2018 – 2019 School Year Deerfield Beach

Middle School

Band Handbook

Mr. Daniel Kilbury

DIRECTOR OF BANDS

*Important: This handbook contains guidelines that may be revised throughout

the course of the year. Revisions may be sent home to parents through students.

Rev. 1/07/2018

WELCOME!

Welcome to a new and exciting year in the Deerfield Beach Middle School Band Program!

You are about to embark on an exciting and important experience that you will cherish for the

remainder of your life, where you will make new friends, devise new goals, and enjoy success

through hard work. Here, you will experience and develop comradery, discipline, leadership,

responsibility, and integrity; that which is unparalleled elsewhere, providing a unique experience in

becoming not only a proficient musician, but a well-rounded human being.

As a member of the Deerfield Beach Middle School Band, you are valued and hold a position

that will, without a doubt, ensure the success of your band! This success, however also requires that

you dedicate yourself to the responsibilities of your position in this organization. Each member

(including myself, your director) is dependent upon each other to hold high standards and

expectations for themselves and their respective ensembles so that everyone may enjoy the well-

earned rewards of their experiences. “Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration,

wonderful things can be achieved.”

It is this program’s mission to guarantee each individual the most valuable and authentic form of

music education possible. As your director, I am committed to providing this to you, to supporting you

(in any musical and non-musical endeavors), and to encouraging you to realize that, through your

musical expression and development, you are capable of extraordinary things!

So many exciting musical journeys and opportunities await you this year and I am excited to

experience them with you!

Your director,

Mr. Kilbury

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”

Program Philosophy and Objectives

It is the philosophy of the Deerfield Beach Middle School Band Program to uphold the fact that

each and every student has the right to a rich and fulfilling music education that is committed to their

development as both a musician and human being. It is our goal to provide an encouraging, creative,

and inclusive environment for students to develop musically and personally, while also developing

essential societal/life skills such as communication/collaboration, independence, and integrity. It is the

director’s belief that this can be achieved through a high quality, life-changing music education that

promotes synergy and establishes unyielding standards/expectations.

It is the objective of the Deerfield Beach Middle School Band Program that, by the end of the

2018 – 2019 school year students will:

Demonstrate proficiency on a wind, string, or percussion instrument through

performance and practice.

Demonstrate music literacy in relation to reading music, as well as in the expressive and

stylistic nuance associated with contrasting pieces of music.

Develop and demonstrate skills associated with excellent musicianship, including, but

not limited to:

o Tone

o Posture

o Rhythmic/note accuracy

o Listening skills

o Instrument care and maintenance

Develop a heightened sense of personal/social skills.

Display artistic expression through music.

Understand and display the proper etiquette expected from a high-quality performing

ensemble.

Understand the significance of being a contributor to an organization that goes beyond

the individual.

Communication

Communication is an essential component of any operating organization; therefore, there are

tools available to students and parents to ensure efficient communication to and from the band

director.

The Deerfield Beach Middle School Band has a website that is publicly accessible at

https://dbmsband.webnode.com/.

o On the band website, parents and students can view a public calendar with a

consistently updated schedule of events, performances, etc.

o Students and parents will also be able to view a digital copy of this handbook and access

digital copies of any forms that may need to be completed.

Throughout the year, students may be given memos containing important information about

upcoming events, as well as other pertinent information regarding band class. It is the students’

responsibility to deliver these to their parents.

Ensembles and Eligibility

Instrumental Techniques I, Band I, & Band 3:

Elective courses designed to introduce and develop the fundamental musical skills and

techniques necessary to fulfill the objectives listed in the first section of this handbook.

Students enrolled in these courses will become proficient on a woodwind, brass, or percussion

instrument and work towards the development of their artistic expression, musicianship, and

performance etiquette.

Students in these courses will perform at the Deerfield Beach Middle School’s Winter and Spring

Concerts (dates TBA) to showcase the work and progress made throughout course of the

semester.

DBMS Modern Band

An extracurricular club that focuses on the preparation and performance of popular music.

Students in this ensemble will have the opportunity to learn instruments such as the guitar, bass

guitar, keyboard, and drum-set (as well as having the opportunity to sing), while playing the

music that they listen to in their everyday lives.

o Performance/rehearsal dates & times: TBA

o Meeting times: Wednesdays, after school, from 3 – 4 P.M.

*As per the 2018 – 2019 Broward County Student Code of Conduct, students wishing to

participate in any extracurricular activities must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

DBMS Honors Band

An extracurricular club that focuses on the further development of wind/brass/percussion

technique. Students in this ensemble will prepare and perform music intended for a concert

band setting. To join this ensemble, students must have taken band at least once before.

While tentative, it is intended that this group will perform at the following events:

o Deerfield Beach Middle School Winter and/or Spring Concert

o Florida Bandmaster’s Association’s Music Performance Assessment: March 19th or 20th

o Individual students may have the opportunity to participate in the district’s Solo &

Ensemble festival on April 26th or 27th, in which they will have the opportunity to

perform as a soloist or as part of a group for a rating.

o Performance/rehearsal dates and times: TBA

*As per the 2018 – 2019 Broward County Student Code of Conduct, students wishing to

participate in any extracurricular activities must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

Attendance Policy

Due to the highly cooperative nature of a band program and the importance of each individual

member’s contributions, regular attendance is necessary to ensure and maintain the efficacy of the

band program. Regular attendance to daily class periods and attendance to all performances is

expected from each member of the program.

Daily Class Attendance

It is expected that students will strive to be in their seat with a working instrument, all necessary

accessories, pencil, music, and a music stand no later than 5 minutes after the tardy bell rings.

It is also important to note that daily class activities (such as playing exercises/tests,

demonstrations, worksheets, etc.) are averaged into the student’s grade; therefore, it is in the

student’s best interest to ensure regular and consistent classroom attendance.

Students will arrive to class on time each and every day.

Performances and Extra-Curricular Events

All performance dates and extra-curricular events can be found on the published calendar,

accessible through the band’s website.

o This calendar will be updated throughout the year, so it is recommended that students

and parents check it frequently. Reminders of important events will also be sent home

with students.

o A rough draft of the years calendar is expected to be finished by September 6th to

ensure ample time for students and parents to plan.

It is the director’s wish to ensure a convenient experience for all students and parents;

therefore, students and parents will be notified of the rescheduling or cancellation of any

event/rehearsal no less than one week in advance.

o Should a student be unable to attend a rescheduled event, please notify Mr. Kilbury

ASAP.

*All dates are tentative and are subject to change. Please refer to the published band calendar

for all updated dates and times.

Absences

It is band policy that students must advise the band director prior to an absence from a performance, rehearsal, or other scheduled event. Unless it is an extreme emergency, contact must be made no later than 24 hours prior to any absence.

The director must be notified in writing of any pre-arranged absence that conflicts with a scheduled performance in the band’s published calendar.

*Reminder: Students are expected to attend every performance; your position in this organization is irreplaceable.

Medical Appointments

Parents are requested to make a reasonable effort to schedule medical appointments at times

so that they will not interfere with scheduled performances.

This request obviously excludes emergencies.

Orthodontic and Dental Procedures

Since wind players use their mouth to perform on their instrument, orthodontic adjustments and dental procedures can, and do, have a great impact on the student’s ability to perform. Parents are requested to schedule orthodontic and dental procedures no less than two weeks prior to a performance (major work may require a longer period). Consult with your orthodontist or dentist if you have any concerns. This request would obviously exclude emergency work.

Expectations, Policies, and Procedures

General Expectations and Conduct

Students in the Deerfield Beach Middle School Band Program are expected to hold themselves

to high standards and act as such. Therefore, students will be held to high expectations to ensure a

successful and memorable year of music-making. Guidelines and expectations for all Deerfield Beach

Middle School Band students are as follows:

Students will refrain from talking and are expected to listen attentively while the director, instructor, or an administrator is talking or giving directions.

Students will refrain from arguing with one another.

Students will refrain from using profanity or provocative language.

Band members are expected to act as a positive role model for all outside observers.

Clean up after yourselves. Your band room is to be respected and will be kept in an orderly fashion. The band room should be left in better condition than it was when you walked in.

Respect and take care of the equipment (instruments, music stands, etc.).

o Defacing equipment, or the failure to properly care for equipment is unacceptable and may result in the issuance of a financial obligation for damage repairs.

Cell phone usage is strictly prohibited.

Students will ask for permission to leave their seat.

Students will raise their hands before speaking.

The consumption of gum, food, and drinks (with the exception of water) are not permitted in the band room.

All requests (instrument problems, missing music, etc.) need to be made within the first ten minutes of class.

CONDUCT IN THE BAND FACILITY

Students will enter the room in an orderly fashion an be in their seat with instrument/music ready within five minutes of the late bell.

Students are not permitted to touch, tap, hit, or play any musical instruments that do not belong to them.

o No one is allowed to play percussion instruments unless they are a percussionist and/or have special permission from the band director.

Horseplay or roughhousing will not be tolerated in or around the band facility.

Students will report to class/rehearsal ready to work together and make music!

Consequences

Should a student not adhere to the rules, expectations, and procedures outlined above, they

will receive the following consequences:

1st Offense: Verbal Warning/Student Conference

2nd Offense: Parent Contact

3rd Offense: Guidance Referral

4th Offense: Administrative Referral

Rewards

Students that are observed adhering to the outlined rules and/or exceeding the expectations of

the class will be rewarded through the weekly “Section of the Week” system.

Grading

Everyone expects an “A” in band class and/or other electives. While many students receive an

“A” in band, the fact remains that it is earned, not given.

Academic grades for each student are produced through an averaging of the following: o Worksheets o participation in daily class activities (playing, practicing, rehearsing, etc.) o playing tests o performances.

Proficiency on a musical instrument may come easier to some students than it does to others. Therefore, regarding playing-based assignments, students are graded mostly upon their effort to practice and do the best that they can, rather than on playing ability alone.

*Consistent failure to bring instruments and supplies, or to participate in daily classroom

activities will have a negative impact on the students’ overall grade.

Broward County Public Schools Grading Scale:

Grade Interpretation Value

A Superior progress 90% – 100%

B+ Outstanding progress 87% – 89%

B Commendable progress 80% – 86%

C+ Above-average progress 77% – 79%

C Average progress 70% – 76%

D+ Below-average progress 67% – 69%

D Lowest-acceptable progress 60% – 66%

F Failure 0% – 59%

Instruments and Materials

Since this course’s curriculum involves student proficiency on an instrument and development in the realm of the performing arts, students are required to have the necessary equipment and materials to ensure that they receive the best music experience/education possible. These materials include:

o A working instrument with all necessary accessories o Required music texts

Students are responsible for the care and maintenance of all instruments issued to them.

Instrument Rentals

Instruments are available to rent through the school, as well as through outside vendors.

*Important: The school has a limited number of instruments to rent, and many may not be in the best possible playing condition. Students may also need to share instruments.

o It is highly encouraged that students who play flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, or trombone rent their instruments from an outside vendor. In doing this, students are guaranteed a quality instrument for their time in the band program.

o Students may rent instruments through the following outside vendors: All County Music (Tamarac): Provides quality and incredibly affordable

instrument rentals (including the instrument mouthpiece). Students will be guaranteed an instrument of quality and excellent condition. Rentals can also be done online at https://allcountymusic.com/. This vendor is highly recommended by the director.

Sam Ash Music Stores (Margate): Provides quality instrument rentals, albeit without some of the benefits provided from All County Music’s services. Sam Ash’s music rental services are generally more expensive than All County’s.

Students renting instruments through the school will be required to fill out a Broward County Public Schools Instrument Rental Contract and pay a one-time $20 rental fee (this covers repair costs of any damage sustained during the rental period).

Due to the limited amount of instruments available through the school and the large number of students in the program, students may have to share instruments.

o Because of this, students who rent clarinets and saxophones through the school will be required to provide their own mouthpiece.

o Mouthpieces can be purchased from the vendors listed above (or online) and are rather inexpensive.

Students playing percussion will use the school’s percussion equipment but will still need to complete the rental contract mentioned above.

*More information regarding the specifics of instrument rentals, rental contracts, and other materials will be sent home with students at the appropriate times.

Instrument Accessories

All students will also have to provide accessories necessary for the care and maintenance of

their instrument, including cleaning swabs, mouthpiece cleaner, etc.

Students playing woodwind instruments such as the clarinet, oboe, bassoon, or saxophone will

need to supply their own reeds.

Students playing percussion will need to provide their own drumsticks, mallets, etc.

Specific information regarding the accessory needs of each student and recommended

items/brands will be sent home through the students. These memos will also be available on

the band website.

All accessories may be purchased from the vendors mentioned above or online.

Other Required Materials (Texts Used)

Students will be using the following text during their time in band:

o Making Music Matter: Beginning Band Method – Book 1 by Frank Ticheli and Gregory

B. Rudgers

Band Handbook Acknowledgement Form

By signing this form, I acknowledge that I have both received and read the information and policies set forth in this handbook.

Student Name (Print): _________________________________________________________ Student Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Date: ______________________ Parent/Guardian Name (Print): __________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________________________________ Date _______________________