IHM intermediate band – grade 6

BAND CLASS POLICY & GRADING:

BAND PARTICIPATION FEE: $15

What your band fee pays for:

  • School-owned instruments that are used for instruction to teach the children
    supplies used to perform in-house instrument repairs
  • School-owned instruments that students are loaned when personal instruments go to the shop for repair.
  • Repair and upkeep of those school-owned instruments.
  • Bigger school-owned instruments that no one student due to the cost.
  • Extra supplemental music used to teach the kids throughout the program, including the sheet music library.
  • Sound and audio equipment used during everyday instruction.

STUDENTS MUST HAVE:

  • Student-model instruments in good working order, including any items related to the instrument (reeds, valve oil, etc.).*
  • A band method book (Essential Elements series)
  • A pencil
  • Student planner.

*Local retailers, like Buddy Rogers or Willis Music, are good choices. PLEASE be wary about buying instruments online from sellers you don’t know. I often see parents trying to save money online, finding only that they spend more money in the long run trying to fix and maintain cheap equipment.

INSTRUMENT REPAIRS:

  • While instruments are in the shop, please ask for a loaner instrument to use for the duration of the repair. Repairs can often take several weeks to complete.

INJURY & MEDICAL ISSUES:

  • If you can't play due to Injury / medical reason, please have a doctor's note on file with Mrs. Jasper.

BAND GRADING

  • Students must stay current on in-class assignments, keeping a weekly practice log (found on the inside cover of the band method book). Students will be checked in class and assessed on whether or not they are properly practicing at home.
  • Band students are continually assessed based on the following criteria:
    1. CLASS PROGRESS AND HOME PRACTICE.
    2. HAVING ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS AT EACH REHEARSAL
    including instruments, books, sheet music, and pencil
    3. PLAYING, WRITTEN, & ORAL TESTS
    4. PERFORMANCES – attendance required, except in the case of illness or documented family emergency.

Poor grades can ALWAYS be improved upon by asking Mr. Simmons for extra playing assignments.

HOME PRACTICING POLICY:

  • Students are to stay current on band assignments by practicing regularly at home. Remember to log your practice times on the inside cover of your band book. Practice logs will be checked in HR class weekly.

PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

  • 6th graders should practice at least3 times a week for 15 minutes a session, totaling 45 minutes minimum.
  • Don't forget to total you minutes on your log and have mom or dad initial.
  • Use your band book DVD when you are practicing at home. All exercises found in your book are recorded for play-a-long there.

PRACTICE TIPS & STRATEGIES:

  • PRACTICE SMALL CHUNKS, one to two measures at a time. .
  • FIND THE HARDEST MUSIC and spend more time practicing those sections.
  • SLOW DOWN and play correct rhythms and fingerings (sticking).
  • PRACTICE FOR ACCURACY. Be able to play an exercise or song correctly 5 to 7 times without mistakes
  • ASK MR. SIMMONS for extra help if you are having problems at home.

Students can ALWAYS make up poor grades by asking Mr. Simmons for extra playing assignments.