Brethren Christian Junior High School Beginning, Advanced and Jazz Bands Grading Policy, 2016-17 Contact Us: Band Office: Mr. Thacker, Mr. Montgomery, and Mrs. Cole (714) 962-6617, ext. 38. Cell phone: Mr. Thacker (562) 881-7982 and Mr. Montgomery (714) 609-7492 email: mthacker@bchs.net, lmontgomery@bchs.net, kcole@bchs.net Your grade in band is based on your work in four areas: 1. (15%) Classroom Participation (10 pts. for each class time) a) Bell Work (2 points) b) Be on time (2 points) c) Bring both your instrument and music (2 points) d) Effort/Participation (4 points) 2. (25%) Individual Practice Students are expected to practice individually and regularly (at least 5 days per week). Group rehearsals of any kind are not the same as individual practice. There are 10 Practice Records for the school year. Weekly Practice Record Grading 10 points possible per week: 5 points - Practicing 5 or more days (extra credit for additional days) 1 point - Clearly stating level appropriate practice goals 3 points - Practicing for at least 20 minutes per day practiced 1 point - Tracking stated goals 3. (30%) Tests & Quiz Grades Quizzes on Band Music or assigned materials. Performance quizzes will primarily be performed on the students home computer, smart phone or tablet through MusicFirst, a music assessment software pre-purchased by BCHS for each student. 4. (30%) Attendance at all Rehearsals and Performances (100 pts. for each performance): 30 points for just showing up: All rehearsals and performances are mandatory. An unexcused absence from a concert, chapel performance, festival or major concert rehearsal will result in a one letter grade penalty on the semester grade. Failure to attend performances can lead to being dropped from the class and/or dismissal from the band program. Illness or emergency: If you are sick or in an emergency and will not make the concert, call Mr. Thacker and bring a parent s note the next day you are in school.
Failure to find a ride to a performance is not an acceptable excuse. Call and we will find you a ride! If you have a conflict of a serious nature and wish to have an excused absence for a performance, submit a written request to the director at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled performance, stating the reason you are requesting an excused absence. An excused absence may or may not be given, at the director s discretion. ( It s my birthday is not an excused absence.) 20 points for bringing all your gear: Students are responsible for their own instruments equipment and music at each performance. If you play a large instrument to be loaded on the truck, it is your responsibility to make sure the instrument is loaded. Students without their instrument will receive a zero for that performance. 15 points for being on time. Arrive early to set up and warm up. Roll is taken at call time. 15 points for being dressed in Concert Attire: Each group will be given a detailed info sheet on performance attire for that ensemble. Students who are out of uniform will lose points for the performance and may forfeit the opportunity to perform. 20 points for helping with Set Up and Tear Down: Students are assigned set-up and tear-down duties for rehearsals and for each performance. Your responsibility is to help until the task is completed. Roll will be taken at the end. Extra Credit: 25 extra credit points per quarter may be added to your performance grade by attending an approved professional concert or college recital on your instrument. The student should submit a copy of the printed program, along with a brief written summary. Required Equipment: All students must have the following equipment: Electronic metronome/tuner: MusicFirst has a metronome/tuner built into the software. However, a stand-alone device such as the Korg TM50 is still recommended. Music stand for home practice Other equipment specific to your instrument Flutes: tuning/cleaning rod Horns/Baritones/Euphoniums/Tubas: valve oil, tuning slide grease. Trumpets: straight and cup mutes; valve oil, tuning slide grease. Trombones: straight and cup mutes; Slide-O-Mix (single bottle version), small water spray bottle, tuning slide grease. Clarinets/Saxophones/Oboes/Bassoons: Reed guard, at least 3 good reeds at all times, cork grease. (double reeds: water container with watertight lid) Percussion: Your own, labeled stick bag with minimum: 1 pr. Med. Yarn mallets, 1 pr. General tympani mallets, 1 pr. Vic Firth general snare drum sticks, 1 pair med/hard rubber mallets, 1 pr. Acrylic mallets (xylophone) labeled with your name. practice pad for home practice
JUNIOR HIGH: BAND CLASSROOM RULES CITIZENSHIP 1. BE RESPECTFUL of instructors, other students, equipment, and of our rehearsal time. 2. STAY QUIET WHEN YOU ARE NOT PLAYING. Raise your hand to ask a question. 3. ONLY WATER in the band room. No food, drinks or candy. 4. ALL PHONES, ELECTRONICS AND HEADPHONES ARE TO BE TURNED OFF/SILENT AND PUT AWAY. If they are out, they will be taken away (even the first time!). 5. STAY CALM, WALK, AND HAND DELIVER ITEMS. Do not play around, run, or throw anything in the band room at any time. 6. ONLY PLAY YOUR OWN INSTRUMENT. Do not play someone else s instrument. Non-percussionists may not play the percussion instruments at any time. 7. KEEP YOUR PLAYING AREA CLEAN from any trash, music and/or gear that was used during rehearsal. 8. PUT INSTRUMENTS ON THE SHELF / FOLDER IN SLOT when not in use.
BAND CITIZENSHIP RECORD KEEPING Classroom citizenship violations will be recorded as check marks, which will be represented in your quarterly citizenship grade. Class Period check mark System: 1 check mark (ü) will be given if a student fails to follow a rule. 2 check marks (üü) will be given and the student will be asked to stay after class for continued breaking of rules after being given 1 check, or for a gross violation of a rule. Receiving 2 check marks in one class period will also result in a band room work duty assignment. 3 check marks (üüü) will be given if a student continues to violate a rule after receiving 2 checks, or for showing a blatant disregard for the rules. Receiving 3 check marks in one day either by a combination of minor offenses or by one major offense will result in the student packing up and going to the office for the remainder of the period, a band room work duty assignment, and a parent phone call. Serious discipline issues may also result in a referral. Quarterly Citizenship Grading: Score of 10 points (0 check marks) = Outstanding citizenship grade Score of 8-9 points (1-2 check marks) = Satisfactory citizenship grade Score of 7 8 points (3-4 check marks) = Warning citizenship grade Score of 4-5 points (4-6 check marks) = Needs Improvement citizenship grade Score of 0-3 points (7+ check marks) = Unsatisfactory citizenship grade Additional information: If a student earns 3 or more check marks at any point during the quarter a parent will be notified. Earning 7 or more check marks (a U in citizenship) will result in a parent conference and possible suspension of performance and/or trip privileges, and/or removal from the band program. A student may remove check marks from his/her record by doing band room work outside of class. 1 lunch period of work helping the band program will remove 1 check. A student may remove up to 3 checks per quarter. Jobs must be approved by the director. A student may also remove a check mark from his/her record by being recognized for going above and beyond in the area of band citizenship.
WORK HABITS 1. BE ON TIME. By the time the bell rings, you should be in your seat with a pencil (ready to write) and have your music out (ready to play). If you need to retrieve materials from your locker or car, you will be marked tardy. 2. BE PREPARED. Every class time we meet you will need: o a pencil o your music/folder o your instrument (reeds, mutes, sticks/mallets). Turn-in practice records on the day they are due. Be prepared for in-class quizzes. Complete MusicFirst quizzes on time. 3. BE ENGAGED. Keep a positive attitude, listen attentively to the conductor and be ready to play when he/she raises their baton. Participate in classroom discussions, ask questions, and contribute musically whenever possible. Always play with your best form, sound and technique.
BAND WORK HABITS RECORD KEEPING Work Habits are also tracked using a check mark system: A check mark (ü) is given when a student displays work habits that are below the expectations for daily rehearsals. Quarterly Work Habits Grading (out of 10 points possible): Score of 10 points (0 check marks) = Outstanding work habits grade Score of 8-9 points (1-2 check marks) = Satisfactory work habits grade Score of 7 8 points (3-4 check marks) = Warning work habits grade Score of 4-5 points (4-6 check marks) = Needs Improvement work habits grade Score of 0-3 points (7+ check marks) = Unsatisfactory work habits grade Additional information: If a student earns 3 or more work habits check marks at any point during the quarter a parent will be notified. As with citizenship, a student may remove check marksfrom his/herrecord by doing band room work outside of class. 1 lunch period of work helping the band program will remove 1 check. A student may remove up to 3 checks per quarter. Band room jobs must be approved by the director. A student may also remove a check mark from his/her record by being recognized for going above and beyond in the area of band work habits.
BAND PROCEDURES Before School The band rooms (501 & 504) open at 7:40 a.m. Store your instrument in its spot in the instrument room. Store your band music folder in your slot in the folder cabinet. During Rehearsal PREPARING TO REHEARSE: Get your instrument from the instrument room and folder from the folder cabinet. Be seated and assemble your instrument. --Brass: oil valves --Woodwinds: make sure you have at least 3 good reeds. --Percussion: make sure all equipment in your section is in place. Put music in rehearsal order (check the white board) and have a pencil on your stand. When set up, tune and warm up until the start of class. When conductor takes the podium, stop playing and be ready to present your instrument for ensemble rehearsal. PRESENT: When conductor presents baton, present your instrument and listen for instructions. Sit with both feet flat on the floor. Sit up straight with back away from the chair. Watch the director for instruments up and downbeat. CUT-OFFS: When conductor cuts off, stop playing, put instrument down and listen for instructions. If you have a question, raise your hand. Be prepared for present or instruments up. PACK-UP DRILL: PUT AWAY YOUR MUSIC/PENCIL in your folder. PICK UP TRASH around your chair/area. PACK UP YOUR INSTRUMENT and accessories. PUT YOUR FOLDER AWAY in its slot. STORE your instrument on the shelf, closed in its case. After School The band rooms will be open from 2:35-2:50 p.m. It is your responsibility to pick up your instrument and folder before 2:50p.m. Get your instrument and music folder, take them home and PRACTICE!