Grading Policy
    Band is a graded subject that gets averaged into your overall grade.
Attendance and preparedness are the most crucial aspects to succeeding in this program

Here is how you will be graded:
Lesson Grade:  50 % of overall band average
              Each lesson is out of 100 points
                        Attendance        50 pts. Attending scheduled lesson times.
                        Performance     30 pts. Book Work, Band Music, and  Technique
                        Materials            20 pts. Book, Binder, Pencil, & Instrument

Rehearsal Participation: 15% of overall band average.
              Each rehearsal is worth 10 points
                           3 pts. for having their instrument.
                           3 pts. for having their book, binder, and pencil.
                           4 pts. for being a contributing member and playing during rehearsal
 
Concert Attendance: 10% of overall band average
                If you are in school the day of the concert, it is expected you attend the concert.            
               Unexcused absences will result in a Zero.
​               Skipping the Band Concert will result in exclusion from Band Trips. 
               Absence letters will only be accepted up to 1 week after the performance.                                                                                                                                  
Reflective Thinking Assignment:  10% of overall band average
              Worksheet or online Google Form that will need to be completed once every 2 weeks.
              Total of 5 assignments each quarter
 
Playing Finals: 15% of overall band average
              Once a quarter students will be quizzed on a musical aspect that has been studied.
               Performance will include some technique passage as well as a musical excerpt.                      

Supply List

6th Grade
All Brass and Woodwinds: Standard of Excellence Book 1 (red) and Standard of Excellence Book 2 (blue)
Percussion: Alfred's Drum Method Book 1, Drum sticks
Pencils and a 3-Ring Binder
Any other accessories needed for your instrument:
          Size 3 Reeds, Valve oil, slide oil, cleaning cloth, etc. 
Optional: Tuner and Metronome 

7th Grade & 8th Grade
7th Brass and Woodwinds: Standard of Excellence Book 2 (blue)
8th Brass and Woodwinds: Standard of Excellence Book 3 (green)
Percussion: Alfred’s Drum Method Book 1, Drum sticks
Pencils and a 3-Ring Binder
Any other accessories needed for your instrument:
            Size 3 reeds, Valve oil, Cleaning cloth, etc.
Optional: Tuner and Metronome



Books can be ordered from:
J.W. Pepper
Sheet Music Plus
Amazon

Rehearsal Goals and Expectations
Band rehearsal is time for the ensemble to practice as a group. Each ensemble will meet once every other day for 48 minutes

6th Grade Band:
Section 1: Period 1 ~ A and C Days
Section 2: Period 6 ~ B and D Days
 
7th Grade Band:
Period 3 ~ A and C Days
 
8th Grade Band:
Period 2 ~  B and D Days
 
For rehearsals students are expected to:
           *Arrive on time with all materials: Instrument, Book, Binder, and Pencil.
Rehearsal starts 3 minutes after the bell;  students should be in their seats ready to play.

            *Know your music. Your individual part should be worked on at home.  Trouble spots or questions should be addressed during your lesson time, before or after school, or during lunch. Come talk to us if you are having trouble—it’s what we are here for!  Asking the other members of your section is also encouraged.

           *Be focused, courteous, and proactive during rehearsal. Band rehearsal is the time for you to learn the other instrument's part. More progress will be made if all students are engaged and respectful to their fellow ensemble members.

         *Always give your best! Everyone experiences music differently- what comes naturally to one person might be a little more work for another. Always try your best, ask questions, and withhold any comments or actions that may negatively impact your success as well as the success of others. We are all in this together.

Lessons
See the Lesson Schedule link above for home use.

Lessons are 50% of your grade because the smaller sized group offers more individual attention for each student.  
Attendance is required.
Lessons rotate through academic and exploratory periods. Students will miss the same class 1 or 2 times a quarter.

Missed lessons must be made up within 2 weeks of the missed lesson.
Make up lessons will be held during students lunch periods this year. See Lesson Schedule for times.

You may only be excused from a lesson under these circumstances: 
1.     Absent from school on the day of the lesson.
2.     Taking a test during that class period- You must inform us prior to the lesson.
 
           Students are responsible for knowing when their lesson is scheduled. Schedules will be posted in the music suite, on the website, copied for students to keep in their locker, and read every day over the morning announcements.  It is not the teacher’s responsibility to interrupt classroom teachers to remind a student to come to their lesson.

Reflective Thinking Assignment
See the Home Practice link above for concert pieces.

Students will have 5 assignments each quarter to complete as their reflection grade.
They may consist of worksheets or online google forms.
​This will all be done through Google Classroom. 

Get reminders on your phone by signing up for the remind app text/email notifications!
6th Grade Band Instructions
7th Grade Band Instructions
8th Grade Band Instructions

Important Dates
Attendance is 10% of your grade so make sure these dates get onto your calendar!
Or subscribe to the Band Calendar of Events link at the top of this page

       Concert Dates:  Winter Concert: Monday December 10th, 2018 6:30pm 6th Grade & 7:45pm 7th/8th Grade
                                       Snowdate: Wednesday December 12th, 2018 6:30pm 6th Grade & 7:45pm 7th/8th Grade
                      8th Grade Recital Night: Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 @ 7:00pm MVMS Cafeteria
                      Spring Concert: Thursday May 9th, 2019 6:30pm 6th Grade & 7:45pm 7th/8th Grade
                      8th Grade Band Trip: Friday, May 10th, 2019 - More Information to follow
                      Memorial Day Parade: Unionville Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 27th, 2019.
                      7th Grade Play-a-thon: Thursday, May 30th, 2019 3:00pm - 5:00pm @ MVMS
                      6th Grade Trip: June 2019

Concert Dress:
Concert Attire: All Black
           Skirt/Dress (must be wearing stockings), Blouse, Pants, Slacks, Button Down Shirt, Socks, Belt, Shoes---All Black

School Instruments
Due to the number of students in our band program the following guidelines apply:

            *Baritones, Bassoons, Horns, and Tenors will need to be transported to and from school for lessons and rehearsals.
            *Tuba students will need to bring their mouthpiece and music to and from school. Under no circumstance should personal belongings be left in the cases of the instruments at school. These instruments will be shared among the three grade levels.  Mrs. Hulle and Ms. Shafer cannot responsible for keeping track of your belongings.
            *School owned Bass Clarinets and Bari. Saxophones will stay in school.
               If you would like to take one home for the weekend please sign the instrument out with Mrs. Hulle or Ms. Shafer before taking it.
            *All woodwind instrument players will need to provide their own reeds. If you have questions or concerns please contact Mrs. Hulle or Ms. Shafer.

Private Lessons: If your child is interested in receiving private instruction outside of the lessons offered in school, please email for a list of recommended teachers.