Goals
The goals for all music courses at American High School are:
Content objectives
Music from a wide variety of styles, cultures, and time periods will be
explored.
By the end of their musical training at American, students will be able
to
identify and demonstrate: proper posture and breathing in relation to
the
making of music, proper vocal technique and vocal health, theoretical
and
historical concepts in music, and students will have been exposed to
ear
training and sight reading skills that will help increase musicianship.
| Class/Rehearsals 35% | Tests 25% |
| Performances 30% | Projects 10% |
| A+ | 100+ | B+ | 89-88 | C+ | 79-78 | D+ | 69-68 |
| A | 99-93 | B | 87-83 | C | 77-73 | D | 67-63 |
| A- | 92-90 | B- | 82-80 | C- | 72-70 | D- | 62-60 |
| F | Below | 60 |
Class/Rehearsals
If you miss a rehearsal, you are responsible for the loss, since work
can
only be done in class as a group. With the exception of one absence,
students
lose points with each absence or tardy. Points can be made up by doing
more
work (see Points). It is the student's
responsibility
to clear absences through the attendance office. Excessive absences or
nonparticipation
will lead to a lower grade. Students who are tardy or absent must get
the
information discussed in class from a classmate or see the teacher
outside of class time. Students will be required
to bring a notebook or binder paper everyday to class in order
to
take notes on concepts. Written work will be assigned regularly to
reinforce
or supplement concepts discussed in class.
Performances
Attendance at performances will constitute a large portion of each
student's
grade. If a student is unable to attend a performance, the student must
bring
a note signed by a parent or guardian to the director no later than
one
month prior to the performance . This allows for time to shift
parts
in order to cover the absent student's part. The student will receive
half
credit for that activity and must make up remaining credit by doing
extra
work. Acceptable make up work for an excused absence for a performance
may
include taking an extra solo, duet, trio, or quartet exam, seeing a
choral
concert and writing a two-page critique, or attending extra sectionals
at
lunch, depending on the performance missed.
If a student does not show up for a performance, except in the case of
a
medical or family emergency, the student will receive zero credit for
that
activity. No make up will be allowed. One person's absence affects the
outcome
of an entire performance. Timely communication is essential.
Students who miss the last rehearsal within the 24-hour period before a
performance
will not be allowed to perform. In the past, students who have missed
the
last rehearsal before a performance and then showed up have made it
more
difficult for their peers to perform well and have compromised the
quality
of the overall performance. Students miss vital information. The
perfomance
schedule is printed in May of the previous school year. Students are
responsible
for notifying their parents, guardians, and employers so that schedule
conflicts
may be avoided. Timely communication is essential.
Tests
Singing and written tests will be given periodically to evaluate
students' progress. Singing tests will be done in small groups or
individually on music
or concepts studied in class. Written tests will be based on concepts
discussed
and taught in class. Tests and quizzes can be made up (preferably
outside of class time), but it is the student's responsibility to make
the arrangements with the teacher.
Projects
Students will perform solo or in small ensembles each year.
Students will be required to create multimedia projects integrating
music
and technology as part of their grade each semester. Examples include
slide
shows, web sites, & publications.
Extra credit
Required work must be turned in before extra credit will be given.
Students
who wish to make up work missed may complete extra credit assignments
such
as those listed below. Alternate assignments may be created as the need
arises.
Listening Journal (up to 10 points per week)
The listening journal should contain entries of Renaissance, Baroque,
Classical,
Romantic, or 20th Century music, including the date, time, title of
piece,
composer, conductor, and ensemble. The purpose of the listening journal
is
to encourage students to listen to music which they may not normally
hear
so that they may become more open-minded musicians.
Extra Vivace Performances (up to 25 points each)
Students may play and tape record extra solo music, at their skill
level
or higher, for extra credit. Music chosen must be approved by the
director
in advance.
Expectations
Classroom:
1. Take care of your instrument (your vocal mechanism)
2. Be in the classroom, on the choir risers, by the time the bell rings
3. Have pencil and music on music stand
4. Have a notebook or binder paper to take notes on concepts discussed
in
class
5. No food, gum, or drinks during rehearsal or performance (except for
water)
6. Keep the room clean
a. use the garbage can and appropriate recycle bins7. Follow "podium etiquette"
b. music should be stored neatly in folders and folders should be stored neatly in the crates
a. give your undivided attention to the director, on the podium or at the piano8. Learn something new everyday (make daily progress)
b. be quiet when other sections are being rehearsed or when explanations are given
Performance:
1. Dress appropriately for performances (refer to dress standards
outlined for each performance situation)
2. Meet on time and in the right place for performances
3. Sign the sign-in sheet to get full credit for being on time
4. Stand in concert order on stage by the assigned time for concerts
5. Have pencil and music ready during the warm-up period before the
performance
6. Sing concert music from memory
7. Plan ahead to make up work for other classes if the performance is
during
school time
8. Conduct yourself in a manner that proudly represents American (All
school
rules will be in effect in performance situations)
9. Relax!!
10. No food, gum, or drinks during a performance (except for water)
unless
specifically instructed to do so by the director!!
Points
Points may be earned in the following ways:
Points may be lost in the following ways:
-10 Absent from class
-10 Non-participation (you cannot partiicipate with food in your
mouth!). Students
who are ill and unable to sing will receive an Alternate Work (AW)
packet,
which they must work on in class. The teacher will initial the starting
point
and, at the end of class, the ending point. Students who do not
complete
an appropriate amount of AW will not receive full credit for the day.
Students
who disrupt class will be automatically sent to SRC.
-10 Instrument or music dirty (soiled, bent, rolled up, mutilated,
marked
in pen, etc.)*
-10 Playing another's instrument withouut director's permission
-10 Gum chewing in class (the 1st infraction will result in a 15-minute
clean-up detention, successive infractions will result in double-time
clean-up detentions, etc.)
-5 Permission slip not in on time
-5 Music out of proper storage area (Music not turned in the day after
a
performance, or when collected, will result in a daily 5-point loss,
until
the music is returned)*
-4 Tardy to class (3 tardies, excused or not, result in 15 minutes of
detention. The next 3 tardies result in 30 minutes of detention, etc.
See tardy policy for consequences for excessive tardies.)
-4 Not prepared for class (no music, peencil, notebook, homework, etc.)
-10% Late assignments will result in a 10% loss of points on the
assignment for each day the assignment is late
*Lost or mutilated music will result in a $2.50 per piece charge (minimum) placed on the school debt list.
<>-25 Unexcused absence from after school or dress rehearsalRespect
All students have the right to learn in a safe, supportive, educational
environment.
In order to maintain this, students must treat each other and the
director
with respect. Lack of respect for fellow human beings or for the music
we
study will not be tolerated. Respect others' property and personal
space.
Laugh with, not at, others. Listen to others because we all have
something
unique to contribute to the learning process. Follow directions.
Consequences
Students who fail to obey the rules will face one or more of the
following consequences:
| 1. Removal from rehearsal | 4. Detention |
| 2. Grade lowered | 5. Parent conference |
| 3. Special assignments | 6. Removal from music program |
Conduct unbecoming a choir member (foul language, fighting, verbal abuse, damaging school or personal property, smoking, drinking alcohol, drug use, etc.) will lead to the student(s) being barred from performing and being sent home at their parents' expense. Police involvement and reparation may be necessary, depending on the severity of the behavior.
Communicate with each other and the director.
Prepare your part. If you would like help, go to a fellow
student or
to the director and schedule a time where you can work together. If
even
one student neglects this responsibility, it affects the sound of the
entire
group.
Represent yourself, your music department, and your school with
pride
and honor.
Support your music department in all musical, fund raising, and
community
activities.
Memorize your music. You will look and sound much more confident
when
the music is in your head instead of blocking your view.
The success of any group depends on the willingness of its members
to cooperate
with each other and the director. Involvement in a musical organization
includes
simultaneous cooperation and participation to create a product that is
more
than the individual parts - music. The joy of music comes from the
creation
of something that transcends words. Music allows participants to
express
themselves in a very special way by moving others.
By understanding the rules and procedures outlined above, we may
quickly move
on to the making of music. In the process of learning about music,
students,
will also learn about responsibility, sensitivity to others,
self-direction,
and self-esteem. Success in the music classroom may give students
confidence
and inspire them to reach higher goals in other areas of life.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at
school -
510-796-1776.
Sincerely,
Richard F. Wong
Music Director
Please keep the above document and return the portion below by September 12
I have read and understand the American High School Band Grading
Policy for the 2008-2009 school year and agree to abide by it.