Hello and welcome to the Bearden Middle School Band Program! We are so excited to begin another year of Band at BMS! This Handbook will acquaint you with our Middle School Band Program and will serve as a guide for you for the rest of the year. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have (Contact info is at the end of this document).

Course Objectives

6th Grade Band

It is preferred that students begin their instrumental journey in 6th grade.  Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of their instrument and will learn to:

●          Correctly assemble and care for their Band instrument

●          Play with correct posture and instrument position

●          Begin to develop a characteristic sound on their instrument

●          Play the correct pitches and rhythms

●          Develop proper practice and performing habits

●          Learn to listen, analyze, and evaluate their own performance

●          Begin playing and memorizing scales

7th Grade Band

Seventh grade Band students will continue to build on skills learned in their first year of Band. In addition, students will:

●          Continue to expand their scale vocabulary

●          Develop sight reading skills

●          Increase rhythmic capabilities

●          Begin to listen, analyze, and evaluate the performance of others.

8th Grade Band

Students in 8th grade will work on performing in small and large ensembles. Throughout the year, eighth graders will prepare to perform with the high school Band. Eighth graders will also learn beginning marching techniques needed for summer High School Band Camp. By the end of the eighth grade, students should be fully prepared to succeed in high school.

●          Continue to expand their scale vocabulary

●          Continue to work on phrasing.

●          Continue to expand the range and usage of dynamics.

●          Continue to develop their understanding of balance.

Supply Cost  - $20.00

In order to provide our students with the best possible experience this year, our program inherently has several needs throughout the year. This supply cost covers these needs including: supplies for their Band class, instrument repairs, new music for concerts, and incentives to name a few. 

• You can pay online via SchoolCashOnline (step-by-step instructions are provided at the end of this document)
• Cash or check payable to Bearden Middle School
• Please write your student’s name in the memo line if sending a check

Guidelines and Expectations

1. You must have an instrument at all rehearsals. Failure to do so will negatively affect your grade. The only exception is for repairs, in which proof (copy of receipt from store) must be provided.
2. You MUST have all other necessary materials at every rehearsal (method books, music, and pencil.)

Practicing at home

We recommend that each student practice for 1 hour a week.  Shorter, more frequent sessions are better than 1 or 2 longer sessions less often.  However, you are free to fit the 1 hour requirement into your personal schedule as you see fit.  Students are welcome to come to the Band room before or after school to practice.

Band Room & Auditorium Rules

1. NO FOOD, DRINKS, OR GUM IN THE BANDROOM!!!

(We have one of the nicest facilities in Knox County-let’s keep it that way!)

2. No talking while the teacher is talking- Do not play or talk out of turn or without permission. Raise your hand and wait for the director to recognize you before speaking.
3. Do not get out of your seat without permission.
4. No playing or touching instruments without being asked- Play on your instrument only. Do not touch an instrument that does not belong to you (another student’s or school owned).
5.  No running or any other form of horseplay- ABSOLUTELY NO HORSEPLAY in the Band room or Auditorium. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
6. Only percussionists are allowed to touch and/or play the percussion instruments.
7. Follow the teacher’s first request.

Daily Band Procedure

1. Enter the room quickly and quietly-Come into the Band Room or Auditorium orderly. The Band Room/Auditorium IS NOT the place for horseplay!! (There are many expensive instruments in the Band room/Auditorium that can be easily damaged…and costly to repair)
2. Dispose of all food, gum, and drinks you may have
3. Have paper, pencil and anything else you need for class everyday
4. Sit in your seat-Put your instrument together and sit in your seat. You will have 1 minute before class begins to do this. Do not hang out in the instrument room. If you are not in your seat on time you will be counted tardy.
5. When class starts, remain quiet and attentive to the director.
6. Stay in your seat until you are dismissed-At the end of class you will be given time to put your instrument away.

Daily Materials

Students are expected to have the following materials in class:

• Music Folder-provided by director
• Pencil with eraser
• Paper (notebook or loose)
• Properly working instrument
• Band Instruction Book/Assigned Music

• 6th grade- Sound and Innovations – Book One
• 7th grade – Sound and Innovations – Book One (2nd half of book- Continuation of 6th Grade)
• 8th grade – Sound and Innovations – Book Two

• All needed supplies for instruments (oil, swab, polish, cloths, reeds)

• Clarinets/Saxophone Reeds

• Vandoren or Rico Reeds Size 2 - 6th Grade
• Vandoren or Rico Reeds Size 2.5 - 7th Grade
• Vandoren or Rico Reeds Size 2.5-3 - 8th Grade

Percussion

This is a list of items a percussionist should have for each grade. Your student should accumulate a small inventory of percussion mallets and accessories during their time in the BMS Band program. Most things you will only need to buy once if they are taken care of.

6th Grade

• Bell Kit/Practice pad, mallets, sticks included

7th Grade

• Stick Bag
• Pair of Yarn Mallets
• Drum Sticks
• Practice pad (optional)
• While it is not required for 7th or 8th grade, you may decide to continue to rent/buy a Bell kit as it can be handy for practice purposes and playing quizzes at home.

8th Grade

• Timpani mallets in addition to 7th grade materials
• While it is not required for 7th or 8th grade, you may decide to continue to rent/buy a Bell kit as it can be handy for practice purposes and playing quizzes at home.

Discipline Plan

Students will be expected to follow all rules in the school handbook, Band Handbook, and posted in the Band Room. Consequences will be determined by the School-wide Behavior Plan.

Fundraising

Fundraisers are VERY important for the success of the band program. The money raised will help pay for much needed music, instruments, instrument accessories, music stands, repairs, concert festival fees, buses, and much, much more.  Specific details will be announced as the year progresses.

Grading Policy

All Band students will receive a grade in Band based on the following criterion:

Rehearsal Techniques (50%)

Participation, Preparedness, Attentiveness, etc.

Deductions from Rehearsal Techniques Grade

• Getting to your seat late
• No Instrument
• No Folder / Music
• No Accessories (Reeds, Mouthpiece, Valve Oil, etc.)
• Talking or any other generally disruptive behavior
• If a student is removed from class due to behavior, they will not earn their rehearsal technique  points.

Assessments (25%)

Playing Test- Exercises or selections from weekly activities.

Written Test- Test will cover music theory skills and instrument techniques learned in the class.

Performances (25%)

Absence from a concert will only be excused for an emergency situation or a long-term schedule conflict approved by the directors. An unexcused absence from a concert will negatively affect your grade. If you have any questions, contact us by email or phone well in advance.

Concerts 

Concert Attire

6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands are required to wear all black for performances at BMS.  Unfortunately, students who are not wearing the proper attire will not be allowed to perform on stage.  Please let us know as soon as possible if you need any assistance obtaining these items.  

The “all black” uniform consists of the following:

*All items must be school appropriate

• Black slacks or skirt (no jeans or denim).
• Black collared shirt or blouse.  Short sleeves and polos are fine, but no t-shirts or sweatshirt hoodies will be allowed.
• Black socks
• Black shoes (for safety, must be closed-toed shoes)

After-School Rehearsals

We will not have consistent after school rehearsals although students are welcomed and encouraged to come to the Band room or Auditorium after school to practice on their own, with a friend, or to get help from their teacher.  

Our every-day schedule and hard-working atmosphere provide ample class time to prepare our students for concert performances.  However, if students do not hold to their commitment to practice outside of class and come to class prepared and focused, some extra time may be needed after class to tie up loose ends to ensure a quality performance on stage.  

These after school rehearsals are listed in the dates below, however they are tentative.  Please mark them on your calendar and reserve that time for your student and we will let you know at least 2 weeks in advance if they will not be needed.

Local Music stores

There are two music stores which service our area, Rush’s Music and Lane Music.  Rush’s has two locations and provides the following services:  Instrument rental, instrument repair, new and used instruments for sale, supplies, and can provide in-school delivery upon request.  *Note: Rush’s has now updated their website to allow for an online rental system.  You can do everything online and they will deliver your instrument to the school!

Rush’s Music

www.rushsmusic.com

Downtown/ South Waterfront Location

2107 Chapman Hwy.

Knoxville, TN 37920

(865) 573-4138

West Knoxville Location

9117-D Executive Park Dr.

Knoxville, TN 37923

(865) 531-7689

Additionally, Lane Music is another fine option to rent or purchase an instrument from, but they do not currently offer in-school delivery.

Lane Music

www.lanemusic.com

9648 Kingston Pike

Knoxville, TN  37922

(865)-357-5025

There is a box of reeds, oil, and other supplies in the Band office. These supplies may be purchased before and after class.

Contact Information

Matthew Waldron

Email: matthew.waldron@knoxschools.org

Sade Rakestraw Brown

Email: sade.rakestraw@knoxschools.org