PCMS Band Handbook

Pulaski Community Middle School
8th Grade Band
Director, Timothy F. Kozlovsky

Dear Parents and Students,

I am excited to begin the 2008 – 2009 school year in the music department at PCMS. As the eighth grade band director, I will strive to provide the band with appropriate challenges and rewarding opportunities. The eighth grade band will be able to experience the same type of performance events as they did in 7th grade with a few additions. We will continue the tradition of “Band Night” and “Band-O-Rama” with the Pulaski High School Bands as well as perform at our own Christmas and Spring Concerts.

Eighth grade band students also have the opportunity to travel in the month of May. The trip involves a travel in a deluxe motor coach, performance at a concert festival, visits to attractions in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The trip includes a band clinic, Mall of America visit, hotel stay and a day of fun at large amusement park. The band has a fundraiser in March that will enable them, to raise funds for the trip if they choose. The cost of the trip has been in the $160.00 range in years past. Students who sold Seroogy’s candy last year already have some money in their account. A letter will be sent out in February with further details. Please read over the contents of the PCMS Band Handbook and record the dates on your calendar, sign the back page and return it to band by Friday, September 12. You may also view the handbook on line at pulaskimusicboosters.com. Feel free to contact me throughout the year with any questions or concerns at (920)822-6580 or tfkozlovsky@pulaski.k12.wi.us

Sincerely,
Timothy F. Kozlovsky

Behavior Expectations

Respect Director
- While the director is on the podium there will be no talking or playing out of turn.
Respect Others
- Treat others as you would like to be treated (safety, respect, kindness, fairness, and honesty
Respect Equipment
- Players should only play or come in contact their own instrument. No gum, food, or drinks are allowed in the classroom without director’s consent.

All other general school rules and discipline procedures also apply within the band room.

Classroom Expectation

Students are to be in the band room at the scheduled time of class (7:46am).
Students will be seated and ready to rehearse 2 minutes after the class period begins.
All tardy students must present a pass from another teacher.
Students will be able to put away their instruments 2 minutes before the end of class.
Instruments must be stored in lockers for the safety of other students entering and leaving the music area.
Students will leave the room and their locker in a clean and tidy condition.

Required Materials

Class Materials:

A lyre and flip folder for march-sized music. (Also required in High School)
A pencil for marking music during rehearsal.
Accent on Achievement lesson book 3.
Identification on all materials (instrument, book, lyre, folder).

Concert Dress:

Black shoes and socks.
Black pants or ankle length skirt
Grey Pulaski Middle School band shirt

Reed Player Supplies:

At least two good, playable reeds at all times*
Single reed instruments should have a good clean mouthpiece, ligature and cap.
An instrument that is in good condition.
Cork grease, swab, and reed holder.

* Single Reed players are encouraged to purchase a reed card for $18.00. When reeds are purchased, the card will be punched. This will help to ensure that students have access to reeds when needed

Brass Player Supplies:

Valve or slide (trombones) oil.
Slide grease for tuning slides
A good mouthpiece.
An instrument that is in good, clean condition

Percussion Player Supplies:

A percussion bag for sticks and mallets.
A pair of 2B or concert drum sticks
A pair of general mallets for mallet percussion.
A pair of general use tympani sticks
Percussion kit for at-home practice

Lesson Attendance
Students are required to attend and complete the work for all lessons throughout each trimester. Lessons are an essential part of the band experience and they count as a very significant part of the final grade in the trimester. Students who miss a lesson for any reason will have exactly two weeks from the date of their lesson to make up their lesson for credit. After the two-week grace period is over, students will not be allowed to make up the lesson. Unexcused absences will be recorded as a “0” in the grade book and marked “missing” until the lesson is made up. The 7th and 8th grade bands have designated make-up times. If a student is unable to attend the listed make-up time, he/she is responsible for scheduling a time with the director.

Concert Attendance
Band is a performing ensemble. The concert experience is an essential and important part of both the group and the individual player. The concert policy is the consistent throughout all performing ensembles at PCMS. Concerts are required and are each worth one letter grade within the trimester. Family emergency or illness: Students will receive and “Excused” grade for the concert. A written excuse must be presented to the teacher within two class periods after the student returns to school.

Other Family Excuses:
A written excuse must be presented to the teacher at least one week prior to the concert. Students will be responsible for arranging a make up time to pass off concert music with the teacher. The make-up must be completed within two weeks after the concert or the concert will be graded as a “0.” The student will receive and “Excused” grade for the concert after the make up is completed. There will be no exceptions for notes presented less than one week before the concert.

If a written excuse is not presented at least one week prior to the concert or no written excuse is given the student will receive a “0” for the concert grade and their trimester grade will drop one letter.

Required Dates (arrival times to be announced)

October 23—Band Night at Pulaski Football Field 7:00pm
December 9—Winter Concert 7th-7:00pm 8th-7:30
January 25—Band-O-Rama @ PHS 1:00pm
April 3 & 4—Solo & Ensemble
May 5—Spring Concert 7th-7:00pm 8th-7:30pm

Other Activities (not required)

March 6 —7th & 8th grade Band Lock-In
May 8 & 9 Band trip to Minneapolis, MN
May 28 —PCMS Jazz Night

Other performances & activities may be scheduled throughout the school year. Check www.pulaskimusicboosters.com for additional information and concert dates.

Practice sheets
One point will be awarded for each weekly practice sheet with a minimum of 30 minutes of practice time. Sheets are to be signed by a parent and turned in at the first week’s rehearsal.

Practicing
Students are encouraged, to take their instruments home every evening. It is imperative to the success of the band and the individual instruments go home on the weekends for practice.

Although a specific practice amount is not required, students are expected to be prepared for daily rehearsal and lessons.

PCMS Music Boosters
PCMS Music Boosters help to chaperone special events or aide in fundraising activities. They are an essential and appreciated part of our music department. If you are interested in joining the music boosters please contact the president Michelle Baranczyk at baranczyk@netnet.net

Grading
Access to all assignments and grade progress will be posted online via Skyward. Grades will be posted each Monday. It is encouraged that you check all assignments and grades frequently.

Grades will also be emailed home periodically. If Pulaski Community Middle School does not have your current email address please contact Chris Kozub at 822-6500.

Timothy F. Kozlovsky
822-6580
tfkozlovsky@pulaski.k12.wi.us

Please read thoroughly, enter dates on your home calendar, and return this portion of the handbook to your director with both a student and parent signature by Friday, September 12th

I have read and understand all of the policies for Band at Pulaski Middle School for the 2008-2009 school year.

Student Signature Date

Parent/Guardian Signature Date