Hampton Township Middle School
8th Grade Band Course Description

Band Directors: Ted Cramer & Heather Heere

8th Grade Band is an elective course that has quality music performance as a primary objective. This course is designed to improve band member's proficiency on a band instrument (woodwinds, brass & percussion) with an emphasis on performance in a large group. Attendance at all performances is a requirement of this course. Development of a student's appreciation and understanding of music, development of a positive self-esteem and development of creativity and self -expression are all quality goals for this ensemble.

This ensemble rehearses daily and is "team taught" 2 periods per week with Mrs. Heere & I sharing the responsibilities. This provides the students some opportunity to participate in various small ensembles such as jazz band. Small sectional rehearsals are also provided as much as time permits.

Students are expected to practice at home for an average of 20 minutes per day - 5 days per week.

Signed practice charts must be turned in every Wednesday.

All instruments must be taken home on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Reeds may be purchased from me at school - please bring exact change!
Clarinet - $1.10 Alto Sax - $1.50 Tenor Sax - $2.00 Bari-Sax - $2.25

All members are eligible to participate in various "Honors Bands":

• HMS Honors Band (Members selected by audition)
• PMEA Jr. District Band (Only 2 or 3 eighth grade members selected based on director's recommendation)
• Allegheny Valley Honors Band (Members selected by audition)
• North Area Honors Band (Members selected based on director's recommendation)

The decision regarding enrollment in the High School Band program will have to be made in the early spring for 8th grade students. I suggest trying it for one year, and then decide if you want to continue.

• Private lessons are always beneficial if the teacher has the proper credentials. Be sure to get lessons from a professional with a degree in music that majored on the instrument being taught. Contact me for a list of teachers.
• A qualified instrument repairman makes visits to the middle school every Wednesday. If your instrument is not working properly, please see me first. I can make many minor repairs at no cost to the parents. If it needs a professional repairman, I will send home a form to be filled out and returned with the instrument. Most repairs only take one week. Do not attempt to repair the instrument yourself!
• Please visit the official web site for all HMS & HHS Bands for total band information: