Floyd T. Binns Band Handbook

Dear Students and Parents,

This handbook may seem long and tedious, but I assure you it is loaded with information to save you time and money, and make the year more easy, fun, and successful for your child. Please read it carefully, parents and students together, and virtually any problem that could arise will be avoided. You owe it to yourself to read this. You deserve a great year!!!

“Welcome back” to all of the returning members of the band program! Also, “Welcome” to our sixth graders and transfer students!!!! You are joining a very exciting band program! For each of the past six years, we have received excellent and superior ratings at state and national competitions, have received perfect scores on our “SOL Test for band” twice, have been crowned Grand Champion at the Kings Dominion Band Festival twice, and have had many other honors as well. You can check out our web page for a full list of our many accomplishments.

By joining band, you are committing to a team, a social club, and a serious academic class that has been scientifically proven to be the most mentally stimulating of all school subjects. You have just joined one of your hardest classes and an extra-curricular activity with over 100 other people counting on you. While that is a major challenge, it provides major fun and wide academic benefits! Congratulations on your choice to do this for yourself!!!

Finally, I want it to be absolutely clear, I am here for you.

Throughout my career, I have enjoyed helping families buy instruments, fix instruments, save money, find new stores and resources, and help their children work out educational problems, enjoy middle school, and “be all they can be.”
I will work tirelessly and endlessly to help you, if I am asked. I am a terrible mind-reader. You have my promise – I am here for you. I ask for your promise – communicate with me directly and quickly when you need me to be there!
In that spirit, here are some things you should know:
- I am a trained instrument repairman. I have received training from the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians. I am by no means a professional repair shop; I do not have the skills or equipment to service all of your needs. But, there are many repairs I can do on your instrument, including all of the most common repairs for this age student. I will not charge you for labor and will get it fixed faster than a repair shop. If something goes wrong with your instrument, get it to me first!!! I will fix it, cheap and fast, or I will tell you it’s beyond my skills and suggest several shops.
- There are two repair shops who will visit FTB if I ask. That means if you need to send your instrument out for repair, I can save you the time and gas money of driving it in yourself.
- I maintain a huge, well-organized, always up-to-date web site that can save you tons of time, and even money! The address is on the cover of this book.
- We have supplies, instruments, uniforms, etc. to help families who are not able at this time to be able to afford everything you need for band. Never let money be a reason to drop band! WE WILL HELP YOU! Band is important and I want everyone to have an equal shot at it.
- On our web page, I maintain a list of every music store in the area, with phone number and address. I can also help you find a private teacher.
- With 200 students in band and guitar, it is easy for me to lose touch with individual parents. I try to help by being very consistent with group communication, like this handbook. I ask you to please help by getting in touch with me. Remember, if you have a problem and we do not discuss it, it will remain a problem. If we talk, the problem will probably go away! Thank you!!

Looking forward to an amazing year together!

-Dan Schimpf

For the "Introduction to the Floyd T. Binns Bands," click here

Activities and Trips

Sporting Events (Pep Band): Each pep band member will receive a permission slip including the dates and times of all games. We will meet in the band room at Binns for all games and walk to the field or gym together. The uniform will be shorts, pants, skirts, or jeans (FOLLOW SCHOOL DRESS CODE) and a band T-Shirt which can be purchased from the school (order form coming home soon). If you cannot afford a shirt at this time, contact me. Students may not get food from the concession stand, go to the bathroom, or leave the stands for any reason other than an emergency. This is an issue of safety, for the students and for their instruments.

Charlottesville Festival (Black Hawk Band): For this festival, we will play three pieces for judges, perform a sight-reading test, and observe at least one other band performing. When this event gets closer, specific details will be distributed. It is always on a Saturday and our band almost always performs in the morning. This is considered the “SOL Test for Band” and is therefore a requirement for all Black Hawk Band students.

Amusement Park Reward Trip (ALL students who earn it!): This trip will probably be to Kings Dominion, though other options will be explored based on cost and educational value. This trip is both fun and educational, used as both a testing opportunity and a reward for the students who work hard all year. The trip will be in April or May (dates have not been released yet), is on a Saturday and lasts all day (and all day is meant literally – usually from 6 or 7 am until 10 or 11 pm). Students must earn their spot on this trip; it is not guaranteed for anyone! Students earn their spot by following band and school rules. The trip usually costs between $40 and $60, and some of the cost of the trip can be defrayed through the cookie dough fundraiser. More information will follow as the trip gets closer. This year's trip may be a bit more expensive if we look into visiting a different park, but if the cost goes up, so will your fundraising opportunities. We want every student who earns the trip to be able to go, so we will do everything we can to make that financially possible.

Click here for the Calendar

Director Responsibilities

In order to have a successful band program, there must be an agreement between teacher, students, and parents that we all count on one another to meet our responsibilities. We expect a lot from our band students. In exchange, the students can expect the following from their teacher.

Select and purchase music that will challenge and educate the students in various styles.
Teach students in accordance with local, state, and national music guidelines
Conduct rehearsals and classes with professional courtesy
Conduct and plan rehearsals to be time-efficient
Be there for the students on an individual basis whenever needed
Deal with questions or concerns in class or on an individual basis
Plan and program festivals, concerts, etc. which are educational and entertaining. Oversee these events and be responsible for the safety, security, and enjoyment of all students
Grade all students fairly at all times, based on predetermined guidelines
Oversee organization and maintenance of the music library
Oversee the maintenance of all equipment and facilities
Keep the administration and staff of the school and district aware of plans, goals, and accomplishments
Organize the raising and maintenance of funds for the band program
Make informed decisions about trips and performances based on time, expense, interest, and value
Educate students regarding the proper attitude required to be a musician. Inform students when they are not meeting their responsibilities
Enforce all county and school disciplinary codes

Student Responsibilities

While the students can expect this long list of duties from their teacher, and much more, the students are asked to meet the following expectations in return.

Exhibit a genuine interest in all aspects of the program
Be aware of the self-discipline required to be a functional member of a successful band, and be willing to work hard to achieve that discipline
Be willing to practice outside of class so you are prepared for each class or rehearsal
Earn a grade of A or B by meeting all requirements in the grading guidelines
Be there for one another at all times, not just for the members of your band but all other bands
Be an excellent public representative of your band and your school at all times, especially when in uniform
Show appreciation for all performing and athletic groups, including the opposing team, at games and festivals
Always do your personal best
Be responsible for the discipline of yourself and all those around you
Show respect and consideration for all people
In a discreet and respectful manner, inform the teacher when he is not meeting his responsibilities
Follow the enclosed rules and regulations

Rules and Regulations

Concerts, Festivals, and Other Performances

Every student is a unique and valuable part of our band. As such, it is inappropriate for a student to miss a performance without plenty of advance notice. As a member of our band, you mean a lot to the rest of us, and we need time to prepare for your absence.
Attendance is required at all performances and they count as a test grade. A concert grade is based on attendance, cooperation, etiquette, behavior, preparedness, and professionalism.
Generally, most students get a 100 for concert grades because almost all students understand how important concerts are.
An unexcused absence results in a zero for a test grade.
- Of course, excused absences do happen. If you must miss a concert for a good reason, it must be explained by the parent, in writing, in advance. This helps us to be prepared for your absence and work around it, is courteous and respectful, shows fairness to the other students in the band, and gives me the documentation needed to allow you to make up the grade.
- If an emergency causes a student to miss a concert, parents must inform the director in writing on the next school day. This is a matter of courtesy and respect and teaches the student the importance of these two concepts.
- If these conditions are met, and the absence is excused, the grade can be made up at the director’s discretion. Usually this is done through performing for the class, or occasionally by writing a paper.

o The above rules apply to all public performances of the band. If we are playing outside of class, it is a test!

o Occasionally people ask why a concert is a test grade. Well, in any class, a test is a way of checking if Learning Standards and Curriculum Objectives are being met.

§ Some of the SOL’s and Curriculum objectives for band include performance etiquette and professionalism. A public performance is the only way to test these skills.

§ A concert is a test of everything the students have learned about performing, and is therefore weighted as heavily as tests in other classes.

§ Concerts and Festivals, especially those that are graded by outside judges, are the “SOL Test for Band.”

§ Just like in any other class, if you skip class the day of the test, you get a zero. If you miss the test for a good reason, you can make up the grade.

After-School Rehearsals

It is impossible for us to prepare for a concert without you there so we need you at all after-school rehearsals.
- The point of an after-school rehearsal is to hear what the entire band sounds like together. If someone is missing, we do not get to do that! Your absence makes it impossible for the rest of us to accomplish our goal.
- Of course, excused absences do happen. If you must miss a rehearsal for a good reason, do the band the courtesy of an explanation by the parent, in writing, in advance. This helps us to be prepared for your absence and work around it
- If an emergency causes a student to miss rehearsal, and notice cannot be given in advance, parents inform the director in writing on the next school day. This is a matter of courtesy and respect and teaches students the importance of these concepts.
If you miss the last rehearsal before a concert, you may not be allowed to play in that concert. This is not a punishment to you; it is a matter of fairness to the other musicians.

Concert Uniform

The word uniform means “constant; invariable; identical.” The purpose of a uniform is that everyone looks exactly the same. That keeps the focus on the group, not the individual, and keeps the focus on the music, not the way we look. Our uniform is:
- Black Pants. No jeans. No skirts. No dresses.
- Black shoes. No sneakers.
- White dress shirt
- Black Bow Tie (this is provided for you by the band)
- Black Cummerbund (this is provided for you by the band)
The Pep Band uniform was described on page 6
Jazz Band uniform varies from concert to concert. Before each concert, students will know what to wear.
If you need help getting any of these items, call me. I am glad to help out any way I can – logistically or financially

Testing

This may be different in different classes, so this is described in the syllabus for your class rather than the handbook

Homework and Classwork

This may be different in different classes, so this is described in the syllabus for your class rather than the handbook

Grading

This may be different in different classes, so this is described in the syllabus for your class rather than the handbook

Citizenship/Respect

o All students are expected to respect one another and help maintain an atmosphere where all students can fulfill their right to learn.

o There will be no insulting or criticism of other students inside or outside of class or rehearsal. Criticism is only allowed when asked for, and it must be constructive!! Constructive Criticism is educational. Insulting criticism is bullying and will not be tolerated.

o Students will be respectful when others are talking, including teachers, students, substitute teachers, visitors, or guests. You will have many opportunities to raise your hand and speak what is on your mind, and you may do so only at these times.

o RESPECT THE PODIUM. The person on the podium is the ONLY one who may speak, unless they have called on you directly.

o Students will not touch another student’s instrument, music, or person

o Laughing at others’ mistakes is extremely immature and shows a fundamental lack of respect for yourself and others.

o Students are expected to apologize for any disrespect.

o Citizenship is a band SOL and is therefore part of your grade.

o You cannot be a good citizen of a band if you forget your instrument or music, so being unprepared will affect your citizenship grade.

o When in doubt, remember this rule: While you are in band, put everyone else’s wants and needs above your own. If we all care about one another, we will not have to worry about ourselves.

o In accordance with school policy, no food, drink, or especially gum will be allowed in the band room. However, water is provided.

Awards

The following awards are presented at our final concert each school year:

Most Improved – This award is given by the director to one student per grade level who showed the most musical and technical growth on their instrument over the course of the school year.

Service to Music Award – This award is given by the director, with influence from student suggestions, to one student from each grade level who has shown the highest degree of service to the music program

Outstanding Musician – This award is given by the director to the eighth grader whom the director feels has contributed the most to the success of the band. Eligibility for this award includes the highest level of performance ability, musicianship, attitude, leadership, spirit, and responsibility.

Additional Special Awards can be given at the director’s discretion.

Commitment Form

Click Here for a Microsoft Word file

Click here for a .pdf file

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