Welcome to Bryan Middle School Instrumental Music. I hope this will be an exciting and enriching class for you.

An instrumental class at Bryan Middle School is first and foremost a performance class. We will rehearse each class period you have instrumental music. You will need to come to class prepared to play with your instrument, method book, pencil, reeds, oil, rosin, and any other items you need to participate in class. All students will be responsible for purchasing any accessories needed to play in class. You have two minutes after the period tardy bell rings to be in your seat with your instrument and music, ready to warm up. You will play with good posture and proper instrument position. This will be the first component of your grade.

Practice is an important part of being a successful musician. This year instead of practice cards we will begin a recorded playing test schedule. Your ability to perform on each test will depend on your practice outside of class time. This will be the second component of your grade.

The final goal of our instrumental class is to perform. We will present a Winter and Spring Concert, along with OPS Adjudication and All City in the spring. Other performances will possibly be scheduled as the year progresses. Your performance at these concerts will be the third component of your final grade. Students missing a required performance without notification from a parent and makeup work completed will be in danger of failing the class for the quarter of that performance. Your final grade will be the total of these three components.

If you need a school instrument, one will be checked out to you and you may take it home to practice as soon at the Parent Musical Instrument Liability Form is returned. All percussionists are expected to have their own snare drum, practice pad, method book, and sticks. No school percussion instruments will be checked out to individual students.

Good rehearsal behavior will be expected in your class. You will keep your instrument in the assigned area of the storage room for your class and instrument. Once the rehearsal begins, you should only play when asked, and there should be no talking. No one is allowed to chew gum or eat and drink while playing, as this is damaging to your instrument. Proper posture while playing is expected. After rehearsal you will return to your assigned seat as soon as your materials and instrument are put away. Our success as an ensemble depends on the work we get done in rehearsal.

I look forward to an outstanding year for Bryan Middle School Instrumental Music and working with you on your musical skills.