HRMS Bands

Mr. Steven Cohen, director
 55 Conant St.Danvers, MA 01923
stevencohen@danvers.org
978-774-8590, x3242
Fax: 978-762-8686


It's always time to think about private lessons.  See Mr. C for private lesson teachers!

Jazz audition music is posted in the band room.  Go ahead and try it, because you have nothing to lose by trying out!

Hey, everybody (especially 7th graders), remember Yejin Kim?  She played flute last year in the 6th grade band, then moved to Korea at the start of this school year.  Well, she looked us up and wrote on the message board!  Check it out here

6th Graders & parents: The new book is called Standard of Excellence, book 2.  You can find it at Music & Arts, or any of your favorite music stores.  Please don't get Accent on Achievement, which is what they used in elementary school.  : )

Podcast

Newest episode .   The challenge show!  Hear it now!  Want to be on the show?  Give me a shout.  Hear your own comments if you e-mail: stevencohen@danvers.org.  Hear the HRMS Bands Podcast at hrmsbands.podshow.com. From there you can listen at your computer, or subscribe to the podcast: click on "more episodes", then click the icon of your music player, whether it is itunes, wmp, winamp or real player.  The show will then update in your player each time a new episode is launched. Enjoy!   Oh, yeah, you do NOT need an ipod to listen to a podcast!

  • HRMS Bands Podcast


    • About Us/Guestbook

    The HRMS Bands provide musical situations for students in concert band and jazz band. Musical performances include concerts for the general public, school events, or as invited by the community.
    • Related links

    Great Gift Ideas (any time of year):

    1. A Metronome

    2. A tuner
    3. A play-along book (or 2) of music from movies or favorite bands
    4. A play-along book of jazz
    5. A box of reeds (Vandoren 2-1/2 or 3 strength)
    6. A new mouthpiece (clarinet or sax)
    7. An instrument cleaning kit
    8. A NEW instrument (See Mr. C for deals at local music vendors)


    Show-N-Play Friday




    Band Schedule

  • Where's Mr. C Now?

  • Enjoying a nice night at home.  At home, enjoying a delayed start!  In WI to say goodbye to my last grandparent.    Orlando, FL, skiing in VT & NH, High-fiving Randy Moss at Gillette Stadium!  Conducting the 215th Army Band!  Marching the Topsfield Fair Parade with the DHS band on a Saturday morning—wave to me!

  •     Recent Mr. C sightings include: HRMS concerts, Salem Muster (Army), America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade (Army), Fall River Veteran's Day parade (Army), Somerset Music City Marching Band Contest & Parade (Army), DHS football game (DHS Band), Patriots Game (Army), Celtics Game (Army).


  • HRMS Band Handbook

    Welcome to the HRMS Band Program! This handbook is designed to help you understand what to expect from HRMS Band, as well as what is expected of you.
    The bands meet every other day during the explore block of each grade, and after school for the 8th grade. The concert grade is 30% of the total band grade.•  The class period is 45 minutes long, and every effort must be made to make the best use of this time. With that in mind the following rules apply:
    Expectations 
  •  You are expected to be seated and warming up your instrument by 3 minutes after class begins. 
  • When Mr. Cohen or any teacher steps up on the podium you should stop whatever you are doing and pay attention.
  • You must bring your own music and method book to each rehearsal in a 1-inch binder.  Daily grade points will be deducted if you fail to bring your music to each rehearsal.  If for some reason you do not receive a new piece of music it is YOUR responsibility to inform Mr. Cohen in writing so that he can get music to you.
  • You must bring your instrument (drumsticks) in good working order (fresh reeds, good mouthpiece, etc.) to every rehearsal.  If your instrument is missing more than once per term you will lose 3 daily grade points per missed day. If you persistently forget to bring your instrument you will be placed in the time out room to help you remember it next time.
  •  When the conductor stops the band it is to provide instruction for all students. When this instruction is directed at a certain section or group the remaining band members should silently practice fingerings of upcoming passages in the band music or by practicing the fingering chart on the final page of the band method.  Percussion players will practice silent sticking of the band music or rudiments on their thigh or as "air hits."
    Grading
  • Band and Jazz Band are full year courses and are graded, including any after-school jazz class. No one is excused from class without permission from Mr. Cohen. It takes hard work and practice at home to improve your playing and earn a good grade, however everyone can earn an “A” if they are willing to practice and try hard. Remember, I don’t give grades; you earn grades that I report!
  • Home Practice – Practicing your band music and scales at home is the best way for you and the entire band to improve. Everyone will be given a practice card each term on which to record weekly practice minutes. Turn in the card on the first day of class each week and Mr. Cohen will grade and return the card to you by the next class. Students should practice concert music, book studies, scales and collections of music you can buy from your favorite music store. The practice grade counts for 30% of your total grade.
  • Daily Class Grade – Having your instrument in good working condition and all of your music at each class is vital to the success of the band. When just one person is unable to participate in class rehearsal the whole group is held back from the goal of performance excellence in our concerts. This, along with general class behavior counts for 30% of your total grade. Everyone begins with 90 points in this grade!•
  • Concerts – Concert attendance is expected of every student. If there is an unavoidable situation on the night of a concert parents should write a note to Mr. Cohen at least 1 week ahead of the concert. In the event of an emergency the parents should send a note to school on the first day the student is back in class. The schedule is sent to parents at the beginning of the year to avoid any schedule conflicts. 
  • Quiz – There will be at least one written quiz given each term for 10% of the total band grade.  Quiz material will be taken from the method books and concert band music.
    Music
  • Each student will use his or her own method book and receive sheet music for concerts. The 6th grade method is Accent On Achievement, just like in 4th and 5th grades. Mid-way through the year we will switch to The Standard Of Excellence book 2. The 7th grade method is Standard Of Excellence book 2. When finished with this book we will continue with book 3 through 8th grade. This should be kept in a 1-inch binder, along with any handouts that come along during the year. Every student should have a pencil in their instrument case to mark changes and suggestions from Mr. Cohen during rehearsals.
    Junior District Band
  • Junior District Band offers students who desire a greater challenge to audition for a band of the best musicians in our area. It is open to students in 7th, 8th and 9th grades. Students may be required to pre-audition with Mr. Cohen, as there are limits of 3 students for each instrument from any school. If you are interested in trying out for this group see Mr. Cohen as soon as possible in the first term.  Festival dates are: Auditions – January 20th, 2007 @ Methuen.  Rehearsals – April 14th & 16th Performance – April 17th.  If you cannot make ALL of these dates, please do not sign up.
    MICCA
  • The 8th grade band attends the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association festival each year at the end of March or beginning of April. We listen to 1 or 2 bands, perform for 3 judges and receive a clinic from one of those judges. This is a fantastic opportunity to put our concert band out in the public and listen to similar concert bands.
  • MICCA Solo & Ensemble
  • If you are a highly motivated musician you might choose to sign-up for the solo and ensemble festival. Students must take lessons with a private teacher who can help them choose and prepare appropriate music for this event. See Mr. Cohen to sign up.
  • Broken Instruments
  • If your instrument is unavailable for rehearsal or practice because it is being repaired it will NOT affect your grade, providing you have a note from a parent. This is not true, however, for not having reeds, valve oil, slide cream or a broken instrument that is not being repaired.  Plan ahead, buy supplies from a music store, and try to have your instrument maintenance completed during the summer months to avoid untimely accidents.
    Concert Dress
  •  Ladies – Black skirt or pants and white shirt.
  •  Gentlemen – Black pants and socks, white dress shirt, long tie and black dress shoes.
    I sincerely hope this handbook helps you to understand the HRMS band program and how best to succeed and become a better musician. This handbook will be posted on the HRMS Band web site- http://hrmsbands.com
  • Find Mr. Cohen @ stevencohen@danvers.org or 978.774.8590.

    News

    Since the progress reports went home I've been hearing from  concerned parents about how to improve your grade.  To begin with, practice 100 minutes a week, then turn in your card on the first day of class each week.  It's as easy as that!  If you'd like an extension project, choose from the extension sheet given in class (or ask for a new one), get the proper paperwork and get on it.  You can earn up to 250 points just from extra credit.