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Band Handbook 2016-17

Read your band newsletter (Goodnews/Bandnews) every week

Check your class Haiku page weekly for assignments and links to other information

Band Mission and Values

Band Portfolio

The purpose of the band portfolio is to show who you are musically.  You will need to document progress and share your learning with the community through your band portfolio.  You may focus on yourself or our class.

Band portfolios will be completed outside of class and assessed once per trimester.  Elements may be simply typed/uploaded directly to your haiku portfolio, or you may embed/link to web content of your choice.

 

Choose one of these elements to earn an A+

T2 Audition

Write a reflection about how your prepared for the audition and what the audition experience was like for you. (1 paragraph)

  • All-District Band
  • All-Region Jazz Band


T2 Honor Band

Write a reflection about how your prepared for the honor band and what the honor band experience was like for you. (1 paragraph)

 

Write a piece of music (original composition)/Arrange a piece of music (someone else’s composition) using one of the following tools

  • Noteflight.com
  • Hooktheory.com
  • Looping app
  • Soundation.com
  • Other tools
Composition must be different from or an addition to  a previous trimester

Time should be  1-3 minutes 

 

Choose one of these elements to earn an A- or two to earn an A+

T2 MS Pep Band

  • Play 1 game for an A-, play 2 for an A+.
  • Write a short reflection on your eportfolio

Recordings of you

  • post 3 or more recordings that demonstrate your progress
  • They may be music of your choice or music we have learned in class
  • They may be recordings of one piece (beginning, middle, end)
  •  OR recordings of 3 different pieces
  • must be different than those listed in a previous trimester

Reflections on progress (your individual progress or the progress of our class)

  • post 3 or more “journal entries” detailing skills you are working to improve and how you are progressing
  • DO NOT simply list what you practice
  • must be different than those listed in a previous trimester

List of strategies 

  • keep a running list of practice strategies that work for you
  • There should be at least 6 strategies.
  • must be different than those listed in a previous trimester

Listening Journal

  • Review favorite pieces of music – any music you like.  Write about 3 songs you have listened to or write about a concert you attend.
  • Include a link to each song so I can easily listen to it.
  • must be different than those listed in a previous trimester


Band Council

  • Write a reflection about what you have done this trimester and what other ideas you have (1 paragraph)

 

Other ideas? (Ask Mr. Grush for approval in advance)

 

T1 NCAIS Honor Band

  • Write a reflection about your experience, specifying what you learned (1 paragraph)

Extracurricular Opportunities

MS Pep Band
During the 2nd trimester, MS Pep Band plays for a number of home girls and boys basketball games. During 1st and 3rd trimesters, MS Pep Band plays for the MS Student-Faculty games.  Membership is open to all 6th-12th grade students, parents, and employees. Interested students should see Mr. Grush.


US Drumline
The US Drumline is open to any 9th-12th grader interested in learning to play marching percussion instruments and meets Wednesdays during the Upper School Club period, 2:40-3:10.  The group is student directed and writes some of its own music.


MS Jazz Band
The Middle School Jazz Band will rehearse during Club period, once per week, during the school day. All middle school students (6th-8th grade) with previous experience playing one of the following instruments are eligible to join: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone/Euphonium, Tuba, Piano, Electric or Upright Bass, Electric Guitar, Drum Set.

We will perform for school functions and concerts. Interested students should see Mr. Grush

 

Band Movie Afternoons
4-5 times per trimester from 3:15-5:30 in the bandroom .  We will watch movies and blog about the movie soundtrack.  Of course we will have popcorn!

 

Open Bandroom
Once per week from 3:15-4:00 the bandroom will be open to any student who wants to jam.  All school instruments will be available to use, including but not limited to percussion, drumset, piano, bass woodwind and brass instruments, midi wind controller (electronic saxophone)

 

Pit Orchestra for Musical Revue
Once per week during 1st trimester and twice per week during 2nd trimester, the Pit Orchestra will reheasre music for the 20th anniversary musical revue.

Assessment

Student Assessment

50% Class Participation Will appear as Participation Average in gradebook
20% Portfolio Compile once per trimester
30% Preparation Assessments Replace Pass-offs

Class Participation

The effectiveness of student participation in class will be observed daily.  Students should work hard, listen intently, play together, and have fun.

Other criteria include:

  • being on time and prepared to begin class
  • having all materials
  • cleaning and maintaining instrument
  • being able to keep up with the class
  • focusing on class activities
  • following instructions
  • maintaining a positive attitude
  • exhibiting self-control
  • parents and students – returning forms (paper or electronic) promptly

Students who wish to raise their participation average should ask Mr. Grush how they can improve, practice, then see Mr. Grush for an appointment to demonstrate the improvement(s).  All students start with an average of 94 (A).


Preparation Assessments

In past years, we have had pass-offs in class to assess student progress.  This year, students will have more choice and utilize the capabilities of their accounts at MusicFirst.com.

Preparation Assessments will be completed outside of class and submitted through student accounts at MusicFirst.com.

An “Incomplete” on an assignment means the assignment has not been completed or has not been received.  Once the assignment is completed, the “incomplete” will be replaced with the grade s/he has earned.

To raise grades, students may submit a new recording or make an appointment to play for Mr. Grush during advisory/club period or after school. Students have one week after the assignment due date to complete the assignment for partial credit or to play the assignment again.


Portfolio

At the end of the trimester, students will compile a portfolio in their MusicFirst.com account.  Students may use the assessments already completed.  Portfolios will be evaluated as follows:

B (83) Uses the trimester preparation assessments exactly as submitted previously
A-
(90)		 Makes improvements in one or more assessments and submits the new recording(s) along with the original ones
A+
(97+)		 Submits the trimester preparation assessments plus at least one brand new one that the student chooses from ideas below.  Also, the student makes improvements in one or more assessments and submits the new recording(s) along with the original ones

Ideas for the new preparation assessment in a student portfolio

  • Record music of the student’s choosing (with or without background accompaniment)
  • Review a favorite piece of music and include a link so Mr. Grush can hear.
  • Listen to 3 different rehearsal recordings (of our class playing the same piece) and reflect on at least 3 specific skills we have improved. Also give advice on what more we can do to improve further.
  • Reflect on your individual progress made this trimester including at least 3 specific skills that you have improved.
  • Attend a live musical performance and write a review. List at least 3 titles and composers of pieces you hear as well as identify 3 specific skills that the performer has mastered.
  • Tutor someone else on playing your band instrument.  Write a reflection and include at least 3 specific skills that your student has improved.