Band Handbook

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Madison Bison Band

Handbook

2024 – 2025

Dear Madison Band Parents and Students,

 

Welcome to the Madison Bison Band!  It is great to have you as part of our award-winning organization! Enclosed is the Madison Bison Band Handbook. In our Handbook, you will find very important information concerning the Madison Bison Band program for the 2024-2025 school year. This handbook will help to inform parents and students of the basic structure of our program and give a clear list of the band student’s responsibilities throughout the school year. Understanding the contents of this handbook is vital to the success of our organization. Please keep this packet of information and refer to it as needed throughout the school year. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our handbook information. Email is the best way to contact us. Planning period is 9:11-10:03.

 

Contact information is:

Paula McGrew-Head Director

325.692.5661 ex. 7217

paula.mcgrew@abileneisd.org

 

Jennifer Reece-Associate Director

325.692.5661 ex. 7290

Jennifer.reece@abileneisd.org

Please read the contents of this packet carefully. Please complete page 10 and return to Mrs. McGrew or Mrs. Reece by Friday, August 30, 2024.

 Thank you for allowing us the wonderful opportunity to teach the greatest students in town…………Madison Band Students!

Sincerely, 

 

Paula McGrew                                                      Jennifer Reece

Director of Bands                                             Associate Director of Bands

Madison Middle School                                        Madison Middle School

SchoolStatus Connect (Formerly Remind):

SSC is a communication platform that helps every student succeed. Whether you are in the classroom, at home, or anywhere in between, SSC makes it easy to stay connected to your school community. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join your student’s band class.

Bison Bands:

The Bison Band is divided into three different performing groups: Beginner Band, Symphonic Band and Honor Band. Band placement is at the discretion of the band staff. The staff carefully considers the placement of each student. Students are placed in the group which best fits their individual educational needs. **All band students will have required (graded) after school events throughout the year. These are an extension of the classroom curriculum and include, but are not limited to, Region Help Sessions, Solo and Ensemble practice and contest, Beginner Band rehearsals, Pre-UIL, UIL, Festival performances and other practices assigned by the directors. Dates for the events are listed on the calendar, exact start/stop times will be announced closer to the date. Check the band website MadisonBisonBand.com for the most up to date information for the program. 

Beginner Band – The beginner band consists of all students who are new to instrumental music. Classes are divided by instrument and begin with the very basics of music. There is absolutely no experience necessary to be a member of the beginning band. The beginning band will perform in a minimum of two concerts a year and one spring festival event.

Symphonic Band – The Symphonic Band consists of students who have had at least one year of band experience and have demonstrated an intermediate level of proficiency on their instrument. This group will participate in a minimum of three performances a year and will compete in UIL (University Interscholastic League) band evaluation in the spring semester. Students in this group also have the option of participation in the Region Honor Band auditions and in the Solo and Ensemble Contest.

Honor Band – The Honor Band consists of students who have had at least one year of band experience and have shown an advanced level of proficiency on their instrument. The Honor Band will perform in a minimum of three performances a year and will compete in UIL (University Interscholastic League) evaluation in the spring semester. Students in this band are required to audition for the Region Band and strongly encouraged to participate in the Solo and Ensemble Contest.

 Equipment Needs:

 

Beginner Band

  1.                 Pencil
  2.                 Black 1” 3-ring binder
  3. 15 clear page protectors
  4.                 Required Method Book:  Accent on Achievement Book I (purchase one

 appropriate for your instrument:  flute, clarinet, alto sax, french horn,

 trumpet/cornet, trombone, b.c. baritone, tuba)

  1.                 Brass Instruments:  valve oil, slide grease
  2.                 Woodwind Reed Instruments:  # 3 Vandoren Reeds. 

   ( 3 available at all times)

  1.   Percussion:  Simple Steps to Successful Beginning Percussion

       (by Kennan Wylie)

 

 

Honor / Symphonic Band

  1.                 Pencil
  2.                 Black 1” 3-ring binder
  3. 15 clear page protectors
  4.                 Brass Instruments:  valve oil, slide grease
  5.                 Woodwind Reed Instruments:  # 3 Vandoren Reeds.

       ( 3 available at all times)

 

 

Music Vendors: (instruments and equipment)

 

N-Tune Music and Sound  —  221 Grape St. (677-2471)

Tuesday-Friday 10-6PM and Saturday 12-5PM Closed Sunday-Monday  

We ask that you use tremendous caution if you choose to purchase instruments at pawn shops or online sites like Ebay or Amazon. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding an instrument you have found before you make a purchase. 

 

 

Performances: Performances are extensions of the classroom. All performances are mandatory and will count as three test grades. Students and parents will be notified of all performances well in advance (please see attached calendar). If a student becomes ill or there is a death in the family, the director must be notified before the program and the student will have the opportunity to make up a grade for the performance. It is the student/parent responsibility to make sure students attend out of classroom performances on time and picked up in a timely manner with reliable transportation. 

 

Concert Attire:

It is important for band students at any level to look professional as they perform. Therefore, we require the following attire at all concerts (unless otherwise instructed)

Beginner/Symphonic/Honor Band – “Sunday Best” Dress to impress!

(No jeans, flip flops, hoodies, Crocs, nothing with holes is permissible)

 

Boys:  Nice dress slacks, button down/polo type shirt, and nice dress shoes.  A suit and tie is always impressive.                                                                       

       Girls:  Pants, skirts, blouse or dresses and nice dress shoes.

3 grades are taken for concerts that include concert etiquette, stage deportment and performance. Attire, punctuality and supplies are all part of these grades. Plan now to have appropriate clothes for these events.                

Casual Performances – On some occasions, we will wear band shirts and jeans. These performances will include recruiting concerts and concerts in our gym. Our band shirts will be available for purchase at the beginning of the year. All Band students (6th, 7th and 8th grade) will be required to purchase a band shirt. The (charcoal grey) design will be used again this year. Older band students who own this shirt do not have to re-purchase one as long as it still fits and is free from damage. Parents are also encouraged to buy a band shirt! Order forms will be distributed during band class. *Parents are strongly encouraged to use discretion when helping your students choose their concert attire. It is very important that we always look our best when we are performing!

 

Rules of the Class:

 

  1.         Be in the room by the tardy bell.
  2.         Be in seat with all materials uncased 30 seconds after the bell.
  3.         Bring all supplies to class every day.
  4.         Receive permission before talking or leaving your seat.
  5.         Going to the restroom during class is for emergencies only.
  6.         Take care of your equipment.
  7.         Follow instructions.
  8.         NEVER play on another student’s instrument.  Including percussion!
  9.         Be courteous to others.
  10.     Learn your music.
  11.     Attend band functions.
  12.     There will be no gum, candy, drinks in the band hall.  There are no

           exceptions.

  1.     Work hard and have a great time!

 

Practicing:

 

All Bison Band Students will be required to practice a minimum of 120 minutes a week (2 hours). Practice sheets will be sent home with students on a weekly basis.  The practice sheets are designed to monitor the amount of time students practice each week and the material practiced. In order for students to receive full credit, the sheets are to be signed by the parents at the end of the week and returned to band class on the first day of the school week. There will be a 10 point deduction for each day late, and will be accepted up to three days late. The practice sheets are based on the honor system; please be honest when filling them out. It is very evident when a student has not practiced on a consistent basis. The only way to become proficient on an instrument is to practice. 

 

Grades:

 

Grades can consist of but are not limited to:

  1.         Class participation
  2.         Playing tests
  3.         Performance attendance
  4.         Practice Sheets
  5. Equipment Check (reeds, oils, music, pencils, instrument)
  6.         All concerts will count as three test grades.  (attendance/performance,      

            equipment and concert/etiquette)

 Computing Averages:

 

Grades 6-8:  Grading period averages shall be determined by averaging grades in two categories for each course in the electronic grade book. A minimum of two (2) graded assignments in each category per grading period must be recorded.

Categories and Percentages: 

70% Classwork (practice cards/quizzes/classwork/homework)

30% Assessments (tests/essays/presentations/projects/research)

  Private Lessons:

Private lessons are available to students wishing to study privately with one of our AISD approved instructors. Interested students should fill out an application available in the band hall office. Private lessons may be taken during the student’s band period, before or after school at Madison, or another site depending on arrangements made with individual teachers. All private lesson teachers are approved through the district.

 Spring Fun Event(s) to be announced upon approval:

At the end of the year all eligible Band students will have the opportunity to attend the Spring Fun Event. This has become a tradition for the Madison Band and we look forward to this year’s event. Students are invited to go on the trip based on meeting the following criteria:

  1.         Attend all required performances throughout the school year. This includes     

           your commitment to Region Band, Solo/Ensemble, UIL, Pre-UIL and  

           festival performances.

  1.         Report card grades passing (70 or above) for all subjects during the 4th & 5th

       six weeks.

  1.         No “U” in citizenship the entire school year.
  2.         No referrals to the office for the entire school year.
  3.         No assignments to ISS or RAC for the entire school year. 

          (including partial day ISS assignments.)

 

Band Website

MadisonBisonBand.com is our band website that we encourage you to check frequently. We will post weekly announcements, performance information, calendar, printable practice charts, recordings and more. This is the most up to date information for the band program.

 

Follow us at Madison Bison Band.

Madison Bison Band Calendar

2024-2025

DATE EVENT LOCATION PARTICIPANTS TIME

Sept 11 Fundraiser Band Hall All bands In class

Oct 4 MS Band Nite Shotwell Honor/Symphonic 6:00-?PM

Oct 25 Philharmonic Civic Center All bands During school

Nov 9 Region Auditions Clack MS Honor/Symphonic    10:00AM-1:00

Nov 12 Region Sectional Mann MS Region Members 6:00-8:00PM

Nov 15 Reg. Clinic/Concert TBD Region Members All day

Dec 5,6,9 Beginner Rehearsal Band Hall Beginner Band 3:45-4:45PM

Dec 10 Christmas Concert CHS All Bands 7:00-8:00PM

Feb 20-21 Solo and Ensemble Band Hall Honor/Symphonic 4:00-?PM

Mar 20 Pre-UIL CHS Honor/Symphonic Evening

Apr 1-2 UIL CHS Honor/Symphonic TBD

Apr 22-23 Beginner Rehearsal Band Hall Beginner Band 3:45-4:45PM

Apr 24-25 Clyde Festival Clyde HS Beginner/Symph TBD

May 8-9 Beginner Rehearsal Band Hall Beginner Band 3:45-4:45PM

May 12  Spring Concert CHS All Bands 7:00-8:00PM

Times are subject to change for weather or venue change. Check the band website for the most accurate information.                                                                            

MadisonBisonBand.com

**SIGN & RETURN THIS PAGE**

Band Contract Signature Page

2024-2025 

My signature indicates I have read this packet and understand the information.  We have put the concert dates on our calendar. Due to unforeseen conflicts with weather, athletic schedules, etc. there may be times that we may move a performance date. The expectation is to attend all rehearsals and performances as we are a performance based class with grades attached. Communication of any time/date changes will be posted on the band website, Facebook page and be available on paper handouts in the classroom. 

If we have any questions or concerns, we will contact Mrs. McGrew or Mrs. Reece.

__ We are aware of the band website with all information.

      www.MadisonBisonBand.com

__ ALL band students must purchase/own a band shirt. Forms will be sent home at the beginning of the year.

 

Date:_________________ Class Period:___________

Student Name:  ____________________________________

Address_____________________  Phone number _______________ 

Student Signature:  ______________________________________

Parent or Guardian Signature:  _____________________________


Please complete this page and return to Mrs. McGrew or Mrs. Reece by Friday, August 30, 2024