Band

= = __**Band**__

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**There are three levels of band. They are Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. All three bands are both 7th and 8th graders depending on skill or level of your playing. Concert Band is the easiest of the three bands. Symphonic Band plays harder music than Concert band but not as hard as Wind Ensemble. Wind Ensemble is the hardest of the three bands but once you know the music it is not all that hard. Your sixth grade band director while recommend which band class you should be in out of the three, but if Mrs. Swank believes you are capable of being in a different band class she will place you there. ** =====

__**The band director is Mrs. Swank.**__

**Band is a very fun experience. Such a good experience that I encourage everyone to pick an instrument and play! You won't regret band in middle school!**

**I quit band in 6th grade and really regret it. NEVER give up on your instrument and musical ability!**

==__Make sure you are at school on the first day of school because Mrs. Swank goes over her classes rules.__ ==

**Mrs. Swank might come off as mean but she is one of the nicest teachers I have met at the middle school. **

**__NEVER__ play before she says to.** **Follow these rules and you for sure will have a fun year :D**

**Band instruments are as listed:** **Alto Saxophone** **Bass Clarinet*** **Clarinet** **French Horn*** **Flute** **Piccolo*** <span style="color: #1c1c8d; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Tenor Saxophone*** <span style="color: #1c1c8d; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Tuba** <span style="color: #1c1c8d; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Trumpet** <span style="color: #1c1c8d; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Trombone** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Baritone Saxophone*** <span style="color: #1c1c8d; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Oboe*** <span style="color: #1c1c8d; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Percussion**
 * <span style="color: #1c1c8d; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Bassoon* **
 * <span style="color: #1c1c8d; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">And lots lots lots more... **


 * <span style="color: #1c1c8d; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">*=Ask Mrs. Swank if you can play those. **
 * You must have passed the 6th grade test to play**

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**In band, you will have concerts. THESE ARE MANDATORY!! If you have soccer practice and other activities on the day of the concert, you should tell your coach about your concert because Mrs. Swank will get mad at you if you can't attend the concert (Unless its a family emergency).** **If you don't attend, your grade for band will drop two grades down. If you have an A in band, you will have a C in band.**

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**In band, you earn participation points every day. They are worth five points. Earning them is pretty easy. All you have to do is just behave and have your instrument to play.(Eg. Not talking, Touching other people, Laughing, etc.)**

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**When you first come to middle school band, especially Wind Ensemble, you're going to notice a HUGE difference from elementary school band. I had never taken private lessons or anything, and I don't think I played at all. Everyone was so much better than me, and I got lost in every piece! But don't get overwhelmed, just practice, practice practice. I did, and I eventually became best trombone in the school!**

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Band is my favorite part of the day. We have so much fun but we can get pretty serious. We are like a family in band, especially in the Wind Ensemble (just saying)! If you hear rumors about Mrs. Swank being mean, she really isn't unless you see her dark side... But most of the time she's a teacher who can't stop smiling!**

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**In 8th grade you will participate in an event called 8th grade night at a home football game. All the eighth graders get to perform the fight song and other songs with the marching band on the field. But don't worry you don't have to march and it isn't that bad. It was really a fun experience. Mrs. Swank is a really fun teacher and she smiles 24/7 but dont ever make noises thats one of her pet peves.**

You will have many different concerts depending on which band you are in.

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**A message to all clarinets:** <span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Normally Mrs. Swank get busy help everyone but on monday she pays Ms. Condon to come in and HELP clarinets in sectionals. If you are confused on a piece talk to Ms. Condon and/or Mrs. Swank.** <span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**On monday Mrs. Condon comes in, ask her to help the clarinets section with a sheet of music she will go over it too.**

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Normally on Thursdays Mrs. Newbauer comes in for sectionals with the flutes. She helps them with their music like the clarinets with Ms. Condon.**

To percussionists: Mrs. Swank will get on you for playing when they are playing but if you follow directions you will have a great time in band ENJOY.