2015-16

Music Program

Student Handbook
mrparkersclassroom.weebly.com
jparker@johncroslandschool.org

2015-16
jparker@johncroslandschool.org
Course Syllabus

This is going to be an exciting year of music for you here at The John Crosland School. You are now a
member of what continues to be a growing and dynamic music program.
This class gives you an opportunity to have fun, work with others, give performances, and most
importantly, learn about music! It is an unique class environment where every persons contribution is
critical to our success. It is also considered an academic class like any other, with academic standards,
homework, tests, and high expectations of your efforts.

I. Expectations/Grading
First, as a member of this class and a musician, you are expected to practice regularly. I do not set a daily
time requirement but ask that students practice until they can successfully complete the weeks objectives.
Class time does not count as practice time.
Students who dont practice cannot expect to be A or B students. Those who set goals and manage
their practice time to achieve those goals will do very well.
(40%) 1.DAILY PARTICIPATION/ATTITUDE: You are expected to come to class on time, prepared to
play, with your instrument, your own music, a pencil, and anything else you need to participate in class.
Your participation grade is earned by having your materials and your work ethic.
(25%) 2.PLAYING OBJECTIVES: Students will have weekly objectives they need to complete. Those
objectives will be assessed at the end of each week. Students who do not complete their objectives will be
reassessed until they are able to complete them. Students will not be allowed to move on to the next level
until they have successfully completed the objectives that came before.
(20%) 3.ASSIGNMENTS: A variety of additional assignments are given to all students throughout the
year including, composer of the month, written reflections on performances, concert attendance, and
various written assignments.
(15%) 4. PERFORMANCE: Some students will be asked to perform at various school functions during
the day. All students are required to participate in the March 20 th and May 5th school wide performances.

II. CLASS MATERIALS: Students should have the following with them each and every class:
1.
2.

Your instrument.
All accessories for your instrument including:
a. Brass: valve oil, water bottle/slide cream (trombone)
b. Woodwinds: Pad saver insert for body of instrument, key oil, cork grease. Reed
players should have 2 working reeds each day, one marked (#1) and one marked
(#2). These reeds should be switched every day you play to insure that you have
2 broken-in reeds available for playing at all times. In addition to these reeds,
students should have two extra-unused reeds.
c. Guitar: extra set of strings, tuner, capo, five pics.

3.

YOUR OWN COPY OF YOUR SHEET MUSIC, band book, and any other music material I
have given you. All music should be kept neat and in a folder.
A sharpened PENCIL.

4.

Mr. Parkers Online Classroom

mrparkersclassroom.weebly.com
Youll find the very latest information pertaining to your class and our music program on my website
above.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Performances/dates/deadlines of all kinds

Reminders and announcements
HOMEWORK and special projects
Concerts around Charlotte
Web links and other educational information.

Be sure to bookmark this site and check it daily. Be sure your parents have the link and do the same!

Concert Attendance

As part of the music experience you are asked to attend concerts outside of school. 5 th grade students are
asked to attend one concert and 6-12th grade students are asked to attend two concerts. Please attend a
concert that is listed on the approved concert list. This list can be found on my website and will be
updated throughout the year. If you would like to see a concert that is not listed on my website, speak
with me. Concerts that are not approved will not be accepted for credit. The 5 th grade assignment along
with the first 6-12th narrative is due by December 14th. The second narrative is due by April 4th.
5th grade students should answer the following questions in complete sentences:

What is the name of the concert?

What type of ensemble did you see?
What instruments did you see/hear?
What did you like about the concert?
What is the name of one piece you heard during the concert?
Who is the composer of the piece?

Middle School students should include the following information in a one page narrative:

What is the name of the concert?

What type of ensemble did you see?
What instruments did you see/hear?
What did you like about the concert?
What is the name of two pieces you heard during the concert and their composers?
Pick one composer and talk about their history.

Upper School students should include the following information in a two page narrative:

What is the name of the concert?

What type of ensemble did you see?
What instruments did you see/hear?
What did you like about the concert?
Name the pieces you heard and describe each of them.
Name the composers of the pieces you heard and give a brief history about each.

Your grade is based on whether you have included the information above along with correct grammar
and spelling. Bring a rough draft to study hall to be reviewed for grammar, content, and spelling. Each
paper should be typed, double-spaced and 12 Time New Romans font. There should be no more than two
spaces between your heading and the start of your narrative. Along with turning in the paper, you should
turn in the program received at the performance. You have been advised to take notes while at the
performance in order to jog your memory when writing.

Performance Attire

Our dress code is intended to enhance the presentation of the group through uniformity and a professional
appearance.

LOWER SCHOOL:

Boys are asked to wear khakis/slack, a button down shirt, and dress shoes.
Girls are asked to wear knee length dress/knee length skirt with a blouse and dress shoes.

MIDDLE/UPPER SCHOOL:

Boys are asked to wear black slacks, a black button down shirt, and black dress shoes.
Girls are asked to wear a dress/skirt that falls below the knee and a black blouse. Black pants, not
jeans, are also appropriate.

Practicing
Myclassroomwillbeavailableforstudentstopracticeinthemorning(7:307:50)andafternoon(3:00
3:45)onselectdays.Spaceislimited;studentsareaskedtosignupinadvanceonmywebsite.Students
willbepracticingindependentlyduringthistime.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
Practicing shouldnt be drudgery. It should be fun and done without sense of self-judgment. This is very
important. When we practice we are teaching ourselves to do something without much thought-to make
something a habit. This is done by breaking things down into small groups and through slow repetition.
Practice things for brief periods each day at reasonable tempos. Remember not to judge yourself. Just do
the practicing carefully at reasonable tempos without any judgment whether something is good or bad.
With this type of removed attitude, practicing will become much more productive.

PracticeTips

By John Cipolla
1.

Woodwinds: Rotate your reeds daily, they last longer and you dont get used to playing only one reed.
Soak your reeds in warm water for 3-5 minutes before playing; this will help avoid squeaks and dry reeds.

2.

Try practicing in 5 minute increments; youd be surprised how much you can get done. Also youd be
surprised how fast those 5 minutes segments add up throughout the day.

3.

Leave your instrument out and in view all day so when you have a spare moment you can practice
instantly and not have to put the instrument together.

4.

Warm-ups- the basics still work! Long tones, slow scales gradually getting faster, tonguing exercises
everyday.

5.

Play by ear a little each day. Put on a CD and just play along with your instrument. You can try to imitate
what you hear or make up your own lines in the key the CD is in. it really opens up the ears. Also puts
you in touch with your instrument.

6.

Keep a practice log with weekly and daily goals. Also keep a clock near your practice area and time what
you work on. If you are still having trouble with an exercise, look back at how much time you spent on it.
Youll often be surprised how little time you spent with the one area. Also SLOW practice still does
wonders!!

7.

Keep your instrument in good mechanical condition. Especially when playing more than one instrument,
we dont need any more difficulties than what we already have.

MORE TIPS:
....You cannot achieve speed by speedy practice. The only way to get fast is to be deep, wide awake, and
slow. When you habitually zip through your music, your ears are crystalizing in sloppiness.Quote bout
slow practice from Larry Kranz
Take frequent breaks. Working with a time limit makes us concentrate harder and stay focused. Limit
practice sessions to 45 minutes.Practice in the same place at the same time everyday, if possible.Have all
your practice items in your practice area so you dont have to search for them.
Pencil Music Music stand
Clock Tuner light instrument metronome
Meditate for a few moments before practicing. Close your eyes, take a few slow deep breaths and try to
relax your muscles. Dont worry if you have a lot on your mind. Just relax your muscles and take deep
breaths. This will help your concentration and productivity.
Divide the practice session into categories. For example,

1.

Warm up

2.

Band exercises/music

3.

Solos/fun stuff
Tape-record your practice sessions occasionally. Then listen to them later after your practice session is
finished. Again, remember to listen to the tape without judging good or bad. Simply listen for things that
you liked and things youd like to improve. Take pride in the things you do well and start working on the
things that youd like to improve.

LISTENING:
Listen to music everyday. It can be a CD, tape or live performance. When listening, do nothing else but
listen and focus on the music. Dont have it on as background music. This is very important for any
musician to do; it keeps the ears engaged.

ContactInformation
PHONE: 704-365-5490
EMAIL: jparker@johncroslandschool.org
WEBSITE: mrparkersonlineclassroom.weebly.com

Parent/StudentAgreementForm
We have read the attached music handbook and have familiarized ourselves
with the policies, performance schedule, and expectations of our participation
in music this year.

Parent Signature:__________________________

Student Printed Name:______________________

Please detach from booklet and turn in signed to Mr. Parker no later than
Monday 8/31/2015