After School
Rehearsals
Because our 7th and 8th grade
classes meet in sections throughout the day, at some time we must put the
Concert Band students and the Symphonic Band students together. Having our classes in sections allows for
more individualized instruction, with special attention to the mastery of
fundamentals. Concert Band normally
meets after school on Wednesdays,
Band Accounts
Each Band student has a “Band
Account’. These Band Accounts are set up
through the Mehlville High School Band Parents Association (MHSBPO). All checks should be made payable to
“MHSBPO”. Any fundraising they
participate in will benefit their account directly. Students may deposit money directly into
their account by putting a check or cash in a sealed envelope, labeled with
his/her name, and dropping the envelope into the large, red Band Mailbox (by
our Band Room door). Students may use
money from their accounts for reeds, uniforms (including band t-shirt),
fieldtrips, etc.
Band Storage
Locker
Each band student will be assigned a storage
locker in the Band Room that they share with a partner. Students should place a lock on their
lockers.
Students
should bring their instrument and Band binder to the Band Room before First
Hour each morning to put in their band locker.
Students should talk to their 7th hour teacher so that at the
end of each day, they can come back to the Band Room to take their instrument
home each night. Band instruments should
be taken home each night.
Calendar
A monthly band calendar is given to students at the
beginning of each month. This calendar
contains all of the important information about that month. Parents on my email list will also be sent
this calendar as a Microsoft Publisher attachment. This calendar will also be posted on the Band
Website.
Email/Website
Communication through email can be
very convenient. Please include your
email address on the “Information Sheet” (last page of Handbook), to be
returned to me, to be included on my email list. If you would like to be included on the
Mehlville Panther Band’s email list, please contact Michelle Stiles at memofitz@charter.net
The Mehlville Panther Band also has an
informative webpage: www.oocities.org/mehlvilleband/
which includes a link for Washington Middle School Band.
Fundraisers
Many fundraisers will be held
throughout the year. Students are not
required to participate in fundraisers.
I offer several varieties of fundraisers throughout the year, in hopes
of at least one appealing to you! Listed
below is a general time frame of when the fundraisers will occur:
August – September: Entertainment Books ($25, with $12.50 profit to
Band Account). Call Denise Kennedy
(314.487.4046) to get books.
September - :
Grocery Gift Certificates (Parents may purchase gift certificates to
Dierbergs or Shop n’ Save, and 5% will go into their Band Account). More details to follow.
October: Magazine Fundraiser
November:
Brochure Fundraiser
December:
Multiple opportunities to play
February:
March:
April – August:
Work Cardinal Baseball Game Concession Stand (around $50 each person).
If any parent has a fundraiser
idea and would like to coordinate the fundraiser, please contact Mrs. Brown.
Grading Policy
For
all 6th, 7th, 8th grade Band Students:
DAILY GRADE = 100 points per week (Preparedness, behavior)
PLAYING QUIZ = 100 points each (Normally will occur on
Mondays. Requirements will be posted on
bulletin board during the previous week.
CONCERT PERFORMANCES = 1000 points. Students must be wearing appropriate attire,
and exhibit proper behavior throughout the concert to receive all 1000
points.
PRACTICE JOURNAL = 100 points per each 6 week grading
period. Students will journal about
their practicing and playing experiences, as well as their comments and
concerns about Band.
For 7th
and 8th grade Band Students, only:
HOMEWORK GRADE = 100 points per week (After School
Rehearsals or homework packets)
TAPE TESTS = 200 points each. Students will have at least 1 month to
prepare each Tape Test at home.
Requirements for each Tape Test will be posted on bulletin board.
SCALES = 700 points every 6 week grading period. Students will participate in a scale contest,
with new requirements every 6 week grading period.
Practicing
To be successful, students should
be practicing at least 5 days a week, 30 minutes a day. Student’s playing quiz/tape test grades will
suffer if the student has not practiced.
Students will have a “Practice Promise” to complete and turn in at the
end of each 6-week grading period.