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String Orchestra - 1st Hour

Concert Band - 2nd/3rd Hour

Chamber Orchestra - 5th Hour

Wind Ensemble - 6th Hour

Marching Band - After School (Summer/Fall)

Symphony Orchestra - After School (Winter/Spring)

Pit Orchestra - After School (Winter/Spring)

Winter Guard - After School (Winter/Spring)

School Instruments

The school owns a variety of instruments for student use. They are available to students who play large instruments, exceedingly expensive instruments, instruments other than their primary instrument, percussion instruments, marching band instruments, or who cannot afford to purchase an instrument. These instruments can be checked out at the beginning of the school year and must be checked in at the end of the year. Students are responsible for the daily upkeep and cleaning of these instruments. Students using a school-owned instrument are required to purchase a mouthpiece, sticks/mallets, and other accessories as specified by the director. If a student misuses or abuses a school-owned instrument, that student will be responsible for the cost to bring the instrument back to its issued condition. Students are responsible for any repairs of school-owned instruments, with the exception of normal wear and tear. If the school instrument needs to be repaired, the director must be notified as soon as possible. School instruments are under repair contract through Marshall Music. If a student repairs the instrument without the director’s approval, that student will be responsible for the repair, and will not be refunded the cost. Students who need to use a school instrument must fill out an Instrument Loan Agreement and return it with a parent’s signature before the instrument can be taken home.

Privately Owned Instruments

Please be advised that students’ privately owned instruments are not covered under the school’s insurance policy. Please make sure that the parent’s homeowner's policy covers the student’s instrument. Davison Community Schools are not responsible for any instrument lost or damaged. If a student's instrument is in the shop for repairs, the student will have a week grace period for daily grades. Most music stores will take no longer than a week to complete the repairs. Some will even loan an instrument during the repairs. After ONE week without an instrument, the student will not receive their daily points for the day.

Upgrading Instruments

Just as participants in any other specialized activity move to better equipment to improve their performance, musicians are constantly striving to find mouthpieces, reeds, and instruments which enable them to progress toward their full potential. For many students, the first two years of high school are a time to consider investing in a better quality instrument. Models that students used in 6th grade are appropriate for beginners, but these instruments pose limitations for musical growth and improved technique. It is a fact that students are unable to perform any better than the quality of the equipment they use. Racecar drivers do not drive sedans, marathon runners do not race in slippers, and advancing musicians do not play the instrument that they rented "way-back-when." The more advanced models of instruments do cost more, of course, but it is a worthwhile investment. If the price of a intermediate/professional level instrument is too costly, consider investing in a better mouthpiece and/or better reeds. What "came in the box" in sixth grade will limit a high schooler in improving at a reasonable rate.

In ensembles where limited positions are available, auditions may be held. Although previous experience is helpful, no student is guaranteed a spot on any particular instrument. During the audition process students will be evaluated on a variety of areas. Past experiences with the student in the music program will also be considered. Awarded positions will be posted for students to see. Auditioning students will be compared in these three distinct areas:

Attendance

The attendance of each individual student is crucial to the success of the entire group. Students with historically reliable attendance will be rated highly in this category. In many ways, this is even more important than the musical aptitude score.

Attitude 

The Attitude assessment is in place to examine the intangible aspects of what makes a good member. There is no specific audition for this - each member is constantly evaluated as a member throughout the entire audition process. Positive attitude traits that we look for include, but are not limited to - Respect, Courage, Honesty, Responsibility, and Kindness. Members’ past actions will play a large part in this process. We want good people first; good players second.

Musical Aptitude

The playing portion of the audition will help the directors determine how well the auditionee can execute various musical elements. Audition material will be made available prior to the audition date. Sight reading may be included the day of the audition. Auditionees will be ranked in the following areas: tone, dynamics, rhythm, technique, correct pitches, and musical expression.

20% of Grade - Formative

Individual Practice - 10 pts each assignment, no more than once per week

Google Classroom Practice Assignments - Typically 5-15 points each

80% of Grade - Summative

Playing Tests - 50pts

Rehearsal Grades - 25pts/week

After-school rehearsals - 10-25pts

Concert Reflection - 25pts

Concert Performance - 200pts

Quizzes or Term tests - 10-25 pts

Final Exam Semester 1

TBD

Final Exam Semester 2

TBD

In order for late work on Google Classroom to be graded, students MUST leave a private comment directly into their late assignment, explaining why the assignment is late. Late work without a private comment will not be graded, and will be considered missing/never turned in.

After 1 week has passed, the assignment will no longer be accepted for credit.

1. This policy will teach students to be accountable for their work. In the real world, when work is late, there needs to be a good reason why it was not finished on time.

2. Communication is always better than not, and this will help students learn that important skill that will be applicable in their lives.

3. Progression is important. This course is designed and structured for work to be completed within a certain timeframe. Frequently, work is sequential. Skipping or missing an assignment will directly impact a student's ability to complete future assignments.

Google Classroom

Joining Google Classroom is a course requirement, whether the work is done on chromebooks, smartphones, home computers, smart devices, or library computers. Students are expected to check Google Classroom daily for updates, announcements, new assignments, or other important information.

Cell Phone Policy

It is a school policy that there will be no phones allowed from bell to bell. All cell phones should be placed in the provided "phone hotel" during class time. Students may choose to bring a charging cord to plug in and charge their phones at the hotel.

If a cell phone is visible during class outside of the phone hotel, it will be confiscated, a parent will be notified, and a disciplinary referral will be written.

BAND App

BAND is a mobile community application that facilitates group communication. Created by Camp Mobile, the service is available on iOS, Android, and Desktop. We us BAND to create separate spaces for communicating with different performing groups, parents, etc. Students will join our private BAND pages so that information can be shared easily with members in real-time. For more info, see the page on our website here.

In order for a rehearsal to run smoothly and for everyone to get the most out of this important educational experience, certain guidelines must be met. For members to receive full credit for the rehearsal, students are expected to follow the following rehearsal guidelines:

Pre/Post Rehearsal

- Students will set up their own chair and music stand, and be in their seat, ready to go at the assigned starting time. Assigned starting times will be given to the members at the beginning of the school year.

- Students will have all the necessary equipment with them at all times. (Instrument, mutes, reeds, rosin, bow, shoulder rest, etc.)

- Students are expected to have their educational materials with them at all times. This includes all music and handouts in a black three-ring binder, Chromebook, and pencil.

- Students will warm-up individually prior to the start of the rehearsal. This warm-up includes long tones, tuning their instrument with a tuner, playing on open strings, scales, music selections, etc.

- Students are expected to put equipment away after the rehearsal. The amount and the type of equipment to be put away will be different for each group. This may include instruments, music, stands, chairs, tuners, and tuner caddies.

- For virtual meetings, students will be marked absent if they have not logged in 10 minutes after the start time.

During Rehearsal

- Students should not talk or make any excessive noise while the instructor is addressing the class or music is being performed.

- Students are expected to stay engaged in the rehearsal, following all instructions, and be ready to play when asked.

- Students are expected to perform individual parts at a reasonable performance level. If anyone is having difficulty with a part, he/she is expected to practice his/her music and have it prepared for class.

- Students need to raise their hand if they have a question or need to leave the rehearsal area.

If a member loses points for any of the above reasons, there is no opportunity to make-up points.

A large part of your semester grade is earned through your daily rehearsal in class.  If you are absent from class, rehearsal points (5pts) cannot be earned.   You are responsible to practice ½ hour on your own to receive rehearsal points for the day you were absent.  An Absence Make-Up Form is due one week after the date of absence.  Failure to return this form will result in no points earned for the day that you were absent.

During class we spend our time on learning our music, balancing each musical line with the others, considering composer intent, and determining the musical effects we want to achieve. Once the groups combine, everything changes. Much of the work we do on balancing the musical lines changes once we add everyone together. Long story short, it is extremely important that everyone is there when we meet as a full group before our concert.

Concert Band

The Concert Band is split into two classes, but the group performs together in concerts. 

After-School Rehearsals are a part of the summative grade for Concert Band

Think of these as the "final" rehearsal for the concert unit. These are all marked on the calendar for the school year. After-school concert band rehearsals are worth 25 pts each.

Concert Band rehearsals are 3-4:15pm on...

Monday, October 20th - Fall Concert Rehearsal

Wednesday, December 1oth - Winter Concert Rehearsal

Thursday, February 5th - Festival Rehearsal

Thursday, February 26th - Festival Rehearsal

Thursday, March 5th - Festival Rehearsal

Tuesday, April 21st - State Festival Rehearsal (Tentative)

Friday, May 15th - Musicathon Rehearsal

String & Chamber Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra is split across multiple classes. All members of the String Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra are members of the Symphony Orchestra. The group also includes some members of the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. 

After-School Rehearsals are a part of the summative grade for all orchestra students.

These are all marked on the calendar for the school year. After-school orchestra rehearsals are worth 25 pts each.

After-school orchestra rehearsals are 3-4:15pm on...

Wednesday, March 11th

Monday, March 16th

Monday, March 23rd

Wednesday, March 25th

Monday, April 13th

Monday, April 20th

Monday, April 27th

Monday, May 4th

Wednesday, May 6th

Monday, May 11th

Thursday, May 14th

Concerts are a part of the summative grade. Attendance and performance are required!

Think of these as the "final exam" for the concert unit. These are all marked on the calendar for the school year. Concerts are for both the bands and both orchestras, unless listed otherwise. Most concerts begin at 6:30pm.

Wednesday, October 22 - Fall Concert

Thursday, December 11th - Holiday Concert

Friday, December 12th - Chamber Orchestra Concert w/FYSO

Monday, March 2nd - Pre-Festival Concert

Friday & Saturday Mar 6-7 - MSBOA Festival. The event takes place on the evening of March 6th and the morning/afternoon of March 7th.

Sunday, May 3rd - Wind Ensemble Concert w/Five Lakes Silver Band

Saturday, May 16th - Musicathon

All students have the opportunity of earning 200 points for each performance

Excellent (200-176)

Student demonstrates a strong understanding of concert presentation, performance and has put forth a great deal of effort preparing and performing in this concert.

Student has met all requirements for the performance.

Effective (175-126)

Student put moderate amount of effort into this performance, but presentation and details are lacking. 

Although it is evident that some planning has taken place, more effort is needed.

Student did not meet all the requirements for the performance.

Developing (125-76)

Student put little effort into the concert performance.

Details and content are in progress, but have not yet reached a level of adequacy.

Student is unorganized and did not follow most of the requirements for the concert.

Unsatisfactory (75-0)

Student put forth little to no effort on the concert.

Concert has a low degree of professionalism, and shows little to no effort.

Student did not attend concert.

Once school begins students are given a “Chair Placement Test” to determine seating. Chair placement will determine what music part they will play. (1st violin, 2nd trumpet, etc.) Many times the 1st part will be more challenging than the 2nd part. This DOES NOT mean that the 1st part is more important than the 2nd part. All parts need to be performed equally well and are necessary for a piece of music to sound correctly. This is also a method of differentiated instruction.

 A “Chair Placement Test” is given to determine which part is best suited for each student. If a student is unhappy with the chair they are given, they are encouraged to challenge other students who are seated ahead of them.

Once chair placements have been made, students are allowed and encouraged to challenge. Students are only allowed to challenge up two chairs at a time. A student must fill out a challenge form and turn it into the director to indicate his/her intentions. The director will then instruct both students what music the challenge will be on and when the challenge will take place. Most challenges will occur one week after the challenge form has been submitted.

Uniforms are worn at all concerts and public events. Before the first concert, students will be fitted for their uniform by the instrumental music parent volunteers. Students will be responsible for their uniform while it is in their possession, and may be responsible for the cost of uniform repairs/replacements that are beyond normal use. Members are expected to maintain a neat and clean appearance. Any appearance that causes undue attention to an individual will may result in the student not performing at the concert. No student will be allowed to perform without the proper uniform. 

Shoes & Socks

All members are required to provide their own black socks and black dress shoes. Tennis shoes/sneakers/flip flops/crocs, etc will not be allowed. Heels are not recommended, due to the possibility of tripping.

The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of instrumental music education in Michigan Schools. It also offers educational clinics for band directors, instructors, and students featuring nationally known clinicians. MSBOA sanctions marching band contests, concert band festivals as well as solo and ensemble festivals.

Band and Orchestra Festival

Band and Orchestra Festival is an opportunity for ensembles to perform a program of three pieces for adjudication, one of which must be from a required list. District-level festivals are held at the end of February through mid-March. Each group is evaluated by three judges and one sight-reading judge. Bands are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest rating possible.

Ensembles that earn an overall 1 rating are qualified for State Band Festival. Participating ensembles that earn a 1 or 2 rating at District of State Festival receive a certificate and are eligible to purchase plaques for display at their school. All of the DHS bands and orchestras will participate in the district festival.

Solo and Ensemble

Participation in the solo/ensemble program is key to the success of the individual and the ensemble. The S&E program is a statewide event that allows students to perform solos and/or ensembles before a qualified judge. The students are given verbal comments, brief individual instruction, a written comment sheet, and a rating on a scale of 1 to 5. The program allows students to be evaluated by an expert on that instrument. The program provides students with critical educational feedback from a source other than the school director. All students are encouraged to perform a solo and be in an ensemble. Most preparation for this competition must be done on the student’s own time and with his/her private lesson instructors. The director must hear ALL solos and ensembles at least once before the contest. The director will be available for after school instruction several weeks prior to the event.

All-State

The MSBOA All-State program was established in the 2005 - 06 school year. Five ensembles are selected from recorded auditions: a Middle School String Orchestra, a Middle School Band, a High School Full Orchestra, a High School Band and a High School Jazz Ensemble. Students must prepare an announced etude, a series of scales and sight-read during each 10 minutes recorded audition. Each audition is submitted using only an identification number with no reference to the student or school. The auditions are evaluated by an adjudicator and placed in order. The required number of instruments is selected to fill each section. An average of over 2,000 students auditions each year for the 400 seats in our five ensembles. In January the students assemble for two and a half days of rehearsal with nationally recognized conductors. A concert is held on the Saturday of the Michigan Music Conference. If selected, students are responsible for any travel fees associated with being a part of one of the All-State ensembles.

Fundraising is necessary to be able to provide the students with the best possible experience. Without the effort of every member and parent, we would not be able to cover the cost for all of our programs. Throughout the school year, we will participate in a number of fundraising activities. The Davison Band and Orchestra Boosters work hard to provide a variety of fundraising activities. Please keep in mind how important fundraising is to the program, and support these efforts as much as possible. Should anyone want to make a financial contribution to the program, or donate an instrument for student use, please contact one of the boosters for assistance at dbob.inc@gmail.com. All students are expected to participate in the fundraising efforts of the program.