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Grades will be used to help monitor a student’s
progress in band. To help improve their
playing and the performance level of the bands, students should practice at
home every day. Part of the
student’s grade will be based on lessons attended. Lessons are scheduled once a week during the
school day. Any missed lesson can be
made up. If a student misses a lesson
because of a “no school” day it is an excused lesson.
The number of band awards passed during lessons
will also determine part of the student’s grade (and chair placement in
band). Band awards are playing tests
taken from the lesson book to determine if the student has mastered certain
concepts. At the start of each year,
students are given a list of band awards based on the Band Awards System
by John M. Cherry (Barnhouse Music).
To pass a band award, the student needs to play with no mistakes, tap
the beat/count out loud, and play with good tone/proper sticking. Students are allowed one chance per day to
pass a band award. If they pass, they
can go on to the next band award at that lesson. If they don’t pass, they need to practice the
band award AT HOME and try to pass it at their next lesson.
To receive an “A” letter grade:
1.
The student needs to attend 90% of their
weekly lessons.
(A “no-school” day is
not counted as missing a lesson)
2.
The student will pass an average of 5-6
lesson book lines a week.
3.
The student will pass 10 band awards per
quarter.
To receive a “B” letter grade:
1.
The student needs to attend 80% of their
weekly lessons.
(A “no-school” day is
not counted as missing a lesson)
2.
The student will pass an average of 4
lesson book lines weekly.
3.
The student will pass 9-8 band awards per
quarter.
To receive a “C” letter grade:
1.
The student needs to attend 70% of their
weekly lessons.
(A “no-school” day is
not counted as missing a lesson)
2.
The student will pass an average of 3
lesson book lines per week.
3.
The student will pass 7-6 band awards per
quarter.
To receive a “D” letter grade:
1.
The student needs to attend 60% of their
weekly lessons.
(A “no-school” day is
not counted as missing a lesson)
2.
The student will pass an average of 2
lesson book lines per week.
3.
The student will pass 5-4 band awards per
quarter.
Every concert
performance is like a final “test” of the band’s performance for that quarter
(and also earns band awards for the students).
An unexcused absence will result in the students’ grade being lowered by
one full letter grade. Band festivals,
playing for community activities, solo/ensemble participation and jazz band are
other ways to earn extra credit to raise your band grade.
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