Welcome to an exciting and new year in the Colchester Band Program! I’m very excited to get this year started. For those of you that are new to the band, I’m eager to learn who you are as individuals, both socially and musically, while also helping you find your place within this program. I believe having a sense of community within an ensemble is both vital and fun, and I plan on continuing to build upon this aspect. We are a TEAM in this room and on stage, just like any sports team.
Grading
Grading and Deadlines:
AAA (Academic Achievement Assessment) 50%
The following are all of the possible areas of assessment. We may do them all, or just some of them
· Performance Critique (listen to recording, and reflect on it)
· Historical Journals
· Rhythm Assessment Concepts (one per quarter)
· Performance Proficiencies
PA (Practice Assessments) 25%
· Performing Assignments
· Rhythm PA assignments
CA (Completion Assignments) 25%
· Various in-class Musicianship Activities
Deadlines – The deadline for each CA assignment is the due date. For AAA and PA assignments, the assignment can be handed in before the quarter ends without any grade reduction. If there are any circumstances out of your control that prohibit you from finishing the assignment, please contact me via email, and accommodations can be made (often, showing initiative by emailing about the assignment goes a long way towards me offering lenience).
Rhythm Level Assessments:
Each student will be given rhythm assessments based on their readiness level. Each student must successfully perform one rhythm level per quarter. This includes a practice assignment and a AAA assignment. Students must perform the rhythm level with accuracy and will be graded on a 4 point scale. If a student performs the rhythm level at less than a 3, then they will need to re-do the rhythm sheet before the end of the quarter. Tutorials for each rhythm level can be found on youtube to help prepare for performing the rhythm level assessment.
- ALL Rhythm assessment PAs will be done using online software called “Sightreading Factory” , and will be graded based on completion
- Rhythm assessment AAAs can be done during school hours, during a virtual meeting or on “Sightreading Factory”, and will be graded based on accuracy via rubric/scale
Some students may need to borrow a school-owned microphone for rhythm assignments. Any misplaced or damaged microphones will be the financial responsibility of the student/family.
Fundraisers
· Individual fundraisers can only be used towards individual music trips and festival costs for students, and not for any other school-related expenses.
Extra Funds
o Any extra funds raised above and beyond the cost of a trip/event are to be limited to one meal (cost at discretion of CHS Staff trip leader).
o Students are not allowed to use their extra funds to pay for other students’ meals
o Other individual extra funds will be contributed to the music fund, or the student can agree to distribute extra funds amongst all students going on the trip
o Extra funds for 9th, 10th, 11th will be rolled over year-to year associated with that particular student (until they graduate)
o When they graduate, students’ extra funds will be contributed to the communal music fund
CONCERT INFORMATION
At this time, concerts can either be outside with an audience or inside without an audience. We will have to be flexible in terms of what each concert will look like during the year
Event Calendar
Fall Band concert - Wed Oct 27th 7pm (or 4pm if outside)
District band festival (optional) - Fri and Sat Nov 5 and 6
Holiday concert (with choral program) - Fri Dec 17th 7pm
Spring concert (with choral program) - Thurs March 31st 7pm
Band pops concert (outside)- Thurs May 26th 6:30pm
Concert Attire (Concert Band and Wind Ensemble)
Black skirt (knee length or longer) or black dress pants, white dress shirt (no spaghetti straps!), black shoes. Neck ties are optional.
Proper concert etiquette is expected of each of you on stage as well as off stage. If your performing group finishes early in the concert, you are expected to stay until the end of the concert.
Information regarding students using any school-owned instruments:
- If you lose a school-owned instrument, the student/family is responsible for purchasing a new one
- If the instrument is damaged beyond repair due to student neglect, the family is responsible for purchasing a new instrument
- If an instrument suffers major damage due to neglect, but is repairable, the family is expected to help pay for the repair as much as they can.