Table Of Contents
i. Instrumental Music Objectives
ii. Grading Policy
iii. Classroom Rehearsal Procedures
iv. Management Plan
v. Practice Card Policy
vi. Concert Procedures
vii. Instrument Care And Maintenance


i. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OBJECTIVES*

The student should be able to:

- follow classroom rehearsal procedures.

- meet individual responsibilities for care and preventative maintenance of a musical instrument.

- follow concert performance procedures.

- meet performance obligations as indicated on the school's comprehensive instrumental music calendar.

- care for a concert uniform where applicable.

- demonstrate basic competencies of instrumental music performance in the areas of tone production, intonation, articulation, range, and memorized scales.

- read and perform appropriate MENC (Music Educators' National Conference) grade level music.

- sightread appropriate MENC grade level music.

* (MCPS Program of Studies, Instrumental Music, grade 6-8, p. 2)


ii. GRADING POLICY

The student's report card grade will be based on the following:

40% Classroom Rehearsal Procedures. - This grade represents the student's ability to follow classroom rehearsal procedures including; punctuality, preparedness of class, and participation.

20% Practice Cards/Homework. - The student will hand in a practice card every week which documents the amount of home practice/homework completed in the previous week. IT MUST BE SIGNED BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN EACH WEEK. The parents and the student should review the entire "Practice Card Policy."

20% Performance Skills. - This grade reflects the student's quality and improvement in the following areas; posture, hand position, tone production, pitch control, knowledge of fingerings, range, endurance, hand coordination, ensemble playing (making adjustments and corrections - listening to what others in the ensemble are playing), and dynamics. The student will also be graded on playing and written tests every grading period.

20% Concert Procedures. - This grade represents the student's ability to follow the concert procedures including; attendance, stage presence, audience behavior, dress, and preparedness of music. If there is no concert in the grading period a greater emphasis will be placed on Performance Skills.


iii. CLASSROOM REHEARSAL PROCEDURES

The student:

1. will arrive to class on time, assemble their instrument, and be seated quietly.

2. will be prepared for class with a working instrument, music, method book, pencil, and any needed supplies (i.e. reeds, rosin, valve oil, etc.)

3. will respect all equipment, music, instruments, and fellow students.

4. will never handle an instrument that does not belong to them.

5. will keep his/her instrument in good working condition. The student will protect their instrument so that it does not get damaged by never leaving it on a stand, chair, or the floor.

6. understands that if he/she cannot play because of illness, dental work, etc., Mrs. Dean or Mr. Whiddon require a note from the parent/guardian on the day the student can't play.

7. will listen intently to his/her own playing in relation to the ensemble and attempt to make any corrections.

8. will ask the director questions that the student may have about the music. Talking is detrimental, especially when the teacher is working with another group of students.

9. understands that gum, candy, soda, and food are not permitted in the instrumental music room or in the storage area.

10. will be supportive of classmates; never criticizing another individual's performance.


iv. MANAGEMENT PLAN

I encourage mutually designed consequence arrangements. Some alternatives include:

- phone call to parent during class time
- room responsibility duty
- time out
- administrative referral

Serious infractions will result in an immediate referral to the office. These include:

- willfully hurting someone
- deliberately destroying property
- harassment of any kind (verbal, physical, or sexual)


v. PRACTICE CARD POLICY

It is the student's responsibility to turn in a signed practice card each week. The student must practice to keep up with the ensemble and to achieve the performance objectives. Practice Cards conprose 20% of the final grade.

Practice cards are due at the first rehearsal you have each week. It will show the amount of home practice completed in the previous week. Each practice week will begin on Monday and end on the following Sunday. The days and minutes practiced should be marked on the card and given to Mrs. Dean or Mr. Whiddon at the beginning of class. It will be returned after its grade is recorded. The grade distribution is as follows:

Beginning Band
A = 120 and above minutes
B = 100 to 119 minutes
C = 80 to 99 minutes
D = 60 to 79 minutes
E = 0 to 59 minutes
Zero = no practice card received

6th and 7th Grade Band and 6th Grade Orchestra
A = 180 and above minutes
B = 150 to 179 minutes
C = 120 to 149 minutes
D = 90 to 119 minutes
E = 0 to 89 minutes
Zero = no practice card received

8th Grade Band and 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra
A = 210 and above minutes
B = 180 to 209 minutes
C = 150 to 179 minutes
D = 120 to 149 minutes
E = 0 to 119 minutes
Zero = no practice card received

The practice card MUST be turned in on time; practice cards will only be accepted late up to on week late once with a reduction of one letter grade. If more than one practice card is turned in late during any one quarter, the grade will be lowered one letter grade for each school day it is late. No cards will be accepted more than one week late. If for some reason no practicing has occurred during a given week, the signed practice card should still be turned in showing 0 (zero) minutes. The least amount of classroom time possible will be dedicated to practice card collection, grading, and distribution.

Every attempt should be made to practice on any day when there is no band during school. It is strongly suggested that at least one of the practice sessions fall on a Saturday or Sunday (improvement will be greater if the student continues playing over the weekend). A practice routine which suits the family schedule is always best. The practice time should be at the same time every morning, afternoon, or evening when a parent is available. Also, the student will receive maximum benefits from practicing if it is spread out over the entire week rather than lumped into two or three days.


vi. CONCERT PROCEDURES

1. Concert Attendance/Performance Policy: Musical performance at concerts is the culmination of many hours of hard work and completes the learning process. They are a vital part of the course objectives and the grading policy. "Students are graded in relation to their accomplishment of course objectives. Students are required to participate in a limited number of special evening and weekend performances. Students and parents may wish to consult the instrumental music teacher before registration to determine specific performance commitments." (MCPS Program of Studies, Instrumental Music, Grades 6-8, p. 1)

2. Because performances are part of the course objectives, attendance is mandatory. Family vacations, sports events, lack of transportation, etc. are NOT considered legitimate reasons for missing events. Arrangements can be made if a ride is not available. Please call the school as soon as possible so Mrs. Dean or Mr. Whiddon can assist with arrangements.

3. Appropriate concert dress is required. A student who does not wear the appropriate concert dress will not be permitted to perform.

- Solid white shirt, preferably white long-sleeve button-up shirt with collar
- Black pants or black skirts, preferable below the knee
- Black socks or stockings
- Dark dress shoes, preferable black

ABSOLUTELY NO T-SHIRTS WILL BE ALLOWED FOR CONCERT DRESS.

4. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to concert time. A concert is a presentation to family and friends. Act and perform in a professional manner before, during, and after your performance. Classroom rehearsal procedures are to be followed. Whenever you are in your concert attire you represent your ensemble so you should act as if you were on stage.


vii. INSTRUMENT CARE AND MAINTENANCE

** Students,

Although you may not own the instrument you are playing, it is still very valuable and must be treated with extreme care, as you would your most prozed posession. If you are conscientious, you can easily keep your instrument in great condition.

In order for andy musical ensemble to be successful, all instruments must be in proper working condition. Periodic Instrument Checks will be conducted on all instruments (borrowed, rented, or owned) to ensure that all instruments are working optimally. During these inspections, any damages or necessary repairs will be noted and parents will be informed of the necessary repairs.

It is your responsibility to properly maintain your instrument and to get any necessary repairs completed as soon as any type of damage is noticed on the instrument.

** Parents

If instrument repairs become necessary, there are many options available to you in deciding where to take the instrument. Some factors to consider are:

- Location
- Price
- Amount of time the repair shop will keep the instrument (some shops actually send the instrument away: the process can be very time consuming)
- Availability of a "loaner" instrument until the repair is completed
- Reputation

Instrument inspections will be completed periodically throughout the year. At the time of these inspections, any damage or needed repairs will be noted and you will be informed of the necessary repairs.

It is the responsibility of each student to properly maintain his/her instrument including getting all necessary repairs completed in a timely manner.

Music stores can assist in the purchase of the supplies needed for proper preventive maintenance. These may include cork grease, valve or slide oil, swabs, or instrument snakes.


Here are some tips to help you properly maintain your musical instrument.

- Keep the instrument case free of objects not intended to be kept in the case (i.e. music folder). Store small supplies in their designated space.
- Always assemble your instrument gently. Small amounts of force can easliy damage an instrument. Woodwind players should not grasp the keys together while twisting sections together.
- When not playing, the instrument should either be in the student's lap or in the case. If the instrument is left unattended, ennecessary repair costs may result.
- Plastic mouthpieces should be cleaned with a mouthpiece brush and luke warm water (not hot) to prevent the growth of mold. The mouthpiece will discolor if hot water is used.
- Keep the instrument clean both inside and out for sanitary reasons and good playing response. Do not run water through any woodwind instruments.
- Reeds should be stored in a ventilated case (not on the mouthpiece) or they will mold.
- Clean your instrument thoroughly on a regular basis. Mrs. Dean or Mr. Whiddon will show you the proper procedure.
- A pencil and all SSIMS music should be kept in your music folder.
- Do not store music in your case unless it has a specially designed compartment for its storage.
- Music must be treated with the utmost care and must be returned in the same condition in which it was received. Never use ink on any music. Do not fold, roll, or crumple music. The destruction of music will result in a fee to purchase new music. It is quite costly to replace single parts of an arrangement.
- The student's name, home address, phone number, and school name should be on the case, both inside and out.
- Instruments and music are to be stored in their designated spaces in the band storage room or stored elsewhere at the student's risk. Hall lockers are not designed for securing valuable instruments. Students will not be permitted to return to their lockers during class for forgotten items. (i.e. music, valve oil, practice cards, etc.)
- It is recommended that privately owned instruments be insured through the famil's home insurance. An insurance policy can be purchased through MCPS. Mrs. Dean or Mr. Whiddon usually receive a few applications in late September. Please ask for one if you are interested.