Beginning Band

This page last updated 11/18/08

PANCAKES AND POPS COMING SOON.... FOR INFO, see NewsBriefs

Welcome to the Beginning Band Page! I will use this page to provide updates on beginners progress and class requirements. So far this year, I am very pleased in general with the progress of all beginning classes.

There are  a few students not bringing instruments/music books to class. Half of the band grade is based on students being responsible and showing up on every band day with instruments and music books, AND taking it home at night as required (Class Effort Grade). Also, a student still without a book is going to start falling behind because they can not take tests in class or at school without their own book!! Each quarter, they start over with a clean slate and there is no penalty for the first two times with no instrument or no book. After that, the grade drops one letter for each day they forget something. (BTW..leaving the instrument at school counts the same as not bringing it to class)

PLAYING TESTS are the other 50% of the grade. Each quarter, the total number of tests assigned will increase. Tests are assigned at the start of the quarter and students then have the whole quarter in which to complete all of the tests. They have to learn to plan ahead and set weekly goals in order to be able to complete all tests. If they do not pass tests every week, they will not have time to finish all of the tests. Every year, every quarter, I see students fail to complete the tests because they waited until the last minute and ran out of time.

Individual tests are done on a pass-fail basis. Students may attempt the tests as many times as needed. The over-all test grade is based on the total number of tests passed. For an "A", all tests must be passed. Students will have opportunities to pass tests in class, but they will also need to come in at lunch occasionally. Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Monday and Wednesday after school are also available. Students are also encouraged to work ahead.

2nd Quarter Tests and Test-Takers

nb= no book   ni= no instrument   il= instrument left at school

For all 6th grade classes, 4 test passed as of LAST Friday 11/14 would be on track for passing, 6 tests passed would be on track for an A, and more than 7 would be on track for A+.... as of THIS Friday 11/21 FIVE TESTS passed would be passing, 8 tests passed would be on track for an "A" and more than 9 would be on track for an "A+"

11/18 3rd period woodwinds (sax,clarinets, flutes,bells) ... 14 tests assigned (#33,34,39,42,45,51,52,54,55,59,60,63,65)

11/18 3rd period low brass (trombones and baritones) ... 12 tests assigned (#27,29,33,34,39,42,45,47,51,52,54,55)
 11/18 5TH period 7-8th grade beginners ... 14 tests asigned (33,34,39,42,45,47,51,52,54,55,59,60,63,65)
11/18  8th period flutes ... 14 tests assigned (#30,33,34,39,45,47,48,50,52,55,A2,A3,A4)
11/18  8th period percussion ... 14 tests assigned (#22,28,30,34,39,42,45,46,54,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7)
 11/18 9th period clarinets ... 14 tests assigned (33,34,39,42,45,47,51,52,54,55,59,60,63,65)
 11/18 9th period trumpets ... 14 tests assigned (#28,29,33,34,39,42,45,47,51,52,54,55,A2,A4)

FINAL 1st Quarter Test Results as of 10/17th

LOW BRASS (3 tests assigned #9,18,22)
3RD Period WOODWINDS(Fl,Cl,Sax) 5 tests assigned #9,18,22,28,30

5th Period 7-8th Grade BEGINNERS (8 tests assigned)

CA #9,18,22,28,29,32,34,35
MD #9,18,22,28,30,32,34,35 plus 14

AL * #9,18,22,28,30,32,34,35
MM #9,18,22,28,30,32,34,35 plus 2
DW #9,18,22,28,29,32,34,35

8th Period FLUTES (3 tests assigned 9/26 #9,18,22)

 
8th Period PERC (4 tests assigned 10/3  #8,9,14,18)


9th Period CLARINETS (5 assigned as of 9/30... #9,18,22,28,30)

9th Period TRUMPETS (3 Tests assigned #9,18,22)

* Class Effort Grade in danger due to excessive days in class without an instrument and/or a book... or not taking instruments home to practice
ab = absences also impacting progress

Standard Warrior Band
http://standardwarriorband.com/staticpages/index.php/BeginningBand