Grading Policies

Our program’s success will be the result of emphasis on three very important concepts:

• 1. COMMITMENT- ALL Band members play ALL of the time. We have no first, second or third teams. We depend on everyone’s best effort at all times. Band members are expected to arrive in a timely fashion to every scheduled rehearsal and performance with appropriate equipment and supplies (instrument, music, pencil, reeds, valve oil, slide cream, etc.)

  2. COOPERATION- The WSMS Bands function just like a great society does. We cannot be successful unless we respect each other, follow common sense rules and realize how our individual parts contribute to the whole group.

  3. CONCENTRATION- Successful performance is the result of intense concentration all of the time.

Each student will receive a grade at the end of each term. This grade is not an evaluation of talent, but rather a reflection on how the student has developed skills in COMMITMENT, COOPERATION and CONCENTRATION

The three concepts above translate to two grades per day each band member can earn: one for PARTICIPATION and one for PREPARATION.

PARTICIPATION-

A = followed every instruction; was always ready to play when directed; never played when not directed to do so.

B = followed most instructions; played when directed most of the time; sometimes played out of turn.

C = ready to play about half the time; off-task about half the time.

D = almost never ready; frequently off-task.

F = did not participate

PREPARATION-

To earn an "A" in PREPARATION, each student must:

• • have their music folder on a music stand in front of them/put folder away properly after rehearsal

  • have their instrument*

  • have a pencil

  • play with proper posture and hand position for their instrument

  • not be chewing gum/eating

*Grade will drop one letter grade lower each consecutive week a student does not bring their instrument (or sticks) to class. Students whose instruments are under repair will be given an additional 3 weeks before their grades are lowered.

Preparation grade is adjusted according to deficiencies noted in the items above.

Daily grades are averaged together at the end of each term.

PERFORMANCES-

A calendar of our performances can be found in the sidebar menu. It has been provided to help in your

family's planning for the school year.

An unexcused absence from a performance will result in a drop in that student's grade by at least one full letter.

To be excused from a performance, please bring in a note written by a parent or guardian explaining the reason for the absence BEFORE the performance you will miss; your grade will not be affected. If the absence is due to injury or illness, the note should be submitted upon the student’s return to school. If a doctor’s note has been submitted to the office to excuse absence from school, that will suffice.

To make up an unexcused performance absence grade, simply stay after school for band 4 times before the end of that term.