AWESOME PERFORMANCE AT THE 5TH GRADE WINTER CONCERT!!!!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SIXTH GRADE BAND

Some answers to frequently asked questions (Email Mr. Buckley if you have a question not covered below!)
  • Q:  How often does band meet?  Band meets every day as a class in the student’s exploratory block.
  • Q:  What are the Exploratory periods in 2017-2018?  Periods 2, 3, and 4.
  • Q:  Are all bands the same, or is it tiered by ability?  All 3 bands have been scheduled to have approximately the same number of each instrument.  The bands are equal-ability.
  • Q:  Will each band perform separately or as one big group?  The bands will combine to be one very large group.
  • Q:  What should my child do during the summer?  DON'T STOP PLAYING THE INSTRUMENT!!!  Pick up your horn at least 2-3 times per week.  Get together with your band friends to perform your favorite songs from fifth grade.  You can also get movie favorite or pop song books for your instrument.  Mr. BUckley has heard of band performances at the Block Party!!  For sure, JOIN ENCORE!!! (the summer band camp right here in Batavia)
  • Q:  What are the supplies that students provide in 6th Grade Band?  Supplies for band are the same for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade:  3-Ring Binder w/ a clear plastic cover; pencil (have a few); hi-lighter.   If you would like to donate a box of tissues, that would be greatly appreciated.
  • Q:  How are the students graded in band?  Students will be assessed on progress in lessons (Technique Classes), Scales, Band Music playing quizzes, and short rhythm/term quizzes.  Points vary.
  • Q:  How often will my child be assessed?   This can be a trick question.  The band teachers are constantly assessing student progress.  Assessment only means we are collecting data.  We then use that data to improve our teaching.  Most of the time your child is being assessed,  there is not a grade given.  Students are asked to continuously self-assess themselves and the band as a whole--this is rarely graded.  Students also fill out Take 5 and Exit Slips.  These start-of-class/end-of-class activities often measure student progress or can be used as a pre-test.  Again, they are often not graded.  Students will have about 4-6 graded assessments per trimester (scale quizzes do accumulate as the year progresses and will count as one quiz each time even though they are scored separately in Powerschool).  Students will play short playing excerpts for assessment on band pieces.  Some of these will be graded; some will not.  
  • Q:  What method books will my child need?  Students will use "Warm-ups and Beyond" and "Rhythms and Beyond."  These books will be ordered by the school and the cost will be part of the course fee.
  • Q:  My child loves the Karate Belts!  Is there an incentive like that at RMS?  Yes!   We will have a very fun incentive plan that the students will learn about in the fall.
  • Q:  My child plays a big instrument (baritone, french horn, trombone, tenor sax, percussion).  Doe he/she need to lug that case back and forth to school each day?  No.  RMS provides school-owned instruments for those students to use.  There is a maintenance fee assessed to ensure the instruments are ready for the following year.  That fee is currently $50.00.  The fee can be paid via powerschool.
  • Q:  I hear there is a jazz band at RMS.  Can my child participate?  YES!  RMS has two jazz ensembles.  Jazz Band is a group open to all students regardless of instrument or grade--it does NOT have an audition.  The Jazz Ensemble is an advanced group made up of traditional jazz instrumentation (saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, bass, and drumset)--this group does have an audition requirement.  Auditions take place in October. 
  • Q:  What is the Symphonic Band?  The Symphonic Band is an extra-curricular concert band that meets outside of the regular school day.  The band is an honor ensemble.  Students can audition for the band at the end of Sixth Grade for the following year.  
  • Q:  How many performances will there be in sixth grade?  Currently, we are planning on doing an early Winter Concert, an early Spring Concert with a possible guest clinician,  the All-City Concert, a Solo Performance (Solo/Ensemble Contest), and an end-of-year Spring Concert.  This could change as final details for all performances have not been finalized as of April 2015.  Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Symphonic Band have additional concerts.
  • Q:  Will my child need his/her instrument on the first day of school?  No–Students will be told which day to begin bringing instruments.