Band Handbook
Part 5
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INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
Each band member will be expected to keep his or her instrument in excellent condition. Grades will be given on periodic inspections. All cases will have the students name clearly marked on both sides and ends.
WOODWINDS
Keep instrument free of dust.
Check pads weekly for worn or torn skins.
Keys should be oiled and wooden instruments should be bore oiled at least twice a year. Never perform either operation without instructions from one of the directors.
Mouthpieces should be cleaned daily. (things you can't see start growing)
Double reed players should have 2 playable reeds at all times. Clarinets and saxes should have 6 playable reeds. Playable means no chips or cracks and looks new. Try #3 Vanduren (blue box), listen to your private teacher.
Cases should be clean and clearly display name and class, on masking tape, on the end of the case facing into the band hall from your slot.
BRASS
Instrument should be washed weekly, inside and out. Do not perform this task without instructions from your director.
Mouth pieces should be cleaned daily. (see previous #4)
Tuning slides should be greased after the weekly wash.
Trombone slides should be lubricated with the slide cream as necessary.
Valves should be oiled as necessary.
Cases should be kept clean and clearly display name and class, on masking tape, on the end of the case facing into the band hall from your slot.
PERCUSSION
All players should have two pair of snare sticks.
All players are responsible for keeping all equipment clean and in good working order.
SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS
There is a new maintenance fee of $30.00 per year for using school instruments. The fee may be paid in $15.00 installments at the beginning of each semester. In addition school owned instruments must be insured the district unsurer. See elsewhere in the handbook for the forms related to the previous fees and insurance. Instruments will be supplied to students to give the band a well-balanced instrumentation. It is the duty of each student playing a school instrument to take the best possible care of it. Those persons using school equipment must fill out an agreement of use form, have it signed by the parent, and return it to the director.
Students using school instruments are responsible for any damage brought about through carelessness. It will be the student's responsibility to have the instrument repaired at an approved music store.
INSTRUMENT INSURANCE
You are strongly urged to insure your personal instrument. Insurance must be purchased if you use a school instrument. Insurance may be purchased through the school district's insurance company. You might check with your insurance representative about whether your home owners policy covers personal or school instruments. We are providing insurance forms from the district's company the first week of school. The cost of the insurance offered by the district is quite nominal.
The forms that your student brings home are already signed by a director and are ready to fill out. You should fill out the form and mail the original together with the premium to the address on the form. You should return the directors’ copy to Bradley for our records and safe keep your copy in the event of a claim.
Whether or not your instrument is personally owned or district owned, always make sure that you have a written record at home of the make, model and serial number. This information will be required if something should happen to the instrument.
The value that you should insure the instrument should be the replacement cost. Check with your director for the value of a district owned instrument.
MUSIC
Music and folders will be provided free to students in band. The folder should last a semester. If a replacement is required before the end of the semester, a replacement may be purchased for a fifty cent fee. All students are responsible for all music in their folders. Folders should be kept in the assigned slot during the day. It will be each students responsibility to make arrangements to have their music at school if they are going to be absent. This is especially true for stage band members where each part is so important. Sixth grade students should keep their method books and sheet music in organizers, much the same way as in other classes.
It is very important that all music is taken care of and preserved for use in future years. Music lost or destroyed must be paid for at the rate of fifty cents per part. Students will be charged replacement costs for school owned method books that are lost. Music which is not turned in one day after it is taken up is considered lost and will be paid for.
Folders or music left out after rehearsal will be picked up and the student will move down one chair and lose 10 points on class participation grade.
Music may be marked in pencil only and music must never be folded. Try to get in the habit of numbering all measures of music in your folder.
All music, method books, and folders must be clearly marked, in pen, with your name, instrument, and class.
PRIVATE LESSONS
The directors will always strive to give as much individual attention to each student, but time constraints, and with the size of a band program, the directors do not reach each individual as often as needed. Students in NEISD bands are fortunate to be part of a unique and wonderful private lesson program that has become part of the school day. Students may sign up for private lessons during their band class or outside the school day, whichever is most convenient for that student. Bradley has a team of wonderful private teachers who visit our campus one or more days per week. They are interviewed and approved at the district level and are paid directly by the parents. Those students signing up for lessons will be contacted by a private teacher to make scheduling and payment arrangements. The success of every outstanding band program depends on the quality of the players as well as the determination of the band students to give that extra effort. Top school band programs across the state typically have large numbers of the students studying privately. Excellent private teachers take the student to the next level, many times teaching finer points that will never be covered in a class setting. Contact your director for help locating a private teacher.
PARENTAL HELP
There are many times during the year when the band will need the support and help of parent volunteers. We will have a range of needs in many different areas. Parental help will be needed as chaperones, office help, piano accompanists, transportation, etc.
UNIFORM
The seventh and eighth grade members of the Bradley Band will continue to use a formal uniform. The boy’s uniform includes tuxedo-style black slacks, white tuxedo shirt, and an emerald green cummerbund and bow tie. Girls will wear black palazzo-style pants, white tuxedo shirt, cummerbund and tie. The band departments will purchase the uniforms, and students will pay a one-time fee to help defray the cost of repair and replacement.
A. Each full year student will pay a one-time uniform fee of $25.00. Students will be measured during summer band and at the beginning of the school year and the fee should be paid at that time.
B. After the first year, there will be an inventory of previously owned uniforms. The following options will be available to new students:
Two fall "swap days" will be held, when a uniform can be exchanged for a new size without charge;
Two rental days will be held when used uniforms may be rented at a cost of $15.00.
Additional uniforms will be purchased as needed and will require a one-time fee of $25.00.
C. Each student must return the uniform to the music department at the end of his or her year(s) of participation in the music program
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