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WHO MAY JOIN?
Spartan Band is open to students in the 7th and 8th grade by audition.
Auditions for seating (student ranking), are held immediately after the Berlin Fair performance, and in the second week of school after the winter (holiday)
vacation. Each student will have a chance to play a prepared piece announced prior to the audition, a scale, and a selection from a piece they haven't
seen previously.
WHEN DOES IT MEET?
Spartan Band meets once every 6 school days for class rehearsal, and as a full band on Day 1 and Day
4. This schedule starts immediately after the Berlin Fair performance. There are occasional after-school rehearsals as needed prior to
performance dates.
WHAT IS THE REQUIRED COMMITMENT?
Spartan Band functions as a team, and as such, can not function properly when team members are
absent. Students are asked to attend all full and class rehearsals and all performances. Students are additionally asked to practice 90
minutes a week at home, in addition to practice during school time. Parents are asked and encouraged to help monitor this part of the student's commitment to
this ensemble.
WHAT IS THE CONCERT ATTIRE?
Because live music performance is both a visual AND auditory experience, it's important for students to help
contribute towards the overall experience in both areas. Ensemble performances are about blending in, rather than standing out. As such,
performers should understand that concert attire should be worn correctly and with pride.
For all concerts at McGee, performers wear black and white unless specifically instructed otherwise.
BOYS - A plain white shirt over black pants over black socks and black
shoes. A tie of choice completes the ensemble.
GIRLS - A plain white top over black pants or a black skirt. Your child must
wear black nylons if she is wearing a skirt. Please help your child to choose safe, comfortable shoes to complete the ensemble.
For the Berlin Fair performance and the Memorial Day Parade, students will be issued a band uniform consisting
of a blouse, pants, hat, pleated ascot, and cummerbund. Parents are asked to make sure that students complete this uniform with black socks and appropriate
shoes, not sneakers.
HOW IS GRADING COMPUTED?
Spartan Band is a graded ensemble, and grades are computed based upon several criteria. Attendance
is the most critical, with grades assigned to major performances. Attendance at rehearsals and classes are worth 5 points towards a student's total
grade. Attendance at major performances are worth 25 or more points. Additional factors, such as being prepared for rehearsals and
performances, demonstrated level of effort, and appropriate attire also factor into the computation of the final grade.
A SPECIAL NOTE ON MAKEUP WORK FOR OTHER CLASSES
Spartan Band is a graded activity, and as such, students trying to make up work for other academic classes
should not attempt to do so during rehearsals (Period H), as this will result in a lowered grade for Spartan Band. Parents
are asked to remind band students that makeup work should be completed on days other than scheduled rehearsal days, or after school.
A WORD ON CONCERTS
Unless otherwise instructed, students should plan on arriving at McGee and being in the band room or other
specifically designated area no later than 30 minutes prior to performance time, with
instrument fully assembled and ready to tune. Students should be fully dressed in concert attire, as specified above, with shirt tucked in and all garments
worn properly. Students requiring assistance with neckties should plan on arriving a few minutes earlier to request assistance from Mr. DeGroff or one
of the chaperones.
Students are requested and required to remain in the school building, in the specified area, for the duration
of the concert. Parents are asked to respect this requirement, and to allow students to remain in these areas before and after the concert. This
minimizes the disruptions to the performers, and allows students to both support their peers, and to become aware of what their peers are doing musically.
In addition, this also helps students to develop an appropriate level of respect for their peers, the McGee community, and the Berlin community at large.
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