BAND EXAMS --- WHY?????
Band exams... Some kids dread the exams; other kids love
being able to show off for me. I consider the exams to be a
very important part of the curriculum.
So why band exams? I want to:
HEAR EACH STUDENT INDIVIDUALLY with time to listen
to one person rather than 70 or 80 and to be able to comment
on the individual's needs and accomplishments.
PUT ON SOME "PRACTICE PRESSURE" -- At exam time
kids often feel, "It's graded and alone; I've got to
practice!" Often this extra practice gets students going who
otherwise don't practice much. Sometimes they then decide
the music is more fun when they can play it well (practicing
pays off!) and begin practicing more regularly. (It does
happen; this isn't just a line!!!) For students who do
practice regularly, exams are easy and a time to show
off!
TALK TO STUDENTS ABOUT GOALS -- The exam time
gives me an opportunity to check in on the individual goals
set by the student, to suggest goals or to suggest ways to
practice to achieve the student's goals and (just as
important!) to compliment the student who is achieving his
or her goals! The exams also give the student time to
self-assess his/her progress.
COMMUNICATE WITH PARENTS ABOUT A SPECIFIC
PERFORMANCE -- During the exam, the student and I have
the opportunity to assess a specific performance with all of
its strengths and weaknesses, and then to show those results
to parents. Feedback from parents about the student as a
musician is also important at this assessment time.
MAKE THE KIDS NERVOUS! -- Yes, that is one of my
goals! Each person's body reacts differently to nervousness.
If you learn about how your body reacts, you can practice
techniques to overcome the effects of the nerves! This skill
is a useful one for all classes and in life in general!
However, if your child is unduly nervous, please call or
email me right away - I can probably help!
muffitt@bandnotes.info
Requirements and assessment criteria for the exam are
passed out and gone over carefully so that students know
exactly what is required and what they need to do to "do
well" in the exam (and they will be posted on the web page
-- last year's are
still up if you want to see what it usually looks like). We
go over the requirements in detail during workshops, and we
practice the sightreading skills that will be tested. I try
to encourage the students in band rehearsals and in
workshops and make sure that they understand exactly what to
expect and why we do the exams, but even still, it's
sometimes scary to have to play alone and some kids will get
upset about exams. In January, if you notice a lot of stress
around band or even requests to quit, please call me right
away!
Requirements vary depending the instrument played, which
band the student is in and what time of year it is (middle
or end). Students who are beginners or somewhat behind
may request alternative requirements to meet their own
ability level. There is one skill that will always be
required: the
chromatic scale. Students should practice it daily,
all year! (Concert band will be introduced to it in
December, after our first concert.)
For more information on exams and to see the
requirements from last year, go to the Exam
Intro
|
MS
Band Workshop schedule 
