RHS Varsity Band
| Varsity Band consists
of tenth grade students and is conducted by Mr.
Hoover. A wide variety of music literature
will be studied and performed in a major concert
each Trimester. The fundamentals of basic
musicianship will be emphasized in each class and
expanded upon to more advanced levels of
musicianship.
All band members are expected to be
involved in some form of lesson experience to
develop personal music understanding, appreciation,
playing techniques and musicianship (lessons are
provided by the instructor). |
|
FAQ
- Frequently Asked Questions
1.) How much
should I be be practicing?
At RHS, we do not require students to complete
"practice cards" indicating how much time they
practice on their instrument. However, we highly
encourage daily practice! A student will improve
their musical abilities significantly more by
practicing a little each day instead of practicing
for a longer period of time once or twice a week.
Much of practicing involves the building up of
muscle memory and if we leave that training for even
a few days the muscles will "forget" what they
learned. As a result, music practice cannot be
"crammed" like a person might do for a test. Success
in music can only be achieved through the
repetitions that a daily practice routine brings!!
Regular consistent practice is the "homework" for
Band and insures musical growth, successful lessons
and a good grade in Band!
The general rule is
to average 30 minutes of practice per day,
practicing lesson material and mastering the band
music. Advanced students will practice more. Some
students practice less. The idea is to establish the
relationship between practicing and success in band.
If you practice more you will earn good grades in
lessons, play better and enjoy it more! This will
also enhance your success in auditions.
THE MINIMAL
EXPECTATION FOR PRACTICE FOR ALL RHS BAND MEMBERS IS
FOUR 20 MINUTE PRACTICE SESSIONS PER WEEK.
2.) Do I need need
to haul my instrument back and forth to school
everyday?
With the exception of tuba, baritone, bass
clarinet and percussion - sometimes yes. We do allow
students to leave instruments on the Bandroom
shelves overnight, but not on weekends. Minimally,
students are expected to take their instruments home
every weekend and twice during weekdays to practice.
Some students take their instrument home everyday.
Practice rooms are available after school, before
school and during study hall time for students who
wish to practice during the school day.
3.) When are the
band concerts?
There are four total concerts during the school
year. Students are expected to "dress up" for this
event! The concert is required attendance, and is
15% of their Trimester grade in Band:
1.) Trimester 1, Fall
Concert: Monday, November 2, 7:00 PM, RHS Performing
Arts Center
2.) Trimester 2, Winter Concert: Monday, January 11,
6:00 PM & 8:00 PM, RHS Performing Arts Center
3.) Trimester 3, “March Madness” Concert: Tuesday,
March 16, 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM, RHS Performing Arts Center
4.) Trimester 3, Spring Concert & Awards: Thursday,
May 17, 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM, RHS Performing Arts Center
4.) How does the
band lesson program work?
Band Lessons are the foundation of the RHS Band
program. Lessons are an opportunity for each student
to receive individual help in developing individual
instrumental music skills, knowledge and
understanding. Band class is an opportunity for you
to apply those skills in an ensemble setting.
Practicing is your homework for Band. You are
responsible for being able to perform your assigned
lesson material and Band music to the best of your
abilities. You decide how much practicing is
necessary for you to accomplish this and earn the
grade you want.
A.) Band Lesson
Frequency
All Band students are scheduled for a lesson
that is 15-minutes in length, occurring four
different times during a 12 week trimester. Students
are scheduled out of their study halls and Band
period whenever possible. Otherwise, students are
placed on a rotating schedule and will miss 15
minutes of different classes for their lesson.
B.) Make-up
lessons
If a student misses a lesson (for whatever
reason) it is the student's responsibility to
make-up that lesson as soon as possible (within one
week of the absence) by simply signing your name to
a new lesson appointment/time on your lesson
instructors schedule (posted in the Bandroom).
Students may not receive more than two lessons in
one week. In the case of an unexcused absence,
lessons will be made up at the discretion of the
instructor.
C.) Communication of student
progress in Band
A "Grade Sheet" record is located inside the lesson book
of each student stating the date the lesson occurred,
assignments and grades for each lesson attended. This is the
primary indicator of student progress in Band.
D.) Students are responsible
for purchasing lesson books.
These may be purchased through the RHS Band Office, make
checks payable to Rosemount High School.
E.) You must have a
minimum of FOUR (4) lessons each Trimester.
The Band Directors have scheduled you for six lesson
appointments based on schedule information provided by you.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ATTEND ALL FOUR (4) LESSONS
EACH TRIMESTER!
STUDENT LESSON ATTENDANCE
RESPONSIBILITY:
Inform your teacher of a
scheduled lesson one day in advance. Ask about what you will
miss and make arrangements to stay current.
If your teacher wants you to
remain in class, respect that teacher's decision. Schedule a
make-up lesson within the week by simply signing your name
to a new lesson appointment on your lesson instructors
schedule (posted in the Bandroom).
Be on time for your lesson
and return directly to class after the lesson. No loitering
in the halls or no other stops along the way back to class!
Please do not abuse this privilege to attend lessons!
Be responsible. The privilege
of being released from class to attend a music lesson
carries with it the responsibility to communicate
effectively with your teachers.
On the day of your lesson,
before school begins, stop in the Bandroom to get your pass
excusing you from class to attend your lesson. Passes will
be on the Bandroom table prior to 7:10 AM.
5.) How do you grade in
band?
Rosemount HS Band Grading
Policy
Grading Element
.......................% of Trimester Grade
Lessons...........................................................50%
All Band members are expected
to participate in four lessons per Trimester. Each lesson is
assessed/graded based on the quality of the student's
performance in that lesson, which is a direct result of
adequate and quality preparation/practice at home. Regular
and correct practice (as taught in the band lessons) is the
"homework" for successful band lessons that earn good
grades! Band lessons are equivalent to "weekly quizzes" that
occur in all other academic classes. At RHS, we do not
require a "set amount" of practice time each day, and there
are no "practice cards" to complete. However, we highly
encourage daily practice! A student will improve their
musical abilities significantly more by practicing a little
each day instead of practicing for a longer period of time
once or twice a week. Much of practicing involves the
building up of muscle memory and if we leave that training
for even a few days the muscles will "forget" what they
learned. As a result, music practice cannot be "crammed"
like a person might do for a test. Success in music can only
be achieved through the repetitions that a daily practice
routine brings!! Regular consistent practice insures musical
growth, successful lessons and a good grade in Band!
QUALITY REGULAR
PRACTICE = QUALITY LESSONS = QUALITY GRADE IN BAND!!!
Daily
Participation..............................................25%
Attends class on time, with
instrument & music, actively participating, no deductions
for inappropriate behavior or tardiness.
Required
Performances.........................................15%
Participation in all required
Concerts, and includes attendance/participation at three (3)
Pep Band events during Trimester-2.
Special
Projects......................................................10%
Tests, quizzes and/or
Auditions. Scale auditions (required of all Band members)
will occur near the end of Trimester 1, and will serve as
the final exam and chair placement in each section.
% of Trimester Grade Total
.................................................. 100%
GRADING SCALE:
A 90% - of total possible
A- 86% - of total possible
B+ 82% - of total possible
B 80% - of total possible
B- 76% - of total possible
C+ 72% - of total possible
C 70% - of total possible
C- 66% - of total possible
D+ 62% - of total possible
D 60% - of total possible
D- 50% - of total possible
F Below 50% - of total possible
6.) Can a freshman earn a
varsity letter in band?
Varsity Letter
Point Accumulation Form
Yes, a freshman student can earn a varsity letter in
band if they participate in the two primary Band
co-curricular activities: Marching Band & Pep Band. Students
earn a letter by participating in co-curricular band
activities such as Marching Band & Winter Pep Band (the two
primary activities for accumulating letter points in Band)
and Jazz Bands, Percussion Ensembles, Brass Ensembles,
Woodwind Ensembles, etc. A separate sheet detailing
requirements to earn a letter in band will be distributed to
students during the first Trimester (
Varsity Letter
Point Accumulation Form )
