Cool Cate High School

Instrumental Music Handbook

Mr. Jacob Neville

410-555-6324
[email protected]

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 Mission Statement
At CCHS, we believe in giving all students an equal opportunity to participate in
the music community and express themselves and their culture.

Table of Contents
Biography……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Courses……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3-4
Performance Attire………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Course Fees………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Repertoire……………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Behavior Plan………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Grading Scale………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Opportunities………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Calendar………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Music/Instrument Repair Stores…………………………………………………………………………6
Information Sheet/Contract…………………………………………………………………………………7

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 Biography
Mr. Jacob Neville graduated from Lansdowne High School in Baltimore County,
MD in 2019 where he received the Semper Fidelis Music Award and received his
undergraduate degree in music education from Towson University in 2023 with a
focus in saxophone and woodwind doubling. During his studies at Towson, Mr.
Neville participated in many of the available ensembles, including Wind
Ensemble, Symphonic Band, jazz combos, and various performances with jazz
performance majors, including recitals and local performances in the Baltimore
area. Mr. Neville had also won the Concerto Competition at Towson University in
2022, performing the Hell’s Gate saxophone Trio by David Maslanka. Since middle
school, Mr. Neville has had a passion for learning multiple instruments, and once
he heard that music teachers must learn every instrument to teach them to
students, he decided that this would be his path. During his undergraduate
studies at Towson University, he discovered his cores values of equity, respect,
and compassion. Mr. Neville is a member of the National Association for Music
Education and the Maryland Music Educators Association, and being from
Maryland, Mr. Neville loves Old Bay, crabs, and music!

Courses
Period A-Day B-Day
1 World Music Guitar
2 Concert Band Concert Orchestra
3 Planning Planning
4 Music Theory Marching Band

World Music is exactly what is sounds like, we study music from around the
world! In this year’s class, we will study Balkan folk music, Chinese Peking opera,
Various African cultures and their musics, and Indian Raga.
Concert Band is where woodwind, brass and percussion students will perform as
an ensemble. For this winter concert, students will be playing works by David
Maslanka, John Mackey, John Phillip Sousa, Brian Balmages and John Cage.

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Music Theory is where students can go to be as smart as Mackenzie Vitolo, who
got a 98% on her music theory final and did not have to go the last day. All her
friends had to retake the test, but this could not be her, as she got the highest
grade in the class. Students will be learning about time signature, key signature,
tonal harmony, and sight singing.
Guitar is where students can rock out and learn how to play guitar! Students will
begin by learning to pluck individual strings and use both left and right hands
together, and then learn chords and strumming.
Concert Orchestra is where string students playing violin, viola, cello and bass will
play music together as an ensemble. For this winter concert, students will be
performing works by Antonin Dvorak, Ludwig Beethoven, Soon Hee Newbold, and
Brian Balmages.
Marching Band brings pep to the football games! Starting during band camp,
students will learn to march and work as a team to deliver stunning
performances! Check the calendar for more information, including game and
band camp dates!

Performance Attire
At CCHS, we always want to look professional for our audience. Concert Band,
Concert Orchestra and Jazz Band, the school rents out blazers for each of the
students to wear for the concerts, and the students are charged a $50 fee per
year for this attire, paid at the beginning of the school year. For the marching
band, students are required to wear the Cool Cate High School Marching Band
uniform.

Course Fees
All fees that are required at CCHS are for uniforms! As mentioned in the previous
Performance Attire section, all students in the Concert Band, Concert Orchestra
and Jazz Band are required to pay a $50 fee for the rental of the CCHS blazer. If
students wish to participate in the CCHS Marching Band, another $50 is required,
which will assist the school with instrument upkeep, music, and uniform care.

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 Repertoire
It is my belief that students should not only be challenged by the repertoire they
play but enjoy it and relate to it in as many ways possible. For the upcoming
winter concert, I have chosen pieces that will help me assess the level of the
current groups, and as we get further into the year, students will be able to
choose from a list of repertoire so that they enjoy the music they play and
become a part of the educational process.

Behavior Plan/Classroom Rules

1. NO GUM IN THE BAND ROOM! It destroys instruments!
2. No cell phones during class.
3. No talking during instruction. There will be time to talk to peers, but if a
student misses instruction it will affect the entire ensemble.
4. Be on time! If a student is late, they will miss valuable warmup time, which
will in turn affect the entire ensemble.
It is equally important that the students upkeep the tradition of excellence in the
band and orchestra setting at CCHS, and the behavior plan reflects this culture.
For the first incident, the student will receive a written warning, which will ask to
refer to this handbook as a reminder of the rules of this music program. After the
written warning, the student will receive a detention, and the third time will be
written up to the office.

Grading Scale
Required Materials (20%)- This includes your instrument, music, and pencil. If you
are missing your instrument, you will receive a 0 for the day. Without the proper
materials, a musician cannot learn or perform to their fullest extent.
Quizzes/Tests (30%)- These quizzes may include written theory quizzes or playing
tests due on Blackboard.
Concert Performances (50%)- This is the most important grade in the class! All of
the rehearsals in band and content knowledge is put towards a performance
where you can show what you have learned!

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 Opportunities
Students will have multiple opportunities to perform music outside of class as
well. This will include the MMEA Marching Band Competition, Mid-Atlantic Jazz
Festival, All-County and All-State bands, and the National Music Festival.

Calendar
Ensemble Event Date
Marching Band Band Camp 8/28-9/1
All First day of classes 9/4
Band/Orchestra All County Auditions 10/28
Band/Orchestra All State Auditions 11/4
All Ensembles Winter Concert 12/13
Band Adjudication 3/19
Orchestra Adjudication 3/20
Jazz Band Jazz Festival 4/18
All Ensembles Spring Concert 5/15
For Marching Band dates, refer to the Marching Band flyer which includes
rehearsal and game dates and fees.

Music/Instrument Repair Stores

Below is a list of music stores and repair shops in the area, each of which I trust
with my instruments to get them working again.
-Steve and Ann’s Music, Catonsville, MD
-The Band Shoppe, Catonsville, MD
-Mike’s Music, Elkridge, MD
-Music and Arts, Timonium, MD

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 Students Information Sheet
Student Name (First and last)______________________ Instrument___________
Parent/Guardian name________________________________________________
Student Email (County Email)___________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email________________________________________________
Emergency Phone Number_____________________________________________
Hobbies/Interests____________________________________________________
Fun Facts/Anything Else I Should Know___________________________________

Contract
I have read and understood the rules and terms in the handbook, along with
having reviewed the dates that students are required to attend events, and
understand that if these rules are broken, this can lead to grade reduction and
ensemble dismissal.

Student Name_______________________________________________________
Student Signature___________________________________Date_____________
Parent Signature____________________________________Date_____________