Dear 6th Grade Band Members and Parents;
In this packet of information you will find:
v Welcome to Band and General Information
v Band Attendance Policy
v Band Grading Policy
v Uniform Information
v Concert Dates for 2007-08.
Please complete the form below and return the form to school no later than Wednesday, August 29.
All of the information above and much more can be found on our website:
http://www.district87.org/bjhs/band
The band teachers are all going to participate in the Skyward Parent Access system this year, as has been done in the past. Student grades will be available on a real time basis through this system. If you have already applied for access you do not need to do so again. If you have not applied for access to this system, please contact the school for a form or visit http://parent.district87.org and print a copy of the application.
If you would like to receive important announcements and communications about band via email, please complete the email portion of the form below.
You may contact me at school by phone (827-0086) or by email (reckersm@district87.org) anytime you have questions I can help with.
I am looking forward to a fantastic year with the sixth grade band!
Sincerely,
Michele Reckers
WELCOME TO BAND!
Welcome to the Bloomington Junior High School Band Program! We believe we offer an excellent opportunity for you to grow as a musician. To make the most of this opportunity, let us give you and your parents an overview of the Sixth Grade Band Program and other information that will help make your year a successful one.
FULL BAND REHEARSAL
Your first full band rehearsal will be Wednesday, August 22, during your E&R time. All sixth grade band students will attend this rehearsal. This is an organizational meeting. Students will not need their instruments until their first lesson on August 23 or 24.
LESSONS
Lessons will begin on August 23. You will have lessons on either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday.
PRACTICE
Practice is the most important part of your musical growth. Nothing else we say here is worth the paper it is printed on unless you practice! Because of the larger lesson groups and the more structured group lessons, a daily practice habit is extremely important. You will need to plan practice as a part of your daily routine of homework and other responsibilities. You may easily find yourself “behind the group” if you don’t start and keep a good practice schedule.
INSTRUMENTS
Anyone who does not have an instrument needs to make arrangements for one. Please visit a local music store or see a band instructor immediately.
INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION AND STORAGE
Your first assignment of the year is to put a nametag on your instrument case (5 points). This needs to be done by Friday, August 24. You may devise your own nametag or purchase one. We have nametags available at school upon student request. We recommend keeping instruments in the band room during the school day (especially if you share a locker). Parents please take a moment and write down the make, model and serial number of your child’s instrument. Keep your records in a safe place.
BOOKS
(Percussionists only– you will NOT purchase a new book, but continue using the 2 books your purchased last year!)
The book we will be using is Accent on Achievement BOOK 2 for your instrument. These books will be available for purchase at school. Please bring $7.00 in cash or a check payable to the Music Shoppe to school by Wednesday, August 29. We make a special purchase of these books and make them available to you at a discounted rate, although you are welcome to purchase yours at the music store for the full price if you so desire.
WOOWIND MATERIALS
You should have 2-3 reeds in payable condition at all times. Your best strategy is to purchase these by the box.
Clarinetists, we recommend Mitchell Lurie #3 or Lavoz Medium Hard reeds.
Saxophonists, we recommend Mitchell Lurie #2 ½ or LaVoz Medium reeds.
Single reeds for clarinet will be available for purchase at school. Saxophone and oboe students will need to purchase reeds at your local music store.
BRASS MATERIALS
Cornet, baritone and tuba students should purchase valve oil at your local music store.
Trombone students are encouraged to purchase slide cream (Super Slick, Trombotine, etc.). Slide oils are discouraged, as they do not provide the necessary lubrication.
GRADING
Please see separate letter concerning grading policies.
ATTENDANCE
Please see the separate letter concerning the attendance policy.
TEACHERS
There will be three instructors teaching lessons to sixth grade students:
Miss Reckers Mrs. Warren Mr. Wallace
Lessons groups will rotate teachers on a quarterly basis.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions about your child’s musical education – we are happy to discuss their education with you!
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private lessons, taken with an instructor not already teaching at the school, can be a valuable addition for any music student. A student can often progress more quickly, receive more individual feedback, and correct problems more easily with one person focused solely on him or her. If you are interested in offering your student this advantage, you main obtain a list of area musicians who teach private lessons from our website or by contacting me directly.
OTHER INFORMATION
With this cover letter please find:
Concert and performance schedules
Class attendance policy
Grading policies, including concert attendance
Information about concert uniform
MUSIC IS IMPORTANT TO YOU
It is our goal to help you have a rewarding musical experience through band and to help you grow as a musician and person. Being in band gives you the opportunity to explore your own musical talents and skills while developing a life-long family of friends who share this artistic journey with you. It has been shown that you will discover a higher level of success in many parts of your life because of your experiences in band.
BAND IS MUSIC BAND IS FRIENDS
BAND IS SELF-DISCIPLINE BAND IS PERFORMANCE
BAND IS EXCITING BAND IS WORKING TOGETHER
BAND IS ENJOYMENT BAND IS EXPRESSION
BAND IS HIGH ENERGY BAND IS YOU
STRIKE UP THE BAND!
UNIFORM
August 22, 2007
Dear Sixth Grade Band Members and Parents,
Our Sixth Grade Band is very fortunate to have a concert uniform. A few years ago the PTO and School District purchased a “Bolero” type vest to wear as a part of our uniform. We are thrilled to have these vests.
The required uniform you provide for Sixth Grade Band is as follows:
White Shirt with collar or turtleneck.
Black pants.
Black Socks.
Black Shoes (all black).
We will provide the “Bolero” vest.
Students wearing something other than the uniform described above will not be allowed to perform with the band and will not receive the grading points for the concert. (Please see the grading system information.)
Students will take the vests home just before a performance and will return it within one week after the performance. (Preferably the next day.) Otherwise, the vests are kept at BJHS.
Students are responsible for the uniform jacket while it is in their care. If a vest if accidentally soiled, YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN IT OR TAKE IT TO THE CLEANERS. Return it to me stating what has soiled the vest. You will be responsible for the cost of any special cleanings required during the school year. (We pay for an annual cleaning.)
If there is a financial hardship obtaining these items, please contact the school counselor or me know as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Michele Reckers
Sixth Grade Band Director
Bloomington Junior High School