Band

Beginning Band
Prerequisite: None. An entry-level course designed for student musicians with little or no prior band or performance experience to develop skills for participation in Intermediate Band. This is a performance class, with regular required concerts scheduled throughout the year. A variety of band literature will be studied, with emphasis on developing basic musicianship skills, including: reading music notation, playing instruments with characteristic tone, and performing successfully as a group.  Evening performances will be required at least twice through the school year and factored into grade. Students must provide their own instrument and instrument supplies, or make arrangements with the instructor to rent school equipment if available. Students who register for band must understand the time and financial commitment required, as schedule changes may be unable to take place.

Instruments to choose from: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophones (alto, tenor, baritone), Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone/Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion (mallet keyboards, snare, and various percussion instruments).

Intermediate Band
Prerequisite: Previous band experience, successful completion of Beginning Band and/or Director’s permission is required. An intermediate level course designed for student musicians of any grade with some band performance experience to develop skills for participation in Advanced Band. The course will focus on the study of music for public presentation at concerts and other events. Musicianship skills, including sight-reading, rhythms, scales, characteristic tone, and ensemble blending will be reviewed and emphasized. Participation in performances, including those held in the evening or outside regular school hours, is required and will be factored into the final grade. Students must provide their own instrument and instrument supplies, or make arrangements with the instructor to rent school equipment if available. Any instrument switching from one year to the next may only be approved after having a discussion and making a plan with the director.

Advanced Band
Prerequisite: Previous band experience. Successful completion of Intermediate Band and/or Director’s permission is required. An advanced level course designed for student musicians with band performance experience to develop skills for participation in High School Band. The course will focus on the study of quality band literature for public presentation at concerts and other events. Advanced musicianship skills, including sight-reading, rhythms, scales, characteristic tone, and ensemble blending will be reviewed and emphasized. Participation in performances, including those held in the evening or outside regular school hours, is required and will be factored into the final grade. Students must provide their own instrument and instrument supplies, or make arrangements with the instructor to use school equipment if available. Any instrument switching from one year to the next may only be approved after having a discussion and making a plan with the director.

Jazz Band 
Prerequisites: Audition and/or approval by the Director. Students must also be enrolled in another music class related to their primary instrument. (e.g., A bass player can be in orchestra and still participate; an alto sax player should be enrolled in band.) This ensures students gain well-rounded music education beyond the jazz genre. Instruments accepted: alto, tenor, or baritone saxophones, trumpet, trombone, bass guitar, drum set, or piano. The course will focus on jazz literature, historical and cultural context of jazz, and musicianship including jazz/swing styles. Participation in performances, including those held in the evening or outside regular school hours, is required and will be factored into the final grade. Students must provide their own instruments and equipment or make arrangements to use school equipment if available.

Percussion Class
Prerequisite: None. This is an entry-level course designed for 6th–8th graders with little or no prior percussion experience. This is a performance-based class, with regularly scheduled required concerts throughout the year. Participation in performances, including those held in the evening or outside regular school hours, is required and will be factored into the final grade. A variety of percussion literature will be studied, with emphasis on developing basic musicianship skills such as reading music notation, playing instruments with characteristic tone, and performing successfully as a group, as defined by the Arizona State and National music standards.

Students will explore percussion from around the world, including world drumming, basic rhythm reading, and music notation. Instruction will include technique, style, musical culture, and terminology (e.g., styles, dynamics, tempos). Students will also learn proper playing technique, care of equipment, and tone production. Students may be required to purchase mallets/sticks. See the director for information and/or financial concerns.
 

Method Books
Beginning Band-Habits of a Successful Beginning Band Musician by Scott Rush and Jeff Scott. Instrument-specific (green cover).

Intermediate/Advanced Band-Foundations for Superior Performance: Warm Ups and Technique for Band by Richard Williams and Jeff King. Instrument-specific (blue cover).

Instrument Purchase or Rental
Music Store Rental Programs – Many are rent-to-own. Contact a specific store for their rental terms.

School Rental Program – $40 for the school year (based on availability and financial need). Payment to SMS main office (checks made out to SUSD#30), and a signed rental contract turned into the director. Contact director for availability.

Misc. Supplies
Music Stand – Encouraged for home practice. Fold-up wire stands are inexpensive and convenient.

Tuner/Metronome – Free or paid apps (e.g., Bandmate Chromatic Tuner, Tonal Energy), or physical devices (e.g., Korg).

Optional Flip-folio and music lyre- Encouraged for Advanced Band members for use in  marching and/or pep band events.
 

Flute

• Cleaning cloth (microfiber or cotton)
• Tuning rod (included with flute)
• Sanitizing spray (available at music stores)

Clarinet/Saxophone

• Reeds: Recommended brands-Rico Royal, Juno, Vandoren. AVOID Amazon brands.
  • Beginners: Reed size 2½  
  • Intermediate/Advanced: Reed size 2½,  3 or 3½, depending on the individual.
• Reed Holder (4-reed plastic case)
• Swab (silk or microfiber only)
• Cork Grease
• Neck Strap (Required for Saxophone; optional for Clarinet – Neotech recommended

Oboe

• Reeds:    
  • Beginners- Medium soft. 
  • Intermediate/Advanced-Medium soft to medium
• Reed Holder (4–6 reeds)
• Swab (silk oboe-specific swab)
   

Bassoon

• Reeds: 
  • Beginner-Medium soft cane. 
  • Intermediate/Advanced-Medium soft to medium cane.
• Reed Holder
• Swabs (silk)
• Seat Strap or Neck Strap (based on comfort and preference)
   

Brass Instruments (Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba)

• Cleaning Cloth (cotton or microfiber)
• Snake (for internal cleaning)
• Mouthpiece Brush
• Sanitizing Spray
• Valve Oil (e.g., Blue Juice – do not mix brands)
• Rotor Oil (Horn only)
• Slide Grease (Trombone only – Trombonetine or Slide-o-Mix recommended)
• Water Spray Bottle (Trombone only – 2–3 oz with nozzle)
   

Percussion

• Practice Pad 
• Bell Kit – Required for home practice and assignments
• Bell/Pad Stand – Included in rental of bell kit
• Snare drumsticks – Vic Firth SD2; label with student’s name
• Mallets – Vic Firth M2 (yarn), Xylophone mallets (medium)
• Stick Bag – Label with student’s name
• Optional Snare Drum-  practice pad is sufficient.
• Optional Mallets-  M6 (rubber) M5 (soft rubber), T1 (timpani)
   

Entering the Classroom

• Place backpack against the wall under the agenda board
• Read objective, agenda, and announcements
• Set up chair and music stand if necessary
• Have all required items for rehearsal at your seat or percussion area.
• Assemble your instrument, maintenance if necessary. (Oil valves, prepare reeds)
• Warm up on instrument

During Rehearsal

Asking a Question

• Raise your hand when there is a break in instruction and wait patiently to be called on.

Restroom

• At an appropriate time or break in instruction, raise your hand or use crossed finger restroom hand sign to use the restroom. Sign out, take the appropriate pass, sign in when you return with the time on the log.

Drinking Fountain/Water Bottles

• It is recommended that students bring their own water container for class. A drinking fountain is also available for use. No soda, drinks with added coloring, gum or food is allowed in the room. 

Sharpening Pencils

• At the beginning of class during set-up time only. If a pencil breaks in the middle of class, please wait until a break in instruction.

End of Rehearsal

• Students will follow equipment storage set forth by the teacher.
• Students will clean their instrument after rehearsals using instrument-specific guidelines (pull-through swabs for woodwinds, etc.).
• Students will secure and store all instruments, music and equipment  away during pack-up time.

Exiting the Classroom

• When you are dismissed by the teacher, put away music, disassemble and put away instruments and equipment properly.
• Return to your assigned area and exit the classroom when the teacher dismisses you.
   

All SMS students are expected to demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character:

• Trustworthiness
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Fairness
• Caring
• Citizenship

All SMS students are expected to follow our “ROAR” character attributes:

• R - Responsible
• O - Owner of Learning
• A - All in
• R - Respectful

SMS Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS)
SMS provides PBIS opportunities for students to earn “Roar points” for displaying ROAR character attributes, personal improvement, acts of kindness, or other positive behavior traits during the school day. Roar points can be exchanged for rewards or special activities. Please see the school handbook for specific details, as it may be subject to change.

Daily Classroom Expectations

• We listen to each other one at a time.
• We use our prep time wisely to be on time.
• We are respectful to each other, equipment, and ourselves.
• We raise our hand to share or ask a question.
• We do not touch instruments that do not belong to us without permission from the director.

All SMS Band students are expected to show good behavior that is conducive to creating a safe and educational classroom environment. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and discipline procedures will reflect actions. Creating a classroom atmosphere in which all students have an equal opportunity to succeed is a primary goal.

Electronic Devices
Electronic devices (AirPods, headphones, earbuds, smart watches, and other internet-connected devices) are a big part of our society, and students are expected to practice responsible use. Devices are not to be used on campus between 7:30 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. During these times, cell phones and all other electronics must be kept in backpacks on silent or turned off to minimize disruption.

AI Use Policy
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for band-related assignments, projects, or practice tasks will be allowed only when specifically permitted by the teacher. Acceptable use of AI will be defined on a case-by-case basis and must follow the guidelines provided for each assignment. Students should not use AI to complete work unless clear instructions are given. Unauthorized or unapproved use of AI will result in the assignment being redone and may lead to additional consequences as outlined in the class expectations.

Discipline Procedures
1st Offense: Warning of undesired behavior; redirection and definition of expected behavior will be given.
2nd Offense: Phone call home, possible referral depending on offense, possible conference and/or intervention with those involved.
3rd Offense: Administration involvement.

Note: Administration will be involved immediately if the 1st offense is severe.
 

Daily and Possible After-School Rehearsals

• Students are expected to actively participate in daily rehearsals by playing their instrument, listening, singing, moving, writing, and verbal discussion.
• Collaborative performances with other ensembles or schools may require additional after-school rehearsal time. We try to minimize out of school rehearsals if possible. 
• Rehearsals will be factored into the grade.

Home Practice

• Students are expected to practice 3 to 5 days per week for 15 to 30 minutes per day to improve and achieve success.

Performances
Performing individually and with others is an important assessment and provides the opportunity to showcase musical growth and achievement. Students are required to participate in all performances as a part of their grade. Some ensembles may have more or less performances due to the nature of the performance group (i.e. Community Jazz band event for Jazz only, parades for advanced groups only.) Dates of the Winter and Spring Concert are included, as are various others, on the dates of performances page in this handbook.

Missed Performance
Participation in performances is required and a large portion of the grade for a performance based class. Students will be excused from performances only in the event of a serious illness, injury, family emergency, or other arrangement if communicated with the director in a timely manner. Students will need to complete an alternate assignment provided by the director in order to complete the performance grade requirement by an assigned date.
 

SMS Grading Scale

• A: 90–100%
• B: 80–89%
• C: 70–79%
• D: 60–69%
• F: 59–0%
   

Performance and Assessment – 60% of Final Grade

• Written Assessment: 20%
• Performance/Playing Test Assessments: 20% 
• Concerts & Performances: 20%

Formative - Skills and Development – 40% of Final Grade

• Rehearsal Grade: 20%
• Written Assignments: 20%

Make-Up/Retake Assignment Policy

• If absent, students must check with the instructor for make-up assignments.
• Students scoring below 70% on a test may request a retake. The student needs to make the request clear to the director, in writing would be preferred.

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Late Assignment Policy

• Students will be given flexibility to turn in work for full credit on a case-by-case basis.
• No late assignments will be accepted after progress reports and quarter grade deadlines.