LESSON SCHEDULE
Group lessons will be on the same day each week, but the time will rotate. Since lessons are held during the school day, you will miss part of a class every week. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make up all class work missed while at lessons or band rehearsals. If a lesson must be missed due to an absence or a test, it is also YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make up the lesson material in your home practice. Lesson schedules will be posted in all classrooms and outside my door for you to consult.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is crucial! A student will be excused from a lesson only if s/he is absent from school or has a test at that time. If you have a test, simply let me know in the morning (however, most teachers will allow you to take a test during recess), otherwise your absence will be unexcused. Parents will be notified after two unexcused absences! Remember, I can’t teach you if you are not here!
EQUIPMENT FOR LESSONS
You will need to bring your instrument, lesson book (Essential Elements 2000), a pencil and highlighter to lessons and band rehearsals. Please write your name in your book and place an ID tag on your instrument case.
If you forget your instrument on a lesson day, you may not call home (school rule)! I expect you to come to class anyway and learn something. Parents will be notified after two “forgets”! Everyone makes mistakes and we all forget things sometimes, but remember:
THREE STRIKES=YOU’RE FIRED
We only see each other once a week, so I do expect you to be prepared and remember BAND DAYS.
PRACTICING
In order to learn to play your chosen instrument, you MUST practice! Playing only at lessons does not allow for improvement. I EXPECT everyone to practice for 20 minutes each day (with one day off) for a total of two hours per week. Don’t try to cram in all of your practicing the night before a lesson…it stresses you out and doesn’t really help. Set up a time and place to practice and do it faithfully every day. I do! The more you practice, the better you become! It’s amazing!
PRACTICE CHART
There is a chart in your book on which to record your practice time. Please do this every day. Make sure that your parents sign it the night before your lesson. I will check it every week and give you a sticker for your personal chart in the band room IF you’ve practiced for 2 hours and your parents have signed it. We’ll work on the “HONOR SYSTEM”.
INSTRUMENT CARE
Please DO NOT ATTEMPT any repairs yourself. Special tools are used on musical instruments…I’ll show them to you. If you have a problem, please bring it to me for inspection. If I cannot make the repair, we’ll make arrangements for a Certified Repair Technician to fix the problem.
SUPPLIES
Each instrument requires certain items for daily care and maintenance. Please be sure to have these on hand.
FLUTES: Have a soft cloth (handkerchiefs work best) to wipe out the inside of your instrument. The fuzzy cleaners that you see in the music stores look good, but are germ magnets! Try not to get your flute wet, and above all, NEVER POLISH WITH SILVER POLISH!
CLARINETS AND SAXOPHONES: You will need a swab to wipe out the inside of your instrument (these are sold at the local music store if one did not come with your instrument). You will also need cork grease and 5 extra reeds (size 2 ½) on hand. Please keep your mouthpieces clean---gross things GROW in there—I will check them periodically!
BRASS: Have a soft cloth on hand to clean out the inside of your instrument. You will need valve oil for your valves (trumpets), slide oil for your slide (trombones) and tuning slide grease for your tuning slides (trumpets and trombones). You will also need a mouthpiece brush to clean your mouthpiece and a “snake” to be used when you bathe your instrument…yes, the get a monthly bath! These items are often sold as part of a CARE KIT. We’ll discuss the “how to” in your lessons---don’t try it without guidance.
NEVER try to pull or pry a jammed mouthpiece! Don’t even THINK about using the pliers in the house…you’ll hurt your horn! I have the proper tool and if I can’t fix it, we’ll send it to a Certified Repair Technician to fix.
BAND REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS
We will have two concerts this school year—a “FIRST CONCERT” in January or February and a “GALA SPRING CONCERT” in May with all five schools combined. We will begin to prepare for these concerts about six weeks prior to the performance. Rehearsals are on a “pull out” basis---just like lessons. It is important that you attend all rehearsals! The only after-school requirements are the two evening concerts.
COMMITMENT
By joining the band, you are making a huge commitment. This means that you promise to practice regularly, be prepared for lessons and attend all lessons, rehearsals AND concerts. We work together here…band is like a team and wee need all of the players all of the time. I realize that many of you are involved in many things; be sure that you have time for music as well. You will not regret it!
I expect attendance at BOTH concerts! Mark the dates on your calendar today.
FAILURE TO ATTEND BAND REHEARSALS AND/OR CONCERTS MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE BAND PROGRAM.
CONCERT ATTIRE
In order to appear as uniform as possible on stage, I’d like all of you to wear the following for performances and pictures:
GIRLS: White shirt or blouse and a black skirt or dress pants. Please be sure that skirts are of an appropriate length—to the knee or below. Clarinet players should dress pants due to the nature of their instrument. No jeans, please.
BOYS: White shirt, black dress pants and a tie. No jeans, please. You may wear a tie of your choice…any style, any color…the wilder, the better!
GRADES
You will receive an INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC REPORT from me at the end of the first six weeks and at the third and fourth marking period. There will be no surprises folks! At any time, you may ask how you’re doing and you may always arrange for extra help if you feel that you need it. We’re in this together and I want you all to do your best.
EMAIL
I encourage you (students and parents) to email me with any questions that you may have during the week (just tell me your name and school in the message). Since I’m only in your school once a week, it’s a great way to contact me…I love mail and will answer it! My email address is maureen.cannon@cr.k12.de.us