South High Band Program OverviewThe band program at the high school is a year-long course. Only under special circumstances may students be allowed to participate for one semester. Like any successful team endeavor, all members are needed all year to develop the group’s highest potential. South offers three different levels of band. The Redwing band is comprised of all freshmen. Concert Band is comprised of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Members of Symphonic Band are determined by chair placement in Concert Band and on instrumentation needs. Within each group there is ample opportunity for the development of individual skills, leadership abilities, and musical expression. All band members begin the year in a traditional Marching Band and are expected to perform at the Homecoming Half-time Field Show. With the exception of the Holiday Parade, Memorial Day Parade, and other special marching events, students spend the balance of the school year in “concert” type performing situations. Since performances are the display of what has been learned during the band class, they are a necessary part of a student’s grade. They are the “major exam” of the band class. There are other exciting performing opportunities available to band students such as Jazz I, Jazz II, Solo and Ensemble Festival, Pit Orchestra for the district musical, Drumline and Orchestra. Pep BandMembers of all bands are required to perform at all varsity home football games during the school year. During the basketball season, band members are required as a part of their grade to perform at five (5) basketball games and the North/South game that South hosts. Students are assigned to either pep band “A” or “B”. Students are required to perform for all the games for the pep band they are assigned to. If a student is unable to play for their assigned game, it is their responsibility to find a substitute to fill their place. Then that student should find an opposite pep band to play at to replace the one they missed. Students do have the option to perform at more than the five (5) required pep bands and they will receive extra credit for doing so. Rehearsal Policies and GradesAll students are expected to be in the band room when the bell rings, and ready to begin rehearsal two minutes after the bell. Students are expected to make whatever preparations are necessary to achieve this. Frequent tardiness will affect your grade with a deduction of one point for each occurrence. It almost goes without saying that cell phones, gum, food, and drink are not a part of any good rehearsal. The directors expect all students to behave in a polite and responsible manner. If due to conflicts, band students are missing more than 1 mod. of band a week, that student should find a time during the school day, before school or after school and make up that missed time through practicing. Grading is based on achievement and effort. Achievement includes playing ability demonstrated during rehearsals, skill checks, and performances. Effort includes observed performing effort, practice effort, and the effort to work out compromises when performance scheduling conflicts arise. A breakdown of the grading criteria is shown on the abbreviated Student Progress form found in this handbook. This grading system is set up so that all students can earn an “A” if they attend all performances and demonstrate achievement and effort. Lessons (sectionals)All students in the band program are scheduled into bi-weekly lessons for the purpose of checking off skills particular to a student’s instrument. These are a vital part of the band program. These skills represent many of the state standards of instrumental music. As directors, it is often our only opportunity to fairly evaluate individual progress and offer assistance in completing your performing goals. These lessons will be scheduled during free mods that the student has during the day. Skill Checks/Memory TestsAt times during the school year, all band students will be required to come in a perform on their instrument required music. This could include certain sections of music, playing marching music for memory, or exerpts that show certain skills. These will be accomplished during student's free mod. times or after school. Concert ReviewsAll students are required to submit a Concert Review for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter. As a district wide requirement, students should attend a live “fine arts event,” and submit a relatively brief report about their experience. The purpose of this district requirement is to have students broaden their ‘art’ experiences by attending functions that many students would not normally attend. Music and musical drama are all acceptable art forms. While fun to attend, garage band rehearsals, wedding dance bands, and rock concerts are not acceptable for a Concert Review. Professional and school performances/events are excellent choices. Please keep the “fine arts” part of the requirement in mind. The Sheboygan area has much to offer. If you have trouble thinking of anything, a list of potential events is posted on the band . The guidelines are listed below. Please make sure to follow them carefully, because you will be graded based on these guidelines. Due date for Concert Reviews will be announced in class well before the due date. Concert Review Guidelines
To receive full credit, Concert Reviews need to be typed in a google doc and shared with Mr. Heinen one week after the performance with the concert’s program being turned in manually! Included with the student's Concert Review and program, a Concert Review Rubric should be filled out and shared. All these forms can be found on the Band Haiku site listed under Concert Reviews. Things to Keep in Mind:
• One Concert Review is due during 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters.
• Additional reviews will be given extra credit.
• Students attending a musical performance will find it helpful to jot down notes as they are listening. Outline
1. In the opening two sentences, tell the reader what performance you attended, who/what group it was, when it took place, and where it was.
2. The rest of the review can be formatted the way you wish, but make sure to include the musical elements below that pertain to the performance you attended. One option would be to split the review up into paragraphs each addressing the musical elements listed below.
3. Finally, give your opinion on whether you liked the concert and why. Musical Elements to Include in Your Review
Program (this is the piece of paper you receive when you arrive at the concert) – Is the program interesting? Tone – Is the sound of the group pleasing? Do the musicians in the group blend well together, or do individual performers stand out? Is the sound clear or muddy? Is it full or weak sounding? If the group needs work, what can they do to make it better? Intonation – Do the musicians sound in tune with each other? Does one section seem out of tune compared to the others? Are they in tune most of the time? Balance – Do the musicians have the technical skills to perform the music? For example: Do the sixteenth note runs sound clean and even? Do you hear mistakes? Do the rhythms sound together? Interpretation – Does the group perform with the expressions such as dynamics, retards, accents, or does it sound all the same? Do the musicians breathe together? Are tempos steady? Diction/Articulation – In vocal performances, is the pronunciation(diction) clear and understandable? Do the singers use consonant sounds to create clear diction and matched vowel sounds? In instrumental performances, are the articulations clean and uniform? Musical Effect – How is the group’s stage presence – posture, talking during performance, attitude towards performing. Honors Criteria for Symphonic BandSymphonic Band students who qualify for Honors Credit are required to perform band related work above and beyond those students taking the course for regular credit. Listed below are the requirements above and beyond the regular class requirements.
• Leadership responsibility – students are assigned to supervise an aspect of the band. Examples include librarian, uniforms, etc.
• Pep Band – in addition to the required
• Projects (two each semester) Each semester students must choose any two items from the columns below. **see note below** All project work must be journaled and graded as documentation as to the depth of the experience. Thoughts and musical assessments are to be done with proper music terminology using references to musical elements when possible. If more than one music course is taken for honors credit, projects for each course should be different and separate. **It is strongly recommended that Private Lessons be ONE of the two items!!!!!! Private Lessons – Six lessons involving one-on-one work with a qualified teacher of that particular instrument per quarter are required. These lessons must include WSMA Solo repertoire and a culminating performance in a recital, a jury, or Solo and Ensemble Festival. Qualifications of the private lesson teacher are to be approved by the directors. Mentoring – Weekly lessons must be given to a student whose skill level would benefit from this form of peer instruction. A qualified music teacher at the High School, or Middle School will approve lesson material. This project would be similar to “Y.T.Y” (Youth Tutoring Youth). Additional Performing Organization – This project requires regular attendance and performance with an educationally based group outside of the school day, taught by a licensed music teacher (or professional equivalent). Examples would be Sheboygan Youth Symphony, the Sheboygan Symphony, and Sheboygan Pops. Qualifying groups must require an average of one hour per week rehearsal time and at least one performance each school semester. Analysis of a Specific Piece of Literature – The analysis of a specific piece of literature must include a biography of the composer and arranger, historical background of the piece, and a musical analysis to include form, style, and thematic structure. This is typically paired up with participation in an additional Performing Organization or Private Lessons. Analysis of an Entire Performance – The analysis of a performance should be in much greater depth than a common Fine Arts Critique. This analysis should include present day and historical information about the performer(s), the selections performed, and the composer/arranger. It should also contain information regarding the style/period it represents. Operas and/or ballets should include story line summaries as well as brief descriptions of form and style for the main segments (arias, recitatives, individual movements, etc.) Analysis of a Musical Style or Period – This analysis should be an in-depth study to include its definition, historical significance, related timeline, representative musical selections, and composers. Music Theory – This project requires the purchase of Practical Theory Complete by Sandy Feldstein. This self-instruction music theory course covers the same information as a basic music theory course in many colleges. For the purpose of fulfilling this portion of the project, students must complete lessons 1 through 44 by the end of first semester and lessons 45 through 83 by the end of second semester. “Finale” Publishing – Learning the Finale Music Desktop Publishing program includes working through the tutorial, inputting music to be printed, and printing parts and a score for a band or jazz band selection. This project is typically done in conjunction with a composition or arrangement; however, a manuscript selection may be provided by the director for the purposes of fulfilling this project portion. Music Arrangement – This would include the arrangement of a known selection for full band or jazz band. Typically this is paired with the Music Theory or the Finale Publishing project. The arrangement is to be performed by an appropriate group at the end of the school year. Music Composition – This includes the development of an original music composition for a smaller group such as jazz band, combo, quintet, sextet, etc. Typically this is paired with the Music Theory or the Finale Publishing project. The composition is to be performed by an appropriate group at the end to the school year. Grading for Redwing, Concert, and Symphonic BandsConcert Reviews..................................................................................................10% Performances......................................................................................................40% Lessons Participation ...........................................................................................20% Skill Checks .......................................................................................................20% Rehearsal Participation.........................................................................................10% Deductions will be made for the following:
Unexcused absence = 5%
Inappropriate behavior = One point deducted (participation is out of 45 points, one per day). Time spent after school and parent contact will be used on a situation by situation basis.
**Note: Excessive tardiness and forgetting your instrument can result in loosing participation points.
Semester Grade is the average of the two quarter grades. Grading System for Honors Students
Concert Reviews..................................................................................................10% Performances.......................................................................................................40% Journals (Honors Projects) ....................................................................................30% Skill Checks .........................................................................................................10% Rehearsal Participation...........................................................................................10% Deductions will be made for the following:
Unexcused absence = 5% Basketball Pep BandAll students are assigned to one of two pep band groups “A” or “B.” If you have a conflict with any of the dates you are assigned to for pep band, it is your responsibility to find a substitute, preferably someone who plays your same instrument in the other pep band. It is then your responsibility to find an alternate opposite pep band to perform at instead. It is the responsibility of the student to check in with the student who takes attendance. If you find a substitute you are not penalized. Students in sports should talk to Mr. Heinen about their individual conflicts and compromises will be found. Students will also receive five award points toward their letter for each game along with grade credit. Students are welcome (and encouraged) to perform with the opposite pep band for extra award points (5 extra per game). Most pep band dates require meeting in the band room by 6:45 p.m. Solo and Ensemble FestivalSolo and Ensemble Festival is a student’s best opportunity for the advancement of his/her individual skills. Solo and Ensemble is considered a co-curricular activity and will require independent rehearsal time outside of the school day. Participating in the Solo and Ensemble Festival is an optional activity open to all students enrolled in a school music class. However, if you choose not to participate in Solo and Ensemble, you will be required to prepare a solo or duet to be performed for one of the directors. Performing for Solo and Ensemble, or doing the alternate assignment is a part of your third quarter lesson grade. Students participating in Solo and Ensemble will have some rehearsal time available during class. This will give small and large ensembles time to rehearse with the directors. It is important that members of large ensembles work on their parts outside of school. Closer to Solo and Ensemble, entire class periods will be set aside for Solo and Ensemble practice. The directors will be available for help during these times and sign-ups will be posted to receive additional help from the directors before and after school. All music students (band, orchestra, and chorus) participating in Solo and Ensemble will need to purchase their own solo and small ensemble music along with a judges copy. You are welcome to use school copies if they are available. In large ensembles, the school will provide music (legal publications) for both you and the judge. The school does own a small selection of Solo and Ensemble music, which you are welcome to use for judges copies. If you cannot find a piece of music you like, you are encouraged to visit one of the area music stores where a larger selection of music is available. All students participating at District Solo and Ensemble Festival will need to meet “pre-fest” requirements in order to be registered for Solo and Ensemble. This is usually done by performing your piece for the directors by a certain date to make sure you are making progress on the piece you have chosen. The due date will be announced in class. Once a student commits to participating in Solo and Ensemble, they are expected to fulfill that commitment. Should students choose to drop their entry (Solo or Ensemble) they will be charged the registration fee that the school must pay. Students involved with Solo and Ensemble must set aside the entire day of performance. Too many scheduling conflicts are created when trying to limit the times when people can perform. Instruments/EquipmentStudents are expected to keep their instruments in good, clean playing condition. Regular care and maintenance is the best way to assure that your instrument will work properly. Students renting instruments from the school are responsible for damage as outlined in the rental contract. Students may purchase supplies wherever they choose. Music store salespeople call on the school on a regular basis. Students may order supplies from these vendors through the band office if they choose. Reed instrument players are encouraged to purchase reeds by the box. It is almost always cheaper and saves valuable time. It is a musician’s responsibility to come to rehearsal prepared by having those items already in their possession. Orders for supplies through Dreams Unlimited are available in the band room. Everyone must have his or her instrument cases marked with a nametag. All percussionists will be required to have their own stick bag with a set of general purpose snare drum sticks, a pair of medium timpani mallets and a pair of rubber or cord wound xylophone mallets. It is your responsibility to have these available at every rehearsal. The school provides all other specialty mallets, beaters, and drums. As a general rule, the school does not rent flutes, clarinets, alto saxes, and trumpets. These should be rented or purchased from an instrument dealer or private party. Other instruments – usually too costly for private purchase, but necessary for proper band instrumentation - are rented by the school district based on availability and an individual band’s instrumentation. Those renting an instrument from the school will receive specific information and a contract at the beginning each school year. Band Letter Point SystemWhile band is actually a class, “co” or “extra” curricular activities sponsored by South High are also offered where students have the opportunity to earn a Band Letter (a big fancy, fuzzy “S”) and additional service bars. Due to the wide variety of events band students find themselves participating in (musically), a point system has been establish to determine when a band student has earned their letter.
While a letter earned at South High is supposed to represent accomplishments made while participating in a school sponsored activity, a few exceptions are made in the Band area. In situations where there is a fully organized community activity that requires regular attendance, and extensive time and work outside of school, points may be given toward lettering in Band. Students participating in these kind of groups and wish to have their participation count towards their Band Letter will fill out a form to be completed by the director of that group. Students who perform for church or community performances can also receive points. To receive credit the “extra performance” sheet must be filled in and turned into the director.
Solo and Ensemble Festival is the most popular way to earn points toward a Band Letter. Because solo and Ensemble is a co-curricular event and has little impact on band “class” grades, it is awarded higher letter point values than other band events. If a student is performing as part of a school sponsored activity, chances are letter credit would be available. Examples would include playing the National Anthem at a track meet, or performing at a Band Parents Booster Club meeting – just to name a few. Point Values
Football/Basketball/Pep Rallies 5 points
Orchestra 10 points
Musical Pit 25 points
Jazz Ensemble 30 points Drumline 25 points
Outside of School Performance 5 points
Solo ensemble point values
Solo 30 points
Duet, Trio, Quartet 20 points
Ensemble 10 points 200 Points for a Band Letter
300 and every 100 Points after for a Service Bar Performance DressField Shows and Parades
Marching uniform - provided
Black polished shoes - on own
Black socks - on own
Concerts
Concert uniform - provided
White “button-down” shirt with collar or white tux shirt.- on own
Black polished shoes - on own
Black socks - on own Uniforms
After many years of not having a real marching band uniform, South High School is proud to be able to have its bands march down the street like almost all other bands in the United States - in full uniform! The only part of the marching band uniform that you must provide is BLACK DRESS SHOES and black socks. Athletic shoes are simply no longer acceptable. You don’t have to spend a lot of money; check out Goodwill, Salvation Army, St. Vincent’s etc. Real dress shoes can be polished to shine, and it will be expected that all shoes will meet that requirement. Uniforms are extremely expensive even when purchased in a large quantity. If purchased in a small quantity, they are much more expensive. This cost is due to the fact that they are made to last 10-15 years of wear. However, they are not indestructible! Students will be responsible for damage beyond “normal wear.” The approximate replacement costs of the different parts are:
Coat Replacement Cost $225
Pans Replacement Cost $175
Overlay Replacement Cost $175
Hat Replacement Cost $65
Plume Replacement Cost $15
Special Hanger Replacement Cost $3 Students are not to have the uniform altered or cleaned without specific permission from the band director! Uniforms are dry clean only and will be cleaned together at the end of the school year (over summer). Students will be charged $15.00 at registration to cover the cost of uniform cleaning. Specific Instrument CareFlutes
1. Swab it out every time after playing. Moisture will condense and rot your pads if left in the instrument. Oboe 1. Swab it out every time after playing. Moisture condenses and rots your pads if left in the instrument.
2. Keep your reeds in a closed container. ALWAYS have a spare reed that is already broke-in and ready to play on. Clarinet 1. Swab it out every time after playing. Moisture condenses and rots your pads if left in the instrument.
2. Store your reeds in a reed guard, not on your mouthpiece. ALWAYS have a spare reed already broke-in and ready to play on.
3. Once a month wipe off the corks with a paper towel and re-grease them. Add grease if they start to dry out. Saxophone 1. Swab it out every time after playing. Moisture condenses and rots your pads if left in the instrument.
2. Store your reeds in a reed guard, not on your mouthpiece. ALWAYS have a spare reed already broke in and ready to play on.
3. Once a month wipe off the neck cork and sleeve with a paper towel and re-grease them. Add grease if they start to dry out. Be sure to store your sax with the protective cap (if it has one) in place of the neck.
4. School saxophones must have a swab purchased for their cleaning. Trumpet/F Horn 1. Oil your valves at least once a week. Be careful not to bump them while they are out. Even the smallest tap or scratch will damage them.
2. Pull your slides out and grease them at least once a month. Grease them with tuning slide grease or 100% ball bearing (wheel) grease. Don’t use Vaseline or trombone slide cream.
3. Twice a year give your trumpet/horn a bath in warm water and dish soap. Re-grease and oil it. Cleaner snakes are available at school or you can buy your own for a few dollars. Don’t forget to clean your mouthpiece.
4. All trumpet players are responsible for providing their own valve oil, horn players: rotary oil. Trombone 1. Oil or spray your slide every day (more if it dries out while playing).
2. Pull your tuning slide out and grease it once a month.
3. Twice a year give your trombone a bath in warm water and dish soap. Be careful with the inside of your slide. Even the smallest tap or scratch will damage it. Re-grease the tuning slide and oil (or cream) your slide. Don’t forget to clean your mouthpiece.
4. All trombonists are responsible for providing their own slide oil and tuning grease. Percussion
1. Use only the correct stick and mallet. Using the wrong one will damage and/or break the heads.
2. Leave the drums on their stands! Moving them around increases the chance of breaking the bottom head and snare wires.
3. Put all the small equipment away at the end of every rehearsal. Don’t leave anything lying out. They are expensive pieces of equipment and other people will pound on them causing unnecessary wear and damage. Sheboygan South Band Boosters/Fund-raisingMost (if not all) of our fund-raising is organized by the Sheboygan South Band Boosters (SSBB). They are, of course a nonprofit group that offers the students a means of raising funds for themselves that can be used toward a major trip or other expenses incurred by being in band. The SSBB helps to organize two different types of fund-raising. One is for individual funds and the other is for band activities and to defer the cost of trips for the entire group. Profit earned by a student is held by the school in a special fund-raising account and made available to the student for trips, and in special instances, for band expenses approved by either of the directors. The most popular use for fundraised money is for trips. Once every two years band students will have the opportunity to go on a trip. The cost of trips varies. Students will have the chance to go on one larger scale and one smaller scale trip during their time at South. Trips can cost anywhere between $300 and $800. The Fruit and Kringle sale in the fall is the main fund-raiser for individual accounts. Money is raised for the general account by holding brat frys and running concessions. Meetings for the SSBB will be announced in class and reminders will be sent out by e-mail. Jazz EnsemblesJazz ensemble is offered as an out-of-class opportunity for any band student who is interested and dedicated. South has two full jazz ensembles. Jazz Ensemble I meet before school Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:50 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. In addition to several concerts a year, both groups will have the opportunity to take a city-wide tour, perform at Solo/Ensemble Festival, and perform at Feat’s and Follies (our spring talent show). Jazz Ensemble II is open to anyone interested in playing with the understanding of appropriate instrumentation. The instructor will be willing to assist with learning a second instrument if one is available. Jazz Ensemble II meets Tuesday and Friday mornings from 7:00 a.m until 7:40 a.m.. Jazz Ensemble I is an audition only band. Tryouts are held during the last few weeks of school for those who are not currently in the ensemble. Tryouts consist of playing a prepared piece (selected by instructor), improvising, playing the full range of the instrument using the chromatic scale, and sight-reading an exercise. Rhythm section players will have slightly different expectations depending on their instrument. Jazz Ensemble I meets Monday and Thursday mornings. Jazz I performs several additional performances throughout the school year. The ensemble performs frequently for community events, school district requests, and school functions. | 
