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EJH Band Home Page » Eisenhower Junior High School Band Handbook
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Eisenhower Junior High School Band Handbook
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DARIEN DISTRICT 61 BANDS
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS: The instrumental music program in Darien School District #61 is designed to provide opportunities for students in grades 4 - 8 to acquire a greater knowledge and appreciation of music beyond what is offered in the general music program. The students are able to acquire this knowledge and appreciation by participation on a voluntary basis in the band program.
One of the student goals of our district is to cultivate in our children an appreciation of the many different forms of beauty in our culture. Certainly, music is a very important form of beauty in our American culture. It is hoped that the students in the band program will come to appreciate the value of music and that it will prove to be a source of enjoyment for them throughout their lives.
Another goal of our district is to help the children experience a wise and enjoyable use of leisure time. Students who learn to play an instrument can use that skill in a wide variety of leisure time activities.
A basic goal in our instrumental music program is to lead each student to the enjoyment, appreciation and fulfillment inherent in the process of music making. This process is one that takes many years, beginning with the learning of certain basic mechanical and mathematical skills, and ending with the profound enjoyment of various emotional moods that more advanced music creates.
The students in the instrumental music program are strongly encouraged to
do their best and strive for a high degree of excellence. In so doing they will develop a true sense of appreciation and enjoyment of music, which will make their lives fuller.
The students are encouraged to continue their music education when they go on to high school. We hope that the experience in our program is a very positive one and that they will want to continue participating in a band program when they leave our district. EJH BANDS The Eisenhower Junior High School Bands are open to all fifth through eighth grade students in District #61 who have completed one year of Beginning Band.
CADET BAND
All students who successfully complete one year of Beginning Band are automatically promoted to the Cadet Band. Students rehearse during first period in the Eisenhower Commons Area, Mondays and Thursdays with Mr. Bonanotte. They will also have weekly scheduled sectionals during the school day. Students remain in Cadet Band until their playing progresses
to the next level.
CONCERT BAND
As the student’s performance improves; he or she will then be promoted to the Concert Band. These students have demonstrated continued growth on their instruments. Advancement is made at the discretion of the director. Students rehearse twice a week during first period at
Eisenhower in the band room and have weekly scheduled sectionals during the school day.
SYMPHONIC BAND
The members of the Symphonic Band are chosen upon their display of
excellence both in playing ability and maturity. These students have successfully demonstrated proficiency on their instruments during their time in the Concert Band. The Symphonic Band is the top performing group in the program. The Symphonic Band is nationally known as “The most
traveled Jr. High School Band”. Students rehearse three times a week during first period in the Eisenhower Band room and have weekly scheduled
sectionals during the school day.
MARCHING BAND
The Marching Band is comprised of all members of both the Concert and Symphonic Bands. Traditionally, this group has taken top honors in parades throughout the state and around the country. They have marched in downtown Chicago, at the Sycamore Pumpkin Parade, for the Lockport Canal Days Parade, here in Darien for the Independence Day Celebration, and at
many other festivals and parades.
JAZZ BAND
Due to the difficulty of the music involved, the Jazz Band primarily consists of members of the Symphonic Band. Players are chosen by the director to participate based on their performance in the band programs and level of interest for Jazz music.
BAND PLACEMENT As previously mentioned, band students are placed into one of the three bands based upon playing abilities. All students start in the Cadet Band and progress to the Concert Band. Most students will reach this level by the end of sixth grade. Many students will not reach the proficiency level required for the Symphonic Band until they are either in the seventh or eighth grade. Outstanding fifth and sixth graders may be chosen for the Symphonic Band. Students will “move” from one band to the next at the
discretion of the director at any time during the school year. The placement of students is made as the director hears each student play individually during weekly band classes (sectionals). Initial placement will occur during Summer Band rehearsals.
INSTRUMENTAL CLASSES (SECTIONALS)
Each student enrolled in the band program, is assigned to an instrumental class by the director. Class assignments are based upon the instrument the student plays and the band in which he or she is a member of.
All junior high classes meet once a week during a regular academic class or study hall on a rotating basis (2nd period one week, 3rd period the next...). Before going to the band room, the student must “check in” with their academic teacher for that period to obtain homework and assignments. Any instrumental class that must be missed due to testing or other conflicts needs to be made-up at a later date.
Elementary School students will have a schedule very similar to that of their Beginning Band classes. They will meet once a week at the same time each week. Missed classes must be made-up.
All students are expected to keep up with all academic classes. Any work missed while attending a band lesson is the responsibility of the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to know when his or her lesson is each week.
Instrumental classes will have an assignment each week for which the student is responsible to learn. These assignments will be graded and are used for chair placement within the band. A student who performs with zero mistakes will receive an “A+”. Each mistake lowers the grade by one mark. (One mistake=A, Two mistakes=A- etc.) The student with the fewest errors will be placed in the highest chair. In the event of a tie, other musical aspects such as tone, dynamics, and articulations will be used to determine chair order. These performance grades also play a role in determining the grade on the quarterly report card.
Instrumental classes are one of the chief motivating factors in the EJH bands. Students are expected to practice at home and at school when free time is available. Students are responsible for having each week’s assignment ready to the best of their ability. Since there is adequate opportunity for advancement through weekly grades, there are no formal “chair challenges” in the Eisenhower Bands.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Eisenhower Junior High School Bands strive for excellence in all of their performances. This has been consistently achieved for numerous reasons. The most important of all factors contributing to Eisenhower’s tradition of success is that its band members are well disciplined. A band with discipline will perform to its capabilities, and its members will enjoy great satisfaction and enjoyment from their accomplishments.
Self-discipline is the most important form of this discipline. A self-disciplined student will be on time for all functions for which his or her presence is required. This means that they should be present a few minutes before the requested time to make the necessary personal preparations so they are ready to begin at the proper time.
The second important characteristic of self-discipline will manifest itself in the
student’s level of dependability. This means that the student is present every time their presence is requested for rehearsals and performances. This also means that they are responsible for making up missed lessons, for learning their music, for helping other members, for notifying the director of problems, and for being available for whatever
is asked of them.
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCES
Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory for band members. All dates and times are announced as far in advance as possible, and notices are sent home via the student and e-mails, soschedules can be planned accordingly. Every effort should be made to attend all extra after school and special practices.
ABSENCES
All absences should be explained to the director in a written note. When at all possible, the director should be notified in advance of unavoidable absences to enable necessary adjustments, especially for performances.
An excused absence is one which the student had a legitimate, unavoidable excuse for missing a scheduled rehearsal. Two unexcused absences in a quarter will result in a lowering of chair placement after parents are notified. A third unexcused absence during the quarter will result in parental notification and the lowering of the quarterly band grade.
An unexcused absence from a performance will automatically result in lowering of the quarterly grade. A second unexcused absence from a performance will result in the student being prohibited from any out-of-town appearances with the band. Questions regarding excused/unexcused absences should be first addressed to the director, and
then to the principal and superintendent if necessary.
BAND GRADES
Band grades are symbols of accomplishment, which indicate, to the student and parents, a certain degree of success. Students are tested each week during band classes (sectionals) on the given assignment. These grades are the primary determining factors used in calculating grades each quarter. Student attitude, effort, and attendance also figure into the
grading procedure.
INSTRUMENTS
District #61 owns several large and expensive instruments. School owned instruments are distributed to students who express an interest in playing them. Students are selected for these instruments based upon the instrumentation needs of the band, the student’s willingness to learn the instrument, the student’s capability to play the instrument, and the availability of the instrument. Students are responsible to maintain these instruments and keep them in playing condition.
Damage to these instruments found due to student neglect or abuse will be billed to the student. Excessive instrument wear due to neglect or abuse will be determined by the director and principal. All repairs due to regular wear and tear of playing the instrument will be covered by the district. The director will inspect all school owned instruments periodically throughout the year.
All students are responsible for maintaining their instruments, whether school or privately owned. An instrument that is not kept in top playing condition will not provide the student with the best sound. There will be periodic instrument checks of all instruments.
UNIFORMS
A prescribed uniform is worn throughout the year at all parades, concerts, and contests. The uniform will be issued by the school. Each student is responsible for the various parts to the uniform. A detailed uniform sheet is sent out at the beginning of each school year.
Any time the student is wearing his or her band uniform he or she isrepresenting Eisenhower Jr. High School. Students should conduct themselves accordingly.
All school issued uniforms are to be kept in a safe place at home when
not in use. Any damage due to neglect or carelessness by the student will be billed to the student.
SOLO AND ENSEMBLE CONTEST
Each February, the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) holds
District Solo and Ensemble Contest. Students may perform a solo on their
instrument, a duet with a friend, or as a member of a small ensemble. Participation is encouraged of all band members. It is required for all students enrolled in private lessons and for all members of the Symphonic Band to participate in this event.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private study is strongly encouraged for all band members. The musical
enrichment derived from private lessons will aid the student in strengthening his or her understanding and practices of musical interpretation and skills not covered during a regular class lesson. If you need assistance in securing a private teacher, please contact the director.
PRACTICE
Practicing 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 practicing his or her skills, so must the musician to build the endurance needed to play his or her instrument. The student who does not practice will simply not succeed.
Band members are required to practice a minimum of 30 minutes each day.However, make it your goal to get better, not to count the 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.
Students are encouraged to practice in the band room during their free time. Passes are available to use during the school day when the director is in the building.
BAND BOOSTERS
The Band Booster Club is a parent volunteer organization whose membership is open to all parents of Darien District #61. All parents of band members are automatically members of the Boosters. General meetings are held three times a year in September, February, and May. The goals of the 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 program.
3. To cooperate with those in charge of the music program.
4. To build and maintain an organization of parents which promotes the
activities of the music department.
DIRECTORS
Ms. Maria Zurbano is responsible for the complete Eisenhower Junior High
School Band program. This includes all students who have completed one year of Beginning Band, grades 5 - 8. Ms. Zurbano is available to answer any questions regarding any aspect of the band program.
The Beginning Band program and all of its facets are under the direction
of Mr. Joey Bonanotte. Questions regarding any aspect of the Beginning Band should be directed to Mr. Bonanotte.
EISENHOWER JR. HIGH 964-5200
MARK DeLAY ELEMENTARY 852-0200
LACE ELEMENTARY 968-2589
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY 969-6660
Eisenhower Junior High Band Program
District #61 Band Boosters
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