To:  Northview Middle School Band Parents

From:  Janelle Hook/Verlyn Hoogland (Northview Band Directors)

Subject:  2007-08 Northview Band Information

Date:  September 2007

 

            We would like to take this opportunity to give you some information regarding your child’s participation in the Northview Band Program.  First of all you will find included with this letter, a 2007-08 Northview Band/Choir Performance Schedule.  Please take the time to make note of the band/choir performance dates that apply to your child.  It is very important that your child be there for their scheduled performances.

            At Northview your son/daughter will receive credit for participation in band.  In 8th grade band they receive 1/2 of a credit because it meets every other day.  In 9th grade band they receive 1 full credit because it meets every day.  In both situations it is figured into the grade point average just like any other class.  40% of their grade is based on lesson attendance and preparation, 30% on performances, and 30% on rehearsals.  All students are placed on a lesson schedule and receive approximately a 14 minute individual lesson once every 6 school days.  Most all of the students come out of either study hall, chorus or pe for their lesson. 

            If your son/daughter chooses to participate in jazz band they meet outside the school day, 2-3 times a week, starting at 7:15 am.  They do not receive credit for participation in jazz band.  The Northview Jazz Band participates in one contest during the school year.  The contest is the Hoover Jazz Festival and it takes place the beginning of March.

            There is a uniform cost for the Pella Tulip Time Parade.    Cost for the uniform will be around $33 for a polo shirt and shorts.   We will be ordering uniforms and collecting that amount sometime around March 1, 2008. 

            For our concert band performances we would like all students to dress in black and white.  White shirts/tops and black slacks/skirts.  In addition to this we would like black shoes and black socks/hose.  If your son/daughter is in choir and band they can wear the same outfit for both their band and choir concerts.  If you have a concern over this please feel free to contact us at school.

            All students who play a school owned instrument will be charged a one-year rental/user fee of $40.00, this includes all percussionists.  This information is on the Ankeny School Website under parent information/school fees.  Many of these instruments cost $1000-$3000 so we feel $40 is a very reasonable amount.  The money will be used for year end routine maintenance of the instruments.  We would request that you please, if this applies to you, take care of this fee at this time.  Please send a check, payable to Northview, with your son/daughter and have them give it to their director.   Also, students who play a school owned instrument will be held accountable for any repairs to their instrument that might occur over the course of the school year.

            All students will have their own instrument storage cage with a padlock assigned to them.  There is no charge for use of the padlock.  However if the padlock is lost/stolen the student will be assessed a $6 fee.

            In lessons this year we will be using a computer software program called “Smart Music”.  Some of you and your son/daughter are already familiar with it from past years.  It is another means for us to assess the progress that they are making in our program.  It also offers many other ways for your son/daughter to practice at home and make it more fun.  You can use various accompaniments with exercises, you can practice your solo with the accompaniment right in your home and several other things too numerous to mention here.  We would encourage you to go to smartmusic.com and check out their website to get much more detailed information.  We also have a hand-out available at school. 

            We also have our own website that we would encourage you to check on a regular basis to keep you informed.  It has our performance calendar, lesson schedule and other current information regarding our program.  You can find it at www.northviewbands.ankeny.iowapages.org.

            We are very much looking forward to having your son/daughter in the band program at Northview.  We are anticipating another exciting, enjoyable, rewarding instrumental music year.  Please feel free to call either one of us at Northview (965-9700) if you would like more information.

Thank You,

 

Janelle Hook                                                  Verlyn Hoogland