Holley CSD
 BAND HANDBOOK

Mr. Zachary Busch, Jr/Sr High Band Director

Phone: (585) 638 6335 x5603
Email: zbusch@holleycsd.org

Hello Students and Parent/Guardian(s),

	Welcome to a new school year and the Holley Jr/Sr High School Band Program! I am looking forward to an exciting year of music and learning. We have many things planned for the year and this Handbook will outline the many concerts and events you will be required to attend and the expectations of the students in the program. Please take time to review it with your student.

	Being in band is an experience like no other subject in school. It is rewarding in so many more ways than “good test scores”. Please encourage your students to practice often and come to rehearsals with an open mind and readiness to learn. 

	I am looking forward to meeting and making music with everyone, as well as having a successful school year!

Sincerely,

Mr. Busch
Holley Jr/Sr High Band Director
Phone: (585) 638 6335 x5603
Email: zbusch@holleycsd.org

Holley Jr/Sr High Band Philosophy:
The philosophy for the Holley Jr/Sr High Bands is to foster and explore a love of music through instrumental outlets that are relevant and of interest to the students enrolled in the program. The end result for those who complete the program is not necessarily to produce college music majors, but to create life-long musicians who will continue to experience music throughout the rest of their life through various outlets and experiences.

Classroom Expectations:
1.) Students will arrive to band and lessons on time with their instruments, music/lesson materials, and a pencil.

2.) Students will be prepared to play their assigned lesson music at their assigned lesson time. 

3.) Students are expected to be respectful to both myself and their peers during rehearsals. Talking out of turn will be a distraction to myself and your peers who are trying to learn.

4.) Cell phones are off and away all day!!! Cell phones that are out during class will be dealt with in accordance to the school policy.

5.) Students are also expected to be at every scheduled performance, all of which are listed later in this handbook. Please review the performance schedule and make your plans accordingly. If a student will not be able to attend a concert because of illness or a family emergency, I will need a written excuse from a parent and a doctor’s note in the case of illness. Missing a concert will result in a required make-up assignment that will be determined by myself.

Seating Auditions:
Seating auditions will take place for BOTH bands by the first week in October. Students will be given scales/rudiments and etude materials to prepare and will be scored and seated based upon their audition performance. This process provides Mr. Busch with an opportunity to assess your abilities and put you in a position to succeed. It WILL NOT be counted towards your gradebook.

Grading Policy:

Quarterly grades will be determined by the following percentages:

Rehearsal Participation -								30%
(Cooperative attitude, punctuality, preparedness, respect for others.)

Daily Rehearsal Attendance -         						15%
(Be on time and in your seat when the bell rings.)

Weekly Lessons -                            						25%
(Instruction once a week outside of band with Mr. Busch. Follow the lesson schedule and come prepared.)

Concert Attendance -                      						30%
(Be at the concert on time, in proper dress, with your instrument ready to play.)

Total-                                             							100%

�	MAKE-UP LESSONS: Every missed lesson will still be marked as a 0 in School Tool. You will have ONE WEEK from the missed lesson to make it up. After the week’s make-up period is over, the lesson will stay as a 0 in the grade book. This policy is to help hold everyone accountable for missed lessons and to ensure make-up lessons are spent doing something WORTHWHILE rather than practicing old music for 4 periods in a row at the end of the marking period.  

�	Extra credit opportunities will be offered throughout the school year for a maximum of 1 make up lesson per quarter. One lesson will be awarded for each extra credit opportunity that is fulfilled. Here is the list of possible extra credit opportunities:
�	Attend an Elementary School Band concert and turn in the program to Mr. Busch. 
�	Attend a Buffalo or Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concert and turn in a program.
�	Research a composer that wrote one of the band pieces we will be performing and write a paragraph summary on an interesting aspect of his/her life or the composition.
�	Attend a concert at a local college and turn in the program to Mr. Busch.

Concert Dress:

Ladies: White buttoned blouse/top, black pants or a skirt (length must be BELOW the knees), and black dress shoes.

Gentlemen: White dress shirt, black dress pants, black socks, and black shoes, (ties are optional).
(Please, no t-shirts, jeans, or sneakers.)

***7th Graders who purchased black shirts last year may wear them. 8th Graders are free to stick with black & white, or buy a black shirt as well.***
**If you need assistance getting the proper concert apparel, please contact Mr. Busch.**

Performances/Important Dates for 2019-20:
Dec. 5 – Jr/Sr High Holiday Concert 7PM
Feb. 1-2 – Orleans All County MS Band, Lyndonville HS (select students)
Mar. 1-2 – Orleans All County HS Band, Kendall HS (select students)
Mar. 31 – Holley CSD District Band Concert 7PM
May 19 – Annual Chicken BBQ Music Dept. Fundraiser
May 28 – Jr/Sr High Spring Concert 7PM

A Note About Concerts: 
Concerts are the culmination of your student’s efforts throughout the school year. Missing a concert would be similar to a student missing a test in Math, Science, or any other class. Students are responsible for performing their own respective parts, all of which are important! So, please make sure your student is at every concert on time, in concert dress, prepared to make music!

Required Materials:
For the success of the program, I ask that you purchase the following materials for your student ASAP if you have not already done so:

�	An instrument (rented or owned)
�	Flute: cleaning cloth and rod
�	Clarinet and Saxophone: reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab
�	Brass: Valve or Slide oil, cleaning cloth
�	Percussion: Percussion Kit (rented or owned)
�	A pencil
�	A folding music stand for at-home practice

Many of the local music stores sell these materials at an affordable cost. Please see below the list of music vendors in the area for information on where to purchase these materials. I understand that finances are sometimes an issue. Please contact me if you find difficulty in purchasing these materials and we will work together to find a solution.

Music Shops and Vendors:
Roxy’s Music Store
228 West Main St.
Batavia, NY 14020
(585) 343-7222

Music & Arts
3349 Monroe Ave. 
Rochester, NY 14618
(585) 586-2766

The Horn Doctor
8423 West Ridge Rd. 
Brockport, NY 14420 
(585) 637-4084

NOTE: PLEASE be careful when purchasing an instrument online from sites like eBay and Amazon. Instruments that are inexpensive and seem like a great deal are usually of poor quality, need many adjustments, and most repair shops will refuse to repair them. Students need good working instruments to help them be successful. Poor quality instruments can lead to a lot of frustration. Any of the shops/vendors listed above would gladly help you find a quality instrument for your student. If you have any questions or concerns about a new instrument, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Busch.

Student and Parent/Guardian Signature Form
(detach this page and return to Mr. Busch)

Please return this page of the handbook by Friday, September 13h.

Return only this page!

I ________________________ have read the Holley Jr/Sr High School Band
Return only this page!

 Handbook and agree to fulfill my obligation as a member of the Concert Band.

______________________________________________________________
Student Signature							Date

Parent/Guardian(s) read this handbook before signing below!

I have read the Holley Jr/Sr High School Band Handbook and understand the obligations and commitments my student has made by enrolling in band.

_____________________________________________________________
Parent Signature							Date

(please check one of the following)
	
	My information is on SchoolTool.

- OR -

	Email: __________________________________________________

	Phone #:________________________________________________