6th Grade Band Syllabus
Revised 8/07/12
Objective: To provide students with an understanding of the basic fundamentals of music theory and
music performance.
Goals: 1. Students will exhibit an understanding of basic music theory fundamentals through written,
oral and performance evaluation.
2. Students will exhibit proper instrument technique, hand position, posture, and embouchure.
3. Students will exhibit proper concert etiquette in concerts as well as in class.
4. Students will be exposed to many different musical opportunities and experiences.
5. Students will perform music of various styles and skill levels.
6. Students will obtain a sense of pride, self-respect, and self-confidence through membership in
the Peachtree Charter Middle School Band.
Materials: All Band Students need a pencil and a highlighter every day in class, and a Metronome to
practice with at home. Flute players must have a cleaning swab every day. Clarinet and Saxophone must have 3 GOOD reeds w/reed protector, cork grease, a cleaning swab every day. Brass Players (trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, and tuba) must have a mouthpiece, valve or slide oil, a small towel or cloth every day. Percussionists must have a Practice Pad, Bell Kit (to practice at home), stand and case (also to be kept at home), 2 pair of Drumsticks (size 5B or2B), and one pair of Bell mallets every day.
Band Book: Band Expressions Band method by Robert W. and Susan L. Smith (Included in the Band Dues).
Percussion Book: Fresh Approach to the Snare by Mark Wessels (Included in the Band Dues) and
Fresh Approach to Mallets by Mark Wessels (Also included in the Band Dues)
Band Dues: Band dues are $85.00 per band student and are necessary for students to participate in any band related extra-curricular activity. When you pay your band dues you will receive a Band Book, a Band T-shirt, and a Band binder. Band dues help cover expenses for such things as:
$10 – T-Shirt
$3 – Band binder
$10 – Band Books
$7 – Music
$5 – Minor Instrument Repairs
$20 – Guest Clinicians & Instructors
$20 – New Equipment/materials/purchases
$5 – Awards
$5 - Miscellaneous
Please make checks or money orders payable to Peachtree Band Boosters or PCMS Band Boosters. Included on the check should be the students name, grade level, band class period, and instrument.
Uniforms: There are two Peachtree Band Uniforms: Formal- Young ladies must have a white long or short sleeve blouse or button down shirt or polo, solid black dress pants or skirt, and black dress shoes. Young men must have a white long or short sleeve button down shirt or polo, black pants, black socks, and black shoes.
Informal - Band T-shirt. It should be worn every Thursday (except dress down days) as well as on days of events.
Instruments: Students should have their instruments in class on Tuesday September 4. Some of the 6th grade band students were in band last year or were evaluated at school by Mr. Shores or Mr. Hickman at registration on Thursday August 2. For those students who have never played a band instrument and were not evaluated, are new to the area, or played last year but want to change to a different instrument, evaluations will take place the first 2 weeks of school. Recommendations will then be made (based on the evaluation) as to what instrument/s the student will be the most successful with. The parents and students can then
decide what instrument to pursue based on the recommendations.
Wish List: Donations of the following items would be greatly appreciated: Facial tissue; Paper towels; Hand sanitizer.
Instrument Storage: Individual instrument lockers are available. Students must provide their own COMBINATION LOCK. As a security precaution, students will receive 3 labels during the first week of school: one is for their instrument case; one is for their band locker; and the other is for their band binder. Lockers will be assigned Friday August 12 so bring your combination locks on that day to receive a locker.
Instrument Pick-up: Instruments may be picked up from the band room upon dismissal at the end of each school day. The band room will be locked immediately after announcements and dismissal to allow Mr. Shores and Mr. Hickman to go to bus duty. This gives students approximately 5 minutes to retrieve their instruments from the band room each day.
School Instruments: Some school instruments, such as baritones & tubas may be rented for the school year if the student and parent sign a Contractual Agreement and pay a $50 non-refundable deposit.
Agenda Planners should be brought to class every day by every band student. Students will be asked on many occasions to write down information concerning upcoming events or assignments. Agenda planners will also be used as hall passes. If a student does not have their agenda planner, they will not be permitted out of the class room for water or bathroom breaks.
Contact Information for Mr. Shores and Mr. Hickman is located at the top of the syllabus. It is very important that Mr. Shores has contact information for every band parent which includes a daytime phone number and a current email address.
Braces are an unfortunate part of middle school life for some students. Braces make it difficult to play any brass or woodwind instrument. Please keep this in mind when scheduling your child’s appointments for adjustments, but more especially for new braces. It takes at least a month for a student who has never had braces to adjust to playing their instrument with braces and it is usually difficult for about a week for a child to play their instrument after an adjustment. Please try to schedule orthodontic appointments around concerts, at least a week before a concert for adjustments and at least a month before a concert for new braces. Another option is to
wait until after the concert or performance for the appointment.
Homework will be assigned every night and will be checked in class the next day. Each student will be expected to practice their homework however long it takes each night to be prepared to perform it the next day up to expectation.
Assessments: Students will have a performance assessment at least once a week throughout the year in the form of challenges (pop quiz), pass offs (end of lesson test), or pre-performance exams. Students may also be expected to pass a Pre-performance exam with a 90 or above in order to perform in concerts.
Sectionals are simply extra rehearsals for sections that may need a little extra attention. Most instruments will receive at least one sectional a month during their regular class period.
Private Lessons are encouraged and highly recommended for every student in band. A list of private instructors is included in this syllabus and can also be found on Mr. Shores’ website
Guest Clinicians (professional musicians, professional/university conductors) may be invited at
different times throughout the year to come in and work with the bands, specific sections, and/or individuals. Please try to be flexible concerning the future scheduling of these clinics.
Fundraisers are unfortunately a necessary evil when building a high quality band program. DCSD and PCMS do not provide the funds needed to keep this band program growing and progressing. The annual cookie dough fundraiser will kick off Thursday October 4 and will run for 2 weeks. Ordered cookie dough will be delivered by Thursday November 15 and will be ready for pick-up at the winter concert. Although students cannot be required to participate, support at some level is expected (whether it’s through donations or participation). Each student’s fair share will be equivalent to $50.00. Those not wishing to participate in the fundraisers but who wish to donate may do so at
the time of the fundraiser, the beginning of the school year, or anytime throughout the school year that is convenient.
The Winter Concert (Thursday, November 15) will count as the first semester final exam grade for all band classes. All band students are expected to report to their seats at 6:00 pm in the gym dressed in their formal band uniform. The concert will start at 7:00 pm and should be over by 8:00 pm. All students are expected to stay after the concert long enough to clear the gym of chairs and equipment, and return the band room to its normal state. Attendance is expected at all band events and performances. If a student must arrive late, leave early, or miss an event or performance, the band director must receive a reason in writing from the parent at least 2
weeks before the event. Any 6th grade Band student who does not participate in the Winter Concert will be required to complete an alternate assignment due before the concert as a make up for the test grade. Students are asked to wear their band t-shirt to school on the day of this event
GMEA Spring Solo & Ensemble Performance Evaluation is an annual opportunity for students to perform solos, duets, trios, etc… before an adjudicator for a rating and a medal. This years Solo & Ensemble performance evaluation will be held on Saturday April 20, 2013 at Edwards Middle School in Conyers Ga. The fees are $7 for a solo and $4 per person for duets, trios, etc… These fees are due to Mr. Shores or Mr. Hickman by Thursday January 24, 2013. Students are encouraged and welcome to voluntarily participate in this event and will receive extra credit toward their grade in band. Students are asked to wear their band t-shirt to school
the day before this event.
The Spring Concert (Tuesday, May 14) will count as a second semester exam grade for all band classes. All band students are expected to report to their seats at 6:00 pm dressed in their band t-shirt. The concert will start at 7:00 pm and should be over by 8:00 pm. All students are expected to stay after the concert long enough to clear the performance area of chairs and equipment, and
return the band room to its normal state. Attendance is expected at all band events and performances. If a student must arrive late, leave early, or miss an event or performance, the band director must receive a reason in writing from the parent at least 2 weeks before the event. Any 6th grade Band students who do not participate in the Spring Concert will be required to complete an alternate assignment due before the concert as a make up for the test grade. Students are asked to wear their band t-shirt to school on the day of this event.
Expectations: Consequences:
1. Be on time (in the room when bell rings). 1st offense-Verbal Warning.
2. Be prepared (w/instrument, music, pencil 2nd offense-Time out / Mark against conduct
and rehearsed). grade / Teacher-student conference.
3. Follow directions the first time given 3rd offense- Parent phone call and Mark against
(including conducted directions). Conduct grade
4. No gum, food, or beverages in class. 4th offense- Parent/teacher conference and
5. Respect others (keep hands, feet and objects Mark against conduct grade
to yourself, no name calling, teasing, talking, 5th offense- Administrative referral.
outbursts or playing out of turn. Severe clause- Administrative referra
Grading Procedure: Conduct:
5% - Etiquette S = 0-2 Offenses
50% - Daily Class Participation N = 3-5 Offenses
25% - Concerts/Performances U = 6 or More Offenses
10% - Homework checks
10% - Tests (pass-offs, skills test, written test)
Click below to print a copy.
6th_gr_Band_Syllabus0.doc
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