BAND/CHOIR

There are five primary ways to obtain a beginning instrument.
(Beginning students are typically encouraged to rent for at least the first year).

1. Rent-to-own through a reputable instrument dealer with a repair department.  Eckroth Music is a local store with many instruments in stock.
2. Buy a used instrument through the Bozeman Friends of Music Instrument Swap on ___TBD___.  Reputable repair technicians will be on-site to help evaluate instruments.  For additional details, please see the instrument swap flier.
3. Buy a used instrument through a reputable dealer, such as Eckroth Music.
4. Use an instrument borrowed from a friend or family member – be sure to have it checked by your child’s music teacher or a reputable repair person.
5. Some instruments are available through the school music department on a limited basis. We are unable to rent instruments to everyone who asks for one, due to increased participation and limited instruments.

Having an experienced person verify that an instrument is in good working condition is a crucial part of the beginning band process. The most common option for beginning students is to rent from a music store that has a “rent to own” program.

Parents are advised AGAINST buying new instruments for beginners. Renting/purchasing over the Internet is also discouraged. Inexpensive instruments purchased at box stores or Amazon are also usually NOT of good quality and will likely frustrate your child and end up costing more in repairs. There are a number of instrument brands that cannot be repaired because parts are not available.

Parents are encouraged to find one of the instrument brands listed below. When shopping for musical instruments you “get what you pay for!”

RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENT BRANDS
FLUTE Yamaha, Amadeus, Eastman, Armstrong, Bundy, Gemeinhardt, Artley, Selmer, Olds, Vito, Accent
CLARINET Holton, Bundy, Yamaha, Vito, Evette, Conn, Selmer, Artley, King, Armstrong, Normandy, Signet, Buffet, Accent
ALTO SAXOPHONE King, Conn, Armstrong, Bundy, Evette, Vito, Yamaha,, Selmer, Accent
TRUMPET Conn, Bundy, King, Yamaha, Eastman, Holton, Bach, Getzen, Accent
TROMBONE Bundy, Conn, King, Yamaha, Eastman, Holton, Olds, Bach, Getzen, Accent
BARITONE Holton, Besson, Getzen, Eastman, King, Yamaha, Conn, Bundy, Accent
PERCUSSION Ludwig, Rogers, Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, CB700, Remo

Monforton has a limited number of instruments available to rent during the school year.  The instruments are $75.00/year. To rent an instrument, a rental agreement form needs to be filled out and signed by a parent and the student. This form needs to be accompanied by a $75.00 check/cash.  If financing an instrument is a problem, please speak with Mr. Quinones or Mr. Weiss privately and we will work something out. NO STUDENT WILL BE DENIED THE RIGHT TO PLAY IN BAND BECAUSE OF FINANCING.

Occasionally an instrument goes out of adjustment, needs new parts or gets damaged.  The student cannot make progress if the instrument is not functioning properly. Students should let Mr. Quiñones know if they are having trouble with their instrument. Mr. Q is often able to make minor repairs and keep instruments adjusted.

Major repairs need to be made by a qualified repair technician.  Eckroth Music provides an excellent, local option for instrument repairs, and can often get an instrument back to the student in a day or two. School owned instruments must be taken in for repair by the Mr. Q, please don’t just leave a school instrument at Eckroth.

Morning Drop-Off
Students are able to drop their instruments off in the instrument shelving in the music room right away in the morning. The door to the room will be unlocked at 8:00am.

Name Tags
ALL INSTRUMENTS MUST HAVE A NAME TAG ON THEIR CASES.
(Do you really want someone accidentally putting their mouth on your instrument and playing it because they thought it was their instrument?)

Classroom Expectations
Be on time to class with your materials. Respect your classmates and school property, ie. take care of your instrument, be kind to your neighbor. We will be learning from bell to bell, so please do not be late to class or line up at the door to leave early.

Attendance is expected, and tardiness causes distraction to your peers. Please be in the music room ready to rehearse 5 minutes after the bell rings. We will follow the school policy in regards to tardiness: you will be marked tardy if you are not present when class begins, and if you are more than 15 minutes late you will be marked absent. If you feel that you have circumstance that prevent you from being on time, please talk with Mr. Quinones.

Please do your part in keeping the music room clean by refraining from eating or drinking in the room. Water is ok as long as it is in a sealed container. There is an instrument work area for student use; please clean up after yourself.

An outline for the day’s rehearsal will be written on the board in the front of the room. Students should ensure they have everything they need at the beginning of class.

NO GUM, CANDY, OR OTHER SNACKS DURING MUSIC CLASS. EVER.

Always treat each other kindly.
Always treat each other’s things kindly.
Always treat the music kindly. (There is a damage fee assessed for any music that is damaged/lost)

Things that are off-limits:

1. Any instrument that isn’t your own.
2. All percussion instruments in the room (unless you are a percussionist)
3. Piano/Keyboard (unless you’ve asked Mr. Q)

#1: A PENCIL.  It is the student’s responsibility to always have a pencil available in order to mark in dynamics, fingerings, slide positions, counts, etc.  There will be random pencil checks for bonus points, it would be wise to keep a pencil in the band folder all year.

#2: YOUR INSTRUMENT AND ACCESSORIES
The following items are strongly recommended for students to have with their instruments at all times for proper use and care of their instruments. If a private teacher recommends something else, please follow their recommendations.

FLUTE Cleaning rod, silk swab
OBOE/BASSOON Reeds, swab, cork grease, small container for water to soak reeds.
CLARINET Cloth swab (not felt), cork grease, 2 Playable reeds –#2 thickness for 5th grade (will change as year progresses)
SAXOPHONE Swab, 3 playable reeds – #2 thickness for 5th grade, (will change as year progresses) cork grease, a comfortable neck strap.
TRUMPET Valve oil, tuning slide grease, cleaning kit
FRENCH HORN Rotor valve oil, tuning slide grease
TROMBONE Slide-O-Mix or Super Slick slide cream and spray water bottle or slide oil, tuning slide grease, cleaning kit
BARITONE/TUBA Valve oil and tuning slide grease
PERCUSSION Bell Kit, Practice Pad and Snare Drum, Stick Bag, Vic Firth 5A Snare Sticks
**Please mark all percussion equipment with your name**

#3: YOUR MUSIC AND BOOK IN THE FOLDER MR. Q GAVE YOU
Please take care of your music; there will not be much time during class to make extra copies or find a book for you to borrow. All students will need their own copy of Essential Elements Interactive Book 1 for their specific instrument. This book is the updated version of Essential Elements 2000, and includes access to online resources. This is the same book used in 5th grade.

Student grades will be based on the following:

Assignments: 20%
Performances: 40%
Participation: 20%
Playing Assessments: 20%

Grading Scale

Assignments
Although Band is primarily a performance based course, there will be a variety of assignments. It is important to turn in or complete the assignments on the due date, to ensure the highest score possible. If you are absent, please talk with Mr. Quiñones to learn what you need to do to make up the missed assignments.

Performance
Attendance and professionalism are expected at all performances. Please be on time, wear the appropriate attire, and act in a professional manner; we are after all, performers. Each and every performer is very important to our band’s success; all performances are required.

There will be at least 2 performances for band students during the school year, one at Christmas and another in the Spring.  Your child’s attendance is REQUIRED and will be excused only under extreme circumstances.  A major aspect of experiencing music, as displayed by the National Standards for Music Education is:

Standards 1&2: Performing/Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
Standard 7: Evaluating music and musical performances.

Thus, I take performances very seriously.  Your child has the opportunity to earn 50 points for showing up to the performance punctually, properly attired, with a positive attitude, and performing.  Points will be deducted if your student does not meet those requirements.

For students who meet the qualifications of extreme circumstances, there is a required assignment for them to complete in order to receive points for his/her missed performance.  They will have the option of choosing one of the following assignments:

1. A 10 minute presentation to the class about an approved topic relating to music/band.  This presentation must include visuals (Powerpoint, Prezzie, etc)
2. Performing all of the pieces that they missed on the performance for their classmates as a solo.  Must be prepared to concert readiness.
3. Writing a 2 page research paper on an approved topic.

Participation
It is expected that students attend class. We will be working on a variety of skills and techniques in addition to mastering our music. During rehearsals, students should be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn. If a student has an excused absence, they will not lose any participation points, however if they have an unexcused absence, that student will not receive any participation points for that day.

Additionally, students planning to be absent for sports or school related events need to have their Approved Absence Form filled out prior to their absence to retain their participation points for that day.

Playing Assessment
Playing assessments will be scheduled throughout the school year. Students will be able to complete their playing assessments at any time up to the due date. Sometimes these assessments will be group opportunities, but be prepared to play each selection individually. DO NOT WORRY, we will only have  assessments on material that we have rehearsed in class many times. The purpose of the assessment is to see how each student is progressing, not to make a student uncomfortable. Please talk to Mr. Quiñones is you are concerned about the playing assessments. Playing assessments will take the place of practice slips.

Students can re-take playing assessments at any time during the term for full credit, and the highest score will be recorded.

Absences and Late Work
Students who are absent are allowed two days make-up time for every day they are absent. It is the student’s responsibility to inquire about missed assignments. Homework will be accepted no more than one week late. If the work is not turned in after one week, it will be counted as a zero. Students should talk with Mr. Quinones about absences for sports or other school related events; missed work will still be counted as a zero if not completed.

Concerts are a chance for students to be proud and show off all of their hard work!  I expect them to be professional in their performance behavior and attire.

5th and 6th Grade Band Concert Attire

Boys: Khakis, black, or grey dress pants are all acceptable.  Blue jeans, however, are NOT. Button down shirts and polos are absolutely wonderful.  T-shirts with a hole in them…..not! When in doubt ask yourself, “Would I go on stage with a Symphony/Orchestra dressed like this?” (Or bring it to Mr. Q and he’ll let you know).
Girls: Khakis, black, or grey dress pants are all acceptable.  Blue jeans, however, are NOT. Dress shirts that are appropriately covering are wonderful.  Shirts that show your belly button are not. Skirts and dresses are okay as long as they sit below the knee.  When in doubt ask yourself, “Would I go on stage with a Symphony/Orchestra dressed like this?” When in doubt, ask Mr. Q!

7/8th Grade Band Concert Attire – All 7/8th grade band members are expected to wear concert black, unless otherwise instructed.

Boys: Black dress pants, socks, and dress shirt. Colored ties are ok. Dark colored dress shoes are expected, no sneakers.
Girls: Black dress pants, skirt, or dress. If wearing a skirt, please also have solid black tights on to the ankles. Black dress shirt or top. Color accent is ok (scarf, necklace). Dark colored dress shoes, no sneakers.

Halloween Concert (6th Band/Choir ONLY) – Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 2:45 in the Monforton Middle School Gym

Veterans Day Program – Friday, November 10, 2023 @ TBD in the Monforton Middle School Gym
7/8th Grade Band and Choir, 6th Grade Choir

Downtown Bozeman Christmas Stroll – Saturday, December 2, 2023 @ 6:50 PM. Intersection of Wilson and Main St.
6 Grade Choir & 7/8th Grade Choir

5th Winter Concert – Wednesday, December 13, 2023 @3:00 PM in the Monforton Middle School Gym, families welcome, students should dress nicely

6-8 Winter Concert – Wednesday, December 13, 2023 @7:30 PM in the Monforton Middle School Gym
All students in  6th Grade Band, 7/8th Grade Band, an 6-8th Choir are expected to arrive at the school at 7:10 dressed in concert attire.