All Course Agenda-Syllabus

We have one simple rule- You do not have the right to disrupt someone else's education. Inside this rule is the basis for all we do in the instrumental music program. Below you will find the etiquette needed to succeed in instrumental music.

Rehearsal Etiquette-

1. Enter the classroom EARLY. You must have time to get your instrument out, your music, your chair, your stand, etc. All rehearsals have a start time and you should be ready to play by then, not arriving at that time. Being late for class, for a performance and/or event is never acceptable in the music world. It shows a lack of commitment, a full lack of responsibility and gives an air of "better than you" that does not lend itself to a group setting. Instrumental music groups, no matter the size rely on everyone in the group to do their part. When you are not doing your part, the group will suffer as a result. A common rule of thumb that we have taught for years is: IF YOU ARE EARLY, YOU ARE ON TIME! IF YOU ARE ON TIME, YOU ARE LATE! IF YOU ARE LATE, IT IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU!

2. Be committed and attentive to the full rehearsal. This not a time to be on your phone. This is not a time to be talking about what you are going to do after the rehearsal. Your attention must be completely on the teacher and the music being prepared. When you are doing inappropriate things and we have to wait on you for your part, you are disrupting others. NOT ACCEPTABLE and could lead to failure in the class and removal from the group.

3. Rehearsal time is where we bring it all together. You must practice your music so that we are not working parts all of the time, but are able to work nuances of the music that will get us better as a group. When we have to work your part for you because you have not, you are now disrupting another's education process because you did not do your job.

4. Do not do anything that would distract or disrupt someone else from learning during the rehearsal!

Performance Etiquette-

Performances are why we enter the instrumental music world. They are the result of many hours of practice and rehearsal. As such, we treat them accordingly and again they have desired outcomes. As musicians, we are entertainers first, and as such we have to be professional in our approach to the standards that have been put in place.

1. Enter the area EARLY to begin preparation for the performance. Similar to rehearsal etiquette number 1, you must prepare to be at the performance. You cannot just walk in and hit the ground running. There is always warm-up, getting in position, getting mentally ready to perform. It is also a huge sign of disrespect to your director and fellow musicians when you cannot be there at call time. Generally call time is 30 minutes prior to the event. (in marching band, it could be 1 to 2 hours)

2. Properly dressed- Generally students are given a dress code as to what to wear.

   1. In marching band that will either be the uniform or the band shirt and shorts, depending on weather.

   2. In concert setting, we will wear BLACK PANTS, BLACK SHOES, BLACK SOCKS and a WHITE BUTTON UP SHIRT WITH A COLLAR. Ties are expected for males and can be worn by others. Sport/Formal jackets are encouraged.

Students who are not properly dressed will not be allowed to perform and will be responsible for make-up work for the performance grade.

2. 3. On stage deportment is one of the most professional items. Students who strive to carry themselves well on stage will succeed. Therefore the following should not be happening while on stage performing:

      1. No talking during or between songs.

      2. No electronic devices on stage.

      3. Cutting up, laughing, unnecessary motions and other disruptive activities must not occur.

   4. Perform at the highest level you have achieved. Remember you are part of a group and therefore your performance will help others to succeed. If you are not achieving your best, you let others down.

Grading- Although subject to change due to district/school regulations, these are our current evaluations.

At South Garner, our grades are broken into three tiers.

Tier 1- simple grades such as practice logs, concept baskets, small playing exams will be placed here. They are 15 percent of your final grade.

Tier 2- more complex grades such as scale tests, larger playing exams and most importantly our rehearsal grade will be placed here. They are 40 percent of your final grade.

Tier 3- large evaluators such as performances, performance evaluations (student self evaluations) and midterms/final evaluations (playing or written) will be placed here. They are 45 percent of your final grade.

1. Tier 1- 15 percent

   1. Concept baskets will be given every Friday and used to drive instruction for the next week. They are worth 5 points each.

   2. Practice logs will be given to any student who is not making the acceptable level in rehearsal. They will be expected to rehearse at home to bring their level of expectation up to the rest of the group. These will come from the various playing exams. (5 points per week if necessary.)

   3. Small playing exams will be announced and will be small sections of a piece of music that is not going well. Usually these will not be announced. 5 points per test.

2. Tier 2- 40 percent

   1. Scale tests- the foundation of all we play in music! 10 Points per test.

   2. Larger Playing Exams- larger sections of the music or even entire songs.! 15 Points each.

   3. Rehearsal Grade- This is the key to all we do! This will be a 10 point grade given weekly. If your student is getting a bad grade on this, it will affect everything else they are doing because it means they are choosing not to rehearse correctly. A failing grade on this will usually mean a call or talking points home so that you may help to correct an issue. You will not perform well if you do not rehearse well. REMEMBER- YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO INTERRUPT SOMEONE ELSE'S EDUCATION.

3. Tier 3- 45 percent

   1. Concerts, games, other performances. Students will be graded on punctuality, dress, stage/field deportment, and musicality. 20 points.

   2. Performance evaluations- Students will view and evaluate using the state sheets or competition sheets all performances. The criteria they use and their ability to self-evaluate are immense and must never be undervalued. Responses will be graded on content and understanding. 10 points.

   3. Midterms/Finals are school mandated and can come in two different forms- written evaluation or performance evaluation. They have different point values depending on what the district mandates them to be.