Wade Carpenter Middle School
Course Information Guide for Instrumental Music
Course Information Guide for Instrumental Music
ASSIGNMENT TO CLASSES
All students must first be a part of a band or orchestra before joining specialty ensembles such as the guard, drumline, mariachi and jazz band. Each student who plays a wind or percussion instrument will be assigned to either cadet or concert band, based on ability level. Each string player will be assigned to orchestra. Students will be assigned to mariachi or jazz band as a second elective, and they must have permission from the instructor. Generally speaking, jazz band and mariachi are open to seventh and eighth graders, though exceptions are made.
BENEFITS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Benefits: Learning a musical instrument teaches control of large and (especially) small muscle groups, teaches teamwork, uses math, science and language arts skills in a way that reinforces and enhances learning in student’s other classes, and teaches self and group discipline. Students learn musical language and symbols, literature and history. In addition, music students tend to score higher on standardized tests such as AIMS and the SAT. Music students are given the opportunity to travel and perform for diverse audiences throughout the state of Arizona and sometimes in neighboring states. Having musical study on a student’s resume makes it more likely that the student will be considered for a college scholarship, and direct college scholarships are available for students who play specialized instruments.
Student Responsibility: Studying music in an organized ensemble is a group enterprise that requires the effort of each group member to succeed. It is a co-curricular class that requires effort in the classroom and attendance after school or on evenings and weekends, as scheduled. It requires a yearlong commitment and service to the community. Students who study music at Wade Carpenter Middle School may be required to perform with ensembles other than the class they are registered for as a prerequisite to registration in classes like jazz and mariachi. Wade Carpenter music students must always be on their best behavior, because they represent themselves, the school and the community each and every time they appear as a member of an ensemble.
Parent Responsibility: It is the responsibility of parents to help the student meet the yearlong class commitment by encouragement and by action. There is a parent organization that assists Mr. Warren in providing for the needs of the group. Parents need to attend the monthly meetings on a regular basis, and to volunteer for fund-raising efforts or to work as parade monitors and event chaperones. When band activities require the group to stay out of town overnight, official chaperones will be compensated for meals and lodging, as required.
Teacher and School Responsibility: It is the responsibility of Mr. Warren and the school to provide a good learning environment, materials to help the student learn, opportunities to perform and personal mentoring of the student, as needed. As a part of this responsibility, the music room is generally open 30 minutes before school each day, and remains open for at least an hour each day after school, so that students may practice, receive individual instruction or mentoring. Routine rotating duties or teaching meetings may cause occasional early closure or late opening of the music room, but these will be announced in advance if at all possible.
COURSE MATERIALS NEEDED
School Supplied Course Materials: In general, the teacher provides study materials. Students will often be given coursework materials the first day of each week, which will contain assignments and explorations. Each week’s sheet is due on the first day of the next week at the beginning of class to be considered “on time”.
Student Supplied Materials:
(1) Notebook: Each student must have a three-ringed 1" notebook (binder) in which to keep materials from the course. Notebooks will be checked on a regular basis to insure that students have the materials they have been given available for study.
(2) Musical Materials:
(a) Instrument: Students will need an instrument to play, which may be rented or purchased from local music dealers. Rental is recommended until the student is ready for an intermediate to professional model instrument (2-4 years). [Parental Note: if you feel that you cannot afford to rent or purchase a musical instrument, contact the school. School-owned instruments are available, but we do not have enough for everyone. Instruments are more likely to be available if your child is willing to play such instruments as French horn, trombone, baritone and tuba; or oboe, alto or bass clarinet, tenor or baritone saxophone.
(b) Local Music Dealers: Mariposa Music, 245 N. Grand Ave., Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 761-4021
(c) Accessories: Students will need musical accessories during the course of the school year, which vary by instrument. ALL students need a folding stand for practice at home. Accessories are also available at your local music dealer. Mr. Warren will keep a supply of accessories at school for emergencies that may be purchased for about the same price as your local dealer.
(d) Uniform Items: Band Uniforms will be provided, however students will need to purchase the following items. Most will be available through the school, and the cost will be as low as possible:
(a.) Band Uniform shoes and socks (black) (about $20)
(b.) Uniform gloves (2 pair, black) (less than $10)
(c.) Black belt for trousers (about $5)
(d.) White Uniform polo shirt (may also be worn as part of the school
daily uniform) (about $15)
COURSE DESCRIPTION, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Course Description and Objectives: Students in instrumental music study basic through intermediate individual and ensemble performance techniques, and also the background musical language that supports performance. Topics taught include aspects of musical theory, composition, improvisation, history and literature. All objectives are designed to meet one or more portions of the Arizona State Standards for Arts Education in Music and Nogales Unified School District Curriculum.
Course Policies:
1. Attendance: Instrumental Music classes are group performance courses. Students are expected to be in class every day. Each day a student attends, they receive 5 grade points.
2. Tardies: Students are expected to be on time and to sit quietly in their seats, with all materials needed for class when the bell rings or time for class arrives. Each day a student is on time, they receive 5 grade points.
3. Class Participation: Students are expected to be attentive, pleasant, to answer questions asked in an appropriate manner, to be quiet when not participating, to play on their instrument when directed, to refrain from playing when appropriate, and to be respectful to all. Each day a student does all of these things they receive 10 grade points.
4. Exams and Assignments:
a. Weekly Practice and Assignment Sheet(s): The first day of many weeks, students will receive an assignment sheet, which will provide a study guide for the week’s activities. This assignment sheet will contain questions to be answered, vocabulary to be defined, composing, writing or reading tasks, and scales and other materials to be practiced outside of class. Practice outside of class may be done at home, or at school in the music room before and after school, but must be verified by a parent or the band teacher. Weekly Assignment Sheets are due the next Monday after they are assigned, at the start of class. Students who turn in completed sheets on time, with the questions correct and activities completed will receive 50 points for their study and effort. Late papers lose 5 points per day for being late.
b. Written Exams will be given periodically (typically at 4 1⁄2 weeks and 9 weeks in each quarter). Exams are generally worth 100 points.
c. Extra Rehearsals will be scheduled as necessary. Extra Rehearsals are worth 50-100 points.
d. Performance Exams: Each time an ensemble plays in public, the students receive a grade. A typical performance is worth 100 points. Students are graded on effort, attitude, appearance, punctuality and results. Performance schedules will be announced at the beginning of each semester, but are subject to change as circumstances change.
e. Quizzes will be given whenever Mr. Warren feels that a check of understanding is necessary. Quizzes are generally worth 10 points.
f. Performance Tests: will be given whenever Mr. Warren feels that a check of performance ability is necessary. Performance Tests are generally worth 50 points.
g. Make-up and Homebound Materials: Missed exams, quizzes and performance tests will be made up after school the first day a student returns from an absence. Parents or counselors may request study materials if the student will be out for an extended period.
h. Missed Performances: Since missed performances by definition cannot be made up, parents are requested to ensure that their child attends every performance. In case of student illness or a family emergency requiring the student to miss a performance, written documentation (such as a physician’s note) must be provided to the school to document the illness or emergency. Students who miss performances due to family emergency will be assigned a make-up or homebound project.
i. Extra Credit: Students who wish to improve their grade may request extra credit materials from Mr. Warren. Items given and extra credit awarded will depend on the circumstances. Parents can help their child’s grade by attending monthly parent meetings. Students are given extra credit for parental attendance and involvement.
Music Room Safety/Health and Discipline: There are potential dangers in any room, if materials or objects are misused. Students, please keep these rules and ideas in mind:
General rules:
• If it’s dirty, clean it up.
• If it isn’t yours, leave it alone.
• Remain in your seat unless there is an academic reason to stand.
• Never leave the room without permission.
• Do not throw or toss anything.
• If you borrow something, give it back.
• If you have a school-owned instrument, treat it especially well—you are saving your family money.
• Walk—don’t run in the room.
• Carry items carefully.
• Do not bring food, gum, or drinks into the room.
• Water is permissible in small cups for woodwind reeds or in spray bottles for trombones. It is also acceptable in bottles for drinking. Use water only for its intended purpose, and be careful not to spray other people in the room.
• Empty water keys only on the floor in front of you.
• Woodwinds: Swab your instrument every day at the end of rehearsal.
• All instruments: Put your instrument in its case at the end of each class, close the case completely and put it away where the instrument is stored.
• Brasses: Clean your instrument every two weeks. The build-up inside your horn can make you sick.
• Percussion: Do not leave objects on top of drum heads or mallet keyboards. Clean and tune heads, bodies and lugs every two weeks.
Grading: Points will be posted to student records as soon as possible, and scores converted to percentages regularly. The formula is: Points Received by student divided by the Total Points Available equals a percentage point which falls within range of a letter grade.
Example: 135 points received by student/150 points available = .90 or A
A = 90 or above
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
F = 59 and below
School-Owned Instruments: School-owned instruments are available for students who wish to play instruments usually not available for rent or are needed for specialized activities. If you are interested in getting a school-owned instrument, contact Mr. Warren.
All students must first be a part of a band or orchestra before joining specialty ensembles such as the guard, drumline, mariachi and jazz band. Each student who plays a wind or percussion instrument will be assigned to either cadet or concert band, based on ability level. Each string player will be assigned to orchestra. Students will be assigned to mariachi or jazz band as a second elective, and they must have permission from the instructor. Generally speaking, jazz band and mariachi are open to seventh and eighth graders, though exceptions are made.
BENEFITS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Benefits: Learning a musical instrument teaches control of large and (especially) small muscle groups, teaches teamwork, uses math, science and language arts skills in a way that reinforces and enhances learning in student’s other classes, and teaches self and group discipline. Students learn musical language and symbols, literature and history. In addition, music students tend to score higher on standardized tests such as AIMS and the SAT. Music students are given the opportunity to travel and perform for diverse audiences throughout the state of Arizona and sometimes in neighboring states. Having musical study on a student’s resume makes it more likely that the student will be considered for a college scholarship, and direct college scholarships are available for students who play specialized instruments.
Student Responsibility: Studying music in an organized ensemble is a group enterprise that requires the effort of each group member to succeed. It is a co-curricular class that requires effort in the classroom and attendance after school or on evenings and weekends, as scheduled. It requires a yearlong commitment and service to the community. Students who study music at Wade Carpenter Middle School may be required to perform with ensembles other than the class they are registered for as a prerequisite to registration in classes like jazz and mariachi. Wade Carpenter music students must always be on their best behavior, because they represent themselves, the school and the community each and every time they appear as a member of an ensemble.
Parent Responsibility: It is the responsibility of parents to help the student meet the yearlong class commitment by encouragement and by action. There is a parent organization that assists Mr. Warren in providing for the needs of the group. Parents need to attend the monthly meetings on a regular basis, and to volunteer for fund-raising efforts or to work as parade monitors and event chaperones. When band activities require the group to stay out of town overnight, official chaperones will be compensated for meals and lodging, as required.
Teacher and School Responsibility: It is the responsibility of Mr. Warren and the school to provide a good learning environment, materials to help the student learn, opportunities to perform and personal mentoring of the student, as needed. As a part of this responsibility, the music room is generally open 30 minutes before school each day, and remains open for at least an hour each day after school, so that students may practice, receive individual instruction or mentoring. Routine rotating duties or teaching meetings may cause occasional early closure or late opening of the music room, but these will be announced in advance if at all possible.
COURSE MATERIALS NEEDED
School Supplied Course Materials: In general, the teacher provides study materials. Students will often be given coursework materials the first day of each week, which will contain assignments and explorations. Each week’s sheet is due on the first day of the next week at the beginning of class to be considered “on time”.
Student Supplied Materials:
(1) Notebook: Each student must have a three-ringed 1" notebook (binder) in which to keep materials from the course. Notebooks will be checked on a regular basis to insure that students have the materials they have been given available for study.
(2) Musical Materials:
(a) Instrument: Students will need an instrument to play, which may be rented or purchased from local music dealers. Rental is recommended until the student is ready for an intermediate to professional model instrument (2-4 years). [Parental Note: if you feel that you cannot afford to rent or purchase a musical instrument, contact the school. School-owned instruments are available, but we do not have enough for everyone. Instruments are more likely to be available if your child is willing to play such instruments as French horn, trombone, baritone and tuba; or oboe, alto or bass clarinet, tenor or baritone saxophone.
(b) Local Music Dealers: Mariposa Music, 245 N. Grand Ave., Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 761-4021
(c) Accessories: Students will need musical accessories during the course of the school year, which vary by instrument. ALL students need a folding stand for practice at home. Accessories are also available at your local music dealer. Mr. Warren will keep a supply of accessories at school for emergencies that may be purchased for about the same price as your local dealer.
(d) Uniform Items: Band Uniforms will be provided, however students will need to purchase the following items. Most will be available through the school, and the cost will be as low as possible:
(a.) Band Uniform shoes and socks (black) (about $20)
(b.) Uniform gloves (2 pair, black) (less than $10)
(c.) Black belt for trousers (about $5)
(d.) White Uniform polo shirt (may also be worn as part of the school
daily uniform) (about $15)
COURSE DESCRIPTION, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Course Description and Objectives: Students in instrumental music study basic through intermediate individual and ensemble performance techniques, and also the background musical language that supports performance. Topics taught include aspects of musical theory, composition, improvisation, history and literature. All objectives are designed to meet one or more portions of the Arizona State Standards for Arts Education in Music and Nogales Unified School District Curriculum.
Course Policies:
1. Attendance: Instrumental Music classes are group performance courses. Students are expected to be in class every day. Each day a student attends, they receive 5 grade points.
2. Tardies: Students are expected to be on time and to sit quietly in their seats, with all materials needed for class when the bell rings or time for class arrives. Each day a student is on time, they receive 5 grade points.
3. Class Participation: Students are expected to be attentive, pleasant, to answer questions asked in an appropriate manner, to be quiet when not participating, to play on their instrument when directed, to refrain from playing when appropriate, and to be respectful to all. Each day a student does all of these things they receive 10 grade points.
4. Exams and Assignments:
a. Weekly Practice and Assignment Sheet(s): The first day of many weeks, students will receive an assignment sheet, which will provide a study guide for the week’s activities. This assignment sheet will contain questions to be answered, vocabulary to be defined, composing, writing or reading tasks, and scales and other materials to be practiced outside of class. Practice outside of class may be done at home, or at school in the music room before and after school, but must be verified by a parent or the band teacher. Weekly Assignment Sheets are due the next Monday after they are assigned, at the start of class. Students who turn in completed sheets on time, with the questions correct and activities completed will receive 50 points for their study and effort. Late papers lose 5 points per day for being late.
b. Written Exams will be given periodically (typically at 4 1⁄2 weeks and 9 weeks in each quarter). Exams are generally worth 100 points.
c. Extra Rehearsals will be scheduled as necessary. Extra Rehearsals are worth 50-100 points.
d. Performance Exams: Each time an ensemble plays in public, the students receive a grade. A typical performance is worth 100 points. Students are graded on effort, attitude, appearance, punctuality and results. Performance schedules will be announced at the beginning of each semester, but are subject to change as circumstances change.
e. Quizzes will be given whenever Mr. Warren feels that a check of understanding is necessary. Quizzes are generally worth 10 points.
f. Performance Tests: will be given whenever Mr. Warren feels that a check of performance ability is necessary. Performance Tests are generally worth 50 points.
g. Make-up and Homebound Materials: Missed exams, quizzes and performance tests will be made up after school the first day a student returns from an absence. Parents or counselors may request study materials if the student will be out for an extended period.
h. Missed Performances: Since missed performances by definition cannot be made up, parents are requested to ensure that their child attends every performance. In case of student illness or a family emergency requiring the student to miss a performance, written documentation (such as a physician’s note) must be provided to the school to document the illness or emergency. Students who miss performances due to family emergency will be assigned a make-up or homebound project.
i. Extra Credit: Students who wish to improve their grade may request extra credit materials from Mr. Warren. Items given and extra credit awarded will depend on the circumstances. Parents can help their child’s grade by attending monthly parent meetings. Students are given extra credit for parental attendance and involvement.
Music Room Safety/Health and Discipline: There are potential dangers in any room, if materials or objects are misused. Students, please keep these rules and ideas in mind:
General rules:
• If it’s dirty, clean it up.
• If it isn’t yours, leave it alone.
• Remain in your seat unless there is an academic reason to stand.
• Never leave the room without permission.
• Do not throw or toss anything.
• If you borrow something, give it back.
• If you have a school-owned instrument, treat it especially well—you are saving your family money.
• Walk—don’t run in the room.
• Carry items carefully.
• Do not bring food, gum, or drinks into the room.
• Water is permissible in small cups for woodwind reeds or in spray bottles for trombones. It is also acceptable in bottles for drinking. Use water only for its intended purpose, and be careful not to spray other people in the room.
• Empty water keys only on the floor in front of you.
• Woodwinds: Swab your instrument every day at the end of rehearsal.
• All instruments: Put your instrument in its case at the end of each class, close the case completely and put it away where the instrument is stored.
• Brasses: Clean your instrument every two weeks. The build-up inside your horn can make you sick.
• Percussion: Do not leave objects on top of drum heads or mallet keyboards. Clean and tune heads, bodies and lugs every two weeks.
Grading: Points will be posted to student records as soon as possible, and scores converted to percentages regularly. The formula is: Points Received by student divided by the Total Points Available equals a percentage point which falls within range of a letter grade.
Example: 135 points received by student/150 points available = .90 or A
A = 90 or above
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
F = 59 and below
School-Owned Instruments: School-owned instruments are available for students who wish to play instruments usually not available for rent or are needed for specialized activities. If you are interested in getting a school-owned instrument, contact Mr. Warren.
Rules and Policies
