Marching Band
- 50% based on daily rehearsal effort, music memorization, marching fundamentals, attendance and punctuality (see Marching Band Proficiency Scale on website).
- 50% based on performance effort, attendance and punctuality at all scheduled performances
Concert Band
- 30% based on individual lessons (see Lesson Proficiency Scale on website) and assessments
- 30% based on band rehearsals (see Employability Skill Proficiency Scale on website) and written tests
- 30% based on performance level, attendance and punctuality
- Students will be expected to remain for the entire performance to earn full credit for that performance
- Attendance at three basketball pep bands is required as part of the second semester grade
- 10% based on Semester Exam
- Since performances comprise 30% of the grade and cannot be duplicated, unexcused absences during any performance, concert, or contest cannot be made up. Examples of unexcused absences are: “I forgot”, “I have to work”
- To receive an excused absence, the student must complete the “Request for excused absence” form and turn it in two weeks prior to the performance date. An individual performance may be required before or after an excused absence. Directors will determine if an absence is excused.
INDIVIDUAL LESSON ASSESSMENT GRADE
Students in grades 9-11 taking weekly private lessons from a teacher will receive a nine week lesson grade based on the private instructor’s evaluation. A “Private Lesson Form” may be obtained from your director or downloaded off the band website. This form must be completed by the student with the private instructor’s signature and evaluation, and returned to the director. Students in grades 9-11 who do not study with a private teacher will be assigned a weekly lesson or one individual playing assessment per grading quarter (grade 12). Students will receive a letter grade based on their progress for the grading period.
BAND REHEARSAL GRADE
Rehearsal grades will be determined by progress, preparation, attendance, punctuality, and the overall effort. In addition, written and playing tests may be included in the band rehearsal grade. Students are to bring necessary equipment to rehearsals, including instrument, music and pencil.
PERFORMANCE GRADE
Each performance in a nine-week period will count as an equal part of the 30% grade on performance. The evaluation includes pre-concert warm-up, performance (on stage etiquette) and audience etiquette.
SEMESTER EXAMS/EVALUATIONS
Semester exams/evaluations may be given at the end of each semester, and may count for 10% of the final semester grade.
LESSONS
9th grade students will have a lesson each week beginning by the third week of school. The lesson will be scheduled into the student’s schedule during band rehearsal, choir rehearsal, study hall, or unscheduled time. It is expected that a student will come prepared to their lesson each week. Missed lessons can be viewed weekly on PowerSchool.
ASSESSMENT
- Assessments may be held once each semester. Chair placements will be determined by assessments.
- Assessment material will be:
- All 12 major scales (memorized)
- Chromatic scale (memorized)
- Band music selection determined by your director
- Possible sight-reading selection
- Percussion auditions will include a snare selection and a mallet selection, along with scales.
WOODWIND/BRASS A+ ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
Students wishing to raise their grade 1/3 of a letter grade (i.e., from an “A” to an “A+”, or a “B+” to an “A-“) have the option of completing the “A+ Assessment”. Details are listed below:
Freshman Year
First Semester
1) Play the following major scales (memorized) C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D, A, E in eighth notes at a metronome speed of quarter note = 100 (ascending and descending – play at least one octave). Scales must be performed all tongued ascending and all slurred descending or all slurred ascending and all tongued descending.
2) Play a two octave chromatic scale (memorized) in eighth notes at MINIMUM tempo of quarter note = 100. No specific articulation pattern is required.
Second Semester
1) Play the following major scales (memorized) C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D, A, E in eighth notes at a metronome speed of quarter note = 120 (ascending and descending – play at least one octave). Scales must be performed all tongued ascending and all slurred descending or all slurred ascending and all tongued descending.
2) Play a two octave chromatic scale (memorized) in eighth notes at MINIMUM tempo of quarter note = 120. No specific articulation pattern is required.
Sophomore Year
First Semester
1) Play all of the major scales (memorized) in eighth notes at a metronome speed of quarter note = 120 (ascending and descending – play two or more octaves where possible). Scales must be performed all tongued ascending and all slurred descending or all slurred ascending and all tongued descending.
2) Play a chromatic scale over the complete range of the instrument (memorized) in eighth notes at MINIMUM tempo of quarter note = 120. No specific articulation pattern is required.
Second Semester
1) Play all of the major scales (memorized) in 16th notes at a metronome speed of quarter note = 72 (ascending and descending – play two or more octaves where possible). Scales must be performed all tongued ascending and all slurred descending or all slurred ascending and all tongued descending.
2) Play a chromatic scale over the complete range of the instrument (memorized) in 16th notes at MINIMUM tempo of quarter note = 72. No specific articulation pattern is required.
Junior Year
First Semester
1) Play all of the major scales (memorized) in 16th notes at a metronome speed of quarter note = 80 (ascending and descending – play two or more octaves where possible). Scales must be performed all tongued ascending and all slurred descending or all slurred ascending and all tongued descending.
2) Play a chromatic scale over the complete range of the instrument (memorized) in 16th notes at MINIMUM tempo of quarter note = 80. No specific articulation pattern is required.
Second Semester
1) Play all of the major scales (memorized) in 16th notes at a metronome speed of quarter note = 88 (ascending and descending – play two or more octaves where possible). Scales must be performed all tongued ascending and all slurred descending or all slurred ascending and all tongued descending.
2) Play a chromatic scale over the complete range of the instrument memorized in 16th notes at MINIMUM tempo of quarter note = 88. No specific articulation pattern is required.
Senior Year
Both Semesters (same as second semester junior year)
1) Play all of the major scales (memorized) in 16th notes at a metronome speed of quarter note = 88 (ascending and descending – play two or more octaves where possible). Scales must be performed all tongued ascending and all slurred descending or all slurred ascending and all tongued descending.
2) Play a chromatic scale over the complete range of the instrument (memorized) in 16th notes at MINIMUM tempo of quarter note = 88. No specific articulation pattern is required.
PERCUSSION A+ ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
Major Scales – each two octave, ascending and descending around the Circle of Fourths (see scale assessment form for tempos).
Chromatic Scale – full range of the marimba ascending and descending (see scale assessment form for tempos).
Freshman/Sophomore Year
Rudiments (snare drum) – sustain each for no less than 5 seconds
- single stroke roll (alternating 32nd notes); q=88
- closed (buzz) roll; soft-loud-soft
- open (double stroke) double stroke roll; q=100
- five stroke roll (alternate); q=100
- nine stroke roll (alternate); q=100
- double paradiddle (alternate); dotted q=66
- flam (alternate); q=140
- drag (alternate); q=140
- single ratamacue; q=88
Junior/Senior Year
Rudiments (snare drum) – sustain each for no less than 5 seconds
- single stroke roll (alternating 32nd notes); q=100
- closed (buzz) roll; soft-loud-soft
- open (double stroke) double stroke roll; q=120
- five stroke roll (alternate); q=120
- nine stroke roll (alternate); q=120
- double paradiddle (alternate); dotted q=80
- flam (alternate); q=176
- drag (alternate); q=176
- single ratamacue (alternate); q=100
Additional Rudiment requirements
- seven stroke roll; q=100
- flam tap (alternate); q=100
- flam accent (alternate); dotted q=100
- flamacue; q=100
- flam paradiddle (alternate); q=100
- drag paradiddle (alternate); q=100