1. Welcome! It is important to read through these materials. They spell out everything that is expected from our program including concert participation, grading policy, and schedules. Keep this booklet on hand to review expectations and to keep track of our concert schedule. As a performing ensemble, it is MANDATORY that all members are present during performances. To avoid any conflicts, be sure to understand this one simple rule.
2. Steele Instrumental Music Ensembles A. Wind Ensemble If numbers permit, the Steele Wind Ensemble will meet five days a week during 3rd period of the school day. Because of block scheduling, the ensemble will meet the last 15 minutes of 3c and all of 3d. This ensemble will be by audition ONLY and is reserved for the top musicians of the program. Literature will be of the highest quality and expectations will be high. The ensemble will perform a Winter Concert, a midyear Concert, a Spring Concert, and OMEA District and State Band Contest. (STATE...If we qualify) B. Symphonic Band If numbers permit, the Steele Symphonic Band will meet five days a week during 3rd period of the school day. Because of block scheduling, the ensemble will meet all of 3b and the first 15 minutes of 3c. This ensemble will be by audition ONLY and is reserved for the above average musicians of the program. Literature will be of medium quality. However, expectations will also be high. The ensemble will perform a Winter Concert, a midyear Concert, a Spring Concert, and OMEA District and State Band Contest. (STATE...If we qualify) C. Jazz Band Jazz Band will meet during the A block of 3rd period if the schedule permits. If not, the band will meet twice a week at a later determined time and place. The Jazz Band will consist of traditional Jazz Instrumentation. If there is enough interest, a second ensemble may be added to allow other instruments to participate. Instrumentation for the Jazz Band will consist of: Trumpets, Trombones, Saxes, Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Drum Set. The ensemble will perform a Winter Concert, a Jazz Festival, and a Spring Concert. This ensemble may go to a Jazz Contest. D. Solo and Ensemble Contest Each year, Lorain County and the Ohio Music Educator's Association sponsor contests where students can perform as soloists or in smaller ensembles for a rating from a judge. The contest is excellent for any player that is looking to broaden their playing abilities. Working in an Brass or Woodwind ensemble also promotes cooperative learning along with developing good leadership qualities. E. Large Group Contest Each year, the Ohio Music Educator's Association sponsor large group (Full Band) competition. All bands perform in front of three judges for a combined rating. The contest is excellent for promoting teamwork and giving the group a little bit of a challenge outside of their own performances in the gym. F. Marching Band During the first 9 weeks of school, The Amherst Marching Comets will meet 3B, 3C, and 3D. Members of the marching band will eat 3A. All non-marchers will eat 3D and have a study hall for 3B and 3C. During 3A, the non-marchers will have concert band to play during the first 9 weeks. Auditions will be held at the beginning of the 2nd nine weeks for concert season. Please see the Marching Band handbook for more information.
3. Check Your Schedules Below is a listing of the Steele Instrumental Music Department performances. Make sure to plan ahead and mark the dates clearly on your calendars TODAY!. An unexcused absence from a Steele performance will result in an automatic failure for the 9 weeks. An “F” WILL effect a student's grade point average and if done several times will result in the failure of the class at which time no credit will be given for participation. We rehearse an entire semester for a performance. A missed performance is like missing the final exam in a science class. If for any reason a student cannot attend a mandatory performance, please let the director know as soon as possible. The sooner the director is aware of the problem, the better the problem can be handled. Please do not wait until the week, day, or hour before the concert to announce a conflict. This may result in an unpleasant outcome due to the circumstances with the nature of the absence. A death in the family and an illness excused by a doctor’s note will be considered an excused absence. However, in the event of any absence, students must make up a missed concert by getting extra credit. Make up work will include, but not limited to, Solo and Ensemble Contest, something involving a musical performance, or a written report on a musical subject. Extra credit must be in by end of quarter or the student shall earn an “F” on the grade report. Our Concert Schedule is as follows: (does not to include Marching Band) *Tuesday, December 15th - Steele Winter Concert, Steele Cafetorium 7PM Saturday, February 6th - OMEA Solo & Ensemble Contest Saturday, February 20th - Lorain County Solo & Ensemble Contest *Tuesday, March 2nd - Contest Concert, Steele Gymnasium 7PM *Friday, March 5th - OMEA District Large Group Contest *Saturday, March 6th - OMEA District Large Group Contest **Friday, April 23rd - OMEA State Large Group Contest if needed **Saturday, April 24th - OMEA State Large Group Contest if needed Wednesday, April 28th - Amherst Jazz Fest, Steele Cafetorium 7PM *Thursday, May, 13th - Steele Bands Pop Concert, Steele Cafetorium 7PM *Sunday, June 6th - Graduation at the Wolstien Center time TBA * = denotes mandatory performances ** = Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble if needed
4. 5 Day Rule with Absences and Instruments Because of other opportunities and possible distractions, students may tend to forget their instruments at home or in a car. We would like to remind you that there is credit given for this course and not only is attendance required, but so is having your instrument for rehearsal. Please be prepared and have your instrument ready, cleaned, and in good maintenance. Any student with 5 unexcused and/or non-certified absences from class will receive an “F” for the grading period under the attendance section of the Steele Student Handbook. Failure in having your instrument will also result in loosing 1 point for your participation grade for the day. It is also the responsibility of the student to produce the documentation which turns an unexcused absence into a certified excused absence. “Certified” being the key word here.
5. Band Dress Code for Performances Black Tuxes and Black Long Dresses are required. For girls in Symphonic Band, the dress will be long black skirts and white blouses. Wind Ensemble girls will again be fitted in the Black Concert Dress provided that there are enough dresses to go around. All boys will be fitted in the band tuxes. However, men will need to purchase (and keep) their white button down tuxedo shirt. We reserve the right to not allow participation for violation of the dress code. If this happens, points will be lost for missing the performance. ****NO FLIP FLOPS PERMITTED AT CONCERTS!!!!!
6. Drill Procedures Please take instruments with you when exiting the building for a fire alarm. (except tubas and percussion) DO NOT leave any instruments on the band chairs. Exit the building as quickly as possible without running or talking. We will exit the room through the door on the left side of the room marked "EXIT" and continue through the South parking lot. A tornado drill will be slightly different than a fire drill. We will not take the instruments with us on a tornado drill. Students are to enter the Storage Room and assume the safety position during the event of a Tornado drill.
7. Instrument Storage Room Our storage room has been designed to stay open and unlocked so students can get to their instruments on a regular basis. However, the doors leading into the band room will remain locked. Individual lockers are assigned to each student. It is your responsibility and MANDATORY to provide a lock to ensure that belongings are secured. Please keep the cage doors closed at all times. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT OUT OF THE CASE IN YOUR LOCKER AS WELL. You must also put your case away after getting out your instrument. Please do not leave your case on the floor for others may trip over it trying to get out their instrument. If you leave your instrument out on the floor or in the cage and is picked up by the director...consider your instrument to be in JAIL and will cost you a dollar to get it back. AVOID this by putting your equipment away properly. 8. Instrument Storage Responsibility The Amherst Schools, Board of Education, Support Staff, and Certified Staff are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items. They are also not responsible for any damaged instruments inflicted by other members of the band. The storage room is for the use of storing instruments, books, bags, and personal material of members in the band program. Again, this room is designed to stay open so students can get to their instruments at any time. I would recommend taking out a small rider on an insurance policy to cover a lost or damaged instrument. If you have any questions, please contact me.
9. Substitute Teachers It is important that you are on your best behavior for our substitute teachers. It can be very difficult to come in and watch over 100 students at one time. Unless holding a musical degree, It is also impossible to expect a substitute to run a rehearsal. Because of this, when a sub is needed, you make out. However, if problems occur, graded busy work will be handed out and expected to be turned in and added to your 9 week grade.
12. Steele Bands Grading System 1. Song and Show Memorization @ 10 pts Reserved for Marching Band members only. 2. Concert Music Preparation @ 10 pts You will be tested on a portion of a song that we are playing. 3. Selected Etude Preparation @ 10pts You will be expected to play an etude from one of our etude books. 4. Scale and Rudiment Preparation @ 10 pts Each will play a scale that the band is working on at that time. 5. Written Examination @ 100 pts Each student will be tested on the fundamentals of music. 6. Attendance @ 50 pts You earn 1 point per day for participating in rehearsal 7. Performances @ 50 pts You earn points b attending and performing in concerts 8. Participation and Behavior Grade @ 50 pts Includes: Effort, Attitude, Enthusiasm, and rehearsal and concert attendance. 9. Pop Quizzes @ 10 pts We might have a pop playing test on any given day 10. Extra Credit @ 10 pts You will be given a chance every 9 weeks to earn extra credit points. 11. Overall Progress @ 50 pts EXAMPLE: The above scores are averaged out for the final grade. Grades - Since each semester is different with different schedules and responsibilities, it is difficult to assign exact points for each of the grading periods or for that matter what is expected each semester. However, other than a small pop quizes, students will be given time to prepare, study, and work on the materials being evaluated in a timely manner. We will also use the School’s grading system to determine +/-.
Ending Statement It is the responsibility of the student to share this information with their parents and/or guardians. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached at Steele at 988-5246. Please do not wait until there is a problem to disagree with the policies in this handbook. If there is a question regarding anything in this booklet, please notify Mr. Barbaro as soon as possible. Thank you.