ROLLING MEADOWS HIGH SCHOOL BAND
(Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble I and II)
SEMESTER AND NINE WEEKS GRADING POLICY
FALL SEMESTER, 2007
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
1. Be in your seat in the Band Room with your instrument and necessary equipment (ie. all music, drill
charts, and pencils) when the bell rings or at the time a night rehearsal is scheduled to begin.
2. Participate in all classroom activities whether playing, marching, singing, clapping, etc.
3. Practice your instrument outside of school time so that you know your part and continue to develop
your skills. Daily practice time must be 15 to 20 minutes each day. Since we are on a block
schedule, we don't always rehearse together everyday. Thus, it is imperative to practice on your own.
4. Prepare your music. It is highly recommended that you take private lessons on your instrument.
5. Read the announcements and schedules for the week so that you know what is happening. These are
posted on the band room and instrument locker room bulletin boards. This is the students’
responsibility. Write all night or seminar rehearsals and performance dates in your class
assignment book that the school provides you.
6. Have your coordinate book around your neck whenever we are outside on a marching field.
7. Wear your marching shoes for all night rehearsals. (You are not required to, but you may also
want to wear them during class rehearsals.) No high heels or sandals allowed when marching.
8. Remember that SYSTEM + SPIRIT = SUCCESS!!!!! Thus, you need to provide the spirit.
CLASSROOM RULES
1. When a person of authority (director, drum major, section leaders, guest speaker) is talking, listen and
show respect for that person by not talking.
2. No food, gum, or drink in the Band Room or adjoining Storage/Practice Rooms. Bottled water is
allowed during rehearsals. No other exceptions!
3. Percussionists are the only people who may play the percussion instruments.
4. Please respect your equipment as well as the equipment of the school and other students.
5. Practice rooms are intended for what they are named for--to practice!!
6. Students are allowed to come in the band room during seminar---ONLY TO PRACTICE. You will
need to socialize or study non-music related subjects elsewhere.
7. At every rehearsal's end, all instruments must be properly stored away in cases and then in LOCKED
lockers or cabinets. This keeps the equipment in good playing condition and prevents loss or damage.
8. Cell phones are not allowed during class or rehearsals. If a cell phone is seen or heard it will be confiscated
and given to the Deans as indicated by school policy.
1st QUARTER GRADE
1. 40 % of the grade based on daily classroom participation. Grading includes behavior, attitude,
enthusiasm, and having the necessary equipment for each rehearsal. This equipment includes
your Coordinate Book, binder, instrument, music, proper marching shoes, and a pencil.
2. 40% of the grade is based on written and performance tests which will include Playing Tests,
Coordinate Book Checks, Vocabulary/Terminology Tests, Scale Tests, and Rhythm Tests. Students
will also have various Rhythm Worksheets, Listening Assignments, and Tuning Projects.
3. 10% on your Concert Audience Attendance. See other side for a detailed explanation.
4. 10% on your Binder. This will be checked near the end of the quarter. The binder must contain
your organized copies of all schedules, music (including pep tunes) or routines, warmups, homework
assignments, drill charts, and Coordinate Books. By keeping up with this all quarter, you will become
better organized and better prepared for each rehearsal, as well as your own individual practice
sessions. This will also lead to stronger performances from the ensemble.
SEMESTER GRADE
40%= 1st Quarter
40%= 2nd Quarter
20%= Final Exam
Quarter and Semester grades may be altered + or - according to your attendance at rehearsals and
performances as described below.
ATTENDANCE GRADING
Since this is a performance based course, in which everyone plays an important role, it is expected that each student is present at each and every rehearsal (both during class, seminars, and on Wednesday nights) and performance. If students attend all rehearsals and performances, no grade deductions will be made. However, for every unexcused absence from a rehearsal, a deduction of one half (1/2) a letter grade from that Quarter Grade will be made. For every unexcused absence from a performance, a deduction of one and not more than two letter grades will be made from that Quarter Grade. This includes punctuality, dress, and concert behavior. Please see the RMHS Music Department Calendar for information on all dates. All schedules are given in advance and need to be planned around.
As in any ensemble, we are only as strong as our weakest member. Absences from rehearsals and performances will be considered excused only if the absence is due to serious illness or accident, or attending a wake, funeral, or wedding. Family emergencies for health reasons will also be excused if Mr. Buti is notified by the student’s parent as soon as possible. If an emergency does occur, please call the band office at 718-5752 or send an e-mail to: chris.buti@d214.org or michael.riggs@d214.org. No student will be excused from a rehearsal or performance for a job related reason. It is each individual student's responsibility to share their band schedule with their employer in advance.
An absence from a scheduled performance is considered unexcused if the absence is for any other reason than those mentioned above . A request for an excused absence from a rehearsal or performance for reasons other than those stated above must be discussed and the detailed request turned in to Mr. Buti or Mr. Riggs no less than 4 days in advance for rehearsals (blue form) or 14 days for a performance (yellow form). Any request, regardless of reason, received after that time can be listed as unexcused. Simply turning in a form does not make an absence automatically excused. I try to be flexible when other school, community or family activities conflict with band, but, I expect you to 1) place attendance at all band performances as equal, if not greater, priority to any other activities that you are involved in, and 2) to take responsibility to inform me well in advance of potential conflicts. These actions have a significant impact on the entire ensemble.
CONCERT AUDIENCE CREDIT
In addition to actually performing, it is important for a developing musician to also develop his or her listening skills (as well as meeting the school goals of “writing across the curriculum). Therefore, each student is required to attend 1 concert or clinic PER QUARTER as an audience member. Any additional concert or clinic attendance beyond the requirement will result in a higher grade in this area and will have a positive impact on the overall class grade.
In or out of school performances by other schools, musician clinics, recitals, and professional level performances will be accepted. Please note that rock/pop concerts or events which use prerecorded music, do not count for concert credit. If you have questions as to the appropriateness of tam event, please ask. In an effort to give students more exposure to different mediums of music I recommend that you try to attend at least one Orchestra, Choral, and Jazz Concert throughout the year. Upcoming concerts are posted on the board in the band room.
To receive credit for attending a concert, you must do the following:
1) Provide a copy of the front cover of the concert program or ticket stub with your name and ID#
printed on the top right corner.
2) Include a one page (minimum) review of the concert. All papers must be typed. In this essay, discuss
general performance factors (For example= performance quality, expression, technique, performance
selections, the impact the performance had on you, etc.). The review must be in sentence and paragraph
form.
3) Concert Credit papers must be turned in within a week from the performance date in order to receive
credit. Papers turned in after the week will not be accepted. Events that were attended over the
summer months must be turned in within the first week of school (or as extended by the directors).
UNIFORMS, LOCKERS AND INSTRUMENTS
All uniforms have been dry cleaned and pressed upon issue. Students are expected to maintain the appearance of the uniform throughout the school year. Uniforms will be stored at RMHS and are not to leave the building without prior permission. Students are allowed to check out uniforms to have them cleaned or repaired as needed throughout the school year. The Jazz Bands, warm weather Marching Mustangs, and Pep Band uniforms consist of black dress pants , black socks, black belt, and the Purple Polo shirts. Students appearing for performance in dirty, wrinkled, and/or incomplete uniforms will receive an unexcused absence and can be withdrawn from the performance. Whenever in public, RMHS band uniforms are to be worn in a respectable and professional manner outlined by the directors. Mistreatment of a uniform at any time will not be tolerated. Detentions and/or disciplinary action will occur. Uniform parts should never be worn outside without consent of the directors.
While not in rehearsal, all musicians are required to store their instruments/equipment and music in an instrument locker, secured by a combination lock. Please keep only equipment needed for music rehearsal in your locker. DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN THE BAND ROOM UNLOCKED!!! Please do not leave books, coats, or other personal items lying around the Band Room. Such items might get lost, stolen, or thrown away. In addition, they can become a physical hazard. Any problems with school owned instruments should be reported to a director immediately. Student musicians will be held responsible for damage or abuse to school instrument which, in the opinion of a director or the repair technicians, exceeds normal playing usage.
