Uniforms:
Gentlemen - Tux
Ladies - Black Gown
The KRHS Wind Ensemble is the only auditioned large ensemble of the three currently offered.
By definition, the wind ensemble is a smaller group with only one or two players on each part. These students will explore the rich repertoire of the American wind ensemble, from transcriptions of Renaissance music to modern compositions written with non-traditional notation. Music theory, composition, and music history will be regular topics as new pieces are introduced and rehearsed. Please refer to the calendar for a performance schedule.
As with all bands, a high priority will be placed on individual musicianship; especially tone production, technique, intonation, and interpretation. To maximize personal growth, each student will be encouraged to participate in a small ensemble.
Students in all KRHS band will combine for pep band/marching band events and occasionally for special performances that may come along.
Auditions for the KRHS Wind Ensemble for the following academic year will be held mid-year to accommodate increasingly early preregistration.
Back to Top
SYLLABUS
Band Response Form : Once the Syllabus has been read, please print out and complete the Band Response Form and return it to Mr. Baldock .
Philosophy/Course Descriptions/Objectives
The Wind Ensemble program at Kentridge High School is designed to train students to become more mature instrumentalists; expressively, technically, and as responsible members of an ensemble. Rehearsals are the cornerstone of any successful ensemble. It is in the daily rehearsal where individual musicians learn to become ensemble musicians; by developing listening skills, by learning to make musical judgements that contribute to the group product, and by practicing rehearsal habits that maximize progress. Each performance is a reflection of the quality of the rehearsals leading up to it. Additionally, progress is cumulative. Year-long participation is crucial to the sucess of the band. The Wind Ensemble at Kentridge High School is performance-driven.....and our calendar is full! Each concert or contest performance is equivalent to a final exam, and the participation of every member of the group is important. It is also a major component of each student's grade. Please make an effort to get performance dates on your family calendar to minimize schedule conflicts. Successful participation in the Wind Ensemble at Kentridge High School will result in each student being able to :
1. Play his/her instrument in tune with a characteristic tone quality;
2. Memorize and perform major, minor, and chromatic scales;
3. Play his instrument with proper ensemble balance and blend;
4. Perform full band music at a Grade 5 - 6 difficulty level;
5. Signt read a full band composition at a Grade 4 - 5 difficulty;
6. Practice proper posture and breathing habits.
Back to Top
Rehearsal Expections
Get to class on time. A student will be considered tardy if he is not through the door by the time the tardy bell sounds. Tardies will be reported to the attendance office, and multiple tardies (more than three/quarter) may result in disciplinary action and/or lowering of grade.
Prepare for the class. Once the tardy bell has sounded, each student should go about the business ofpreparing for the rehearsal: getting instrument and music out, being seated, looking to the board for the day's plan, and beginning to individually warm up.
Typically, the formal rehearsal will begin three minutes after the tardy bell with a signal from the director or student director.
There should be no food, gum, or drink in the bandroom during rehearsal. Contribute positively to the rehearsal.
Talking or playing inappropriately can destroy a rehearsal. Books or materials not related to the rehearsal should be kept in backpacks, under the chair, or not brought to rehearsal at all.
Back to Top
Practice Expectations
Practice records are not a requirement. However, each student will be expected to have his part practiced, and in some cases, memorized. As with an athletic team, every member of the group has a responsibility to maximize the "team's" potential by staying musically fit: building and maintaining a strong embouchure (endurance and range); improving tone production (beauty and clarity); and diveloping good technique (tonguing and fingering). Additionally, as music is rehearsed it will become apparent whereindividual needs exist. Mmost mature playes find ways to "flag" those spots so when they are practicing at home they know where to concentrate their efforts. In short, each student is responsible for having his part ready.
Practice at home to learn your part;
Rehearse at school to learn everyone else's!
Back to Top
Grading Procedure/Skyward
The students in KRHS Wind Ensemble, Charger Band, and Concert Band will be graded in the following manner:
1. Daily Participation............................................40%
- Good daily attendance
- To class on time
- Preparing for rehearsal every day
- Having essential equipment/music/supplies/pencil
- Keeping instrument in good playing condition
- Keeping instrument locker neat
- Positively contributing to the rehearsal
- Preparing assigned music
- Completing any assigned written work, including quizzes or tests (if any)
Daily participation points will be given IN FULL at the beginning of the quarter.
Any infraction thereafter will be deducted. 2. Attendance at required Performances.............40% Required perforomance attendance points will be given IN FULL at the beginning of
each quarter. An unexcused absence wil result in a diduction. 3. Student Choice.................................................20%
- Individual practice on band instrument (1 pt/hour, no limit)
- Practice on a second instrument (1 pt/hour, maximum 5 per quarter)
- Pep Band (FB 2, BB 1 per game)
- Performance in non-school activity, i.e. church, piano recital, etc
- Attendance at some school, classical, or jazz performance as audience member
- Participation in school-related optional band activity, i.e. WIBC, All-State/All-NW,
solo and ensemble contest, etc.
- Music office work as assigned by director (TBD) Student Choice points (listed aa "homework" or "extra credit" on Skyward) will be posted weekly. A 93 - 100 A- 90 - 92 B+ 88 - 89
B 82 - 87 B- 80 - 81 C+ 78 - 79
C 72 - 77 C- 70 - 71 D+ 68 - 69
D 65 - 67 F 64 and below Student Choice points should be claimed on a KR Band Activity Voucher form and deposited
in "the box" in the bandroom. The voucher form is available on the KR Band website or in the band room. The Voucher process is on the honor system, and does not need to be signed by a parent. Points claimed by a student will appear weekly on Skyward for parents to monitor, if desired.
Back to Top
Attendance :
(at Required and Non-Required Performances)
Clarification may be necessary to explain the difference between required and non-required performances.
Required performances are those which are related to the course curriculum for KRHS bands. These would include home concerts, large group contest, and any local festivals.
Non-required performances are those which are beyond the scope of the curriculum. These include pep band performances, parades, and extended (multi-day) trips.
Required performances are part of the student's grade. Non-required performances are NOT part of the student's grade, but participation may garner points in the "Student Choice" grade category.
In the event of an unavoidable conflict with a required performance, the director should be notified at least two weeks in advance. Arrangements can be made to earn back the lost points. The only exceptions are emergencies and sickness. All other situations should be dealt with in advance.
Back to Top
Instrument Maintenance/Storage
Obviously, for a student to participate successfully in a KRHS band his instrument must be in good working order. All instruments, whether privately-owned or KSD-owned, should be treated with the respect that a craftsman gives his tools of his trade. Regular cleaning and maintenance is the responsibility of each student and is a part of the grading system. More indformation about cleaning and maintaining instruments can be found under "Instrument Links" on the KR Band website.
Students are expected to have working instruments for daily rehearsal. Some of the more common problems that create difficulty for students are: Bad reed or no reed. Please use the "3 REED RULE" - one on the instrument, another already
broken in, and yet another waiting to be used. Stuck tuning slides on trumpets, especially the main tuning slide and the 3rd valve slide. Also,
trumpet players should have a 3rd valve "pinky ring" that operates that 3rd valve slide. Trombone slides that are sluggish. This is usually caused by small dents in the slide. Leaky pads on flutes and clarinets. This can cause squeaks or fuzzy out-of-tune notes. All students should have the basic day-to-day maintenance equipment appropriate for each
instrument (oils, swabs, etc.) The instrument storage area at KRHS is inadequate for the number of students in the program. It is recommended that students with smaller instruments use their school locker to store their instrument, but everyone will have an assigned "cubby" in the instrument storage room. This room will be supervised or locked at times when no students are present. It will be unlocked at the end of each school day for students to pick up instruments for home practice. Every instrument case should be clearly marked on the outside with the owner's name. Also, we highly recommedn that the instrment make and serial number be recorded and stored at home. This information will be necessary in the unlikely event that an instrument gets lost (it happened this past year!!)
School-Owned Instruments
Those students who are using school-owned instruments are required to pay a rental fee of $60 for the entire school year. Percussionists are required to pay $30 / year to help with the purchase of percussion "expendables"; drum heads, mallets, etc. A form for this rental fee will be distributed sometime in the first quarter of the school year. When you receive the form, please read it thoroughly.
Back to Top
Private Lessons
Tiger Woods takes golf lessons! The primary purpose of the band experience is not to help each student find his maximum potential as an instrumentalist. Rather, it is to create an excellant ensemble that plays characteristic band literature at high level. While this process will undoubtedly improve each student's skills, it will not challenge most students at their individual points of need. Private lessons are strongly encouraged. Local music stores may be able to help locate private teachers in the area.
Back to Top
KRHS Band Boosters/PTSA/Parent Involvement
The Kentridge High School community is known for its tremendous support for their school programs, and support for the KR Band program is no exception. The KRHS Band Boosters is organized to provide financial resources and human resources when school resources run dry. The Band Boosters is organized under the umbrella of the Kentridge PTSA. Participation in the KRHS Band Boosters is open to any parent of a current KR Band student. Communication of information related to Booster activities happens most commonly in the form of e-mail. If you are not on the KRHS Band Booster email list, please contact Mr. Baldock and ask him to add you to the list.
Back to Top
Trips
Most multiple-day trips are non-required. However, they always involove competition and we must have good participation to be competitive. Typically, a commitment and small deposit will be asked for months in advance of a trip, after which a timetable of payments will be established. It is very important that this timetable be honored because it is connected to a payment schedule to the company making our travel arrangements. Money in before money out!
Trips are fun and exciting...but a successful trip requires several components to be in place. First, students are expected to understand the importance of adhering to school rules and regulations.
Future trips depend on it! Secondly, parent chaperones are indispensable! Yes, parents, it's fun to a mom or dad to several dozen teenagers!!
Back to Top
Fundraising
A list of current events for each KRHS band, including the anticipated cost of each event, can be found on the KR Band web page. This will help each student create a funding plan that works for him and his family. The KRHS Band Boosters have organized an array of fundraisers to help each student meet his/her goal funding amount.You can also find a copy of the list of current KR Band fundraising events at the same location. Nearly all fundraising for the year will happen during the 1st semester.
Back to Top
Optional Activities / Honor Bands
Many KRHS band students seek out additional opportunities to play. Here is a list of the most common of these opportunities:
Solo-Ensemble Contest
Our regional music educators organization (Green River Music Region, or GRMR) hosts an annual event, usually in January, that provides an adjudicated solo or ensemble experience for band students who want that additional challenge. This is a qualifying event for the... State Solo-Ensemble Contest
Students must qualify for this event by scoring highest in their instrument group at the regional solo-ensemble contest. It is held in April at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. All-State / All-Northwest Band
This honor band requires a taped audition and isheld inconjunction with the Washington State or Northwest (six states) Music Educators conference. All-State and All-Northwest events alternate from year to year. This year, 2008 - 2009, is an All-Northwest year. A third event, Artstime, occurs in All-Northwest years. It includes honor grouops for students who did not qualify for All-Northwest. Audition material for All-State / All-Northwest can be found out at www.wmea.org .
KRHS Pit Orchestra
The Kentridge High School musical has a great reputation for excellence, and the pit orchestra is a vital component in that success. This activity requires a major commitment of time and energy but the payoff is remarkable. It provides a high quality "professional" experience for participating instrumentalists.
Back to Top
. | 