Website/Email
The Band Program utilizes a link on the Kehoe-France
website to help administer the program. Parents will be able
to find useful information regarding the program including
a calendar, handbook, practice report downloads, pictures,
audio and more. You will need Acrobat Reader to view
many of the band's downloads. It can be downloaded free
here.
The Kehoe-France Band program will be relying more on email
correspondence than in the past. Please establish an email
account and check it regularly.
Reports Cards
As always, students will receive an extracurricular
grade determined by Home Practice (50%), Class Participation/Posture/Materials
(25%), and Conduct (25%). Signed report cards are to be returned
the Friday of the week they are issued. Students will lose
recess for every school day after that Friday that their report
card is not signed and returned.
Expectations
A student is required to maintain a “C”
in band to remain an active member. Once a student falls below
that minimum grade, parents will be informed and corrective
measures will be encouraged. Students will not be allowed
to be a part of band who have not maintained the minimum requirements.
In addition, students will be asked to leave the program who
are disruptive in music class. Music tuition will not be refunded.
Practice Reports
Practice reports are due every week. Students
are expected to prepare and practice next week's assignment
on the previous weekend. Students that consistently practice
this way are guaranteed success!
What day should your child turn in their assignment?
Monday-Mrs. Schmitt's homeroom
Tuesday-Mrs. Green's homeroom and all 5th-8th
graders
Wednesday-Mrs. Stewart's homeroom
Any report brought in after Wednesday will be
considered "late". Late practice reports receive
50% credit. (unless illness is indicated) No more than 100
minutes will be accepted from each report unless endorsed
by a private instructor. Extra ‘endorsed’ minutes
will count as extra credit. Students may practice after school
or during recess to fulfill their homework assignment, or
to receive extra credit. Extra credit may only be completed
in my presence.
The grading schedule:
A+ or 100% =100 minutes a weeks
A=90+ minutes
B=80-89 minutes
C=70-79 minutes
D=60-69 minutes
F=50-59 minutes
Materials/Classroom
Participation/Posture
Students are expected to report to class with
their music method books, music binder w/sheet protectors,
and instrument. Students will receive a 50 point deduction
of their weekly “participation” grade if they
fail to bring their equipment. Moreover, students will be
charged a $5 rental fee to borrow an instrument for that day.
Students are also expected to be musically ‘prepared’
for class. ‘Prepared’ meaning, they have practiced
homework assignments. Students will sit on the edge of their
chair in order to produce a quality musical tone from their
instrument. Students receive a daily grade for the above mentioned
criteria.
Exam Weeks
Students are excused from turning in practice
reports during exam weeks. Moreover, grades 5-8 will not have
band during exam week, or be assigned a homework practice
assignment. 4th grade students will have band, but not an
assignment. Students may receive "EXTRA CREDIT"
to that quarter's grade if they attend band class and can
perform selected excercises from the upcoming assignment.
Obligations
Band is a full year agreement. Registered students
are expected to meet all practice, performance and financial
requirements for the entire year.
Holidays
Students will receive practice assignments
only during the holidays of Thanksgiving and Mardi Gras. 200
minutes (100 for the holiday week + 100 for the returning
week) are due the following Friday of those weeks.
Student
Supply Accounts
The music department has available small items
such as reeds, valve oil, and slide cream for purchase. Students
have the option to purchase these items through a credited
account. Account balances are due in April.
Concerts
Students are required to attend all concerts.
Students unable to attend a performance should inform me one
week in advance with a note from their parents. Students
who do not bring in a note, or “forget” about
a concert, will have their grade lowered by two letter grades.
Performance attire is always clearly described online on our
website calendar. Attire varies from performance to performance
so please consult our online calendar of events to see what
“uniform” will be needed. Students not in specific
performance attire will NOT perform with their group.
Moreover, students will not be allowed
to perform on, or travel to concerts if they have forgotten
their music, mouthpiece, or instrument. It is the student's
sole responsibility to be accountable for their equipment.
And as a result, a student's quarter grade will be lowered
one letter grade.
Field Trips
The Kehoe-France music curriculum aims not
only to develop proficiency on instruments, but to expose
students to different musical genres. Throughout the year
students will have the opportunity to attend children’s
concerts given by professional musicians. Past musical groups
have included the LPO, The House of Blues Band, the Marine
Band, and other professional musical artists. In addition,
students have performed at K-F Open House, Celebration in
the Oaks, K-F Mardi Gras parade, select competitive music
festivals, Lower School Play, Spring Play, The D-Day Museum,
Spring Concert, athletic events, & more...
Students are expected and required to maintain
a cumulative “A “ average and an overall "A"
in conduct to attend non-performing incentive trips.
Students must have maintained minimum “C”
overall and conduct averages to participate in all performance
trips.
Permission slips are required to attend all
field trips.
4th Grade Band
Meeting three times weekly during students’
activity periods, the Kehoe-France 4th grade beginner band
is designed to develop basic musicianship on chosen band instruments.
Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate learned
skills in the genres of traditional and contemporary band
literature through participation in the LMEA Band Festival
held at Loyola University, and at our winter and spring concerts.
Students will also have the opportunity to attend a children’s
performance by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the
Marine Band. No prior musical experience is necessary.
Please see the chapter “4th Grade Beginner Band”
to learn more about how to get started.
Please note that students are not allowed
to switch to a different instrument until completing 2 years
on their beginner instrument. “Trying” different
instruments over the course of their band experience at Kehoe-France
is not encouraged. Also note that students choosing percussion
will study bells their first year of band. Students will move
to rudiment snare drum their second year.
5th Grade Band
Meeting twice weekly during Tuesday and Thursday
study halls, the 5th grade band continues study on the fundamentals
of music. This study helps prepare students for entrance into
Jazz 2 and Symphonic Band.
6th Grade Band
Meeting twice weekly during Monday and Wednesday
study hall, the 6th grade band continues study on the fundamentals
of music. Their curriculum is a direct reflection of the level
at which the Symphonic Band plays. 6th grade students are
encouraged to audition for Symphonic Band.
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is the premier and award winning
concert group at Kehoe-France. Symphonic Band is comprised
of 7th-8th grade students and of 5th-6th students by audition
only. This ensemble regularly attends music festivals including
LMEA and the Archdiocesan Festival. This class meets from
11:45-12:30. (7th-8th grade elective period and 5th-6th grade
recess.
Jazz Two
Jazz Two is a beginner jazz ensemble which
exposes students to the fundamentals of jazz, including listening
skills, stylistic interpretation, and history. This ensemble
is open to 5th-6th and meets Friday at study hall.
Jazz One
Jazz One is the premier jazz group which is
usually composed of, but not limited to, 6th-8th graders.
This group is composed of ‘advanced’ music readers
who continue study of the fundamentals of jazz, including
listening skills, stylistic interpretation, and history. This
ensemble is open to 5th-8th graders and meets on Wednesdays
from 3:15-4:15. Students must be in Symphonic Band to audition
for this group. Students must maintain a “B” average
in band to be an eligible member of this group. Please note
that students should be prepared to rehearse the Saturday
morning before both Winter and Spring Concerts from 10:30-noon.
(TBA)
Pep Band
Pep band is small group ensemble performing
“pop style” music at various athletic events at
school. This group is primarily an entertaining ensemble,
but still holds true to the high standards of other performing
groups. Students must be an active member of Symphonic Band
in order to participate or exemplify a strong commitment to
their instrument to be a member. Pep band has a limited rehearsal
schedule after school and participates in approximately 5-10
games per year. Students must maintain a composite grade of
“B” in band to be a member. This ensemble is open
by invitation only.
Band
Rules
4th Grade
Students are expected to report to class musically
prepared and with their instrument, mouthpiece, and music.
Students will receive a 50 point deduction from their weekly
participation grade for failing to bring materials.
5th Grade- 8th Grades
Students are expected to report to class musically
prepared and with instrument, mouthpiece, and music. Students
will receive a 50 point deduction from their weekly participation
grade for failing to bring materials. Students who forget
their materials two or more times within a grading quarter
will automatically lose their recess on that day in addition
to a 50 point deduction. Students will lose their recess on
any occasion they fail to their band directory of missing
materials. Students who ‘skip’ class because of
lack of materials will lose two recesses.
7th-8th Grade
In addition to rules and procedures of 5th-6th
bands, 7th-8th grade students are required to inform Mr. H
with written permission from a parent if they are to miss
class due to study-related issues. (ex. 8th grade math help)
Mr. H must receive written permission by 10:30 a.m. the day
of an excused miss. Students will not be allowed to attend
tutoring without advance notice. A “pass” will
be given if the downloadable form is filled out and returned
by 10:30 a.m..
Disciplinary
Issues
Students who are continually disruptive and
uncooperative in band will receive a ‘band’ disciplinary
report. A student who receives three reports will be asked
to leave the music program. Tuition will not be refunded.
Spring Play
Practice
Students missing band due to Spring Play practice
should check in with Mr. H at the end of each day that they
miss to gather new assignments. Students who do not check
in will receive a zero for participation for the entire week.
Closing Remarks
Finally, parental support is key to music education.
We should not only encourage our children, but hold them accountable
to their commitment and desire to be musical performers. Set
aside practice time on the weekends for your child’s
music assignment. Please remember that many times, more than
not, student musicians will lag their rudiment assignments
not realizing that exciting and challenging musical arrangements
and performance opportunities are around the ‘corner’,
so to speak. Design a weekly regiment similar to academic
homework. I will do the rest. Billy Joel once said, "I
think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression
of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter
what culture we're from, everyone loves music." They
will thank us in the end.
