2025-26 Band Handbook

BE A BAND OLYMPIAN!

The Band Olympian program is designed to encourage our students to excel on their instrument through practice and dedication.  The students have the opportunity to become a Band Olympian during each grade quarter and at the end of the school year. 

Students can earn medals by achieving at a high level on playing performances throughout the school year.  These playing performances will either be performed in class, or, recorded at home using Google Classroom!  The students can use their Chromebook or personal device to record!

In order to earn points toward becoming a Band Olympian, students must submit the Playing Performance one time!

***NEW - students will be able to perform their assignment in class for Mr. Kozian.  This is optional and will take place on Monday throughout the year!  Students who do this will not submit a video performance.

*Students who score an 85% or higher on a playing assessment earn either a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal.

*Students earn medals by performing a playing assessment with a beautiful tone (sound), as well as correct notes, rhythms, dynamics & articulations.

* Gold Medal (95-100%) = 3 pts; Silver (90-94%) = 2 pts; Bronze (85-89%) = 1 pt

*Students who average 1.5 or more points at the end of each quarter will be given a party during XTS. 

1st Quarter Party:  Donuts and Cider

2nd Quarter Party:  Popcorn & Movie

3rd Quarter Party:  Ice Cream Sandwich

4th Quarter party: Ice Cream Sundaes

* Any student who averages the minimum score or higher at the end of each quarter will have a special asterisk next to their name in the concert programs

* END OF THE YEAR:  At the end of the year, any student who averages the minimum score or higher earns an after school party and becomes a BAND OLYMPIAN!

* End-of-year BAND OLYMPIANS will be recognized with a special Olympic–style medal at the final concert of the year!

RETAKES:  Students can earn Band Olympian points after completing a retake!  Students can move up a maximum of one level.  For example, student who earned a silver medal on the first attempt can move up to a gold!

BAND OFFICERS

Both the 7th & 8th grade bands have students in place to help keep the program running smoothly.  

Band Officers will be selected by their peers.  Elections will take place in early September.  5-6 students will be selected per band hour to assist with the following duties.

President: elected position/student with the highest vote total)

· Responsible directly to the band director, will conduct the band as needed

· Assists substitute teacher when the director is absent

· Assists with duties described below

Officers: elected position

· Plans band parties

· Act as a liaison between the students and director

· Takes daily attendance

· Takes attendance at concerts

· Collects and logs supply money at the beginning of the hour

· Organizes band library 

· Distributes and collects sheet music

PRACTICING

Practice doesn’t make perfect, however, it makes our young musicians really good!  Please encourage your child to practice both at home and before/after school as much as possible.  The students can also practice during the Extended Time & Support (XTS) period we hold at the end of the day.  Ideally, your child should practice 60-100 minutes per week…or more!  It’s a great idea to keep track of it at home.  Post the practice chart in a high traffic area, such as on a refrigerator or on a desk.  Our younger students will struggle at first!  You may hear some scary sounds for the first few months!  It will get better…and fast!  For our older students, practicing is a important part in our musical development.  Even the best musicians in the world practice. 

A common complaint about practicing is that the students do not have enough time.  Parents, you can help your child by setting aside a block of time in the evenings.  The students can practice for 10 minutes when they get home, 10 minutes before dinner and 10 minutes before they go to sleep.  The time adds up quickly.  

Parents, you can help your child succeed by creating a “practice room.”  Perhaps your child can use a spare bedroom.  It should be a quiet space free of distractions.  Make sure your child has a good chair and a wire (portable) music stand. 

BAND JAM!

Band Jam is our after-school practice club.  The club meets on Tuesday & Thursday, from 2:40-3:25.

Band Jam is open to any West Middle School band student.

The purpose of Band Jam is for students to seek extra help from Mr. Kozian!

No signup is necessary!  Just show up & practice!

INSTRUMENT REPAIR

Your child's instrument will break and need repair this year!   Please have your child bring the instrument to me first.  If I am unable to repair it, I will tell you or your child to then bring it to one of the following locations:

Marshall Music & Meyer Music Rentals

Instruments do need repair and maintenance from time to time.  If your child’s instrument is in need of repair and you are renting an instrument from  either Marshall or Meyer Music, it should be taken to one of those stores immediately. 

Marshall Music Hours:  M-Fr 11:00a-6:00p,  Saturday, 11am-3p.

Meyer Music Hours:  M-Tr, 10:00a-6:00p; Fr & Sat, 10-5:00p.  

I own my instrument!  Where should I take it?

Tim Richmond is a local expert on instrument repair.  He is the former head of the repair department at Marshall Music and does great work.  This is a great resource for families that OWN a musical instrument.  His number is 269-330-8407.  You will need to take your child’s instrument to his home in Schoolcraft.

In order for each performing ensemble to reach its potential, there must be a set of guidelines to follow.  The expectations insure that everyone has an equal chance to participate and learn. 

Expectations

1. ALWAYS be prepared (music, instrument, supplies)

2. Pay Attention (make eye contact)

3. Respect others (self and personal property)

4. Be positive

Expectation Violations:

• One Violation:  Students will lose one classroom engagement point

• Two or more violations during one class period:  students will lose all classroom engagement points  

• Student develops a pattern of breaking classroom expectations:  the student will be sent to the SSR (Student Support Room) and contact will be made with a parent/guardian.

No instrument in class:

• First Incident: verbal warning, student loses three classroom engagement points

• Continuous incidents:  students will lose daily classroom engagement points & will be sent to the Student Support Room

Touching another instrument:

NEVER touch an instrument that is not yours (this includes placing cases, books, etc. on another instrument, such as the xylophone or timpani)

CONSEQUENCE:

     · Student loses all classroom engagement points

AWARDS

Many of our WMS Band Students will be recognized at the end of the year with the following awards:

1. 7th & 8th Grade—The Instrumentalist Magazine Musicianship & Merit award—given in recognition of outstanding musicianship and distinguished musical contributions.

2. 8th Grade—Director’s Award-given to the outstanding eighth grade musician who exhibits dedication and motivation to the field of music and who possesses strong musicianship.

3. 8th Grade-MSBOA Scholar-Instrumentalist Award-given to an eighth grade student who possesses strong musicianship and excels academically at WMS.

4. 8th Grade-William “Bill” Short Memorial Band Award-given to an outstanding 8th grade student who demonstrates excellent musicianship and service to the band program.

5. Jazz Band—Woody Herman Jazz Award-given to the outstanding eight grade musician who exhibits dedication and motivation in the field of jazz music and who expresses strong musicianship skills.

6. 6th, 7th & 8th Grade—Band Olympian Certificates (see below)-Given to those students who consistently perform at a high level on playing assignments.

BAND UNIFORMS

The 7th & 8th grade students will wear the following at all performances:

• Blue polo shirt (will be ordered through the              band program in late September)  

• Black dress pants (absolutely NO jeans) & dress socks

• Black dress shoes (absolutely NO athletic shoes)

Polo Shirt orders will begin in late September.  The shirts are approximately $15 and will be ordered directly through our vendor in Paw Paw.

The 6th grade students will wear the following at all performances:

Girls  - a dress, nice skirt (knee length or longer) or dress pants, blouse or nice sweater, dress shoes.

Boys  - dress pants (NO jeans), nice shirt (a tie if you would like, dress shoes (NO athletic shoes).

6th grade students should dress as if they are attending a fancy wedding or restaurant.

GRADES

The following is the approximate breakdown for grading in all bands:

Assessments/Playing Performances -  40%

Classroom Engagement -  40%

Classwork - 20%

PLAYING PERFORMANCES-All band students will take 2-3 playing performances per marking period.    The students will be assessed on scales, exercises from our band books, and, concert music.  All of the musical exercises found on the assessments are performed daily in band class.  The students will be evaluated based on their overall musical performance.  All playing assignments will be recorded & submitted using Google Classroom or performed in class (on Monday)!

PLAYING PERFORMANCE RETAKES-All band students can retake the playing performance one time.  However, only those students who submitted a Playing Performance on time can do a retake!  Students will record & submit retakes using Google Classroom!

LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Late assignments can be submitted up to two week after the original due date.

***SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SKIP (be exempt) FROM A PLAYING PERFORMANCE:

Students who go above and beyond outside of daily class can be exempt from taking Playing Performances throughout the year.  The student will not earn a letter grade in Skyward, but will be given full Band Olympian credit for the assignment (3 points - Gold Medal).  

Here is the complete list:

• 7th Graders - students who performed a solo or ensemble at the end of the year (at the 6th grade spring concert) are exempt from Playing Performances 1 & 2

• 7th & 8th Graders- students who perform at the CHS Band Night on Oct 3 are exempt from one playing performance

• 7th & 8th Graders- students who perform at the NHS Band Night on Sep 27 are exempt from one playing performance

• 7th & 8th Graders- students who who make the District Honors Band are exempt from two playing performances

• 7th & 8th Graders- students who make the All-State Honors Band & Orchestra are exempt from all playing performances during the 2nd semester!

• 7th & 8th Graders- students who earn a 1st or 2nd division rating at Solo & Ensemble Festival are exempt from both playing performances during quarter 4.

***Other opportunities to earn exemptions may be included this year!

Classroom Engagement (playing and behavior) is 40% of each student’s total grade.  

All students may earn up to 3 classroom engagement points a day.  Points are deducted for any behavior that hinders the progress of the individual student or the entire band:

· Any disruptive behavior (talking, not being attentive, not ready to play, etc.)  - students loses 1 point

· Tardiness (including not being prepared to play at the beginning of class) - loss of 1 point

· Unprepared for class (no music, pencil, reeds, oil, etc.)  - loss of 1 point

· No Instrument  - loss of 3 points

· Chewing Gum—loss of 1 point