This document has been created to give students and parents a clear outline of the band program.

CONCERTS & OTHER IMPORTANT DATES

Concerts are the logical culmination of the music education that takes place in daily rehearsals.

All ADL Band students are expected to attend and participate in all concerts for which their ensemble is performing.

*******Please put these dates on your calendar:*******

DISTRICT AUDITIONS Saturday, November 6

7th and 8th grade students who choose to audition 9:00 AM

FALL BAND CONCERT Thursday, November 18

*ALL BANDS 7:00 PM

DECEMBER CHORUS/ORCHESTRA CONCERT Tuesday,  December 21

7:00 PM

DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL Friday & Saturday,  January 28 and 29

7th and 8th grade students chosen by audition                              (snow date: February 11 & 12)

MID-WINTER CONCERT Thursday, February 10

*ALL BANDS 7:00 PM

ADL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Thursday & Friday, February 17 and 18

Jazz Bands TBA

K-12 ESSEX JCT. FINE ARTS FESTIVAL @ EJHS Friday, March 18

Ensembles TBA 6:00 PM

MARCH CHORUS CONCERT Thursday, March 24

7:00 PM

VT IAJE JAZZ FESTIVAL @ JOHNSON STATE COLLEGE TBA

Jazz Band all day, field trip

LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE TBA                                                      (probably May 7)

All band members who choose to march morning

SPRING CONCERT Thursday, May 26

Bands, Choruses, Orchestra 7:00 PM

ADL MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE Friday, May 27

Band and Choruses Morning

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE Saturday, May 28

All band members morning

DISCOVER JAZZ FESTIVAL June – day/time TBA

Jazz Band afternoon, field trip

DISTINGUISHED MUSICIAN CELEBRATION Date and event TBA

For ADL distinguished musicians

*These dates are provided in September as an overview of the school year.  Dates are subject to change. Additional dates may be added to the calendar as the year progresses.

More information will be sent home prior to each performance.

CONCERT DRESS

Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing for all concerts. Preferred attire is black and white.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Boys – white shirt, tie, black pants or dark pants; dark socks; shoes. – No shorts, please.

Girls – black or white dress or white blouse with black skirt or pants. – No shorts, please.

If the above attire is not available, please plan to wear something nice to recognize that a concert is a formal event.

PERFORMING GROUPS

Concert Band Monday – Friday 8:06 – 8:36 AM (Activity Period)

The ADL Concert Band is the core group of the band program.  All students who register for BAND will be members of the ADL Concert Band.  Concert Band is a regularly scheduled class that is part of the regular school day.  All students are expected to be in their seat with their instrument ready by 8:10. Attendance will be taken daily and students who are registered for Concert Band are required to attend all rehearsals (students who participate in Chorus and/or Orchestra in addition to Band will attend those rehearsals every other day). The exception to this requirement is Friday. Although we will still have a normal rehearsal, Friday is a day for students to use for extra help or to meet with another teacher if they so choose. *This is also the meeting time for Peer Leadership, so students can do both that and Band during the year.

***The following select groups require participation in the Concert Band as well.

Wind Ensemble Mondays and Wednesdays 7:10-7:45 AM

The ADL Wind Ensemble is a select group made up of advanced students who desire to play more challenging music than in Concert Band.  It is a very rewarding experience for all involved. Wind Ensemble generally begins rehearsing after the first few weeks of school.

ADL Jazz Band Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:10-7:45 AM

The ADL Jazz Band is a select group.  Students are selected for this group by audition only.  Auditions are held in September and students must re-audition every year.  Students selected for this performing group are required to attend all rehearsals (on-time) and performances.  Traditionally, the ADL Jazz Band performs more concerts than any other band.  It is very important that the performance schedule is checked carefully and the level of commitment is thoroughly considered prior to auditioning for this ensemble.  Students selected for this ensemble will be replaced if their commitment to the group does not meet the required expectations.

ADL Jazz Orchestra Fridays 7:10-7:45

The ADL Jazz Orchestra is a select group open to all students of all instruments who wish to play jazz. The music will consist of the same styles as the ADL Jazz Band. This group is ideal for both students who have played jazz before AND students who would like to try it for the first time. In the past, some students have played in both groups during the same year. ADL Jazz Orchestra generally begins rehearsing after the first few weeks of school.

Charger Marching Band (spring only) rehearsals take place as part of Concert Band classes.

All band members will participate in the marching band in the spring.  All students will be loaned a marching band uniform by the school, to be returned by the end of the year.

BEHAVIOR

All students who participate in the Band program are expected to use appropriate behavior.  All school rules apply to the Band program.  Conducting large rehearsals requires a team effort to achieve successful results.  Disruptive behavior (i.e. Playing instruments at inappropriate times, talking, misuse of instrument/intentional incorrect playing, etc) will not be tolerated.  If behavior becomes an issue, parents will be contacted to discuss possible solutions.  Continued behavior issues may result in a student being scheduled out of Band.

LESSONS

Lessons are given once per week for one period.  All band students are scheduled for group lessons. Lessons are scheduled during one period of Physical Education per week.  It is the student’s responsibility to refer to the schedule and show up to their lesson on time and to check in with their Phys. Ed teacher.  Private lessons outside of school are always encouraged in addition to the regular group lessons during the school day.

PRACTICE

Success on a musical instrument can only be achieved with regular practice at home in addition to band rehearsals and lessons.  Students are expected to practice their instrument regularly every week. Students are also expected to take their instrument home every weekend. All students are encouraged to use a practice sheet to keep track of their practice time. Mr. Sawyer will collect practice records at various times during the year.

INSTRUMENT CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY

Instruments are the responsibility of the student.  Students are expected to bring their instruments to school for all lessons and band rehearsals.  Students are also responsible for keeping track of their instrument in school, on the way to school and at home.  Students are welcome to store their instruments in the cubbies outside of the Band room.  Students are expected to take their instruments home to practice.  If your student is renting an instrument from one of the music companies, please contact them directly with questions, concerns, repairs, etc.

ELLIS MUSIC CO.    (802) 234-6400

MUSICRAFT              (802) 496-4175

*both music companies will be present at the “Annual Rental Night” – Wednesday, September 15th at the Thomas Fleming School at 6:00 p.m.

SHEET MUSIC / FOLDERS / PENCILS

All students will be given a single copy of all band music.  This music is expensive and difficult to replace, as it is part of a very large set.  It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of his or her own music. All students are given a folder and a place in the folder rack to store their music.  Students are expected to have their music at all rehearsals.  All students will be provided with a pencil to mark their music with.  Music should only be marked with a pencil.

DISTRICT BAND / DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL

This performance ensemble is open to all seventh and eighth grade students in the ADL Concert Band.  Participation in this ensemble is determined through an audition process held on Saturday November 6th.  The audition includes scales, a prepared solo and sight reading.  If accepted, students must pay a very small registration fee, prepare music and attend the District Music Festival on January 28^th and 29th.  More information will be available for interested students during the school year.

ADL DISTINGUISHED MUSICIAN

The opportunity is available for all students to express interest in improving themselves in the musical arts by their participation in the ADL Distinguished Musician Award.  Students who show great participation in school ensembles, daily practice, various opportunities to assist teacher or students, interest in concerts, performances, and outside musical activities, may receive points toward the goal of establishing themselves as one of the many Distinguished Musicians.  Students must tally points based on a pre-determined system and get their music ensemble teacher to verify the information.  In the past, those receiving 30 or more points were designated as Distinguished Musicians and were then eligible to accompany the other students to the Great Escape in June.  The idea is to provide recognition for a job well done by giving the students a little bonus.  This trip is tentative for now but the Distinguished Musician Award will still go on with some other form of recognition if necessary.  All students should strive toward being a Distinguished Musician.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Sawyer in the ADL Music Department at 857-7000, ext 6323 or email asawyer@ccsuvt.org.

PLEASE SIGN BELOW AND RETURN ONLY THIS SECTION TO MR. SAWYER

We have read the ADL BAND HANDBOOK. We understand the commitment and requirements for the Band program and have made a note of all concert dates.

Student’s Name (PLEASE PRINT) ______________________________________________________

Student’s Signature ___________________________________________________________________

Parent’s Signature _____________________________________________________________________

Date ________________________________________

*** I’d like to give parents the option of receiving notices from the band program via email. These notices would include items such as info on up-coming performances, permission slips, additions to the calendar, etc…. Please indicate below what your preference would be.

____ I would like to receive all information about the band program through email.

____ I would like to receive all information by way of a letter passed out to my child, like in the past.

____ I would like to receive BOTH.

Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Preferred email address: ________________________________________________________________

Last updated: Sep 1 at 10:23 am