Sterling Bands

Student Handbook

2022-2023

Sterling Bands Student Handbook  2021-2022

Dillon Alas - Band Director

Dear Band Parents and Students,

Welcome to the Sterling Band Program! Or, if you are a returning student, welcome back to another fantastic year! I am so excited to get this year underway. With more than 150 students in the program this year, we are continuing to grow. We have many exciting performances and activities on our calendar and I cannot wait to get started.

This handbook is designed to be a reference for students and parents. It will provide information on the Sterling Band Program. There will be certain requirements and expectations that students will need to understand and achieve in band class.

In this handbook you will find information on class expectations, required materials, grading, performing events, concert attire, fees and instrument details. Please take the time to read over this information. After you have reviewed the information, sign the last page and return it no later than Wednesday, August 31st.

Band is an amazing opportunity for your student. In band class, your student will learn what it means to work hard, to collaborate as a team and to perform for friends and family. Students will have many opportunities to make friends, have fun and become performing musicians.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via parentsquare, email or phone. I am very confident that this year will offer your students a wealth of opportunities and learning experiences. Let's get started.

Sincerely,

Dillon Alas

Classes/Ensembles

Beginning Band (Periods 1): This beginner performing ensemble is offered to 6th graders only. After a brief trial period, students will have the choice to start on one of the following instruments: flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or percussion. Saxophones will be added in 7th grade and those students wishing to play Sax will start the year on Clarinet. Other wind instruments, such as euphonium, tuba, bass clarinet, oboe and bassoon will be added later in 7th and 8th grade as well. Percussion students will start by learning both snare drum and bells, before learning other more advanced instruments later in the year. (Percussion is a very limited instrument, each student will require an audition and approval from Mr. Alas in order to play Percussion).

 Beginning Band teaches students basic beginning techniques on their respective instruments and will focus on musically preparing students for Intermediate Band.

Intermediate Band (Period 2 and 4): This is the intermediate performing ensemble at Sterling. It is offered to 7th grade students, including new beginners who did not participate in 6th grade. Students will perform on the full range of wind-band instruments, although new students will still start on beginning instruments. This ensemble will perform several times throughout the school year, including concerts and the parades in the spring. Students will continue to improve their instrumental and musical abilities while preparing them for the Advanced Band.

Advanced Band (Period 6): This is one of the advanced performing ensembles at Sterling. It is offered to 8th grade students who have been in band for at least one school year. This ensemble will perform many times throughout the school year, including concerts, regional band contests and the parades in the spring. Students will continue to refine their instrumental and musical abilities while preparing them for Concert Band.

Concert Band (Period 3): This is the most advanced performing ensemble at Sterling. It is offered to 9th grade students who have been in band for at least two school years. This ensemble will perform many times throughout the school year, including concerts, regional band contests and the parades in the spring. Students will continue to refine their instrumental and musical abilities while preparing them for high school band.

Jazz Band (CAT time and Zero-Hour Club): This ensemble focuses on instruction in the various jazz music styles. Students will learn jazz playing techniques, improvisation and jazz ensemble skills. This ensemble is open to 8th and 9th grade students who are also enrolled in a year-long band class. All students will participate in various performances throughout the year.

Materials

Instrument

Music

Pencil

**Beginning and Intermediate Band students will need to purchase a copy of Essential Elements Book No. 1 for their instrument.** 

These books are available at our local music stores for $11 each ($15 for percussion).

*Advanced and Concert Band students will need to purchase a copy of Foundations for Superior Performance for their instrument.**

These books are available at our local music stores for $7 each ($10.50 for percussion).

Grading

Students will be graded based on the following system

Based on the system above, letter grades and GPA points will be given using the following scale-

Classroom Rules/Expectations

All band students will be expected to observe the following procedures and expectations when in the band room.

Lockers

There are more than 150 students in the Sterling Band Program, so instrument lockers will be very limited. There is additional storage within the band room and most students will store their instrument in the band room. The band room is very secure, it remains locked outside of class time.

Instrument lockers are for instruments only.

Concert/Event Schedule

Here are the currently scheduled concerts and events for this school year. If any events are added or removed, you will be notified well in advance.

Students will need to arrive half an hour before the start of each concert.

Concert attendance is required as part of their grade.

If your student cannot attend a concert, they will need an excusal letter from a parent or guardian 1 week before the concert. If they miss a concert due to an emergency, makeups will be assigned on a case-by-case basis.

Concert Attire

Sterling Band Polo Shirt

Black Pants, Slacks, Leggings or Skirt

Black Shoes

Black Socks

***All band students will need to purchase a Sterling Band Polo shirt. This shirt will be their performance attire for all concerts. Each shirt will cost no more than $15.***

Fees

Instrument Rental: $34-$54/month (depending on instrument)

Band Book: $7-$15 (depending on instrument)

Band Polo Shirt: $15

Instrument Info

Should I rent or purchase an instrument?

*RENT*. All instruments are available to rent from our local music stores, Chinook Music and Avalon Music. Renting from a store has numerous advantages-

• Your student will receive a high-quality instrument in excellent condition
• Your student will feel a sense of pride and ownership for THEIR instrument
• If for some reason that instrument doesn’t work out for your student, you can cancel the rental at any time
• The store will fix any damages or replace missing pieces
• Both music stores offer rent-to-own programs; each monthly payment you make applies towards purchasing that instrument, after 36 months of renting an instrument, it will be yours to keep

IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO PURCHASE AN INSTRUMENT. Instruments are very expensive. For example, a good quality Trumpet ranges anywhere from $2500 to $5000. If for some reason your student decides to only do Band for one year, then you have just spent a large amount of money on an instrument they barely used.

You may find instruments for cheap prices on websites such as Amazon. Do not purchase these instruments. They are not made by quality brands and will hold back your students' progress.

Rental prices range anywhere from $34 a month to $56 a month, depending on the instrument and brand.

Does the school have any instruments available for students to use?

Yes. The school will provide the more expensive instruments that are not available to rent from stores, such as Tubas, Bassoons, French Horns and Percussion equipment.

There are a limited number of beginner instruments available to rent from the school. However, there are more than 150 students in the Sterling Band program. There simply are not enough school-owned instruments available for every student. These instruments are available to those with financial need, on a first-come first-served basis.

***If you cannot afford to rent an instrument from a store and are in need of a school-owned instrument, contact me immediately!!! Send me an email and I will add your student to the priority list.***

What items do students need to take care of their instrument?

Taking proper care of instruments is incredibly important. All students will need specific items to keep their instruments in the best playing condition. These items are available to purchase as a kit from our local music stores. They can also be ordered from reliable websites such as https://www.wwbw.com/.

Music Stores

Chinook Music                                                        Avalon Music

199 Eastmont Ave                                                        532 N Wenatchee Ave

East Wenatchee, WA 98802                                        Wenatchee, WA 98801

509-886-8800                                                        509-663-7300

2022-2023 Sterling Band

Student and Parent Agreement

Return ONLY this page by August 31st, 2022

This is your first assignment.

Student Name (printed): _______________________________________

I have read the entirety of this document and understand that by signing this document, I am agreeing to abide by its rules, regulations, and expectations. I realize that I accept responsibilities expressed in this document.

Student Signature: __________________________   Date: _________________

Parent Name (printed): __________________________________________

I have read this document and understand that my signature signifies that I give my permission for my child to participate in all Sterling Junior High band functions and activities for the 2022-23 school year. My signature also signifies that I understand the grading, attendance, and performance policies put in place by the director and agree to adhere to them.

I also understand that Eastmont School District, its staff and all persons working in good faith with the band program cannot be held liable for damages, accidents, injuries or other mishaps that may befall my child while participating in a band activity.

Parent Signature: ___________________________  Date: _________________