BAND GRADING POLICY

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

Students in a Cherokee Bluff band class are graded on a series of criteria.  Final grades are a combination of regular participation, special projects, and performances.  While a student is expected to attend all rehearsals and performances outside of the school day, occasionally emergency conflicts arise.  Conflicts with work, sports, other school activities, family events, etc. are not emergencies and should be resolved in advance.  In the event of an emergency conflict, material and experiences can be made up during class on the day following the absence.  Students will play any music rehearsed or performed in front of the class for a grade, thus simulating the actual performance in front of a live audience.
 
Specific expectations and percentage of the student’s semester grade are listed below:

PROJECTS: 25%
Students will prepare, perform, and/or record excerpts chosen from class materials.  You will perform these exercises in one-on-one for the band director or will record your performance on digital video during class.  There will be approximately 8 assignments per semester; most will consist of specific scales and arpeggios, a fundamental exercise, or a short excerpt from the literature being studied in class.  Certain projects will be made available for extra credit points.  Charts of project and class rehearsal segments can be found at cherokeebluffband.com.  Requirements are also posted for Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band individually.

ADDITIONAL GRADE REQUIREMENTS:
Audition 20% Students will play the audition materials for band placement.  Materials will include 12 major scales, prepared etude, and sight-reading.  All students must complete the audition as a portion of their semester grade.  Auditions will be mid-semester.
 
Final Exam 10% A comprehensive written final exam will be administered on the designated final exam day.
 
Musicianship Standards 45% Students will demonstrate basic musicianship techniques related to tone production, intonation, note and rhythm recognition, musical terms, and pedagogical specifics for their instrument.  In order to successfully demonstrate these requirements, students will need to have instrument, instrument accessories (reeds, mouthpiece, mallets, etc.) and music in class every day.  Instrument must be in playable condition.  Student must actively participate in warm-ups, technical development exercises, and literature instruction in order to qualify for the maximum grade.  There will be four separate graded entered at intervals throughout the semester.

Extra Credit
There will be selected projects available for extra credit.  These will require a student to complete a task such as creating an intonation graph for their instrument, filling out a rhythm counting assignment, or other activities that will supplement musical knowledge awareness.

All students are expected to participate daily.  Please try to avoid long periods of time with an instrument in non-playing condition or in the shop.  Alternate assignments will be given to those who forget to bring their instruments or music from home.  Class time needs to be productive.  Due to the number of students in each period, coupled with the fact that they have instruments in-hand, it is easy for the noise level to get out of control.  Students should not play randomly when they enter the class.  We will warm up as a group.  When the conductor stops during rehearsal, students should remain quiet in order to hear the instructions.  Productive use of rehearsal time means higher performance levels.
 
Students should take care of sheet music needs, instrument care and preparations, etc. before class.  Do not lose valuable time going to get valve oil or searching for another reed.  Percussionists should set up everything for the day’s rehearsal at the beginning of class.  They should not waste time searching for sticks, mallets or accessory instruments during rehearsal.
 
All instrument cases should be stored in the designated area at the side or back of the room.  The band seating area should be free of clutter.
 
The director’s office is off-limits to students unless they have been asked to enter by the director.  Telephone use should be limited to emergency situations only.  The copier inside the office is for teacher use only.  Please respect the working space of the director and the privacy of the office.  Knock before entering.

BAND CLASS DISCIPLINE POLICY

Students participating in a band class at Cherokee Bluff High School are expected to demonstrate an interest in learning.  Appropriate classroom behavior will guarantee each student the opportunity to make the most of the classroom experience.  A quiet attentive atmosphere will produce the greatest results.  Adherence to school policies will allow the focus to be on the educational objectives, not on the disciplinary procedures resulting from rule infractions.  If there are any questions or concerns regarding class management, they should be handled in a private conference with the teacher, preferable at the conclusion of the class period.