2017-2018 Band Syllabus
Riverside Meadows Intermediate School
David Coe and Tom Candlish, directors
Program overview: The beginning and advanced bands will meet daily, Monday through Friday. Grades will be determined through a combination of
Home Practice: Students will be expected to practice assigned music a minimum of 15 minutes per day, 5 days a week. Home practice is critical for students to make progress and to improve as musicians.
Daily Work: Daily Work grades will be determined by how well the student adheres to the Band Basics posted in the band room and on our teacher web page.
Written and Playing Tests: Tests will be given regularly to check the students’ understanding of the material presented, and to monitor their progress in developing playing skills on their instrument.
Music folders will be checked and graded periodically.
Participation: Participation includes the student having his or her instrument with necessary supplies (reeds, valve oil, etc.), and music, being ready to play at the beginning of class, as well as willing participation in class activities, putting instrument and music away at class end, and attendance at performances. Participation is a large factor in determining a student’s grade in band.
Performance: There will be a number of performances of the band during the year. Attendance at performances is mandatory. Some performances will take place on campus, either during school, or in the evening, and some will be at locations to be announced at a later date.
Necessary Supplies (by instrument):
Students should have the following supplies at all times, in addition to their instrument and music.
Flutes: cleaning rod, handkerchief, pencil
Clarinets: minimum of three reeds, cork grease, swab (handkerchief style preferred), pencil
Saxophones: minimum of three reeds, cork grease, swab, pencil
Trumpets, Baritones/Euphoniums: valve oil, slide grease, pencil
Trombones: slide oil or cream slide lubricant and a small water spray-bottle, slide grease, pencil
Percussion: drumsticks, practice pad, pencil
Beginning Band students are strongly encouraged to buy their own copy of the beginning band method book, Essential Elements 2000, Book 1,due to the used condition of school owned copies, and missing or damaged CD’s and DVD’s that come with the book. Copies are available at local music stores for about $10.00.
Instrument and Supplies Policy:
There is no charge for the use of school owned instruments, and basic supplies such as reeds, valve or slide oil, cork grease, etc. will be supplied to students. The cost of these supplies is considerable over the course of the year, so we will be having ongoing fundraising activities to offset the expense. The active participation of the students and parents is critical to the success of these fundraising efforts. Students may wish to purchase their own reeds, as there are better quality reeds available than those provided by the school, and better reeds can sound better and be easier to play.
The cost of repair for major damage to an instrument beyond normal wear and tear is the responsibility of the student and parents.
Information about upcoming band activities, performances and assignments is posted on the band website http://rsm.plusd.org/subsites/Riverside-Meadows-Band/