New Mark Middle School Band

Purpose

This is the reference for New Mark Band expectations, grading, performances, communication, equipment, advancement, select ensembles, and the pathway to high school band.

Program Philosophy

Band is a team

Band is ensemble music. Individual preparation matters because the final product depends on balance, blend, tone, timing, listening, and shared musical decisions. We perform together, not as a collection of unrelated individuals.

Our process

Consistent work, honesty, attention to detail, musicianship, and fun create lifelong learners of music. Ratings and awards are welcome outcomes, but they do not define the value of the process.

Concert Band & Standards-Based Grading

Concert Band is the class. Every student enrolled in band is a member of Concert Band. Required performances are curricular assessments, not optional extracurricular appearances.

Perform standard. The winter and spring concerts provide required evidence for the Perform standard. Completing the performance standard is necessary for proficiency and course-advancement recommendations.

Attendance and advancement. Students who do not complete required performance standards may not be recommended for the next band level without director review, family communication, and an approved proficiency plan.

Pre-approved excused absences. Known conflicts should be discussed before the quarter of the concert whenever possible. When an absence is approved, the alternate assessment is a complete recorded performance of the concert program for district proficiency review.

Required Performance Events

• Dec. 1: 7th Grade Concert Band + Jazz Band.
• Dec. 7: 8th Grade Concert Band with Staley bands.
• Feb. 23: Required 8th Grade district assessment during the school day. Transportation and food are provided and students are excused from classes.
• May 11: Required New Mark Band Spring Concert for all band students.

Communication Expectations

Students should read Note Check, monitor Outlook, use Canvas, maintain their band calendar, and communicate dates, progress, and needs to their families. Families are encouraged to monitor the band schedule and practice habits. Transportation or supervision barriers should be communicated immediately so the director can help problem-solve.

Practice Expectations

Practice should be regular enough that students can independently perform their music well before concert week. One month before a concert, students should be able to play all parts, explain the order of music, describe their role, know the event date, understand the grade impact, and know the required attire.

Concert Attire

• Long black dress pants
• Black socks
• Black dress shoes or flats
• Future Falcon Band shirt
• Black belt when appropriate
• Shirt tucked in at all times

The uniform expectation begins when students enter the building. 7th graders order a Future Falcon Band shirt at the beginning of the year; replacement sizes may be ordered for 8th graders when needed.

Instruments, Lockers & Materials

School-owned instruments are available while inventory lasts for tuba, oboe, saxophones, baritone, French horn, bass clarinet, and piccolo. Students normally provide their own trumpet, trombone, clarinet, and flute. The school owns one emergency loaner of each, available only with director approval and parent communication.

Students receive a music folder and secure band-room locker. Warm-ups, permission slips, calendars, event guides, and family guides are available through Canvas.

Advancement & Earned Opportunities

Eligible 7th graders may advance to Book 2 and eligible 8th graders may advance to Book 3 through playing tests. Students who demonstrate readiness may qualify for Jazz Band during MTSS.

• All-District: Nov. 7 auditions at Liberty High School; Dec. 12 rehearsal and concert day for selected students.
• NKC Honor Band: Jan. 20 auditions at Maple Park; Feb. 5–6 Honor Band weekend for selected students.

New Mark Symphonic Band

Students who audition for NKC Honor Band are also auditioning for New Mark Symphonic Band. A Day MTSS is Symphonic Band, and the ensemble performs elevated literature above typical grade-level expectations.

Symphonic Band performs at KC Metro Large Group Festival at North Kansas City High School on March 3 or March 6, date TBD. A 1 is the highest festival rating. The program’s primary standard is process: hard work, honesty, attention to detail, musicianship, and fun.

Solo & Ensemble / Music Honors

Students wishing to remain in Symphonic Band after KC Metro complete a solo, ensemble, or both at the NKC Middle School Solo & Ensemble Festival. Students involved in Jazz Band, All-District, Symphonic Band, NKC Honor Band, or Solo & Ensemble may qualify for Middle School Music Honors and recognition at the Spring Concert.

Transition to Staley High School

Staley is a blended band program. Students participate in marching band during first quarter, then concert band during second through fourth quarters as part of the same curricular Symphonic Band course. Marching band standards are part of passing the course. Mr. Kroeger works at Gateway, New Mark, and Staley and can answer questions about the transition to high school band.

Family FAQ

Are concerts required?

Yes. The winter and spring Concert Band performances are graded curricular Perform standards.

What if we know about a conflict?

Contact the director early—ideally before the quarter of the concert begins—so an excused-absence plan can be reviewed.

What if transportation is a problem?

Tell the director as soon as possible so the barrier can be addressed before a required event is missed.

Can my student use a school instrument?

Designated school-owned instruments are available while inventory lasts. Trumpet, trombone, clarinet, and flute are generally family-provided, with one emergency loaner of each.

How does my student get into Jazz or Symphonic Band?

Through consistent preparation, playing tests, book advancement, and/or the applicable honor-band audition pathway.

Do festival ratings affect grades?

No. Ratings are feedback on the ensemble performance. The program values the learning process over trophies.

Concert Band is the curricular band class. Every student enrolled in band is a member of Concert Band. The December concert is a required graded performance and completes the Perform standard used in standards-based grading.

Fall at a Glance

Required Concert Performance Standard

A band performs as a team. Balance, blend, tone, timing, and musical roles are built around the full ensemble. When students are missing, the sound the class has prepared cannot be reproduced on stage.

• The December Concert Band performance is graded and is the final Perform standard for the semester.
• Students are expected to attend their grade-level required concert in full and in uniform.
• A student who does not complete required performance standards may not be recommended to advance without director review, communication, and an approved proficiency plan.
• Known conflicts should be communicated before the quarter of the concert begins whenever possible.
• For a pre-approved excused absence, the alternate proficiency task is a full recorded performance of the concert program for district review.

All-District Honor Band

All-District is a highly competitive blind-audition honor ensemble. Students perform assigned scales and etudes for judges who know only the audition number, not the student’s identity or school. Approximately 42 middle schools participate and each school has a limited number of audition entries.

• Auditions: Saturday, November 7 at Liberty High School, all day.
• Selected students rehearse and perform Saturday, December 12 at Lee’s Summit High School.
• Students who accept a chair are expected to attend the honor-band day and arrive with music prepared.
• Music activity fees must be paid before participating in auditions, Jazz Band, and related music activities.

Concert Attire

• Long black dress pants
• Black socks
• Black dress shoes or flats
• Future Falcon Band shirt
• Black belt when appropriate
• Shirt tucked in from arrival through dismissal

Communication & Practice

• Students should check Note Check, Outlook, Canvas, and maintain their own band calendar.
• Families receive reminders, but students are expected to communicate dates and progress at home.
• One month before a concert, students should be able to play their parts, explain the concert order, describe their musical role, state the concert date, explain the grading impact, and know what to wear.
• Families who do not regularly check email should especially watch communication in September, December, March, and May.

School Instruments & Materials

School-owned instruments are available, while inventory lasts, for tuba, oboe, saxophones, baritone, French horn, bass clarinet, and piccolo. Students normally provide their own trumpet, trombone, clarinet, or flute. The school owns one emergency loaner of each of those four instruments, issued only with director approval and parent communication.

Students receive a music folder and secure band-room locker. Warm-ups, permission slips, calendars, event guides, and family guides are posted in Canvas.

Spring semester has two tracks. Concert Band remains the required curricular ensemble for every band student. Students may also earn opportunities in Honor Band, New Mark Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, KC Metro, and Solo & Ensemble.

Spring at a Glance

8th Grade District Performance Assessment

On February 23, the 8th Grade Band travels during the school day to a district testing site and performs as a full ensemble for a panel of judges and the district music coordinator. This is a required proficiency assessment.

• Students are transported to and from the event and are fed.
• Students are excused from regular class work for the event.
• Students may not opt out of the assessment for convenience or scheduling preference.
• If a student is absent because of illness or another legitimate absence, the student must perform the complete assessment program for district proficiency review.

New Mark Symphonic Band

Students who audition for NKC Honor Band are also auditioning for New Mark Symphonic Band. Symphonic Band is a select ensemble that rehearses during MTSS. A Day MTSS is reserved for Symphonic Band and focuses on elevated literature above the normal class grade level.

• KC Metro Large Group Festival: March 3 or March 6 (TBD), North Kansas City High School.
• The festival provides a rating from an adjudication panel. A 1 is the highest rating.
• The program values process over trophies: hard work, honesty, detail, musicianship, and fun matter more than the number.
• After KC Metro, students who remain in Symphonic Band complete a solo, ensemble, or both at the NKC Middle School Solo & Ensemble Festival.

Spring Concert & Course Advancement

May 11 — New Mark Band Spring Concert. This is a required graded Concert Band performance for all band students and is part of the Perform standard and course-advancement process.

Concert Band is a team. Every player affects balance, blend, tone, rhythm, and the musical roles rehearsed in class. Attendance is part of demonstrating proficiency, not simply an after-school extra.

Middle School Music Honors

Students who participate beyond the minimum course requirements may be eligible for Middle School Music Honors and recognition at the Spring Concert. Qualifying participation can include Jazz Band, All-District Honor Band, New Mark Symphonic Band, NKC Honor Band, and Solo & Ensemble Festival participation.

Concert Attire

• Long black dress pants
• Black socks
• Black dress shoes or flats
• Future Falcon Band shirt
• Black belt when appropriate
• Shirt tucked in from arrival through dismissal

Preparing at Home

One month before a concert, ask your student to play complete parts, explain the concert order, describe what the part contributes, give the concert date and call time, explain the grading impact, and show the required attire.

Transition to Staley

Staley uses a blended curricular model: students participate in marching band during first quarter and concert band during second, third, and fourth quarters as part of the same Symphonic Band course. Marching standards are required to pass the course, and the program transitions indoors when football season ends.

Our Baseline Rules

1. Be prepared to work hard every day. It feels good to be GOOD at your instrument.
2. Airplane rules — help yourself first.
3. Class starts on time. If you are late, you are late.
4. Be kind to others.
5. Leave it better than you found it.

Entering & Starting Class

• Enter, get your stand, chair, music folder/book, instrument, and pencil, and go directly to your seat.
• Take care of your own basic setup before asking for help — Airplane Rules.
• Once set up, begin the trained warm-up routine independently. Do not wait for a director to start you.
• If you finish early, continue with appropriate fundamentals, scales, or a current challenge.

Materials & Equipment

• Bring your instrument and required materials every day. A forgotten instrument does not become a free day; you will still participate.
• Do not touch another student’s instrument or equipment without permission.
• Treat instruments, stands, chairs, music, percussion equipment, and the room with care. Report problems instead of forcing or attempting repairs.

During Rehearsal

• When the cutoff or attention signal is given, stop playing, get quiet, and be ready for the next instruction.
• Keep a pencil available and mark your music.
• Ask specific questions and use rehearsal time to solve musical problems.
• If you make a mistake, recover and keep going. If someone else makes a mistake, do not laugh, comment, or turn around.
• Use appropriate moments for reeds, water, supplies, or equipment needs—not while instructions are being given.
• When working with a neighbor or section, keep the conversation short, musical, and productive.

End of Class

• Pack up when the cleanup/dismissal cue is given—not whenever the clock gets close to the end of class.
• Clean and store your instrument correctly. Return music, stands, chairs, sticks/mallets, and other equipment to the proper place.
• Leave it better than you found it: straighten the area and pick up a mess if you see one, even if it was not yours.

Practice, Absences & Success

• Daily effort in class plus regular practice at home is how you get better. Hard does not mean stop.
• If absent, check Canvas and class materials for what you missed and be ready to catch up.
• Required performances are part of band. Keep up with the band calendar and communicate known conflicts early.

Take care of yourself, your section, your equipment, and the room. Come ready to improve.

New Mark Middle School has a Music Fee for students participating in band, choir, and orchestra. The amount is based on grade level and the type of music class in which a student is enrolled.

Fee Amounts

• 7th Grade semester music classes: $30. These students use additional instructional materials and supplies throughout the year and also need required concert uniform items.
• 8th Grade music classes + 7th Grade quarter music classes: $15. These students use fewer supplies through the music department, so the fee supports their required concert uniform.

Music Clothing Closet

New Mark maintains a Music Clothing Closet with black concert clothing available for students who need it. The goal is for every student to participate fully in performances regardless of financial circumstances.

Payment

The fee is entered into MyPaymentsPlus for online payment. Cash and checks are not collected through the music department.

New Mark Middle School • Band Program • 2026–2027

Band Student and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form

Director: Jonathon Kroeger  •  Assistant Director: Dr. Meara Mitchell

Please sign and return this form after reviewing the band materials. By signing below, both the student and parent/guardian acknowledge receipt of important program information and understanding of the expectations for participation in band at New Mark Middle School.

By signing below, we acknowledge the following:

• We have received and reviewed the Band Handbook for the 2026–2027 school year and understand that it contains important procedures, policies, and expectations for participation in band.
• We have reviewed the band calendar and understand that required performances, events, and other listed dates are an important part of band participation.
• We understand the band fee information and the required dates associated with the program.
• We understand that the student is expected to bring their instrument and required materials to band every day, including music, folder or book, and a pencil.
• We understand that daily effort in class and regular practice at home are important for student growth and success in band.
• We understand that being on time to class, being prepared, and participating appropriately are important expectations in band each day.
• We understand that students are expected to show respect, responsibility, and care for other students, staff, instruments, equipment, music, and the band room.
• We understand that important band information is posted on Canvas, including the Fall Family Guide, calendar, fee information, Spring Family Guide, and audition opportunities.
• We understand that it is our responsibility to review Canvas and school communication regularly for updates, reminders, and additional information related to band.
• If questions or concerns arise, we will communicate with the band directors in a timely and respectful manner.

Thank you for reviewing these important materials and for supporting the New Mark Middle School Band Program.

2026–27 Academic Calendar Reference

• Aug. 25: First day of school PK–12
• Sept. 7: Labor Day — no school
• Sept. 25: Professional development — no school
• Oct. 16: No school
• Oct. 19: Professional development — no school
• Nov. 23: Professional development — no school
• Nov. 24: Teacher workday — no school
• Nov. 25–27: Thanksgiving Break
• Dec. 21–Jan. 1: Winter Break
• Jan. 4: Teacher workday — no school
• Jan. 5: Second semester begins
• Jan. 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day — no school
• Feb. 12: Half day PK–12
• Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day — no school
• Mar. 12: Teacher workday — no school
• Mar. 29–Apr. 2: Spring Break
• Apr. 19: Professional development — no school
• May 28: Last day of school — half day

Secondary A/B Rotation

New Mark Middle School follows the district secondary A/B rotation calendar. No-school dates are omitted below.