Grades and Retakes

Rehearsal Grades

Rehearsal grades are given weekly, based on the standards that are expected of an ensemble or team member:

Materials: The musician must have all materials required for class

1. Pencil (not a pen, sharpie, marker, etc)

2. Binder (with AoA and Theory Books, and all concert music)

3. Instrument (with reeds, oils, swabs, etc.)

Expectations: The musician must follow the classroom expectations 

When A teacher is on the podium:

1. 1. Musicians are quiet and not talking

   2. All ensemble members have correct posture

   3. Musicians are looking at the director 

Participation: Everyone must give their best effort

1. Playing their instrument

2. Asking questions

3. Taking notes in their music

Respect: Learning music is audible

In order to improve, all musicians must feel comfortable and safe to make mistakes, ask questions, and take risks. We do not expect that everyone will be best friends, but respect is a requirement in our classroom.

Practice Sheets

Like other classes have homework, Band especially requires work outside of the class to improve, we call our homework “practice”. Unlike other homework, practicing is a skill that needs to be learned and practiced consistently in order to be effective. Our weekly practice sheets are to provide structure, guidance, and accountability to our practice expectations. 

Practice sheets are a weekly formative grade, the sheets are due in their first band class of the week, where they will also pick up a new sheet for the week. At the end of the quarter, the sheets will be entered as a single Summative Performance Grade. If students are practicing at home, they will most likely do well in the class!

In order to prepare students for High School and College, students need to learn the importance of deadlines, being detail oriented, career/life skills (like filling out taxes or medical forms). To earn an "4" the sheet must be on time, and have the following:

• First and Last name

• Full hour (2B, 3A, Etc)

• Date for the week the practice occurred

• A completed and legible practice assignment & log section

• A completed and legible time log, with minutes totaled in the box provided

• A student and parent signature

We want to emphasize the importance of checking the students' work. Please don’t sign the sheet if you have not heard them practicing, or have reasonable doubt that the work was completed. We encourage you to look at the practice assignments, and pick something for them to play for you. Regardless of your musical experience, it should sound like they know what they are doing. This is the best possible way to support their growth both musically and developmentally!