Grading Policy
Look for your child's band grade on their Report Card! This is new this year, so please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Look for your child's band grade on their Report Card! This is new this year, so please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Course Description
The Elementary School Band program provides a performance-based curriculum for advanced level learners, focusing on the development of expressive and artistic musical experiences through student driven work. It is important to note that we will not merely be playing instruments in this course, but rather learning the language of music through performance. As such, a significant portion of your work in this course will be devoted to refining your performance skills, increasing your ability to read new music at sight, and exploring what it means to be an all-encompassing musician.
Materials
Grading
Grading categories from the HCPSS Music Grading Standards are weighted as follows:
HCPSS Music Grading Standards
Mus s1: Creativity & Composition Grade Weight 20%
Develops and applies strategies to generate and express a variety of musical ideas.
Mus s2: Musicianship Grade Weight 20%
Uses best practices and experiences to inform and develop an authentic voice.
Mus s3: Applied Skills & Technical Development Grade Weight 50%
Demonstrates skills and strategies appropriate to music-making
Mus s4: Procedures & Practices
Demonstrates appropriate musical practices in the classroom or rehearsal environment. Represented in Learning Behaviors.
Mus s5: Reflection Grade Weight 10%
Communicates an understanding of concepts and strategies through the evaluation of music.
Details Regarding Grading Categories:
Creativity and Composition - 20%
Students will complete composition assignments to further their understanding of music theory and creative processes. Examples include:
Musicianship - 20%
Students will complete assignments that explore musical works performed in the class to further their understanding of performance practice. Assignments will include listening to personal, ensemble, and professional recordings and researching musical works to understand cultural and historical context. Examples include:
Applied Skills & Technical Development - 50%
Every student will receive graded performance assessments and skills tests throughout the year. Examples include:
Procedures and Practices - Represented in Learning Behaviors
Students are learning to perform on their instruments, as well as learning to conduct themselves in a large ensemble rehearsal. This class will put the student in the role of a professional instrumental musician. As such, you will be asked to show your understanding of rehearsal and performance behavior. Students are observed and assessed on their instrumental performance and rehearsal conduct on a daily basis. Examples include:
Reflection - 10%
Students will receive written reflection assignments over the course of the year. Students will evaluate their performances and performances by other groups in the following categories: tone, technique, intonation, musicality, balance, interpretation, musical effect, and other factors.
Examples include:
The Elementary School Band program provides a performance-based curriculum for advanced level learners, focusing on the development of expressive and artistic musical experiences through student driven work. It is important to note that we will not merely be playing instruments in this course, but rather learning the language of music through performance. As such, a significant portion of your work in this course will be devoted to refining your performance skills, increasing your ability to read new music at sight, and exploring what it means to be an all-encompassing musician.
Materials
- Instrument accessories (reeds, oils, lubricants, swabs, etc.)
- Instructional Book (Measures of Success, Book 1)
- Metronome, optional
- Tuner, optional
- Pencil
- Folder and sheet music(provided)
Grading
Grading categories from the HCPSS Music Grading Standards are weighted as follows:
HCPSS Music Grading Standards
Mus s1: Creativity & Composition Grade Weight 20%
Develops and applies strategies to generate and express a variety of musical ideas.
Mus s2: Musicianship Grade Weight 20%
Uses best practices and experiences to inform and develop an authentic voice.
Mus s3: Applied Skills & Technical Development Grade Weight 50%
Demonstrates skills and strategies appropriate to music-making
Mus s4: Procedures & Practices
Demonstrates appropriate musical practices in the classroom or rehearsal environment. Represented in Learning Behaviors.
Mus s5: Reflection Grade Weight 10%
Communicates an understanding of concepts and strategies through the evaluation of music.
Details Regarding Grading Categories:
Creativity and Composition - 20%
Students will complete composition assignments to further their understanding of music theory and creative processes. Examples include:
- Benchmark Assessments found in Canvas (Creating)
- Exercises provided in instructional books
- Student composition assignments
Musicianship - 20%
Students will complete assignments that explore musical works performed in the class to further their understanding of performance practice. Assignments will include listening to personal, ensemble, and professional recordings and researching musical works to understand cultural and historical context. Examples include:
- Benchmark Assessments found in Canvas (Responding)
- Demonstrates applied skills and technical development
- Demonstrates understanding of the curriculum through non-performance means
- Listening and reflection
Applied Skills & Technical Development - 50%
Every student will receive graded performance assessments and skills tests throughout the year. Examples include:
- Performance Assessments, formal and informal (ex- Scales, Concert Music, Exercises from Instructional Books)
- Benchmark Assessments found in Canvas (Performing)
- Demonstration of performance skills
Procedures and Practices - Represented in Learning Behaviors
Students are learning to perform on their instruments, as well as learning to conduct themselves in a large ensemble rehearsal. This class will put the student in the role of a professional instrumental musician. As such, you will be asked to show your understanding of rehearsal and performance behavior. Students are observed and assessed on their instrumental performance and rehearsal conduct on a daily basis. Examples include:
- Utilizes required material during all classes
- Demonstrates best efforts on an individual basis and as a member of the ensemble
- Uses established rehearsal conduct on a daily basis
Reflection - 10%
Students will receive written reflection assignments over the course of the year. Students will evaluate their performances and performances by other groups in the following categories: tone, technique, intonation, musicality, balance, interpretation, musical effect, and other factors.
Examples include:
- Benchmark Assessments found in Canvas (Responding)
- Informal Classroom Conversations/Discussions
- Performance Evaluations
- Self Assessments