Band Course
Syllabus
Directors: Ms. Ami Custodia, B.M. Mr. Jeff Blackstone, M.M.
909-594-1730 ext. 55145 909-594-1730 ext. 55145
Room 44 Room 44 & MPR
teacherweb.com/CA/SuzanneMiddleSchool/Music teacherweb.com/ca/suzannemiddleschool/mrblackstone
Course Description
The
three band classes offered at SMS are divided by grade level. 6th grade Cadet Band is designed to
expand upon the music education provided at the elementary level. 7th grade Blue & White Band is
an intermediate music course. 8th
grade students are placed in Challenger Band, an advanced music course. Each student will acquire a broad based
musical knowledge which includes music theory, music history, music
appreciation, auditory skills, audition skills, and solo & ensemble
performance. Students will complete this
course with improved performance skills and musical knowledge. Students who do not meet performance
expectations will be removed from the class and/or will not be recommended for
the next level of instruction.
Class Materials
à
SMS Binder Reminder
à
Instrument in
good working condition
à
Instrument
accessories (reeds, grease, valve oil, etc.)
à
Sharpened pencil
à
1/2” Black binder
à
Notebook paper
à
Rhythm
Workouts by Gary Scudder (all bands)
à
Accent on
Achievement by O’Reilly & Williams
(6th gr. Band – Book 1; 7th
gr. Band – Book 2)
à
Foundations
for Superior Performance by Williams
& King
(8th gr. band)
Tardy Policy
Students
are expected to be inside the classroom by the tardy bell. Furthermore, it is expected that students are
in their seats with all necessary equipment and five minutes after the tardy
bell. Students who do not comply with
this policy will be sent to the office for a tardy slip.
Scholarship Grade
Band
is treated academically like all other classes.
It is not a “pull-out” program or an after school activity. Assignments are expected to be turned on
time. 6th & 7th
grade students may turn in their homework one day late for half credit. A signed Homework Notice must be stapled to
late work. Late work is NOT accepted
from 8th graders. Students
who are absent are expected to turn in work and/or make-up tests on the day
they return.
Grades are based on the categories
below:
¨
Participation –
30% of this course is graded on class participation inside as well as outside
the regular school day. Students are
expected to bring their instrument to every rehearsal and to be musically
prepared. Students are required to
participate in all rehearsals and performances throughout the semester. Any absence from a performance (excused or
unexcused) will have a negative effect on the final grade.
¨ Practice
Cards – (15% of overall grade) Practice
time is recorded daily on PRACTICE
CARDS, which should be monitored and signed every Monday night by a parent.
Practice cards are collected at the
beginning of the period every Tuesday.
Practice Cards are graded as follows: 180
minutes a week or more = A+
150 minutes a week = A 120 minutes a week
= B
90 minutes a week = C Less
than 60 minutes = D
Students are
not excused from practicing due to illness or vacation. Finger and
rhythm practice may be a substitute for instrument practice when a student is
ill or on vacation.
¨
Written Work –
(10% of overall grade) Homework assignments and projects will be given
throughout the semester.
¨
Quizzes & Tests – (25% of overall grade) Students will be tested individually on music
theory, scales, technical exercises, warm-ups, and excerpts to promote musical
growth. With teacher approval, students are allowed to retake some tests during
after school hours. Students are
encouraged to request help. Private
lessons are encouraged.
¨
Musicianship –
(20% of overall grade) It is expected that all required music is learned on
time. Students should perform with
pride, focus, and self-confidence. Students
are observed and graded according to the Musicianship Rubric available on
Teacherweb.com. Many students will earn
a C+ grade in this category (“Developing Musician”), which means they are
playing at their level.
Citizenship
Grade
All
students start out with a 2 in Citizenship.
To keep that grade, students are expected to follow the policies
detailed below. When problems arise,
they are dealt with in a swift and fair manner.
The Musician’s Pledge:
Because I am a well-behaved musician, I
listen and follow directions, use self-control, respect people, instruments,
and materials, and always do my best.
Because I am a world class musician, I
listen attentively to music of different styles and historical periods, and
respect the music of other cultures.
Because I am a performing musician, I use
my musical skills to the best of my ability and contribute to the group in my
highest capacity.
Procedures: 1. Enter the room
calmly. Consequences: 1. Verbal warning.
2. Carefully set up. 2. Note to parents (to be signed.)
3. Be ready 5 minutes after the bell rings. 3. SSRA
referral.
4.
Pack up carefully. 4. Permanent removal from class.
Instruments
¯
Bring your
instrument to school daily.
¯
Have the inside and
outside of your instrument case labeled clearly with your first name, last
name, and phone number.
¯
You may use the
instrument storage cabinets during the day.
Place your instrument on the assigned shelf. Take home your instrument daily. Students who leave their instrument repeatedly
overnight may lose storage privileges. The
school is not responsible for lost or stolen instruments.
¯
If you take your instrument
to a repair shop, bring a note from home along with your mouthpiece/reeds and an
instrument will be loaned to you for class use.
Concert Attire is what you wear at all concert performances.
¯
Beginning Strings
& Cadet Band = Navy blue Music t-shirt, khaki pants, & shoes.
¯
Blue & White
and Challenger Boys = White long-sleeved dress shirt; a long, solid BLACK tie;
black pants; black socks; and black dress shoes.
¯
Blue & White
and Challenger Girls = All black dress clothes and black, closed-toe dress
shoes (dress or skirt must fall below the knee; tops must have sleeves).
Instrument Doubling
Bands
are in need of balanced instrumentation.
It is essential that some students learn secondary instruments (a.k.a.
doubling). There is an application form available
to download which explains what is required.
Look for the form on the Teacherweb.com site. A limited supply of school-owned instruments
is available. These include: oboe,
bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, French horn,
trombone, euphonium, and tuba.
Percussion
Only
those students who demonstrate self-discipline and responsibility will be allowed
to participate in the percussion section.
A letter explaining what is necessary for percussion is given to
interested students. This form is also
available on Teacherweb.com.
Additionally, percussionists are expected to attend occasional after
school rehearsals.
Private Lessons
Suzanne’s
music classes are so large, students cannot get the individual attention they
desperately need and deserve. Often a
student may have an instrument which is not working properly, an embouchure
which needs to be corrected, wrong tongue placement, and incorrect use of air
and breath support (the list goes on.) The
teacher is able to catch some of these problems in class, but is not able to
follow up with individual instruction and attention. Private lessons are the best answer to
address the needs of the student. Often,
parents say they will have to wait to see if their child is “serious” about
band before they will pay for lessons. On
the contrary, many students drop out because of problems which could be solved
with individual attention. The
fundamentals of playing an instrument are the most important part of
learning. Lessons can provide a student
with a sense of confidence and pride.
Commitment to Band
Students
and families are expected to commit to band for the entire year. Students may experience a wide variety of
emotions regarding the class throughout the year. These feelings can range from periods of
intense joy to complete frustration which may result in wanting to quit
band. These are normal and expected
emotions which can be dealt with by encouraging your child to realize their
potential to succeed and supporting them to do so. Committing to band will ensure that students
learn to set and achieve goals.
Parents – please sign, date, & return bottom portion.
2007 SYLLABUS SLIP - I have read and understand the policies and expectations for the music class.
_________________ ____ _____________________ ______________________
Print Student Name Period Student Signature Parent Signature & Date