Band
Handbook
for
the
New
Braunfels Middle School
Unicorn
Band
The New Braunfels I.S.D. Band Program, through the dedication of students,
parents, community members,
administration and band directors both past and present, is a program
built on pride and excellence in performance.
The NBMS Band and its directors welcome each student to this department
with the hope that each student will
strive for excellence independently and within the band.
Be in your seat with your instrument, supplies, and music
when the tardy bell rings.
Do not play, touch or hold any instrument other than your
own.
Do not move chairs or stands without director's permission.
Defacing school property such as stands, chairs, or walls
is considered vandalism and will be treated as such.
"HORSE PLAY" will not be allowed (example: running,
hitting, shoving).
Non-band students are not allowed in the band hall.
No food, drinks, or GUM in band hall.
School rules and school dress code shall be followed
NBMS BAND CONSEQUENCES
All band members are expected to abide by both school and
band hall rules. However, if a student chooses to not practice these rules,
one or more of the following can occur in any order:
1. Verbal
Warning
2. Alternate/Written
Assignment
3. Teacher/Student
Conference
4. After-school
detention
5. Phone
call to parents/guardians
6 .
Referral to Principal
7. Removal
from band
BAND EQUIPMENT
In order to best take care of an instrument, students
should never allow another person to handle or play their instrument, and
never leave the instrument unattended. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR
INSTRUMENT.
School-Owned Instrument
Some of the more expensive and larger Instruments may
be checked out through the school. Students using a school-owned
instrument will be charged a once-a-year fee of $20.00 including percussionist.
Fees will not be refunded if a student leaves the district, voluntarily
quits or is dismissed from the instrumental music program. Students
who qualify for free or reduced lunches will have heir fee reduced to $5.00.
If needed, payment plans must be approved by the campus principal. Students
are expected to be responsible in the care of the instrument checked out
to them. Every effort has been made to provide the student with an
instrument in its best possible condition. It is the student's responsibility
to take extra precautions and leave it in as good or better condition at
the end of the year. The student is required to perform normal maintenance
and cleaning of the instrument while it is in his/her possession.
Any repair work needed should be brought to the attention to the director
as soon as possible. Any abuse the instrument receives will be paid
for by the person to whom the instrument has been issued. Instruments
must be stored and transported in its case. If a school owned instrument
is lost or stolen the students parent or guardian will be responsible for
a $500.00 deductible, which will be used for the replacement of the instrument
to the school. School-owned instruments can be covered by insurance
purchased by the parents, which will be used to replace the lost or stolen
instrument.
Student/Parent-Owned Instruments
Students will be expected to be responsible in the care
of the instrument that has been purchased or loaned for them. NBMS
cannot be responsible for equipment lost or stolen at school.
Required Percussion Equipment--Student-Owned. We will
have Percussion supplies available for purchase at NBMS for a discounted
rate.
Kit 2 Deluxe
1 MALLET BAG
1 PAIR VIC FIRTH SD1 SNARE DRUM STICKS
1 PAIR MED XYLOPHONE MALLETS(GREEN)
1 PAIR T3 TIMPANI MALLETS
1 PAIR HARD XYLO/BELL MALLETS (GRAY)
1 PAIR MED. YARN MALLETS
All Sticks and mallets should be labeled with the student's
name. Mallet bag should have identification tag and/or name
printed with permanent marker on the bag. NBMS cannot be responsible
for lost or stolen equipment.
TRANSPORTING INSTRUMENTS
Information Regarding Band Instruments on Buses:
Since the bus driver is ultimately responsible for the
safe operation of their bus, students must comply with all directions from
the bus driver. It must be understood that students do not have
a “right” to bring these instruments on the bus. It should be stressed
to the students and parents involved that this is a privilege that can
be revoked if it becomes a safety issue.
1) Instruments shall be held in the student’s
lap or upright between their legs while on the bus. The instrument
should never be placed on the floor where it might slide around and it
may not block the center aisle. The instrument may not block the
driver’s line of sight through any window on the bus.
2) Students do not have to ask the bus driver
for permission to carry these smaller instruments on the bus. However,
individual students may lose this privilege if they cause injury to other
students as they are getting on or off the bus. As an example, students
must be careful so that the instrument case does not hit another student
in the head.
3) Students may bring these smaller instruments
on the bus any day of the week.
Larger Instruments
Euphonium and Tuba
1) Students must obtain permission from the bus
driver prior to bringing one of these instruments on the bus. (If
the bus driver has room on the bus so that the instrument on a seat by
itself will not cause overcrowding on the bus, permission shall be granted.
If placing an instrument on a seat by itself causes other students to sit
three to a seat, the bus driver shall not grant permission for the instrument
to be brought on the bus). If permission is granted, the student
shall be allowed to bring the instrument on the bus for the trip home and
the student will also be permitted to bring the instrument on the bus for
the next trip back to school.
2) These instruments shall not be allowed to block a driver’s
line of sight through any window and shall not block the center aisle.
It is suggested that these larger instruments be placed in the seat immediately
behind the driver’s seat and that the student sit directly behind the seat
with the instrument so that the student can keep the instrument from falling
forward or out of the seat into the center aisle.
3) The student must insure that the instrument case does
not cause injury to other students as it is loaded on and unloaded from
the bus.
4) In order to disrupt the normal routine as
little as possible, euphoniums and tubas may only be carried
on buses on the afternoon of the last day of the week and on the morning
of the first school day of the week. This will allow band students
the opportunity to practice over the weekend or holiday period.
INSTRUMENT STORAGE
All NBMS Band Students will use a storage compartment for
instrument storage. Storage compartments are not to be shared
with any other person unless an assignment to share has been made
by a band director. The storage compartment should be used only to store
band equipment, band notebook, pencils for band, band book, band
folder, and sheet music that may be given out during the year.
INSTRUMENT REPAIR
Before taking an instrument-- personal or school-owned--
into the shop for repair, the student should have the band director
check the instrument out. Some minor repairs can be handled by the
director.
REMEMBER: NEVER TRY TO REPAIR AN INSTRUMENT YOURSELF!
METHOD BOOK
Students need to purchase "Foundations for Superior Performance"
at New Braunfels Music. Students may also have a band method book checked
out to them at the beginning of the school year. Failure to turn
in the book assigned at the end of the year will result in a fine
covering the cost of the book.
ATTENDANCE
Students are encouraged to make every effort to come to school
each day during the school year. Students are expected to participate
in all performances, extra rehearsals, sectionals, and competitions in
which the band class is involved. Absences from any of these events
should be cleared in advance with Mr. Zientek.
PERFORMANCES
Band is a co-curricular class in which performances are considered
essential to the learning process. Students are therefore
expected to participate in all performances of the NBMS
Band. Illness of the student or death in the family will be
considered an excused absence.
CONDUCT AT CO-CURRICULAR OR EXTRA-CURRICULAR
EVENTS
Band members will be expected to follow all school rules
when participating as a group or individually. Students are expected
to represent themselves, NBMS, the community, and the Unicorn Band program
in a manner that reflects well of the organization. Offensive and/or
abusive language is prohibited. Misbehavior is not the correct manner
in which to bring attention to the band program or NBISD and will not be
tolerated.
TRIP PROCEDURES
The NBMS Band has many opportunities for performances, including
the Comal County Fair Parade, Solo and Ensemble Contest, UIL Concert
and Sightreading Contest, Region Orchestra Auditions, Region Band Auditions,
and various concerts during the year. Other trips may be scheduled throughout
the year.
Conduct themselves at all times in a manner that will reflect
positively on the NBMS Band and New Braunfels Middle School.
Remain on busses until they are told to do otherwise when
first arriving at a site.
Students wishing to return from a trip with their parents
rather than on the bus must bring a note signed by the
parent or guardian to the directors no later than the day
before the trip. Before the student leaves, a director must see
the student with the parent/guardian.
PARENTAL PERMISSION FORM INFORMATION
The Parental Permission Form is a consent form allowing students
to attend all NBMS Band activities sponsored by New Braunfels Middle School.
This form is a blanket form for all NBMS Band Activities. All students
must return this form completed. Any transportation to be provided
will be by the New Braunfels Independent School District.
GRADES
Grades will be based on playing assignments, written assignments, and performances.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private lessons are not required to be in the New Braunfels
Middle School Band. They are, however, highly recommended.
The one-on-one instruction with an expert on the instrument is invaluable
to any student at any level of musical growth. The special attention
of steady, private study gives the student a greater confidence and a more
thorough understanding of how to play the instrument. Each lesson
is one half hour per week after school and costs between $10 and $15.
UNIFORM
Uniform For All NBMS Band Members:
Pep Rally - Parade Uniform
Band shirt (Tucked in)
Blue jeans (Long Blue jeans only--no “loose”,“baggy”,
or torn jeans)
Tennis Shoes (Sports shoes)
White socks
No Excessive Jewerly
Solid Black Belt
Concert Uniform
Long
Black Pants(No Faded Black Jeans)
Blue
Band Shirt
Black
Socks
Solid
Black Shoes or Boots no open toed or opened heel shoes
No
excessive jewelry.
Solid
Black Belt
Band shirts may be purchased at:
Ducky's
272 South Union
629-7422
SUPPLIES
Supplies needed for Band:
Instrument
Cleaning Supplies
Valve Oil (if applicable)
Reeds (if applicable)
Pencils
Pocket Folder with brads
Loose leaf paper
Sheet music handed out throughout the year
TWIRLER
Requirements:
1. Must be enrolled in band and have had one year
of band experience.
2. Must have had one year of twirling lessons and
be enrolled in twirling lessons while twirling for the NBMS Band.
AUDITIONS
In the spring of each year, all band students are required
to audition for placement in band classes for the following school
year. All students will be placed in a band according to their
ability, and results will be posted in the band hall upon completion of
all auditions.
DIRECTORS
If at any time a parent or student needs to speak to a band
director, please call 627-6289. If unable to reach a band director,
please leave a message with the office and the call will be returned as
soon as possible. You may also visit our web sitefor up-dated information
during the year. To visit our web site go to http://www.unicornband.org
and click on links, then click on NBMS band link.
New Braunfels Middle School Band Directors
Clay Zientek, Director of Bands 627-6289
czientek@newbraunfels.txed.net
Dolores Jimenez, Assistant Director 627-6291
djimenez@newbraunfels.txed.net
Melissa Townsend, Assistant Director 627-6290
mtownsend@newbraunfels.txed.net
