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BCTHS Band

Mr. Pfaff

Welcome to Band.

Those of you who are returning know that the BCTHS Band is a jazz band that rehearses twice a week on lunch periods (Monday and Thursday). We work hard and have a LOT of fun along the way.

Those of you who are new are in for what I hope is a school band experience like no other. If you heard us at the Induction Ceremony last June, you have an idea of what we do. Get ready to work hard and have a great time while you do it.

Please show this to your parent/guardian and return the page with the approprate signatures and information filled in. I will be happy to answer any questions you have.

This document, and many other BCTHS Music resources, are available online at http://www.andrewpfaff.com/BCTHSmusic.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

BCTHS Band is a band using jazz instrumentation (saxes and other woodwinds, trumpet, trombone, piano/keyboard, drums, bass, and electric guitar).

Rhythm section instruments (drums, bass, piano and guitar) are by audition only. This is due to the limited availability of these positions. For more information, please see the Rhythm Section Policy Change for 09/10 School Year.

While we typically meet twice a week during lunch, I may call an after-school rehearsal close to a performance date. In all likelihood this would only happen two or three times during the school year. You will be given any rehearsal dates well in advance.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

For the best experience and results in Band, there are some simple things I need you to do.

Eat lunch quickly so we can get started. On the days when Band meets, bring your lunch to the music room at the beginning of the period and eat quickly! I don’t have much time with you so I need to get each session started no later than 10 minutes after the bell. My suggestion is to bring lunch from home on Band days, so that you do not have to stand in line in the cafeteria! I really appreciate your cooperation with this.

Keep your instrument in good working condition. Band rehearsal time is a precious resource that we cannot waste trying to fix an instrument that does not play. If you are having problems I will do my best to help you OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME but please remember I am not an instrument repair specialist. You are responsible for your instrument.

Have a pencil in your Band binder AT ALL TIMES. Band rehearsals have a lot of stops and starts in them as we identify and fix problems or make adjustments. If I stop the band and ask members to mark their parts, I will expect to see pencils come out. I keep extra pencils and a pencil sharpener in the classroom to make this as easy as possible for you. Note that “pencil” does not mean “pen.”

Having problems? SEE ME ON WEDNESDAYS. Wednesdays are set aside for extra help. If you are having problems playing a part, or you have questions too involved to ask me during Band time, come in on Wednesday when I can sit down with you and help. Seniors who are out on Wednesdays should make a special appointment with me if they need help.

Make Band your priority on rehearsal days (Monday and Thursday). If you need extra help in a class or you need to make up a test or a project, or you have any other lunchtime obligation, I expect you to make every effort to do that on days when Band does not meet. If the teacher involved with any conflicting obligation insists on pulling you out of Band rehearsal, I need that teacher to contact me directly either in writing, in person, or by phone. If I do not have an excuse, either written or verbal, from a teacher, counselor, or administrator, you will receive an “Absent Unexcused” mark and will lose a letter grade for the marking period.

GRADING

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.”

Woody Allen
US movie actor, comedian, & director (1935 - )

Using this as a guideline, simply showing up every Band rehearsal (on time, of course) would earn you a B-. That’s already pretty good. Doing even better is up to you. Here’s how:

Show me that you have practiced outside of class time by playing your parts better each rehearsal. I can hear when you have paid attention to problems which need fixing.

Show me that you cooperate, take direction, and take an interest in the common goal of making great music. An excellent performance comes from your professional attitude and demeanor.

Show me you are reliable by making a note of performance dates NOW and making it your business to come prepared to play your best. Do this not just for me but for all your colleagues in Band – they are counting on YOU.

BCTHS BAND PERFORMANCE DATES

Jan. 21, 2010: Winter Concert 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium

Mar. 25, 2010: Spring Concert 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium

May 21, 2010: BCTHS Band participates in Bergen Teen Arts Festival (during school day)

May 25, 2010: End-Of-Year Concert 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium

TBA: BCTHS Band plays for the Freshmen Induction Ceremony

Attendance and participation in performances is MANDATORY. You must have a signed note from your parent or guardian to be excused from a performance. This note should reach me PRIOR to the performance, except in the case of an emergency. Unexcused absence from a scheduled performance will result in a two-letter drop in marking period grade.

For all BCTHS Music performance dates, please visit: http://www.andrewpfaff.com/BCTHSmusic/calendar.htm

STUDENT ABSENCES AND LATENESS

I understand that almost all band students must get their lunches before reporting to me. I will expect you to have instrument in hand for band rehearsal ten minutes after the late bell has rung (see “Student Expectations”). Habitual tardiness is disrespectful to your colleagues in Band and will negatively affect your grade. If you are absent, make a point of seeing me at least for a short time on the next Wednesday so that I can give you any new parts you may not have gotten or go over what we covered in the rehearsal you missed.

For emphasis, I will repeat the following item from the STUDENT EXPECTATIONS section:

Make Band your priority on rehearsal days (Monday and Thursday).

If you need extra help in a class or you need to make up a test or a project, or you have any other lunchtime obligation, I expect you to make every effort to do that on days when Band does not meet. If the teacher involved with any conflicting obligation insists on pulling you out of Band rehearsal, I need that teacher to contact me directly either in writing, in person, or by phone. If I do not have an excuse, either written or verbal, from a teacher, counselor, or administrator, you will receive an “Absent Unexcused” mark and will lose a letter grade for the marking period.

CONTACTING ME

If you have any questions for me or there are any matters you would like to discuss, now or any time throughout the year, feel free to speak with me outside of class time or email me at andpfa@bergen.org.

This invitation also extends to your parents and/or guardians, who are encouraged to contact me at any time. They may also contact me by phone at (201) 343-6000 xt 5148.

Thanks for reading this. I am looking forward to a great year and hope you are too.

-Mr. Pfaff

BY SIGNING BELOW, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING:

I have received and read the information given to me by my teacher. This includes student expectations, the grading policy, and the materials needed. I understand the policies explained by my teacher. I have also shown this material to my parent/guardian.

STUDENT INFORMATION -- Please fill out and return

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