3. Grading Policy

Performances - 20%

One of the greatest rewards for hard work in band is the opportunity to perform and share our results with others. Furthermore, as noted in the course objectives, one of our purposes is to develop an understanding of commitment. Band is a co-curricular course and following through with commitment in band includes attending all required performances. The following reasons are listed as excused absences by Howard County Public Schools and are acceptable reasons for missing a performance: 1-Death in the family, 2-Serious illness, 3-Religious observance, 4-Court appearance, 5-Suspension.

• All of the reasons above should provide sufficient time to contact the school prior to the performance. Providing notification of why you miss a concert after the performance is not acceptable and will result in a failing performance grade.

• Performance grades cannot be made up if the absence is unexcused.

• Athletic events are not justified absences from performances!

Part of learning responsibility, as identified as one of our objectives in band, includes knowing when our performances are and clearing your calendar to accommodate these dates. Dates of required performances are provided at the beginning of every school year, providing more than adequate time for scheduling.

Daily Rehearsals - 30%

Class time is a very crucial aspect of developing as a musician. This is the main opportunity to perform and work with one another as a group. (Section 4 presents detailed procedures for band rehearsals.) Students will automatically begin with 100 points for each marking period as it is presumed that students will take pride in their work on a regular basis. Points will be deducted as follows:

(-10 points): missing instrument, missing music, unexcused absence, playing or touching another instrument without permission, food/drink/candy/gum violation

(-10 points): unexcused tardy, inappropriate behavior during warm-up time

(-5 points): missing pencil, inappropriate posture

(-1 point): any other infraction from section 4

Sectional Rehearsals - 15%

Sectional rehearsals are very important because they are the only times that we rehearse as individual sections. Students will automatically begin with 100 points for each marking period as it is presumed that students will take pride in their work on a regular basis. Points will be deducted as follows:

(-10 points): missing instrument, missing music, unexcused absence, playing or touching another instrument without permission, food/drink/candy/gum violation

(-5 points): missing pencil, inappropriate posture

(-1 point): any other infraction from section 4

Playing Exams - 20%

It is occasionally necessary to evaluate students� individual performance skills. Playing exams will be announced in advance and consist of excerpts from scales, exercises, method books, and performance pieces. Students should expect two or three playing exams each marking period.

Practicing 10%

Instruments should be taken home every day. Students are expected to practice on a regular basis and complete and turn in the required practice record. Parent signatures indicate support in practicing and accuracy of information. Please review section 7 for more home practice information.

Music Theory Lessons/Written Assignments - 5%

Occasionally, students� knowledge and understanding of musical concepts will be developed and evaluated using written music theory lessons. Also, students are sometimes given easy written assignment grades for returning papers with parent signatures.