Class Information
Schedules
Weekly Ensembles:
Monday's Rotating Lessons:
Tuesday's Rotating Lessons:
Wednesday's Rotating Lessons:
Thursday's Rotating Lessons:
Friday's Rotating Lessons:
Course Objectives and Overview:
The following document is distributed to the students at the start of the school year and available to parents at Back to School Night. It is also posted in the band room:
Course Objectives.pdfEnsembles
Concert Band: Each grade level has a concert band to perform in, involving woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings; all are welcome. To prepare for their performances, each student will be assigned a lesson group that will meet once a week. The lessons will occur during regular class time, which students would be excused from, on a rotating basis, so that the same class is missed only once every several weeks. Regularly scheduled band rehearsals will occur two times per week-one morning practice (7:55 am) and one recess practice.
String Ensemble/Orchestra: TMS is one of few districts to maintain a string program! All students that play violin, viola, cello, or string bass will play in the String Ensemble/Orchestra that will rehearse once per week before school, and once during recess. Lessons during class time will be given, however, having a private teacher for string players is recommended; beginners are strongly advised to do so. If any wind and percussion players are needed for a full orchestral piece, students will be invited to play by the director.
Jazz Band: Membership in Jazz Band is by audition only! The instrumentation needed for this group is: 2 alto saxes, 2 tenor saxes, 1 baritone sax, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 1-2 keyboard players, 1 bass, 1-2 guitar, and 2 drum set players. Auditions will take place by the end of September and are open to students in 7th and 8th grade. In certain cases where instrumentation is lacking, younger students may be invited to also audition. If there are not enough qualified players, a smaller jazz combo may be considered. Music for the audition, as well as more details will be available the second or third week of school.
Student Responsibilities
Students will be held accountable for the following responsibilities as members of the instrumental music program:
Knowing what day and time they need to come for band and lessons
Having their instrument on those days (I will not allow students to call home if they forget!)
Having the appropriate accessories for their instrument, i.e. neck strap, cork grease, reeds, valve oil, rosin, etc.
Having their music and/or books
Properly storing their music and instruments after rehearsals
Telling their classroom teacher that they have a lesson after attendance
Informing the teacher if there is a conflict with the scheduled lesson (such as a test or science lab), before the day starts, so that rescheduling becomes a possibility (telling the teacher at the start of the conflicting lesson period may result in a zero for participation for the day)
Arriving to band on time and setting up quickly
Practicing assigned materials at home so they are prepared for the next meeting
Attending all required performances
Dressing properly for all performances
Maintaining a positive attitude and respect towards others and their surroundings
Removal from the program:
If a student skips rehearsals (meaning they are in attendance at school but are not in rehearsal), one or several results may occur: interim report sent home, comment on report card, after school detention for 30 minutes, grade lowered, parent conference, removal from the instrumental program. Because instrumental music is a group activity, the actions of each student affect the progress and success of the whole ensemble-attendance is very important.
If a student must be sent to the office for discipline reasons in the course of the year, immediate removal from the ensemble may result. Due to the large numbers of children participating in band, any action on the part of a student that can jeopardize the safety of others cannot and will not be tolerated!
Uniforms
If your child plans to participate in the Tenakill Instrumental Music Program, he/she is required to wear khaki/beige pants, shoes (no sneakers), white TMS Music shirt, and a Tenakill Middle School Band vest for all performances.TMS Music shirts will be sold during the fall for those that need one (a later notice will be sent home regarding ordering shirts). They are to be worn for all performances including, morning/evening concerts,Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and graduation.
The PTO of Closter has generously provided funding for the the purchase of the Tenakill Middle School Band vest to be part of the uniform. One vest will be issued to each member prior to the first performance and will be collected after the spring concert. Each vest is numbered, so please make note of this number; it is important to make sure your child maintains the correct vest. The vest number that is assigned is the one he/she is responsible for returning. If your child no longer participates in the program for any reason, he/she is still responsible for returning the vest. If your child loses the assigned vest,you will be charged a replacement fee of $50. Please note that final report cards and/or diplomas will not be issued until students have satisfied all school responsibilities, which include book/library
fines, and returned team and/or band uniforms. Your child will not be allowed to perform in the concerts without his/her vest and/or TMS Music shirt!