Program Goals

The goal of the band program is to develop comprehensive student musicians. Through understanding the underlying elements of music, students are better able to appreciate music as an art form. Studying an instrument and performing in an ensemble gives students a "hands on" approach to learning music.

Concert Band

Concert Band is open to all high school students who are in grades 10-12 and have participated in the instrumental music program through the ninth grade. The group plays a wide variety of challenging music from classical transcriptions to Broadway medleys. The group performs for three major concerts, and may also perform for other events throughout the school year. Students in the group also join the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble to perform in the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony and have the opportunity to perform in Pep Band. The Concert Band rehearses every other day for forty-two minutes and students earn 1/ 2 an arts credit for the course.

Symphonic Band

Symphonic Band is open to all ninth grade students who have participated in the middle school band program through the 8th grade. The group performs a wide array of music with an emphasis on developing the skills necessary to perform high school level band literature. The group performs for three major concerts, and may also perform at other events throughout the year. Students in the group also join the Concert Band and the Wind Ensemble to perform in the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony and have the opportunity to perform in the Pep Band. The Symphonic Band rehearses every other day for forty-two minutes and students earn 1/ 2 an arts credit for the course.

Stage Band

Stage Band is open to all high school students who are enrolled in the band program and play saxophone, trombone, trumpet, drumset, bass, piano, and guitar. Students who are serious about learning how to perform music in the jazz style and demonstrate adequate proficiency on their instrument are encouraged to participate in this ensemble. Stage Band rehearses Monday evenings and performs for concerts and events throughout the school year.

Wind Ensemble

Wind Ensemble is a select performing group that plays advanced high school band literature of many different musical styles. Students in grades 10-12 are selected for this group based upon their musical accomplishments (lesson achievement, NYSSMA scores, performance evaluations, etc.) as determined by the high school instrumental music teachers. Creating two groups (Concert Band and Wind Ensemble) with balanced instrumentation is also a consideration when placing students. Preference is given to seniors who meet all of the performing criteria for participation in this group. Wind Ensemble performs in three major concerts and for many other events throughout the school year. Students in the group also join the Symphonic Band and the Concert Band to perform in the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony and have the opportunity to perform in Pep Band. The Wind Ensemble rehearses every other day for forty-two minutes and students earn 1/ 2 an arts credit for the course.

Instrumental Participation Information

1. Instrumental Lesson Policy
   Lessons are an essential part of the instrumental program and are required for all students participating in the band program. Lesson instruction provides students with the small group attention needed to progress on their individual instruments. It also allows for individual assessment by the teacher. Lessons occur on a six-day rotational cycle throughout the school day in order to minimize the impact on other classes. Students enrolled in band are required to take school lessons unless they are taking private lessons. If a student must miss a lesson due to illness, a test, science lab, assembly or field trip, he/she is responsible for notifying the lesson teacher of the conflict before the scheduled lesson. Students are responsible for making up excused missed lessons within a six day cycle to receive full credit. Unexcused lessons may be made up for partial credit. Missed lessons that are not made up by the end of the quarter will result in a grade of “0”.

2. Individual Practice
   Students are responsible for and are evaluated on their progress in learning all assigned material, including their band and lesson music. The amount of time needed to achieve this goal will vary by individual. Ninety minutes per six day cycle is the minimum amount of practice time recommended.

3. Grading Criteria
   Students quarterly grade is based upon the following:
   Rehearsal Grade (25%): Active participation in all band rehearsals is essential for the success of the performing group and the individual. Students are assessed on being prepared for each rehearsal, attention to conductor/teacher, and active, positive participation in the rehearsal process. Rehearsal grades may also include any written assessment the band teacher assigns.
   
   Lesson Grade (60%): Students attend lessons on a 6-day rotation schedule. Assignments will be given from lesson/ band music materials and students will be graded on their preparation for each lesson. Students are expected to attend all scheduled lessons except when the lesson conflicts with a class test, science lab, field trip, or assembly. A portion of the lesson grade may include quarterly performance tests and/or any written work the lesson teacher assigns.
   
   Concerts/ Performances (15%): Band members are involved in 3-4 major concert performances throughout the school year. Concerts represent the achievement of both the individual and the ensemble’s progress throughout the course of the year and are a focal point of a performance-based class. Participation in performances is a requirement for the course. If a student must miss a concert due to a legal absence from school, a make-up assignment will be given. Please refer to the list of this years performances below.

4. Concert Dress
   Concert dress for all band members is:
   White long sleeve tuxedo shirt
   Black dress slacks or long, black skirt
   Black Bow tie
   Black closed toe shoes
   Band Jacket (provided by school and signed out before the first concert) We do recommend that the jacket is dry-cleaned before the first concert.

5. Instrument Storage
   High school band students have an assigned locker to store there instrument in school. Students are expected to keep their lockers locked at all times. All instrument cases should be tagged and clearly labeled with the student’s name. Lesson music, mutes, reeds and other accessories should also be stored in lockers. Band folders should be stored in the assigned music cabinet.
    

6. School-Owned Instruments
   Students who play one of the larger school-owned instruments will be assigned an instrument to take home for practice for the school year. A contract stating the condition of the instrument and terms of use must be signed by both the parent and student and returned to the student’s band teacher. An instrument to be used in school will also be assigned. All school-owned a equipment should only be handled by students who have been assigned to use it or by permission of a music teacher. All school owned equipment including music stands, chairs, music, etc. should be handled with the utmost care as this equipment is very expensive to repair and/ or replace.

7. Instrument Care and Maintenance
   Playing a musical instrument is a challenging endeavor. Playing an instrument that is in disrepair is frustrating and more often than not, impossible. It is imperative that a broken instrument be fixed as soon as possible. Basic care for the instrument will reduce the need for repair and maintenance. Instruments should always be stored in a case when not being used. Brass players need to oil valves and grease all slides on a regular basis. Instruments that are dented should be repaired as this affects the sound and pitch of the instrument.

8. Band Seating
   The band teachers assign seating and parts with the goal of making the ensemble sound its best. Seating auditions may be held at the band director’s discretion throughout the year. Students who are concerned about their seating assignment are encouraged to speak with their teacher.

9. Changing Instruments
   Students occasionally express interest in switching to a different instrument in band.
   If a student is determined to do so they must take private lessons on the instrument and audition back into the program. The high school band directors may occasionally request students to switch to a secondary instrument if the need arises in order to maintain a balanced instrumentation in the group or to add a color instrument such as bassoon or oboe. However it is generally recommended that students play the instrument that they began with. Students who would like to join the program but have never played an instrument are also encouraged to take private lessons and audition into the program.

10. Music Trips/Travel
    The music department works to provide students with opportunities to perform both in and outside of school throughout the year. This might include performing at major adjudication festivals (local and out of state), at other schools, and for the community in a variety of settings. All extra-curricular performances and/or non-performance related field trips are at the discretion of the ensemble teacher. Criteria for extra-curricular performances are based upon the commitment and achievement level of the ensemble as well as the availability of the students and teacher(s) involved. All field trips are considered an extension of the school and students will be held to the Voorheesville Central School District Code of Conduct.

11. Fundraising
    Students have the opportunity to participate in 1-2 fundraisers over the year to help defray the cost of potential field trips. An individual account is kept for students that participate in fundraising as long as they are involved in the high school music program. Fundraising balances that are left in students’ accounts when they graduate or do not continue in the music program will be transferred to an account in a siblings name or a general student-fundraising account. All fundraising activities are sponsored through the Voorheesville Friends of Music.

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