Small Group Instruction (Lessons)

Overview of Lesson Structure, Grading (Rubric), Helpful Tips, Video Make-Up Opportunities, & Home Practice

Small Group Instruction - Lessons

Band lessons will be during the school day, outside of full ensemble rehearsals. Lessons will be on a rotating schedule to avoid repeated conflicts with classes.

Students will be responsible for:

Attendance at scheduled lesson times or make-up lessons. Quarterly lesson calendars and lesson reminders will be provided for each student. Throughout the year, lesson documents will also be provided on this website (Lesson Documents & Schedules - Band 6, Band 7, & Band 8 on the left-hand side bar), as well as on the online classroom.
Preparation of lesson materials. (See 'Notes on Home Practice' below as well as Lesson Performance Rubric provided below).
Communicating with Core teachers when missing class (completing assignments and projects when due) and with the Director when missing lessons (receiving & completing lesson assignments for next lesson)

Band Lessons FAQ

Click on the the document to the right to see some commonly asked questions about Band lessons at EMS.

2021/22 EMS Band Dept Lesson FAQ

Tips! Helping Students w/ Lesson Attendance

Here are some suggestions that students, teachers, and directors have brainstormed. Different reminders and organizational processes help different students. We hope that these suggestions help and inspire new ways to stay organized! (Please let us know if you have any other ideas as well - happy to add to our list of tips & tricks to share with students & parents!)

All lesson dates & times written in assignment notebook on the date of lesson occurrence (full rehearsal time given for students to complete this).
Small Personalized Schedules: A small square of paper that, during rehearsal, we had students attach to their assignment notebook in some way (tape, staple, etc.) It has a list of dates & times for each Band lesson in the quarter. Extras can be taken for lockers, home, etc.!
Check Google Classroom. Band students have a PDF of the lesson calendar they can refer to. There’s an app for Google Classroom for devices as well!
EMS Band website. Can be bookmarked on a home computer or device.
- See the Lesson Documents & Schedules page for lesson schedules and to see what your student is focusing on in lessons for the quarter.
Post-It Notes: Some students put a Post-It about the Band lesson / lesson time on their book at the start of class so they remember when to leave that class for Band.
Alarm Setting: Some students have found that setting a silent alarm on a device (vibrate mode) or a watch works well for them. Different classrooms may allow personal devices for their work time, so this could help in those classes.

Notes on Home Practice

It is important for students to do home practice each week. How much is done will depend on individual schedules and personal goals, but it is expected that the students will learn the music that they are assigned to perform. The recommended amount of practice time for instrumentalists is 120 minutes each week. Try to set aside a regular weekly time for home practice. Practicing is the best way to improve skills and knowledge on the instrument. If students practice they will progress and excel.

Rehearsal times are short, so it is especially important for students to be prepared with their music and assignments. Small group lessons will help students learn new notes and rhythmic concepts, but the repetition and practice at home is necessary for them to feel comfortable with these new skills.

For additional tips about home practice, go to the Home Practice page on this site.

Video Lesson Make-Up

Video Make-Up Document

Students may be asked to complete this alternative to a lesson make-up if:

Their missed lesson was 2 weeks ago or more.
They are making up multiple missed lessons. One may be done in person (Friday make-up) while another via this video assignment.

Click on the image to the left to expand and / or print the document.

Need Help?

Check out the document to the right - it outlines "how to submit" these Video Make-Up lessons!

Submitting Video Lesson Make-Up

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