CURRENT ASSIGNMENTS revised 11/14/06

Every term, each band student must complete the following requirements:
 

Two new scales (or 1 rudiment & 1 scale for the drummers), any style or type (major, minor, dorian...). You may repeat scales that you did last year. Percussionists need to do one rudiment & one scale (on mallet percussion).

One (2 for percussion) skill lick. A skill lick is simply one exercise from a method book that will increase your skills on your instrument. (A "lick" in music is a short section of music.) When you were in elementary school, you prepared a whole page of these exercises every week; this is one exercise per term!! No big deal -- unless you wait until the last minute!! Don't put it off; grade out early. Must be completed by two weeks before the end of the term to count for full credit. Finish all skill licks on one page before going on and you may not repeat pages that you did last year. Perucssionists must do two skill licks per term, one of which is done on mallet percussion.

Occasional other written work. Occasionally you will have "Thoughts Sheets" to do; these are to get you thinking intellectually about the music. Mostly these are done in rehearsals (some Beginning Thoughts do need to be done at home as part of your practice time -- they count as part of the 20-30 minutes you do at home!). If you miss a rehearsal where we are doing a Thoughts Paper, you will have to make it up some time.

Mini-projects -- are optional this year -- they make good enrichment, though!

(no one can get an A or A- without completing the term requirements see Grading Triangle for more info on grades)

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Enrichment reminder...

Enrichment is needed in order to get an A. You may receive up to 10 enrichment points per term. Get enrichment done early, too; then you don't have to think about it. Need ideas? You can always do extra scales (worth 2 points) or skill licks (worth 4 points) or bio sheets (worth 3 points). Or see the enrichment page for more ideas about article reviews, going to concerts, performances, church choir, piano lessons, lessons on your band instrument, Jazz Band, Stage Band or Wind Ensemble. return to index

Concert make-ups:

Ideally the student attends all concerts, but there are occasions where the musician must miss the concert (sickness, a death in the family or other unavoidable circumstances). If the absence is an excused absence, the student may do the concert make-up assignment and receive full credit for the concert and be eligible for the year end awards. (If it is an unexcused absence -- he had to go shopping or she forgot -- the student may do the make up and earn the points toward the grade, but will not be eligible for a year end responsibility award.)

For most concerts, the make-up assignment is twofold:

First, make a recording of yourself playing the pieces that we played on the concert.

Second, interview three other people & write a review of the concert. (Don't just turn in the interview notes, write a review!)

Before you start the interview, be sure to pick up the instructions because there are some specific requirements. See MsM. return to index

MARCHING BAND REQUIREMENTS There will be a full rehearsal of the entire band at some point -- I am not yet sure if it will be after school, or if there will be a way to do it during school. Marching band requirments and schedules are now posted. (2005-06)

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Memorial Day parade make-ups 

The make-up for the parade is a little different. Our participation in the Memorial Day parade is a community service, so your make up for the parade is:

First, make a recording of yourself playing the pieces that we played on the concert. Record it once while standing or sitting still and try to get the best possible sound and performance Record it again while marking time

Second, do an hour of community service. Pick up a make-up assignment sheet for ideas.

Be sure to pick up an assignment sheet to get the full information. return to current assignments index return to marching band page

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EXAMS