Ficta High School  

Music Department  
Handbook   
2019-2020   
  

Welcome! 
 
I am so excited for another year of making music with you! Whether you are a veteran of 
this program or this is your very first year, please take the time to read through the 
information outlined in this handbook so that we can focus on making music. 
 
Director: Ms. Jennem Woolever 
Email: ​woolever@fictaschools.edu 
 I. Purpose
The purpose of this handbook is to relay all the pertinent information needed and to
inform every student participating in the Ficta High School Band or Choral Program of
the requirements, expectations and privileges associated with being a part of these
groups. Although many students would naturally follow the policies and procedures laid
out in this handbook even if it didn’t exist, the goal is for EVERY MEMBER to abide by
them; band and choir are unique from other classes in the way that one person’s actions
can drastically affect the entire group--not just themselves. As you examine these policies
and procedures, you will see that they are dictated by common courtesy, respect for
individual rights, a concern for safety and the need for group order and responsibility.
Both students and parents are encouraged to carefully read through this handbook as the
information contained within is critical to our ability to spend our time doing what’s most
important: making music.

II. Objective
The Ficta High School band and choral programs provide the foundation for lifelong
participation in and enjoyment of music. All members will be learning instrumental/vocal
skills, music theory and history as it pertains to reptiore, and performance skills. A
variety of music genres will be explored to help understand music in relation to culture
and history. As performance-based groups, we will strive for excellence in every area;
from musical to social skills. Each musician is a vital part of the program; no one ‘star’
can make a band or a choir. With a strong sense of teamwork, dedication, and
enthusiasm, we will reach our goals.

III. Goals
The following are goals for the music department as a whole and central to my
philosophy of Music Education:

1. To instill in students a life-long appreciation of music that will motivate, enrich the
lives of, and inspire lifelong musicians.
2. To teach students the value of hard work and dedication and help them develop work
ethic and intrinsic motivation.
3. To strive to make every student an active, involved, and responsible member of an
organization that will bring great pride and satisfaction as a result of active learning and
hard work.
4. To take pride in giving performances and spreading joy to ourselves and our audience
through our music.
IV. Conduct
The following rule(s) and expectation(s) are enacted to ensure that every individual has a
safe, encouraging, and non-judgemental environment in which to learn and grow; failure
to abide by these rules and expectations will result in a consequence equal to the offense.

Rules
A classroom should not be a place of restriction, but a place of learning. As such, there is
only one rule in the Ficta High School Music Department: ​respect​. If respect is present
there is no need for any other rule. Although respect is only one concept, it shows itself in
many different ways: respect the words of others, respect the beliefs of others, respect the
time of others, respect the opinions of others, respect the equipment, respect the
environment, respect yourself, etc. Remember that respect is a two way street and that
because I will always show you respect, I expect the same of you.

Expectations
In order to meet our goals as and band/choir there is a certain calibur of behavior I expect
from each and every student. Not only do I have high expectations for you, but you
should have them for yourselves and your peers. Students should:

1. Be on time to every rehearsal, lesson, and performance.

2. Be prepared for every rehearsal, lesson, and performance; this means bringing
your instrument and/or music everyday, having a pencil in your folder, having all
mutes and other assorted instrument accessories that may needed, bringing the
required lesson material to every lesson, and ​practicing​.
3. Be willing to expand their musicianship and skills. This means being open to
trying new approaches and methods.
4. Keep talking during rehearsal to a minimum; this goes back to respecting the time
of others. There is time before and after rehearsal during which you can converse
with your friends but rehearsal is for learning about and making music.
5. Keep the band and choir rooms clean. This means being responsible for your
possessions and materials and putting them away when you are finished with
them and throwing away your garbage. This also means not eating any
food--unless approved by me--and not drinking anything other than water.
6. Have a positive attitude.
7. Give a perfect effort​. I do not expect perfection; no one is perfect, not you and
definitely not myself so to expect perfection would be redundant. I do however
expect you to try your best and give music your all even if that results in making a
mistake; trying and making a mistake is preferable to not trying at all. If every
 single member of the ensemble gives a perfect effort we can not do anything less
than our best.

V. Grading
Students will be graded on participation, performances, and lessons.

1. Written Assignments (5%) ​Students will be given a few short writing

assignments throughout the semester on a variety of subjects.
2. Participation (20%)​ Students have the opportunity to receive up to 5 daily points
for being on time, in their correct seat, having all the appropriate materials, paying
attention, giving a perfect effort, etc. Failure to do one or more of these actions
will result in the loss of points.
3. Lessons (35%) ​Students are required to take two lessons with Ms. Woolever each
grading period. If a student takes lessons with a private instructor, those lessons
can be substituted by completion of the Private Lesson Substitution Form (please
see Ms. Woolever for said form). In these lessons, students will have one-to-one
instruction on their specific instruments and will cover a variety of different topics
including tone, rhythm, specific tips, ensemble music, and solo repertoire.
4. Performance (50%)​ Band and Choir are performance based classes and as such
every student is required to attend the ​entirety ​of ​every ​performance their
ensemble participates in. If a performance is missed due to an excused absence,
the student will be given an opportunity to make up the points by completing a
make up assignment; make up assignments include but are not limited to: a short
paper about one of the pieces performed, a short paper on the composer of one of
the pieces performed, or helping Ms. Woolever with tasks around the band or
choir room. Detailed information on absences can be found in the attendance
portion of this handbook.

Grading Scale
A+ = 98-100% A = 95-97% A- = 92-94%
B+ = 89-91% B = 86-88% B- = 83-85%
C+ = 80-82% C = 77-79% C- = 74-76%
D+ = 71-73% D = 68-70 % D- = 65-67%
VI. Attendance
Students are required to attend every rehearsal and performance. Absences ​must be
reported at LEAST 24 hours beforehand and not after the occurrence. ​Failure to do
so will result in full loss of points for the rehearsal/performance with no opportunity to
make them up. An excused absence must be pre-approved by Ms. Woolever and a
make-up assignment will be issued to gain back lost points. ​Every absence no matter
the reason will be recorded as a 0 in the gradebook until the appropriate actions
have been made to rectify the absence.

Excused Absences
If the school will excuse the absence, I will excuse the absence. Excused absences
include school related events (sports, speech and debate, mathlettes, etc), illness (with
doctors/parents note), death in the family, and college visits. In the event that there is a
conflict between band/choir and another school activity, please refer to the following
guidelines:

If you have a Band/Choir practice and an ACTIVITY practice

Action:​ Communicate with adults in charge
Resolution:​ Split time with each 50/50

If you have a Band/Choir practice and a VARSITY ACTIVITY game/event

Action:​ Communicate with adults in charge
Resolution:​ Attend varsity game/event

If you have a Band/Choir performance and an ACTIVITY practice

Action:​ Communicate with adults in charge
Resolution:​ Attend Band performance

If you have a Band/Choir performance and an VARSITY ACTIVITY game/event

Action:​ Communicate with adults in charge
Resolution:​ You must objectively determine where you believe you are most
needed, and which situation will allow you to make the greatest contribution
to your peers and do the "greatest good"; I will respect and support whatever
thoughtful decision you make.

Unexcused Absences
If the school will not excuse it, I will not excuse it. Unexcused absences include
oversleeping, work, skipping, and lack of transportation (this list is not exclusive).
VII. Tardies
Similar to absences, if the school will excuse it I will excuse it. Most Tardies are excused
if accompanied by a note. Unexcused tardies will follow this procedure:

1​st​ offense – excused

2​nd​ offense – 0 daily points
3​rd​ offense – 0 daily points & principal’s office
4​th​ offense – 0 daily points & detention
5​th ​offense – Grade drops one letter grade

VIII. Performance Attire

It is important not only for an ensemble to sounds its best, but to also look its best. Ficta
High School Bands and Choirs will both wear all black formal outfits--including black
shoes--for performances; no jeans, white socks, t shirts, or tennis shoes allowed. Please
refer to your gender for specific guidelines.

Ladies
● Dresses and skirts must be knee length or longer
● No strapless, spaghetti straps, cleavage, or exposed bra straps
● If wearing a dress, black tights are required
● Black leggings ​ARE NOT​ ​appropriate formal black bottoms unless accompanied
by a shirt of the proper length.
● Heels should be worn with discretion; please remember that you have to walk
carrying an instrument/stand for the performance.
Gentlemen
● Shirts must be collared and long sleeved
● Suit jackets are not required, but may be worn if desired
● Ties--either traditional or bow--are required and may be white, maroon, or black
in color.

If any student is unsure about an outfit choice, either check with Ms. Woolever or choose
a different outfit.

IX. Explanation of Ensembles

There are several different ensembles students can participate in at Ficta High School.
Every student in each ensemble with perform an audition for Ms. Woolever. Band
auditions will consist of the chromatic scale, a predetermined major scale, sight reading,
 and a short prepared piece if desired by the student. Choral auditions will consist of
testing range, ability to recognize pitch, sight reading, and a small excerpt of the National
Anthem. Auditions are for placement purposes only and will have no effect on the
students’ grade. Please see Ms. Woolever if you have any questions.

Freshman/Sophomore Ensembles
● Jazz Band I
● Concert Band
● Concert Choir

Junior/Senior Ensembles
● Jazz Band II
● Symphonic Band
● Madrigal Choir

X. Important Dates
Oct. 29 Fall Jazz Concert All Jazz Bands 7:00 pm FHS
Nov. 13 Fall Concert All Bands and Choirs 7:00 pm FHS
Jan. 28 Winter Jazz Concert All Jazz Bands 7:00 pm FHS
Jan. 30 Jazz Festival All Jazz Bands school day TBA
Mar. 14 Winter Concert All Bands and Choirs 7:00 pm FHS
Apr. 29 Spring Jazz Concert All Jazz Bands 7:00 pm FHS
May 13 Spring Concert All Bands and Choirs 7:00 pm FHS
May 31 Graduation Rehearsal Symphonic/Sophomores tba FHS
June 2 Graduation Concert/Symphonic/JB II 1:00 pm FHS

Other performance opportunities

Dec. 6 Solo Festival any 9-12 band student all day TBA
Jan. 18-20 Honor Band by audition 10-12 all day TBA
Feb. 21 Small Ensemble Festival any 9-12 band student all day TBA
Mar. 21-23 All State Music Festival by audition 9-12 all day NSU

XI. Inspiration
Music is a great inspiration for many people, but sometime we as musicians can get
discouraged and and the music we are playing can loose meaning. I have included a few
of my favorite musical inspiration quotes for you to go back to when you may be feeling
that way.
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life
to everything.
~Plato

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
~Victor Hugo

Music is to the soul what words are to the mind

~Modest Mouse

I haven’t understood a bar of music in my life, but I have felt it.

~Igor Stravinsky

A painter paints pictures on canvas, but musicians paint their pictures on silence.
~Leopold Stokowski

The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.

~Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Music is the strongest form of magic.

~Marilyn Manson

To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.

~Ludwig van Beethoven

Ah music! A magic far beyond all we do here.

~Albus Dumbledore

Music begins where the possibilities of language end.

~Jean Sibelius

To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and
inconceivable.
~Aaron Copland
XII. Contract

Please sign the following agreement and turn it in to Ms. Woolever by

Thursday August 31st.

Performance Schedule
Oct. 29 Fall Jazz Concert All Jazz Bands 7:00 pm FHS
Nov. 13 Fall Concert All Bands and Choirs 7:00 pm FHS
Jan. 28 Winter Jazz Concert All Jazz Bands 7:00 pm FHS
Jan. 30 Jazz Festival All Jazz Bands school day TBA
Mar. 14 Winter Concert All Bands and Choirs 7:00 pm FHS
Apr. 29 Spring Jazz Concert All Jazz Bands 7:00 pm FHS
May 13 Spring Concert All Bands and Choirs 7:00 pm FHS
May 31 Graduation Rehearsal Symphonic/Sophomores tba FHS
June 2 Graduation Concert/Symphonic/JB II 1:00 pm FHS

Other performance opportunities

Dec. 6 Solo Festival any 9-12 band student all day TBA
Jan. 18-20 Honor Band by audition 10-12 all day TBA
Feb. 21 Small Ensemble Festival any 9-12 band student all day TBA
Mar. 21-23 All State Music Festival by audition 9-12 all day NSU

By signing this contract, I indicate that I have read, and understand the Ficta
High School Music Department Handbook.

As a student, I understand that I am an important part of the Ficta High School Music
Department, and my participation and effort, whether positive or negative, greatly impact the
overall outcome and I agree to abide by these guidelines in order to further my music education.

Student Name (printed) ____________________________________

Student Signature _________________________________________ Date ___________

As a parent, I support my student’s decision to participate in band/choir at Ficta High School. I

have read the policies and participant expectations, and agree to abide by them. I understand
what is expected of my child in band/choir and will do what I can to help him/her meet these
expectations.

Parent/Guardian Name (printed)_______________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature _________________________________________ Date _________