West Chatham Middle School Band Syllabus

Richard.jervis@sccpss.com
912.395.3650 x 336
Teacher: Richard Jervis
Date: SY1516

www.rjervis.weebly.com
Course: Band
Grade Level: 6th-8th

Required Textbooks:
6th grade
7th grade
8th Grade




Tradition of Excellence, Bk 1




Tradition of Excellence, Bk2




Foundations for Superior Performance
Books may be purchased @ Portmans Music, Savannah GA (912.354.1500)
Course Description:
6th Grade

7th & 8th Grade

Course Objectives:
6th Grade

7th & 8th Grade

Beginning Band is intended for students that may or may not have had any
previous instrumental music experience. The class uses the Georgia Music
Standards as a basis for teaching, learning, and performing music as well as
assessing and improving music performances.
The 7th and 8th Grade Band program is intended for students that have
participated in the school band for at least one year on a recommended school
band instrument. The class uses the Georgia Music Standards as a basis for
teaching, learning, and performing music as well as assessing and improving
music performances.
Each class will cover basic music theory concepts necessary for reading, writing,
and counting music and music rhythmic patterns. Students will also be
introduced to beginning performance concepts and techniques such as posture,
breathing, tone production, dynamics, and articulation.
Students will continue to learn more about music theory that is necessary for
music performance and creation. Students will also begin exploring advanced
performance techniques and concepts such as blend, intonation, alternate
fingerings, balance, phrasing and improvisation.

Grades:
50%
40%
10%

Full Participation
Written and Playing Exams
Home Practice and Overall Preparedness

Tutorial:
Tutorial sessions will be available to all students. Students that are struggling
with material will be required to attend tutorial. Parents will be notified of
required tutorial sessions. Students will need to sign up for a specific date and
time to attend help sessions as well as return a parent permission form. Extra
help will be available Tuesday Friday during the mornings before homeroom,
and afterschool when needed.
Communication:
Communication between parents and teachers are vital for student success.
The easiest and most efficient way for me to communicate is via email. If you
need something or have a concern, please reach out to me in this way. I will
still return phone calls. However, please be aware that it may take a little
longer for me to respond to a phone call versus an email. You and your
students are important to me. I want you to have my undivided attention when
we are communicating with one another.

Band Website:
Additional information related to band activities and forms can also be found on
the band website: www.rjervis.weebly.com
Other Required Materials:
Method Books
Instrument

Instrument Care/Cleaning Kit

SmartMusic

Folding Music Stand

Reeds (box of 10)

Concert Attire:
Boys (Formal Concert Wear)

Girls (Formal Concert Wear)

Boys (Casual Concert & Picture

Wear)
Girls (Casual Concert & Picture
Wear)

See top of syllabus for required grade level textbooks.

A rental instrument in good working condition from a Band Director
approved Band Instrument Dealer. A small number of school owned
instruments are available on a first come first served basis. Please
feel free to consult with Band Director on any instrument questions
you may have.
Woodwind and Brass students only. If you rented an instrument
through Portmans Music in May 2015, this may be included and will
be delivered to the school with your rental instrument. Care kits can
be purchased at Portmans Music and include a cleaning cloth, swab,
valve oil, slide and cork grease, and a cleaning brush.
Many playing assignments and performance tests will be
administered using the SmartMusic computer software this year.
This is a yearlong paid subscription service that is available to
students and parents to use at home for completing practice
assignments and performance assessments. The use of SmartMusic
will help in quickly and accurately assessing student growth and
performance readiness. Families that do not purchase a SmartMusic
subscription for use at home may use the software at the school to
complete assignments on a time available basis. However, student
time on school computers will be extremely limited and students will
still be responsible for completing assignments on time. Students
using school computers to complete assignments will need to
schedule a time to come in before school to work on SmartMusic.
More information about computer requirements and purchasing
SmartMusic is attached.
Mostly for home practice use. But does come in handy during
performances off school campus. May be purchased at Portmans
Music.
For clarinet and saxophone students only. The box of reeds will be
kept at school by the Band Director in a secure location for students.
The reed size will vary depending on individual player ability. 6th
grade students will start with a size 2 reed. Most 7th and 8th grade
students should be using a size 2 or 3 reeds.
Solid white golf (school uniform) style shirt; Black dress pants (no
jeans); Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes); Black belt; Black dress
socks; No tie, vest, sweaters, or jackets.
Solid white golf (school uniform) style shirt; Black dress pants or a
solid black skirt (no jeans, or leggings); Black dress shoes (no tennis
shoes); Black dress socks or nylons; No tie, vest, scarfs, sweaters, or
jackets.
Solid white golf (school uniform) style shirt; Khaki uniform style
pants (no jeans); brown belt; Navy blue dress socks; No tie, vest,
sweaters, or jackets.
Solid white golf (school uniform) style shirt; Khaki uniform style
pants or skirt (no jeans); brown belt; Navy blue dress socks; No tie,
vest, sweaters, or jackets.

Instrument Lockers:
A limited number of instrument lockers are available for Woodwind
and Brass students to use during the school day. Lockers are issued
on a first come first served basis to those students that provide a
combination lock (not a luggage or key lock). No lock, no locker. A
copy of the combination must be given to the Band Director for
emergency purposes only. Lockers are only to be used for school
band purposes, not for storing books for other classes, projects,
lunch, etc. Students must come and retrieve their instrument from
the Band room at the end of each school day. Students that abuse
locker room privileges will not be allowed to store their instrument
in the Band room.

Band Participation Qualifications:

In order for students to enroll and participate in the Band program at WCMS, the
following conditions must be met.
Parents must demonstrate a commitment to:
1. providing the student with a quality instrument and all necessary required
course materials by the deadlines provided.
2. providing the student with an appropriate place to practice their
instrument in the home on a regular basis.
3. allowing the student to participate in all required performances and after
school rehearsals.
4. providing proper transportation (when necessary) to and from rehearsal
and performance sites.
Students must:
1. demonstrate the ability to be respectful and comply with all school and
Band rules, regulations, and procedures.
2. demonstrate the ability to maintain their instrument in good playing
condition.
3. demonstrate and maintain a consistent and appropriate level of
preparedness for Band class, rehearsals, and performances through
practice outside of the regular school day.
4. participate appropriately in all required rehearsals and performances.
Note:
1. 7th and 8th grade students wanting to participate in Band during the school
year 2015-2016 (SY1516) must have at least one years previous Band
experience on a recommended instrument.
2. Students entering sixth grade during SY1516 do not need to have any
previous experience playing an instrument as long as they are enrolled in
Band by the enrollment cutoff date. See the Band Director for further
details and dates.

Band Procedures, Expectations, and Rules

Procedures:
1. Come prepared to class: instrument, books/music, supplies, POSITIVE
attitude
2. Get your instrument, stand, and class materials out first thing upon
entering the classroom.
3. Be in your seat, with your instrument assembled and daily assignment
ready within 3 minutes after the tardy bell.
4. Participate throughout the class period; all instruction relates to everyone.
5. Clean up around.
6. Take you instrument home every night to practice!
7. Line up quietly (without talking) and walk in a single file line down the
hallway while keeping your hands, feet, and personal belongings to
yourself.
Expectations:
1. You will remain quiet and focused in class. Our class is one that is based
upon your ability to hear instructions and follow them, so your quiet and
attention is essential.
2. You will be prepared to learn. An instrument that is not ready to play is
worthless; make sure that you have everything you need in order to make
beautiful music!
3. You will be respectful of the Band room and each other. Our instruments
are all expensive, and we dont want them to break. Never touch an
instrument that isnt yours! Curiosity is great, but if that curiosity leads you
to break someone elses instrument then you will be held financially
responsible for it.
4. You will be an enthusiastic music student.making music is fun, and if you
are not having fun then you are not doing it right! Practice hard, until you
get it right; the better you play the more fun you will have!
Rules:
1. Follow directions the first time given.
2. Be respectful of others and their property.
3. Use appropriate language and volume levels when talking with others.
4. Remain quiet and calm at all times.
5. Refrain from eating, drinking, or chewing in the Band room unless
otherwise instructed.
6. Remain seated unless otherwise instructed to move.

Student Performances:
Student performances (alone and with others) are a state requirement for participation in Band.
Achievement is directly tied to participation in student performances. Performance participation will be
reflected in the students grade for the Band course. Students not meeting an appropriate level of
preparedness for a performance will not be allowed to perform. Required performances for students
are listed below.
Students that participate in non-required performances will earn additional perks, privileges, and bonus
points. These performances often include an invitation from the director to participate, an extra level of
preparedness and in many cases include a formal or informal audition by the director or other music
professional.

Event
All State & District
Honor Band Audition
1

Winter/Holiday
Concert
All State Band Final
Auditions
Dollars For Disaster
Kick-Off
All State Band
Inclement Weather
Audition Make Up
Date
District Honor Band
Dollars For Disaster
Closing
All State Concert
Event
GMEA LGPE
SCCPSS Honor Band
GMEA District 1 Solo
& Ensemble

Student Performance Opportunities

Date
Require/Optional Additional Notes
December 5
V
Effingham Co. Middle Guyton, GA
Student Registration Deadline
(9/22/15)
Teacher Registration Deadline
(10/6/15)
December 17
**
WCMS - Gym
January 9

Perry Middle Perry, GA

January ?

WCMS - Library

January 16

Perry Middle Perry, GA

February 4-6
March ?

V
VI

ASU Savannah, GA
WCMS - Library

March 3 - 5

Classic Center Athens, Ga

March 11 or 12
April 1-2
April 16

***
V
V

ASU Savannah, GA
Beach HS Savannah, GA
Oglethorpe Middle Savannah, GA
Student Registration Deadline
(1/26/16)
Teacher Registration Deadline (2/9/16)
Spring Concert
May 12
**
WCMS - Gym
There will be a few afterschool rehearsals closer to performance time. Those rehearsals will
be announced at a later time and posted on the Band website.
Other performances may be scheduled throughout the school year.
Key
V
VI
**
***

Voluntary (Audition Required)

Voluntary (Invitation Only)
Required (All 6th-8th grade Band students)
Required (All 7th-8th grade students, 6th grade
invite only)

Dear Band Parents,

This year we are incorporating an exciting, interactive software program into our music program. This
software is called SmartMusic, and it provides great value for students at all levels. For example:
Students practice with background accompaniment and get visual and audio feedback on each
assignment, which makes practice more meaningful and productive.
SmartMusic motivates students to continue practicing to improve their scores, similar to a video
game, which makes practice more fun.
I can provide more individualized attention for your child with SmartMusics assignment
features, including notes of encouragement.
Parents have access to their students progress 24/7.
Check out the web at www.smartmusic.com.
Although a SmartMusic home subscription is not a requirement, I want to highly encourage you to get a
subscription. I believe your child will enjoy practicing more and improve faster. Please purchase a
SmartMusic subscription for your child today:
Place your order at www.smartmusic.com by clicking on the Order Now Button. All you will
need is a PC or a Macintosh with an Internet connection. Complete system requirements are
listed at www.smartmusic.com/support.
To get started, just follow the on-screen instructions for installation and activation. Your e-mail
address is required to activate SmartMusic and so that I can send your child messages to
encourage them, along with assignments and lesson reminders.
An annual subscription is $40, plus a one-time cost for an instrumental microphone ($19.95 for
Windows and $29.95 for Mac). The SmartMusic microphones are more sensitive and
responsive, which makes the assessment and recording features work better.
SmartMusic will be set up in our practice room for students to use when they dont have SmartMusic at
home. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me at 912.395.3650 or
richard.jervis@sccpss.com. Im looking forward to a great year working with your student.

Sincerely,

Richie Jervis
Director of Bands
West Chatham Middle School

Student/Parent Signature Sheet

Student Name:_____________________________
Please check each box indicating you have
received and understand it:
Students:
I understand the rules, expectations, and terms by which I may
participate in band class.
I have read and understand the course description and grading
requirements.
Parents:
I understand the rules, expectations, and terms by which my
student may participate in band class. I understand that my
student may be removed from Band for not following the
outlined expectations, rules, and terms.
I have read and understand the course description and grading
requirements.
I have received the information on the use of Smart Music in
the Band program
and will (check appropriate box):
Purchase Smart Music for use by my student at
home
Will not be able to purchase Smart Music, and
understand what my student will have to do in order
to complete assignments.
Student Signature:

Date:

Parent Signature:

Date:

Parent Email:

*Please complete and return this form to Mr. Jervis by Wednesday, August 12.*