Handbook and Policies
Overall Goal
The goal of the band program at Prescott Mile High Middle School is to develop outstanding middle school musicians who create, understand, and enjoy music and who have the skills necessary to be successful in music and in life. The PMHMS music program strives to promote school spirit and pride and represent Prescott Unified School District in a positive fashion.
Responsibilities
Rules and Rehearsal Procedure
Rule – Be a productive member of the ensemble.
Procedures and Responsibility:
1. Food, gum and drink are to be left outside of the band room and all rehearsal areas.
2. All cases, books and unnecessary material should be put on the instrument lockers or under the student's seat.
3. Check the whiteboard for rehearsal order and organize your music before rehearsal.
4. Percussionists should set up their section and have ready all equipment they will need for the rehearsal.
Consequences
Positive behavior will be recognized and praised. This may take the form of verbal praise, a phone call home, or other positive reinforcement. Musical expression offers its own intrinsic rewards and this program is structured so that students will be able to experience the joy of a quality musical performance on a regular basis.
If expectations are not being met, there will be consequences appropriate to the situation. I prefer to handle most situations by talking one-on-one with the student after class. However, if problems continue, the student will be detained after school, with prior notice. Other corrective action, such as a conference with parents, a written contract, further disciplinary consequences, or removal from the band program, may also be used in situations that are persistent or extreme.
At times, the band will travel off campus. I expect outstanding behavior during these trips since individual student behavior will reflect on the entire Band Program and on Granite Mountain Middle School as a whole. Any problems during one of these events will be dealt with severely.
Maintenance of Equipment
Only students who have signed out a school instrument may use that instrument. Students will be responsible for any unnecessary damage done to the instrument.
• Only use instruments that belong to you.
• Percussionists will be the only people that play percussion instruments.
School Owned Instruments – Students may be issued a school owned instrument based on need of the individual or need of the band. The School maintains a repair contract will local stores however, the repairs are not 100% free anymore. It will be the responsibility of the student using the instrument to pay the required deductible.
Maintenance of the Band Room
Students in the Prescott Mile High Middle School Music program take pride in the equipment and the appearance of their band room. Guidelines concerning the band room will be strictly enforced.
1. Food, drink and gum are to remain outside of the band room and rehearsal facilities.
2. Any person found defacing walls or property will be subject to school administrative action.
3. The band room can be used by students outside of class hours when it is supervised or when the director gives special permission.
Take pride in your band room by keeping it clean and always take your personal property when you leave
Performance Policy
Public performances with the band are school requirements, just the same as written tests. A student who misses a performance because of illness, death in the family, or a planned school absence will be deemed as having an excused absence from the performance. In this case, the student will be given a special playing exam to earn the points which are normally assigned to every student for each public performance. The
director must be informed of a planned absence at least five days prior to the performance by a signed note from the student’s parents in order for the absence to be excused. In the case of personal illness or emergency, the director should be notified as soon as possible.
If a student misses a performance for reasons other than those stated above, the absence is deemed unexcused. In this case, the student will be assigned negative points, which will lower the overall grade.
Concert Uniform
We will order band shirts for students to wear at concerts. However, all students will need a pair of pants to complete their uniform. Please make plans now to have the appropriate concert attire. Students in all the bands will need black pants and black shoes. The pants for all groups must be full length, not capri style; without any logos, stripes, or other ornamentation. Band shirts must always be tucked in at performances.
Other Information
Be sure to regularly check this website for upcoming events, information, and reference material.
I hope that all students will choose to complete the entire year, but I understand that sometimes priorities shift. Each day in band, we make progress from the day before, covering new concepts and material. Therefore, if a student decides to drop out of band, he/she will not be allowed to rejoin, as the band will have moved on. Students who wish to quit may do so, but must be aware that they will not be allowed to return if they change their mind. This is necessary to maintain the integrity of the program.
The goal of the band program at Prescott Mile High Middle School is to develop outstanding middle school musicians who create, understand, and enjoy music and who have the skills necessary to be successful in music and in life. The PMHMS music program strives to promote school spirit and pride and represent Prescott Unified School District in a positive fashion.
Responsibilities
- Students are expected to be on time and prepared for rehearsal every day.
- Each day, students should have their instrument, their own music and a pencil on the stand, and any other supplies.
- If your instrument is in the shop, please bring a signed note, as well as your music, to class.
- Students are expected to follow directions the first time they are given.
- Students are expected to treat the director, other students, and all property with respect.
- Rude, mean, defiant, destructive or otherwise inappropriate behavior is not tolerated.
- Students are expected to follow correct classroom procedures as outlined in the syllabus.
- Students are expected to produce high quality work both as individuals and as a group.
- Students are expected to be at all performances on time with the correct uniform and everything that is necessary to perform.
Rules and Rehearsal Procedure
Rule – Be a productive member of the ensemble.
Procedures and Responsibility:
1. Food, gum and drink are to be left outside of the band room and all rehearsal areas.
2. All cases, books and unnecessary material should be put on the instrument lockers or under the student's seat.
3. Check the whiteboard for rehearsal order and organize your music before rehearsal.
4. Percussionists should set up their section and have ready all equipment they will need for the rehearsal.
Consequences
Positive behavior will be recognized and praised. This may take the form of verbal praise, a phone call home, or other positive reinforcement. Musical expression offers its own intrinsic rewards and this program is structured so that students will be able to experience the joy of a quality musical performance on a regular basis.
If expectations are not being met, there will be consequences appropriate to the situation. I prefer to handle most situations by talking one-on-one with the student after class. However, if problems continue, the student will be detained after school, with prior notice. Other corrective action, such as a conference with parents, a written contract, further disciplinary consequences, or removal from the band program, may also be used in situations that are persistent or extreme.
At times, the band will travel off campus. I expect outstanding behavior during these trips since individual student behavior will reflect on the entire Band Program and on Granite Mountain Middle School as a whole. Any problems during one of these events will be dealt with severely.
Maintenance of Equipment
Only students who have signed out a school instrument may use that instrument. Students will be responsible for any unnecessary damage done to the instrument.
• Only use instruments that belong to you.
• Percussionists will be the only people that play percussion instruments.
School Owned Instruments – Students may be issued a school owned instrument based on need of the individual or need of the band. The School maintains a repair contract will local stores however, the repairs are not 100% free anymore. It will be the responsibility of the student using the instrument to pay the required deductible.
Maintenance of the Band Room
Students in the Prescott Mile High Middle School Music program take pride in the equipment and the appearance of their band room. Guidelines concerning the band room will be strictly enforced.
1. Food, drink and gum are to remain outside of the band room and rehearsal facilities.
2. Any person found defacing walls or property will be subject to school administrative action.
3. The band room can be used by students outside of class hours when it is supervised or when the director gives special permission.
Take pride in your band room by keeping it clean and always take your personal property when you leave
Performance Policy
Public performances with the band are school requirements, just the same as written tests. A student who misses a performance because of illness, death in the family, or a planned school absence will be deemed as having an excused absence from the performance. In this case, the student will be given a special playing exam to earn the points which are normally assigned to every student for each public performance. The
director must be informed of a planned absence at least five days prior to the performance by a signed note from the student’s parents in order for the absence to be excused. In the case of personal illness or emergency, the director should be notified as soon as possible.
If a student misses a performance for reasons other than those stated above, the absence is deemed unexcused. In this case, the student will be assigned negative points, which will lower the overall grade.
Concert Uniform
We will order band shirts for students to wear at concerts. However, all students will need a pair of pants to complete their uniform. Please make plans now to have the appropriate concert attire. Students in all the bands will need black pants and black shoes. The pants for all groups must be full length, not capri style; without any logos, stripes, or other ornamentation. Band shirts must always be tucked in at performances.
Other Information
Be sure to regularly check this website for upcoming events, information, and reference material.
I hope that all students will choose to complete the entire year, but I understand that sometimes priorities shift. Each day in band, we make progress from the day before, covering new concepts and material. Therefore, if a student decides to drop out of band, he/she will not be allowed to rejoin, as the band will have moved on. Students who wish to quit may do so, but must be aware that they will not be allowed to return if they change their mind. This is necessary to maintain the integrity of the program.