Cape Elizabeth Middle School Band Handbook
Welcome to the CEMS Band Program. Our goal is individual student growth and achievement that will contribute to the musical quality of the large ensembles and instill a lifelong appreciation and love of music. In order to facilitate this growth, each member of our bands must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the handbook. Please read this entire handbook carefully with your child.
I. Concerts
Band members are expected to make ALL required dates on the concert schedule. All performances are considered major events and therefore attendance at performances is expected. Every player has a vital role and a musician's absence will affect the entire group. Illnesses or other emergencies may require a student's absence from a performance, and that is understandable. If a child is absent from a performance, the parent or guardian should call Mrs. Ramsey and/or send a written excuse explaining the reason for the absence within two days of the missed performance.
Concert dates and events are set/planned by the administration, Mrs. Ramsey, Ms. Shabo, and Mrs. Carusone. Every attempt is made to be as accurate as possible on all performance dates. Occasionally, however, schedule changes do occur, and band members are notified as soon as possible. The performance calendar is linked at the end of the handbook.
II. Concert Dress Code
5th and 6th Grade Band
OPTION 1: Any color dress pants or skirt/dress (knee length), dress shirt, dress shoes
OPTION 2: Any color dress pants, button down dress shirt, tie, dress shoes
(No jeans or sneakers please)
7th and 8th Grade Band
CONCERT BLACK (updated Fall 2023)
*All concert clothes must adhere to the school dress code.
If you have trouble obtaining concert clothes, please contact Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo several weeks before the performance so she can make arrangements for your child.
III. Grading
Rehearsal Skills
Rehearsal skills are an important aspect of being a musician. These skills help teach student musicians how to make the most out of rehearsal time, and develop habits that will assist them in learning music more efficiently. Rehearsals skills include: having instrument, music, and pencil at your seat at the beginning of rehearsal, listening and maintaining appropriate eye contact with director during rehearsal, studying your part when not playing, using appropriate posture and playing position, and writing in rehearsal notes in music using pencil.
Additionally, students are also graded based on their ability to perform grade level music and apply accumulated knowledge of skills, musical notation, and terminology.
Commitment to Practice
Regular at-home practice is vital to developing as a musician. Students will have bi-weekly SmartMusic assignments to help them develop regular practice habits and musical problem solving skills. The goal is for students to practice their assignments over a series of days to improve their playing and skill level. Playing an instrument is very physical and students will need to develop their endurance and muscle memory. For this reason, shorter regular practice sessions over a series of days will be more successful than one or two large chunks of practicing. Additionally, 5th graders will be required to turn in signed practice charts for the first semester.
Assessments & Performances
Throughout the year, students will have playing quizzes, concert assessments, and self-assessments. While students need to master certain skills, each student’s improvement and effort is considered in the grading process. Additionally, band members will have two or three concerts a year. Attendance at performances is mandatory and correct concert etiquette is expected.
IV. Class Attendance
Excellent attendance and a committed effort are the most important criteria for a successful band. Every band member is important to the organization, and when even one member is missing, the whole band suffers. The band functions much like any other "team"- except for one important difference- NO BAND MEMBER SITS ON THE BENCH. Each band member participates 100% of the time! Students should not be missing full band to complete make up work or tests for other classes.
V. Switching Instruments
As a general rule of thumb: Decide upon a specific instrument and make a commitment to it. Each year, a few of the band members (usually 5th or 6th graders) ask about the possibility of switching the instrument that they play. Experience has shown that instrument switches are rarely successful…which is why they are seldom allowed.
In the spring, Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo will ask certain students if they are willing to switch to bassoon, oboe, tuba, baritone, horn, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, or bass clarinet. Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo will ask students that show an interest, work hard, have success on their current instrument, and are willing to come in for extra practice. All instrument switches must be pre-approved by Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo.
VI. Dropping Band
Although we encourage and advocate that all students who sign up for band stay in the program for the entire year, some students may decide that they no longer want to participate. A student can only drop band if he/she brings Mrs. Ramsey a signed note from a parent/guardian stating that they are allowed to drop band. Once a student has decided to drop band, they cannot rejoin the program during their time at CEMS.
**6th, 7th, and 8th grade students can only drop band from their schedule at the following times:
VII. Extra Music Opportunities
*7th Grade Jazz Band -Thursdays at 6:55am
All seventh grade band members have the opportunity to participate in 7th grade jazz band. Students will be introduced to classic jazz tunes, jazz history, and basic improvisational skills. Informal performances may take place in the spring. 7th grade jazz band will give students the skills necessary to perform in 8th grade jazz band.
*8th Grade Jazz Band- Tuesdays at 6:55am
Eighth graders will have the opportunity to perform in jazz band. Jazz band will perform for the school and the annual Jazz Cabaret. In the late winter, the 8th grade jazz band also participates in a jazz workshop with Mr. Wheeler and the CEHS Concert Jazz Band students.
*Students must be in concert band in order to participate in Jazz Fundamentals or Jazz Band. Exceptions are occasionally made for guitar, bass, and piano students that are taking private lessons and can play at the level required to participate in the groups.
District 7/8 Honors Festival -7th and 8th Graders ONLY
7th and 8th graders have the opportunity to audition for the 7/8 Honors Festival in late October. Students who are selected will be required to attend morning rehearsals in February in order to prepare for the festival. The festival is a one-time event that involves rehearsals during a Friday school day and a rehearsal and concert on a Saturday in March.
District I Sixth Grade Honors Festival
6th grade band members have the opportunity to be nominated for the District I Sixth Grade Honors Festival. This is a one-day festival that takes place on a Saturday in March. Students interested in being nominated are required to audition for Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo. Due to instrumentation and size constraints, not all nominated students are selected for the festival.
District I Honors Jazz Festival
7th and 8th grade jazz band members have the opportunity to audition for this festival in January. Students who are selected will be required to attend morning rehearsals in March and April in order to prepare for the festival. The festival is a one-time event that involves one rehearsal during a Friday afternoon/evening and a Saturday rehearsal and concert in April.
VIII. Questions??
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo: [email protected] & [email protected]
Performance Calendar
https://cemsband.weebly.com/performances.html
Welcome to the CEMS Band Program. Our goal is individual student growth and achievement that will contribute to the musical quality of the large ensembles and instill a lifelong appreciation and love of music. In order to facilitate this growth, each member of our bands must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the handbook. Please read this entire handbook carefully with your child.
I. Concerts
Band members are expected to make ALL required dates on the concert schedule. All performances are considered major events and therefore attendance at performances is expected. Every player has a vital role and a musician's absence will affect the entire group. Illnesses or other emergencies may require a student's absence from a performance, and that is understandable. If a child is absent from a performance, the parent or guardian should call Mrs. Ramsey and/or send a written excuse explaining the reason for the absence within two days of the missed performance.
Concert dates and events are set/planned by the administration, Mrs. Ramsey, Ms. Shabo, and Mrs. Carusone. Every attempt is made to be as accurate as possible on all performance dates. Occasionally, however, schedule changes do occur, and band members are notified as soon as possible. The performance calendar is linked at the end of the handbook.
II. Concert Dress Code
5th and 6th Grade Band
OPTION 1: Any color dress pants or skirt/dress (knee length), dress shirt, dress shoes
OPTION 2: Any color dress pants, button down dress shirt, tie, dress shoes
(No jeans or sneakers please)
7th and 8th Grade Band
CONCERT BLACK (updated Fall 2023)
- Top: Black button down dress shirt OR black blouse (¾ sleeve or longer)
- Optional black tie with button down dress shirt
- Bottom: Black dress pants OR black skirt (below knee when sitting) OR black dress (below knee when sitting)
- Black tights/stockings needed underneath skirt or dress (no bare legs)
- Shoes: Black dress shoes
- No black sneakers, jeans, leggings or t shirts
*All concert clothes must adhere to the school dress code.
If you have trouble obtaining concert clothes, please contact Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo several weeks before the performance so she can make arrangements for your child.
III. Grading
Rehearsal Skills
Rehearsal skills are an important aspect of being a musician. These skills help teach student musicians how to make the most out of rehearsal time, and develop habits that will assist them in learning music more efficiently. Rehearsals skills include: having instrument, music, and pencil at your seat at the beginning of rehearsal, listening and maintaining appropriate eye contact with director during rehearsal, studying your part when not playing, using appropriate posture and playing position, and writing in rehearsal notes in music using pencil.
Additionally, students are also graded based on their ability to perform grade level music and apply accumulated knowledge of skills, musical notation, and terminology.
Commitment to Practice
Regular at-home practice is vital to developing as a musician. Students will have bi-weekly SmartMusic assignments to help them develop regular practice habits and musical problem solving skills. The goal is for students to practice their assignments over a series of days to improve their playing and skill level. Playing an instrument is very physical and students will need to develop their endurance and muscle memory. For this reason, shorter regular practice sessions over a series of days will be more successful than one or two large chunks of practicing. Additionally, 5th graders will be required to turn in signed practice charts for the first semester.
Assessments & Performances
Throughout the year, students will have playing quizzes, concert assessments, and self-assessments. While students need to master certain skills, each student’s improvement and effort is considered in the grading process. Additionally, band members will have two or three concerts a year. Attendance at performances is mandatory and correct concert etiquette is expected.
IV. Class Attendance
Excellent attendance and a committed effort are the most important criteria for a successful band. Every band member is important to the organization, and when even one member is missing, the whole band suffers. The band functions much like any other "team"- except for one important difference- NO BAND MEMBER SITS ON THE BENCH. Each band member participates 100% of the time! Students should not be missing full band to complete make up work or tests for other classes.
V. Switching Instruments
As a general rule of thumb: Decide upon a specific instrument and make a commitment to it. Each year, a few of the band members (usually 5th or 6th graders) ask about the possibility of switching the instrument that they play. Experience has shown that instrument switches are rarely successful…which is why they are seldom allowed.
In the spring, Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo will ask certain students if they are willing to switch to bassoon, oboe, tuba, baritone, horn, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, or bass clarinet. Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo will ask students that show an interest, work hard, have success on their current instrument, and are willing to come in for extra practice. All instrument switches must be pre-approved by Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo.
VI. Dropping Band
Although we encourage and advocate that all students who sign up for band stay in the program for the entire year, some students may decide that they no longer want to participate. A student can only drop band if he/she brings Mrs. Ramsey a signed note from a parent/guardian stating that they are allowed to drop band. Once a student has decided to drop band, they cannot rejoin the program during their time at CEMS.
**6th, 7th, and 8th grade students can only drop band from their schedule at the following times:
- Between September 5 - September 15
- Between December 18-21
VII. Extra Music Opportunities
*7th Grade Jazz Band -Thursdays at 6:55am
All seventh grade band members have the opportunity to participate in 7th grade jazz band. Students will be introduced to classic jazz tunes, jazz history, and basic improvisational skills. Informal performances may take place in the spring. 7th grade jazz band will give students the skills necessary to perform in 8th grade jazz band.
*8th Grade Jazz Band- Tuesdays at 6:55am
Eighth graders will have the opportunity to perform in jazz band. Jazz band will perform for the school and the annual Jazz Cabaret. In the late winter, the 8th grade jazz band also participates in a jazz workshop with Mr. Wheeler and the CEHS Concert Jazz Band students.
*Students must be in concert band in order to participate in Jazz Fundamentals or Jazz Band. Exceptions are occasionally made for guitar, bass, and piano students that are taking private lessons and can play at the level required to participate in the groups.
District 7/8 Honors Festival -7th and 8th Graders ONLY
7th and 8th graders have the opportunity to audition for the 7/8 Honors Festival in late October. Students who are selected will be required to attend morning rehearsals in February in order to prepare for the festival. The festival is a one-time event that involves rehearsals during a Friday school day and a rehearsal and concert on a Saturday in March.
District I Sixth Grade Honors Festival
6th grade band members have the opportunity to be nominated for the District I Sixth Grade Honors Festival. This is a one-day festival that takes place on a Saturday in March. Students interested in being nominated are required to audition for Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo. Due to instrumentation and size constraints, not all nominated students are selected for the festival.
District I Honors Jazz Festival
7th and 8th grade jazz band members have the opportunity to audition for this festival in January. Students who are selected will be required to attend morning rehearsals in March and April in order to prepare for the festival. The festival is a one-time event that involves one rehearsal during a Friday afternoon/evening and a Saturday rehearsal and concert in April.
VIII. Questions??
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Ramsey & Ms. Shabo: [email protected] & [email protected]
Performance Calendar
https://cemsband.weebly.com/performances.html