The band handbook will give you some sense of my goals and curriculum, my philosophy of grading, and my expectations of each band member. Parents and students are requested to read the entire handbook, discuss it, and keep it for reference for the entire school year. Only when every member of the band puts forth a 100% effort can a band attain its goals in musical achievement and service to school and community. You are embarking on a lifetime of musical enjoyment. The more you invest of yourself, the more will be your reward. Together, we can make this the best year ever.
 

Please take special notice of the sections dealing with attendance, grading, early morning band rehearsals, daily procedures, and important dates.
 

I appreciate all of your support and look forward to another exciting year.
 

Click the link below to view a copy of the band handbook. Remember to print out, fill out, and return the parent/student contract on page 13 if you have not already done so.

RMS BAND HANDBOOK
 

The School Band & Orchestra Magazine has created a website with information that might be useful to you when embarking upon the fairly difficult task of purchasing a new instrument.

 

http://www.sbomagazine.com/HowTo/
 

PLEASE BEWARE of instruments that have a cheaper sticker price --- they look great, but there is a reason that they don't cost as much, and usually they develop major wear problems very quickly. See below for information on buying cheap instruments.

 

Ask a private teacher or your band director about the brand you are considering. DON'T JUST BUY OFF THE SHELF!!! I would say, never buy from a discount store, and I would be cautious about buying from a store that seems to deal primarily in guitars, keyboards, drum sets, etc. Even though they look like they have a band instrument department, they often don't have people who really know the instruments. Your best bet is to work through a private teacher who can be most knowledgeable about advising you of what is best for your child. If your child is not taking lessons, do check with the band director before making purchases.
 

Lastly, just as you would never buy a car without test driving it, NEVER BUY AN INSTRUMENT WITHOUT HAVING YOUR CHILD PLAY IT. If buying a used instrument, be sure to have a licensed repair person look over the instrument or have the band director play test it before purchasing.
 

Click on this link for more important information on buying an instrument.

 

Not ready to buy yet? Click on this link for simple upgrades for your child's instrument. It's a simple solution to helping your child sound better and at much less of a cost than buying a "step up" instrument!
 

The director will always strive to give as much individual attention to each student, but between time constraints and the size of the band program, the director does not always reach each individual student as often as needed. Private lessons make a BIG difference for the advanced student and the struggling student. While it is not required to take private lessons to be part of the band program at Riverside Middle School, it is highly recommended.
 

If interested in private lessons, click on this link for a list of local teachers. Please note that all dealings regarding private lessons are between the private instructor and the student's parent/guardian.

Back to top
 

---

Concert Information

2010 Winter Concert:

Our annual Winter Concert is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on a date to-be-determined. Please read the items below for some important information.

Requires Adobe® Reader®. Download a free update.  

Letter to Parents
Concert Etiquette for Adults
Concert Etiquette for Students
Concert Goers Guide 

Important Reminders:

• Admission to our Winter Concert is $5 per person at the door.  
• 6th grade students must report to the auditorium stage for warm-up/rehearsal at 6:00 p.m. Students should place coats and cases in the band room.
• Jazz Band students must report to the band room for warm-up/rehearsal at 6:00 p.m. Students should place coats and cases in the band room.
• Concert Band students must report to the band room for warm-up at 6:30 p.m.

We still need chaperones, so if you can help, please email Ms. Murphy or Felicia Lariviere, our 1st Vice-President today!

    Make sure you have your uniform now! Please consult the band handbook for the concert uniform policy. If you are not sure about what to wear ASK Ms. Murphy!                            

Here are a few more important reminders:

2010 All-City Jazz Night:

East Providence's annual All-City Secondary Jazz Concert is tentatively scheduled for 7 o’clock in the evening in the cafeteria of Martin Middle School on a date to-be-determined. This concert will feature both vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles from Riverside Middle School, Martin Middle School and East Providence High School.

Admission for this event is $6 per person at the door.

50/50 raffle tickets will be sold at the concert as well as snacks and beverages. Be sure to bring some spending money!

As this is a rather incredible undertaking, we ask that you assist us by noting the following information closely:

• ALL students will wear their standard jazz uniforms as required by their director.
• Students should report to Martin MS no later than 6 p.m.
• ALL students are expected to bring their own instrument and concert folder to Martin MS. (Your director will bring the drum sets, keyboards and amplifiers.)
• No bus is provided. Students will need to provide their own transportation to and from Martin MS.
• It is expected that all students stay for the ENTIRE concert not just their portion.
• Once students are done performing, they must sit with a parent/guardian for the remainder of the concert.

The evening promises to be quite spectacular, and you are sure to be amazed at the progress of the students within just a few months of the winter concert season. Please be sure to join us for this outstanding evening of music, and thank you for your continued support of the musical arts in East Providence Public Schools!

For a printable copy of the above information will be coming soon.

Requires Adobe® Reader®. Download a free update. 

2010 Spring Concert:

Our annual Spring Concert is tentatively scheduled for May 5, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Please read the items below for some important information.

• Admission to our Spring Concert is $5 per person at the door.
• 6th grade students must report to the auditorium stage for warm-up/rehearsal at 6:00 p.m. Students should place coats and cases in the band room.
• Jazz Band students must report to the band room for warm-up/rehearsal at 6:00 p.m. Students should place coats and cases in the band room.
• Concert Band students must report to the band room for warm-up at 6:30 p.m.

We still need chaperones, so if you can help, please email Ms. Murphy or Felicia Lariviere, our 1st Vice-President today!

     Make sure you have your uniform now! Please consult the band handbook for the concert uniform policy. If you are not sure about what to wear ASK Ms. Murphy!                            

Here are a few more important reminders:

What is proper concert etiquette?

"If you have class, it shows. If you don't have class, it shouts."
- Tim Lautzenheiser

A concert is a formal, classy event. A lot of work goes into making the event enjoyable for both the audience and the performers. Please click on the links below to see what you can do to help make a concert a pleasurable and rewarding experience for all.

The basic rules are:

• Don't do anything that makes people notice you  instead of the performance.
• Be courteous.
• Use good judgment.
• Use the restroom before the concert.

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING PROPER CONCERT ETIQUETTE.

Sense-ational Concert Etiquette
by Martha Stanley NBCT EMC-Music (C) 2001
 

Requires Adobe® Reader®. Download a free update. 


Concert Etiquette for Adults
Concert Etiquette for Students
Concert Goers Guide