NMS 5-8 Grade Bands
        Grading and Expectations

Students will receive a letter grade for band class and grades will be determined using the NMS grading scale.

50% of the grade = playing tests – 25% of the grade = lesson attendance – 25% of the grade = rehearsal performance

Playing tests - Students will be given 2 playing tests per quarter so that they may demonstrate their progress on learning to play an instrument.
Playing tests usually consist of short exercises out of the lesson book.

Lessons - Each student will be assigned 1 lesson per week. Students will be allowed out of class on a “rotating” schedule to attend band lessons. Students will lose 4 points for each lesson missed. 5^th and 6^th grade students will miss 2 points for every lesson that Mrs. Lekwa must get them from the classroom. Students will have one week from the day of the missed lesson to make it up.

5^th – 6^th lessons: Students are encouraged to practice 20-30 minutes each day. A practice record is found in the back of the instrumction book which Mrs. Lekwa will check each week in the student’s lesson. Should your child need individual help, a lesson may be scheduled before or after school.

Students are responsible for bringing their instrument, instrument accessories, lesson book, and a pencil to EVERY lesson and rehearsal.

Rehearal participation - Band is a large class and cooperation and teamwork are an essential part of the learning process and a successful band. All students will begin each quarter with 25 points and will lose points for:
- Forgetting to bring instrument/music to rehearsal
- Talking without permission while the director is on the podium
- Bothering other students – hindering others from learning
- Incorrect instrument position and posture
- Playing instrument at inappropriate times – “blasting”
- Failure to pay attention or follow directions
- Failure to follow classroom guidelines and procedures

Performances:  All band performances are mandatory. Concerts/performances are like our version of a final exam. Every part is essential to a successful band sound. Students will only be “excused” from a performance for emergencies in the family or illness. (Sporting events, birthday parties, shopping…… are NOT excused absences!) A student will drop TWO full letter grades for an “unexcused” absence from a performance.

Please note: All concerts are required! If extenuating circumstances require that a student miss a concert with an excused absence, an assignment will be offered so that the student can “make up” the points lost. Please help teach your young musician the importance of honoring commitments and put all concert dates on your calendar. Also, should something come up, please call the director. If we know even a half hour before the performance:

- we won’t worry

- we can make arrangements if the student’s part needs to be covered

- we will think positively about the student’s responsibility

Nate Fair – 382-2751 ext. 119

Sue Lekwa – 382-2751 ext. 230