Directors: Mr. Don Raaymakers  raaymakersd@caledonia.k12.mi.us                              Mr. Kyle Wellfare   wellfarek@caledonia.k.12.mi.us

Symphonic (Concert) Band is for any high school student grades 9-12 who has prior experience with a band instrument. In addition, the Symphonic band is also to students wishing to learn an additional instrument.  Literature is concert band style and a moderate to moderate-easy level of difficulty.  Symphonic band performs at all band concerts and often performs at district band festival in the spring.
 

SYMPHONIC BAND
CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL 2007-2008
2^ND – 3^rd TRIMESTER

 Welcome to Symphonic Band at Caledonia High School.  The quality and strength of this group has been increasing dramatically and I am excited for the potential that the rest of the year holds for our musical development.  We will be exploring a wide variety of musical styles and genres this trimester which will allow us to be successful and continue the growth this group has been experiencing in numbers and, most importantly, quality.  The musicians of Caledonia High School are held to the highest musical standards.  This guide will give each student the information needed to succeed in class, but it is important to remember that practice and preparation are the two most important factors in obtaining the skills needed to perform well.
It is a great honor to be,
Musically yours,
Kyle Wellfare

Attendance:   7:45am Class Starts IN ROOM prep/warmup. 7:50am Group Rehearsal.
Each day will provide students the privilege of a full group rehearsal.  It is required for each student to be in this rehearsal, everyday, with no exceptions.  It is also required that students be ON TIME for these rehearsals.  Please remember that Symphonic Band is a group effort.  Being absent, tardy, or disruptive will directly affect the entire group thus preventing us from achieving our maximum potential.

Grading:
Performances (REQUIRED):                          35%
Playing Tests:                                                   20%
Theory/Written Assignments:                          10%
Employability Skills:                                         10%
Effort:                                                                  25%
Please note that every student must be willing to give their maximum effort to the ensemble.  The “effort” grade will be a judgment on my part of each students work habits.  Being disruptive in class (for example, talking or playing out of turn) will cause a reduction in a student’s effort grade.  The effort grade may also be raised by taking part in musical activities outside of class such as community bands, or private lessons.  The school also provides beautiful practice rooms for students to utilize.  These are available on a first come first serve basis and may be reserved for use after school.  Please see me to reserve a space. 

Auditions/Playing Tests:
A small audition will be held at the beginning of the trimester so that I can place students in a position which will have the greatest positive effect on the band.  A student will be placed in a position where their individual strengths can help the musicians around them.  Remember, Band is a team effort and we must all be flexible in our placements so that the group can excel.
Playing tests will also be given at various points throughout the trimester.  These may include, but are not limited to: ANY portion of our concert music, assigned scales, warm-up exercises, and assigned solos.  At least one weeks notice will be given prior to any playing test. 
Practice and preparation are the two most important factors in obtaining the skills needed to perform well.

Communication:
I will be communicating regularly with students our required concert dates, and also special events that students may wish to attend.  Email will be my preferred method of communication with parents, but information may also be obtained from the bands website www.caledoniaband.com.  As always, I may be contacted in the band office at (616) 891-8129 or via email, wellfarek@caledonia.k12.mi.us

Symphonic Band Dates:
December 18, 2007:                                   Holiday Concert. 7:00pm, FAC
January 19, 2008 (Optional):                      High School Solo & Ensemble
May 8, 2008:                                                 Band Concert. 7:00pm, FAC
February 27-March 1(tentative):                 District Band Festival, Time/Location TBA
May 22, 2008:                                              Graduation Performance, Time/Location TBA

*PLEASE NOTE:   This calendar represent the symphonic band schedule.  The directors and administrators will implement any additions, deletions, or changes to this calendar with a two-week minimum notice in class if dates change.  Please remember that attendance is required for all performances.  An excuse for absence from a performance must be submitted to the director, in writing, at least three weeks in advance before the scheduled event for consideration.  Only family emergencies will be excused, such as a death in the family (you certainly cannot plan for that, nor could anyone).  Every effort has been, and will be made to help each student fulfill obligations to other school group activities, but we cannot work around outside events such as travel teams since they are not school programs.

Remember, we are a team and EVERY person counts.  

Wind Ensemble is the premiere concert band ensemble at the high school. Students will perform medium-advanced literature up to advanced literature. Wind Ensemble performs at all band concerts and district band festival in the spring.

WIND ENSEMBLE
CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL 2007-2008
2^ND – 3^rd TRIMESTER

Welcome to Wind Ensemble at Caledonia High School.  The Wind Ensemble will be studying advanced concert band literature and instrumental music techniques while surveying a wide variety of musical styles and genres.  I have very high expectations that this group will excel in both musical achievement and responsibility, and that each student musician will take full advantage of the privilege of being a member of this ensemble.  The musicians of Caledonia High School are held to the highest musical standards.  This guide will give each student the information needed to succeed in class, but it is important to remember that practice and preparation are the two most important factors in obtaining the skills needed to perform well.
It is a great honor to be,
Musically yours,
Kyle Wellfare

Attendance:   1:21pm Class Starts IN ROOM prep/warmup. 1:26pm Group Rehearsal.
Each day will provide students the privilege of a full group rehearsal.  It is required for each student to be in this rehearsal, everyday, with no exceptions.  It is also required that students be ON TIME for these rehearsals.  Please remember that Wind Ensemble is a group effort.  Being absent, tardy, or disruptive will directly affect the entire group thus preventing us from achieving our maximum potential.

Grading:
Performances (REQUIRED):                               35%
Playing Tests:                                                        20%
Theory/Written Assignments:                               10%
Employability Skills:                                              10%
Effort:                                                                      25%
Please note that every student must be willing to give their maximum effort to the ensemble.  The “effort” grade will be a judgment on my part of each students work habits.  Being disruptive in class (for example, talking or playing out of turn) will cause a reduction in a student’s effort grade.  The effort grade may also be raised by taking part in musical activities outside of class such as community bands, or private lessons.  The school also provides beautiful practice rooms for students to utilize.  These are available on a first come first serve basis and may be reserved for use after school.  Please see me to reserve a space. 

Auditions/Playing Tests:
A small audition will be held at the beginning of the semester so that I can place students in a position which will have the greatest positive effect on the band.  A student will be placed in a position where their individual strengths can help the musicians around them.  Remember, Band is a team effort and we must all be flexible in our placements so that the group can excel.
Playing tests will also be given at various points throughout the trimester.  These may include, but are not limited to: ANY portion of our concert music, assigned scales, warm-up exercises, and assigned solos.  At least one weeks notice will be given prior to any playing test.
Practice and preparation are the two most important factors in obtaining the skills needed to perform well.

Communication:
I will be communicating regularly with students our required concert dates, and also special events that students may wish to attend.  Email will be my preferred method of communication with parents, but information may also be obtained from the bands website www.caledoniaband.com.  As always, I may be contacted in the band office at (616) 891-8129 or via email, wellfarek@caledonia.k12.mi.us

Wind Ensemble Dates:
December 18, 2007:                                 Holiday Concert. 7:00pm, FAC
January 19, 2007:                                      High School Solo & Ensemble (optional)
May 8, 2008:                                              Band Concert. 7:00pm, FAC
February 27-March 1(tentative):              District Band Festival, Time/Location TBA
May 22, 2008:                                            Graduation Performance, Time TBA
*PLEASE NOTE:   This calendar represents the Wind Ensemble schedule.  The directors and administrators will implement any additions, deletions, or changes to this calendar with a two-week minimum notice in class if dates change.  Please remember that attendance is required for all performances.  An excuse for absence from a performance must be submitted to the director, in writing, at least three weeks in advance before the scheduled event for consideration.  Only family emergencies will be excused, such as a death in the family (you certainly cannot plan for that, nor could anyone).  Every effort has been, and will be made to help each student fulfill obligations to other school group activities, but we cannot work around outside events such as travel teams since they are not school programs.  

 Remember, we are a team and EVERY person counts. 

 Jazz Band learns the basics of jazz theory and performs all variations of jazz music. This includes big band swing, Latin jazz, fusion and rock styles. The jazz band meets at 6:50 A.M. for 45 minutes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the school year as a "0" hour class.