CONTACT US:   School Phone: 647-4120

                          Email: smarsmusic@yahoo.com

PRACTICE/ GRADE REQUIREMENTS

1.      GOAL:  Practice at least 30 minutes every day.  You need this for muscle memory!

2.      Record how many minutes you practice per day on your practice journal.  Be accurate and truthful!

3.      Have a parent or guardian initial your practice journal weekly.  Set a day each week to have it signed.

My Practice Journal will be checked on ___________________.

4.      The grading of Practice Journals (done directly in your books is as follows):

30 minutes (or more) every day with signature = A+

30 minutes 6 days with signature = A

30 minutes 5 days with signature = B+

30 minutes 4 days with signature = B

30 minutes 3 days with signature = C

30 minutes 2 days with signature = D

less than 2 days with signature =  F

                        (If your practice record is not signed once, it counts as a missed day)

                        (If there are 2 unsigned weeks in a row it will be considered an “F”)

5.      Each quarter we drop (don’t count) the lowest practice journal grade. J

6.   Be certain to practice assigned material and use practice procedures gone over in    class.

7.  Department Night is Thursday.  Come for extra help if you have questions.

YOUR GRADE FOR BAND IS DETERMINED AS FOLLOWS:

1.       Practice Journal = 30%

2.       Testing (in-class, tapes, worksheets, and concerts) = 50%

3.        Daily classroom work = 20%

                        HOW TO HAVE A GREAT BAND……………..J J J

1.  Always be prepared (instrument, music in folder, pencil, reeds, etc.)

2.  NO GUM allowed.  (Chewing gum while playing an instrument is dangerous!!)

3.  Be attentive and do your best!

4.  Bring your instrument and music home to practice every day.

5.  Come to Department Night for extra help.

6.      All are encouraged to take private lessons.  Please sign up in the music department.

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND FALL NOTICE

             The Scituate Middle School bands will soon be preparing for their first concert of the 2008-2009 school year.  The Sixth Grade Band will perform their first concert on Tuesday, November 25 at 6:00pm.  Students should report to the stage by 5:30pm the evening of the concert.  The Seventh & Eighth Grade Bands will perform their first concert of the school year on Tuesday, November 25, 2008.  The 7th grade band will report at 6:45pm for a 7:00pm concert and the 8th grade band will report at 7:45pm for an 8:00pm performance.

A FEW REMINDERS:

            The fall concert is part of your child’s music grade for the second quarter.  If for some reason your child is unable to attend the concert, please notify us in writing as soon as possible.  This will allow us to give a make-up assignment to your child so his/ her grade will not be affected by the absence.  If your child becomes ill the day of the concert and is sent home for illness, a make-up assignment will be provided.

            CONCERT DRESS for ALL middle school band performances is solid long black from the waist down and solid white from the waist up.  Black shoes and black hose is the appropriate footwear.  Please call the music department if you have any questions.

            Students should record their daily practice time as soon as they have completed their practice session each day.  Please initial the practice journal once per week to indicate that you have reviewed the practice journal.  Remember that the weekly practice journal is 30% of the quarterly grade.  Regular practice at home insures weekly musical progress!

            Please be sure that your child’s music book and instrument are both clearly marked and labeled with the correct name and phone number, inside and outside of the case.  Instruments should not be left in school overnight.  All instruments should be brought home each night.

            BAND BOOKS are used for all the classes.  Sixth grade band will be using Essential Elements 2000 Book 1, 7th grade band will use Essential Elements 2000 Book 2, and 8th grade band Essential Technique 2000 Book 3.  You may choose to purchase a new book at any music store, or I will be putting in an order the first week of school.

            Finally, we look forward to seeing you at our middle school fall concerts.  As always, if you should have any questions, please contact the music department at 647-4120.  Also, you may email Ms. Marsland at smarsmusic@yahoo.com  Thank you for your continued support of your child’s musical education.
                            

Sincerely,

Stefanie Marsland, Music Department Chair

Christine Johnston, Music Faculty