Concert and Festival Attendance

One of the great benefits of participating in band is the wide range of opportunity to perform in different settings. Each semester, students in band will perform on at least one feature concert held at the school or at a performance venue. Additionally, advanced students should expect opportunities to perform with honor bands, clinicians, and even in small groups! Depending on the progress the students make as a whole during 6th + 7th Grade band, they may have the chance to perform for the MPA Concert Band Festival in 8th Grade. Concert band MPA is a prestigious festival where middle and high schools from around the state perform three sophisticated concert works and receive feedback from a panel of judges. 

In order to realize the high achievement of these opportunities, consistent attendance is expected of each student. The large focus of band classes during the school year is on preparation for these very performances. Concerts held at the end of each semester are a large part of each student's grade in the course, and failure to attend could result in a greatly reduced score for that semester. Family emergencies or otherwise unforeseen events that prevent attendance will be taken into consideration and students will be able to make up their grade. Students who know in advance of an unavoidable absence MUST notify the band director in writing and with a parent/guardian signature at least 2 weeks in advance. 

Students who have notified the director properly will be given a choice between two alternative assignments to make up for the absence:

• A Video Recording of the student playing all of their concert music at the correct tempo. They will be graded on Tone, Rhythmic Accuracy, and Note Accuracy

• A 3 Page Essay researching the compositions and composers of each concert work being performed. This paper must include:

  • • Biographical Information (Name, Birthdate, Place of Birth, School Attended/Degree Earned, etc...)

    • Musical Response to each piece. Discuss Tempo, Style, Form, Harmonics, Dynamics, and Articulations featured in the piece.

Mr. Wantuch reserves the right to deny a student from performing if they have not shown enough participation and preparation for the concert. Should a student be withheld from performing, they will be expected to complete one of the alternative assignments.