“Building a Tradition of Excellence”

Course Description: Sixth Grade Band is a methods/performance class, and it is split into a brass group and a woodwind and percussion group. The students will be taught basic music reading fundamentals, instrument assemblage and care, basic performance techniques, and concepts related to cooperative band rehearsal and performance. Students are graded on progress. Progress is measured by rehearsal competency, playing opportunities, and ALL performances and rehearsals. Students are expected to attend all after school rehearsals and performances. Dates and times for after school rehearsals will be communicated closer to time to each performance in class and on our eClass portal.

Students will first go through an instrument selection process that involves trying instruments and counseling students in order to place them on the correct instrument. Selections and Placement will be based on interest, potential success, and instrumentation needs of the band.

There is a financial obligation to band participation. Information regarding instrument rental/purchase programs and school instrument policies will be given. Your child will be expected to bring his/her instrument or pay the school instrument rental/maintenance fee by August 30th. Please email jordan.romo@gcpsk12.org with any questions or financial concerns.

Band Dues are $40 and include:
● Student’s Instrument-specific Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician Method Book
● Band T-Shirt (required for uniform)
● Band Carabiner
● Helping our Band Program with supplies, bringing in instructors, and buying new music!

BAND DUES AND FORM ARE DUE NO LATER THAN AUGUST 30TH!!!

Materials Needed for Class After Instrument Selection Process is Complete (Need by dates are provided in parentheses):
● Instrument (August 26th – 6th Grade Beginning Boot Camp)
○ Please DO NOT purchase an instrument now | instrument-specific information to come
● 6th Grade Uniform: Band Shirt, jeans, closed-toed shoes (December 1)
● Metronome / Metronome app
● Pencil(s) on stand at all times
● Woodwinds – Reeds (clarinet & saxophone), swabs and cork grease (August 23)
● Brass – Valve oil, mouthpiece and cleaning cloth (Students using school instruments must provide their own mouthpiece and valve oil) (August 23)
● Percussion – outlined in Percussion Supply Paper (August 23)

ALL CASES AND STICK BAGS MUST HAVE THE STUDENT’S NAME VISIBLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CASE

Grading Breakdown: Band has two levels of curriculum: a class / group curriculum and an individual
curriculum. The group curriculum concerns rehearsal competency and the individual curriculum consists of individual performance. Rehearsal Competency is defined as having all materials every day and participating with a positive and cooperative attitude. Grade breakdown is as follows:
Classroom – Rehearsal Competency, Instrument and Accessories, Book, Music/Handouts, Individual pass offs, participation – 40%
Summative – Playing Tests, Concert Performances (ex. Exercises from book, sections from music, etc.), any written assignments given during class – 50%
Final – Performances and Rehearsals – 10%

6th Grade Dates to Remember
Required Activities:
+August 26th | Bronco Beginning Band Bootcamp | 8:45 AM – 1 PM | Crews M.S.
+Week of August 28 | All Students Bring Instruments EVERY CLASS
+December 14th | First Concert | Students stay after | Concert @ 6 PM | FFMS Cafeteria
+May 14th | Spring Concert | Students stay after | Concert @ 5:30 PM | FFMS Cafeteria
+ Indicates required part of grade.

Optional Activities:

January 24	Solo and Ensemble fees due	Interested Students
April 27	Solo and Ensemble Evaluation	Interested Students
May 4	First Year Honor Band Clinic	Selected Students

GCPS Band Policies
Band activities require attendance at ALL scheduled rehearsals. In order to better prepare for performance, some before-school and/or after-school rehearsals may be scheduled. These groups represent Five Forks Middle School at public performances, and it is imperative that we are able to put forth a “world-class” product. All bands will perform in at least two concerts per year, as outlined in the GCPS Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS).

*Please note MOST classes will have rehearsals before or after school. Rehearsals will be scheduled during the school year and announced in class and on social media (eClass page). Every student is required to attend these rehearsals as part of their grade. This is in accordance with GCPS Grading policies – “required out-of-class activities as stipulated by the teacher will determine a portion of the student’s grade”.

2023-24 Five Forks Middle School Band Donation List:

Paper Towels Face Tissue / Kleenex Hand Sanitizer Dry Erase Markers

Sharpies Pre-sharpened Pencils Mechanical Pencils Erasers

Colored Printer Paper Candy (Jolly Ranchers, Starbursts) AA Batteries

Thank you so much for your support of our FFMS Band Program!!