Grades for the Wind Ensemble will be based on the following criteria:

• Preparation
   
• Rehearsal Technique
   
• Projects/ Tests/ Quizzes
   
• Attendance
   
• Honors Credit (Pep Band - If Applicable)

** It is strongly recommended that you purchase both an electronic tuner and a metronome. Both of these devices can be found in any good musicians case. These pieces of equipment are inexpensive and can be purchased at any music store of your choice. I will have both of these available for purchase at the beginning of the school year.

Preparation

• All music that has been previously rehearsed or assigned has been practiced and is performance ready.
   
• Instrument in good working condition including reeds, valve oil, mutes, etc. If your instrument is being repaired, make arrangements for a loaner instrument with the repair company. No learning can take place without a properly functioning instrument.
   
• All music. Section Leaders are responsible for distributing music. See them before you come to rehearsal if you loose it.
   
• Pencil on the stand for every rehearsal.
   
• It is strongly recommended that you have an electronic tuner available at each rehearsal. Many fine musicians keep this valuable piece of equipment on their stand throughout the rehearsal for easy reference.

Rehearsal Technique

You are involved in all facets of rehearsal and are consistently working toward the goals stated in the welcome letter (referenced below)

Goals for each member of the ensemble are that you develop your ability to:

• Appreciate music as an art worthy of your best efforts
   
• Understand and demonstrate the commitment necessary to attain performance at the absolute highest level
   
• Work collegially with your peers toward a common goal
   
• Develop your ability to reflect critically on your work so that you can become an independent musician and student
   
• Become a leader musically and personally through your meticulous preparation, consistency, and willingness to help your peers
   
• Communicate effectively with parents, music teachers, academic teachers, coaches, and other students regarding your individual needs and commitments

Projects, Tests & Quizzes

• At the beginning of the year and at the end of each term, you will be required to make a short recording. You will record a piece of music that best represents your current level of performance. You will also include a brief critical analysis of this example.
   
• At times, we will cover music theory and history as they pertain to performance. It is important that you retain this information, as you will be quizzed on it.

Honors Credit

You receive honors credit for this ensemble by completing many hours of community service through your participation in the pep band. You do not need to complete additional honors requirements each term as in previous years. If there is another school activity that is in direct conflict with the pep band (i.e. Football or cheerleading) you may still participate in the Wind Ensemble, but will need to complete your community service in other ways that are music related (this cannot be used for health also). If you foresee this conflict, please let me know immediately so we can make arrangements.

The honors credit (pep band) counts for 10% of your final grade. You will not receive honors credit if you have any unexcused absences from a Pep Band performance. Each unexcused absence from a rehearsal will result in a one-point deduction from your term grade, beginning with the first Wednesday Night Rehearsal.

Rehearsal Attendance

• 5 minutes after the late bell, students should be warming up. This means that you are seated, playing, and have all of the necessary equipment and music for rehearsal.
   
• You must have a pencil on your stand at every rehearsal.
   
• Five unexcused late arrivals will result in a student’s grade dropping by one increment (ex. A to A-). After the first 5 unexcused tardies, grades will be lowered by one increment for every two unexcused tardies. This policy also applies to out-of-school rehearsals.
   
• Students arriving to class without ALL necessary equipment ready and functioning properly will receive a zero as a quiz grade.

Performance Attendance

Attendance at all performance is critical for every student in this ensemble. Please understand that many times, there will only be one student per part or at most two students per part. Missing a performance is unfair to other students in the group as their experience is lessened because of another student’s absence. Also, please remember that through your hard work you were accepted into the group and another student was not. The following attendance policies are based on these premises. Unfortunately in life, emergencies do arise. You will not be penalized and your first priority is your family in these instances.

In case of an emergency (such as an extreme illness or death in the family) if you can contact me ahead of time, please send a note from your parent or guardian or contact my voice mail at 508-541-2100 ext. 3098. If you cannot contact me before the emergency, please send a note from your parent or guardian upon your return to school.

Non-emergencies will be considered excused or un-excused on an individual basis. Events such as family weddings or other events of this magnitude will be considered excused. Tickets to concerts, family vacations, etc., however exciting, will not be considered excused.

• In the event that a non-emergency arises that is deemed excusable by the director, you must let the director know before rehearsals for that concert begin. At that point, a substitute from the concert band will be allowed to perform in your place on the concert that you will not be in attendance for. This time frame insures that the ensemble will not be impacted by your absence and that other students will be able to take advantage of the opportunity that you cannot. During rehearsals for that concert, you will rehearse with the Concert Band and your grade will not be impacted by the absence. Following the performance, you can resume your previous position with the wind ensemble.
   
• Unexcused absences or failure to follow the above procedure will result in the student’s grade being lowered by 30 points. This deduction cannot be made up and has been the policy of the Franklin Public Schools for 3 years.

Men: Black button-down, long sleeve dress shirt, Black dress pants (no jeans), black socks, black dress shoes (no sneakers).

Women: Black skirt (mid-calf) OR Black dress pants, Black long sleeve blouse, black hose, black dress shoes.

Private Instruction is available on all instruments at the high school level. Private lessons are vital to the success of high school level musicians. Lessons are strongly encouraged for all of our music students and are expected of those musicians who participate in the upper level ensembles.

This year, private instruction will occur in cooperation with the Lifelong Learning Community Education program. Lessons will begin in early October and will be divided into a two-semester program: September through January, and February through June. Students may elect one of three lesson lengths (30, 45 or 60 minutes) and in some cases will have the opportunity to choose from a list of available teachers. More information will be available in September for interested students. Please contact the Lifelong Learning Office at (508)541-2100x3178.

Students currently studying with a teacher will have the opportunity to begin lessons on a rolling admission basis so that they may continue their studies during September.

Grading Policy | Attendance Policies | Concert Dress | Private Lessons