Band Second Semester Syllabus

Points Breakdown: Third Quarter Points: Fourth Quarter

Lessons 50 (5 lessons x 10 pts each) Lessons 50 pts

Worksheet 10 pts Worksheet 10 pts

Participation 90 (10 x 9 weeks) Participation 90 pts

Performances 100 (1 concerts x 50 pts each) Performances 50 pts

(2/3 pep bands x 25 pts each)

In-Class Reviews 10 (1 reviews x 10 pts each) In-Class Reviews 10 pts

Individual Playing Test 15 pts (only Halo & 007) Individual playing test 25 pts (festival music)

Folders 10 pts Folders 10 pts

Listening 15 ts Listening 15 pts

Total: 300 points Total: 250 pts

Lessons

All lesson weeks will be posted on Ms. G’s office door – students are expected to sign up for lessons on their own and ask for a pass from Ms. G. Lessons are done on an individual basis and last 20 minutes each. Five lessons are required before IPT’s at the end of the semester. No more than three lessons can be completed in one week, and there must be at least one full day in between lessons (you can sign up Monday and Wednesday, for example, but not Tuesday and Wednesday). If there is a school cancellation, or Ms. G is ill, credit is given for lessons. If a student misses a lesson, it is their responsibility to make it up. If you are taking private lessons, see Ms. G for a lesson form to take to your private teacher – completing this form will cover all your lesson points.

Participation:

Participation grade is mainly based on bringing all materials to every class, following directions, and participating in a positive way in class. Participation and cooperation is vital to the success of the band. Participation includes: bringing all class materials (pencil, instrument in playing condition and all music), following directions in class, talking only when appropriate, and respecting the class constitution (see below). You are expected to be in the room when class starts (9:52) and in your seat with your instrument at 9:55. You will receive a tardy in attendance if you are not in the room by 9:52, and you will be deducted participation points for not being ready by 9:55. I will input 20 points into the gradebook every two weeks, and 10 points for the last week. See the constitution for further behavior details.

Performances:

Performances are graded on three things: punctuality, preparation, and participation. Students are expected to arrive on time and be in concert dress and ready to play for every performance. This also includes having all materials, exhibiting good musicianship and proper concert etiquette, and abiding by the school and band code of conduct. Concert dress for the Fine Arts Festival will be jeans and an arts shirt (either your band shirt, choir shirt, or speech shirt). Concert dress for the Large Group Festival will consist of black shoes, black socks/panty hose (no bare legs), black pants or knee-length (or longer) black skirt, and a white dress shirt with sleeves. NO T-SHIRTS allowed, also no clothing that has rips, tears, stains, or holes. We aim to look as professional as we sound (and we sound pretty good!). If you have difficulty meeting these dressing expectations please see me.

In-Class Reviews

Following concerts, worksheets will be provided in class reflecting on the performances. Each worksheet is worth ten points – full credit is given for completion of worksheet and relevant responses. Responses should be in full sentences and have specific observations about the performance and the music. This will make us better & provide you an opportunity to reflect on how the group met your expectations.

IPT – Individual Performance Test

IPT’s will always be a week or two before the final performance date of the quarter. Students will play excerpts from their concert music as designated by Ms. G as well as one memorized scale; the scale will be a key from one of our performance pieces, and will be specified by Ms. G in advance of the test. Students receive 5 points for each song, 1 for the scale, and 4 for overall musicianship. Please refer to the rubric at the end of this document for more information.

Folders

Folders will be collected after the final band performance. Every student’s folder should include all of the music for each program. Treat your music with respect! Mangled music and folders will receive deductions in points, as will music with irrelevant or inappropriate comments/pictures on them. Keep track of your music – occasionally there will be extra copies on the front stand – but should you lose your music, you are responsible for replacing it either with a copy from a friend (it must be the same part) or obtaining a score and staff paper from Ms. G.

Listening

Each class will start with a listening example; students are expected to answer the given questions with relevant, detailed, full sentences. Example of a good observation: “The piano in this jazz piece sounds so sad – it reminds me of the time my cat ran away.” The student has chosen a particular element of the piece (the piano), described something about that element (it sounds sad), and created a relevant connection to their life (it reminds me of…). Another good opinion would be “I love this song because it reminds me of my favorite song from middle school, ‘xyz’ by ‘abc’.” Examples of sentences that wouldn’t pass muster would be: “This song rocks,” “I like the drums,” “This music stinks.” Though they are full sentences, they do not really express any coherent opinion or observation.

Semester project

There is no project this semester!

Class Rules, Quick and Easy:

Be on TIME! Have your STUFF!! LISTEN!!! No Food, No Drink!

Late Policy for worksheets/handouts:

Work is due at the beginning of the class period on the day it is due. Late work is docked 10% for each subsequent day it is not turned in, amounting to one week late = 50% credit. The next week stays at 50% credit, but after two weeks, no credit is given. Please note this is by day, not by class period!

On Time	1 day late	2 days late	3 days	4 days	1 week	2 weeks
100%	90%	80%	70%	60%	50%	0%

Extra Credit

Each student has the opportunity to earn 10 (maximum) extra credit points per quarter by:

· Bringing in a signed program/ticket stub from a concert you are NOT participating in (5 pts)

· Completing an extra-credit worksheet (5 pts). These are found in the folder taped to the front board.

· Writing a Review of a music-related article (5 pts)

· Doing more than the required pep bands (you may do 1 extra pep band for all 10 points)

Miscellaneous Classroom Information

ü Check the whiteboard on Ms. G’s office door for the latest updates in rehearsals.

ü Every handout given in class is also posted on the webpage, along with a calendar, ensemble information, and other important links and events.

(http://www.mediapolis.k12.ia.us/band/homepage.htm)

ü The music stand in front of the white board also has extras of handouts – if you have lost any of your handouts, it is your responsibility to replace it, either by getting another from the stand, borrowing and copying from a friend, or downloading off the webpage. Ms. G is not a copy machine – do not ask her for more copies – it is your responsibility to keep track of your things!

ü RAPP books – Ms. G has a shelf of RAPP books in her office – if you need one in a pinch, SIGN IT OUT on the notepad!

ü Lettering information is posted on the door to the band room and will also be discussed in further detail in the spring.

We the Band

Believe that each instrument is created equal, and as such we hold these truths to be self-evident, that:

à Each instrument, piece of music, and all facilities deserve the utmost care and respect.

o No food or drink

o Keeping track of class materials

o Taking care of school property (school owned instruments, drums, uniforms, etc.)

à Instruments are not tables, or chairs. Especially timpani and marimba!

à Band deserves commitment – and this commitment shall be stable.

à Musical instruments are not to be used as aural torture devices; play your instrument within boundaries of good taste! (i.e. flutes are not for jousting! And trumpets are not for blasting!)

à There are no doors in the back of the band room.

à Thou shall make use of the bad day box and leave problems outside the door!

à Respect People (including other students AND directors) – leave discipline to the authorities.

à Listen to each other when someone is talking. This includes your TEACHER.

à Know what you’re supposed to be doing in your sections and be prepared to play at all times.

à Keep conversations relevant and during appropriate times in class (i.e. not when Ms. G is trying to talk!)

à There shall be no loitering in the band room for personnel outside of band.

o Amendment: persons with business in the band are permitted in the room for that time and must obey all other regulations of the band room.

o Addition: personal property will not be left in the middle of the floor! Cubbies are the appropriate place for your things! Not the stairs.

à Section leaders are the first, but not the only, authority. If you have questions, ask your section leader first, then your director.

à If you don’t play it, don’t touch it.

o Addition: the Piano and the Drum set are off limits unless specifically called for in the music.

à Keep track of your music. Period.

à Don’t remove equipment from the band room without permission from Ms. G, Mr. Miller, Mr. Tolle, or Mr. Woods.

à No sleeping during band.

Violation of any of these will result in disciplinary action as defined by this syllabus and the school code of conduct.

Mission Statement:

Sound Good, Have Fun. Improve every day, or try.

Expand our musical knowledge. Discipline, Accountability, Enthusiasm

IPT Rubric: 5 points per song, 1 per scale, 4 for general musicianship based on rubric below:

	Great	Satisfactory	Needs Practice
Melody	Plays all notes correctly and according to key signature	Misses an occasional note or accidental	Misses key signature, notes are not accurate
Rhythm	Counts and performs all rhythms and maintains a steady tempo	Maintains a steady tempo, but rhythms are not always accurate with what is written	No steady tempo, rhythms undeterminable
Expression	Reproduces written dynamic markings and exhibits natural phrasing	Plays some, but not all, expression marks, and/or narrow range of expression. Awkward phrasing	Does not play with expression, breathes at inappropriate times
Timbre	Plays with good tone	Tone mostly good, but sometimes is not consistent	Uses inappropriate tone, blasting
Technique	Reproduces written articulation, tempo, and style markings	Plays most articulation marks, has somewhat appropriate tempo/style	Misses articulation, plays at inappropriate style/tempo

District Grading Scale:

A+ 100%

A 99-95%

A- 94-93%

B+ 92-91%

B 90-85%

B- 84-83%

C+ 82-81%

C 80-72%

C- 71-70%

D+ 69-68%

D 67-62%

D- 61-60%

F 59% or below