Grading Policy

1^st Quarter

A)                After-school rehearsals: It is necessary that every member attend band camp for the last two weeks in August as well as after-school rehearsals every Wednesday and Thursday from 2:30-4:30.  These rehearsals will count towards the performance grade.  For example, if your child misses one practice after school and no excuse is turned in, 5 pts. will be deducted from the next  performance.  So for every unexcused absence, five points will be deducted.  The student will have one week to turn in the excused note.   Attendance is taken every rehearsal.  Please try and schedule doctors’ appointments at another time.  We also expect work to be scheduled at another time. Every time students miss a rehearsal, a note has to be sent in for the reason.  We are responsible for knowing where your children are at all times.

B)                 Performances:  Having to work at a performance is no excuse.  We send out a letter with all of the performances that we know in order for the students to schedule work around the calendar.  They must take it upon themselves to let their bosses know when they need the day off.  This is considered a test and band is part of school.  Just think if people miss a sporting event because they have to work.  They would let the whole team down and the game would suffer.  If you miss a performance on account of illness, please send in a note.  It is better to be overly informed than not.  For every unexcused absence, a “0” will be earned.  Again, they have one week to turn in an excuse.

C)                Lessons: Lessons will start very soon.  At each quarter, we will give the students a number of lessons they must attend.  In order to receive the highest grade for lesson attendance, they should meet this requirement.  We schedule lessons on a rotating basis so they miss as little of one class as possible. Attendance is taken so make sure your child keeps up with these.  A specific pass is given out the day of their lesson so they remember to come down as well as the schedule for the month.  Each teacher in the building will also receive the calendar so they are informed.  The students need to sign into class that day and show the teacher the pass.  The teacher should let them go.  The only time they need to stay is if they have a test or a lab.  Make-up times are also built into the schedule.  They may also make up the lessons during lunch, study halls, before school, or after school.  In other words, there should be no excuse whatsoever for your child not to attend the required amount of lessons.  They may also come down and practice during most of these times as well.  We will also be using method books to teach out of.  There will be very little, if any band music played at the lessons.  This time will be used to study how to play the instrument.  It is our philosophy that with good pedagogical skills on their instrument, band music will take care of itself in band.  We have researched adequate method books that we feel is at the high school level, which the students will need to purchase.  A list of books and prices is available.

*Note- those that take privately will not be required to take school lessons, however they are more than welcome to come and practice their band music or see the teachers for extra help.

Some of these lessons will be graded along the way so we can monitor and assess your child’s progress.  All students will be notified about how this works.

D)                Rehearsal Technique: Rehearsal technique is how well the student stays on task during a rehearsal.  We will be going over scales, body posture, balance, what to listen for, following directions, following cues, learning different beat patterns, taking notes, tuning, etc.  Basically, they should learn what it means to play in any organized rehearsal wherever they attend.  A grade will be given on how well they perform during band class.

2^nd Quarter

A)                Same as above

B)                 Scales: Throughout the year, students will learn all the major scales so they will become a better sounding, more organized ensemble.  We will be going over these scales every day.  They will also be graded on them.

C)                Midterm: They will be responsible for all the information from the first and second quarter.  It will comprise of a playing test most likely out of their lesson books.  They will be graded on sound production, articulation, rhythm, correct notes, body posture, etc.  The model that the New York State School Music Association uses will be the basic guide.

3^rd Quarter

A)                Continuation of quarters one and two.

4^th Quarter

A)                Continuation of quarters one, two, and three with a Final.

In conclusion, we thank you in advance for your support.  The kids have been just great so far and we are really looking forward to working with them.  May we invite you to visit the band’s website at http://www.ahsmarchingrams.com .

If you have any questions throughout the year, please feel free to contact us at 843-6003.

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