“Success Is Doing Your Best”



“Success Is Doing Your Best”

Mrs. Garvey, Principal

1 Mrs. Patton, Assistant Principal, Mr. Seipt, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Mascara, Band Director, Mrs. Smith, Band Director

Welcome Back! For those of you who are new, our success stems from working hard! “Success is doing your best.” I would also at this time like to welcome our new 7th grade band students and parents. We are very glad you have joined us and would like to briefly introduce ourselves.

Mrs. Smith graduated from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. She received a Master of Science in Music Education with a conducting emphasis from Radford University. Mrs. Smith has taught 7-12 band in New York from 2000-2003 and was the Director of Bands at Broad Run High School from 2005-2012. She is currently the Visual Caption Head for the Dominion Marching Titans. Mrs. Smith is married to Brandon Smith, has a 4 years old daughter named Hannah, a 2 years old daughter named Ashlee, and a basset hound named Cadence. This will be her fourth year teaching at Seneca Ridge Middle School.

Mrs. Mascara graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC with a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education. She is a native of Loudoun County and a graduate of Loudoun County Schools. Mrs. Mascara performs with the Capital Wind Symphony in Vienna, VA in addition to teaching private clarinet and saxophone lessons. Mrs. Mascara currently lives in Sterling with her husband and her cats! This will be her fifth year teaching at Seneca Ridge.

We feel the success of any band program stems from the energy and commitment of the band director, students, and parents. We want to share with all parents the high expectations for our students. Our standards for academic and musical growth are also very high and we look forward to working with the students and parents in continuing this tradition. Band is a wonderful subject for students to gain skills such as independence, teamwork, and responsibility. A famous music educator once stated: “Music is the expression of a whole man’s personality, sensibility and ability.” Together, with music, we can help your child develop these important life skills.

Please feel free to contact Sarah Mascara at Sarah.Mascara@ or Lisa Smith at Lisa.Smith@ or call SRMS at (571) 434-4420. The next few pages contain very important policies and procedures for the upcoming school year. Thank you for your attention to the following information!

Musically,

Sarah Mascara and Lisa Smith

1 Band Rubric - SRMS

Students will be taught and graded based on the skills listed below. These skills will be graded by summative assessments throughout the school year.

SRMS 7th Grade Band Grading System

2016-2017

1. Concerts, Performances, Projects (100 points)

2. Playing Quizzes/ Playing Tests (25-50 points each)

3. Written Quizzes/ Written Tests (Points will vary depending on length)

4. Daily Techniques/Ensemble Skills (15 points per week)

5. Quarterly Project (15 points)

Test & Re-Take Policy

If a student does not pass a written summative assessment, then he/she will need to be retaught and then tested again. Students may choose to re-take any playing test for a higher grade at any point prior to the end of each grading period. Re-takes are at the discretion of the band director.

Practicing!!!

Smart practice WILL pay off and is definitely worth every minute that is invested into this important aspect of being in band. We require students practice a minimum of 4 days a week, 30 minutes or more each day. While practicing, all students are required to sit up straight and breathe deeply. These consistent practice times will greatly improve your child’s playing ability.

Each student will be given a weekly practice calendar. This practice calendar will be turned in every Friday. Practice calendars will be accepted electronically through Sunday. Late calendars will not be accepted with the exception of documented student absence the day calendars are due. A Parent/guardian will initial after the total each week.

All missing practice calendars will be documented in Phoenix. If a student continually fails to complete his/her practice calendar, an email or phone call home will be made informing the parents of the missing practice calendars. Parents are urged to continually monitor student progress in Phoenix. Practice Calendars are a part of the student’s daily grade.

SRMS Blue and Gold Band

Our focus in the SRMS Band Program is to be as student-centered as possible. Because of the high numbers of 7th grade band students, we will be splitting up the 7th grade into two bands – Blue and Gold. These are not auditioned groups. Each band will be evenly balanced out by instrumentation.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Students are strongly encouraged to seek private instruction from a qualified specialist on their instrument. Private individual lessons enable students to learn many of the specific technical skills that cannot be covered in a full band class, especially with regard to the musical demands of the Band. There are many private instructors in our area and at our school. Cost and length of lessons vary. Mrs. Mascara has a list of private instructors known to teach in our area and who have worked well with students in the past. Students and parents should consult her before selecting a private instructor. More information about our Private Lesson Program will be passed out at Back to School Night.

Performance Policies/Information

Performances are great experiences for every band member here at SRMS. They are also the result of many hours of hard work. Therefore, it is REQUIRED for every band member to be present. These events will be counted as a test grade for each student. Dates for the performances are on the band calendar, posted on the band website, and printed in the SRMS monthly newsletters. Please mark your calendars at the beginning of the school year. These events are the highlights of our year and again REQUIRED for every band member to attend.

Music Department Attendance Policy:

As mentioned above, concerts are a test grade and REQUIRED. Please see below for the following unlikely events.

Non-Planned and/or Last Minute Concert Absence:

1. Excused: If an illness or a death in the family occurs for any performance or rehearsal, please notify the director as soon as possible. When the student returns to school please have a note signed by the parent/guardian. I will then arrange an assignment to fairly make up the missed grade. Band is a TEAM and everyone plays an important role!

2. Unexcused: One example of an unexcused absence is any sporting event. The student will be required to complete a written and playing assignment. The due date will depend on the event and will be given at the teachers’ discretion. Please prevent unexcused absences at all cost. Every student is a vital part of making the performance successful!

Other: Planned Long Term Concert Absence: Excused

Example: A student misses a concert due to an extended vacation that was planned before the first day of school. If this vacation has already been planned the student must bring a signed note from their parents on the first week of school. Please do not make vacation plans on concert dates after you have been given the dates as these will be unexcused absences.

Assignment: A written and/or playing assignment made at the discretion of the band director

*Please note, any concert absence requires a signed note by the students’ parents/guardians.

**Every student is important to our band!

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Proper Loudoun County Attire for Concerts:

|Ladies |Gentlemen |

|Blue SRMS Polo shirt |Blue SRMS Polo shirt |

|Black pants |Black dress pants |

|Black pantyhose or socks |Black socks |

|Solid black shoes |Solid black shoes |

Semester Team Assemblies - These are held during school hours. Dates to these events will be sent home as soon as these events are scheduled. These are demonstrations and are organized by the team teachers. We will wear Navy Blue SRMS Music Shirts for these assemblies. Order forms will be sent home the first week of school to purchase a shirt.

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Classroom Expectations

Leading to Success

The following should be considered when adhering to this rule:

1. Be prepared for Every Rehearsal – In addition to being on time with all of the necessary materials, it is vital to the success of our ensemble that each member develop and maintain a work ethic outside of rehearsals that allows for daily readiness.

2. Be Respectful – The character of each individual within the ensemble is more important than the music itself. Respect the teacher, respect the room, and most importantly, respect each other!

3. No One is Bigger than the Ensemble – Understand that everything you do will directly affect the ensemble as a whole. Make smart decisions and do everything you can to fulfill your obligations to your section and the entire band.

7th Grade Band Rehearsals and Concerts:

| |

|Please mark the dates on your 2016-2017 calendars: There is NO “side bench”. Every student is very important and part of a team. For this reason, all |

|rehearsals are mandatory. Please notify the school or Mrs. Mascara or Mrs. Smith if there is a family emergency or if the student is sick during one of |

|these rehearsals/performances. |

|Please Note: Students who participate in Clubs held after school are reminded that these are extra-curricular activities. Students receive a grade in Band |

|but not in an extra-curricular activity. Therefore, a band rehearsal takes precedence and students are expected to attend the band rehearsal. NO Cell |

|Phones in rehearsals or performances! |

|Winter 2016 |

| |

|Monday, November 28th- 3:25-4:20- “Blue” Band Rehearsal |

|Wednesday, November 30th- 3:25-4:20- “Gold” Band Rehearsal |

|*Monday, December 12th- 3:25-5:00- “Blue” Band Dress Rehearsal on Stage |

|*No activity bus available after this rehearsal |

|*Tuesday, December 13th-3:25-5:00- “Gold” Band Dress Rehearsal on Stage |

|*No activity bus available after this rehaersal |

|*Wednesday, December 14th- 7:00pm- 7th Grade Band Winter Concert! |

|(Students should arrive by 6:15pm for warm-up!) |

|Spring 2017 |

| |

|Monday, May 1st - 3:25-4:20- “Blue” Band Rehearsal |

|Wednesday, May 3rd - 3:25-4:20- “Gold” Band Rehearsal |

|*Monday, May 15th- 3:25-5:00- “Gold” Band Dress Rehearsal on Stage |

|*No activity bus available after this rehearsal |

|*Wednesday, May 17th- 3:25-5:00 “Blue” Band Dress Rehearsal on Stage |

|*No activity bus available after this rehearsal |

|*Thursday, May 18th- 7:00pm- 7th Grade Band Spring Concert! |

|(Students should arrive by 6:15pm for warm-up!) |

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|Click the link below to sign the required Band Contract! Thank you! |

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|Outline of Learned Skills in Band: |How to accomplish: |SOL |

|Tone Production |1.Proper Posture, Correct finger and hand placement, Full|IB.1-2 |

| |Breath support, Correct Embouchure/Grip | |

| |2. Produce an acceptable tone quality on a sustained | |

| |tone throughout the required range of the instrument. | |

|Fundamentals of Technique |1. Count, Clap, Finger, sing, play, analyze & correct |IB.12, IB. 13, IB.6, |

| |mistakes. | |

| |2. 7 Major scales and chromatic scale for memory. | |

| |(C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab,Db, and G) | |

|Care & Maintenance of Equipment |Properly assemble, disassemble, and clean. |IB.16 |

|Fundamentals of Music Theory |1. Count aloud and play simple rhythms. |IB.19 |

| |2. Correctly recognize and label common musical symbols.| |

|Repertoire |Demonstrate the ability to play assigned part in a full |IB.4, IB.11 |

| |band piece in Grade III literature listening for timbre, | |

| |blend, dynamics, and steady tempo. | |

|Aesthetic Growth and Development |Demonstrate a positive attitude toward music and |IB.17 |

| |self-development through: | |

| |1. Being Prepared for rehearsal | |

| |2. Regular Practice | |

| |3. Attention and active participation in class. | |

| |Persistence in overcoming musical problems. | |

| |4. Participation in extra-school musical activities | |

| |(Sectionals & Concerts) | |

|Interdisciplinary Understanding |Demonstrate the ability to relate to music being studied |IB. 21, IB.23 |

| |with History and language arts. | |

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