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The Activities and Information section of this website contains the information making up the band handbook. You will find details pertaining to all regular and reoccurring aspects of the band program. New students should also be sure to visit the How To Join section of this website for more information on getting started in the Freedom Band.
Beginning Band is first offered to fifth grade students at Freedom Intermediate School, which houses grades five and six. Classes are scheduled during the fifth and sixth grade Encore periods and meet every day for approximately 30 minutes. Freedom Middle School houses grades seven and eight, and offers band instruction to students of all levels - beginning and experienced. At Freedom Middle School, band is a daily 50-minute class.
Freedom Intermediate and Middle Schools and their band directors are members of the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association which governs all organized school band activities in the Middle Tennessee area. Information concerning MTSBOA activities such as All-Mid-State band auditions and event, concert festival, solo and ensemble festivals, and more, can be found within this website and at the MTSBOA website. MTSBOA is affiliated with the Tennessee Music Educators’ Association and Music Educators’ National Conference.
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Instruments
 Students who play flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or percussion generally supply their own instrument, renting or purchasing from a local music store. (The school owns a limited number of the above instruments for use by students who could not otherwise acquire an instrument. Students who qualify for free or reduced price lunch are given priority; however, limited financial means should never prevent a student from participating. Any parent may talk confidentially with a band director if financial support is needed for their child to participate.) Locally, band instruments are available for rent and purchase from:
These stores also provide full repair services. The band directors will advise parents in the purchase of a used instrument if needed. Parents who are not expert musicians are encouraged to have a band director or professional music instrument dealer inspect any used instrument they are considering purchasing.
Students who play bassoon, French horn, baritone, tuba, and sometimes oboe, rent their instrument from the school for $100.00 per school year. For the large instruments there is also a possibility that a second instrument for home practice will be available to students who are dependent solely on bus transportation. The $100.00 usage fee covers routine maintenance or repairs to these instruments. The student will be responsible for the cost of repairing any damage other than routine wear and tear (including noticeable dents.)
The usage fee should be paid at the beginning of the school year, but arrangements can be made for payments in increments when needed. Depending on what instrument the student plays, the replacement cost can range from $500.00 to $3,500.00. Students using these instruments should understand their responsibility in taking care of them.
 Parents should bear in mind that inferior quality instruments, or instruments not in excellent working condition, are very difficult to play. Ideally, beginning instrumental students should have the instruments that are easiest to play. It is not uncommon for a student who is having difficulty progressing to think that they, themself, are the problem, when actually the problem is the instrument. While professional quality instruments are not practical or necessary for students, it is important that whatever instrument they do have be of good quality and in perfect working condition. Students are expected to learn to perform routine cleaning and maintenance of their instrument and to alert a band director immediately when they think something may be out of order. Before taking a not-working instrument to the repair shop however, students should always seek a band director’s help first. Often, the problem is a simple one that the band director can easily correct, saving the parents money, and saving the student class time without their instrument. If the instrument requires professional repair, the band director will say so, and the parents should get it to the shop as quickly as possible or ask for help in doing so.
When an instrument must go to the shop for repair, the student is expected to produce a receipt or other dated documentation that will suffice to excuse the student from full class participation on the days their instrument is in the shop. (Students are not excused from class participation on days when their instrument is still in the trunk of the car, waiting on someone to take it to the shop!) Typically, the music store will supply a loaner when their rental instrument is in for repair. Always ask if the music store has a loaner available, even if the instrument is personally owned. Also, the school may have a loaner instrument available – ask a band director. |
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Band Room Lockers and Locks
Every student using the Freedom Intermediate School and Freedom Middle School facilities will be given a locker in which to keep their instrument and/or personal items, such as music and books, mouthpieces, percussion sticks and mallets, etc. (This includes students who play large instruments which may be stored in shared lockers.) Each student is assigned a Master combination lock for his/her band locker. There is no cost to use the lock, but an $8.00 replacement fee will be assessed if the lock is not returned at the end of the school year.
Every student should have a luggage tag with their name, address, phone number or other information attached to the outside of the case. In addition, it is a good idea to also have this information on the inside of the case. Parents should record their child’s instrument make, model, and serial number and keep a copy of this information in a safe place at home. Parents are also encouraged to investigate their homeowner’s insurance policy on coverage of their child’s instrument at home and while at school – often the instrument is covered. However, you must be able to supply make, model, and serial number to make an insurance claim. |
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Books, Music & Supplies
 Freedom Band students use the Essential Elements 2000 band method series. Beginners use Book 1 and second year students use Book 2. Students should be sure to purchase the book for their specific instrument. (Baritone players choose the bass clef edition.) This book should be in class every day. Some families choose to buy a copy for home and a copy for school. Regardless, should the student lose their book, they must purchase a replacement as soon as possible. It is available at all local music stores as well as through online booksellers.
In addition to the basic method books above, the school owns class sets of Essential Technique, book 3 in the Essential Elements series, Bach and Before for Band, and Foundations For Superior Performance, by Richard Williams and Jeff King, as well as others. These books will be assigned to students and must be returned at the end of the school year. Students who wish are encouraged to purchase a personal copy – both are readily available at music retailers. In addition, students may be asked to purchase a method book specific to their instrument for use in occasional like-instrument class sessions.
The Freedom Band program owns a large library of printed music for full band ensemble performance and solo and ensemble performance. This music will be distributed to students in class as necessary. Students are responsible for having their personal music at all times and are expected to keep up with it, having it in class every day.
For daily class participation, students must be prepared with their instrument, method books and sheet music, a pencil, and any supplies required to play their specific instrument (such as reeds for clarinet, sticks or mallets for percussion.) Being unprepared for class will have a negative effect upon a student’s daily class participation grade. See the supply list for specific requirements for each instrument. |
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Daily Grade Requirements
 As band classes are a part of the regular daily academic schedule, and all band students will receive a report card grade in band. In addition, they will receive a progress report for band in the same manner as other classes. The band grade is derived from a combination of daily participation and/or class work grades, individual playing assessments, occasional homework assignments, and participation in any co-curricular, scheduled after-school rehearsal or performance. In any given grading period a list of current grade requirements is discussed in class and may be found posted in several locations throughout the band room. Parents are encouraged to email or call a band director anytime they have a question or concern about their child's grades.
To receive full credit for daily participation in class, students must have their instrument in class, in working order, and must have a pencil, their music, books, or other materials. Students are given 20 points per day toward daily participation, for a total of 100 points for a full week of class. Students may lose all or part of these points if they do not have all necessary materials and equipment in class. When a physical problem, such as orthodontic work, a broken arm, etc. prevents full participation, it is taken into consideration with no grade penalty. Sometimes an alternate activity may be substituted for regular playing of the instrument. If the problem is not one outwardly obvious to the teacher, the student should bring a note from a parent explaining the situation. Refer to the previous section on instruments for information concerning daily participation when an instrument is not working. |
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Individual Practice
Individual practice is expected of all students. As with any skill-based activity, progress is usually made in small, almost imperceptible increments through a regular practice routine. For this reason, it is essential that every student get in the habit of playing their instrument at home frequently. Several shorter practice sessions spread out over the week are more effective than one or two long practice sessions. Students and their families should thoughtfully discuss and plan for a practice plan that fits the family schedule and student’s other activities. At times, documentation of homework practicing is required as part of the nine-week’s grade.
Occasionally, bus crowding makes transportation of larger instruments to and from home difficult, however, this does not excuse a student from practicing. If a solution to such a problem cannot be solved by talking with the bus driver or transportation department, the student and family should talk to a band director about alternatives. All students may use the FMS band room facility for before or after school practice whenever available. Open band room times are announced in class and newsletters. |
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Smartmusic Software
 All students are encouraged to purchase their own home subscription to the Smartmusic practice software. This innovative software program allows the student to practice along with their home computer, hear the music, play along with accompaniment, and see their mistakes with feedback on screen as they play with a Smartmusic microphone. Many instrumental method books, including the Essential Elements series which is used by Freedom students, are programmed into this software. In addition, hundreds of full band arrangements and individual solos are also available. Students may work on scales and technique exercises that are built in and may even work on improvisation skills. For any practice selection, students may vary the tempo, set practice loops and more.
A yearly subscription costs $36.00 per computer and may be ordered with a credit card online or by phone. It is best to purchase the specific microphone for use with Smartmusic from their website; it attaches directly to the instrumnet in a specific manner for each type of instrument. However, some students have had success with other good quality computer microphones. See www.smartmusic.com for more detail, purchasing information, and computer system requirements.
Five computers equipped with Smartmusic for student use are available in the FMS band room practice rooms and music library room. Students may practice with these computers before or after school whenever the band room is available to them. Smartmusic also includes a teacher grade book, Impact, which can be used to fulfill home practice requirements or for submitting a playing assessment. Students practice their playing test assignment at home and record themselves as often as they wish until they are satisfied with a performance and are ready to submit it for grading. Parent sessions to demonstrate Smartmusic will be scheduled in the early fall of the school year. |
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Private Lessons
Private lessons are encouraged for all students. Private lessons are not necessarily for remedial support; rather, they are a key component in helping a student reach their own personal potential. (Students who wish to audition for regional and state honor ensembles will especially want the help of a private instructor). School-day band classes are taught in large groups of mixed instruments with smaller, like-instrument groups pulled for instruction only on occasion. Students receive a minimal amount of individual attention in their daily classes. Both local music stores Shuff’s Music and
Music and Arts Center maintain a roster of private instructors who teach from their stores’ studio spaces, and private instructors may be found through local universities such as Vanderbilt and Belmont. The band directors will also be able to recommend others who teach in their home. |
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Concerts and Performances
In a typical year, ensemble performances by grade include: fifth and sixth grade – two evening concert programs; seventh and eighth grades – three evening concert programs for parents, one or two concert programs during the school day for students, a performance for assessment at concert festival, three parades, and home football game pep band appearances as coincides with the football schedule.
August/September |
FMS Pep Band Performances |
November |
FMS Veteran’s Day Parade |
December |
FIS Beginning Band First Demonstration Concert |
| FMS Holiday Concert |
| FMS Christmas Parade |
March |
FMS Pre-Concert Festival Concert (may fall in February) |
| MTSBOA Concert Festival |
May |
FIS Spring Program |
| FMS Spring Arts Festival Concert |
| FMS Franklin Rodeo Parade |
In addition to the ensemble performances above, students will have individual and small group performances. See information on solo and ensemble festivals. |
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Concert Performance Assessment (also known as "Concert Festival")
Concert Festival is an event at which bands and orchestras perform selected music for a panel of judges who evaluate all aspects of the ensemble performance and award a rating or grade. The event includes both prepared music performance and sight-reading of previously unseen music in a controlled setting. Prepared music is selected from a prescribed list and classified by level of difficulty. This activity is a live performance assessment, serving as a major evaluation of teaching and learning in the band program. The Freedom seventh and eighth grade student ensembles perform at the concert festival sponsored by the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (MTSBOA), usually held in March each year.
About two weeks prior to our concert festival performance date, the Freedom Bands present an evening pre-concert festival program for parents. This event serves as a dress rehearsal. Students perform their two prepared selections and will sight-read for the audience, using the same timed procedure that will be employed at the actual graded event.
 The MTSBOA concert festival is held in the Nashville area, at a member school or university. In most years, our assigned time falls so that students miss part or all of a school day as a field trip. Parents are always welcome to travel with us as chaperones or to attend the concert festival performance.
Some years, the Freedom band receives an invitation to perform at a state-level concert festival sponsored by the Tennessee Music Educators Association, based on superior ratings earned the previous year. This event occurs in April and usually occupies most of a day, requiring out of town travel to a university. |
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Solo and Ensemble Festivals
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Similar to concert festival, Solo and Ensemble Festival is an event at which individual students and small ensembles perform selected music for a judge. Our students have access to a large library of appropriate solo and small ensemble music which is specific to each instrument. Music is specifically chosen for each student many weeks in advance of an upcoming solo and ensemble event. Students are encouraged to have Smartmusic software at home so that solos which are in the Smartmusic library can be assigned. This software will make learning the music more successful and more enjoyable.
Freedom students may participate in events sponsored by MTSBOA in November, February or April, or at a festival hosted by the FMS band in May for all local area students. FMS students are required to participate in at least one solo and one ensemble during the year as a part of their graded assignments. (Grade is recorded during the fourth quarter.) FIS students are not required to participate in this, but are encouraged to do so in the spring, especially those who excelling and would like a challenging individual assignment.
Students may choose which solo and ensemble event they would like to attend: MTSBOA events require a one-month prior pre-registration with registration fee and are formally scheduled with specific times assigned. MTSBOA event dates will be announced in class and in newsletters well in advance and can always be found on the MTSBOA website. The FMS event draws students from the surrounding area and as many as 500 events will be adjudicated. It is informally scheduled with registration onsite and judging between 8:00 a.m. and noon. (Area band directors should contact a band director if they would like to send students. See fundraisers for more information on our hosting of this event.) |
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Performance Dress
Formal concert dress is worn for holiday concerts, concert festival performances, spring concerts, and other occasions when designated as follows:
- Boys – black dress slacks, white, button-front dress shirt, black belt, shoes, socks, and necktie of student’s choice.
- Girls– all black, can be a dress, skirt and top, or pants outfit and should not include glittery trim, contrasting color trim, or patterned fabric. Shoulders should be covered and skirts should be long enough to cover the knees when seated. Closed toe dress shoes are most appropriate. Flip flops are not allowed.
- T-shirts, blue jeans, shorts, tennis shoes and other casual clothes are not appropriate for performances.
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Lands’ End - Band Polo Shirt
Informal concert dress consists of a band-logo polo shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes and is worn for pep band performances, parades, and other occasions as designated. The band-logo polo shirt is ordered by the student’s family from Lands’ End Outfitters, (school division) either online or by phone. Lands’ End School catalogs are given out to students in the fall and are always available in the band room. The shirt used for our uniform is the short-sleeved, “white mesh polo”, available in both children’s and adult sizes. Our logo is identified by the “preferred school” number: 9000-9243-8. All seventh and eighth graders should have this shirt.
Go to Lands’ End School Uniforms to outfit your boys and girls in clothing that meets dress codes and exceeds expectations!
Shop online at www.landsend.com/school.
 Students may also have the band logo applied to any other apparel available from the Lands End catalog, but these items are for casual wear, not performances. (The Lands End staff will be able to tell you what colors of a given item are compatible with our logo and have in our files how logo colors are reversed to accommodate different colored garments.)
Both outgoing eighth graders and students who have outgrown their band wear are encouraged to donate their outgrown or un-needed concert dress and polo shirts to our band exchange closet. Before buying new black shoes or pants, for instance, a student can check the exchange closet for a hand-me-down which will fit, then donate the garments back at the end of the year or when outgrown. Boys black shoes and pants, in particular, are needed. |
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Band Sportswear
Casual T-shirts and sweatshirts with Freedom Band designs are ordered each year. Order forms with available items are given out in classes, usually in the fall.
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All-Mid-State Band and Jazz Band
As a school member of the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, Freedom students in good standing who are enrolled in band classes are eligible to audition for a seat in one of three junior high level All-Mid-State concert bands or jazz band. Auditions for the jazz band are held on a Saturday in November, and auditions for the concert bands are held on the second Saturday in December each year. Students must prepare a selected etude, eight major scales and the chromatic scale, and must sight-read. The prepared music selection and scale guidelines are available from a band director. Students who wish to audition must pre-register and pay an audition fee at least one month prior to the event. Competition for a place in these bands is aggressive, with hundreds of students from all over Middle Tennessee auditioning. Students are encouraged to begin preparing months in advance. The help of a private instructor is of great advantage in this activity.
If a seat in one of the All-Mid-State bands is earned, students gather in Murfreesboro, TN for a long weekend in January to prepare and perform a concert. There is no long term commitment. Bands are directed by respected guest conductors, and students work from a Thursday evening to Saturday morning to prepare four to six musical selections for a Saturday afternoon concert. The All-Mid-State concert band event is held the first or second weekend of January and the jazz and orchestra event held the following weekend. Most years, the Williamson County and Franklin band directors and students travel together by bus and room at the same hotel when participating in this event. |
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Williamson County Honor Band
The band directors from all Williamson County and Franklin schools make up the Williamson County Band Directors Association. This organization hosts, among other events, an annual honor band event at which students practice for an evening and the following school day to prepare a concert to be performed the second evening. Each school is allocated a number of seats in the honor band. Directors nominate qualified students from their bands to fill the instrument places they have been given. In previous years, this event has been schedule in different months – it may be late fall or during the spring semester.
The 2010 Williamson County Marching Band Exhibition will be held September 18, at Centennial High School. All FMS eighth graders will participate. The 2011 Williamson County Honor Band is scheduled for the evening of January 27 and all day January 28 with a concert that night. The band directors will nominate qualified students in November.
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FMS Band Composite Photograph
In January each year, individual portraits of FMS students with their band instruments are made by a professional photographer. Families may purchase a portrait package if desired. All students are photographed, and a composite picture with each student is compiled and hung in the band room. At any time, one may view on the FMS band room walls composite photographs of previous Freedom bands going back 10 or more years. A small copy of the composite photograph is also made available to students for purchase. |
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Freedom Jazz Band
The Freedom Jazz Band, directed by Ms. Grooms, is an extra-curricular component of the Freedom Band program, meeting after school one day per week during most of the school year. Any band student with at least one year experience on an appropriate instrument who is willing to commit to regular attendance is invited to participate. Regular attendance is essential, and students will be expected to take initiative in learning their individual music on their own outside of weekly rehearsals.
Traditional jazz band instrumentation is made up of alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section consisting of piano, bass, guitar, drum set and auxiliary percussion (vibraphone and accessories). Students who play non-traditional jazz band instruments may also participate, but those who are doing well on their primary instrument are encouraged to "double”, taking up a second, traditional jazz band instrument. For example, flute or clarinet players may take on saxophone; French horn players may take on trumpet or trombone. Students will be required to purchase one or two jazz method books and a group t-shirt.
The FMS jazz band has enjoyed much success over the years. In addition to regular performances at holiday and spring band concerts, the group also performs at the FMS family fundraiser “Shoot For The Stars,” for school board meetings, on elementary school tours, at local retirement homes, and has in the past performed at the Franklin Main Street Festival, the MTSU Jazz Festival, and for national conventions of the National Middle School Association (2007) and the American School Band Directors Association (2009)
Video of Freedom Jazz Band performance at ASBDA 2009 National Convention at www.banddirector.com - click here (scroll down page to find links to each selection performed) |
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| Jazz Band Current Announcements |
| 2010-11 jazz band will start sometime in September. Seventh and eighth graders will hear from Ms. Grooms in class when ready to begin. |
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