2008-2009
Handbook
Merkel Mighty Badger Band
Merkel I S D
Ricky Kyker
Director of Bands
Band Hall: (325) 928-4667 ext. 1517
Business Fax: (325) 928-4684
P.O. Box 430
Merkel, TX 79536
Band Web Page:
merkel.region14.bet/webs/rkyker/
Home Phone: (325) 672-6647
Cellular Phone: (325)665-3299
1818 Echo Court
Abilene, TX 79602
This handbook is meant to provide information and answers to questions that are frequently asked by band students and their parents. Please keep this handbook in a place where it can be referred to throughout the year.
To the Band Students and their Parents:
In my opinion, participating in band is one of the most rewarding activities that students can be involved in throughout their school years. Being involved in band develops and encourages self - confidence, creativity, and of course, musicality. Band students also learn to work with other people to achieve a common goal, perform in public, and appreciate music through listening, rehearsing and performing. For the band experience to be complete, there are four groups of people that need to work together. They are:
1. The Band Director
My primary responsibility is to teach music. It is my belief that if I do my job effectively, then all of my students will not just learn music, but they will learn to love music as well. And the love of music - all kinds of music - is a gift that each band student will give themselves. The gift of music is one that never stops giving! It is also my responsibility to organize a band program that is filled with activities that are wholesome, purposeful and fun! Band activities help to unify the group, and provide memories for years to come. And, finally, I believe communication to be essential in establishing a quality band program. It is my responsibility, therefore, to make certain that the lines of communication between the four groups listed here are open at all times.
2. The Students
The primary responsibility of the students is to learn music. This means having excellent attendance at all rehearsals and sectionals, and it also means each student is responsible for practicing on their own to master their parts. Mastery of each individual part allows the students to perform well and to deliver quality musical productions. The students are also responsible for maintaining a positive attitude, following the rules, and for representing Merkel and the Mighty Badger Band in a positive way. Finally, the students must strive for good communication among themselves, the band director, and their parents.
3. The Parents
The primary responsibility of the parents is support. Parents can support their children and the band director by encouraging practice at home and by being involved in band activities. During football season, as well as throughout the year, there are a lot of band projects that parents can help with. Working with the band booster club, helping move equipment on and off the football field, being a chaperon on out of town trips, and helping with activities for the band are some of the ways that parents can become involved with the band program. And, of course, attending all performances and contests is a great way of showing your interest in your child’s involvement with the band program. Finally, parents need to realize the importance of good communication between themselves and the band director. If there is ever a problem or concern or ever an indication that your child is becoming disinterested in the band program, parents should call or come by to visit with me. My door is always open and I am happy to visit with you at anytime.
4. The School Board and Administration
The school board and administrators are responsible for overseeing all school activities so that excellence can be achieved and so that success will come to all Merkel I S D students. The school board and the administrators have demonstrated to me that a quality band program is important to this district. Their financial support and individual comments indicate such. I am honored to work with such a fine group of people.
The band program in Merkel has an established history as a quality organization. Individual band students have excelled all the way to the state level, and the band program has made great strides in its overall level of performance. I believe that if the four entities mentioned above will work together, our band program will continue to excel. Please join me in striving to reach our goals. I think it will be well worth your time.
Ricky Kyker
GRADING POLICIES
The six weeks grade will be based on the following:
DAILY PARTICIPATION
The student’s daily participation grade is not based totally on their ability to play their instrument, but also their punctuality, positive attitude, and willingness to participate. Each student needs to be in their place ready to start rehearsal when the tardy bell rings.
PERFORMANCES AND CONTESTS
This is why we have band!! Contests and performances are a major part of the band experience. All students will be expected to attend all contests and all performances that their band is involved with. Parents, please make every effort to come to all of the performances and contests. Our performances are our gift to you - so come and enjoy! Your child may never say it, but it means a lot to them to look out into the audience and to see someone from their own family.
PRACTICING AT HOME
All instruments are to be taken home EVERY AFTERNOON. Instruments are not to be left at school. It is recommended that each child practice a minimum of ten minutes everyday at home. It is better to practice a little everyday rather than a lot once or twice a week.
EXTRA REHEARSALS
During football season, the high school band will have one mandatory study time a week during the 1st six weeks. The band will meet on Mondays after school from 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM to work on school studies as well as to play off their marching music by memory. This study time is a great time for students to receive help for both their band music and for their other school subjects as well. Students can be exempted from the Monday sessions provided their grades are all passing and provided they have played their contest music off by memory to Mr. Kyker or Mr. Powers. Also, the high school band will have mandatory evening rehearsals every Tuesday during football season. The Tuesday night rehearsals will begin at 7:00 PM and will last until 8:30 PM.
PLAYING TESTS
Occasionally, playing tests or “chair tests” will be held. They will be for all band students, and will be held during rehearsals. Students will need to be prepared to play the selected music for the group. Chair order will be determined by these playing tests.
CONTESTS AND AUDITIONS
The high school band will perform at contests throughout the year. Current plans are for the band to compete at:
West Texas Fair and Rodeo Parade
McMurry Marching Band Festival
Big Country Marching Festival
UIL Marching Contest
Christmas Concert
Winter Concert (in conjunction with a dinner and silent auction)
Pre UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest
UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest
Spring Trip Contest (to be determined later)
Spring Concert
Solo and Ensemble Contests
**All high school band students are encouraged to participate in solo and ensemble competition and in All Regional / Area / State Band Tryouts.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Band letter jackets will be given out to all high school band students who successfully earn a minimum of 100 points. Points will carry over from year to year. Points can accumulate in the following ways:
Points Individual Events
5------------------------------------Auditioning for ATSSB, or TMEA Region band
Additional 5----------------------ATSSB or TMEA All-Region band member
Additional 15--------------------ATSSB or TMEA Area band member
Additional 50--------------------ATSSB or TMEA All State Band member
20---------------------------------Attend Band Leadership Camp (Mr. Kyker chooses camp)
10----------------------------------Participation in UIL Solo & Ensemble contest
Additional 5---------------------Division I rating on any UIL solo or ensemble
Or Additional 10----------------Division I rating on a class I UIL solo or ensemble
Additional 50--------------------Advance and perform at UIL All State Solo & Ensemble Contest
5-----------------------------------Attend everyday of summer band (July 31st, through Aug. 8th)
5-----------------------------------Each semester of band
5-----------------------------------Band Officer (drum major, librarian, uniform
manager, equipment manager, class
representative
5-----------------------------------Active, hard working loading crew member
Points Group Events
10----------------------------------Division I rating at marching or concert contest festivals *
10----------------------------------Division I rating at UIL Regional Marching Contest *
Additional 15--------------------Advancement to Area Marching Contest *
Additional 30--------------------Advance and perform at UIL All State Marching Contest *
10----------------------------------Division I rating at UIL Concert Contest *
10--------------------------------- Division I rating at UIL Sight-reading Contest *
Additional 15--------------------UIL Sweepstakes “A”rating for 1st Division in Marching, Concert,
& Sight-reading in the same year *
Additional 10--------------------UIL Sweepstakes “B” rating for 1st Division in Concert, & Sight-
reading in the same year *
* Must have participated in the group event to receive points
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA AWARD
The John Philip Sousa award will be given to recognize outstanding leadership of one senior at the end of the year. This award is nationally recognized.
BAND OFFICERS
Offices will include:
Drum major
Librarian
Uniform manager
Equipment manager
Class representatives for grades 9 - 12
All band officers will meet with Mr. Kyker periodically to discuss how the band is progressing, to discuss concerns of the students and the director, and to plan events for the band.
Band officers need to understand that a lot will be expected from them. Band officers will have various responsibilities, and they will be expected to demonstrate excellent leadership qualities at all times.
DISCIPLINE AND CLASSROOM RULES
It is my responsibility to teach and to coordinate a complete band program.
It is the student’s responsibility to learn and to participate appropriately in the band program.
These are my two simple rules:
1. Students must allow me to do my job.
2. Students must participate appropriately and not interfere with another student’s learning.
It is fun to teach and learn music. However, to accomplish our goals, a significant amount of time must be spent working and working hard.
Let it be known that: Rehearsal time is work time.
It is a time to be taken seriously, and all students will be expected to act appropriately during rehearsal time. Misconduct during rehearsal will affect the band’s ability to produce a quality performance. Consistent or significant misconduct during rehearsal or during any band activity will result in parents and school administrators being informed and appropriate action being taken.
FUND RAISING
Fund raising supplements expenditures for the band program. All band students and their parents will need to participate in the fund raising projects.
The majority of extra funds raised will be used for the high school band trip at the end of the year. Other possible uses for the proceeds are partial and full scholarships to summer band camps and purchasing band related items. At this time, specifics regarding fund raising projects are pending.
TRANSFERRING OUT OF THE BAND
If at anytime, a student is contemplating leaving the band program, a parent / teacher conference must be held before any action can be taken toward changing schedules. Too much time, money, and work has been invested for a decision of this nature to be made without student, parent and band director involvement. Withdrawing from band always requires the principal’s consent.
BAND FEES
Band fees will be kept to a minimum. Band students will have to purchase a travel uniform. This uniform consists of a band shirt ($35.00) and a pair of band shorts ($10.00). Students are also responsible for purchasing a pair of marching shoes ($26.00). There are no fees for using school owned instruments. There are no fees for using school owned band uniforms. All entry fees for solo, ensemble, all region, area, and state tryouts are paid by the school. If, however, a student misuses the band facilities, instruments, or uniforms they will be responsible for any damages that occur. In addition, if a student who has signed up for a solo, ensemble, all region, area, or state competition and fails to participate in that competition, that student will be responsible for the entry fee for that competition.
INSTRUMENT INFORMATION
An instrument care agreement will be filled out and signed by those students playing a school owned instrument. Each band member is responsible for the proper care, condition, and repairs of this instrument for the length of the agreement. Any damages or serious malfunction should be reported to the director at once. Repairs due to the negligence of the student will be charged to the student.
A privately owned instrument is the responsibility of the student who owns it. Students should check with their parents to see that the instrument is included on their homeowner’s insurance policy or insured in some way. Before purchasing an instrument, students should consult with the band director.
All instruments should be kept in excellent playing condition and should be cleaned and polished before every performance. High school students will participate in weekly uniform and instrument inspections during football season.
UNIFORM INFORMATION
High school band students will be issued a marching/concert uniform at the beginning of the year. It is the responsibility of each student to see that the uniform is properly cared for. The band will pay for the uniforms to be dry cleaned three times a year. If a student’s uniform needs additional cleaning, it will be at the student’s expense.
While the band travels, and during some performances, a casual, travel uniform consisting of the band shirt and band shorts will be worn. Each student will purchase their own band shirt and band shorts at the beginning of the year. Students will also be responsible for providing black socks and black marching shoes. Mr. Kyker will order the marching shoes at the beginning of the year. When the uniforms are worn, whether marching, concert or casual/travel, they will be worn completely and correctly at all times.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private lessons are a tremendous aid in the development of a student’s musical skills. Students who study privately soon add significantly to the overall quality of the band. Any student interested in studying privately should see Mr. Kyker for recommendations for teachers who teach privately. Private lessons are not required. If a student does not take private lessons this will not affect their grade in any way. It has been my experience, however, that the students who take privately progress much faster on their instrument. You can think of a private lesson instructor like a personal trainer at the gym. You’ll still get a good workout if you don’t have one, but it may take a little longer to get the same results.
BAND TRIPS / ACTIVITIES
The school year will be filled with numerous band activities, and many will require out of town bus trips. Upcoming Event Sheets will always be given for all activities and trips so appropriate plans can be made. Upcoming Event Sheets can also be found on the band web page. The web address for the band web is:
merkel.region14.net/webs/rkyker/
All trips and all activities make up an important part of band. Every effort should be made by students to be involved in each activity. And remember, when traveling with the Merkel Mighty Badger Band, students are to represent themselves, their family, their school, their band, their community, and their director in a positive way. Any parents who would like to ride along with the band on school provided transportation are welcome to do so as long as there is room.
ON BAND TRIPS, IF THERE IS AN OCCASION WHEN A STUDENT NEEDS TO LEAVE THE GROUP, THAT STUDENT AND THEIR PARENT MUST CHECK OUT WITH MR. KYKER. A STUDENT MAY NOT LEAVE THE GROUP WITHOUT MR. KYKER SEEING THE STUDENT WITH HIS OR HER PARENT/GUARDIAN.
I hope you have found this handbook informative and helpful. If there are any questions or concerns, I would be glad to hear from you. Please call, e-mail, or come by - my door is always open.
Ricky Kyker
Director of Bands
Merkel I S D
