Welcome to the Terra Linda Elementary Band!
It is my pleasure to welcome you as a part of the Terra Linda Elementary Band program. Thank you for choosing to be a part of our band and making music part of your education. It is my goal to make your experience in band educational, rewarding and fun.
In band we work as a team. Each person is an important part of our team and we can't function without each of you. Students, parents, and director are all part of making this band a success. The purpose of this band handbook is to answer questions you might have as we get started and throughout the year. As always, please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns. I am here to help students succeed.
Thank you again for your participation and support.
Sincerely,
Your band director, April Ellis
What Parents need to do
Parents are a vital part of children's music education. Often a child's success in music depends on the level of support that child receives at home. A positive attitude about your child's efforts in band can make a big difference. There are several things that parents can do to support their child in the band:
- Stay informed. Please read this handbook and other information on this band website, as well as any correspondence that is sent home. I will do my best to keep you up to date and "in the know."
- Teach your child the value of practice. Treat practice as homework. Have a designated spot, free of distractions where your child can practice. You can even have a designated time of day for practice. Consistent practice is the most powerful thing a student can do to improve musical skills, and you can help support that.
- Realize that improvement takes time. The first few times you hear your child play, you might wonder when it's going to start sounding better. It takes time to achieve greatness so in your comments to your child try to focus on growth and progress and avoid negative comments. Even joking about how a student sounds can hurt more than you think.
- Please support your director. Your band director is on your side. If you have questions or concerns she is happy to work with you. Please encourage your child to follow the director's rules, policies, and procedures. This will help all of us to have a productive and fun time in band.
What Students need to do
Respect yourself, respect other, and respect property. We follow the same rules at band practice that we do during the school day.
- Respect yourself. Be on time to band and be prepared with all of the required equipment. Practice daily so that you're ready for band rehearsal. If you make a mistake, laugh it off and try again. We are all going to be making mistakes, that's how we learn. Be a good example to others.
- Respect others. Don't laugh or make fun of someone else's playing. Allow the director to teach and the other students to learn. Use kind words with your fellow band members at all times.
- Respect property. Take good care of your instrument and respect your bandmates' instruments. Treat the music stands gently. Hold your instrument securely so you don't drop it,
You are an important member of this band! In band, one person's actions affect everyone. That can be in a positive or negative way, so try to make it positive. Help each other and support each other.
Golden Rules for Band
- Be on time
- Don't play until you are asked
- Bring all of your supplies
- Come with an attitude to try
A Typical Band Rehearsal
Band starts promptly at 8:00am on Mondays and Fridays for advanced, Wednesday at 8:00 and Friday at 2:00 for beginners. Please be on time and get drinks and use the bathroom before coming to band. Don't bring food, drinks, or gum to band. You may get your instrument out when you get to band, but wait to play until we all warm-up together.
Band rehearsal will start with warm-ups and technical studies, then move on to more concert type pieces. Band is dismissed at 8:45 for morning classes, 2:45 for Friday afternoon. Wait for the band director's instructions then clean your instrument and put it away. We are also in charge of putting away the chairs and stands we use during rehearsal. Remember that many hands make light work so everyone work together and the job is done sooner.
Method Book
Our method book for beginning band is Accent on Achievement Book 1. Make sure the get the right book for the instrument that you are playing. Percussionists should get the book for combined percussion. Sometimes this method book comes with a CD. That is optional and you can buy it if you want it, but we won't need the CD in class.
Band Binder
Each student will need a band binder. It is your job to make sure this binder comes with you to every band rehearsal. It's also a good idea to keep it with you when you practice. The binder will contain a calendar, assignment sheets, and reference material as well as any music that we will be learning outside of the method book. Don't lose your band folder!
Fees
The band fee is $200 per year. It is paid at the main office and is due in October, but is payable in installments if needed. For questions about the band fee talk to your band director or the main office. The band fee covers the cost of the director, music, rehearsals, and concerts.
Concerts
The band will perform several concerts at Terra Linda throughout the year. We will also participate in the district monster concert in March. As the dates are scheduled this page will be updated. Attendance at concerts is vital so if there is a conflict with one of our concert dates, tell your director as soon as possible.
Band Camp
Jordan Ridge Elementary hosts a band camp clinic for beginners each year. For $20, beginning players can get a jump start on playing their instrument. This year's band camp will be in September. More information will follow.
Instruments
At the instrument assembly, Mrs. Ellis will demonstrate the instruments available to choose from. If you want to play in the band but don't know which instrument to choose, contact the band director and she will give you some guidance. You are in charge of providing your own instrument for band. You can either:
Buy it
Rent it
Rent to own it
or borrow it
Please make sure that your instrument is in good repair. Most music stores have a repair technician that can help you out. Many times when a student is trying to learn to play an instrument that isn't in good condition, the student ends up getting frustrated and quitting. In this case it isn't the student's fault, it's the instrument that failed. For this reason please be cautious if you choose to obtain an instrument second-hand, or from a source that isn't known for selling instruments. Most of the time with musical instruments, you get what you pay for. Click on the resources tab for a list of music stores that sell or rent instruments.
The instruments to choose from in this band are:
Flute
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Percussion
A note about percussion:
To choose percussion, you need to have at least one year of experience on another instrument. The reason for this is that percussion is more than just drums. To play percussion you will need to learn to play the bells as well as the snare drum, which means double duty. As you advance with your percussion you will need to learn to play many more instruments. Percussion is definitely not the 'easy' choice for band and at this level does not involve drumset at all. In band, percussion players will be alternating between playing bells and practice pad.
Required class materials:
For the first day of band you will need this materials:
For Flute:
-A flute
-Cleaning rod
-Handkerchief or swab for cleaning
-Accent on Achievement Book 1 for flute
-A pencil
-A three ring binder
-A three ring binder
For Clarinet:
-A clarinet
-A swab
-Cork grease
-At least 3 size 2 1/2 reeds at all times
-Reed holder
-Accent on Achievement Book 1 for clarinet
-A pencil
-A three ring binder
-A three ring binder
For Alto Sax:
-An alto saxophone
-A swab
-Cork grease
-At least 3 size 2 1/2 reeds at all times
-Reed holder
-Accent on Achievement Book 1 for Alto Sax
-A pencil
-A three ring binder
For Trumpet:
-A trumpet
-A mouthpiece (usually comes trumpet)
-Valve oil
-Accent on Achievement Book 1 for trumpet
-A pencil
-A three ring binder
For Trombone:
-A trombone
-A mouthpiece (usually comes with trombone)
-Slide grease
-Accent on Achievement Book 1 for trombone
-A pencil
-A three ring binder
For Percussion:
-A bell kit (includes bells, mallets, practice pad and drumsticks)
-Accent on Achievement Book 1 for combined percussion
-A pencil
-A three ring binder
At the first rehearsal each student will need a band folder that they need to bring with them to every rehearsal.
*What about that instrument I've had in the closet for years? Can't my child just use that?
Just make sure any instrument that your child will be using is in good repair. Take it to a repair technician for an overhaul.
*What if my child starts on one instrument then decides that he wants to switch?
Each instrument has its own challenges, there is no easy instrument. But if your student truly wants to try another instrument talk to the band director. Sometimes students try several instruments before they find the one they like the most, which is why renting an instrument before buying is sometimes a good idea.
Contact information
Open communication is vital to a successful band program. Please contact the band director any time you have questions or concerns. Because of my busy and sometimes unpredictable schedule, e-mail is the best way to contact me. I generally check my e-mail several times a day.
