2019-20 Digital Band Handbook (Grades 6, 7, and 8) [click here for the 5th Grade Handbook]
The Westfield Band program provides a music education through performance in instrumental ensembles, allowing students to experience and learn about music through learning to play an instrument. Students will perform from an artistic and educational musical repertoire appropriate for their level. Students participate in both daily ensemble rehearsals and also in weekly small group lessons to develop technical proficiency and mastery of the relative mechanics of their instruments.
Click any of the following categories to learn more:
Grading
Weekly Small Group Lessons - The key to success in Westfield Band
Small Group Lesson Work Completion (Essential Elements)
100 points - Student completed the weekly minimum assignment
50 points - Weekly minimums are incomplete
100 points - Student completed the weekly minimum assignment
50 points - Weekly minimums are incomplete
Lesson Attendance
10 points - Student attended weekly lesson
0 points - Student did not attend weekly lesson (unexcused absence)
10 points - Student attended weekly lesson
0 points - Student did not attend weekly lesson (unexcused absence)
In total, small group lessons each week are worth 110 total points.
Every student has one small group lesson per week that meets on a rotating schedule during periods 1, 2, 3, or 7. Weekly schedules will be posted outside the Band room and also available online on Haiku. At their assigned lesson period, students must first check-in with their classroom teacher for attendance purposes prior to coming to the Band Room. Attendance at these lessons is mandatory.
In each lesson, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their progress by performing exercises in their Essential Elements book. Students work independently, one exercise at a time, at their own pace. However, each lesson has a minimum pace students must complete in order to receive full credit. Students can work ahead when they complete the weekly work. In addition, students that fall behind can “catch up” or demonstrate mastery of the exercises at a later date and gain back any lost points. Students keep track of their work through a Practice Journal, where they write which exercises they completed at the end of each lesson and set a personal goal for how much further they want to get in their next lesson.
This Practice Journal is also where students keep track of their minutes practiced at home. All journals will be checked weekly and must be signed by a parent or guardian for full credit. Note that points for the journal are NOT awarded based upon the amount of practice minutes logged, only based on whether they are filled out or not.
In each lesson, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their progress by performing exercises in their Essential Elements book. Students work independently, one exercise at a time, at their own pace. However, each lesson has a minimum pace students must complete in order to receive full credit. Students can work ahead when they complete the weekly work. In addition, students that fall behind can “catch up” or demonstrate mastery of the exercises at a later date and gain back any lost points. Students keep track of their work through a Practice Journal, where they write which exercises they completed at the end of each lesson and set a personal goal for how much further they want to get in their next lesson.
This Practice Journal is also where students keep track of their minutes practiced at home. All journals will be checked weekly and must be signed by a parent or guardian for full credit. Note that points for the journal are NOT awarded based upon the amount of practice minutes logged, only based on whether they are filled out or not.
Ensemble Skills - The Remainder of the Grade
Includes playing tests, concert reflection assignments, and overall Essential Elements progress
Want to know more about grading? Click here to see how an infographic about grades in Band.
Making up small group lesson work
It is the responsibility of the student to make reasonable arrangements for the completion of work missed due to an excused absence. Students must regularly check the posted lesson schedule outside of the band room for small group lesson times. Labs, Quizzes, Field Trips, or being absent from school are the only excused absences from lessons. Students can be excused from lessons by turning in a pass signed by their teacher to excuse the missed lesson.
If a student misses a lesson for any reason, either excused or unexcused, they can and should make the lesson up by rescheduling their lesson for another day of the week the same period of the lesson they missed. This can also be done in advance - for example, if a student knows in advance they cannot come on Friday, they can come on an earlier day of the week instead.
Make-ups can also be scheduled during lunch or after school by appointment.
If a student misses a lesson for any reason, either excused or unexcused, they can and should make the lesson up by rescheduling their lesson for another day of the week the same period of the lesson they missed. This can also be done in advance - for example, if a student knows in advance they cannot come on Friday, they can come on an earlier day of the week instead.
Make-ups can also be scheduled during lunch or after school by appointment.
Performances
All performances are mandatory. An unexcused absence from any performance will result in the lowering of the student’s final grade and consideration of removal from the band program. For an excused absence, notice should be given in writing or by phone call at least two weeks in advance. Performances missed due to a reason other than illness will need to be made up through a solo performance and or written assignment.
Performance Calendar
Our calendar is available in advance to ensure that the students will be able to participate at each and every band event listed. These concerts are an integral part of the band class experience, and it is our sincere hope that you are able to share these experiences, too. Students will be assigned warm-up times prior to the 7:30pm start time. Please be on time. All Students must be in the appropriate concert dress for all concert performances. Please add these dates to your calendars. Dates with a question mark are tentative. Several weeks notice will be given should any dates change.
Band and Choir Students
Band students may choose be in enrolled both band and choir. Students split time equally by alternating days between both groups. The weekly schedule is posted daily in the music hallway. As concerts near, teachers may alter schedules slightly to prepare for performances.
Students are responsible for keeping up with all of the work and assignments in both classes even though they are only present in each class part of the time. To continue participation in both ensembles, students need to maintain a "B" average in both Band and Choir. It is the student's responsibility to be proactive about making-up missed work and monitoring their grade and progress. If students start falling behind in one or both of the classes, their performance will negatively effect the rest of both ensembles, so it is important that students either keep up with both ensembles or only choose one ensemble.
Students are responsible for keeping up with all of the work and assignments in both classes even though they are only present in each class part of the time. To continue participation in both ensembles, students need to maintain a "B" average in both Band and Choir. It is the student's responsibility to be proactive about making-up missed work and monitoring their grade and progress. If students start falling behind in one or both of the classes, their performance will negatively effect the rest of both ensembles, so it is important that students either keep up with both ensembles or only choose one ensemble.
Classroom Rules
- Follow directions the first time they are given.
- Do not play or handle anyone else’s instrument. (This includes the percussion instruments)
- Have your pencil, music, and instrument at every lesson, rehearsal, and performance.
- Attend every lesson, rehearsal, and performance on time, ready to work and learn.
- Respect music and each other.
Required Supplies
Instrument
Band students need a working instrument for rehearsals and lessons. Reed players should have a supply (minimum of 3) of working reeds. Brass players should have rotor, slide, or valve lubricants. Percussionists should have a snare drum or practice pad and a mallet instrument kit (xylophone or bells) at home for practice. Percussionists will build skills on mallets and drums. Percussionists will not need to bring their instruments to school, only their stick bags and appropriate contents.
Essential Elements Book
All Students need to have the Essential Elements book for their instrument. All students start with Book 1 and will eventually need to purchase Book 2 and Book 3 as they progress. If unsure of which book number is needed, please contact a band director.
Books are available on many online retailers as well as some local music stores. |
Binder
A hardcover 3-ring binder with two inside pockets. 1/2 inch or 1 inch.
Pencil
Students need a pencil (not pen, marker, or anything else) at all lessons and rehearsals. Pencils are used in every rehearsal and lesson.
Concert Uniform
- WCS blue music polo, tucked in please (paper copy was sent home, click here for a digital copy)
- Black Dress trousers/slacks (no skirts, no jeans)
- Black Dress Socks
- Black Dress Shoes
Percussionists only - stick bag and sticks
Percussionists must have a Personal Stick Bag at every rehearsal or lesson and it should be clearly labeled with the student’s name, address, etc. Each percussionist should have the following items:
Item Suggested Model or Size
Concert Snare Sticks Vic Firth 5A wood tip (or equivalent)
Timpani Sticks Vic Firth #T1 “General” (or equivalent)
Marimba Mallets Pair of yarn Vic Firth #MB12B (or equivalent)
Bell Mallets Pair of hard plastic mallets for bells
Xylophone Mallets Pair of Vic Firth #MB4B or #MB5B birch handle (or equivalent)
**At the beginning of each school year, a complete set of all of the above sticks complete with stick bag is available to order all together for a significantly reduced cost. Click here for an order form for information on ordering the complete set.
Item Suggested Model or Size
Concert Snare Sticks Vic Firth 5A wood tip (or equivalent)
Timpani Sticks Vic Firth #T1 “General” (or equivalent)
Marimba Mallets Pair of yarn Vic Firth #MB12B (or equivalent)
Bell Mallets Pair of hard plastic mallets for bells
Xylophone Mallets Pair of Vic Firth #MB4B or #MB5B birch handle (or equivalent)
**At the beginning of each school year, a complete set of all of the above sticks complete with stick bag is available to order all together for a significantly reduced cost. Click here for an order form for information on ordering the complete set.
Miscellaneous
Commitment
Band is a wonderful learning opportunity available to students grades 5 through 12. While we’d love to have every student play through all of those years, we recognize some students may wish to discontinue along the way. However, note that we expect students to remain in Band for the entire school year. Drops are only allowed in the first two weeks of the school year. Outside of that time, teacher, administrator, and parent discussion and approval is needed for any schedule changes. Please let us know if there are concerns as the year progresses so that we can help your child be successful.
Practicing
Without a regular practice routine, your child will not be able to improve and excel at playing their instrument. In order to develop the physical muscles necessary for playing his or her instrument, we ask students to practice a minimum of 3-5 days per week and at least 15-20 minutes each time. Having a consistent practice schedule or routine produces the best practice habits for many students. To help set this routine, we give out a quarterly practice log where students can keep track of their practice minutes. We understand that life gets in the way now and again and it can be difficult to find time to practice, but it’s never too late to start or get back into a consistent practice routine! A student will grow without steady practice, but they will flourish with it.
Tips for Successful Practicing
- Essential Elements Interactive (EEi) - Use www.EssentialElementsInteractive.com to practice along with recordings of the songs in the Essential Elements method book.
- Slow It Down - Play each section as slow as needed until you can play every note exactly right. Speed it up once you’ve got it!
- Tap Your Foot - Tap your foot to the beat to help keep a steady pulse.
- Break it Up - Break down the music into small parts. Start with just two or three notes or one measure at a time.
- Pencil Power - Write it in! Take the time to write note names or fingerings for challenging notes.
- Repetition - Play each section through five times perfectly before going on. If you can’t play it five times perfectly, go back and start from number one and try again.
- Sing - Sing the section that you are practicing out loud. Try to sing it with the note names.
- Take a Break - If you are getting frustrated or stuck on a tricky song, take a short break and come back fresh in a few minutes.
Parent Involvement
To give your child the best possible support…
If your child is losing interest or not practicing…
- Offer compliments and encouragement regularly
- Encourage your child to talk with you about what they’re learning in Band
- Encourage your child to practice and set a good practice routine
- Listen to your child practice and acknowledge improvement
- Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts and live music
- Encourage your child to perform for family and friends
- Do not use practice as punishment
If your child is losing interest or not practicing…
- Don’t give up! It’s not always fun, but another breakthrough is always around the corner. Keep encouraging and supporting them to keep working at it.
- Discuss the situation with your child to determine why their interest is declining.
- Talk to us to see what might be done to help them.
- Help students see the bigger picture and set goals.
- Learning a musical instrument is immensely powerful for the brain, both academically and socially for students. The potential benefits of learning to play an instrument are immense, and the benefits increase the longer they keep playing and learning. Many students are glad they were encouraged to continue playing their instrument through the years, even though they may not have always wanted to in the moment.
Repair
Please do not attempt any home repairs. If anything breaks or needs adjusting, please let us know. If you are renting your instrument from Quinlan & Fabish, maintenance is covered under your policy and thus most repairs are free. A Q&F representative stops by each week to see if we have any instruments to send in for repair and and will return with the instrument the following week. We can provide loaner instruments in the meanwhile. If you are not renting through Q&F, we can still send your instrument in and they will always call you with an estimate and description of what’s needed before doing any repairs.