Guidelines
Age
Joyful Noise has programs for all home school students between the ages of 5 to completion of high school.
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.
If Floyd County Schools are closed due to bad weather, Joyful Noise-Rome will not hold classes. We do not make up these days. Please check for weather updates before leaving for class.
JNHSMP 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:
Students are expected to behave in a respectful, obedient fashion while participating in Joyful Noise activities, at the university or at performing venues. 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 class anywhere on the property in which Joyful Noise practices. Damage done to the facility or its equipment will be the financial responsibility of the persons involved in causing the damage.
The following behavior will result in immediate disciplinary action:
Daily Practice is required of all Band/Strings members. Beginning Band/Strings students will be required to practice at least 5 days a week, 15 minutes a day, gradually being increased by the director/instructor to 30 minutes a day after Christmas. All other Band/Strings students will be required to practice for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Weekly practice minutes must be recorded at each class time. If a student does not practice sufficiently to learn the assigned music, he/she may have their seating changed, be placed in a lower class, or dismissed from the class.
“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 JNHSMP. Your children will be dismissed from a practice or a performance if not dressed properly. Midriff tops and undergarments that show are not allowed.
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 Shorter University and our concert venues. Let’s work together to leave the building in the same or better condition than we found it. Unless otherwise directed, all Joyful Noise activities are limited to designated rooms in the building. Our student’s safety is paramount and unattended students, whatever age, is against Joyful Noise policy.
All Beginner Band and Strings students must attend an instrument fitting during the summer. As a rule, each family is responsible for providing their instruments. Strings students will need a violin, viola, cello, or bass. We recommend that you ask friends, neighbors, church associates, and others if they have any instruments they aren’t using. If you leave Joyful Noise for some reason, please consider donating your ‘gift’ instrument, so that others may receive the same blessing you have received.
Students should never play or handle another student’s instrument, case, or accessories. Students other than the percussionists should never touch the percussion equipment.
Percussion Students
Percussion students must provide a snare and bell set for Beginner Band, but will have use of many other instruments, as the music requires. 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. This decision is made by the director of band.
Music and Copyright Policy
Joyful Noise complies with copyright laws and follows the publisher’s requirements for music use by the members of JNHSMP. Everyone participating (teachers, students, student’s families, etc…) in any JNHSMP activity is required to govern themselves according to the law and according to the policies of JNHSMP. Music issued by JNHSMP remains the property of JNHSMP/JNHSB. No teacher, student or family member may keep or copy the music issued to them by JNHSMP in any form. All music must be returned to JNHSMP. Joyful Noise 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 acquire that music once again.
Parents can participate in Joyful Noise programs for the $60 registration fee only and not have to pay tuition at any time. It’s amazing that it can help 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 parent being diligent in practice encourages diligence in the student. It works for our students, our families, and our programs. It’s a good thing all around.
We are not a drop-off service. We thank you in advance for understanding that every student or child must be supervised by an adult at all times. We make every effort for there to be a waiting area available for you and your children to use. The Student Union is available for our use any time we are on campus. There are to be no children running in the buildings at any time.
No students are to leave the building or congregate outside of the building without parental supervision at any time. Students may not be without a parent unless they have a signed “Independent Student Contract” on file with their parent’s permission checked on the form.
Many of our parents use this time to encourage each other, and the little ones love to play. If you must leave your student at Joyful Noise, you must arrange for another parent to be in charge of your student until you return and your student must know that “Mrs. So-and-So is responsible for you.” Students driving themselves to Joyful Noise are expected to monitor their own behavior appropriately. They must also have an “Independent Student Contract” on file.
Students should be practicing a minimum of 150 minutes per week, the majority of which should be spent specifically on concert music or assigned exercises. Beginner classes only require 75 minutes for the first semester. Practice minutes should be recorded on the sign-in sheet each week. If a student is absent, record the minutes in the appropriate space the next week the student attends.
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, churches, and private individuals offer private lessons. Check with your director/instructor for recommendations or availability.
Student Requirements
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, as well as a practice book, and pencil. Experienced students needing to be placed in a class should come prepared to audition with our director/instructor on Audition Day.