Shelton Intermediate School Viking Band 2016­2017 Handbook

675 Constitution Boulevard North Shelton, Connecticut 06484

Mr. Mark Bilotta, Director E­mail: mbilotta@sheltonpublicschools.org Phone: (203) 926­2000 X1013 sisband.weebly.com twitter.com/sisvikingband google.com/+MarkBilottaSISBand

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September 2016

Dear Students and Parents:

I am pleased to introduce myself to some of you for the first time and to say welcome back to our returning students and parents. As the Shelton Intermediate School Band Director, I would like to say welcome to the 2016­2017 school year. The Shelton Intermediate School Band program has always been recognized for excellence. You are now a part of that continuing tradition.

Last year was very busy as we performed many times throughout the year! Some of our performances included: Winter Concert, Spring Concert, Shelton­Derby Memorial Day Parade, Barnum Festival Great Street Parade and performances at the Music in the Parks Festival resulting in a 2nd place finish for the Concert Band and a 1st place finish for the Jazz Band as well as Best Overall Jazz Band! Several of our students even participated in the Western Regional Festival at Western Connecticut State University along with some of the best students in the Western Region of Connecticut.

Our success last year was because of students’ motivation and dedication to practicing. Parents are integral to the success of any band program. Please encourage your children to practice and support them by coming to their performances that they work so hard for. This year looks to be another busy year full of many opportunities for the students to perform for their parents, their peers and the community. One of our highlights this year will be once again going to the United States Coast Guard Station in New London, CT to hear their concert band perform. This was such a great experience last year and we know this year will be just as great! The rest of this handbook will contain information on how the band program works, to include: lessons, materials, performance dates (when possible), the jazz band and more. Please review the handbook and have your child return a signed copy of the last page to me (it will count as their first grade) . Please pay extra close attention to the Required Materials section, Grading Criteria and Performance Dates .

I look forward to meeting each and every one of the new parents and students throughout the school year and reconnecting with those who are returning. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns. I hope to see you at your child’s performances. Thank you for your time and I look forward to another great school year! Sincerely, Mark Bilotta, SIS Band Director

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Table of Contents

Band Program Overview ­ How it Works Band Website Band Twitter Page Lessons Concerts Practice Practice Records

Grading Policy Jazz Band Required Materials

Band Binder Method Books Supplies Lyres Percussionists Concert Attire

Festivals Music in the Parks Festival Western Regional Middle School Music Festival­

Concert Behavior and Expectations Other Miscellaneous Information

Repairs SmartMusic Private Lessons

Photography/Video Consent 2016­2017 SIS Band Performance Dates Signature Page

Band Program Overview ­ How it Works Band Elective Class Band is offered as a full­year course which students take as their Unified Arts Elective. ALL STUDENTS who wish to be in band must take band as one of their electives. There are several sections of this class, so students meet in a smaller group setting. If your child is not registered for Band and would like to be please contact their guidance counselor as soon as possible. Students in this class will receive letter grades.

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Flex Band Rehearsals Every Wednesday during what is called a Flex Period, all of the Band classes come together to meet for a full band rehearsal. All students who wish to participate in Band must also be signed up for Band as their Flex Club. With so few rehearsals as an entire group, it is crucial that we use every minute as efficiently as possible. ALWAYS BE ON TIME! Flex Band rehearsals will start in October. Band Instruments The following is a list of acceptable band instruments: ­Flute ­Piccolo –Clarinet –Bass Clarinet ­Oboe –Bassoon –Saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone) –English Horn –French Horn –Trumpet –Euphonium (baritone) –Trombone –Tuba –Bass –Percussion Piano and guitar are not typically used in the concert band setting. Pianists and guitarists are encouraged to try out for Jazz Band. The recorder is NOT a band instrument Students who sign up for band and list their instrument as, “The Drums”, will not just be playing drum set. Percussionists are expected to learn how to play all the percussion instruments. Please see the section entitled Percussionists for more information on equipment requirements for percussionists.

Band Website The SIS Viking Band and SIS Jazz Band have their own website at sisband.weebly.com. Please become familiar with the website. Many of the forms/documents the students need are available on the website. Recordings of the songs the students are performing are also posted so students can practice along at home. There are also many other helpful things like performance dates, permission slips, announcements and other important tools and links.

Band Twitter Page The band also has a twitter page. You can follow us by going to twitter.com/sisvikingband. The twitter page often posts real time pictures from events and other important announcements and information.

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Lessons Band members will be scheduled for required group or individual lessons during their ATT period. Lessons help to improve technical facility on the instrument as well as give more opportunities to learn basic musicianship, theory and music­reading proficiency. Students will be grouped as the schedule allows by grade, instrument, class schedule, and ability. It is the student’s responsibility to know when their lesson time is and to plan accordingly. Students are required to attend all lessons unless they are absent or have otherwise received approval from the director to miss their lesson. All missed lessons must be made up within one week in order to receive credit for the lesson. A lesson schedule will be made available during the first few weeks of the school year and can be found on the Band Website under the Lesson Schedule page.

Concerts Concerts are the pinnacle of the student’s entire year’s worth of work. Every member of the band has an important role. The band can not function properly with members missing. The only excuses for missing a performance are emergencies, illnesses, or any other reason deemed appropriate by the director. All other reasons resulting in a missed performance will result in a FAILING grade for the quarter and possible removal from the program.

Practice Students must practice at home or at school during study halls to be successful in band. Parental involvement and encouragement in home practice is essential. With the full band only meeting once per week, it is that much more important to make sure students are practicing at home. No instruments should be left at school overnight and under no circumstances should students leave their instrument at school over the weekend. They should take them home so they can practice. Consistency is important, so try to find a time and a place where you can practice every day to develop a routine. Practice spaces are available in the Band Room during ATT times if students are unable to practice at home.

Practice Records Students will be given weekly practice records to fill out. Practice records will be due every week during the student’s lesson. Students are expected to practice 100 minutes per week in order to receive full credit (about 20 minutes a day, five days a week). Students receive 1 point for every minute practiced. For example, if you practice for 95 minutes that week, you would receive a grade of 95. Practice records without a parent signature WILL NOT be accepted. Blank practice records will be available at school as well as on the SIS Viking Band website to print from home.

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Grading Policy Practice Records – 10% ­ Students will be given weekly practice records. Students should practice at 100 minutes per week in order to receive the best grade. It is recommended that students practice at least five days per week for 20 minutes a day in order to maintain consistency. Practice records will be given 1 point per minute practiced. Students must have a parent sign each practice record. No practice record will be accepted without it. Practice records are due at the student’s lesson. Playing Quizzes/Homework/Assignments – 40%­ This includes playing quizzes and any homework or in­class assignments given during the course of the quarter. Class Performance and Musicianship– 20% ­ Students will receive a quarterly class performance grade based on their performance and preparedness for class. This includes bringing their instrument, lesson book, band binder, pencil, etc. on a regular basis. Students will also be graded on their overall musicianship and how well they apply concepts learned in Band by means of regular Pass­Offs, performed during class. Lesson Participation – 30% ­ Students are given weekly lessons during their Academic Team Time (ATT) in addition to their regularly scheduled class. A grade will be given for each lesson as follows:

100 = Student shows up on time with instrument and all materials and demonstrates proficiency on previous week’s lesson assignments

75 = Student shows up to lessons on time with instrument and all materials but demonstrates lack of proficiency on previous week’s lesson assignments

50 = Students will be given a 50 for an unexcused absence, meaning they were in school but did not show up to lessons and did not make previous arrangements with the Director to re­schedule.

A student’s grade will also decrease by 5 points for tardiness, 10 points for not bringing materials and 15 points for forgetting their instrument.

NOTE: Because this is a performance­based class and the overall success of the group relies on each student’s individual contributions, any student who receives a D or below in Band for any quarter, may be removed from the Band program.

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Jazz Band The SIS Jazz Band meets every Tuesday after school from 3:00 – 4:30 PM except on early dismissal days, holidays, days when school is not in session or days when the instructor is absent. The Jazz Band is open to everyone, but acceptance will be based on auditions. Auditions will be held within the first two weeks of school during the student’s Academic Team Time (ATT). Students should stop by the band room during the first week of school to sign up for an audition time and pick up the audition piece. They should also be listening to the morning news program (WSIS) for more information regarding auditions and how they can sign up. Jazz Band will begin around the 3rd or 4th week of school. All students who make the jazz band will be informed of the exact starting date at that time. Giving students the opportunity for a well­rounded education in music includes exposing them to different genres. Please consider encouraging your child to sign up for this ensemble so they can experience this amazing art form.

Required Materials It is extremely important that everyone visits the Required Materials Page on the Band Website for a complete list of required materials. Below is a basic outline of the required materials.

Band Binder ALL students need to have the following items for their Band binder:

1” black 3­ring binder with notebook paper, clear sheet protectors and subject dividers

A binder pencil pouch (with holes in it for keeping it in the binder) Three mechanical pencils Hi­liter

Method Books All students are required to have a method book for weekly lessons. Incoming 7th graders need to make sure they have Standard of Excellence, Book 1 (red book). Returning 8th graders need to have Standard of Excellence, Book 2 (blue book). Additional lesson materials may be necessary during the year. Students are expected to practice the music at home.

MARK YOUR STUFF! –All students MUST have their names written on the very first page (as the covers tend to come off).

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Supplies Students need to bring their own reeds, cork grease, valve oil, slide lubricant and cleaning swabs, they will NOT be provided at the school. These items can all be purchased through local music stores, local music dealers or online through the many various music companies. Woodwind players should have at least three reeds with them to rotate between and in case one chips or breaks. Please ask Mr. Bilotta if you are unsure of what brand/strength reeds to get. Please visit the Required Materials Page on the Band Website for a complete list of required materials.

Lyres All students (except percussionists) are required to purchase a lyre and a flip folder for marching. A lyre is a metal device that clamps onto the instrument that holds a flip folder which holds smaller copies of music. Some lyres come combined with the flip folder. IT IS MANDATORY THAT EVERY STUDENT GET A LYRE. Please do not wait until just before the parade to get a lyre as we usually try to begin our marching practices well in advance. Recommended lyres/flip folders can be found on the band website under the Required Materials page. Instrument Labels Many students have similar instruments and cases. It is possible to take the wrong instrument home by accident. To avoid confusion, please put a tag or label on your instrument case. NEVER WRITE ON AN INSTRUMENT. See Mr. Bilotta if you need one for your case.

Percussionists ALL percussionists are required to either purchase or rent a bell kit. Bell kits typically come with bells, a case, stand and practice pad. Students will not need to carry their kit back and forth to school. A snare drum is strongly recommended where family budget permits, but the minimum home requirement is the bell kit above. Bell kits are available through local music stores (Creative Music, Banko’s, J.C’s, Main St. Music, etc.). Below is an example of what the bell kit looks like:

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Some stores even offer a rent­to­own program. Please contact Mr. Bilotta if you would like more information about purchasing/renting a bell kit. Percussionists will also be required to have the following items: Stick bag: Any inexpensive zippered stick bag, usually black cordura or nylon.

Snare drum sticks: Vic Firth SD­1 General Sticks. These are inexpensive, orchestral quality sticks­­please no substitutes, particularly colorful or plastic­tipped sticks. Xylophone/Bells Mallets: Vic Firth M­133, Encore 92R or similar mallets with polyethylene heads and rattan handles (more durable). Suspended Cymbal/Marimba Mallets: Mike Balter MB13R,Vic Firth Multi­ Application M183.

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Timpani Mallets (8th Graders ONLY): Vic Firth T­3 Staccato (Protect them with a baggie twisted over the heads; they will de­felt just from friction in the stick bag) Luggage Tag: Or some other form of tag for easy identification of your stick bag. Sticks and mallets can be purchased locally or through online vendors . MARK YOUR STUFF! Sticks must be labeled with the student’s last name. Write small, with a good permanent marker near the HEAD of each stick, where it will not rub off from hand contact. You can write on the butt of each stick if you cover it with clear package tape. All other mallets/instruments will be provided. A percussionist without sticks will be graded equivalently to a wind player without their instrument. Please don’t delay in ordering/purchasing sticks as some local music stores may not have all sticks/mallets in stock. Hearing protection is highly encouraged, especially when practicing at home.

Concert Attire How the performer is dressed is the first thing the audience will see, before they ever even hear a single note played. If the band sounds great, they should look great too! People are coming not just to hear you perform, but to see you perform. Students will be required to purchase an SIS Viking Band polo shirt. The cost is $22 and the order form is located on the band website under the Forms and Documents section. The polo shirts will be worn for all performances. ALL students MUST purchase an SIS Band Polo Shirt. Polo shirt order forms can be found on the Band Website under the Forms and Documents page. We will also be placing an order at the beginning of the year for other SIS Band apparel. The uniform for the 2016­2017 school year will consist of:

SIS Viking Band Polo Shirt (tucked in) Long black dress pants (with black belt) Black socks Black dress shoes (NO SNEAKERS)

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Parade Uniform The uniform for ALL parades will consist of:

SIS Viking Band Polo Shirt (tucked in) Shorts (Preferably khaki shorts, but please NO GYM SHORTS) Socks Sneakers (Make sure that you choose something comfortable to march in.

Some parades are 2 miles or more. No sandals, flip flops, UGGS, etc.) ***Any student who comes to a performance and does not meet this standard, will not be allowed to perform.*** Instrument Storage Students must maintain personal accountability for their instruments. Never leave an instrument unsecured. Students will be provided with a secure space to store their instruments at SIS. Never leave an instrument out of its case. Neither Shelton Intermediate School, nor the director, can be responsible for damage, loss, or theft of any instrument that is left unsecured. Instruments should not be left overnight in any classroom.

Festivals

Music in the Parks Festival The SIS Viking Band, Jazz Band and Jazz Choir will once again be participating in the Music in the Parks Festival in Bristol, CT. The students will perform at local schools in Bristol, CT and then enjoy a day at Lake Compounce, culminating with an awards ceremony at the end of the day. This event has been a huge success the past two years and we are looking forward to this year’s festival as well. The cost to students will be approximately $65­70 and will be at the end of the year. We also will be looking for parent chaperones. As the date gets closer we will send out a letter and take chaperones on a first­come, first­served basis. More details of exact times will follow in the future.

Western Regional Middle School Music Festival­ Every year, the Connecticut Music Educators Association sponsors a middle school music festival. This music festival consists of the best students from across the Western Region of Connecticut. Students can audition for concert band, jazz band or both. Auditions are held usually in December. Students learn a prepared selection of music as well as scales for the audition. Additionally, they will have to do some sight­reading on the audition. Registration forms will have to be submitted in October, so please see Mr. Bilotta right away if you are interested. For more information and to download the audition music, please click on the Festivals page on the SIS Band website.

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Concert Behavior and Expectations Our performances begin the moment that you arrive at the site of the performance, whether at Shelton Intermediate School, or in another facility. Good performances begin with concentrated preparation prior to the event and particularly the day of the event. Students will be expected to be on their best behavior at any performance activity. Inappropriate behavior at performances will not be tolerated. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL CELL PHONES EVER BE ALLOWED ON STAGE DURING A PERFORMANCE. If a student violates this policy, it will be up to the director’s discretion whether or not they should remain in band. It is best to just leave cell phones at home.

Other Miscellaneous Information

Repairs Always check with the director prior to sending an instrument in for repair. In some cases, he may be able to save you money and possibly fix the instrument free of charge without having to send it in. If not, parents may use any music dealer they wish for repairs. We currently have a local vendor that sends a representative to our school on a weekly basis to pick up and drop off repairs or take orders for supplies, music, etc. Loaner instruments are given out while the student’s instrument gets repaired.

SmartMusic SmartMusic is an interactive music software that gives students instant feedback while they play and helps them improve faster. It also gives students access to many different method books, sheet music and even sight reading exercises. It will allow students to be able to play their parts along with an accompaniment at home and hear how their part is supposed to go as well as how it fits in with others. The program is available for purchase for home use as well and can be used on a variety of different devices, including the iPad. There are so many tools available on this program including a built­in tuner, metronome, scale and sight reading exercises, improvisation books, etudes, method books, etc. It is highly encouraged that all students get a SmartMusic subscription for home use.

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Private Lessons Although students will receive lessons during the school day, they are usually with several other people due to scheduling limitations. A private lesson with an instructor outside of the school can take the student’s playing abilities to the next level. Most of the times, these instructors have many years of experience on that one particular instrument and can pace the lessons at the individual student’s level, not a group’s. They can also focus 100% on you alone. Please consider taking private lessons outside of school. If you would like a recommendation for a local teacher for your instrument, ask Mr. Bilotta and he will gladly provide you with some suggestions.

Photography/Video Consent Each concert at SIS is recorded on video and then aired on local Shelton public television, and also turned into DVD’s. On occasion the students may also be filmed for recruiting/promotional purposes only to be shown to students at Perry Hill. Lastly, we would like from time to time, to be able to put some of our more outstanding performances on Youtube and include pictures on our website/Twitter page. Parents have the right to opt their students out of any photography/videography. Parents should notify the Director of their concerns to ensure their student is excluded from any photographs/videos. By your signing the last page of the band handbook, your are acknowledging that you give consent to photographing/video recording your child. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this.

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2016­2017 SIS Band Performance Dates

Date Event Location Time Who

November 4, 2016

United States Coast Guard Band Concert

Coast Guard Base ­ New London, CT

TBD (during school day)

ALL Students

December 3, 2016

Western Regional Middle School Music Festival Auditions

Ponus Ridge MS, Norwalk

CT

Audition Times Vary

Select Students

January 12, 2017

Winter Concert SIS Auditorium

7:00 PM ALL Students

March 17­18, 2017

WRMS Concert Festival

Wilton High School,

Wilton CT

TBD Select Students

TBD ­ Sometime in

March

Student­Faculty Basketball Game

SIS Gymnasium

TBD ­evening

ALL Students

May 11, 2017 Spring Concert SIS Auditorium

7:00 PM ALL Students

May 29, 2017 Memorial Day Parade

Shelton­Derby (Meet at SIS)

Early morning­ mid

afternoon

ALL Students

June 2, 2017 Music in the Parks Festival

Lake Compounce ­ Bristol, CT (Meet at SIS)

Approx. 7AM ­ 7PM

ALL Students

June 25, 2017 Barnum Festival Great Street Parade

Bridgeport, CT (Meet at

SIS)

Morning ­ early

afternoon

ALL Students

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Signature Page Please fill out and sign the form below and return it to Mr. Bilotta no later than September 16th.

I have read the 2016­ 2017 Shelton Intermediate School Viking Band Handbook and agree to all the terms and conditions set forth within. Student Name: _____________________________________________ Signature: _________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________________________________ Parent Name: ______________________________________________ Signature:_________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________________________________ Parents! Often times it is necessary to put out notifications and reminders about performances, rehearsals, etc. Please include the best e­mail address to reach you at in the event I need to contact all parents quickly. E­mail:_____________________________________________ Note: In an effort to conserve paper, the 2016­2017 Band Handbook is accessible online via the band website (sisband.weebly.com). In the event that you are unable to access the internet to view the handbook, please contact me immediately so I can make a copy available to you.

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