Grading Policy
How to get an A in band:
1) Always be prepared for class with instrument, music, pencil, and supplies.
2) Be sure to practice every day. Make practice a habit and set goals for your practice time.
3) Focus on the specific parts you have trouble with. Slow the tempo down and practice it until it is correct three times in a row. Only perfect practice makes perfect. (Don’t forget to practice scales, rhythms, and other exercises.)
4) Talk to Mr. James if there is something that you don’t understand.
5) Don’t settle for just playing notes and rhythms correctly. How expressive can you be? Are you playing with proper dynamics, articulation, style, and phrasing?
Grades and Practice
Band is an academic class and students are expected to achieve proficiency on their instrument. I expect and look for daily progress from each student. Students must earn their grades by producing high quality work and by performing in the concerts.
Instrumental progress is determined by listening to students perform alone or in groups. At times, I will also assign written work, written tests, or large projects. Concert attendance and punctuality is mandatory and is a significant part of the grade. It cannot be made up. You may want to make a backup transportation plan (grandparent, relative, neighbor, friend’s parents, etc.) for the times when a parent may suddenly be unable to take their student to the concert. (Note: If an extraordinary, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency prevents concert attendance, please contact Mr. James as quickly as possible to inform him of the situation.)
The key to success in band is focused, consistent, and daily practice. The question is not whether a student is talented. All students can develop musical skill through deliberate practice. When students practice, they should be working on the places where they are having trouble. Skill growth comes from the struggle to correct errors and the repetition of the correct action. Break it down into smaller chunks, practicing each one slowly until perfectly correct; pay careful attention to every detail; and repeat the correct action until it is automatic. The more time that students devote to this very careful practice, the better they will become. Simply running through a song will not make a student better and mistakes that are not fixed will become bad habits.
Students need to make practicing on their instrument part of their daily routine. It will be easier to practice if it is done at the same time each day, such as just after dinner, or at 5:00. I encourage parents and students to look at the weekly schedule and plan practice time. It is much easier to practice regularly when it becomes a habit.
When students practice, they should set specific goals for their practice time and practice until they achieve those goals. Middle school students should typically practice 20-30 minutes (or more) every day. Some students will need to practice longer to achieve their goals than others, but success will always eventually come to those who practice. In addition, students are encouraged to practice with other students and help each other or to ask Mr. James for help when there is something that is still unclear. The goal is for all students to develop their individual musical potential. Again, parents, please help your student develop the habit of consistent, goal-driven practice.
Rubric for Weekly Progress and Preparation Grade (25 points per week):
Performance Attendance (in grading periods which contain a concert)
Concerts are the culmination of several months of work and preparation and are scheduled in a manner to allow parents and students the greatest amount of communication in scheduling their plans to attend. It is mandatory that all students enrolled in the music program perform in all scheduled performances during the school year. Foreseeable conflicts must be brought to the attention of the student’s band director at least two weeks prior to the concert day. Unforeseen circumstances (i.e. sickness, death in the family, etc) do not mean a loss of points. Makeup work will come in the form of an assignment from the director at a later date.
Written Work/Playing Tests
It is necessary to assess students through playing tests and written work at times throughout a grading period. If a student misses a quiz or test due to absence, it is expected that contact will be made to their band director no later than the next band class they attend for makeup on that day. All written work is given a due date and will only be given full credit if it is turned in at that time. Late work is subject to loss of points as decided upon by Mr. James.
Daily Points
Students are given 5 points every time they are in class to assess daily preparation and participation. Students receive the full value when they come on time with their instrument, folder & music, a pencil, and participate responsibly. A parent note must accompany students to class who cannot participate due to sickness or instrument repair. Deductions that may occur are as follows:
Missing Instrument/Parts of Instrument - 5 pts
Missing Music Folder - 5 pts
Chewing Gum - 1x 2 pts, 2x 2 pts + communication home, 3x 2 pts + afterschool cleanup
Effort/Behavior - 1-5 pt(s)
Tardy - 2 pts
A: (23-25 pts) Student is on time and prepared with all materials.* Student plays warmups, scales, and rhythm exercises accurately. Student plays his/her part of the band/orchestra music accurately and confidently with a steady tempo. If there are any mistakes, they are very minor and quickly corrected. Each day, the student plays better and better as a result of daily and deliberate practice.
B: (20-22 pts) Student is on time and prepared with all materials.* Student makes a few mistakes when playing warmups, scales and/or rhythm exercises. Student plays his/her part of the band/orchestra music accurately in some spots, but has errors in notes or rhythms in other places. The student makes inconsistent progress from day to day as a result of unfocused or inconsistent practice.
C: (18-19 pts) Student is on time and prepared with all materials.* Student makes many mistakes on warmups, scales, and/or rhythm exercises. Student makes many mistakes in notes or rhythms in the band/orchestra music, so that the part does not fit in with the rest of the band. Little progress is seen during the week, indicating a lack of practice at home or confusion about concepts.
D: (15-17 pts) Student is on time and prepared with all materials.* Warmups, scales, and/or rhythm exercises are unrecognizable. Little attempt is made to play the material in class. When the band/orchestra is playing its music, the student only attempts to play a small part of the music on their page. Student does not make progress beyond what is taught in class, indicating no practice at home.
F: (<15 pts) Student is not prepared for class.* Student makes no attempt to participate in the class lessons or play their instrument. Student is not making significant progress on the instrument.
*Note: On time and prepared is defined as: (1) Student is sitting in their seat with their instrument, (2) with their own pencil and all their own music on the stand in front of them,(3) ready to start warm-ups when Mr. James steps onto the podium.
1) Always be prepared for class with instrument, music, pencil, and supplies.
2) Be sure to practice every day. Make practice a habit and set goals for your practice time.
3) Focus on the specific parts you have trouble with. Slow the tempo down and practice it until it is correct three times in a row. Only perfect practice makes perfect. (Don’t forget to practice scales, rhythms, and other exercises.)
4) Talk to Mr. James if there is something that you don’t understand.
5) Don’t settle for just playing notes and rhythms correctly. How expressive can you be? Are you playing with proper dynamics, articulation, style, and phrasing?
Grades and Practice
Band is an academic class and students are expected to achieve proficiency on their instrument. I expect and look for daily progress from each student. Students must earn their grades by producing high quality work and by performing in the concerts.
Instrumental progress is determined by listening to students perform alone or in groups. At times, I will also assign written work, written tests, or large projects. Concert attendance and punctuality is mandatory and is a significant part of the grade. It cannot be made up. You may want to make a backup transportation plan (grandparent, relative, neighbor, friend’s parents, etc.) for the times when a parent may suddenly be unable to take their student to the concert. (Note: If an extraordinary, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency prevents concert attendance, please contact Mr. James as quickly as possible to inform him of the situation.)
The key to success in band is focused, consistent, and daily practice. The question is not whether a student is talented. All students can develop musical skill through deliberate practice. When students practice, they should be working on the places where they are having trouble. Skill growth comes from the struggle to correct errors and the repetition of the correct action. Break it down into smaller chunks, practicing each one slowly until perfectly correct; pay careful attention to every detail; and repeat the correct action until it is automatic. The more time that students devote to this very careful practice, the better they will become. Simply running through a song will not make a student better and mistakes that are not fixed will become bad habits.
Students need to make practicing on their instrument part of their daily routine. It will be easier to practice if it is done at the same time each day, such as just after dinner, or at 5:00. I encourage parents and students to look at the weekly schedule and plan practice time. It is much easier to practice regularly when it becomes a habit.
When students practice, they should set specific goals for their practice time and practice until they achieve those goals. Middle school students should typically practice 20-30 minutes (or more) every day. Some students will need to practice longer to achieve their goals than others, but success will always eventually come to those who practice. In addition, students are encouraged to practice with other students and help each other or to ask Mr. James for help when there is something that is still unclear. The goal is for all students to develop their individual musical potential. Again, parents, please help your student develop the habit of consistent, goal-driven practice.
Rubric for Weekly Progress and Preparation Grade (25 points per week):
Performance Attendance (in grading periods which contain a concert)
Concerts are the culmination of several months of work and preparation and are scheduled in a manner to allow parents and students the greatest amount of communication in scheduling their plans to attend. It is mandatory that all students enrolled in the music program perform in all scheduled performances during the school year. Foreseeable conflicts must be brought to the attention of the student’s band director at least two weeks prior to the concert day. Unforeseen circumstances (i.e. sickness, death in the family, etc) do not mean a loss of points. Makeup work will come in the form of an assignment from the director at a later date.
Written Work/Playing Tests
It is necessary to assess students through playing tests and written work at times throughout a grading period. If a student misses a quiz or test due to absence, it is expected that contact will be made to their band director no later than the next band class they attend for makeup on that day. All written work is given a due date and will only be given full credit if it is turned in at that time. Late work is subject to loss of points as decided upon by Mr. James.
Daily Points
Students are given 5 points every time they are in class to assess daily preparation and participation. Students receive the full value when they come on time with their instrument, folder & music, a pencil, and participate responsibly. A parent note must accompany students to class who cannot participate due to sickness or instrument repair. Deductions that may occur are as follows:
Missing Instrument/Parts of Instrument - 5 pts
Missing Music Folder - 5 pts
Chewing Gum - 1x 2 pts, 2x 2 pts + communication home, 3x 2 pts + afterschool cleanup
Effort/Behavior - 1-5 pt(s)
Tardy - 2 pts
A: (23-25 pts) Student is on time and prepared with all materials.* Student plays warmups, scales, and rhythm exercises accurately. Student plays his/her part of the band/orchestra music accurately and confidently with a steady tempo. If there are any mistakes, they are very minor and quickly corrected. Each day, the student plays better and better as a result of daily and deliberate practice.
B: (20-22 pts) Student is on time and prepared with all materials.* Student makes a few mistakes when playing warmups, scales and/or rhythm exercises. Student plays his/her part of the band/orchestra music accurately in some spots, but has errors in notes or rhythms in other places. The student makes inconsistent progress from day to day as a result of unfocused or inconsistent practice.
C: (18-19 pts) Student is on time and prepared with all materials.* Student makes many mistakes on warmups, scales, and/or rhythm exercises. Student makes many mistakes in notes or rhythms in the band/orchestra music, so that the part does not fit in with the rest of the band. Little progress is seen during the week, indicating a lack of practice at home or confusion about concepts.
D: (15-17 pts) Student is on time and prepared with all materials.* Warmups, scales, and/or rhythm exercises are unrecognizable. Little attempt is made to play the material in class. When the band/orchestra is playing its music, the student only attempts to play a small part of the music on their page. Student does not make progress beyond what is taught in class, indicating no practice at home.
F: (<15 pts) Student is not prepared for class.* Student makes no attempt to participate in the class lessons or play their instrument. Student is not making significant progress on the instrument.
*Note: On time and prepared is defined as: (1) Student is sitting in their seat with their instrument, (2) with their own pencil and all their own music on the stand in front of them,(3) ready to start warm-ups when Mr. James steps onto the podium.