Auburn Junior High School
Symphonic & Honors Bands
Syllabus
2007 – 2008
The students who achieve the greatest success and the most enjoyment from band participation are not necessarily the most musically talented, but those who are enthusiastic, dedicated, and attentive.
Learning to play an instrument is, among other things, hard work. Band is fun, but the fun comes as a result of the hard work. The fun is a result of the satisfaction that comes from a job well done and the success that follows. You will only enjoy band as much as you should if we are successful, and hard work is necessary for that success.
We are a team. All we do, we do together. Each day, your performance, behavior, and mood affect everyone else. Don’t be selfish - always practice and perform to the best of your ability so that everyone receives the benefits.
Each student will be required to practice at home at least 100 minutes per week. Practice time should become part of the student’s regular daily routine along with doing other homework. Students will keep practice records over a two-week period that will be turned in every two weeks. These records will be handed out in class and must be signed by parents, who have heard their student practice the required time. Parents should encourage students to establish a regular daily practice routine as a part of the homework time each evening. Each practice record will be counted as a 100-point test grade.
Plan to take your instrument and music home daily. Storage lockers are for during school use only, so instruments should go home overnight. Any student who does not take their instrument home will receive a deduction from the daily participation/preparation grade mentioned in the next section.
“Practice” and “rehearsal” is not the same thing. Practice is individual and takes place at home. Rehearsal occurs in a group setting during band class.
The band grade consists of two parts:
1. Daily Participation/Preparation (50% of quarter grade)
To receive full credit on this portion of the grade, a student must:
For marching band students, this portion of the student’s grade will also apply to after-school marching band rehearsals at AHS. To receive full credit, students must fulfill responsibilities listed above as well as having the instrument for rehearsals, paying attention during rehearsal, refraining from chewing gum, and wearing the proper footwear for marching. A deduction of five points will result each time the student fails to comply with each guideline.
2. Tests (100 points each comprising 50% of quarter grade)
Tests given within a quarter may consist of but not be limited to the following:
Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required of each student throughout the school year. These outside-of-school activities are considered by the school to be co-curricular, an extension of what we are working on in the classroom. They are not extra-curricular. These are to be considered personal commitments of every student from every family. Every effort should be made to schedule family events at times that do not conflict with the small number of outside-of-school activities that band students are committed to. Parents and students alike are asked to responsibly compare the band events calendar with calendars for other activities in which students participate and discuss any possible conflicts with the director as early as possible. Never should a student or a parent mention a possible conflict the week of the scheduled band event; this must be discussed a considerable amount of time before the event is scheduled to take place.
Personal illness and certain other emergency circumstances could be considered “excused” absences from rehearsals (at the discretion of the band director). These absences must be accompanied by a note signed by a parent/guardian and given to the band director upon the student’s return to school. Excused absences from rehearsals (even for illness) must be made up at a time agreed upon by the director and student.
Unexcused absences may not be made up, and will result in a student being disqualified from participation in performances and trips later in the school year.
CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS
1. Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before speaking. Do not talk or interrupt during rehearsal.
2. No food, gum, or drinks are allowed in the band area at any time.
3. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. Do not touch one another!
4. Do not congregate in the storage rooms. Once your instrument is placed in your locker, exit the storage room and return to your seat. Students are not allowed to get inside the band lockers!
5. Do not write on the board.
6. Pick up any trash you may have dropped.
7. Do not throw anything.
8. Do not use equipment that does not belong to you (including percussion).
9. In addition to the rules listed above, all AJHS rules from the student handbook apply.
10. Consequences for students who fail to abide by guidelines might include but not be limited to the following:
· verbal reprimand
· being asked to pack up, resulting in a zero for the day.
· phone call, note, or e-mail to parent/guardian
· formal conference with parent/guardian
· referral to school office
· elimination from performances and trips
Auburn Junior High School
Symphonic & Honors Bands
2007 – 2008
Please fill out form completely. An email address where band information can be sent to you is crucial.
We acknowledge by our signatures that we have received, read, understand, and agree to abide by the Auburn Junior High School Symphonic & Honors Bands Syllabus.
I agree to be faithful in attendance at all rehearsals and performances.
________________________________________________________________________ student signature
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parent/guardian signature
________________________________________________________________________
parent’s email address
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date
We have some very unique, exciting opportunities facing us this year! This year will be like no other. Thanks in advance for the part you will play as a member of the AJHS Bands.
Check out the AJHS Band website often for announcements and information regarding band. The address is: www.auburnschools.org/ajhs/lcornelius