Handbook
We hope that the following information will help you understand what we expect of our students and help our new students make a smooth transition to middle school music.
Our music program at Colina Middle School is dedicated to fostering the following standards of excellence in each student:
§ To develop independent musicianship
§ To discover and develop the student’s musical abilities
§ Instill the desire to learn, and to foster musical excellence in both the individual and the ensemble
§ Prepare the student to contribute positively in a diverse and changing environment
§ Help the student reach their musical potential
§ Develop a lifelong love and appreciation of music
We hope that you will feel free to contact us at any time with questions or concerns.
Anne Fruehling Anna Sobrino
Director of Bands Orchestra and Choir Director
805-495-7429 ext. 1102 805-495-7429 ext. 3008
afruehling@conejo.k12.ca.us alarsen@conejo.k12.ca.us
Each student will be assigned a place to store his/her instrument. Students with smaller instruments may choose to keep their instruments in their lockers throughout the day. It is recommended that students who choose to use their locker for storage take their instrument home at night. Students with an A Period, other than band, will be allowed in the music room from 7:45-8:00am to store their instruments. Students coming to school for a 9:00am class will be allowed in the music room at 8:45am. The music room will be open after school until 3:30 pm for all students to pick up their instruments.
Sheet Music Storage
All students will receive a music folder. They should keep this folder in their locker or in the designated box in the classroom. Do not keep folders in an instrument case unless the case was designed to hold a folder. Keeping the folder in a case will cause damage to the instrument. Students may not store their folder in their instrument cubby.
The band uniform is as follows: a long-sleeved black dress shirt with black buttons, black Dickie work pants, black drillmaster shoes and black socks. Students will be given a t-shirt to keep and will need to purchase a long-sleeved black dress shirt with black buttons, black marching shoes and black dickie work pants. We also have used pairs of black pants on sale for $10. We order the marching shoes as a group or students may purchase used, if available. Students will be fitted for shoes during September. The Black work pant will need to be purchased by the first performance.
The orchestra and choir uniform is a two-piece set for the ladies and black dress pants, white dress shirt and black vest for the gentlemen. New students purchase the appropriate uniform through the orchestra at the beginning of the school year.
Yes! Each ensemble will be involved in several evening performances this school year. In addition, students involved in the Symphonic Band will be required to attend two Saturday performances in March and participate in the Conejo Valley Days Parade. The Concert Band and some Intermediate band members will, also, be participating in a Saturday festival in March. Students not in the Symphonic Band are invited to participate in the Conejo Valley Days parade but it is not mandatory for them.
The choir and orchestra will be participating in festivals that take place during the school day, although there is the possibility that the orchestra festival will run later into the afternoon. The choir and orchestra will each attend an additional festival through Music in the Parks; these events will take place on Saturdays, however participation is optional for each student. The orchestra will participate in a festival on a Saturday in March and the choir will participate in a festival on a Saturday in May.
Home Practice
Home practice is very important. In order for students to make any progress on their instrument they must practice. It is recommended that students practice at least 3 hours in of the course of a week.
Concert Attendance
In addition to official school policy, attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is mandatory. Band, Orchestra and Choir are GROUP activities and we all suffer the consequences if our members are absent. An excuse from a performance will only be granted if it is a school excused absence and written/verbal notice from a parent or guardian is given TWO WEEKS prior to the performance AND a makeup assignment is completed. Students with an excused absence may choose for the following assignments:
1) Video tape yourself, in uniform, performing the concert music.
2) Write a 300 word research paper on the composer of your choice. Share what you have learned in a 3-5 minute presentation to the class that includes a performance of a musical excerpt by the chosen composer.
Make-up assignments must be completed by 1 week after the missed concert. Final concert grade is determined by the quality of the make-up assignment.
Unexcused absences from a concert will result in a loss of 10% of the overall grade.
Conejo Valley Days Parade
The Conejo Valley Days Parade takes place on a Saturday in April. All Symphonic Band members are required to participate in this event. Students in Concert Band, Intermediate Band or Beginning Band may participate only if they will be able to attend all rehearsals and the parade. The rehearsals will take place the 4 Thursdays prior to the parade.
Fair Share Donation
At the beginning of each school year, we ask that each music student make a fair share donation to the music program. We currently receive $500 from the school to cover school owned instrument repairs. All funds needed to cover other operating costs must be raised by the department. We use the fair share instead of a department wide fundraiser. Students paying the fair share will not be asked to fund raise at any other time.
The band fair share covers band tie, t-shirt, music, festivals, transportation, rewards, activities, new equipment, upkeep of old equipment and newsletters. The fair share does not cover the cost of band shoes, pants, dress shirt or the Symphonic Band's Disneyland trip.
The orchestra fair share covers the music t-shirt, sheet music, festivals, transportation, instrument maintenance, rewards, and activities. The fair share does not cover the cost of the orchestra uniform or the optional Disneyland trip.
The choir fair share covers the music t-shirt, sheet music, festivals, transportation, rewards, and activities. The fair share does not cover the cost of the choir uniform or the optional Magic Mountain trip.
Fundraising
Any fundraising outside of our fair-share is optional. At this time, the only district funding we receive is $500 for instrument repair. If we are in need of extra money for new equipment, extra music or anything else we must raise the money ourselves. We will be holding a few restaurant nights this year as well as selling food at the school Carnival and Luau. To keep our profits up at the Carnival and Luau we will be asking for soda and food donations. Remember that these events are optional and you are in no way obligated to participate.
Can I make a donation?
Yes! If you would like to make a donation to our program you can do so anytime throughout the school year. We publish a wish list through the Colina PTSA. You may make a cash donation, donate food or drinks for the Carnival or Luau, donate used band instruments that are just sitting in the closet or under the bed, or donate one of the following items:
Solo and Ensemble Contest
This contest takes place in March. It is an optional activity for all students. Students participating in this event will need to prepare a solo or a small ensemble for the contest. They will play in front of a judge who will rate their performance Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor. Students receiving a Superior rating will then be eligible to participate in a Regional festival.
Jazz Band
The Colina Jazz Band is an audition group open to all instrumental students. It is under the direction of Mike Gangemi and rehearsals take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Auditions will take place in October. A small fee will be charged to all particpants.
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