Hamilton JS/HS Music Handbook
Calendar
Teacher Introduction
Grading Policy
Instrument Rental Information
Materials
T-shirt Order Form
Parent/Student Contract
Date Event Group
Aug 30 Parent/Student Contract due Jr/Sr High Bands/Choir
Aug 30 T-shirt Order Form/$ due Jr/Sr High Bands/Choir
Oct 1 Corn School Parade Jr/Sr High Bands
Nov TBA Veterans’ Day Program Jr/Sr High Bands/Choir
Nov 26* Solo/Ensemble sign-up Band/choir 5-12
deadline
Dec TBA Christmas Program All PK-12 groups
Feb 1* Vocal/Piano Solo/Ensemble Choir students
Feb 8* Instrumental Solo/Ensemble Band students
March TBA Term 3 Concert Jr/Sr High Bands/Choir
May TBA Spring Program All PK-12 groups
May 27 Hamilton Mem. Day Program TBA
June 6 Graduation Jr/Sr High Bands
*indicates optional performances
Teacher Introductions
Ellen Reece is new to Hamilton Community Schools this year and is
excited to teach 5th grade music, Jr High Band, Sr High Band, and
Combined Choir. Mrs. Reece graduated from IWU in 2010 with a BS in
Music Education, and she has taught band, choir, elementary music, guitar,
theater, general music, and color guard at Covington Elementary School,
Wabash High School, Peru Junior High School, and Angola Middle School.
Her primary instruments are piano, flute, and voice. When she’s not
teaching, Mrs. Reece enjoys gardening, crocheting, cooking, baking,
reading, listening to podcasts, and watching The Office. You can reach
Mrs. Reece at [Link]@[Link].
Myileigh Cool is a familiar face at Hamilton. She will be working hard to
gain interest in the music program in grades K-5, and she will be team-
teaching 5th grade Intro to Band with Mrs. Reece. When not teaching
music, you will find her in the art room. Outside of school she loves thrift
shopping, crafting, and spending time with her family. We are looking
forward to a very productive year! You can reach [Link] at
[Link]@[Link]
Grading Policy
Grades will be entered weekly on Friday, and late grades will be entered by the
end of the day Tuesday.
Students’ grades will be broken down into the following categories and
percentages.
Rehearsal Etiquette (50%)
This is a weekly grade based on students’ preparedness for and engagement in
the classroom rehearsal. This will be evaluated on criteria that includes but is not
limited to: having all materials, being in class and ready to play on time, playing
alone or with others when instructed, and treating classmates and classroom
equipment with respect.
Performances (25%)
Performing ensembles depend on the participation of all members at
performances for success. Students are required to attend all mandatory
performances. Emergencies will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis with Mrs.
Reece and Mrs. Watkins as needed. Performance grades are earned by
reporting on time in appropriate dress and performing appropriately.
Practice Assignments (15%)
Students will receive a practice assignment every three weeks to be submitted
on Classroom as a video response. Students will be given a week to complete
the assignment. During the week the assignment is given, the ensemble will
practice the assignment as a group in class as well. This assignment may be
completed at home or in the band room before school starts.
Theory Assignments (10%)
Students will complete written work in class several times a week to build music
theory skills. This work will be completed in class and will be turned in once every
three weeks for a completion grade.
Late work will be accepted up until two days before the end of the term.
Assignments turned in late will be docked 10%.
Instrument Rental
Hamilton has a limited number of school instruments available for student use.
These instruments are provided for a yearly donation of $25 to help cover routine
maintenance. Students and their families will be responsible for all repairs or
damage caused by neglect, mishandling, or improper use. Repairs can run from
$80-300 apiece. School instruments remain property of Hamilton Community
Schools and must be turned in over school breaks.
Our school partners with Sweetwater to provide rent-to-own instruments for
families who wish to purchase a quality student instrument at a reasonable
monthly rate. While students are a part of the rent-to-own program, damaged
instruments qualify for the free replacement program, so students will never be
without a working instrument. Families who wish to take advantage of this option
can call Sweetwater rentals at (888) 890-3365, email the rental office at
onlinerentals@[Link], or purchase through the Sweetwater website
and have their instrument shipped to the school for free. Sweetwater also has a
variety of pre-owned instruments at their store in Ft. Wayne available for
purchase at reasonable prices. Students can try several instruments in person at
the store and find a horn they can play well. If a family chooses this route, they
are responsible for all repairs on the instrument.
Students have the option of purchasing an instrument outright from other
sources. If you are planning on this option, please speak with Mrs. Reece first
about best brands. A $60 blue Amazon trumpet may seem like a great deal, but
these instruments cost more in the long run. They are made with poor quality
materials and damage easily. They don’t produce good sounds, so students will
get frustrated quickly when they can’t play them well. In addition, the repair shops
will not repair certain brands of instruments because of the low quality of
materials, so once the instrument is damaged, it is essentially worthless. At that
point, your student will not have a playable instrument, and you will be back at
square one and out $60.
We do not want the cost factor to be what rules a student out from participating in
band! If your student wants to be in band and the cost is a concern for you,
please reach out to Mrs. Reece to discuss options.
Materials
Material Provided By Required
Choir
Folder Mrs. Reece X
Music Mrs. Reece X
Pencil Student X
Binder Student
Choir shirt Student X
Band
Folder Mrs. Reece X
Music Mrs. Reece X
Pencil Student X
Binder Student
Band shirt Student X
Instrument Student X
Luggage tag Student X
Other
Cleaning equipment for Student Flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet,
instrument low brass
Reeds Student Clarinet, sax
Cork grease Student Clarinet, sax
Neck strap Student Sax
Valve/slide oil Student Brass instruments
Spit rag Student Brass instruments
Drum sticks Student Percussion
Materials
Students and parents often have questions about reeds. Here is a chart to help
you understand what each student will reasonably need for each grade.
Size Brands Year # to Buy
2 Juno, Rico Royal, D’Addario 6th grade Aug-Dec 3-5
2.5 Juno, Rico Royal, D’Addario, 6th grade Dec-May 3-5
VanDoren
3 Rico Royal, D’Addario, 7th-12th grade 10/year
VanDoren
3.5 VanDoren As recommended by 3-5
director (high school
only)
All students should have 3 working reeds at all times and should rotate them
every day. When one breaks, they should replace it immediately.
Reeds come in boxes of 10. If you want to partner with another family to split a
box of 10, please reach out to Mrs. Reece.
T-shirt Order Form
Hamilton band and choir students will perform in their t-shirts and black or khaki
pants for all performances besides the Spring Concert. Each student needs a
Hamilton band/choir shirt. Students who have a shirt from previous years do
not need to order a new shirt. However, if your student has a cheering section
that also wants band shirts, feel free to order some for the family!
The cost for a t-shirt is $10. If your student needs a Hamilton band/choir shirt,
please fill out this order form and return it and $10 to Mrs. Reece no later than
Friday, August 30th. If cost is a prohibitive factor, please reach out to Mrs.
Reece at [Link]@[Link].
Student Name ____________________________________________________
T-shirt Size (Adult sizes)
S M L XL 2XL 3XL
Want to order extras? Please list the sizes you want.
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
Total Amount Included ($10/t-shirt, additional $2 for 2XL and larger) ______
Parent/Student Contract
Students
By signing below, you agree to participate in the Hamilton Band and Choir
program for the full 2024-25 school year. You agree to attend all mandatory
performances. You will be involved to the best of your abilities and agree to give
your best on a daily basis. You understand that your efforts will be reflected in
your grade, and that Mrs. Reece will give you every opportunity to succeed and
improve.
Parents
By signing below, you agree to support your student in the Hamilton Band and
Choir program for the full 2024-25 school year. You will provide the materials
they need in a timely manner and reach out to Mrs. Reece for assistance as
needed. You will help your student attend all mandatory performances and
encourage them as they grow in their music. You understand that Mrs. Reece will
grade fairly with an eye to your student’s best interest and that she will give your
student every opportunity to succeed and improve. You will touch base with Mrs.
Reece about concerns you have, and she will respond within 1 school day.
Student Signature _________________________________ Date __________
Student Printed Name _____________________________________________
Parent Signature _________________________________ Date __________
Parent Printed Name _____________________________________________
