District 61

Beginning

Band

Handbook

2008-2009

jbonanotte Tuesday, September 16, 2008 10:00:16 AM CT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome…………………………………………………………….....………1

Mission Statement…………………………………………………….…..2

Band Overview…………………………………………………………...….2

Band Daily Schedule……………………………….……………………..3

Equipment…………………………………………………....……………….4

Supplies………………………………………………………….....………….5

Maintenance…………………………………………………………...……..6

Practice/Grading……………………………………………………….…...7

Uniform/Etiquette…………………………………………………………..8

Expectation Overview……………………………………………………..9

Just for Parents………………………………………………………...10,11

Calendar of Events……………………………………………………...…12

Dear Band Member and Family,

Welcome to the Band Department of Darien School District

#61! You are about to embark upon an exciting adventure that will

lead you and your family on a journey toward more musical

awareness. If you are new to our program, you will no doubt find that

your participation in our instrumental music program will affect your

lives in profound ways.

The Darien District #61 Beginning Band is not an entity unto

itself. When you enroll in the Beginning Band Program, you join a

much larger family of musicians known as the Eisenhower Junior

High School Bands. Together we have enjoyed tremendous musical

successes. We have won many awards, traveled to varied

destinations, and received numerous accolades around the country.

You are now a part of this wonderful organization. Congratulations!

We sincerely hope your experience is a positive one, and we

will do everything within our powers to make it so. With everyone

working together toward the common goal of excellence, we are

certain to have a very rewarding year.

This handbook has been designed to aid you on your journey.

Please take the time to read it and discuss it together. If you have

any questions at all about the program, please feel free to call!

Ms. Maria Zurbano, Director of EJH Bands

(630) 964-5200 x122

mzurbano@darien61.org

Mr. Joey Bonanotte, Beginning Band Director

(630) 968-2589 x332

joeybonanotte@yahoo.com

Mr. Jon P. Larson, Drum Instructor

(Retired Director of EJH Bands)

*Please contact Mr. Bonanotte or Ms. Zurbano first.

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The Darien District #61 Beginning Band exists to assist students in

acquiring a greater knowledge and appreciation of music through

voluntary participation in the band program. A basic goal in our

program is to lead each student who participates to the enjoyment,

appreciation, and fulfillment that are inherent in music making.

who desires to learn to play a band instrument. All band activities,

with the exception of dress rehearsals and concerts, are held before

school or during regular school hours. Students are responsible for

any regular class work missed due to band lessons.

presentation of the instruments. Those interested in joining meet with

the director to try the instruments. Interest, physical requirements,

and ability tests are used to determine recommended instruments for

each individual.

All Beginning Band students who successfully complete the year are

encouraged to attend summer band. During this time, Ms. Zurbano

will assess student performance and assign him/her to one of two

bands: Cadet or Concert. This decision is based on how well the

student performs. All Concert Band students, grades 5-8, are also

members of the Marching Band, which travels to parades around the

state. A student may be promoted from Cadet to Concert Band at

any time, depending on instrumentation needs and individual

improvement.

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Every student will receive a 30 minute lesson once each week. Mr.

Larson will teach all drum lessons and Mr. Bonanotte will teach all

other lessons and rehearsals. Lessons will be at the same time each

week. Classroom teachers are familiar with this band commitment

and make accommodations if necessary. Students are responsible

for making up any work missed during this time. The lesson days per

instrument will be determined after registration.

8:20 a.m. Rehearsals are mandatory and are held once each week.

(Starting October 7th)

(Starting October 8th)

(Starting October 10th)

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A “rent-to-own” plan is the recommended course of action for the first

year of study on an instrument. If you plan on using a family owned

or other used instrument, please have it checked by the director prior

to use. Every student deserves the opportunity to play on a quality

instrument. The following is a list of the brands that District #61 uses,

along with the recommended mouthpiece sizes:

Flute: Gemeinhardt #3 (open holed)

Clarinet: Wooden Buffet – E11

Oboe: Yamaha 211

Saxophone: Bundy II (C* 80 mouthpiece)

Cornet: Holton (7C mouthpiece)

French Horn: Single Bach (7 mouthpiece)

Trombone: Getzen (12C mouthpiece)

Baritone: Getzen (12C mouthpiece)

Bells: Pearl (plastic mallets)

Snare Drum: Snare with case, practice pad, and stand

(2B or 5A sticks)

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In addition to a quality instrument, each student will also require a set

of supplies. In the following list, items marked (i) are included with

rentals, and those marked * are optional (these make great

motivational gifts). All supplies can be ordered and delivered to the

school through PM Music Center (630) 978-9927.

Flute: cloth swab, cleaning rod (i), pad saver*

Oboe: 2 working reeds (Jones medium soft), linen swab (i), cork grease (i), reed vial, reed guard*, care kit*

Clarinet: 3 working reeds – strength #3 (i), linen swab (i), cork grease (i), reed guard*, care kit*

Saxophone: 3 working reeds – strength #3 (i), swab (i), cork grease (i), neck strap (i), reed guard*, care kit*

Cornet/F Horn: valve oil (i), slide grease (i), snake*, polishing cloth*, mouthpiece brush/pouch*, practice mute*

Trombone: slide cream (i), spray bottle (i), tuning slide grease (i), mouthpiece brush/pouch*, snake*, practice mute*

Baritone: same as cornet

Drums: Drum key (i), Haskell Harr Drum Method Book, stick caddy*

All Students: Essential Elements 2000 Book I, Note Speller Book (No Drums/Bells), a folding music stand (with case), pencil, metronome*, professional recording of instrument*

Students are required to bring music stands to all full band rehearsals and concerts.

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-Empty water key after each use.

-Wash mouthpiece with warm water and mild soap frequently

(especially in cold season).

-Oil valves and grease tuning slides as needed.

-Polish with a clean, soft cloth (no liquid polish).

-Flush instrument occasionally with warm water. Do not use hot

water, and no not get the felts wet. (Wait until Mr. Bonanotte shows

you how to do this).

-Swab instrument after each use

-Check pads regularly (do not get them wet).

-Check for loose screws

-Grease all corks regularly

-Clean tone holes with Q-tips

-Polish with clean, soft cloth (no liquid polish)

-Wipe clean with a clean, soft cloth

-Do not adjust anything without proper instruction from Mr. Bonanotte

or Mr. Larson.

Students are responsible for proper upkeep of their instruments at all

times. Instruments kept in top condition are the easiest to play.

Unannounced instrument checks may be conducted periodically.

Instrument cases should be kept clean and free of unnecessary items

as well.

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Practice is necessary to build the muscles and skills that ensure

mastery of the instrument. In the same way that a great athlete has

devoted many hours to honing his or her skills, so must the aspiring

musician build the endurance needed to play his or her instrument.

Daily practice should become a part of the regular homework routine.

A goal of 140 minutes of practice is expected for each week. This

time should be spread over the course of the week, ideally with 20

minutes each day. Band members are required to fill out a weekly

practice chart, which must be signed by a parent or guardian. Please

be honest. The goal is to get better, not to count minutes. Parents

are encouraged to sit down with their child during practice from time

to time to hear the progress made and to get involved with what their

child is doing.

Practice in a place free from distractions (not by the TV). Try to

practice at the same time and place each day. Always have your

pencil ready for marking difficult spots. You are expected to practice

your assigned lesson each week. It is also important to have some

fun by playing a favorite song at the beginning and end of your

practice time.

Students will receive a weekly progress report, which is part of the

practice chart. This can be found on the inside cover of the black and

gold Essential Elements Booklet. They will also receive a final report

for each grading quarter. Grades are based on attendance,

participation, practice records, and lesson assignments. I will also list

any important reminders or individual concerns on this report. Please

review this report and sign it for credit each week.

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All beginning band members are required to wear black from the

waist down, and white from the waist up at ALL concerts. This

includes black socks and shoes. Please, no shorts, jeans, sweats,

tennis shoes, or t-shirts. Also, please do not wear any item of

clothing with writing on it. We are presenting a professional concert.

Expectations for band members during performances:

- No talking allowed on stage at any time

- No standing up or waving to the audience

- No playing other than the concert songs

- Be on your best behavior at all times

- Improper behavior will result in immediate removal from the

group

Expectations for audience members during performances:

- Please listen, and do not talk while music is in session or

while the director is on the podium.

- Please wait for the director to lower his/her hands before

clapping at the end of a selection.

- Please stay in your seat while the music is in session. Wait

for the end of the song before entering or exiting the

performance area.

- Please turn off all cell phones and pagers during

performances.

- Please keep small children quiet and seated while the music

is in session.

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- Attendance is mandatory! Please be early for morning

rehearsals, if we start at 7:40 a.m., arrive at 7:30 a.m.

- You are responsible for making sure that you bring all of

your materials for band (stand, instrument, folder, music,

books, practice charts, etc…)

- Please be prepared. This means you have already practiced

the assignment before the lesson or rehearsal.

- Remember, we only meet once a week, so we can’t afford to

waste time being unprepared!

- Instruments are expensive! Please be very careful with all of

your equipment.

- Never touch an instrument that isn’t yours! (this includes

school percussion instruments)

- Horseplay in the music room will not be tolerated.

- Please respect your teacher and other band members at all

times! This means you should treat others as you would like

to be treated. Please remember that self discipline is crucial

to the success of the entire band.

*Eligibility: Band is an optional class and a privilege. Students

that are not able to meet the expectations of band or keep up in

the regular classroom will be removed from the band.

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whose membership is open to all parents of Darien School District

#61. All parents of band members are automatically a part of the

organization. General meetings are held three times a year in

September, February, and May. The goals of the Band Boosters are

as follows:

1. To help maintain interest in the various phases of the band

program.

2. To lend moral and financial support to the band program.

3. To cooperate with those in charge of the band program.

4. To build and maintain an organization of parents which

promotes the activities of the band department.

All students are encouraged to pursue private lessons. Private

study can help your child strengthen his/her musical skills beyond

what can adequately be addressed in small group lessons. Private

teachers are available through our network of instructors after

December and upon Mr. Bonanotte’s recommendation. Lessons take

place at Eisenhower Junior High School and are $14.00 for a thirtyminute

weekly lesson.

Please check your email address and your child’s folder for band

information frequently. This is the easiest way for me to

communicate with you. You may also reference our Beginning Band

webpage for news, events, and sound clips of your child performing

in class:

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In the event of a discipline issue, here is the course of action:

notified)

Repeated offense: Parents also notified if the student

reaches a second offense again.

Student success depends greatly upon the level of parent

involvement. A healthy working relationship between the parent,

child, and teachers are necessary. Even with no prior musical

training yourself, you as a parent can do much to encourage your

child’s success in band.

1. Help your child select a time and place to practice that is free

from distraction.

2. Be especially patient and encouraging during the initial

exploration phase (first few months). Learning an instrument

can quickly become frustrating without adequate support

from home.

3. Plan on remaining involved in the program at least through

the first year. This will give ample chances for success, and

help teach responsibility and commitment at the same time.

4. Sign practice records each week and make sure they are

accurate.

5. Ask your child to play a solo for you, or have a concert for

friends and family when they visit.

6. Have a special celebration at concert time. This is a great

accomplishment that deserves recognition.

7. Remember: The sounds WILL become more pleasant as

time goes on. I promise!

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6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

(Location TBD)

Winter Concert 7:00 p.m. at

Eisenhower

Winter Assembly

(School hours)

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

(Location TBD)

Mark DeLay School

(School hours)

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

at Eisenhower

p.m. at Eisenhower

Spring Assembly

(School hours)

important to remember that the above practices/concerts serve as a

jbonanotte Tuesday, September 16, 2008 10:00:16 AM CT