As noted above, band is a performance/participation class, therefore, students must have all equipment, music and materials each day. Students who do not have all materials and equipment will receive a 0 for that day's daily grade. Other factors that will be graded daily are: posture, effort, punctuality, meeting daily playing expectations and exhibiting proper behavior. Instruments and materials left overnight will result in a grade of "0" for the previous daily grade.

Due each Friday with parent signature, 150 minutes per week minimum for full credit. As noted in the "Expectations" section above, Practice Reports are "band homework," and they are 20% of the six weeks grade. Practice Reports turned-in late will be minus 10 points per day late, unless the student has an excused absence from school. For an example of what a "perfect" Practice Report should look like, CLICK HERE.

Playing and written tests will occur often. Students who are following instructions in class and in this manual will have NO problem making a grade of 90 or above on tests. Public Performances count as playing test grades. Failure to attend an assigned performance will result a zero for that grade. (Students who are not eligible for public performances are not penalized.)

3 ring binder with plastic sheet protectors, with all music, band books, handouts, pencils, highlighter and red marker. All measures in sheet music numbered, all music and handouts marked as directed.

Our two concerts at Willie Pigg Auditorium in December and May are considered our band "semester final exams." Band is CURRICULAR school class, and students will receive a grade for performance at these events.

Excused absences are for illness and family emergencies only. Students will NOT be excused for any other reason, including sporting events, camping trips, birthday parties, or any of the 1000's of other possible conflicts. The success of a band concert depends on attendance and superb performance by every member of the "team."

We have only these two major concert events per year. Please schedule other activities around these curricular school events. Over 100 students are depending on each and every other student to fulfill this commitment.In order to increase the level of awareness of how vitally important these events are, we assign them the value of %15 of the semester grade. In other words, students who do not attend these events can earn a maximum of 85 for their semester grade.