RHS Wind Ensemble
| The Wind Ensemble is
conducted by Steve Olsen and is an instrumental
music ensemble devoted to studying and performing a
variety of advanced level band literature:
orchestral transcriptions, basic band repertoire,
multi-movement works and contemporary compositions
by leading composers of our time.
The Wind Ensemble is
our "top band" at Rosemount High School. On a daily
basis - this class is a creative arena for musicians
to express themselves, support each other in music
making endeavors and create beautiful and meaningful
musical experiences for all members.
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The ensemble is
committed to the performance and promotion of the
richest and most varied music for wind band, ranging
from time honored classics to premieres of new
music. The RHS Wind Ensemble members have the
responsibility of coming to rehearsals with their
individual part prepared to the best of their
abilities, rehearsal time is then spent on exploring
music form, expression and ensemble performance.
Membership in the
Wind Ensemble is based on a rigorous and
comprehensive audition. Auditions are held in late
February for Wind Ensemble membership for the next
school year. The auditions consist of all major
scales (2 and 3 octaves when appropriate), two
significant & constrasting etudes (available in the
Band Office two weeks prior to auditions) and sight
reading. The highest scoring instrumentalists in
each section are selected for membership in the Wind
Ensemble.
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
Band Lessons
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.
1.) Band Lesson
Frequency - All Band students are scheduled for one
private 15-minute lesson each week for four consecutive
weeks during a 12 week trimester.
2.) Lesson
Scheduling - Students are scheduled out of their study
halls and Band period whenever possible. All other students
are placed on a rotating schedule, and will miss 15 minutes
of a class for their lesson. Students on the rotating
schedule will not miss a portion of any class more than once
during a trimester. Lessons are always the same day every
week, the time/period of the lesson schedule rotates.
3.) 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.
4.) 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.
Mid-term progress reports, brought home by each student.
Report Card, mailed home after the conclusion of each
Trimester.
"Schoolview" online gradebook access for all parents is
available.
5.) Students are
responsible for purchasing lesson books. These may be
purchased through the RHS Band Office, make checks payable
to Rosemount High School.
