What's New

Welcome to the WKMS Band! The following information will help you and your parents become familiar with the expectations and responsibilities of being in the band. Being a good musician and having a good band has many requirements. The following guidelines will help you to become an experienced performer and be an integral part of the band program at WKMS.

Required Materials

• An instrument in good playing condition with a case and name tag
• Pencil and paper (no pens allowed)
• Method Book: Standard of Excellence, Book 3
• Brass players: straight mutes, valve oil, slide oil
• Percussionists: A snare drum, and a set of practice bells with mallets for use at home. A pair of 7A drumsticks, and a set of brushes. The only items that need to come to school are: drum sticks and brushes.
• Woodwinds: a minimum of three reeds in good playing condition at all times. Clarinets should use Mitchell Laurie reeds, Saxes should use Vandorn reeds.

Grading Scale

90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
0 - 59 = F

Grading Policy

90% Participation, Materials, Performances & Tests:

Each student will receive a monthly grade based on their level of participation. Points will be deducted from this grade whenever a student has no instrument, music, or other materials. Points will also be deducted if a student refuses to play or participate in daily activities.
Performances are a required part of being in band and students will receive a grade for each performance. The following components are taken into consideration when determining the grade for a performance: uniform, promptness, appropriate materials, behavior on and off stage, and most importantly the quality of the performance.
Students will be required to take playing tests consisting of scales, rhythmic passages, and excerpts from concert music. Students will also be required to take written exams. In May students must complete an FCPS CRES examination. CRES scores are included as part of the fourth term grade.

10% Practice Sheets (Homework):

Each student will be required to spend 90 minutes (1.5 hours) per week practicing outside of class. Each student will keep a monthly playing log that will be due the first day of every month. The practice log should detail the number of minutes played for each day of the week and a weekly total. A parent must sign the practice log at the end of each week in order to receive full credit. Any deviations from this schedule will be announced in class and via email to parents.

Behavior Expectations

All band members will be expected to:
- Follow the director's specific instructions the first time they are given.
- Be on time and ready to play when class/rehearsal starts.
- Raise your hand and wait to be called on in order to ask/answer questions.
- Ask permission to use any musical equipment that belongs to another person or to WKMS
- Behave in a way that insures productive rehearsals---no unnecessary disruptions.
- Display a positive, healthy attitude toward learning and all individuals associated with the band

Rehearsal Expectations

All band members will be expected to:
- Bring an instrument, music, folder, paper, and pencils to each rehearsal.
- Get prepared to play as quickly as possible upon arriving in the band room.
- Be silent when the director signals that it is time to begin rehearsal.
- Not play before and after rehearsals.
- Return all materials to their proper place and leave the room clean at the end of rehearsal.

Performance Expectations

Band members will be given a detail sheet for each performance outlining specific times, locations, etc. The following is a list of general expectations for all performances:
1. Performances are a required part of being in band. All performances are graded events.
2. All band members must be in uniform in order to perform with the band. The uniform is as follows: white socks, sneakers, khaki shorts to the knee or pants, and a solid navy blue polo shirt with no writing.
3. Arrive in the band room 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance.
4. While on stage band members must be focused on the director and SILENT. Inappropriate behavior on stage will result in disciplinary action and / or having the performance grade lowered.
5. For concerts band members will have to sit in the audience while waiting to perform. As a member of the audience band members are expected to be SILENT and focused on the performers on the stage. Inappropriate behavior will result in disciplinary action and / or having the performance grade lowered.
6. Cell phones are forbidden during concerts. Cell phones will be taken if they are out and returned to parents at a later time.
7. Performances are worth 200 points. Students who miss a performance for any reason will either receive a zero or will need to complete a research project equivalent to 200 points.

Discipline Policy

Warning / Request to change behavior
Verbal Reprimand
Conference with student after class
Removal from Class Activity
Written assignment in place of playing
Detention
Parent Contact
Office Referral

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