Mr. Blaser and Mr. DeGier
office phone 762-7758

The community of Alexandria is fortunate to have an excellent school system with a music program that provides a variety of quality experiences that enhance student social, emotional, and intellectual growth.  Please read through the following information and keep this pamphlet throughout the school year for referral.  We always appreciate your support because parents and students working together spell success for the Alexandria Band Program.

Ensembles:

During the 2007-08 school year, Jefferson High School will offer three academic ensembles (concert bands) that have FANTASTIC potential.  All concert bands meet daily and will prepare and perform a wide variety of the finest band literature available.  Each ensemble is a full year class.  The bands are listed below with a description of each:

JHS Concert Band: The Concert Band is a group that will include students in grades 10-12.  Concert Band will meet daily 3rd hour.  Considerations for chair placement include, but are not limited to, the following criteria – student performance proficiency level demonstrated in lessons, sound balance within each section, and leadership skills.  Seating or chair placement will be re-evaluated at the discretion of the director.

Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band:  The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band each have an established instrumentation with students that are in grades 10-12.  Qualities considered for membership to these bands include:  tone, sight-reading ability, technical facility, and general musicianship.  Other qualities may include attitude and dependability.  Considerations for chair placement include but are not limited to the following criteria – student performance proficiency, sound balance within each section, and leadership skills.  Seating or chair placement will be re-evaluated at the discretion of the director.

Solo and Ensemble Contest
Students will have the option of participating in solo and ensemble contest, which is held Wednesday, February 20, 2008, during the school day.  It is highly encouraged that members of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands participate in Solo/Ensemble Contest.  Letter points can be earned through participation in these events.

All-State Band and Jazz Auditions
There is a strong tradition at JHS with band members auditioning and being selected for the All-State ensembles.  Auditions will be held in early March and students are urged to audition.  If interested, please contact a director.

Quarter Grades and Grading Criteria
The quarter grade will consist of the following breakdown:

• 35% Averaged lesson grades

• 35% Rehearsal attendance/participation

• 20% Scheduled performances

• 10% Audition/Chairing

Lessons
Lessons provide a systematic approach and method for improving individual performance skills, and also serve as the primary evaluation tool for instructors to monitor student progress and assign grades.  Students receive lessons during their band period from one of the band directors.  Students that have a study hall/open hour may be assigned a lesson during that time.  Listed below is an outline that explains how the lesson system works.

1. Lessons will be provided on a 6-day cycle.

2. Lessons will be 15-20 minutes in length.

3. Each student will be given a lesson sheet to keep track of assignments, suggestions for improvement, and grades.  To earn full credit for a lesson, students are required to bring this sheet to their lesson along with all lesson materials including a pencil. Failure to bring lesson materials will result in an “F” for the lesson and make-up will be required. Students are responsible to contact their lesson teacher for make up lessons. 

4. Lesson grades will be based on the quality of preparation in relation to the student’s ability.  Any student then, regardless of ability may earn an “A” if they are prepared.

5. If a lesson is missed for any reason, it will be the student’s responsibility to schedule a make-up time with their lesson instructor.  Students must make up the missed lesson before their next scheduled lesson to receive credit.

6. Students may use “In School Practice” to improve their quarter lesson grade.  An explanation of how “In School Practice” works is provided below.

7. Students that take lessons privately with a non-district 206 instructor will still be required to take lessons with a band director.  It will not be the intent to add lesson material to prepare but rather to assist, monitor, and evaluate student progress.

8. Seniors are urged to take lessons but will be non-graded coached lessons.  Seniors are urged to participate in solo/ensemble contest, which can be prepared through lessons.

The quarter lesson grade will reflect an average of the lesson grades earned throughout the quarter.  Students may use “In School Practice” to improve their lesson grade average by doing the following: students may replace a poor lesson grade by practicing 120 minutes before or after school, or during a study hall, and recording those practice minutes in the “In School Practice Sheets” provided in the band room. 120 minutes equals one “A” lesson grade. Students may replace a maximum of two lesson grades in a quarter. “In School Practice” logged beyond 240 minutes will earn additional “A’s” for each 120 minutes, and be averaged in with all other lesson grades for the quarter.

Rehearsal Attendance/Participation
This portion of the quarter grade will reflect student participation and attendance in band rehearsals.  Students will earn 20 points for each day of participation in class. When a student is absent from rehearsal, he or she may earn participation credit for the missed day by doing the following: ask their band director what material was covered in class on the day missed, and after preparing the material missed, turn in a completed blue make-up slip to the band office.  Make up time for a missed rehearsal is 30 minutes of “in school practice” time.  Missed rehearsals MUST be made up within a 6-day cycle period.  Any student absent for an extended period of time due to illness or other unplanned circumstances should see their band director to discuss alternative make-up options/solutions. Students should talk to their director about advanced make-up work if they know they will be gone on a family vacation or a school field trip.

Points can be deducted from the daily participation grade for the following: 

• Disruptive behavior

• Off task

• Tardy

• Bad posture

• Chewing gum

• No instrument or music

• Sent out of class

• No pencil

Percussion Responsibilities:  No member of the percussion section will be excused from class unless the following has occurred:  All instruments put away properly, all music in folders, folders put away in folder cabinet, all sticks and mallets are stored in percussion area.       

Major Required Performances – Clear these dates!!

• Monday, November 5 – Fall Concert (all three bands) – 7:30 p.m.

• Monday, February 4 – Winter Concert (all three bands, jazz bands) – 7:00 p.m.

• Monday, March 10 – Kiwanis Concert (Wind Ensemble) – 7:30 p.m.

• Friday, April 4 – Central Lakes Conference Music Festival (Wind Ensemble) @ Brainerd

• Wednesday, April 9 – Region 8AA South Band Festival (Symphonic and Concert Band) @ Sartell

• Monday, May 19 – Pops Concert – 7:30 p.m.

The only excuse for missing a major required performance is a serious illness or death in the family. Work is NOT an excuse to miss an event. An unexcused absence from a required performance will result in 240 minutes of service to the band or the student’s grade being lowered by two full letter grades for the quarter if no make up work is turned in. Students and parents must plan ahead and put these performances on their calendar.  Every student is an important part of our prepared and balanced performances. Even ONE musician absent makes a significant difference in the quality of what all of us work so hard to achieve. All concerts and other performances are on the district calendar and the band web site, so please refer to it often.

Pep Band

Pep Band is an exciting time for band students that also provides entertainment at athletic events. Students will be required to attend pep band events as scheduled. The only excuse for missing a pep band is being involved in another school related activity that occurs at the same time. Students can earn points towards a letter each time they perform in the pep band. The following dates are for the fall:

1. Fall Football Season 

   • Friday, Sept. 14

   • Friday, Oct. 5

   • Friday, Oct. 12 (Homecoming)

2. Volleyball

   • Thursday, Sept. 20

3. Fall Tournaments – for football tournament games the full pep band will perform.  For volleyball tournaments, we will have a limited number of pep band members with a set instrumentation. Two pep bands with equal instrumentation will be established. Students will receive a list of dates and which band they are in during the first two weeks of school.

4. Winter season – The pep band performs at winter sports events including boys and girls basketball and hockey. Again, the two established pep bands will play a few regular season events during the winter.

5. Winter tournaments – TBA later.

Classroom Rules – These rules will also be posted in the Band Room.

1. No food or drink of any kind will be allowed in room.  Bottled water is fine.

2. Respect each other.

3. Respect all equipment.

4. No talking while your teacher is talking.

5. A student will be counted ‘tardy’ if not in the room when the bell rings.

Jazz Ensembles
Jazz Ensemble is an extra-curricular activity that will promote and enhance the overall musical experience. Students will learn a wide variety of musical styles such as swing, rock, Latin, and funk as well as learning how to improvise through big band and combo settings. Students can earn letter points by participating in either of the jazz ensembles. 

There will be two jazz ensembles depending upon the number of students auditioning. Jazz I will consist of the top jazz students, which is determined through an audition process. Anyone that doesn’t make Jazz I will automatically be placed in Jazz II. Jazz band auditions will take place during the second week of school. All audition materials will be available the first week of school.

Jazz I will meet every Tuesday and Friday morning at 7:00 a.m., and Jazz II will meet every Monday and Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m.  Sectionals may be held before, during and after school depending on the availability of scheduling.