Performance/Playing (50% of grade): All students in the classroom are required to participate in playing within the classroom. This portion of the grade includes playing quizzes and tests, seating placements, and other assignments that involve the student to play in the classroom. This is a performance ensemble, and the goal of the ensemble is to learn musical concepts through playing an instrument.
Daily Engagement (10% of grade): Students will be asked to be engaged and active in the classroom everyday. It is expected that students interact with the teacher and interact with fellow musicians. Ways that students can earn these points are through preparation for class, participation in classroom activities and discussions, and paying attention to instructions.
Outside Homework/Projects (10% of grade): There will be outside assignments and projects within this class. There will be a composer of the week project that students will trade off throughout the semester. Students are also expected to research each piece we are performing in the classroom. Each student needs to find out the basics of each composer and brief information about the piece. Each piece that is being studied in class should have 1-2 pages of information with it from each student.
Concerts (30% of grade): Because this is a performance ensemble, we do have performances. There will be formal and informal concerts during each semester. All students are required to go to EVERY concert that the ensemble is performing in. If students cannot make it to any of the concerts, they must notify the director ahead of time to arrange another way for the student to make up the points. Students who do not show up to concert without notification will loose all points possible for the concert. All concerts dates are online on the school’s band page and on the board in the front of the band room.