Hockinson Middle School Band Grading Policy 2014-2015 Welcome to the awesome middle school band program. Band is a performance class and is a one-year commitment. There will be a balance of emphasis between continued technical developments, classroom participation, skill tests, theory and/or other related assignments, and the performance of concert music. All bands will use the Standard Based Grading system. Students will be graded and assessed in the following: Band Standard Based Grading Demonstrates the ability to play your instrument using proper technique Demonstrates the use of proper fundamentals and music elements that include listening within the ensemble and musicality Applies the elements of music while creating, performing and responding to music Demonstrates appropriate listening skills Communicates through music for a specific purpose using appropriate performance conventions Demonstrates the qualities of a mature musician in regards to attitude, responsibility and accountability This is a new process. I feel the change in grading is one that will fit the high expectations of the band program in a positive way. Music is one of the areas in which students are not allowed to perform below average. If they do, we rehearse and fix until they achieve proficiency. The targets above are a deeper understanding of what really makes music exemplary!!! Isn t that something we already do anyway? GO BAND! Practice Slips Practice slips are viewed as stepping stones to reach proficiency in all skilled areas and assessments. Practice slips will be broken down into minutes and must be turned in on a weekly basis. Any extra practice time will be carried over to the following week, or added to another practice slip if needed. It is better to practice for shorter periods of time to develop better technique and accuracy. Practicing all in one day only promotes bad embouchure, air support, technique, tone, intonation, and is not recommended. Practice slips should be filled out by the student and include a parent signature. ** Marching Band rehearsals are considered practice slip time in the spring. It is the student s responsibility to add the allotted time on their practice slip. Jazz Band rehearsals are NOT practice slip time, UNLESS it is an extra rehearsal. Parades and middle school concerts are NOT considered practice slip time.
Practice slip breakdown: 121 + = 4 Meets all criteria plus extended thinking 100-120 = 3 Meets all criteria 60-99 = 2 Meets some criteria. Incomplete or inconsistent work 59 - = 1 Few or no criteria. Shows no or minimal understanding. Missing work Concert Attendance All performances and concerts are mandatory. Students who miss performances, excused or unexcused, will receive 1 s for each standard scored from the performance and cannot be made up. Excused absences include a family emergency, illness, or a pre-arranged absence. Scheduled Concerts Concerts are scheduled for October, December, March, May, and June. If changes to the schedule need to be made, information will be sent home. Everyone will participate in Marching Band in the spring and will need to attend early morning rehearsals. Parades this year are the Hazel Dell and Fun Days Parade. Concert Attire Concert attire is black and white. Women: solid black slacks/skirt, black socks, black shoes, and white blouse. Men: solid black slacks, black socks, black shoes, and white-collar shirt. Marching Band uniforms are solid black slacks, black socks, black shoes, and marching band tee shirts. Jazz Band must have long sleeve, white collard shirts. Please NO jeans or open toed shoes for marching band. Marching Band tee shirts will be ordered late fall. Students who do not have appropriate concert attire can help themselves to the donated band black and white or will not be allowed to perform. Students who arrive in unacceptable concert attire will be asked to change, or not participate, which will result in the lowering of their scores. Repair In the event your instrument needs to visit the repair shop and you will not have it for class, a note from home is required. If a student forgets his/her instrument three times, detention will be assigned. Repeated days without instruments will result in the lowering of their classroom participation score.
Books and Supplies Eighth grade will use I Recommend by James Ployhar AND Standard of Excellence, book 3 (the green book). Seventh grade will use Standard of Excellence, book 3. Sixth grade will use Standard of Excellence, book 2 (the blue book). All books are available from Music World or Beacock Music. Reed players should have a total of 5 working reeds at any given time. It is cheaper to purchase reeds by the box. Brass players should have appropriate valve oil and slide grease. Percussionists must have one pair of SD1 General concert snare drum sticks, one pair of yarn mallets, 1 pair of Vic Firth General Timpani mallets and one pair of hard rubber mallets. Students will receive detention if they have three days without an instrument, reed, or music. Please make sure to write your name on all items that belong to you. This includes books, instrument cases, sticks, and folders, or any other announcements. Jazz Band Auditions Everyone is invited to audition for jazz band on the following instruments: Alto, Tenor, Bari, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar and Drums. Audition dates and times will be announced in class and will be held in late September. You may audition for jazz band on a different instrument than what you play in band class. Watch the board for any information regarding dates and times. At times, jazz band rehearsals and sports conflict with practice and tryouts. It is understood that those jazz band practices missed are only for athletic tryouts and not regularly scheduled practices. Student must be at 10 practices in order to play in the games. Once the students have their 10 practices in, they are expected to be in Jazz Band rehearsals. Prior notification is always nice. Solo Ensemble/Jr. All-State Recording Fee s Any student participating in Solo Ensemble, 7/8 th grade Jr. All-State Honor Band in February or the North County Honor Band must also pay for their own registration fees. A solo is $10. Small ensembles are $20. Large ensembles are $20. Jr. All-State recording fee is $10. All fees can be paid to the main office prior to performing or recording. (Jr. All-State-October, North County Honor Band-Jan/Feb., Solo Ensemble- March). Fees All participating band students pay a band fee of $35. Jazz Band students pay an additional fee of $35 once selected. It is also required that band students purchase an ASB card to help defray the cost of extracurricular bussing for marching band. The school district has very few instruments for rental. The rental fee is $100 for the year and includes the cleaning cost upon return in the spring, but not care and maintenance when it is in your care. Students on free or reduced lunch will have band fees waived, except the purchase of a band tee shirt and any books or reeds. All fees can be paid to the main office with checks made out to Hockinson Middle School. ALL students can expect to pay for part, if not all, of their 7/8 th grade band trip in the spring. Please speak with me if you have questions regarding fees.
Fundraising This year we will be having two fundraisers; a Poinsettia sale in November and the Applebee s in February. This is in addition to any school fundraisers. The poinsettia sale is new to me. We will have 125 burgundy, 100 red and 25 white. Plants will be presold, so plan ahead, and passed out at the Winter Concert. If you are available to help with the fundraisers in any capacity, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! Concert Etiquette Concert Etiquette is a state standard called Performance Conventions. Concert etiquette starts in the warm-up room prior to each performance and/or rehearsal. Listening and following directions so we can tune is imperative. Appropriate concert etiquette is needed for smooth transitions between groups. Respect for each performing group, as well as respect for the audience, is appreciated by all. Students should remain in their seats while groups are performing and are expected to stay for the entire concert unless pre-arranged. Talking is very disrespectful and disruptions during a performance will not be tolerated. Each group has worked extremely hard preparing music and deserves the right to be heard. Please make sure all cell phones are turned off. Students should not have cell phones in the audience during the concert. Thanks in advance for your cooperation. Classroom Expectations Classroom expectations are followed daily. Since classes are large, students need to be organized and cordial with all students by: staying in their seats at all times, keeping their sections clean, and picking up after themselves. Place your instrument cases and backpacks in the appropriate area. In order to keep the rehearsal area clutter-free, please only bring your instrument, music, folder, pencil, and extra reeds to your seat. Students chewing gum, eating food, or drinking anything other than water, will be asked to throw it out or put it away. Please NO gum. Water bottles are allowed in class. Students will be accountable for their actions and choices, and be responsible for learning their notes and being prepared. Band room rules are posted inside the band room and are as follows: 1. Listen when the teacher is talking 2. No talking or playing out of turn 3. No put downs (band is a safe atmosphere where risk taking is involved) 4. Be respectful of people, their space, and property 5. Be prepared with an instrument, music, pencil, reed, and good attitude 6. Turn in weekly practice slips 7. Active and positive daily participation 8. Stay in your seat or section 9. NO gum or food
Classroom management The band room rules and expectations are clearly defined and explained. Students will receive a detention or infraction if they have three or more days without an instrument or music, are disrespectful, and for playing or talking out of turn. Any referrals given will be within school policy and procedures. In this place, we are Honorable, Motivated and Safe. (HMS) Chaperones Chaperones are needed for all field trips and parades. The expectation of the chaperone is to provide a safe environment for all students and to carry out all directions and expectations requested by Mrs. Ritenburgh and by the Hockinson School District. That includes monitoring all students on and off the buses. School policies and dress codes will be enforced for both students and parents. If you would like to chaperone any marching band parades this year, please plan on purchasing a band tee shirt. More information for chaperones will be provided on permission slips for each individual trip. All volunteers or chaperones should fill out any necessary volunteer applications which can be obtained through the main office or through the Community Education Office. Pictures Band pictures are taken in early spring and can be ordered. Snap shots are also taken at our performances, especially the parades and the 7/8 th grade band trip, and then put together in a collage along the band room wall. Please feel free to come in and take a look at our band memories. If you do not want your student photographed, please fill out the appropriate forms in the middle school office. Agreement Parents: This is an agreement for you to encourage your children to practice and that they will be able to attend ALL performances. Students will need to supply their own reeds, sticks, books, and be responsible for the up-keep of their instruments. If you are using a school instrument, it is your responsibility to keep the instrument in working condition and make repairs as necessary. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me by e mail at jennifer.ritenburgh@hocksd.org or by phone at 448-6440. Thank you for your help and dedication, and interest in your son/daughter s music endeavors. Sincerely, Jennifer Ritenburgh
Please fill out and return to Mrs. Ritenburgh I have read the Band Grading Policy and have discussed this with my son/daughter. I have appropriately marked my son/daughter s instrument case with a name tag or other type of identification. Student name (please print) Parent name Address: Home phone Work phone Home phone Work phone E-mail(please print) Grade Instrument Instrument brand serial number Parent/guardian signature Fundraiser helpers?? Yes No Anyone want to video tape concerts? Please let me know.