GRADING IN BAND

• Please check your child's grade in Power School frequently. This is your child's grade in band.

• Blanks or Zeros indicate work has not been submitted.

• Work should be submitted as soon as possible if arrangements have been made with the teacher.

• Poor grades may be reassigned if you contact us and request a reset.

Concerns/Issues

• If you have technical/computer/internet issues or need additional time to complete work simply send us an email and we can determine a time frame to help your child get the work done.

• The goal is to help your child master their instrument-not penalize them when things are tricky, need more time or technology fails.

Smartmusic

• The Smartmusic grade is NOT the band grade. Smartmusic is an on-line workbook.

• We take SOME of the Smartmusic grades and put them into the real grade book on Home Access.

• Practice Reports track specific time and work done in Smartmusic. These are sometimes tracked but not given weight in Home Access.

Weekly Assignments

• These are designed to be completed in two 10-15 min sessions.

• If students take significantly longer to complete the work it should be broken down into 10 minute sessions several times per week.

• The amount of practice necessary for student success is for students and parents to determine and will be reflected in the student's ability to perform quizzes, tests and concert music. The number of sessions recorded will be visible in Smartmusic for parent review. We recommend 3-5 times per week. It is important for students to establish a practice routine and to have specific goals each time they practice.

• Students will have weekly Smartmusic practice homework which will be completed on a computer. Students will need to make a reservation to use a practice room or may subscribe to Smartmusic and submit work from home.

Playing Tests

• Students will frequently perform individual playing assessments in class. In addition, students will have weekly Smartmusic playing assessments which will be completed on a computer/device. 

• Examples of In-Class Tests

• Scale Tests-Students perform individually down the line, each playing one scale.

• Down the Line-Students perform individually down the line, playing one or two measure excerpts.

• Workbook-Students perform individually down the line, each playing the full workbook or concert music line.

• Speed Test-Students write in note names for indicated exercise, when done they check the time on the board, class reviews notes, student erases notes and the test is repeated for faster speed.

• Examples of Smartmusic Tests

• Workbook Exercises (usually 1 -4 assigned each week)

• Concert Music Excerpts (usually one phrase assigned each week)

• Solo Recital Preparation (students submit solos prior to live recital)

Performances/Concerts

• Concerts and performances are public presentations of  units of study and are an authentic artistic experience.   

• Performances are assigned 600 points each and are assessment opportunities for students to demonstrate combined mastery of all concepts studied throughout the year.  

• Any conflicts with performance dates must be communicated three weeks in advance for student to receive an alternate performance based assignment.

• Students who experience a serious emergency, illness or have made advance arrangements for a planned absence will be given the opportunity to complete a performance based alternate assignment. 

• The average of the points received on the assignment will be used for the performance grade. 

• Students who  have not made advance arrangements for a planned absence and miss a performance will not be given the opportunity to complete a performance based alternate assignment. 

Music Department Retest Policy

• The teacher will have discretion with regards to encouraging, requiring or denying retest opportunities depending upon the context of the test and the class calendar.

• Performance Assessments will be graded with 100 points per test and a weight of 0 through 5. 

• Students may do re-takes on their performance based tests until they reach a level of mastery (95% or higher) or up until the concert performance which marks the end of the unit.

• Students will make arrangements with the teacher to retest through Smartmusic, live or be issued a written retest depending upon the format of the original test.

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Rehearsal Technique/Behavior

• Concerns with Rehearsal Behavior and Technique will be handled as a behavior issue and are not graded.

• Students are expected to demonstrate correct rehearsal technique by actively contributing to and collaborating effectively on class activities. Students must bring the necessary tools to class in order to be a part of ensemble development.

• ~Instrument

• ~Band Binder with Workbook & all Music

• ~Tuner, Reeds, oil, etc.

• ~Name Tag

• ~Assignment Notebook

• ~Pencil