Band Grading Policy
1. Playing Assessments: 70%
a. Students will practice and perfect various aspects of music and technique on their instrument and must play individually for assessment of skill mastery.
b. Students will be notified of specific pass offs or challenge assessments.
c. Students are expected to come to each class successfully playing any pre-determined parts of their music, without the notice of an assessment.
2. Concert or performance event attendance: 11%
a. Band courses are a PERFORMANCE BASED class according to the state of Florida department of education course description. As such, all concerts and performances are mandatory and will carry a grade. Performances are equitable to a “final exam” of that selection of music and performance fundamentals. Both individual and group concepts are learned and refined for performance. Missing any member of the band affects the entire group and negates countless months of practice.
i. Concerts/Performances are “one time only” and cannot be made up resulting in a zero for the performance grade.
ii. Conflicts for performances will be honored on a case by case basis, following the same procedures are after school rehearsals. (see page 11 of band handbook)
3. Written Assessments & Written work: 19%
a. Written assessments are any tests or quizzes that happen off the instrument.
b. Practice cards are considered a written assessment.
c. Written assignments include any handouts, class assignments, warm ups, rhythmic dictations given in class or for homework that are not counted as a test/quiz.
d. Written assessments may also include bringing back of forms or other assorted parent communications that require a parent signature.
4. Practice Cards: (included in written Work category)
a. Learning an instrument can not be done solely in the band class. Practice at home is absolutely essential to students mastering the concepts learned in daily class.
b. Practice cards are a weekly assignment that are to be signed off by parents to verify they are truthful and accurate.
c. Practice cards are a physical tool to keep musicians organized in their practice efforts, clearly set their daily goals and reflect on the practice session as to start the next session in the right place.
d. Practice cards may only be turned in ONE WEEK late for credit. After one week they are a permanent zero.
i. This is to counter act students “cramming” the paperwork just before the marking period ends and creating false assignments. This completely misses the point of planning, executing and reflecting on the time spent on the instrument.
ii. This is also an accountability measure to stay on time with this assignment.
iii. Exceptions will be taken only in the event of absences around the due date of the assignment.