Gullion Band Handbook 2018-2019

Anna Gullion – Director

Email me - annaggullion@gmail.com
Visit my website - gullionmusic.weebly.com
School phone number – 333-333-3333

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the beginning of another school year and to the band program! I am excited for
another awesome year ahead and I am thrilled that your student will be a part of it. Being a part
of the band program requires dedication, perseverance, and commitment and I thank you for your
time and care in advance. As the year progresses, your student may get frustrated, but please
encourage them to persevere and stay positive. I am sure they will be successful in band with
hard-work and dedication!

The start of a new school year means a new set of expectations and procedures. For us to have a
successful year, it is important for all students and parents to be aware of these expectations.
Please read the entirety of this handbook and return the last page signed and dated by the end of
this week! Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Anna Gullion
Director of Bands
Table of Contents
Meet the Director
Materials
- Required Materials for every day
- Instrument Specific Supplies
Grading
- Percentage Break Down
- Performances
- Attendance
- Participation
- Musical Growth
- Quizzes
Expectations
Performances
- Attire
- Call Times
Practice
Lessons
Band Fees
- Breakdown of fees
- School owned/personal instruments
- Fee Waivers
Volunteers
- Need parents/family members to participate
- Events
- Paperwork
Calendar of Events
- 2018-2019 Band Calendar
Band Contract
 Meet the Director!

This is Anna Gullion’s first year as Director of Bands. She is thrilled to be working with the
amazing students at HS and cannot wait to get started. Prior to working at HS, Ms. Gullion
attained her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Louisville in Louisville,
Kentucky. While there she participated in a variety of ensembles and groups including the
Cardinal Marching Band, the UofL Pep Band, the “Red Steel” Steel Pan Band, Percussion
Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra.

Ms. Gullion has worked with high school marching band programs in Kentucky and Indiana for
over four years now specializing in marching percussion and movement and she is an avid
supporter of the marching arts. She has also taught private percussion lessons for over four years
privately and with Guitar Center Studios. Ms. Gullion is passionate about literacy and ensuring
all members of her program are musically literate, well-rounded musicians, and good citizens in
band, school, and their community.

When she is not teaching, Ms. Gullion performs locally and nationally with the Louisville Brass
Band and Louisville Winds. She enjoys playing drum set, marimba, and her recently acquired
MalletKat (electronic mallet instrument) as well. Ms. Gullion is a horror movie nerd and loves
going to the movies or staying home with Netflix and some snacks. Her favorite music is
alternative rock and she loves to read dystopian, thriller, and comedy books.
Materials
You will need these items for EVERY day of class:
-Instrument with all parts (mouthpiece, ligature, sticks, mallets, etc.)
-Instrument Supplies (reeds, valve/slide oil, cork grease)
-Folder and all music
-Working pencil, pen is NOT acceptable

Instrument specific supplies

- Woodwinds – all single reed players are expected to keep 5 functioning reeds. Students
will label them, one for each day of the week and rotate them each day. This will ensure that they
rotate their reeds, have plenty on hand if one breaks, and do not play on one reed for too long.
Double reed players must keep 3 reeds on them so they have a few options for tone and sound
and so they have a couple of back-ups in case one breaks. Reed players must ALWAYS remove
their reed when putting instrument away to prevent broken reeds, molding, or other bad and
gross things from happening. Reeds may be purchased at school, but students are encouraged to
buy their own box because they will be able to get more quality and cheaper reeds that way.
Woodwinds should also have a cleaning swab for their instrument. They are expected to swab it
out each day as they pack up.

- Brass – Brass players must keep their own bottle of valve oil or slide oil on them each
day. As part of their routine each day in band, they must make sure that their valves and slide are
in good working order. Oil may be purchased at school, but buying in bulk outside of school is a
cheaper option. Brass players should also wipe out their instrument, clearing out extra
condensation each day and keeping the metal shining. Brass players must ALWAYS remove
their mouth piece when taking apart the instrument.

- Percussion – Percussionists are expected to have 1 pair of marimba mallets, 1 pair of

glockenspiel mallets, 2 pair of timpani mallets (soft and staccato), 1 pair of snare drum sticks,
and a practice pad. Since percussion instruments are provided, percussionists are expected to
have this simple, standard set of implements to be able to effectively play the instruments
provided in band and a practice pad so they can practice rhythms and non-pitched percussion
parts at home.

Grading
Percentage breakdown:
40% - Performances
Since band is a performance-based class, performances make up the largest portion of the grade
for this class. Each of our 4 performances this semester is worth 10% of your grade, which adds
up to 40% of the grade overall.

---Attendance: Because this is such a large portion of the grade, attendance at all performances is
a must for success in this class. If a student is not present for a performance, there is just no way
to truly make-up that experience. If a student knows they cannot make a performance due to a
conflict with other events, transportation issues, or travel, I need written notice from the parent or
guardian at least 2 weeks prior to the performance date. All dates are listed on the calendar at the
end of this handbook, so there should be no reason students and guardians cannot look ahead and
let me know of any conflicts well within that time frame.

In cases of illness or emergency: Absence due to illness, a death in the family, or other
extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case by case basis. The director may ask the
student to provide a note or paperwork for confirmation in these cases. If students do genuinely
need to miss due to these circumstances, they will be excused and be allowed to do a make-up
recording assignment with the possibility to earn full credit for the performance they missed.

Unexcused absences: For absences due to other reasons that the director was notified of at least 2
weeks in advance, students will be given the opportunity to perform their part for the concert by
themselves in class. This is truly the only way to simulate a similar scenario to performing live
for an audience and by doing this, students show me that they were prepared for the concert and
are working for their performance grade. Students with an unexcused absence of this type that
perform can earn up to 85% of their performance grade this way.
Any student with an unexcused absence that did NOT let the director know within the
established time frame will receive a ZERO for the performance. Communication is key here. If
a student cannot make the performance, but lets me know 2 weeks ahead of time, they can still
get an 85% for that performance, but if students and parents do not communicate with me, or if
students just do not show up for performances I cannot give them a grade.

30% - Musical Growth

In band, musical growth means showing progress in class and in individual assignments. This
includes turning in recording assignments, coming to class with selected excerpts of music
prepared, and showing up ready to learn every day. In order for our ensembles to succeed and
perform at a high level, all students need to commit to practicing and working to achieve a high
level of performance and musicality.
20% - Class Participation
Participation is worth 20% of the grade. Participation includes class attendance, tardiness,
coming with materials, and paying attention in class. Students will receive a daily score from 1-4
in participation with 1 meaning the student was frequently off-task, tardy by more than 5
minutes, or did not have materials that day and 4 meaning the student was on time, prepared, and
ready to learn that day. At the end of the 9 weeks, the students’ daily scores will be averaged to
determine their participation grade.

10% - Quizzes
Though our performances are where most of the assessment in this class takes place, there will
also be weekly playing quizzes over a short excerpt of music and a couple of scales that can
either be played for me in my office before or after school, or recorded and submitted via email
each week. This is a quick way for me to check in with each student about their individual
playing each week and to ensure that band students are practicing scales and music outside of
class.
Expectations
Students are expected to be in their seats ready to play no later than 3 minutes after the bell rings.
Students are expected to listen, focus, and give their best effort to do what is asked of them by
the director and any other staff member teaching them.
Students are expected to treat one another humanely and with dignity.
Students are expected to come to class prepared, with all materials and music ready to go.
Students are expected to practice outside of class time so we can spend time in class refining and
diving into the music in nuanced ways.
Students are expected to act with integrity, honesty, and good character at all times. As members
of a performing ensemble they represent our school in the community often and we need to do
our school proud by showing how students from HS are supposed to act.

Performances
Attire:
Black dress pants or black skirt that at least reaches the mid-calf (No jeans or leggings)
Black button-down shirt or black blouse with at least ¾ sleeves
Black dress shoes (No sandals or tennis shoes)
Black socks (or no socks with flats if preferred)
All jewelry except piercings that cannot be taken out must be removed
Facial piercings other than the ears must be clear or covered with a band-aid
Earrings must be small and traditional (no hoops, big jewels, or bright colors)

Call Times:
The call time is the time when students must be in the band room before a concert or other
performance. Call time will always be 45 minutes before the performance starts. This gives the
students time to get changed if needed, get their instrument out and assembled, warm-up
individually, and then tune and warm-up as an ensemble.
Attendance will be taken for the performance at call time, on the dot. If a student is late to call
time they need to find a staff member and let them know. The student will be marked tardy to the
performance. After the first tardy, the student’s overall performance grade will drop by 2% for
each subsequent tardy.

Practice
Individual practice is essential to the success of our ensembles. I know I have huge plans for the
band and I know the students do too. In order to reach our goals and have success, each student
must take responsibility for knowing their music and being able to get good sounds on their
instrument. Band is a team effort and we are only as good as our weakest player. I know my
students all have busy schedules and are involved in many school activities, but if everyone takes
just a little time each day outside of band to practice their instrument, it will make a big
difference to the overall ability and skill of the band.
Lessons
Private lessons are a great way for students to take their playing and practice to the next level. I
would highly recommend that all students that are interested find a private teacher and take
lessons. There are many affordable options in our area and I can put you in contact with lots of
trained, caring educators who would be more than happy to give lessons to a dedicated HS
student.

Fees
Fee Waivers – waivers for students with Free/Reduced, paperwork to apply/sign up
Instrument Rental – rental paperwork and information about rental instruments
- Rental instruments from an outside company
- School owned instruments and fees
- Personal instruments
Fundraising – fundraisers for covering band fees, details about fundraisers throughout the year,
fundraising for field trips, percentage breakdown of what students get back from sales on each
fundraiser

Volunteers
We have many events throughout the year that parents, guardians, and family members can help
with. We would love to have you around and the band can use your skills! Fill out the attached
volunteer form if you are interested in volunteering for any of a variety of jobs. If you do not see
something on the form you are interested in but still would like to help please fill out a form and
write me a note about what you are interested in doing. We appreciate you and your skillset and
we can’t do it without you!
- Volunteer Forms

Calendar of Events
- 2018-2019 Band Calendar
Band Contract
- Parents and Student Sign and Date saying they read and understood the handbook and
agree to follow the expectations, procedures, and rules laid out within it