RESPONSIBILITY and ATTITUDE Students are expected to give their best at all times. This includes having your instrument, a pencil, your notebook, your music, and your positive attitude at each and every rehearsal. No gum, please! This also includes being on time and being actively involved in all rehearsals. It is extremely important that you realize that these expectations also apply to the occasional after school rehearsals which are so important to our success.
Only the director of your ensemble can excuse you from any special rehearsals or performances, and any such situations must be taken care of well in advance of the anticipated conflict. This is extremely important as every member of a group, such as the band, depends on their fellow members in order to successfully perform.
The ability to work effectively with others in a group setting in your ensemble is extremely important. To accomplish this, we have the following expectations.
- You should never talk or play out of turn. - Raise your hand if you have something to say and wait to be called on. - Be respectful of others who are speaking or playing. - Respect all property, whether it is yours, someone else's, or the schools.
Also, be certain that you are aware of SMS rules concerning your grades and your participation in trips away from the school.
REPRESENTING YOUR ENSEMBLE You represent SMS any time you are at a school activity performing with the ensemble. You are no longer just an individual; you are also a part of a team and must consider the responsibility of representing your ensemble and your school with DIGNITY and PRIDE! If you ever have any questions about what is and what is not appropriate, ask before it is too late.
INSTRUMENTS Flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, beginning percussion, violin and viola players are responsible for providing their instruments rented or purchased from a local music store. School owned instruments (F horn, bassoon, bass clarinet, baritone sax, euphonium, tuba, advanced percussion, cello, and bass) may be checked out by ensemble members who do not own their own instrument. These instruments are primarily the most expensive instruments, which are often impractical for an individual to purchase. The ensemble member is responsible for any damage beyond normal wear and tear, including loss of the instrument, broken strings or bows, and dents effecting the playability of the instrument.
INSTRUMENT STORAGE Because our space in the music facility is limited and serves such a high percentage of the student body, it is extremely important that we respect each other's instruments. Therefore, each student and each grade level will have an assigned spot in which to store their instruments. All instruments are to be stored in that assigned spot prior to 8:00am each school day. No instruments may be stored in other classrooms.
LOCKERS Special instrument lockers are available at Severance Middle School for students’ convenience. Mrs. Sawyer will assign the lockers at the beginning of the school year for student use. The opportunity to make use of the school instrument lockers is a privilege, not a right, and requires adherence to the locker-use guidelines.
Locker-use Guidelines: 1) You must use school-owned locks. Any lock found on a locker that is not school-owned will be cut off and replaced with a school-owned lock. 2) You must keep your locker clean. Papers that are no longer needed, leftover lunches (that three-week-old banana, etc.) must be removed promptly. 3) All instruments are to be kept in their cases and latched when not in use!!! Instruments and instrument repair are very expensive—protect your parents’ investment! 4) Lock combinations are given to you in strict confidence. Only you and the director should have access to your lock combination. Do not share your combination with anyone. 5) Sharing of lockers is permitted, but the director must be informed. Those using it share all responsibility for the contents of such lockers—hook up with people you trust! 6) Lockers are to remain locked at all times when they are not in use. 7) Percussionists are strongly advised not to keep their sticks in their lockers without a stick bag. They can be stolen from the locker much too easily by a wandering hand.
Any failure to follow the locker-use guidelines may result in a temporary or permanent loss of locker privileges.
Severance Middle School’s Responsibility The instrument lockers, if properly used, will keep your equipment safe and secure while here at the school. It is, however, your responsibility to ensure that you are keeping your belongings safe. In the event of a problem, the school will do everything in its power to help you resolve it. The school is not, however, responsible for lost or damaged instruments—be conscientious so you never have to worry about it.
Procedure for making changes in relation to enrollment in an orchestra or band class: To add a music performance class (choir, band or orchestra) to a student’s schedule, the student and his/her parents must first express their interest in such a change through a note or a phone call to Mrs. Sawyer. The teacher is then able to advise the parents and child about instrument choices, and prescribe a manner to catch up the student’s skill level if it appears that they will be coming into the class behind their peers, etc. The teacher will then make contact with the appropriate school officials to arrange for the schedule change.
Involvement in a performance based music class (choir, orchestra, and band) involves a yearlong commitment to the group. This level of commitment, responsibility, and follow through is one of the many important skills that are taught through the music curriculum. Each spring, the student body and parents will be made aware of the window for enrollment in a music performance class. For changes regarding the following year, a letter will be sent home to be signed and returned by a given deadline either by the student or by email or phone. The letter will address whether the student will be continuing in their music class or not. Any changes requested outside of that window will be considered on an individual basis and must be in line with the guidelines below. Changes will be accepted up to the first Friday of the first quarter, and seven days before the end of the second and third quarters. The procedure and timeline for dropping out of a performance based music class (choir, orchestra or band) is the same as that outlined above for adding a class.