East Wake Middle School Band Handbook
Here at East Wake Middle School we strive to be our best! Music is a part of everyone’s lives and we are here to learn to make beautiful and moving music that we can share with others. Everything we do directly affects how much we get out of our experience here in the performing arts. To have a productive environment, we need to come to agreement with some rules and procedures and that is what this handbook briefly outlines. We are going to have an amazing rest of the year with lots of development!
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
1. Students should enter the band room quietly and respectfully.
2. Students are to be in their seats and ready to begin 2 minutes after the late bell rings. If you are not ready, you will be marked as late and lose participation credit.
3. NO talking during class/rehearsals unless permitted by the director.
4. Absolutely NO gum in class. Students chewing gum will lose participation credit for that day.
5. Students will stay in their seats until the director dismisses them every day.
6. Respect the property of others.
a. NEVER use another’s instrument/reeds, open their case, or move other's belongings
b. Don’t touch another person’s property without their permission
c. Respect the room and equipment (don’t play with or lean on the music stands or put feet on
chairs/stands).
d. Stands are never to be used as desks.
e. NEVER touch the school’s percussion equipment without permission from the director
f. The restroom will be used before or after class only.
-Failure to follow these procedures will result in lost participation grades and possible disciplinary action
GRADING
Students are graded on posture, instrument carriage, and mouth placement, note knowledge, song knowledge, preparedness for class and tone quality.
Grading Scale:
F — Student does not demonstrate the learned skill
D — Student demonstrates the learned skill only with extensive teacher assistance
C — Student demonstrates the learned skill with some teacher assistance
B — Student has mastered the learned skill
A — Student has mastered the skill and progressed independently
Grade breakdown
60%- Major Assessments
Playing tests, Concert performance/participation, written tests, etc.
40%- Minor Assessments
Practice Logs, written quizzes, classroom performance, daily technique
Daily Technique grades: This grade is given daily and represents many things: student’s technique used during the class, student’s playing level, participation, involvement, compliance.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Students should bring instruments, music/method book, supplies (reeds, oil, etc.) and a pencil to class every day. If students do not have a playable reed, instrument or music, they are expected to follow along, listen, and remain in their seats…"play" a pencil. In addition, students may be asked to fill out a worksheet provided in regards to their lack of participation. Students are NOT allowed to do other homework. If you have an illness that will hinder you from playing, the only way to be excused from playing is through a note from a parent/guardian/doctor (This includes having braces tightened). You should still bring your instrument and music to class. You will "play" it without blowing. If your instrument is in the repair shop, a note is also needed. Students should NEVER “borrow” another person’s instrument or reeds. Participation credit cannot be given when music/instruments are not at school.
Other Grading Procedures:
Bring supplies to class: This includes books/music, instruments, instrument supplies (reeds, mallets/sticks, etc). Full participation credit will not be given without all supplies.
Be on time for class: Band students will be given 2 minutes after the late bell to assemble their instruments, have books/music and be in their seat ready to play. Students not prepared to perform at that time will not be given full participation credit.
Practice/Homework:
Practice: I cannot stress enough how important practice is. Simply put, students that practice and practice correctly will enjoy more success. Practicing is part of good musical work habits.
* VERY IMPORTANT * In order to be skillful enough to earn a good grade (A or B) on your report card, you MUST practice 20-30 minutes every day, or you will fall behind (100-150 minutes each week). Remember, practice is your homework.
Instrumental Lessons
Students are highly encouraged to take weekly lessons with a private teacher. A list of recommended teachers will be available on the website. Extra credit will be provided to students who bring proof of more than 5 lessons with a private teacher per quarter.
Behavior Consequences
Responsibility to the group is essential to the East Wake Middle School Band program. An individual's behavior and performance have a major impact on the other members of the ensemble. Students are expected to exhibit their best behavior at all times. Occasionally, we have visitors in our classes and many people will see our concerts and festival performances. One incident of poor behavior can ruin the public's good impression of our band program and our school.
Horseplay of any kind in the music room or instrument storage room will not be tolerated. These rooms are filled with instruments and equipment, which can easily be damaged. Most importantly, students can be seriously injured. Any such infraction will result in, at minimum, an immediate telephone call to parents.
Students who receive a suspension will not be allowed to participate in future field trips. Each band member holds the responsibility of being trusted to behave when we are out in public and represent the group with respect and integrity. Any variations on this will be at the discretion of the director and judged on a case by case basis.
MATERIALS & INSTRUMENTS
Items needed for class:
Band classes require the purchase of books. Books can be purchased at music stores such as Music & Arts, Quarter Note Music, and Amazon.com. You will need to have the book in within the first week of class.
Other items needed for band each day are: Instrument, books/music, handouts, pencil, reeds (clarinets/saxophone).
Instrument Storage: There is limited space for instruments. Students will have assigned areas to keep instruments during the day. Priority will be given to larger cases. Instruments are not to be left in the music room overnight. Students not using assigned spaces for instruments will lose their space/storage privileges. Items from other classes will not be stored in the instrument spaces. To be allowed to use this storage space, a Personal Property Waiver must be signed and turned into the director. This document can be found at the back of this handbook.
School Instrument Use: Any student using a school instrument will be subject to the School Instrument Loan Fee. These fees are necessary for maintaining and cleaning instruments. Students using instruments will be responsible for any and all damage to the instrument. The instrument use form and more information can be found at the back of this handbook, entitled Instrument Loan Agreement
Necessary supplies (reeds, oil, method book, etc.) may be purchased at:
1. Music and Arts 5950 Poyner Village Pkwy, Raleigh 872-1601
2. Music and Arts 426 Crossroads Blvd. Raleigh 854-0024
3. Interstate Music Supply (mail order) 1-800-982-BAND
4. Sam Ash
5. Quarter Note Music
TAKE YOUR INSTRUMENT HOME
Students are required to take their instruments home each evening for practice. The school's insurance does not cover the loss or damage to student property. Students who leave their instruments in the school overnight, weekends, and over holidays do so at their own risk. I strongly recommend that you add your child's instrument to your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy in addition to getting repair insurance on it through Music And Arts if it is a rental from there.
CHANGING INSTRUMENTS
Some students will be allowed to change instruments so that our bands can have full, well-balanced instrumentation. This is a perfect opportunity for students to learn to play a new instrument. Typically, woodwind players will switch to woodwinds and brass players will switch to brass. There are some exceptions to the rule, however. Because we do not start saxophones in Beginning Band, a limited number of clarinet players will be selected to make that switch after the Winter Concert based on interest, success on the clarinet, Band grades, and classroom behavior. Students interested in switching instruments need to speak with the director for further information. No student will be allowed to make any switch of instruments without the consent of the band director.
SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
Our school has a limited inventory of the larger, more expensive instruments which are assigned at the discretion of the director. When a school instrument is used, a contract must be completed per Wake County policy. The student and family is responsible for any damage to the instrument or loss of the instrument.
When a school instrument needs repair, the director must take it to a shop approved by the school system. The county will pay for all routine maintenance of the instrument.
Anyone assigned a school owned instrument must have submitted the instrument loan fee and have a signed Instrument Loan Agreement on file with the director. This can be found at the end of this handbook.
NEEDS BY INSTRUMENT
FLUTE - Cleaning rod, Cloth handkerchief
CLARINET - Cloth swab,*Vandoren or Mitchell Lurie reeds (6th gr.- #2½, 7th & 8th gr. -#2½ - 3½ thickness), Reed case for 4 reeds, Cork grease, Soft cloth
SAXOPHONE - Swab, *Vandoren or Hempke reeds (6th gr.# 2½, 7th & 8th gr.# 2½ -3½) Reed case for 4 reeds, Cork grease, Soft cloth, Comfortable neck strap
**ALL REED PLAYERS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 3 PLAYABLE REEDS AT ALL TIMES**
Reed players will need to have a reed guard CASE which holds 4 reeds. Please note that it is cheaper to buy reeds by the box rather than individually.
TRUMPET - Valve oil, Tuning slide grease, Snake (flexible nylon covered wire with brushes on each end), Mouthpiece brush, Mutes may be required depending on music selection.
FRENCH HORN - Same as trumpet, but ROTOR valve oil
TROMBONE - Trombone slide cream & spray bottle, Snake (flexible nylon covered wire with brushes on each end), Mouthpiece brush
PERCUSSION - Practice pad, snare sticks (Vic Firth SD1), Bell mallets (medium hard rubber), yarn mallets (medium), timpani mallets (general/medium), drum stick/mallet case - Mark ALL with name!!!!!!
CONCERT INFORMATION
Concert attendance: Concert attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in band. Depending on your class, there are at least two concerts each year. Mark these on your calendar NOW so that you do not double-schedule your child on this day. Sporting events and practices are not valid excuses for missing concerts. If they are not there, they miss the joy of performing for others as well as let other students in the ensemble down. If a student is absent and it is not excused, the student will not be able to show their achievement, and therefore the grade will reflect this.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Music Performance Adjudication (MPA)
Middle School bands from our band district (Central District), which includes all counties including and between Wake and Guilford Counties, are given the opportunity to perform a program selected from the state-approved music literature list. A panel of adjudicators rates the band's performance using a five-level scale:
I=Superior, II=Excellent, III=Average, IV=Below Average, V=Poor
Playing at the Central District MPA is an earned privilege. The band's attendance is contingent upon good instrumentation, hard work, steady progress, and impeccable student behavior. A decision will be made by the director in January as to which bands will be attending.
Audition-Based Honors Bands
All-County Band: Each year around October/November, middle school students from Wake County schools have the opportunity to audition for a spot in the Wake County All-County Band. The clinic/concert, which consists of rehearsals and a concert, will take place all in two consecutive days, which are typically Thursday and Friday. The audition solo is the same solo for All-District Band auditions. 7th and 8th grade band students are strongly urged to audition and should plan on purchasing the solo. Audition material is largely based on the same material used for All-District Band auditions, which can be found at www.ncbandmasters.org/cdba
All-District Band: 7th and 8th grade band students are strongly urged to audition for All-District Band in January. Students who are selected will attend a two-day clinic/concert in February, much like that of All-County Band. Students need not qualify for All-County in order to qualify for All-District Band, but it is highly recommended that students audition for All-County first. Audition material can be found at www.ncbandmasters.org/cdba
All-State Honors Band: Students who make top seats in the All-District Band may audition for the North Carolina All-State Honors Band. Students who make this band will attend a three-day clinic/concert. The auditions are generally in March. The students who qualify for this ensemble are North Carolina's very best musicians.
COMMUNICATION
East Wake Middle School Band Website: eastwakebands.weebly.com
This site will have updates about the music programs at east wake, printable forms, letters home, and other various resources to help teacher and parent communicate and help our students succeed.
East Wake Middle School Band Facebook Page
This group is an easy-access page that exists for celebrations of achievement, updates/reminders of what is coming up, and a place for students to communicate with each other about band.
Helping Your Child
Many parents don’t know how to help their child while they practice. That is ok. Here are a few pointers to get started:
1) The first few pages in the method book are items you should go over with your child to help with success.
2) A brief warm up should take place before technique is practiced. This gives the voice a fair chance to get ready or the instrument/body to fall into a state that is desired to achieve good, musical sounds. 3) Students should practice small parts of songs and not simply play through the whole thing.
4) Take lessons. A List of private teachers can be found on the band website.
5) Practice the things that are fun, but don’t forget to work on the things that we are struggling with. Practice sessions are our opportunity to get better, so we shouldn’t sound perfect the whole time. “Practice makes Better!”
6) Practice in front of a mirror to check posture, embouchure, and technique
7) Practice in a place with no distractions. Having the TV on in the background does not allow us to put full attention on our practice session, thus limiting maximum achievement.
8) Pay careful attention to details such as correct notes and fingerings, rhythms, key signatures and accidentals, signs and symbols, dynamics and articulations.
9) Practice SLOWLY! Once you have played something correctly slowly, then you can gradually play it faster and faster with the focus always on accuracy.
Regardless of musical background, a parent's support and encouragement will have a tremendous impact on a child's progress in music. To assist in the musical growth of your child, you can:
· Support the goals, policies, and procedures of the director. Your child succeeds when the director succeeds.
· Require regular practice at home. Provide a daily time and place where your child can practice without distractions or interruptions.
· Ask your child to play for you and encourage performance.
· Teach your child to be punctual by helping him or her to be on time to performances and rehearsals.
· Enthusiastically attend all music functions to show your support. Get involved!
· Help keep your child's instrument in good repair.
· Give strong consideration to providing private lessons for your child.
IN CLOSING
Young people need positive direction. I see band as an opportunity to shape young lives and to positively influence young people.
Students must understand that their actions will have a tremendous impact on their lives and the lives of others. The nature of that impact (positive or negative) is up to the individual.
Remind your child when the challenge becomes tough that teachers, just like parents, set high standards, because we care.
I am so excited about working with all the groups this year at East Wake Middle School. I am very happy with the progress the upper groups have made and cannot wait to see where this year will take us! We will have great opportunities to make music this year and we look forward to enjoying the process of exploring new things that are yet to come!
Mrs. Casey Duryea
East Wake Middle School Band Director
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
1. Students should enter the band room quietly and respectfully.
2. Students are to be in their seats and ready to begin 2 minutes after the late bell rings. If you are not ready, you will be marked as late and lose participation credit.
3. NO talking during class/rehearsals unless permitted by the director.
4. Absolutely NO gum in class. Students chewing gum will lose participation credit for that day.
5. Students will stay in their seats until the director dismisses them every day.
6. Respect the property of others.
a. NEVER use another’s instrument/reeds, open their case, or move other's belongings
b. Don’t touch another person’s property without their permission
c. Respect the room and equipment (don’t play with or lean on the music stands or put feet on
chairs/stands).
d. Stands are never to be used as desks.
e. NEVER touch the school’s percussion equipment without permission from the director
f. The restroom will be used before or after class only.
-Failure to follow these procedures will result in lost participation grades and possible disciplinary action
GRADING
Students are graded on posture, instrument carriage, and mouth placement, note knowledge, song knowledge, preparedness for class and tone quality.
Grading Scale:
F — Student does not demonstrate the learned skill
D — Student demonstrates the learned skill only with extensive teacher assistance
C — Student demonstrates the learned skill with some teacher assistance
B — Student has mastered the learned skill
A — Student has mastered the skill and progressed independently
Grade breakdown
60%- Major Assessments
Playing tests, Concert performance/participation, written tests, etc.
40%- Minor Assessments
Practice Logs, written quizzes, classroom performance, daily technique
Daily Technique grades: This grade is given daily and represents many things: student’s technique used during the class, student’s playing level, participation, involvement, compliance.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Students should bring instruments, music/method book, supplies (reeds, oil, etc.) and a pencil to class every day. If students do not have a playable reed, instrument or music, they are expected to follow along, listen, and remain in their seats…"play" a pencil. In addition, students may be asked to fill out a worksheet provided in regards to their lack of participation. Students are NOT allowed to do other homework. If you have an illness that will hinder you from playing, the only way to be excused from playing is through a note from a parent/guardian/doctor (This includes having braces tightened). You should still bring your instrument and music to class. You will "play" it without blowing. If your instrument is in the repair shop, a note is also needed. Students should NEVER “borrow” another person’s instrument or reeds. Participation credit cannot be given when music/instruments are not at school.
Other Grading Procedures:
Bring supplies to class: This includes books/music, instruments, instrument supplies (reeds, mallets/sticks, etc). Full participation credit will not be given without all supplies.
Be on time for class: Band students will be given 2 minutes after the late bell to assemble their instruments, have books/music and be in their seat ready to play. Students not prepared to perform at that time will not be given full participation credit.
Practice/Homework:
Practice: I cannot stress enough how important practice is. Simply put, students that practice and practice correctly will enjoy more success. Practicing is part of good musical work habits.
* VERY IMPORTANT * In order to be skillful enough to earn a good grade (A or B) on your report card, you MUST practice 20-30 minutes every day, or you will fall behind (100-150 minutes each week). Remember, practice is your homework.
Instrumental Lessons
Students are highly encouraged to take weekly lessons with a private teacher. A list of recommended teachers will be available on the website. Extra credit will be provided to students who bring proof of more than 5 lessons with a private teacher per quarter.
Behavior Consequences
Responsibility to the group is essential to the East Wake Middle School Band program. An individual's behavior and performance have a major impact on the other members of the ensemble. Students are expected to exhibit their best behavior at all times. Occasionally, we have visitors in our classes and many people will see our concerts and festival performances. One incident of poor behavior can ruin the public's good impression of our band program and our school.
Horseplay of any kind in the music room or instrument storage room will not be tolerated. These rooms are filled with instruments and equipment, which can easily be damaged. Most importantly, students can be seriously injured. Any such infraction will result in, at minimum, an immediate telephone call to parents.
Students who receive a suspension will not be allowed to participate in future field trips. Each band member holds the responsibility of being trusted to behave when we are out in public and represent the group with respect and integrity. Any variations on this will be at the discretion of the director and judged on a case by case basis.
MATERIALS & INSTRUMENTS
Items needed for class:
Band classes require the purchase of books. Books can be purchased at music stores such as Music & Arts, Quarter Note Music, and Amazon.com. You will need to have the book in within the first week of class.
Other items needed for band each day are: Instrument, books/music, handouts, pencil, reeds (clarinets/saxophone).
Instrument Storage: There is limited space for instruments. Students will have assigned areas to keep instruments during the day. Priority will be given to larger cases. Instruments are not to be left in the music room overnight. Students not using assigned spaces for instruments will lose their space/storage privileges. Items from other classes will not be stored in the instrument spaces. To be allowed to use this storage space, a Personal Property Waiver must be signed and turned into the director. This document can be found at the back of this handbook.
School Instrument Use: Any student using a school instrument will be subject to the School Instrument Loan Fee. These fees are necessary for maintaining and cleaning instruments. Students using instruments will be responsible for any and all damage to the instrument. The instrument use form and more information can be found at the back of this handbook, entitled Instrument Loan Agreement
Necessary supplies (reeds, oil, method book, etc.) may be purchased at:
1. Music and Arts 5950 Poyner Village Pkwy, Raleigh 872-1601
2. Music and Arts 426 Crossroads Blvd. Raleigh 854-0024
3. Interstate Music Supply (mail order) 1-800-982-BAND
4. Sam Ash
5. Quarter Note Music
TAKE YOUR INSTRUMENT HOME
Students are required to take their instruments home each evening for practice. The school's insurance does not cover the loss or damage to student property. Students who leave their instruments in the school overnight, weekends, and over holidays do so at their own risk. I strongly recommend that you add your child's instrument to your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy in addition to getting repair insurance on it through Music And Arts if it is a rental from there.
CHANGING INSTRUMENTS
Some students will be allowed to change instruments so that our bands can have full, well-balanced instrumentation. This is a perfect opportunity for students to learn to play a new instrument. Typically, woodwind players will switch to woodwinds and brass players will switch to brass. There are some exceptions to the rule, however. Because we do not start saxophones in Beginning Band, a limited number of clarinet players will be selected to make that switch after the Winter Concert based on interest, success on the clarinet, Band grades, and classroom behavior. Students interested in switching instruments need to speak with the director for further information. No student will be allowed to make any switch of instruments without the consent of the band director.
SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
Our school has a limited inventory of the larger, more expensive instruments which are assigned at the discretion of the director. When a school instrument is used, a contract must be completed per Wake County policy. The student and family is responsible for any damage to the instrument or loss of the instrument.
When a school instrument needs repair, the director must take it to a shop approved by the school system. The county will pay for all routine maintenance of the instrument.
Anyone assigned a school owned instrument must have submitted the instrument loan fee and have a signed Instrument Loan Agreement on file with the director. This can be found at the end of this handbook.
NEEDS BY INSTRUMENT
FLUTE - Cleaning rod, Cloth handkerchief
CLARINET - Cloth swab,*Vandoren or Mitchell Lurie reeds (6th gr.- #2½, 7th & 8th gr. -#2½ - 3½ thickness), Reed case for 4 reeds, Cork grease, Soft cloth
SAXOPHONE - Swab, *Vandoren or Hempke reeds (6th gr.# 2½, 7th & 8th gr.# 2½ -3½) Reed case for 4 reeds, Cork grease, Soft cloth, Comfortable neck strap
**ALL REED PLAYERS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 3 PLAYABLE REEDS AT ALL TIMES**
Reed players will need to have a reed guard CASE which holds 4 reeds. Please note that it is cheaper to buy reeds by the box rather than individually.
TRUMPET - Valve oil, Tuning slide grease, Snake (flexible nylon covered wire with brushes on each end), Mouthpiece brush, Mutes may be required depending on music selection.
FRENCH HORN - Same as trumpet, but ROTOR valve oil
TROMBONE - Trombone slide cream & spray bottle, Snake (flexible nylon covered wire with brushes on each end), Mouthpiece brush
PERCUSSION - Practice pad, snare sticks (Vic Firth SD1), Bell mallets (medium hard rubber), yarn mallets (medium), timpani mallets (general/medium), drum stick/mallet case - Mark ALL with name!!!!!!
CONCERT INFORMATION
Concert attendance: Concert attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in band. Depending on your class, there are at least two concerts each year. Mark these on your calendar NOW so that you do not double-schedule your child on this day. Sporting events and practices are not valid excuses for missing concerts. If they are not there, they miss the joy of performing for others as well as let other students in the ensemble down. If a student is absent and it is not excused, the student will not be able to show their achievement, and therefore the grade will reflect this.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Music Performance Adjudication (MPA)
Middle School bands from our band district (Central District), which includes all counties including and between Wake and Guilford Counties, are given the opportunity to perform a program selected from the state-approved music literature list. A panel of adjudicators rates the band's performance using a five-level scale:
I=Superior, II=Excellent, III=Average, IV=Below Average, V=Poor
Playing at the Central District MPA is an earned privilege. The band's attendance is contingent upon good instrumentation, hard work, steady progress, and impeccable student behavior. A decision will be made by the director in January as to which bands will be attending.
Audition-Based Honors Bands
All-County Band: Each year around October/November, middle school students from Wake County schools have the opportunity to audition for a spot in the Wake County All-County Band. The clinic/concert, which consists of rehearsals and a concert, will take place all in two consecutive days, which are typically Thursday and Friday. The audition solo is the same solo for All-District Band auditions. 7th and 8th grade band students are strongly urged to audition and should plan on purchasing the solo. Audition material is largely based on the same material used for All-District Band auditions, which can be found at www.ncbandmasters.org/cdba
All-District Band: 7th and 8th grade band students are strongly urged to audition for All-District Band in January. Students who are selected will attend a two-day clinic/concert in February, much like that of All-County Band. Students need not qualify for All-County in order to qualify for All-District Band, but it is highly recommended that students audition for All-County first. Audition material can be found at www.ncbandmasters.org/cdba
All-State Honors Band: Students who make top seats in the All-District Band may audition for the North Carolina All-State Honors Band. Students who make this band will attend a three-day clinic/concert. The auditions are generally in March. The students who qualify for this ensemble are North Carolina's very best musicians.
COMMUNICATION
East Wake Middle School Band Website: eastwakebands.weebly.com
This site will have updates about the music programs at east wake, printable forms, letters home, and other various resources to help teacher and parent communicate and help our students succeed.
East Wake Middle School Band Facebook Page
This group is an easy-access page that exists for celebrations of achievement, updates/reminders of what is coming up, and a place for students to communicate with each other about band.
Helping Your Child
Many parents don’t know how to help their child while they practice. That is ok. Here are a few pointers to get started:
1) The first few pages in the method book are items you should go over with your child to help with success.
2) A brief warm up should take place before technique is practiced. This gives the voice a fair chance to get ready or the instrument/body to fall into a state that is desired to achieve good, musical sounds. 3) Students should practice small parts of songs and not simply play through the whole thing.
4) Take lessons. A List of private teachers can be found on the band website.
5) Practice the things that are fun, but don’t forget to work on the things that we are struggling with. Practice sessions are our opportunity to get better, so we shouldn’t sound perfect the whole time. “Practice makes Better!”
6) Practice in front of a mirror to check posture, embouchure, and technique
7) Practice in a place with no distractions. Having the TV on in the background does not allow us to put full attention on our practice session, thus limiting maximum achievement.
8) Pay careful attention to details such as correct notes and fingerings, rhythms, key signatures and accidentals, signs and symbols, dynamics and articulations.
9) Practice SLOWLY! Once you have played something correctly slowly, then you can gradually play it faster and faster with the focus always on accuracy.
Regardless of musical background, a parent's support and encouragement will have a tremendous impact on a child's progress in music. To assist in the musical growth of your child, you can:
· Support the goals, policies, and procedures of the director. Your child succeeds when the director succeeds.
· Require regular practice at home. Provide a daily time and place where your child can practice without distractions or interruptions.
· Ask your child to play for you and encourage performance.
· Teach your child to be punctual by helping him or her to be on time to performances and rehearsals.
· Enthusiastically attend all music functions to show your support. Get involved!
· Help keep your child's instrument in good repair.
· Give strong consideration to providing private lessons for your child.
IN CLOSING
Young people need positive direction. I see band as an opportunity to shape young lives and to positively influence young people.
Students must understand that their actions will have a tremendous impact on their lives and the lives of others. The nature of that impact (positive or negative) is up to the individual.
Remind your child when the challenge becomes tough that teachers, just like parents, set high standards, because we care.
I am so excited about working with all the groups this year at East Wake Middle School. I am very happy with the progress the upper groups have made and cannot wait to see where this year will take us! We will have great opportunities to make music this year and we look forward to enjoying the process of exploring new things that are yet to come!
Mrs. Casey Duryea
East Wake Middle School Band Director