LESSONS 1/5-9

Fifth Graders' lessons will begin Monday of this week. 6-8th graders lessons will begin Thursday of this week.

MUSIC BUILDING PROGRESS

Whoopee! We have now moved into the facility! A big thank you to everyone who made this project possible!

GRADES

MARY OF LOURDES MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND GRADING, ’08-‘09.

Grades will be based on the following criteria:

1) Home practice time
2) Rehearsals
3) Lessons

Home practice time: Students are expected to practice 12 minutes per day. Since there is about 60 days in the average quarter, each student will be responsible to practice 720 minutes(12 hours). Practice minutes must be recorded in each student’s book, along with a weekly initialing by parents. Practice minutes are translated into “points.” 1 minute=1 point. Total points possible; 720.

Rehearsals: Each band rehearsal is worth 5 points. Points will be given for the following expectations;

1. Come to class prepared and on time with your instrument. You do not need to bring pencils and music. They will be kept in the band room.
2. Use proper posture and playing position.
3. Be respectful of others.
4. Raise your hand and wait to be called on if you have a question.
5. No “unmusical” sounds; like blasting or pounding loud sounds.

5 points will be taken off if students forget their instrument or drumsticks. Points will not be taken away when there is an absence. Total points possible; approximately 100.

Lessons: Because of the large amount of students enrolled in band and because of sporadic scheduling, days off from school, etc., students will not have their lesson on the same day each week. Each student is responsible to locate their lesson time on the schedule and come at the given day and time. 5 points will be awarded for coming to the lesson on time, and 5 points will be awarded for bringing the instrument and book. Each student will have approximately 4 lessons per quarter. Total points possible: 40.

By the end of the quarter each student will need 774 points for an “A”, 688 for a “B”, 602 for a “C”, and 516 for a “D”. Any points below 516 constitutes a failing grade.