GRADING
FOR BAND
The three main areas listed below determine your grade in
band. Depending on the particular grading period, the emphasis of
each area may change. For example, during the fourth quarter, we
will give more performances; thus, the Performance area would be
worth more than the Productivity area. The percentages given at
the right will reflect the first quarter grading period.
I.
Productivity - 40%
A. Tests (playing or written) - pts vary - 25%
B. Individual home practice - 15% of the
overall grade
All band students must practice
outside of class in order to be successful. The amount of home
practice will vary from student
to student, but three hours per week is required. Students must
turn in a
practice sheet every other Friday, signed by a parent or guardian.
Practice sheets that are over
a week late will not be accepted. Students may practice extra minutes
per week for extra credit. Listed
below are the grade equivalents to the amount of minutes practiced
in one week:
A 162-180
min.
B 144-161
min.
C 126-143
min.
D 108-125
min.
II.
Preparation - 35%
This is the daily grade, worth 3 pts/day and is divided
into three main areas:
A. Constructive Participation - 1 pt -
defined as contributing in a positive manner (attitude).
B. Materials - 1 pt - defined as 1) having your
instrument in class each day (four misses will lower
your grade by one full
letter) - for percussionists, this means having a pair of your personal
drumsticks
in class; 2) proper maintenance of instrument (care, cleaning, and
storage); 3) having a
pencil every
day; and 4) music - the student will be fined $1.00 for each piece
of music that returns
damaged.
C. In seat on time - 1 pt - defined as
being in your assigned seat, ready to play within three minutes
after the tardy bell
rings.
*Attendance plays an important role
in a student's academic success and will adversely affect his/
her grade if many absences
accrue. Please refer to the student handbook regarding Columbia
's
attendance
policy and the effect on the grade.
III.
Performance - 25%
A. Concerts - include the three local concerts
( Holiday , Winter, and Spring), all parades, and other
school-related performances
(like contests) - 100 pts each.
100 pts is given when a student is
present at the performance in the appropriate attire and
with their instrument and music -
unless prior arrangements have been made,
students not wearing approved
attire will not be allowed to perform and will receive a
zero for a grade.
MISSED
WORK
I.
If a student is ill, it is the student's responsibility
to make sure that he/she is caught up with the literature
being studied in class; practice time must be made
up. If a video, that has a corresponding worksheet, is
shown on a day a student is absent, the video can be
checked out from the library for one day. Please see
Mr. Kelsey for details.
II.
If you fail to attend a concert, except for reasons of
personal injury or death of a family member, a written
report two pages in length will be required to make
up the missed concert. Failure to do so will result in
a zero for the grade.
GRADING
SCALE
% GRADE %
GRADE
100-93 A
76-73 C
92-90 A- 72-70
C-
89-87 B+
67-69 D+
86-83 B
60-66 D
82-80 B- 59
& below F
79-77 C+
EXTRA-CREDIT
ACTIVITIES
I.
Performance in other ensembles on your band instrument
(woodwind ensemble, pep band,
church, Tacoma Youth Symphony, etc.) - record your rehearsal
time on the weekly practice sheet as usual;
10 pts.hr performance for activities outside of school. For
school-related activities, record the time
as usual on the practice sheet
* DOES NOT INCLUDE PERFORMANCES ON OTHER INSTRUMENTS.
II.
Private lessons - see Mr. Kelsey for procedures.
III.
Attending classical concerts in the Fife school district
- 3 pts per concert.
IV.
Attending popular concerts outside the immediate school
district - 3 pts per concert - must show ticket
stub or
program. Only one country/pop/rock concert allowed per semester.
IV.
Student officer points (Wind Ensemble only) - determined
by the director.
V.
Solo & Ensemble Contest - the student selects a
classical work, either solo or in a group, to be judged in
a competition - 50
pts extra credit.
VI.
Tour - planned for the Wind Ensemble only (if district
and funds allow) - a fun and exciting time when
students travel on a two day trip across
the state, visiting two public schools and receiving a clinic by
a
university professor - 100 pts.
VII.
Drum major - for 9 th grade students only - a position
of leadership during marching season after weeks
of practice
and tryouts. Two are selected and lead the band during practice
and during parades. |
