CUPERTINO MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND Mrs. Verissimo, Instructor 

Course Overview: Advanced Band 

This course is designed to give students a complete band experience through class instruction, individual and group practice, and performances. Through the implementation of the California Standards in Music, students will develop an understanding and appreciation for music, and many of those goals are listed below. 

Course Goals 

1. To improve existing playing skills and techniques; to read and rotate music. 

2. To perform varied repertoire. 

3. To develop expressive awareness and stylistic interpretation. 

4. Students develop knowledge and understanding of the relationship of music to history and culture. 

5. Students listen to and analyze music critically using the vocabulary and language of music. 

6. To develop knowledge and understanding of the relationship of music to history and culture. 

7. Students apply knowledge, skill and understanding to make critical judgments about and determine the quality of music experiences and performances. 

Home Practice 

Although students are practicing a period each day at school, they also need to practice at home. It helps for parents to encourage them. Ask daily, "Is your homework and practicing done?" Monthly practice records will be maintained and will be used for partial grades. These practice calendars will be collected the first week of the new month and need a parent's signature to verify times. Please refer to the explanation of practice included in this packet. 

Concert Attendance 

concert/performance attendance Is required and will be used for partial grades. The students are graded on their skills as a performer and as an audience participant. Appropriate concert behavior will discussed prior to the concert, and bad behavior will result in a lower performance grade. 

Class Rules 

1. Respect fellow students and all adults/instructors. (Be nice!) 

2. Be ready/mindful for class. (Work hard!) 

3. Respect your property and the property of others'. 

4. Be prepared daily for class with: instrument, music, pencil. 

5. Listen to the speaker. (Guests, students conductors, instructor.) 

6. Ask questions. 

Consequences 

1. Warnings will be issued.' 

2. Lunch detention for 15 minutes. 

3. 30 minute lunch detention and parent contact. 

4. All others referred to assistant principal. 

5. Immediate referrals for: fighting or threats of violence, damage to property, willful defiance. 

Assessment 

Progress will be assessed in the following manner: 

1. participation in daily rehearsal/concert attendance*- 50% 

2. written and playing tests- 30% 

3. practice record sheets- 20% Students will be given a practice record sheet at the beginning of each month to record the required home practice.