Band Placement

Sixth and seventh grade student will be placed into Honors or Symphonic Bands at the end of the current school year provided they have elected to be in band the following  year.  Listed below are the areas that are to be taken into consideration and reflect daily classroom behavior as well as progress/proficiency on the instrument.  This is the most accurate way to assess and place students into the appropriate band class.

 ·          Citizenship/Classroom behavior

·          Academic Eligibility

·          Class Participation

·          Attendance at Concerts and Sectionals

·          Practice Cards

·          Completion of assignments

·          Weekly Playing Grades

·          Master Schedule

Eligibility/Ineligibility

State law does not allow a student to participate in a U.I.L. district or region competition or any other “extra-curricular” activity unless all grades on the six-weeks report card are 70 or above. Students with a grade of 69 or lower in any class become ineligible and will maintain that status through the fourth week of the following six weeks grading period.  At the end of the third week, an ineligible student must be passing ALL CLASSES with a grade of 70 or higher to become eligible.  If, however, at the end of the third week following a grading period an ineligible student is failing ANY CLASS, they will remain ineligible for the remainder of the six weeks grading period.  If you have questions, please ask a band director for further clarification.

·          Students who are ineligible are still required/expected to perform at co-curricular events such as concerts where no admission is charged

Although our band program receives monies through the school district and from Band Boosters, these funds must be supplemented to enable our band to function at a continuous standard of excellence.  Each year our bands participate in a fund raising activity.  Items to be sold are determined by the band directors.  Profits go towards equipment for the band hall, music, social events, music contests, travel, and awards.  *If you do not wish for your child to participate in the fund raiser, please inform us by sending a note or calling the band office.

Contests

Students in Honor, Symphonic, and Concert Band may audition for the All-District and All-Region Bands and All-Region Orchestra.  Tryout music is given to all advanced band members.  Students who have achieved the level of musical skill necessary to perform this music are strongly encouraged to participate.  Our students compete with students from other schools in our region and are then ranked according to their performance.  The top-ranking students then attend a two-day clinic with a respected guest conductor/clinician.  This procedure culminates in a concert by the District/Region Band or Region Orchestra.

Students in Honors and Symphonic Bands are required to participate in the Round Rock ISD Band Solo and Ensemble Contest.  Students perform a solo, and if interested in a small group (ensemble).  A judge will then evaluate them on a scale of one to five, with one being superior.  A student may elect to perform their solo in class in lieu of participating in the Solo and Ensemble Contest.  The Honors and Symphonic Bands may participate in the U.I.L. Concert and Sightreading Contest which is held in the spring.  Instrumentation and students’ eligibility will determine participation.

Concert Performance-Attendance Is Required!

The Round Rock ISD School Board has determined that band is a performing art and that performances are an extension of class time.  Performance is our ultimate goal in band and it is essential that students be present at all performances.  An unexcused absence from any performance,  or any scheduled rehearsal, will severely affect the student’s grad.   The following policy will be used for performances and extra (scheduled) rehearsals:

§   An unexcused absence from a performance or a required rehearsal will result in a “zero” in the grade book.

§   Concert performances are given the same weight as a playing assignment grade (see section on grading).

§   The second unexcused absence may result in the removal of the student from the performing organization and will result in a demotion for students in Honors and Symphonic Bands.

§   Excessive absences from concert performances indicate a conflict with course requirements and the selection of a different elective would take place.

*IF A STUDENT MUST BE ABSENT FROM ANY REQUIRED BAND FUNCTION, A PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST INFORM A DIRECTOR BEFORE THE EVENT OCCURS IN ORDER FOR THE ABSENCE TO BE EXCUSED, UNLES IT IS AN EMERGENCY.  PLEASE PUT ALL BAND DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR SO THAT CONFLICTS CAN BE AVOIDED.

Concert Attire/Dress

Beginning Band - GRADING SYSTEM

50%= Weekly playing grades

30%= Class Participation

·          Having all required materials in class * keeping locker clean and locked at all times * taking instrument home EVERY DAY

·          Failure to bring materials to class will result in a deduction of 2 points for each occurrence

·          Failure to keep locker clean and locked will result in a deduction of 2 points for each occurrence

·          Failure to take instrument home will result in a deduction of 2 points for each occurrence

·          Instrument inspection (begins the 2^nd 6 weeks and occurs 1^st day of each new grading period)

10%= Practice Cards

10%= Written Theory Assignments – Class Handouts/Written Homework

We use a grading system which evaluates each student’s progress in technical mastery of his/her instrument and which evaluates students in social and work skills such as preparation, responsibility, self-discipline, and promptness.  In addition, attendance at after school rehearsals prior to a concert as well as attendance at the concert are mandatory (rehearsal= 1 playing grade, concert= 1 playing grade). If a student is absent the day of the rehearsal and/or concert, or goes home ill, no penalty will be assessed and the student will receive full credit.  Please submit a note to a director upon returning to campus so that the absence may be documented properly.

15%= Attendance at Sectional Rehearsals (to be held every week)

·          Being late to a sectional is a deduction of 2 points per minute off the grade for the sectional

·          A missed sectional will be an automatic “zero” entered in the grade book

If a student is absent from school or goes home ill, no penalty will be assessed.  Please submit a note to the director upon returning to campus so that the absence may be documented properly.  In addition, we request that student and parents try to schedule doctor and dentist appointments, etc., at a time that will not conflict with sectional rehearsals.

15% /Practice Cards

·          Practice cards will be submitted every week to a director and indicates preparation and practice outside of class

20%= Class Participation

·          Having all required materials in class * keeping locker clean and locked at all times * taking instrument home EVERY DAY

·          Failure to bring materials to class will result in a deduction of 2 points for each occurrence

·          Failure to keep locker clean and locked will result in a deduction of 2 points for each occurrence

·          Failure to take instrument home will result in a deduction of 2 points for each occurrence

We use a grading system which evaluates each student’s progress in technical mastery of his/her instrument and which evaluates students in social and work skills such as preparation, responsibility, self-discipline, and promptness.  In addition, attendance at after school rehearsals prior to a concert as well as attendance at the concert are mandatory (rehearsal= 1 playing grade, concert= 1 playing grade). If a student is absent the day of the rehearsal and/or concert, or goes home ill, no penalty will be assessed and the student will receive full credit.  Please submit a note to a director upon returning to campus so that the absence may be documented properly.