STANWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BANDS

BAND POLICIES

CONCERT ATTIRE - For Concert Band performances, ladies will need to wear a black dress,
black skirt, or black slacks with a white blouse and black dress shoes. Men will need a white
dress shirt (button-up), black slacks, black socks, and black dress shoes. WIND ENSEMBLE
AND JAZZ MEMBERS will be issued Tuxedo and Concert Dress items. This performance wear
will need to be professionally dry-cleaned and returned at the end of the year. Black dress shoes
and socks for the men and black dress shoes for the ladies. NO TENNIS SHOES.

COMMUNICATION - Students and parents should feel free to talk with Mr. Brodin
concerning any questions, concerns or suggestions they might have. I am available during 5th
and 6th period and after school. At the start and end of rehearsal is not generally the best time for
a private conversation because I am usually getting ready for the next class. Parents are
encouraged to call the school (629-1300) ext. 5172 to reach me whenever necessary during
school hours or email me any time at abrodin@stanwood.wednet.edu. Check the Band
Website as there will soon be updates there as well!

GRADING POLICY - All grades in band are earned - not given. You will be graded as follows:
40% - Class Participation/Proficiency Tests/Projects
60% - Performance.
Class participation includes punctuality, behavior, Attitude, learning your music, having all
material necessary for a successful rehearsal and returning uniforms and assigned work on or
before deadlines. 5 Daily Points will be assessed each class period. Proficiency tests will be
occasionally assigned to each section. These tests will be used for grading and/or chair
placement. Evaluating factors include correct notes, accuracy, rhythms, articulations, expression,
tone quality and musicality. Proficiency tests are comparable to quizzes in other classes.

PERFORMANCE IS THE CULMINATION OF THE MUSICAL ART (ITS WHAT
BANDS DO!) You are expected to be at every performance. Performances are like unit or
quarter tests. Students will not be excused from performance for jobs or other non-school
functions. Absences due to illness may be made up through a project of written work. It is
important that you follow through on your commitment to the other members of the group and
your musical education by being at every performance. Football Games are required
performances whether you are in the marching show or not. Marching Band is required for all
band and percussion members. Upperclassmen may have the option of the alternate Solo &
Ensemble Project instead of Marching.

HOME PRACTICE - As with your other classes, you are expected to do homework. You must
learn your music in order for the band to excel. Class time is spent on refining what you have
learned and coming together as a unit. Establish a daily routine and/or practice journal.
Remember that it is extremely important for rehearsal that you learn your part and strive for
excellence.

INSTRUMENT and EQUIPMENT USE - Most band members are expected to provide their
own instruments. However, some instruments are more difficult to obtain affordably. There are a
limited number of school-owned instruments for check out. Only Mr. Brodin may issue a school
owned instrument. Be sure to fill out an Instrument Check-out Form as soon as possible.
School owned instruments and equipment become the responsibility of the student to
whom the equipment or instrument is issued. Consult the director for any repairs that go beyond
normal wear and tear. Students should maintain their instruments in top playing condition.
Other essential equipment for the band is sheet music and music folders. Students will
keep their music in a music folder at all times to protect it. We regularly hand out original copies
of sheet music and it is the students responsibility to take care of their music in their folder.

BAND ROOM SECURITY - Over 150 students use the band room every day. Please cooperate
by not using others property and remember to put your music in its proper place. Lockers are
available. You must provide your own lock. Keep your instrument case locked and be sure you
have your cases, reeds, neck strap, mutes, etc. clearly marked with your name. The band room
will be locked when not in use. PLEASE RESPECT OTHER PEOPLES PROPERTY.

TRAVEL ETIQUETTE - Stanwood High School has very strict guidelines for travel, both for
students and for teachers and chaperones. A band trip can be a wonderful experience for all
involved but it is expected that your behavior both on stage, and off, will be of the highest
quality. It should also be pointed out that smoking or the use of drugs or alcohol can result in
your immediate return to Stanwood. Remember that on stage or not, your behavior reflects upon
you, your family, band, school and the city of Stanwood.

WHY WE TEACH/LEARN MUSIC

Music is a Science - it is exact, specific and must be 100% correct - 99% is not good enough.

Music is Mathematical - it is rhythmically based on the subdivision of time in space into
fractions, which must be done instantaneously and not worked out on paper.

Music is a Foreign Language - Terms are usually in Italian, German or French and the notation
of the notes is a highly developed kind of shorthand.

Music is History - Music has always reflected the country and environment of its origin and the
times of its creation.

Music is Physical Education - it requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, legs,
lip, cheek and facial muscles in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragmatic, back,
stomach and chest muscles which must respond instantly to the sounds the ear hears and the
mind interprets.

Music is All These Things, But Most of All, Music is Art - it allows a human being to take all of
the dry, technically boring, but fantastically difficult techniques and use them to create emotion!
That is one thing science cannot duplicate...humanism or feelings or emotion - call it what you
will.

Why We Teach Music is not because we expect you to major in music, but because we expect
you to play music all your life; not so you can have fun; not so you can trot around the football
field in uniform or march in a paradeBut so you will be human; so you will recognize
beauty; so you will be sensitive, so you will be closer to an infinite beyond our world; so you
will have something to cling to; so that you will have more love, more compassion, more
gentleness, more goodin shortmore life. That is Why We Teach Music!
STANWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BANDS

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
In order to ensure the best possible educational environment for instrumental music classes, the
following procedures are in effect:

1. When entering the band room, get your music and instrument, proceed to your seat, warm-
up, and tune with the tuner. Class will start 5 minutes after the tardy bell has rung. If you are
not ready to play at this time, you will be considered tardy = loss of 2 daily points.

2. Instruments are to be stored daily in the lockers provided, not in Mr. Brodins office or
practice rooms. Please provide your own Lock. All music will be kept in folders, including all
percussion music.

3. At the end of 3rd and 4th PERIODS Rehearsal, PLEASE put your stand and chair away.

4. Talking or any other activity that disrupts the educational environment of the classroom will
not be tolerated and the student responsible will receive a grade point deduction in classroom
participation points for that day (40% of grade).

5. You will be expected to practice the music that is assigned in class and you will be
occasionally tested (40% of grade). Performances are mandatory. They count as unit or
quarter tests and encompass 60% of your grade. You will not be excused from performances for
jobs, athletic events or other non-school functions. There are usually 10 athletic events per
season, but only one band concert per term. I advise to choose the graded event. (We will not
schedule on district or state competitions). We strive to avoid scheduling conflicts. Please advise
Mr. Brodin (preferably in writing/email) two weeks beforehand along with a parent note if
there is a conflict. Absences due to illness/family emergency may be made up through a project
of written work.

6. There will be no eating, drinking, or gum chewing inside the band room, practice rooms
or hallways of the PAC. Finish your food outside before entering. Any student with food, drink,
or gum in the band room will automatically lose all of their daily points. Water bottles are
allowed and encouraged!!

7. Cell phones, Ipods, Headphones, and Games are not allowed in the room during class.
They are also not allowed at outside rehearsals, performances, or other concerts. This is a school
rule. If they are seen, they will be taken away until the end of the school day. After that, items
will be given to the office.

8. Percussionists will keep the percussion room and percussion area clean and orderly. Have
pride and take care of your space!

9. The band room, instrument locker room, and practice rooms are a powerful resource to use in
your musical education. Have pride and take care of your rehearsal space!

10. One person at a time may use the restroom.

11. Students must remain in the room until the bell rings.
STANWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BANDS

PHILOSOPHY and PURPOSE of REHEARSAL
The Spartan Band Program is a course of study designed to challenge and develop the musical
skills of musicians. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of skills. The purpose of
rehearsal should be to understand and experience great music making while in a community of
musicians. This includes exploration of new concepts, exploration of the composers creation,
and the development of ensemble skills. The rehearsal is a musical end in itself: the concert is a
byproduct of rehearsal, not the reason for it. To this end, the Spartan Band will have the following
expectations for conductor and students.

Student expectations of the conductor:
1. The conductor will respect the time and musicianship of the students.
2. The conductor will provide an outline for every rehearsal and adhere to it as closely as possible.
3. The conductor will be prepared for every rehearsal. Each score should be studied to a level of
making music in rehearsal, not simply eliminating errors.
4. The conductor will choose repertoire with musical and educational value, and at an appropriate
level of technical demand.
5. The conductor functions as the advocate of the composer and the spirit of the piece.
6. The conductor will hold the group to a standard expected by the composers needs.
Conductor expectations of the students:
1. Students will be prepared to rehearse (with music/folder, instrument, and pencil) at every
rehearsal 5 minutes after the bell rings.
2. Students should prepare for success to the best of their ability. Learning parts is an activity best
completed in personal practice time not ensemble rehearsal whenever possible.
PREPARATION: The ladder toward success.
Purpose of Practicing: To learn YOUR part.
The main focus of your practicing should be to build optimal playing habits your warm-
up routine should be of paramount concern. The amount of time spent practicing parts
will depend upon the student and the repertoire you are the judge. Practicing is the time
devoted to eliminating ALL technical and rhythmic hindrances to expressive rehearsing.

Purpose of Sectionals: To blend your part into the SECTION.
Sectional requirements vary by ensemble. Sectionals are often conducted within one
section, but often include different parts that share musical lines. The main focus of
sectionals is to work on blend, balance, and pitch issues that are not easily done in the
context of a large ensemble rehearsal.

Purpose of Rehearsals: To learn the parts of EVERYONE ELSE
The purpose of full rehearsing is to learn ALL of the parts of the work, so that we can
understand the composers intention and perform expressively. Rehearsals are successful
musically and expressively ONLY when all students have taken care of their individual
preparation responsibilities to the ensemble. Rehearsals that are built around acquisition
of technique through drilling do a disservice to players, conductors, composers, and your
soul in general.





STANWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BANDS

Daily Participation Point Policy

A total of 5 points can be earned in each class period. These will be totaled at the end of
each grading period and will be graded on a straight percentage. This grade will then be
figured in with test grades and performance attendance to provide an encompassing band
grade for the student.

In order to earn the full 5 points every day:

- The student should be on time, participate fully in rehearsal (see rehearsal rubric), be
fully prepared with all materials needed (instrument, music/folder and pencil), and have
a good attitude.

Classroom disruptions will result in deductions of daily points. They cannot be made up.
- Any Food, Drink, or Gum - Loss of all Points
- Tardiness - Loss of 2 points
- Forgotten Instrument/Music - Loss of all points
- No Reed or Sticks - Loss of all points
- Using cell phones/games/ipods/headphones - Loss of all points

Special Cases:

Instrument being repaired:

1. Student can sit in section and pay attention to rehearsal of music
without disturbing others and receive full points.

2. Though not always available, Mr. Brodin may have some Band
Work to be done in the room for full points.

ABSENCES result in a loss of all daily points. A missed rehearsal can be made up by practicing
for a half hour before school (during zero period) or after school. A few absences will not hurt
your grade, but absences can accumulate to be a sizable drain on your grade. Rehearsal is
important, not to learn your part (that is practice), but to learn everyone elses part!


NO ENSEMBLE CAN PROPERLY REHEARSE WITHOUT FULL ATTENDANCE
OF ALL MEMBERS.

Stanwood High School Bands

Band Letter Award Point System

A Band Student must accumulate 40 points per year to earn a Band Letter. To receive a letter, a
student must have an ASB card. A student may only earn 1 letter a year. Points are cumulative
and can be carried over from one year to the next.

40 PointsFirst Year Award 120 PointsThird Year Award
80 PointsSecond Year Award 160 PointsFourth Year Award

At games, you must remember to sign in and be present for the entire event to receive points.

Points:
- Complete Football/Basketball Games =2 Points per game
- Memorial Day Performance =5 Points
- A Member of the Field Show =20 Points (Depending on Attendance)
- Summer Fair Parade Marching =10 Points
-Participation in Solo & Ensemble Contest =5 Points
Other events and participation can earn points occasionally!

BAND ITEMS/RESPONSIBILITIES

WIND PLAYERS: LYERS FOR YOUR INSTRUMENT, FLIP FOLDERS

TRUMPET PLAYERS: YOUR OWN STRAIGHT MUTE

REED PLAYERS: PROVIDE YOUR OWN REEDS

PERCUSSIONISTS: YOUR OWN STICKS AND MALLETS-
At Minimum: 5B Sticks, Vic Firth M2 Mallets, practice
pad, and a stickbag
YOU NEED TO PROVIDE THESE YOURSELF!
KEEP THEM IN A LOCKER
A THREE-RINGED BINDER FOR YOUR MUSIC

BRASS PLAYERS: YOUR OWN VALVE/SLIDE OIL

Nondiscrimination Statement
The Stanwood-Camano School District does not discriminate in employment, programs, or activities
on the basis of age, creed, religion, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual
orientation including gender expression or identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status,
or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or use of a trained guide dog or service
animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other
designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be
directed to the District's Title IX/Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator,
Maurene Stanton, or the Section 504/American Disabilities Act Coordinator, Pam Gentz, Stanwood-
Camano School District, 26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, WA 98292. Telephone: (360)629-1200.