Parents and students should carefully review the following information regarding participation the Guilford High School Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. GHS has a long tradition of musical excellence, and cooperation with these policies is essential for this tradition to continue. Once this information has been reviewd, please click on the link to the left to download the Band/Wind Ensemble contract. Print, fill out and return this form to Mr. Gahm by FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5th.While you are at it, be sure to also fill out the membership form for the Instrumental Music Boosters!

Band/Wind Ensemble Performance attendance policy

Students are expected to attend all performances for their ensemble(s). Students are also expected to remain at a concert if other performing groups are playing on the same concert. To request to be excused from a performance, students must bring in a note explaining the conflict written and signed by a parent or guardian at least one week prior to the performance (sooner is preferred). Excuses will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The following reasons for missing a performance will not be accepted: work, failure to find a ride, sports practice. In the event that a student has a conflict with a school sport game, both the coach and Mr. Gahm should be notified as soon as possible so that a solution can be worked out. Students missing a performance will be asked to complete an alternate assignment. Failure to notify the director of a conflict in a timely manner will result in a lowered grade, or in the loss of a student’s place in a select ensemble such as the Symphony Orchestra or Wind Ensemble.

Rehearsal Participation

Students can not “sit out” without permission of the director. A student needing to sit out for more than one rehearsal for medical or other reasons must bring in a note from a parent.

Cell Phone Use

There is a no tolerance policy for cell phone use in the class. Once class has begun, any student that uses a cell phone (for any purpose--checking time, texting, phone conversation, etc.) will have their phone given to one of the deans.

Care of Instruments

Students are expected to keep their instrument clean and in good working condition at all times. Students should immediately report any instrument malfunctions to the director and make an appointment to have the instrument repaired promptly. Instrument cases should be clearly labeled with a name. Students must be respectful of instruments that belong to others. Behavior that might lead to the damage of an instrument will not be tolerated. Damaging an instrument intentionally will be grounds for removal from this course. Percussion equipment is to be used by percussionists only. Music Dept. pianos and drum sets are not to be played without permission—even by students who study those instruments. Chewing gum while playing will damage an instrument. Students must discard all gum before class begins.

Instrument Storage.

Students may leave their instruments in the band room storage cabinets during the school day, and overnight. Every attempt will be made to keep the storage room a secure area, however this room is not always locked, nor is it always supervised by an adult. All students who use these school lockers will be required to provide a lock.

Concert Attire

Concert Band:

Boys:  Black dress pants, black long sleeve button-down collared shirt, black shoes and black socks. Girls: All black top/bottom. DRESSES OR SKIRTS MUST FALL BELOW THE KNEES Dress pants are fine. Black shoes.

Wind Ensemble

Marching Band Uniforms & Shoes.

As always, we will start school in high gear trying to prepare for the Guilford Fair Day Parade, which is on September 17th. Please make every effort to keep that date free—it is a big event in our town, and the Band plays a vital role.  Before that date, a lot has to get done for a successful performance.  In addition to learning the music and working on our marching skills, we need to get everyone into the proper uniform.  The school will provide the shirt, pants, and cummerbund (all of which will be distributed in the first two weeks of school) but students must also wear black socks and must purchase black marching shoes from the school.  These shoes are a specific brand and style, so that the entire band is wearing the exact same uniform.  These shoes will go on sale at school in the first week.  Used shoes (if available in the correct size) are $25 (many are not even used, they are new shoes that are left over from last year’s order).  New shoes that I order this year will be $35.  The discounted shoes are available in almost every size, and will be sold on a first come first served basis.  They go quickly, so the sooner you buy, the better chance you have of getting a discount. (checks payable to Guilford High School Band) If a student grows out of a pair of shoes at anytime during their time in band, they may exchange their shoes for ones that fit free of charge. 

Books

We will be using the book “Foundations for Superior Performance” on a daily basis in Concert Band (not in Wind Ensemble) for warm-ups, and technical practice.  This is one of the books that the students have been using at Adams for the past two years, and all students should bring in their copy of the book to class.  Students who have lost their book, or who do not own a copy may purchase a copy from the school or may sign out a copy of the book which they will have to return at the end of the year. Students will also be using the book “Bach and Before for Band.” These books will be provided for students. Lost books will cost $6 to replace. Students will also be given heavy duty music folders for their use. Lost or damaged folders will cost $15 to replace.

Smart Music

Other required/recommended equipment.

Below is a list of required and recommended equipment for students participating in the GHS Band and Wind Ensemble. If an item is listed as required, it is something students will be using every day, or almost every day in class. If an item is listed as recommended, it is either something that will help protect an instrument from damage, or something (such as a new mouthpiece) that will upgrade the performance of an instrument to a suitable level for high school. If your son or daughter takes private lessons, you should consult your private teacher to get equipment recommendations before making a purchase. Please check the web site for suggested vendors.

Students should have all the necessary equipment as soon as possible but no later than September 26th (If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at school or via e-mail.

Private Lessons

Due to the number of students in both the Band and Wind Ensemble, individualized instruction is very difficult. Private lessons can be a great way to get more personal attention, especially for those students looking for a challenge. If you are interested in finding a private music teacher, please let Mr. Gahm know. The music department maintains a list of good private music teachers in the area. Limited scholarships are also available for those who may need financial assistance.

Leveling

Students may opt to take Band and Wind Ensemble for level zero, level one, or level two credit. Level zero (grade does not impact cumulative GPA) will be automatically assigned to students who do not specifically request a level. Students wishing to earn level two credit should see Mr.Gahm by the end of the first quarter to have this changed. To receive level one credit, the student must complete three of the following requirements per semester. Students wishing to receive Level One credit in more than one ensemble must complete four. A student can have only a maximum of two Level One music courses per semester.

* Serving as an officer in the music ensemble

* Research paper. The paper must be approved by the music teacher and follow the format required by the English Department.

* Audition for CMEA Region Music Festival on applied instrument.

* Performance in Sports Band (good for one semester only)

* Perform in Percussion Ensemble

* Perform in an approved music ensemble outside of school on applied instrument (i.e. Greater New Haven Youth Symphony, Concert Band, or Wind Ensemble, CT Youth Jazz Workshop, Neighborhood Music School Chamber Ensembles, etc.)

* Weekly private lessons on applied instrument

* Participation in school musical (cast, pit or major crew assignment)

* Other director-approved project of students design (i.e. arranging a work to be performed, soloist in concerto, transcribing parts, etc.)

* Sound engineer for a minimum of two concerts per semester.

* Approved music department community service project (at least 8 hours)

Grading

Grades in Band and Wind Ensemble will be calculated based on the following:

10% Homework: Written homework in these classes is rare, but can include written reactions to concerts, turning in important forms, etc.)

30% Class work: students will receive a class work grade every two weeks, based on their overall work in class (preparedness for class, active participation, posture, effort, etc.)

15% Concerts/Projects:  Students will be given a grade for each performance. Full credit will be given for students that arrive on time for performances, are prepared with appropriate equipment/uniform, and participate fully.  Students that are excused from a performance will have to submit a substitute project to receive full credit.  Students that are not excused from a concert will lose credit for a missed performance.

10% Equipment Check:  (usually one per quarter) Students will be asked to show that they have all the necessary items to be able to play and maintain their instrument in good working condition (reeds, cleaning tools, etc)

35% Smart Music/ Playing Tests: students will be given bi-weekly Smart Music assignments, and once per quarter will be asked  perform excerpts from their concert music.

RECOMMENDED/REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Flute

Required:

• Combination lock for storage of instrument (if instrument is kept in band room)

• cleaning and tuning rod

Clarinet

Required:

• Combination lock for storage of instrument (if instrument is kept in band room)

• 1 Box of Reeds (It is less expensive to buy reeds by the box, and it provides a back up if reeds get broken.

Recommended brand: Vandoren, strength: 3

• cork grease

Highly recommended:

• Good quality mouthpiece and ligature. (Most mouthpieces/ligatures that come with student clarinets are of very poor quality) A high quality mouthpiece and ligature can make a student instrument sound like a newer, more professional model. If the student is playing on the same mouthpiece they had when they first bought the instrument, it is time for an upgrade.

Recommended brands:

Vandoren B45 Bb clarinet mouthpiece (top quality)

David Hite, Premier clarinet mouthpiece (excellent quality & value)

Rovner Dark Ligature

• La Voz reed case

• Pull through clarinet swab

•Thum-eez pad

Saxophones

Required:

• Combination lock for storage of instrument. (if instrument is kept in band room)

• 1 Box of Reeds (It is less expensive to buy reeds by the box, and it provides a back up if reeds get broken.

Recommended: Vandoren, strength: 3

• Neck Strap

Highly recommended:

• Good quality mouthpiece and ligature. (Most mouthpieces/ligatures that come with student saxophones are of very poor quality, and are not appropriate for high school level musicians. A high quality mouthpiece and ligature can make a student instrument sound like a newer, more professional model. If the student is playing on the same mouthpiece they had when they first bought the instrument, it is time for an upgrade.

Recommended brands:

Selmer C-star (Top Quality)

David Hite, Premier (excellent quality and value)

• Rovner Dark Ligature

•La Voz Reed case

•Thum-eez pad

Double Reeds: Consult your private teacher

French Horn

Required:

• Combination lock for storage of instrument (if instrument is kept in band room)

• Rotor oil and slide grease

Highly recommended:

• Schilke #29 mouthpiece or Holton MDC 29 mouthpiece

• mouthpiece brush

• Non-transposing Straight mute

Recommended brands:

Jo-Ral metal straigt mute (top quality)

Humes and Berg stone-lined mutes (good value)

Trumpet

Required:

•Combination lock for instrument cabinet

•Straight mute

Recommended brands:

Jo-Ral metal straight mute (top quality)

Humes and Berg stone-lined mutes (good value)

• Valve Oil

Highly recommended:

• Bach 3C mouthpiece

• slide grease

• mouthpiece brush ($3.50) and cleaning snake

Trombone

Required:

• Combination lock for storage of instrument (if instrument is kept in band room)

• slide cream and spray water bottle

• straight mute

Recommended brands:

Jo-Ral metal straight mute (top quality)

Humes and Berg stone-lined mutes (good value)

Highly recommended:

• Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece

• tuning slide grease

• mouthpiece brush and cleaning snake

Euphonium

Required:

• Combination lock for storage of instrument (if instrument is kept in band room)

• valve oil

Highly recommended:

• Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece

• slide grease

• mouthpiece brush

Tuba

Highly recommended:

• slide grease

• mouthpiece brush

Percussionists

Required:

• 1 stick bag (to protect and carry sticks)

• 1 pair general concert snare sticks (these are different than the sticks used for drum set playing) recommended: Vic Firth, American Custom SD1

• 1 pair Rubber Xylophone mallets. Recommended: Mike Balter, #6BB, grey rubber, birch

• 1 pair General Yarn Mallets. Recommended: Mike Balter, #14BB, Red Yarn, Birch

• 1 pair general timpani mallets (recommended Vic Firth T3, staccato

If you do not own any of these items, or if you only own the drum sticks, the easiest thing to do would be to order a complete set. A complete set of these sticks, with stick bag costs much less than purchasing the sticks separately.

The two sets I would recommend are:

*Innovative Percussion FP2 Intermediate Mallet Pack (top quality)

*Liberty 1 Basic Stick Pack (good value)

Both are available at steveweissmusic.com. (I have a link to these two products on the student resources page of my web site.)

All Band Members:

Highly recommended

polishing cloths, handkerchief

metronome & tuner

music stand

pencils

instrument case: in good condition, clean, labeled

note your serial number for insurance records

service instrument annually