Course Syllabus

2019-2020 FMS Band Syllabus

 

 

7th Grade Band

Mr. Jimmie L. Smith  

Contact Information: JimmieSmith@fcschools.net

 

Students will access course information by going to classroom.google.com.  Students will need their FCS google account username and password for access.

PARENTS:  To Request to be a Google Classroom Guardian, please contact me via email.

What will parents view as a Guardian? 

Google Classroom Guide for Parents

 

Dear Parents and Students,

 

It is my honor to welcome you to the 2019-2020 Franklinton Middle School Band Program!  I am so very excited about what this school year has to offer us. We will certainly be learning a lot together this year and I look forward to working with you.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns at any time. My door is always open, so don’t be a stranger. You may also keep up to date with band news via SchoolMessenger, Canvas, and/or Google Classroom located on the school website.  I will try my best to update information there as often as possible.  Again, I look forward to a fantastic year of learning and making wonderful music together.

 

Respectfully,

 

Mr. Jimmie L. Smith  

Band Director 

Franklinton Middle School

JimmieSmith@fcschools.net

(919) 494-2971 ex.288

 

 

Classroom Rules

  1. Be RESPECTFUL to teachers and fellow students.
  2. Hold yourself and one another ACCOUNTABLE
  3. MOTIVATE one another to success.
  4. Use equipment in a SAFE and responsible way.
  5. Strive for EXCELLENCE in EVERYTHING you attempt. 

 

Consequences: 

1st offense = warning

2nd offense = phone call home

3rd offense = Silent lunch/ALC 



Expectations

 

  1. Students have 2 minutes to be ready to play and/or do the beginning class assignment.  Participation points will be lost each time a student is late to begin the warm up.
  2. Students must take their instruments home EVERY NIGHT to practice. Exceptions will be made for students will large instruments.
  3. Instrument cases may be kept under the students’ seat during rehearsal (for easy access to valve oil, spare reeds, etc.)
  4. Instruments, band binders, method books and PENCILS are to be at EVERY rehearsal.
  5. The rehearsal schedule will be on the board at the beginning of EVERY rehearsal.  Make yourself familiar with it…I typically move fast, so be ready!!
  6. When I am working with another student, PAY ATTENTION…I might come to you next.
  7. I will give practice assignments at the end of EVERY rehearsal…make sure you write down what your assignment is for the next rehearsal



Materials for Band

 

The books that will need to be purchased for this school year are:

 

6th Grade Band – Measures of Success Book 1 (Blue)

7th Grade Band – Measures of Success Book 2 (Orange)

 

All students are required to have a 1-inch three ring binder with sheet protectors for storing sheet music that will be distributed throughout the year.  I will be checking periodically to make sure students have materials.

 

Grading Policy

 

Grades will be based on the following:

  • Participation- Performances, class participation, etc. (40%)

  • Playing quizzes- Tone, rhythm, articulation, dynamics, scales, etc. (20%) 
  • Playing tests- Tone, rhythm, articulation, dynamics, scales, etc. (30%)

  • Written Assignments- Vocabulary of musical terms, written rhythms, various other written assignments. (10%)

 

I will send home a rubric for playoffs that your child should keep in their band notebook.  These will help your child and you know what is expected of them for playing assessments.

 

Attendance Policy

In addition to maintaining regular classroom attendance…ALL BAND CONCERTS ARE MANDATORY!  Students and parents are encouraged to stay and listen to ALL groups perform. Please note that because nothing compares to the experience of performing on stage as an ensemble, no “make-up” assignment can be offered to substitute a missed performance.

 

Excused Absences:


- Illness, death in the immediate family, or emergency situation. Please contact Mr. Smith before the concert via email or phone..
- If not contacted prior to the concert, students must bring a note in from a parent/guardian explaining the absence.

 

Concert Attire

 

Men- BLACK dress pants, WHITE or RED button up shirt (ties are optional), BLACK dress shoes.

 

Women- BLACK dress, skirt, or dress pants and WHITE or RED dress shirt or blouse.  Skirts must come below the knee when sitting.  Dress shoes are required as well.

*NO SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS ARE ALLOWED!!!

 

Care and Maintenance of Instruments

Reeds

  1. Reeds can be obtained from the band director before or after SCHOOL or CLASS! (Not during class)
  2. Students must have at least 2 reeds in good playing condition at all rehearsals and performances (you never know when one will break!)
  3. Only Vandoren and Rico Royal (blue box) brand reeds are acceptable.
  4. Reeds should be kept in reed guards.

 

Woodwind Instruments

  1. Instruments should be swabbed at the end of every use so as to keep the pads from sticking and eventually rotting. 
  2. Reeds are not to be kept on the mouthpiece for storage, they must be kept in a reed case.
  3. Care and maintenance is explained at the front of your method book.

 

Brass Instruments

  1. Brass instruments should be given a bath occasionally.  (Please do not do this until I have taught the proper method for giving your instrument a bath…ONLY BRASS INSTRUMENTS (trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba) CAN HAVE BATHS.
  2. Tuning slides and valves should be oiled or greased regularly. 
  3. Mouthpieces should be kept clean at all times.
  4. Care and maintenance is explained at the front of your method book.