Hampton Middle School Bands
2007-2008

Overview
Grading Policy
Performance Dates 2007-08
Student Information Form

Dear band members and parents,

Welcome to a special and exciting year in the HMS bands! We have a lot of plans and fun ahead. There are also some changes with personnel and scheduling.

Each Hampton band director will continue to be the primary teacher at their respective level, but in addition, we will be traveling from school to school to help each other. Our 2007-2008 personnel is as follows

• Elementary - Mr. Desguin / Miss Arledge (Poff)
• Middle School - Mrs. Parker / Mrs. Heere
• High School - Mr. Himmler

Students will receive more individualized instruction from directors at the other levels. We as a staff are really looking forward to this school year.

Students' schedules have also changed. Each grade will have a full band class three times per week with one tutorial. The fifth day will be large group lessons (6th) or sectionals (7th & 8th). Sixth graders will no longer be pulled from a different class for lessons.

Below you will find vital information to the program. Please read it carefully and don't forget to mark all the dates on your calendar. The key to our success is a team effort by the staff, students and teachers. Help us to continue our tradition of excellence in the Hampton Bands!

SPECIAL NOTE TO 7TH & 8TH GRADE BAND MEMBERS:

The combined forces of the 7th & 8th Grade Bands will be performing at the opening ceremonies of the annual HAEE Walk/Run held at Hartwood Acres early on the morning of Saturday, October 13th. We have been honored to accept their invitation for many years. We also have been invited to perform for the Annual Hampton Memorial Day program on Monday, May 26th. More details will come home soon. (Did you mark that on your calendar yet?)

SPECIAL NOTE TO 8TH GRADE BAND MEMBERS:

The anticipated dates for the next year's marching band camp is:

• Freshman mini band camp: Thursday and Friday, June 12-13 2008 *;00am-12:00pm

Full Band Camp:

• Monday, August 4 through Friday August 8, 2008
• Monday, August 11 through Friday August 15, 2008
• Saturday, August 16 Kennywood Performance
• Tuesday, August 19 through Thursday, August 21

These dates are all mandatory and students should not miss band camp due to vacations. Vacations should take place in June and July.
(Did you write that on your calendar yet?)

I am looking forward to a great year at the Middle School. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have questions. See you at the Concerts!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Lurrene Parker- HMS Band Director

Hampton Middle School Bands
Grading Policy & General Information
2007-08

Students are required to attend every class unless they have a legal excuse or advanced permission to be absent. Any illegal absence will cause the 9 weeks grade to drop.

• All students must have entered the band room before the late bell rings. Students late for class will receive a conduct card - Since the band room is very far from most classrooms, students must be very organized to arrive on time!
  
  
• Students are expected to participate in rehearsal following proper rehearsal techniques and procedures. Any disruptive behavior, talking, gum chewing, or general inattention will lower the grade for the grading period.
  
  
• All instruments and music must be stored in the assigned area. All members must have their instrument and music for each rehearsal or 20 percentage points will be lost from the class participation grade for the week. Students are not permitted to play or handle any instrument other than their own. ALL INSTRUMENT CASES MUST BE LABLED WITH STUDENT'S NAME. INSTRUMENTS MAY NOT BE KEPT IN YOUR LOCKER!

• All members must attend all public and school performances. The schedule is posted far enough in advance to avoid conflicts with athletic activities and other events. Your grade will be lowered if you do not attend a performance.

HMS BANDS
PERFORMANCE DATES 2007- 08

Special note: Please check the Hampton Band Parents' web site for current band information. It has HHS Band information and links to HMS Band information too! www.hamptonbandparents.org

• Each member of the band is required to prepare an assigned solo and audition for chair and section placement based on the score of the audition. Since giving these scores is a very subjective method of evaluation, each student has to accept our professional opinions of their audition score. Auditions are held twice per year. All auditions are "blind" - students play behind a curtain where we can hear them but not know who they are.

• Practice Charts
  All musicians must practice to improve their musicianship. Middle school students are encouraged to practice 100 minutes per week to earn a 100% for the practicing segment of their grade. All students are required to turn in a practice chart every week, indicating how many minutes each day was spent on practicing:
  
  
  • 10% is earned for every 10 minute "session" of practice or 1% per minute!
  • Only multiples of 10 minutes may be entered on your practice chart (10, 20, 30 etc.)
  • One parent must sign each day practiced to verify the amount of minutes indicated
  • 10 points will be deducted for practice charts that are up to one week late
  • 20 points are deducted for 2 weeks late 50 points deducted for 3 weeks late
  • No credit given for any practice chart more than 3 weeks late
  • You must practice on at least 4 different days per week to earn 100%

 

• Practice Charts must be turned in each week on the following days:
  • 6th & 7th Grade Bands - Tuesday
  • 8thGrade Band - Thursday

 

• Each band member's grade will be determined by the percentage earned during the grading period. Points are awarded for various achievements such as practice time, attendance at performances, playing tests, class participation, etc. Listed below is an example of a typical nine weeks grading period:
  

• All instruments must go home on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Students are permitted to leave them in the instrument storage room on Tuesday & Thursday.
  
  
• 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. Time spent at private lessons counts as practice points!
  
  
• Purchasing a new band instrument is an important investment. PLEASE beware of instruments that have a cheaper sticker price -- they look great, but there is a reason that they don't cost as much, and usually they develop major wear problems very quickly. Ask me or your private teacher about the brand you are considering. Don't just buy off the shelf at the local discount store or the internet. Get accurate information before you purchase!
  
  
• Various honors bands are available for all Band members:

  PMEA Elementary Band Fest West: Selection is based on my recommendation and the instrumentation of the ensemble. Only 5th & 6th Grade Band members are eligible.

  Allegheny Valley Honors Band is based on audition and my recommendation, competing with students in grades 7, 8 & 9 from 8 local school districts.

  North Area Honors Band and the PMEA District 1 Honors Band: Selection is based on my recommendation and the instrumentation of the ensemble. (8th Grade Students get highest priority)

• A qualified instrument repairman makes weekly visits to the middle school. 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!
  
  
• Students who want to learn a different instrument have an opportunity to make the change during the middle school years. In 6th grade, I will be looking for new tuba, French horn and baritone horn players. These instruments are provided by the school district because of their higher cost and their importance to the sound of the band. Students will be selected after auditions are finished at the end of September. Only students with good practice habits will be considered. Many other factors enter into the decision including individual compatibility with the instrument chosen. Students or parents can talk to me personally about trying a different instrument.
  
  
• Appropriate concert attire for all HMS Bands is required for all concerts:
  • Boys: Dress shirt, tie, nice slacks or casual pants (not jeans) and dress shoes.
  • Girls: Dress, skirt or casual pants, blouse or top and dress shoes.

  The color choice is entirely up to the parents and student.

  Members of the 7th & 8th grade jazz bands should wear their band T-shirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes for all Jazz concerts.
  

• Since we have a new band room and auditorium, it is the responsibility of each student to take extremely good care of our new facility. Please do not deface or destroy any of the school owned property or equipment that has been provided for our use. Students will be held accountable for any damage!
  
  
• Please check the Hampton Band Parents' web site for current band information. It has HHS Band information and links to HMS Band information too! Monthly practice charts will be available to copy on line plus other "Fun Music Links". Performance dates for all Hampton Bands are listed too. It is good to check this site periodically for new information regarding the Hampton Band program:
  www.hamptonbandparents.org
  
  
• You can contact me at:

  Phone: (412) 486-6000 Extension 2014

  E-Mail: parker@htsd.k12.pa.us

• Click here to download the Hampton Middle School Band Student Information Form