COURSE CONTENT AND GRADING POLICY
During the school year, the students
will cover the following areas listed below. Proper sequential
development is important, and practice and study must be done regularly
to maintain proper growth. A positive attitude and good behavior
is important for the “team.”
Areas to be covered: Physical area
of playing an instrument such as breathing/bowing techniques, embouchure/bow
holds, fingering, sound production; basic music theory and ear training
including note reading, rhythm, intonation; music interpretation such
as phrasing, exposure to various music literature of different composers
and periods; instrument care; learning to work as a team; and community
service.
Each term, grading will be dependent upon various written
and performance requirements. Grading will work on a percentage
system as shown below.
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D
= 60 - 69%
F = 59% and below
Grading areas include:
1) Daily class participation:
-Music theory/class
assignments
-Written and/or playing
exams
2) Instrument and supply inspection
3) Weekly Practice sheets*
4) Sectionals and full band/orchestra
rehearsals**
5) Concert performances***
Music theory/class
assignments are worth various points depending on the assignments.
Written
and/or playing exams are worth 3 points per test. Playing exams
are performed in front of the class to promote performance skills.
Instrument
and supply inspection will be held periodically as time permits. Students must follow the instrument care rules. Consequences will
be based on the school-wide behavior plan.
*Weekly practice
sheets: A minimum of one hour and thirty minutes of individual practice
is required weekly. Additional practice sheet time
may be assigned if band/orchestra rehearsals are missed. The practice
sheet must be signed by a parent/guardian weekly, and turned in on
the following first two days that the student is present of each week. No credit will be given for late or unsigned practice sheets, or if
the practice time is less than the required one hour and thirty minutes. Students may use the KMS Music Department Practice sheet form,
or may create their own practice sheet. The practice sheet must have
the date and time (starting and ending times), a grand total of time
accumulated during the week, and a parent/guardian signature to confirm
the practice sessions. Students may be given additional points
for extra time accumulated on practice sheets.
1 ½ Hour Practice Sheet time = 1 point (required)
3 Hours Practice Sheet time = 2 points
4 ½ Hours or
more Practice Sheet time = a maximum of 3
points
**Sectionals and full band/orchestra rehearsals are mandatory and
are excused only with a parent/guardian signed note. Only valid excuses
will be accepted (e.g. Doctor's appointment, illness, family emergency,
etc.). All excuse notes are due prior to the rehearsals (in
advance or on the same day of the rehearsal). Only excuse notes
due to illness or emergency will be accepted on the day your child
returns to school. LATE EXCUSE NOTES OR INVALID EXCUSES WILL
NOT BE COUNTED AS EXCUSED. Students who are tardy must bring a note
with a teacher or parent/guardian signature. Only valid excuses will
be accepted (e.g. Extra help, conference, etc.) Excused tardy notes
must include arrival and departure times when students are getting
extra help in other classes. Students are expected to work off demerits
on non-rehearsal days. Students will be held responsible to complete
extra practice sheet time per missed rehearsal on his/her practice
sheet for any unexcused absences or tardies. Although all rehearsals
are considered to be mandatory, the rehearsals that are scheduled
close to the concert performances will be marked “MANDATORY” on the
rehearsal calendar. Any students (including students with a
valid excuse note) who are absent on, or tardy to, any of the “Mandatory”
marked rehearsals must complete extra practice sheet time per missed
rehearsal. Please remember that the music classes are divided
into various periods and it is only through rehearsals scheduled outside
of class time that we can meet as a full group. Without having rehearsals,
it would be impossible for the students to put together quality performances.
Any student who misses too many rehearsals or is continuously disruptive/disrespectful
will not be allowed to play in the concert performance(s) and will
be held responsible to complete an alternate project. The points that
the students gain through attending the rehearsals are extra credit
points, which are applied to their practice sheet time. This minimizes
the required practice sheet time to only one hour and thirty minutes
per week. Instead of requiring 7 hours of individual practice time,
the students gain points through the rehearsals and benefit from playing
and working together. A monthly rehearsal schedule will be given to
the students ahead of time. The rehearsal schedule is always
posted on our bulletin board. Please be sure to check with your child
for the rehearsal and concert dates and time.
Rehearsals are 1 point each.
***Concert Performances are MANDATORY.
Notices will be sent to you prior to the concerts. If there is a previous
engagement that conflicts with the concert performance, the student
must submit a valid parent/guardian note as soon as the concert date
is known. All students with absences, including illness, will be required
to complete an alternate project that is approved by the teacher.
Parade of Bands/Orchestra Concert = 4 points
Winter and Aloha Concerts = 6 points
All other Concerts = 3 points