Beginning Band

1^ST Quarter

First Week

Cover grading policy and behavior expectations

Week 2-9

Collect $15 Lab Fee for 1^st Semester. Introduce band instruments and basic music notation for study, assign instruments and begin hands on instruction using Belwin Band Method. Learn to produce a tone and first 15 notes, how to count whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and specific rhythm patterns.

2^nd Quarter

Continue Belwin course book 1, start Book 2 , learning new concepts and notes, refining tone quality, and prepare for first public performance at Christmas concert in December. Quarter Exam. Semester Exam Watkins Farnum Standardized performance scale.

3^rd Quarter

Collect $15 Lab Fee for 2^nd Semester. Continue book 2, start book 3 Belwim Band Method. Select music for spring program. Quarter Exam.

4^th Quarter

Continue book 3. Continue to refine music for spring concert and Elementary School Performance. Emphasize Togetherness, Dynamics, Phrasing. Begin registration for SY 00/01. Quarter Exam. Semester Exam.

Grading Policy

Grading in Beginning Band is based on a percentage system whereby Daily Participation, Practice Sheets, Performances, playing and written tests, Quarter exams, and Semester exams are weighted with the final grade being determined by the Percentage of total Points earned each Quarter. The Grading system is as follows:

DAILY PARTICIPATION

Students is in assigned seat with all necessary equipment, music reeds, etc., actively participating in the group, NOT TALKING OR INTERRUPTING REHEARSAL.

20% of quarter grade

PRACTICE SHEETS

Students record practice time outside of the school Rehearsal. 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week minimum. As consistency is more important than total time, a Maximum of 90 minutes in one day will be counted towards the practice time. Parental signatures are REQUIRED every week. School instruments may be taken home but must be returned by 2^nd period every day.

10% of quarter grade

PERFORMANCES

The primary focus of Beginning Band is to teach students to play a musical instrument and learn to de-code standard musical symbols. As part of the music experience the band will have small performances beginning 2^nd quarter as well as perform at the Christmas and spring music concerts. Attendance at these performances is required as everyone works together.

15% of quarter grade

PLAYING AND WRITTEN TESTS

Approximately once a week a short written quiz on materials covered or an individual playing exam from music we are working on will be heard in class. It is important that the students feel comfortable playing in from of their peers.

30% of quarter grade

QUARTER EXAMS

Every quarter a special playing or written exam covering several concepts learned in the quarter will be tested.

25% of quarter grade

SEMESTER EXAM

The First Semester Exam is the Watkins Farnum Performance Scale which is a standardized Sight-reading test. Second semester final exam is an extended playing exam to include a recital for the class.

10% of semester grade

SECTIONAL/INDIVIDUAL REHEARSALS

Sectional rehearsals will be scheduled throughout the semester for small group, like the instrument instruction via on campus field trips. Rehearsals will be staggered throughout the day so as to minimize the burden on any one class. Individual rehearsals will be scheduled for those remedial students needing extra attention at address playing deficiencies, or for advanced students wishing to accelerate their music instruction. Attendance is not required, however, materials covered in sectional rehearsals may be used as part of playing tests.

3% quarter extra credit/rehearsal

Behavior Policy

Students are expected to follow all school rules as outlined in the student handbook. Upon arriving to class, the students are expected to prepare for rehearsal by putting together their instruments, getting their music ready, and taking their assigned seats as quickly as possible. Individual warming up of their instrument is encouraged. Rehearsals begins when the Conductor takes the podium, usually after attendance and any individual problems have been addressed. When the Conductor takes the podium, all playing and talking shall cease! Rehearsals begins including group warm-up, announcements, rehearsal of selected music, etc. At the end of rehearsal, all music and instruments are returned to the storage room or music file cabinets.