While you wait…STAY CONNECTED!

Take a moment and find us in your favorite social media sites to keep

up with the latest and greatest of your FAVORITE BAND

PROGRAM!

Facebook: Tidwell Titan Band (look for group, request invite for

group)

Instagram: titanband

Twitter:@tidwellband

Sign up for texting REMIND 101

6th grade: Text - @1920begban to the number: 81010

Wind Ensemble: Text - @titanwe to the number: 81010

Symphonic Band: Text - @titansym19 to the number: 81010Concert Band: Text - @titancon to the number: 81010

Welcome

to the

Tidwell Titan

Band!

Directors

• Mrs. Renee Quinlan, Head Director

• Mr. Chris Gonzalez, Assistant Director

• Mr. Rothman Tafel, Assistant Director

• Mr. John Bingaman, BNHS Percussion

• Mr. Jed Weeks, BNHS Director of Bands

• Mr. Brad Toth, BNHS Assistant Director

• Mr. Michael Moore, BNHS Assistant Director

Music EducationThrough music we will teach the

value of discipline, self-respect,

cooperation with others, loyalty,

dedication, hard work, and

honesty. We will make it a priority

to see that every child has the

opportunity to have music in their

lives because we believe in music

and the indescribable aspects it

brings to all.

For the meeting pull up…..

tidwelltitanband.weebly.com

When you see the star –

it will tell you where to go

Handbook

The Band Handbook is on the band website

www.tidwelltitanband.weebly.com

The directors will take the students

through the band handbook and the

students will follow the procedures and

guidelines outlined by NISD, Tidwell

MS, and the Titan Band Program.

As parents, please visit the handbook and get

familiar with our procedures and guidelines.

There is a form that needs to be signed and

returned that you have received and read the

handbook.

1) Band Info tab!

2) Handbooks/Forms

Daily Expectations Take care of yourself; Take care of each other;

Take care of our facilities/instruments

Instrument and binder goes home EVERYDAY

Have a highlighter and pencil

Be prepared

Have a good attitude!

Private Lesson ProgramThe BEST way to be at the top of the class!

One-on-one time with a professional!

Lessons are only $20! NISD Discount!

Lessons can occur before school, during band class, or after school depending on student/teacher/parent schedules.

Go ONLINE and SIGN UP TONIGHT!!

Private lesson tab

Handbook and forms tabBand FeesFee #1: $45 (taxable)

Band T-Shirt, books, Band binder, Pouch, Protectors, Dividers,

random pizza parties, tuner, mic clip

Fee #2: $45 (non-taxable)

Solo Contest Entry, Solo Contest Piano Player, Ensemble

Contest Entry, Concert Band Contest, Yearly Clinicians

Fees are due by October 1.

Online payment is preferred!

Checks are made payable to: TIDWELL MS(separate checks for each fee needed)

Fee #3: $100 (school owned instrument)

Usage fee for a school owned instrument for repairs and cleaning

ONLINE PAYMENT of fees with a credit card can be made at:

https://tx-northwest.intouchreceipting.com/

Enter your username/password; choose your student; click Band;

click Payment

How do I turn in money/forms? Put $ in an envelope with your child’s name on it.

Checks made payable to: TIDWELL MS BAND

Write your child’s name on the memo line

Have your child turn the money/form in BEFORE 1st period

to a band teacher.

Let us know if you need help with anything financially. We

are always willing to find a way to help you!

Want to chaperone? 1) Go to: district website2) Click Parents3) Look at middle of screen for “volunteer”4) Hit READ5) Follow steps

FundraisersFundraiser profits provide the following for your kids:

Music, Contest Fees, Socials, Buses, Scholarships, Masterclasses, Clinics, piano accompanists, etc.

We choose fundraisers that will most benefit our kids and the band program. We want every penny your child raises to go directly to the band students’ needs.

Practice-A-Thon (October) Free OFFICIAL band hoodie if raise $60

Discount Cards (January) Free Hawaiian Falls ticket if sell 5 cards

or pay $35 for ticket in the spring.

7/8th gd Outside of Tidwell

Performances Must have ride to and from these performances

NISD Stadium Performance by the district offices

September 10th & October 7____

Football game vs. Medlin NISD Showcase

Byron Nelson PAC performances

December 6th & April 27th __

Holiday Concert Awards Concert

Concerts

Fall Concert – October (Wind Ensemble, Beginning Band only)

Pep Rallies/Football Game Performance (7/8th)

Winter Concert – December (all bands)

Spring Awards Concert – End of April (all bands)

Expectations: Concerts are mandatory. Concerts are

an “extension” of our class and will used as a

Summative grade. Students must be ON TIME for

“call” time. Students must be dressed appropriately.

ContestsFall Contests:

•District & Region Auditions (7th/8th graders only)

Spring Contests:•November/February – Ensemble Contest (7th/8th graders only)

•March - UIL Concert and Sight-reading (7th/8th graders only)

•April – Beginning Band Solo Contest•April – CB, SB, WE Band Festivals•April – Beginning Band Festival•May – NISD Solo Contest (7th/8th graders only)

Most contests require the group and/or individuals to go off campus. We will need your prompt attention to paperwork regarding medical release/transportation forms, etc prior to contest dates.

Uniforms Beginning Band:

Informal: Band Shirt, JeansFormal: “Sunday Best” or “Business Casual”

Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble:

Girls – Black dresses (provided)

You will need to provide black dress shoes, black tights/hosiery (opt.)

Boys – Tux w/o the jacket (provided)

You will need to provide black dress shoes, black socks.

AT THE END OF THE YEAR: Tux/Dresses are turned in with a receipt that shows you have had it cleaned. -HEMMING: Parents/Students are responsible for making sure the pants/dress length is appropriate. DO NOT CUT ANY PART OF THE UNIFORM.

7/8th gdSectionals

All 7th and 8th grade members

•Sectionals will start on August 26th and run until the end of April.

•Any Monday morning we do not have school will be made up on Friday morning of the

same week.

•Any Monday afternoon we do not have school will be made up on Friday afternoon of the

same wk.

•Sectionals attendance and playing objectives are a grade every week as a continuation of

instructional time. Please see NISD student grading policy guidelines for further

information.

•If a student is sick from school or cannot make it to sectional, they must make up the

sectional during a different sectional time for their band per conversation with the director.

If they are present in school and not at the sectional, their grade may be affected.

•For morning sectionals, students can enter through the outside bandhall door 16. It will be

unlocked at 7:35AM and locked at 8:00AM for safety of all students in the building.

•Percussion will have their sectional with Mr. Bingaman in class each week until the Spring

and we might add a before/after school sectional.

Wind Ensemble

Monday 7:40-8:40AM Flute, Oboe, Bassoon

Monday 4:15-5:15PM Horn

Wednesday 7:40-8:40AM Alto, Tenor, Bari Sax

Wednesday 4:15-5:15PM Trumpet

Thursday 7:40-8:40AM Clarinet, Bass Clarinet

Thursday 4:15-5:15PM Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Symphonic Band

Monday 7:40-8:40AM Alto, Tenor, Bari Sax

Monday 4:15-5:15PM Trumpet

Tuesday 7:40-8:40AM Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Wednesday 7:40-8:40AM Clarinet

Wednesday 4:15-5:15PM Horn

Thursday 7:40-8:40AM Flute, Bassoon

Concert Band

Monday 7:40-8:40AM Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Monday 4:15-5:15PM Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon

Tuesday 7:40-8:40AM Saxophones

Wednesday 7:40-8:40AM Trumpet

Thursday 7:40-8:40AM Horns

7/8th

gd

Sectiona

ls

Why and how will I receive a grade for band?

Graded on participation, skill sets,

fundamentals, and performances

Objective Sheets Objectives to master each six weeks; Through the

teaching of objectives, we will hold every child

accountable at a high level and teach them about

mastery, not just earning an 85%.

Assignment Sheet/Practice RecordDue every week with parent signature stating how many

minutes the student had “at home” practice time.

Assignment Sheet/ Practice Record

Much like Cornell notes, students practiced goals and steps to

achieve goals.

Much like a “reading log” – due WEEKLY (on Wednesdays)

Students keep track of their practice minutes throughout the

practice week.

Parents provide a signature at the end of the practice week;

Parents only provide the signature – your student does the rest…

The practice “week” runs from Wednesday thru Tuesday; having

all practice logs due on WEDNESDAYS each week!

Holding young people accountable

= Successful young adults

Click on Assignment Sheet/Practice Record

Discipline The Tidwell Titan Band discipline policy is as follows. Each infraction will

result in the student filling out the Student Discipline/ Missing Supply Google

form at the time of the infraction. In this form, the student will provide their

first and last name, student ID number, and class period. They will then check

all infractions that apply for the situation. The infractions include:

Tardies

Excessive Talking

Disrespecting Band Equipment

Forgot Instrument

Forget Pencil

Binder- Missing/Unorganized

Reeds- Missing/Chipped

Forgot Tuner/Metronome and pickup

Along with filling out the Google form, each infraction will result in a

consequence.

The 1st infraction will result in a warning.

The 2nd infraction will result in a Teacher/ Student conference.

The 3rd infraction will result in a phone call home.

The 4th infraction will result in Parent/ Teacher/ Student conference.

The 5th infraction will result in an AP conference.

In class…TIME does not equal 100 or “A”

How many folks in life are paid for showing up and

doing nothing?

“Time = Pay me” Is this what we want our young

adults to learn?

I’m not paid for my time or just showing up. I’m

paid for the job I do.

Band students EARN their grade.

How much should my child practice?

•Consistent time on the instrument is key;

not a cram session

•This varies depending on the musician’s

expectations and goals, but if you wish to

see progress at playing an instrument, we

ask that the student practice 5 days during

the 7 day week for about 20-30 minutes a

session

•The hands and face are an intricate maze

of muscles that need to be built. Muscle

memory must be developed.

When should my child practice?

At a consistent time of day when they have a high level

of energy and ability to focus. Setting a routine is

important.

For students with attention issues, two separate practice

sessions throughout the day may be more beneficial.

Brushing teeth before the practice session is

recommended for you to cut down on instrument

maintenance costs.

Be careful that the student isn’t practicing while

everyone else in the family is having leisure time, this

may create resentment

Why do we “PRACTICE?” and what does it teach my child?

•We will teach kids to practice to improve their weaknesses

•Students should learn their parts at home; It’s their job to learn everyone else’s

during class rehearsals.

•There is no substitute for time on the instrument; There are no short cuts to success!

•Repetition is sometimes the best thing to build the muscles, technique, and master

the task!

•Students will learn to plan. Have a plan, follow the plan, and don’t stop until you get

it fixed.

•When students get stuck or frustrated, take a break. Walk away and breathe…

•Directors teach their students to approach problem solving in the same manner as a

medical doctor or mechanic: Diagnose, Isolate, Treat! These lead to permanent

solutions for any musical problem.

What should my child sound and look like?

Normal! No strain or discoloration of the face. Relaxed and tension free hands and

face and a tall, upright and proud posture. Feet should be flat and foot tap should be

with metronome.

Sounds good? You should be able to tell if they sound good by going to

www.youtube.com and pulling up a professional that plays their instrument. Ask your

child for a professional’s name. The better you educate yourself on what a professional

musician sounds like, the easier you can track their progress.

In time. You should be able to tap your foot with them and stay consistent with the

beat of the metronome. It’s the exact same as tapping your foot to the radio, but

maybe not as catchy. If you can’t find the pulse, chances are there isn’t one!

Why the metronome? (that clicky thing!)

•The metronome is a tool to build our internal pulse and

subdivision.

•“Pulse” is the backbone of almost everything: clocks, bodies,

music.

•“Subdivision” divides the beat into smaller units to make it

easier to play technical exercises, kind of like factoring in math.

Your child will be successful!

• Help them keep their binder organized

• Help them manage their time efficiently at home

between homework, practice, and down-time

• Check your email for band updates; check

the website; use Charms (please make

sure you have a valid email address)

• Ask them for handouts

• Ask them to play their instrument for you

ENCOURAGE,

ENCOURAGE,

ENCOURAGE!

How can I help my child be successful?

Greatness! This journey that your family has embarked on will have its

highs and lows. Students will sometimes come home unhappy,

scared, upset, or frustrated. Rest assured your directors will

have the same woes. With a quality support system of

directors, lesson teachers and parents your child will be

successful. Every child will be different in ability and we

understand that. Our expectations for trying, growing, and

never giving up will never change. Consistency and persistence

are the keys.

Band is the vehicle we use to teach our kids about life.

Life is hard, you must be prepared, you must plan, and

you can never give up. Your success in life depends on

how hard you are willing to try, work, and commit.

The things band teaches will carry us much further

than the music we play. Music is the payout we all get

from the work! Enjoy the journey because no one can

ever take that away from you!

Need Anything? Contact us!

Mrs. Quinlan, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Bingaman

renee.quinlan@nisdtx.org

christopher.gonzalez@nisdtx.org

rothman.tafel@nisdtx.org

john.Bingaman@nisdtx.org

Always check the website!

We are looking forwardto a great year!

Go Meet the Private

Lesson Teachers!!!

Thank you!

Tidwell Titan Band