Waukee Middle School
6th Grade
Class Information
Materials & Supplies
The following is information for you and your band student in preparation for the next school year.
Please have your student's instrument checked by a repair technician. There is nothing more frustrating for a young band student than to play an instrument that is not working. Summer is a great time to have them checked out.
Band students will NOT need their instruments the first day of 6th grade band class, but WILL need them for the second day of band.
Incoming 6th Grade Woodwind Players
(Flute, Clarinets, Saxophones)
- One box of Vandoren Reeds, size 2 1/2 (it will last most of the year). You can buy the reeds at Rieman's Music Store. They are cheaper by the box.!
- One tube cork grease (clarinets and saxes only)
- Essential Elements 2000 Book 1. You may have this from 5th band.
- One pencil
- Bring in $1.00 for the band handbook and folder
Incoming 6th Grade Brass Players
(Trumpets, French Horns, Trombones, Baritones, Tubas)
- Essential Elements 2000 Book 1. You may have this from 5th band.
- One pencil
- Bring in $1.00 for the band handbook and folder
Trumpet, Baritone and Tuba players:
- Buy at least ONE bottle of Valve Oil (can buy at Rieman's Music Store)
Trombone Players:
- Buy slide-o-mix for your slide
French Horn Players
- Buy one bottle of rotary oil
Incoming 6th Grade Percussionists
- One pencil
- Bring in $1.00 for the band handbook and folder
- Lesson books
(These books are avilable to purchast at Rieman Music
- Essential Elements 2000 Book 1. You may have this from 5th band.
- Fundamental Studies for Mallets
- Alfred Percussion Book 1
- All percussion students need a stick bag with the required mallets/sticks.
- Returning 5th grade percussion students should already have a stick bag with SD1 General snare sticks and Innovative F9 xylophone mallets.
- For 6th grade band, we will be adding Mike Balter 23B (medicum cord blue) vibe mallets and Vic Furth T1 General timpani mallets.
Grading “STAR PROGRAM”
- Students will be assigned 10 “Stars” each quarter. Stars will consist of scales, band music, lesson book exercises or solo material depending on the quarter.
- Stars assignments will be differentiated according to each student’s ability.
- Students should pass 5 stars by the mid-term point of each quarter. Students will receive a “P” for passing at midterm grading.
- All students will receive a letter grade at the end of each quarter according to the following scale:
Grading Scale
A+ = 10 Stars C+ = 4 Stars
A- = 8 Stars C = 3 Stars
B+ = 7 Stars C- = 2 Stars
B- = 6 Stars D+ = 1Star
B- = 5 Stars D = Participates in class only
C+ = 4 Stars
Smart Music Program
- The Essential Elements 2000 Book has a companion computer program called, “Smart Music,” that you can purchase for your student’s home use.
- Smart Music provides fun accompaniments to lesson book exercises and we highly recommend this program to all students as a great practice tool.
- This program enables students to complete star assignments at home and email performance scores to their band director.
- Check out www.smartmusic.com for further information.
Lessons
- One of the three WMS band directors will be your band lesson teacher.
- Lessons will be scheduled in small groups, once per six-day cycle.
- Lessons are scheduled during study halls as much as possible.
- If your lesson is scheduled during a class and you have a test that the teacher does not want you to miss, please choose one of the following options:
- Have the teacher call the band room.
- Bring a note from your teacher and give it to your band director.
- Let us know ahead of time.
Private Lessons
Private lessons allow students to receive more individual attention and progress at a faster rate. We highly recommend the pursuit of private lessons outside of school time. Please contact your band director for a list of private teachers.
Daily Practice
Daily practice is essential for steady progress. Students are expected to practice enough to pass Stars, perform band music accurately and to maintain steady progress.
Rehearsals
6th Band Students will need the following items for each rehearsal:
- Instrument
- Lesson book
- Band folder with band music
- Pencil
- Binder
Concerts
- As a member of the WMS 6th Grade Band, students must understand that the conditions for satisfactory grades include out-of-class performances. Missing members hurt the performance of the entire group!
- Conflicts come up . . . E-mail or call as soon as you are aware of a conflict. This enables us to fill in the missing part before the last minute. Conflicts will be considered on an individual basis (see student STAR/lesson sheet).
- If there is a family emergency, please call Mrs. Dunn or Mrs. Cunningham at 987-5177, extensions 3461 or 3463.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: All school-sponsored activities (athletic games, band concerts, etc) are carefully scheduled to allow participation in all events. Some outside/club events (soccer, dance, etc) may conflict with band events. Upon receipt of this band calendar and handbook, students should plan to attend all band events. Except for rare circumstances, we expect students to choose a school sponsored activity over a non-school activity. In any case, please do not wait until the day or week before a performance to inform us you will be absent from a band event.
School Instrument Rental
- Due to the prohibitive cost of certain instruments, students may rent these instruments from the Waukee School District: Oboes, Bassoons, Tenor and Baritone Saxophones, Baritone horns, and Tubas.
- Students who will be using school instruments should complete and return a rental contract (get this form from your band director) with their payment immediately. The rental fee for one year is $35, payable to Waukee Middle School. Families in need of financial assistance should contact one of the band directors.
Waukee Band Parents Organization
- We are fortunate to have a wonderful support organization that works to enrich and support the musical growth of ALL Waukee band participants, grades 5-12. Fundraising efforts have helped to purchase instruments, percussion equipment and uniforms.
- The WBPO also offers scholarship money for students who attend summer music camps. Reimbursement for 25% of the cost (up to $50) is offered to those who attend camp.
- As the parent of a Waukee band student, you are invited to participate in this group. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month in the high school band room at 7:00 PM.
More information about the Waukee Band Parents Organization
Band Fundraising Donations
As a result of a survey, we are asking for donations as our fundraising project this year. We believe an estimated donation of $25 per family will easily make the equivalent of door-to-door sale proceeds from the past. If you would like to make a donation, please send a check with your student payable to Waukee Band Parents.
Waukee Middle School:
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