Lefler Middle School
7th/8th Grade Instrumental Music
WELCOME to the Lefler Instrumental Music program! It is our sincerest hope that this year will be fun, productive, and successful. In order for us to learn, rehearse, and perform together there are some guidelines you need to know and share with your parents.
GRADING POLICY
The student's grade will be based on the following criteria:
1. Daily Participation : It is extremely important that students learn proper rehearsal etiquette. This insures a smooth operating program with greater organization, less frustration and a more musical ensemble. A mark in the grade book by a student's name indicates improper participation in class. This will indicate that the student will loose 4 points for class that day.
Specific rules of behavior have been given to each student. Students may raise their daily participation grade by a maximum of 20 points by doing extra credit activities. Students will start the quarter with 100 points.
These activities will raise the student's grade by 4 points.
• Play in JYO (Junior Youth Orchestra) or another approved ensemble outside of Lefler's program.
• Perform in an extra ensemble at a concert at Lefler Middle School.
• Study privately (private teacher must be approved by Mr. Burks.)
• Attend an approved concert (Middle School, High School, College orchestra, band, stage band or a Professional ensemble. This does not include vocal concerts.)
2. Skills Evaluation : The second portion of the student's grade is based on improvement. Not all students are blessed with equal abilities, but ALL are capable of improving their current skills. Students will, therefore, be evaluated on how much they improve on their performance skills.
This will involve performance on their playing tests. Playing tests will usually be worth 100 pts.
3. Written Evaluation : Each quarter the students will take written exams on material covered in class. This material may include music theory, vocabulary, and history. We will also have periodic written projects in class.
4. Attitude/Posture: The student will also be graded on the effort they put forth in class. This is often evident in their posture and willingness to participate appropriately in class.
5. Performances : Concerts are required of each student. In music, one of the primary objectives is to develop young capable musicians. Music concerts are the means by which the students display their skills. These skills are developed each quarter through classroom rehearsals and individual practice. It is also important for the students to develop responsibility to a group. The students must know that they can trust each other and depend on
one another to be at a performance. If a student must miss a concert they will be required to make an audio tape of their portion of the concert music and will be graded accordingly. If a student does not act in an appropriate manner while attending a concert his/her performance grade will reflect their behavior. To be excused from a concert a student must have been ill from school on the day of the concert. A performance is worth 200 pts. An unexcused absence will result in 0 points for that performance.
Student Attendance At Concerts Is Mandatory
Your attendance is required when your band is performing. Listed below are the concert dates for the 7th/8th grade bands. So your family will be able to avoid any conflicts, please mark your concert dates on your calendars and planners now. Remember, the consequence of an unexcused absence is O out of 200 points
Rules and Regulations
• Listen and follow directions the first time given.
• Be prompt: Be ready to play when Mr. Burks is ready to conduct. Please do not play until Mr. Burks instructs you to begin.
• Manage your property: Have all the necessary equipment in your possession and functioning properly. You will have your own locker, instrument, music and related equipment. Learn how to mange all of these and also how to respect your property and your neighbor's property. If it's not yours, don't touch it and if it's Lefler's, treat it as though it were your own.
• Be respectful: Be polite to your teacher and your classmates. Raise your hand when you wish to speak. If you need to ask something please be courteous.
• Participate Energetically: Be ready to go to work and get the most out of our time together. Have a positive attitude and work efficiently. If for some reason you do not have an instrument you will be expected to sit in your assigned seat and listen attentively. You may not do homework.
Each time a student abuses a rule he/she will lose 4 points from their participation grade and will be required to makeup time after school. The first offense = sign book, second offense = 10 minutes, the third offense = 20 minutes ,Time Out referral and parents will be contacted. Work may also be required of the student depending on the nature and severity of the inappropriate behavior. (eg. If chewing gum in class the student may be asked to clean the floor or underneath the classroom chairs.) Every effort will be made to attempt to determine what the problem is and how to best solve it.
7th and 8th Grade Band Concert Dates
7th grade band
8th grade band
Orchestra
Tuesday January 10
7 th grade band
8 th grade band
Jazz band
May 11
Lincoln Public Schools Middle Level Band Contest
8th Grade Band only
North Star High School School/Evening Activity
Tuesday May 23
Orchestra
Jazz band
8 th grade band
6 th grade band
7 th grade band
All concerts will be held at Lefler Middle School at 7:00 PM and are in the auditorium unless otherwise noted.
Concert Attire
Concert attire will consist of the Lefler Middle School Band Shirt. khaki bottoms (pants or skirts, no shorts ) and dark shoes no flip-flops. Band Shirts are $10 for adult sizes S-XL and $11.50 for XXL sizes. Kid sizes are also available.
Other music opportunities your child may want to participate in
September 16
Auditions for the Junior Youth Orchestra
I will have audition information to hand out to students interested in performing in a Lincoln Public Schools select orchestra. Auditions will take place September 16, from 3:00-6:00 PM in the Lefler Band room.
March 7
Lincoln Public Schools Middle School Instrumental Solo and Ensemble Contest
This is an evening where students from across the city have the opportunity to perform a prepared solo or ensemble for a judge who will offer written comments and suggestions. Solo and Ensemble contest will be held at Scott Middle School.
BRINGING INSTRUMENTS HOME AFTER SCHOOL
The band room is open until 3:10 daily. When you take your instrument home after school, you will
need to pick it up before 3:10. Please know that after 3:10, you will not be allowed in the building and the office staff will not be able to open the Band room for you.
Below is a list of important supplies for Lefler Middle School Band students. These items are not mandatory, but will help students to be successful in band class.
Be sure to have your name or a name tag on your instrument case!!
Cleaning/Tuning rod (Your instrument probably has one in its case)
Soft Cloth (For cleaning fingerprints off instruments)
Reeds: 6th graders: Mitchell Lurie size 21/2 or size 3
7th and 8th graders: Mitchell Lurie size 3 or 31/2 (If you are playing on a reed that is a 21/2 or a 3 go up to the next half size) or Vandoren size 3
2 Reed Guards: La Voz or Vandoren
Mouthpiece: Vandoren B45
Ligature: Luyben, Inverted Bonade or Gigliotti
Soft Cloth (For cleaning fingerprints off instruments)
Reed Case (to hold your reeds) Swab
Reeds: I have had the best luck ordering reeds from Forrests
Phone #510-845-7178 www.forrestsmusic.com
Soft Cloth (For cleaning fingerprints off instruments)
Mouth Piece: Selmer S80 size C star
Ligature: Inverted Bonade or Gigliotti
Reeds: Vandoren or La Voz size 3 (If you are playing on a reed that is a 2 or 21/2 go up to the next size)
Swab
Soft Cloth (For cleaning fingerprints off instruments)
Valve Oil
Mouthpiece brush
Tuning Slide Grease
Cleaning Snake
Soft Cloth (For cleaning fingerprints off instrument)
Valve Oil
Tuning Slide Grease
Rotary Oil Mouthpiece brush
Soft Cloth (For cleaning fingerprints off instruments)
Tuning Slide Grease
Bach Mouthpiece 61/2 AL
Cleaning Rod Soft Cloth (For cleaning fingerprints off instruments)
Cheese cloth
Slide Cream
Slide Water Bottle
Mouthpiece Brush
Stick Bag (Pro-Tech)
1 pair of Snare Drum Sticks SD1 General (Vic Firth)
Brass Bell Mallets (Yamaha or Balter #9)
Xylophone/Bell Mallets (Yamaha or Balter #92 or #10)
Soft Yarn Mallets (Yamaha #15)
Timpani Mallets (Vic Firth Generals)
Be sure you put your name on your bag and sticks!
Welcome once again and please accept the challenge to
BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE!!!!
Sincerely,
Mr. Burks