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, 3 – 4 PM, while Symphonic Band normally meets on Thursdays, from 3 – 4:30 PM.  Attendance is taken at these rehearsals, and students receive a homework grade for their presence.  If the student is unable to make the after school rehearsal, they will need to pick up a “homework packet” the week of their rehearsal, due to Mrs. Brown by Friday of that same week.  This packet will be graded to provide for the student’s homework grade for that week.   

 

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 Holiday music for Band Account money, and to Gift Wrap for money.

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.