Guidelines A to Z:
Age
Joyful Noise has programs for all home school students between the ages of 6 to 18.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Students missing more than two rehearsals within a concert period or missing a rehearsal prior to a performance may have their seating changed or be denied permission to perform.
NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO PERFORM IN A CONCERT WHO MISSES THE FINAL REHEARSAL PRIOR TO THE PERFORMANCE.
Bad Weather Policy
Due to the great distances some of our families travel, we have to have a conservative bad weather policy. If Cobb Public Schools are closed for bad weather, our Central location is closed. If Pickens County Public Schools are closed for bad weather, our North Location is closed too. We do not make up these days.
Bandtastic
Bandtastic is a one day educational band event for homeschool students and private school students. Bandtastic is held on a Saturday in either late February or early March each year. Student musicians attending Bandtastic will be treated to a day of both sectional music instruction and concert band music instruction. Bandtastic ends with the student musicians performing a concert for family and friends. This is of benefit to many small groups who, because of unbalanced instrumentation, might not be able to perform more complex music. It also allows us to fellowship with other musicians around the state. The $25 fee includes a t-shirt, lunch, snacks, instruction, and concert. You can find more information each year about Bandtastic by clicking here.
Benefits of being involved in JNHSB
* Learning to play an instrument.
* Discipline
* Confidence
* Teamwork
* Problem solving
* Organization skills
* Responsibility
* Leadership skills
* Music and rhythm
* Ear training
* Performance abilities
* Heightened learning abilities
* Attentiveness
* Using strengths and building up weaknesses
* Learning how to handle winning and losing
* Satisfaction with personal accomplishment
Challenges
For those who are dissatisfied with chair placement, we do allow challenges for higher chairs. These challenges will be heard on the last Friday of each month according to the following system:
If you wish to challenge, you must obtain a "Challenge Notification Form" from the Information Table. You must fill it out with your name and the name of the person you are challenging (the chair directly ahead of you). Choose a brief passage of music with your director's approval, and both the challenger, the "challengee" need to sign the form, along with your director. Schedule a time before or after class for your director to judge.
Character
JNHSB has student guidelines that every student is expected to follow. As we wish to do all to the glory of God, we require all our students to exhibit the following minimal personal virtues:
* Kindness
* Punctuality in attendance and work
* Truthfulness
* Courtesy and respect toward others
* Modesty in dress
* Diligence in effort and attention
* Respect for and obedience to those in authority
Concert Dress Guidelines
CLICK HERE for Concert Dress guidelines.
Code of Conduct
Students are expected to behave in a respectful, obedient fashion while participating in band activities, at the church or at performing venues. Mt Paran North and Living Word Church are our hosts and we are privileged to meet at these locations. Any abuse of the facilities could cause us to lose this privilege; therefore, abuse of the facilities and disrespectful conduct or attitude is grounds for immediate dismissal without refund. Our desire is to be pleasing to the Lord and not a stumbling block to each other.
This code of conduct will be enforced before, during, and after band anywhere on the property in which the band practices.
The following behavior will result in immediate disciplinary action:
* Foul language or unwholesome talk (Eph. 4:29)
* Roughhousing
* Disruptive behavior during rehearsals
* Disrespect for those in authority
* All other inappropriate behavior as deemed by the director
Damage done to the facility or its equipment will be the financial responsibility of the people involved in causing the damage.
Daily Practice
Daily Practice is required of all band/orchestra members. Beginning Band/Orchestra students will be required to practice at least 5 days a week, 15 minutes a day, gradually being increased by the director to 30 minutes a day. All other band/orchestra students will be required to practice for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Weekly practice minutes must be recorded each Friday. If a student does not practice sufficiently to learn the assigned band music, he may have his seating changed, be placed in a lower band or dismissed from the class.
Dress Code
"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." - Philippians 4:5
Everyone (including family members of students) must come properly dressed to JNHSB. Your children will be dismissed from a practice or a performance if not dressed properly. Midriff tops and boxers that show are not allowed.
Facility Care
The atmosphere of our music program must be one of order, discipline, and cooperation. No running or roughhousing will be permitted. Please remember we are guests at Mt. Paran North Church of God, , Living Word Church in Jasper, and our concert venues. Let's work together to leave the building in the same condition as we found it. At Mount Paran, please enter and leave by the rear doors near the playground. This will help minimize our impact on the building. No hall wandering is permitted by parents or students. A waiting room is provided for your convenience.
Fees
A Student Registration Fee of $60 is due with the Registration Form. The Registration Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
The Tuition Fees are due in full the first day of class. However, they may be paid in full upon enrollment or may be paid by using the following payment plan: 50% of Class Fees paid by the first class in September; the remaining 50% of Class Fees paid by the first class in January.
If there are special circumstances that may cause your payment to be late, please call ahead and make arrangements.
To keep the program affordable for all, families with 3 or more students enrolled in a class will only be charged for two tuition fees per class. (See the Registration Form for more information).
A Late Fee of $10 per month will be charged for Tuition Fees not paid in full by the due date. Unpaid Tuition Fees may cause your child to be dropped from the class or prevent participation in a concert. Again, if there are special circumstances that may cause your payment to be late, please call ahead and make arrangements.
Instrument Care
Students should never play or handle another student’s instrument, case, or accessories.
Instruments and cases should not be left where people will be walking in the waiting room.
Students other than the drummers should never touch the percussion equipment. Parents are financially responsible for repairs to and upkeep of instruments loaned to their child by the band.
Instruments
All beginner band and orchestra students must attend an instrument fitting during the summer. As a rule, each family is responsible for providing their instruments. We do have some band instruments that we loan for the maintenance fee of $75 for the school year. If registration for the following year is paid, student may retain possession of borrowed instrument over the summer for the additional fee of $25. At the moment these are: 2 clarinets, an oboe, a bassoon, an alto sax, a tenor sax, a baritone sax, 3 trombones, 3 French horns, 2 trumpets, a baritone, a euphonium, a tuba, a snare drum, orchestra bells, and 2 xylophones. Instruments recently addede to our inventory include orchestra chimes, claves, and guiro. These are available on a limited basis. We hope to have more donated soon. Orchestra students will need a violin, viola, cello or bass. The band has a standing bass available for a student to use at the rate of $100/year.
Percussion students must provide a snare for beginner band, but will have free use of many other instruments, as the music requires. Among them are: 4 ½ octave rosewood marimba, temple blocks, bass drum, gong, hi hat, crash cymbals, concert cymbals, triangle, whip, orchestra bells, orchestra chimes, claves, guiro, tambourine, etc… All percussion students must have at least a year of experience playing a piano or other instrument in order to play percussion in the beginner band.
We do recommend that you ask friends, neighbors, church associates and others if they have any instruments they aren't using. Many of our members have generously been given instruments that are unused. Don't borrow a woodwind from a friend or family member as you may have to spend a good bit of money to replace pads, corks, springs, etc... If they want to give it to you, say “Thanks” and then repair ‘your’ instrument. If you leave the band for some reason, please consider donating your ‘gift’ instrument, so that others may receive the same blessing you have received.
Recorders with the book/cd set are available for purchase for $10.00 the first day of class or at the instrument fitting.
Lost and Found
We have a lost and found with items gathered weekly. In order to build responsibility in our students, we charge a $.50 per item in order to redeem it. Items will be available for one month following the date left, after such time items will be sold or donated. PLEASE put your name on everything!! All coats, backpacks, stands and music books look the same! We do not assume the responsibility of keeping up with your things.
Music and Copyright Policy
Joyful Noise Home School Band complies with copyright laws and follows the publisher’s requirements for music use by the members of JNHSB. Everyone participating (teachers, students, student’s families, etc…) in any JNHSB activity is required to govern themselves according to the law and according to the policies of JNHSB. Music issued by JNHSB remains the property of JNHSB. No teacher, student or family members may keep or copy the music issued to them by JHNSB in any form. All music must be returned to JNHSB. Joyful Noise Home School Band assumes no responsibility for actions of teachers, students or family members in violation of the above-mentioned laws. A $5 fee will be charged per sheet of music not returned, as we will have to purchase that music once again.
Need-Based Scholarships
We endeavor to keep band fees low for all our families. However on occasion, some may experience a season of financial need due to the loss of a spouse, job, a medical emergency, or other significant financial setback. These need-based scholarships come from band funds, and are therefore, limited. They are awarded on an 'as needed' basis. Preference is given to single mother households and/or current band members, but others are considered. These are most likely partial scholarships. We do not desire that any student be denied musical training because of lack of finances.
The purpose of the JNHSB Scholarship Fund is to give thanks to, and glorify the Lord through aiding those home school families who are in temporary difficulty. If God has blessed you financially, you may make a donation to this fund, or to a specific family or student. Donations may be made anonymously, if desired. We thank those families that have already contributed to this cause.
Parent Participation
Parents can participate in Joyful Noise programs for only the $60 registration fee and not have to pay tuition at any time. We have many parents who play with their student in band or orchestra, as well as sing in the chorus. It’s amazing how it helps build family unity when both parent and child are learning to play an instrument. Students find that they are on a level playing field and can compete with their parent, perhaps for the first time! Seeing their parents being diligent in practice encourages diligence in the student. Students sitting near the parent actually appreciate their support and encouragement. It works for our students, our families and our programs. It’s a good thing all around.
Parental Supervision
WE ARE NOT A DROP-OFF SERVICE!
Every student or child must be supervised by an adult at all times. There will be a waiting room available for you and your children to use. There are to be no children running around the hallways at any time. Many of our parents use this time to encourage each other, and the little ones love to play.
If you leave your student at band, you must arrange for another parent to be in charge of your student until you return--and your student must know that "Mrs. Soandso is responsible for you." We simply cannot take responsibility for all children every Friday upon our volunteer shoulders!
Students driving themselves to band are expected to monitor their own behavior appropriately.
Practice Minutes
Students should be practicing a minimum of 150 minutes per week, the majority of which should be spent specifically on band music or assigned exercises. Beginner Band is only required 75 minutes for the first semester.
Practice minutes should be recorded on the sign-in sheet each week. If student is absent, record the minutes in the appropriate space the next week he attends.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are NOT a requirement but are encouraged. A student who receives individual instruction will generally progress better than those who do not. Many local stores and private individuals offer private lessons.
Section Leaders
A section leader is the first chair or principle player of a given section.
It is an honor to be section leader, as it means you have worked hard to be the very best on your instrument. This is rewarded with the status of section leader, but also carries certain responsibilities.
More detailed information will be provided to section leaders in band class.
Stringsational
Stringsational is a one day educational music event for homeschool string students and private school students. Stringsational is held on a Saturday in either late February or early March each year. Student musicians attending Stringsational will be treated to a day of both sectional music instruction and orchestral music instruction. Stringsational ends with the student musicians performing a concert for family and friends. This is of benefit to many small groups who, because of unbalanced instrumentation, might not be able to perform more complex music. It also allows us to fellowship with other musicians around the state. The $25 fee includes a t-shirt, lunch, snacks, instruction, and concert. You can find more information each year about Stringsational at Stringsational.
Student Requirements
Beginning band and orchestra students must be nine years old, unless they have had previous private lessons. Beginning Chorus students may begin at age 6. Recorder class is open to students 6 and above. All students are required to maintain a record of home practice to keep up with our weekly instruction. All students will need to provide a folding wire stand for home practice and to bring to rehearsals, as well as a 1” black binder for concert music, a practice book, to be announced and “concert dress.” Experienced students needing to be placed in a class should come prepared to audition with our directors at the beginning of the season. And of course, being a homeschool band, students must be home-educated.
Volunteers
Due to the number of students involved and a desire to keep the cost of the band programs reasonable, we find it necessary to require all families to be involved in the operation of the band program. Approximately 10 hours per family/per year is all that is needed to operate the band in an efficient manner. A detailed list of jobs and times will be available at instrument fittings, auditions, and at the Information Table during the month of September. There are certain jobs that are harder to fill than others. These will be color coded red as a top priority to fill. Jobs or times that are easy to find workers for will be left white; all others will be marked yellow. In other words, please try to sign up for the red jobs first, yellow second and then white. Please sign up as soon as possible. We need all families to respond early to have the whole year scheduled.
If you have health problems that prevent you from working, an exception will be made for you. If you are healthy but too busy to help, you will be charged $80 per year to be of help in a different way. Please be sure to indicate this by checking the appropriate box on the Enrollment Form.
Zeal
There had to be a “z”. We strive to instill a ZEAL for music in our students!
Joyful Noise Home School Band holds to the truth that all people, regardless of race, are created in the image of God. Therefore, we will not discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color or national origin. All students are precious to us and will receive just treatment and equal opportunity for advancement.
