Students with one or two years of experience will be members of the Intermediate Band, while students with more than two years experience will be in the Advanced Band. Members of the Jazz Band are selected from the best musicians in the Advanced Band. All of the Jazz Band members are assigned to my seminar. but other after school practices may be necessary. The Pep Band will practice after school starting in November and perform for all the home basketball games.

The Baumholder Music Department has an informative web site that has just celebrated three years on the internet. If you have access to a web browser, you will be able to see our concert schedule, find out information about the high school, view the school calendar, and read about the activities of the band students. In addition to keeping up with band activities, the web page helps former Baumholder residents stay in touch. Point your browser to:

I know that most of you have email accounts and I plan to use this as a means to keep you updated about your student's progress in the band. You can request information from me about grades, concerts, fund raising activities, trips, and general information about the band and school. I will send out regular messages with reminders about concerts and grade reports. Please fill out the information on the "Statement of Understanding"if you would like to communicate with email.

School instruments are available for students who do not own their own instrument. To check out an instrument the student must have their sponsor fill out a form accepting responsibility if the instrument is lost or damaged. Parents are requested to stress the importance of security of instruments on the way to and from school. Each year one or more students have instruments lost or stolen. In almost all cases the instruments have been left unattended in the hallways or left on the bus.

Lockers are available for students to store their instruments. Please do not leave instruments in the music room overnight.

Band students are required to practice 100 minutes per week. Parents are asked to sign a weekly practice record and return it to school the first school day of the week. Please help your student set up a regular practice routine and encourage them to stay with it. Students are more likely to practice when a regular schedule has been adapted to the normal family routine. Short 20 to 30 minute sessions each day are more beneficial than trying to practice for 2 hours one day per week. Advanced Band members who exhibit responsible classroom habits and dedication in their performance skills may be exempt from turning in practice sheets.

All band members are required to attend three (3) seminars per quarter. During seminar students will work on music in small ensembles in preparation for concerts and playing tests.

Occasionally Individual Rehearsal Plans (IRP) may be required. The IRP is a method for students to monitor their progress on music in preparation for performance. The objective of the IRP is to allow the student to share in the responsibility of preparing music for concerts and to improve individual performance skills.

Students are expected to attend regularly scheduled concerts, in addition to other reasonably scheduled performances at school and community events. Normally you will have at least two(2) weeks' notice for performances. Please contact me at home or school if a conflict should develop.

The normal dress of all band students at concerts will be white shirts or blouses and black pants. The girls may wear black skirts if they wish. Advanced Band members are required to wear a black tie and black shoes. Please make arrangements before our first concert so your son or daughter is properly dressed.