Highview Bands Grading Practices and Expectations
Grading Practices
Grading is done in two weighted categories.
Practice = 20%
Performance = 80%
Practice Expectations (20%)
The Practice category includes rehearsals, written assignments and some in class assessments and playing tests. The following are the expectations for good rehearsal etiquette. This will ensure a quality band experience for everyone.
Please bring your instrument every day. Respect the band room and the instruments by NOT chewing gum or eating food in the band room. Rehearsal will start three minutes after the bell rings. In rehearsal we will be prepared, work hard and have fun. We will do our best to give you three minutes at the end of rehearsal to clean and put away your instrument and your folder.
Consequences for not meeting the expectations in rehearsal may include Think Sheets, written assignments, office referrals, and detention. These expectations will be strictly enforced and are consistent with other teacher’s expectations.
Performance Expectations (80%)
The Performance category includes concerts, lessons, and class assessments and playing tests. Expectations for concert attendance and performances are included below.
Concerts
Attendance Expectations--All students will attend all performances. Conflicts may only be excused with a written explanation two weeks prior to the performance. Athletic events, shopping trips, and vacations are not excused. The success of the band depends on YOUR contribution!
Concert Attire--We want a clean, uniform, professional look on stage. Appropriate dress includes black dress shoes, black socks, black dress pants (or skirt) and a white dress shirt or blouse. All black dresses and black suits are also acceptable. Those with button up shirts should wear a tie. If you choose to wear a dress or skirt you need to wear black tights or nylons.
Lessons
Small groups will be pulled out of rehearsal for a lesson approximately every ten school days. Most of the work in lessons will be out of the Standard of Excellence books for the 6th and 7th grade bands. 8th graders will use some of the Standard of Excellence book but we may also use solo/ensemble music in preparation for the solo/ensemble common assessment at the end of the year. We will work on exercises as a group and individually. We expect you to practice before your lesson so that you can perform to the best of your ability. Lessons will start in early/mid September.
Grading
Grading is done on a 4 point scale. 4=you exceed the expectation, 3=you meet the expectation, 2=you did not meet the expectation, 1=you did not bring your instrument or did not perform. We almost never use a 0 in lessons.
Practice
At Highview, we expect you to be prepared for rehearsal, performance assessments and lessons. You will need to prepare for our class outside of the regular school day, just like any other subject. Consistent practice at home will insure good progress and improvement.
Extra Credit
No extra credit is given in this course.
How to Contact Mr. Johnson or Ms. Hartman:
Our e-mail addresses are: eric.johnson@moundsviewschools.org and kaitlyn.hartman@moundsviewschools.org
You can also call our office: 651.621.6787