playing ability
- Participation (includes attitude, ability to stay on task, and behavior)
- Attendance (includes being on time, being at all functions, and remembering all materials)
- Final (music performance in class)
- Assessments- Concerts (Summative) & playing tests (Formative)
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Grading Scale:
90-100%- A
80-89%- B
70-79%- C
60-69%- D
Below 60%- F
Concert Dress Policy
All students are expected to dress professionally. For the concert, all students must wear a nice white shirt, black pants/skirt, black socks, and black shoes for all concerts. Ties are not required at the middle school level. (Please note that we are representing Vista Del Sur and the Laveen Elementary School District. We want to be professional in our performance as well as in our dress.) Students who do not meet or exceed the dress code will not be able to perform, and their grade will be lowered as a result. If there is a financial hardship, please see Mrs. Wolfe as soon as possible (note- not the day of the concert).
Honor Band Festival Policy
Students have the opportunity to audition for and participate in numerous honor ensemble festivals. The state of Arizona and our own district can provide young talented students with many different events in which they can participate.
In order to participate in these honor festivals, students must be in good standing academically as well as in their school ensemble (band, jazz band, etc…). Students must also demonstrate positive behavior, a strong work ethic (extra tutoring will be required to prepare music for the honor ensemble festival), and an intermediate/advanced level of performance. (Note- These ensembles are reserved for the best students in the entire district, region, or
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state of Arizona. If you are selected, it is considered to be quite an honor.)
First, a student must indicate which festival(s) they would like to audition for. Then they will have a preliminary audition with the director of that ensemble. If the audition is passed, they will be invited to audition for the honor ensemble festival. (Most auditions have a $20 audition fee. If there is financial hardship, please see Mrs. Wolfe.) If a student is selected to participate in an honor ensemble festival, that student will be required to attend extra practice sessions with Mrs. Wolfe. Students who are not prepared musically for the festival will be withdrawn. Students are also expected to make up all class work that they miss while at the music festival.
Concert Band Concert Dates
(note- these are tentative dates)
Friday, December 2, 2022- Winter Festival (at District Office- Time- TBA)
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 @ 5:00 pm- Winter Concert
Friday, April 7, 2023- Spring Festival (at District Office- Time- TBA)
TBA April 2023@ 6:00 pm- Combined concert with Betty Fairfax HS
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 @ 5:00 pm- Spring Final Concert
Important Dates (Honor Ensembles)
Greater Phoenix Junior High Honor Band Festival- January 13-14, 2023
Southern Arizona Honor Band Festival- Saturday, February 11, 2023
Arizona All-State Honor Band Festival- Saturday, March 4, 2023
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Competition Dates
Solo & Ensemble- Phoenix- February 18, 2023
ABODA Area Concert Band Festival- March 2, 2023
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Absence Excusal Form
Name:______________________________________ Date:____/_____/_____
Date(s) of Absence:
I missed a: Rehearsal/ Concert (circle one)
Reason for Absence: _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
What will I do to make up work that I missed? _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_________________ _____________________
(Student Signature) (Parent Signature)
(To be completed by Mrs. Wolfe)
Absence Approved/ Absence Denied (Circle One)
Reason Absence was not excused: _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Required Make-Up Work: _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_________________
(Ensemble Director Signature)
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Band Contract
(Please return to Mrs. Wolfe by Monday, August 22, 2022)
I __________________________________ understand that concert band/jazz band is a commitment. I agree that I will participate in the Vista Del Sur band/jazz band for the entire 2022-2023 school year. I will attend all performances (concerts, competitions, etc…) and rehearsals, and diligently practice every day. I understand that if I do not meet one of the above requirements, my grade will be lowered. I also understand that performances are the major portion of my grade for the semester. Therefore, if I do not attend, I will receive a final grade of “F” for my concert grade for that marking period. If I am unable to attend a concert due to an emergency situation, I understand that it is my responsibility to call the school or send an e-mail informing Mrs. Wolfe by the day of the concert (no later than the morning after the concert), and my grade will not be lowered. (Note- If Mrs. Wolfe does not receive a note, call, or e-mail by the morning after the concert, my grade will be lowered).
__________________ __________________
(Student Signature & Date) (Parent Signature & Date)
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