Buerkle Middle School
Band Handbook
2005 -2006
Mary
Petrillo
Buerkle
Director of Bands
314-467-6976
website: http://www.oocities.org/mehlvilleband
then choose Buerkle Middle School Band from the side
menu
Contents
Band Student Behavior Expectations
Our band behavior expectations are the same as our “Buerkle High Five” expectations.
1. Be Respectful.
Listen and make eye contact, respond to others appropriately, and
use kind words and tone of voice.
2. Be Responsible.
Fulfill your obligations as a student and as a member of the band.
Always give your best and show band pride.
3. Be Prepared.
Come to class with all requested materials.
4. Be Prompt.
Be in class on time and ready to participate.
5. Be Cooperative.
Follow directions the first time given.
Raise your hand and wait to be called upon.
Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
Be aware of others and your surroundings, and walk carefully.
Band Book, Music Folder for Sheet Music and Handouts, Music Theory Folder/Workbook
Pencils with erasers, highlighters, colored pencils
Flute
cleaning rod and cloth
polishing cloth
Oboe/Clarinet/Sax
3 working reeds
swab
reed case
cork grease
polishing cloth
Brass
valve/slide oil
slide grease
golf towel or wash cloth
polishing cloth
Percussion
sticks/mallets bag (7th & 8th grade only)
1 pair drumsticks
1 pair xylophone mallets
1 pair timpani mallets (7th & 8th gr only)
Buerkle Band Home Practice Supplies
All of the above, plus a music stand, a metronome, and a means of recording yourself.
All band instruments should be stored in the band storage
room throughout the school day.
Students should come to the band room in the morning and put their
instruments in their assigned storage area.
At the end of the day they should return for their instrument before getting on the bus.
Band students should practice at least 30 minutes 5 days per week. Practice with a purpose and for specific improvement. Consistent practice will reward you with consistent success.
Private lessons are highly recommended for musical growth as well as increased confidence and motivation. For more information call with Ms. Petrillo 467-6976.
Daily Class: 20 points Based On:
All necessary materials present in class (see list on previous page)
Participation and effort
Accurate notes and rhythms; preparedness and progress
Good intonation
Proper playing position
Proper behavior
Weekly Band Rehearsal: 100 points (same criteria as Daily Class)
Concerts: 500 points Concerts are equivalent to a final exam. The complete band uniform and appropriate behavior are necessary to receive full credit.
Performance Tests: Points will vary depending on the length and difficulty of the music.
Written Tests: Points will vary depending on the length of the test and the content covered in the test.
Worksheets and Practice Journal: Points will vary depending on length of the worksheet or the content covered in the practice journal.
Bus Ride Etiquette for Performances and Competitions
When riding the bus to a performance you may:
Talk quietly to the person sitting next to you until it is time for absolute silence.
Look over your music, silently playing your part.
Visualize our performance and mentally prepare yourself.
When riding the bus to a performance you must NOT:
Talk loudly, sing, yell or scream.
Get out of your seat.
Take your instrument, or any other instrument, out of its case.
When returning to school after a performance, if we have done the very best that we can do, our trip will be a celebration. All school bus rules still apply, but this is our time to relax, be happy, and let each other know that we are happy that we made great music together.
Band Uniform for Concert Band and Beginning Band
Gentlemen: Black pants, white shirt with a collar, black socks, black shoes
Ladies: Black skirt or black pants, white blouse, black shoes, black nylons
Band Uniform for Symphonic Band
Tuxedo uniform (provided), uniform black shoes
Gentlemen: black calf length socks Ladies: black nylons
Concert Band and Beginning Band Concert Dates
Winter Concert - December 13, 2005 - Arrive at BMS at 6:45 p.m.- Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
All District Instrumental Music Festival - March 7, 2006 - Concert 7:00 p.m. at MHS - more details later
Spring Concert - May 8, 2006 - Arrive at BMS 6:45 p.m.- Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
INSTRUMENT INFORMATION
Avoid purchasing an
instrument from a department store catalog, or the discount super center
stores. These instruments are usually
of poor quality and cannot be repaired.
Parts are not available.
PERCUSSION: Percussion Kit
This is a soft pack carrying case with a practice pad, small xylophone, a stand for the pad/xylophone, one pair of drumsticks, and one pair of xylophone mallets. Brand names to consider are Pearl, Ludwig, Yamaha or CB.
FLUTE: The flute will come in a hard shell case with a cleaning rod. Brand names to consider are Selmer, Gemeinhardt, Yamaha, Armstrong.
CLARINET: The clarinet will come in a hard shell case with a swab, a reed, a mouthpiece cap, ligature, and cork grease. Brand names to consider are Selmer, Yamaha, LeBlanc, Buffet, Artley, or Olds. New Vito clarinets are supposed to be good instruments. However, the older model Vito clarinet is notorious for being out of tune.
ALTO SAXOPHONE: The saxophone will come in a hard shell case with a reed, cork grease, neck strap, swab, mouthpiece cap, and ligature. Brand names
to consider are Selmer, Conn, Yamaha, Jupiter, Amati, Keilworth, Yanagisawa, or Olds.
TRUMPET: The trumpet will come in a hard shell case with a Bach 7C mouthpiece, or other brand name 7C mouthpiece, and valve oil. Brand names to consider are Selmer, Bach, King, Conn, Blessing, Olds, Holton, Yamaha, or Getzen.
TROMBONE: The trombone will come in a hard shell case with a Bach 12C mouthpiece, or other brand name 12C mouthpiece, and slide oil or slide cream
with spritz bottle. Brand names to consider are Selmer, Bach, Conn, Holton, Olds, Yamaha, or Getzen.
FRENCH HORN: The French Horn will come in a hard shell case with a mouthpiece and rotary valve oil. Brand names to consider are Holton, Bach, Conn, Olds, Yamaha, or Getzen.
Most full service music stores rent these instruments (new, like new, or used) for a monthly fee which can be applied toward the purchase price. Some of the full service music stores in the St. Louis area are:
Nottelmann Music Co. (located in our School District)
Music Center of Kirkwood
Zarkie Music Studios (located in our School District)
Music Folk Inc.
Baton Music Inc.
McMurray Music Center
If you are considering the purchase of a used instrument try to get one of the brand names listed above. These are good quality instruments that can be serviced and repaired here in the St. Louis area.
REHEARSALS:
Concert Band rehearsals are on Thursdays after school.
The rehearsals count as a homework grade and are scheduled as follows:
2:10 - 2:30 p.m. Snack and Relax
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Rehearse
Let me know if you need carpool arrangements (467-6976). Since we only get one full rehearsal per week it is imperative that everyone attend regularly. Anything you can do to make this work will help keep us on our path of excellence. Students who need to miss a rehearsal for a previously scheduled appointment can make up their homework grade by completing a homework packet within the same rehearsal week.
If you can donate individually wrapped snacks and/or soft drinks for our 20 minute break, please bring these to the band room.
First Semester Rehearsal Schedule: (Also see attached calendar)
(September 29 We had great attendance! Thank you!)
October 6, 13, 20, 27
November 3, 17
December 1, 8
Also Monday Dec. 12 for final concert preparation
[The first rehearsal for Second Semester will be January 12. I will send a new calendar when we return from our Winter Break.]
ST. LOUIS SUBURBAN HONOR BAND: Auditions for the St. Louis Suburban Honor Band will be held on Monday, October 24 at Wydown Middle School from 6:30- 8:00 p.m. All seventh and eighth grade band students have been given the audition material, plus all rehearsal and performance information. (This audition material is the same material that is used in January or February for eighth grade auditions for the high school band.) We have been working on this music during class time and students will be well prepared for the audition. I encourage our seventh and eighth grade students to take advantage of this great opportunity for advancement.
CONCERT BAND SECOND SEMESTER IMPORTANT DATES (Details
Later)
January 8, Sunday - St. Louis Suburban Honor Band Concert (for students participating in this)
March 7 - District Instrumental Festival - 7:00 p.m. at Mehlville High School (required)
April 11 - Solo and Ensemble Recital - 7:00 p.m. at Buerkle(in preparation for April 22)
April 22 - St Louis Suburban Solo and Ensemble Festival (optional, and highly encouraged!)
May 8 - Spring Concert (required)
Late April or Early May - Six Flags Contest (required)
REHEARSALS:
Symphonic Band rehearsals are on Tuesdays after school unless there is a faculty meeting.
The rehearsals count as a homework grade and are scheduled as follows:
2:10 - 2:30 p.m. Snack and Relax
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Rehearse
Let me know if you need carpool arrangements (467-6976). Since we only get one full rehearsal per week it is imperative that everyone attend regularly. Anything you can do to make this work will help keep us on our path of excellence. Students who need to miss a rehearsal for a previously scheduled appointment can make up their homework grade by completing a homework packet within the same rehearsal week.
If you can donate individually wrapped snacks and/or soft drinks for our 20 minute break, please bring these to the band room.
First Semester Rehearsal Schedule: (Also see attached calendar)
(September 27 We had great attendance! Thank you!)
October 4 No Rehearsal due to Faculty Meeting
October 11, 18, 25, November 1
November 7 (Monday) in place of November 8 (Tuesday) due to faculty meeting.
November 15, 22, 29
December 5 (Monday) in place of December 6 (Tuesday) due to faculty meeting.
Also Monday Dec. 12 for final concert preparation/take home tuxedo after rehearsal
[The first rehearsal for Second Semester will be January 10. I will send a new calendar when we return from our Winter Break.]
WINTER CONCERT
Tuesday, Dec.13, 7:30 p.m. in Buerkle’s gym
Students arrive at 6:45 p.m.
Wear the tuxedo uniform provided by BMS. Students provide their own uniform solid black shoes. The boys wear black calf length socks. The girls wear black nylons.
Return tuxedo uniform the day after the concert - Wednesday, Dec. 14.
We bought the uniform shoes from Payless Shoes last year. I will send the product names and numbers (one for the boys and one for the girls) when I get the information and prices.
PERFORMANCES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - Dates to be
arranged
EIGHTH GRADE BAND MEMBERS VISIT 5TH GRADE
STUDENTS - To be arranged
UNIFORM FEE:
Symphonic Band $15.00. (Make check payable to Buerkle Middle School and write Band Uniform on the memo line. Please pay this as soon as possible.) This covers the cost of dry cleaning bills and alteration supplies. Also, $5.00 of the fee pays for laundry bills for the casual uniform shirt used for concerts at the elementary schools. Students provide light tan pants to go with the casual uniform shirt with white socks and their everyday casual shoes. A special thank you to Patti Allen for volunteering to do the tuxedo pants alterations for us this year.
(Symphonic Band Continued)
ST. LOUIS SUBURBAN HONOR BAND:
Auditions for the St. Louis Suburban Honor Band will be held on Monday, October 24 at Wydown Middle School from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. All seventh and eighth grade band students have been given the audition material, plus all rehearsal and performance information. (This audition material is the same material that is used in January or February for eighth grade auditions for the high school band.) We have been working on this music during class time and students will be well prepared for the audition. I encourage our seventh and eighth grade students to take advantage of this great opportunity for advancement.
SYMPHONIC BAND SECOND SEMESTER IMPORTANT DATES (Details
Later)
January/tba 8th grade band members work with 5th grade students for band instrument explorations
January 8, Sunday - St. Louis Suburban Honor Band Concert (for students participating in this)
March 7 - District Instrumental Festival - 7:00 p.m. at Mehlville High School (required)
April 11 - Solo and Ensemble Recital - 7:00 p.m. at Buerkle(in preparation for April 22)
April 22 - St Louis Suburban Solo and Ensemble Festival (optional, and highly encouraged!)
May 8 - Spring Concert (required)
Late April or Early May - Six Flags Contest (required)
Jazz Band (must be a member of Symphonic Band to audition)
Auditions: Wednesday, October 12; 2:10 - 4:00 p.m
Rehearsals: 2:10 - 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays - October 26; November 2, 9, 30; December 7
Performance: Winter Concert; Tuesday, December 13; 7:30 p.m.
Second Semester: First Rehearsal - Wednesday, January 11; 2:10 - 4:00 p.m.
Second Semester Performances: Spring Concert - May 8; and other dates To Be Announced.
INFORMATION FOR ALL BAND
STUDENTS
HALF TIME SHOW: Our band members are invited to attend
the Mehlville football game and spend that time with the high school band
this Friday, October 7. We will
meet at the front entrance of the high school gym at 5:45 p.m. and proceed to
the band room by 6:00 p.m. Our Buerkle
band members will get an up front view of the high school band’s preparation
before the game starts and witness their half time show. They will be admitted free of charge along
with the high school band. Complete
and return the attached form by Wednesday so that I can let the high school
band directors know the number of Buerkle students to expect Friday
evening. Also, if you are available to
help supervise our students that evening I could really use the extra help,
especially if we have the great turn out we had last year. If it is raining we will not attend.
Candy Bars
The initial order for our candy bar sales has been placed. As soon as we receive delivery (approximately two weeks) we are ready to begin. This is a year long project that gives us money for our Incentive Rewards program and our End-of-Year Awards. If parents wish to take a box to work, the candy can be picked up at the band room on Tuesdays after rehearsals, or other times if arrangements are made with Ms. Petrillo. These candy bars have been very popular and sales have been very good. A full box contains 120 candy bars, separated into 6 small boxes of 20 each with a variety of all three types of candy - chocolate covered caramel, crisp, or almond. Each candy bar sells for $1.00. Students are allowed to sell the candy bars and usually start with a box of 20. We need to start with a big sales push when we receive delivery in order to pay our initial bill. If you can help by selling candy bars at work or other gatherings, please drop by the band room to pick up a box.
Power Cards
The Power Cards were very successful last year. The profit from the power card sales is credited to the student who made the sales. This money pays for their cost for the Six Flags Band Contest. I am sorry that I cannot give the details of that contest at this time. As soon as I have all the information I will get it to you. Presently, we simply need to vote on the companies and services we want listed on the back of the card. Please cast your vote for 18 of the listed companies and services. The list is on the back of the last page of the handbook. Sixth grade band students are allowed to sell Power Cards to help the students who are going to the Six Flags Band Contest. However, they must have parental permission to do so since they will not be involved in this until they are in seventh grade band. Their sales will help students who could not meet their quota.
Box Tops for Education
We are collecting box tops again this year. Information has been sent home, so if you did not receive this information ask your band student to check his/her folder. There is another notice going out in the school newsletter. This money helps pay for our pizza parties and various celebrations throughout the school year. A special thank you is extended to Judy Burnham for taking care of this for us.
Future Fund Raisers: TJ’s Pizzas, Pies and Cookie
Dough/maybe a brochure type fund raiser.
Return by Wednesday,
October 5.
Buerkle Band Member Name________________________________________________
Parent or Guardian
Name____________________________________________
Phone Number(s) ___________________________________________________
HALF TIME SHOW
_____I will attend the Mehlville football game for Buerkle Band members on
Friday, October 7.
_____I cannot attend this game.
_____I can help supervise this event.
POWER CARDS:
PLEASE VOTE
See list on back page to
choose 18 businesses for the Power Card.
My student______________________________________________ has permission to sell
Power Cards for the band fund raiser.
Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________________________________
CONCERT BAND and SYMPHONIC BAND:
REFRESHMENTS (for after school rehearsals) Please bring these to the band room.
_____ I will donate individually wrapped snacks.
_____ I will donate soft drinks.
POWER CARD
Choose 18 businesses from the following list. These businesses will be contacted and asked to participate in our Power Card program. The 18 most popular businesses that agree to participate will be printed on the back of our Power Card.
_____Arby’s Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____Lemay Garden 2550 Lemay Ferry Rd (Chinese Food/Dierberg’s Plaza)
_____Perk It Up 5526 Telegraph Rd.
_____Bob Evans 6528 S. Lindbergh
_____Imo’s Pizza 9159 Reavis Barracks Rd.
_____KFC 4071 Union Rd.
_____TGIFridays 5262 S. Lindbergh
_____O’Charley’s 4130 Rusty Rd. (by Target off Lindbergh)
_____Papa John’s Pizza 2330 Union Rd.
_____Famous Nails South County Center Way
_____Great Clips 3845 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____Taco Bell 3715 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____Wendy’s 3805 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____Steak n Shake 7310 S. Lindbergh
_____Macaroni Grill 1 South County Center Way and Participating Locations
_____Lion’s Choice 6106 S. Lindbergh
_____IHOP Sunset Hills Plaza
_____Burger King 5447 S. Lindbergh
_____Applebee’s 9031 Watson Rd. (Crestwood)
_____McArthur’s Bakery 3055 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____Bellacino’s 3817 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____Pizza Hut 2536 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____Subway 122 B South County Center Way
_____Dairy Queen 3810 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____Rollercade 11703 Baptist Church Rd.
_____Domino’s Pizza 3031 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____DuBowl Lanes 2711 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____St. Louis Pizza & Wings 4237 Bayless Ave.
_____Merry Maids 11110 S. Lindbergh Business Center
_____Magic Nails 4321 Telegraph Rd.
_____Firestone 4506 Lemay Ferry Rd.
_____Cici’s Pizza S. Lindbergh
_____Dobb’s Tire & Auto 6 South County Center Way
_____Lemay Wok 4530 Lemay Ferry (by the Sam’s Club complex)
_____Culvers 4140 Rusty (South County)
_____Red Lobster 5733 S Lindbergh
_____Rich and Charlie’s 4487 Lemay Ferry Rd
_____White Castle Lemay Ferry Rd.