Michigan Center Music Dept. Handbook: 2012-2013
Congratulations on your participation in the Michigan Center Music Program. This handbook exists to clarify any confusion about the hopes and expectations the MC Jr./Sr. High music programs, and ideally you will be able to find answers to your questions. If you still need clarification, please feel free to email me anytime at [email protected]. My goal is to make everyone happy with the progress of our students, both musically and as hard-working people. Music truly opens so many doors in students’ minds, I only hope you will be pleased with the experience your student has through music in Michigan Center!
The topics covered in this book include: · Grading Policies and breakdown p. 2-5 · Practice Card Details, After-School Band p. 4-5 · End-of-Year Awards Policies (HS) p. 5-6 · Awards Eligibility Calculation Sheet p. 6 · Uniform Descriptions/Requirements/Policy p. 7 · Tardy/Absence policy p. 8 · Eligibility requirements p. 9 · Music Parents Group overview p. 9 · School-Owned Instrument Usage Policy p. 9 · Full Schedule of Performances/Events p. 10-11 · Student/Parent Contract (to be returned) p. 12 · Instrument Use Contract p. 13 (to be returned if school instrument is borrowed) Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this handbook or about the music program. [email protected] ~Grading Policy: MS and HS Bands: Grades should reflect the efforts and accomplishments of students who receive them. If a student is an excellent singer or player on his or her instrument, but constantly disrupts the class and hinders the other students’ learning, that student would probably not receive an A. If a student has a very difficult time musically, but works hard, shows improvement, and participates in class in a positive manner, that student could very easily receive an A. If a student is both an excellent player/hard-working musician and a model citizen in class, that student would definitely receive an A. Seems logical to me! I. Participation: (25% Jr. High, 30% high school) Participation grades are calculated based on classroom performance and success. -2 points per rehearsal equals full credit (8-10 points per week) To earn these points, each student is expected to arrive to class on time with: 1. Your Instrument – ready to play, oiled up, lubed up, 2 workable reeds in tote 2. All of your music – all music currently being rehearsed 3. A PENCIL - no ink, please Behavior in class is also figured into these possible 2 points. Each student is entitled to one “warning” from Mr. Bickel per week. After one warning, if that student disrupts the class again, participation points will be forfeited for that and each subsequent day a problem occurs. If individual problems persist after participation points are taken for the day, that student will be subject to further consequences including writing a two page paper, a trip to the office ( class suspension), and ultimately a parental conference. So far, it’s never come to that! Please remember, by signing up for band or choir class, you will be expected to participate (with a good attitude) in all of our rehearsals and performances. High school students, this includes high school band camp. You know it’s fun! Those who miss for pre-arranged familial reasons will have to make up credit for missed rehearsals and performances. Please inform Mr. Bickel of any potential conflicts as soon as they arise so we can work something out. II. Playing grades & written work: (25% in Jr. High, 30% in high school) Students will be exposed to a variety of music throughout their instrumental careers. In keeping with a qualitative curriculum, students will be graded periodically on their own musical performance. Grades will either be taken in the class, by appointment, or occasionally by recording, at the director’s discretion. Students will always be informed at least 2 days prior to a playing grade. Written work will consist of marking music as instructed and pencil/paper quizzes reinforcing material covered in class. For example, if we learn a new vocabulary word (for example, forte = strong), that will be fair game for a quiz. Quizzes will always be given with fair warning and will cover only material we’ve learned in class. III. Performances/Extra Rehearsals: (25% -Jr. High, 40% high school) The overwhelming majority of the work we do will take place in the classroom. However, we are allowed the opportunity to exhibit our hard work for our friends, family, and community at our performances. Musicians are expected to participate in such performances, as it is basically equivalent to a final exam every time we get to perform (just less stressful!). Simply show up ON TIME in the correct attire with all of your required materials (music, instrument, voice, two or more working reeds, mouthpiece, slippery slide, oiled valves, greased corks, shiny shoes, appropriate dress, mouthpieces…) and perform your very best without causing any major disruptions, and you’ll receive an A for the performance. For more specifics on uniforms, see the uniforms section of this document. Please don’t forget, by signing up for band or choir class, you are signing up to participate in all of our rehearsals and performances, including high school band camp, the homecoming parade, scheduled Wednesday night rehearsals, after school run-throughs and clinics, and the Christmas Parade. But, if you do miss a required event for a totally valid reason* you can make up half of the grade by writing a review of a concert you have attended recently (please include a copy of the program or a ticket stub for performance reviews). The other option for receiving half of the performance points is to write a 2 page (double-spaced, 12-pt. Font) research paper on a topic selected by Mr. Bickel. I am a big fan of papers beginning with “The History of…” and then your instrument or voice part. *These are NOT considered valid excuses for missing scheduled requirements: “I didn’t want to come,” “I forgot,” “I bought tickets to a show the same day as our concert without consulting anyone,” or, “I didn’t tell my parents until it was too late,” “I didn’t ask my boss for time off work soon enough,” or “I didn’t have a ride.” Work is not an excuse; give your boss at least a month’s notice and there will not be a problem. Check the schedule included in this handbook regularly; keep everyone informed. If you need a ride, we can always work out getting you to the concert. Let Mr. Bickel know if you need help in this area and the problem will be solved! Most of our performances take place on weeknights. Band Festivals (for grades 7-12), however, do often fall on Saturdays (please check the schedule included in this handbook). We very much need the participation of every ensemble member at all performances. Festivals at all grade levels are both a performance grade and a participation grade, so it truly is the biggest grading event of the year, reflecting the importance of everyone’s participation. It is an excellent experience for everyone involved. Judges give our groups constructive criticism on how to improve as musicians, and we get to listen to other area ensembles perform. Music is a performance art; I hope you will want to be a part of the performance opportunities. Reasons for an absence that the school policy sees as valid will be accepted as valid by the music department. Therefore, you will not lose credit for severe illness or family matters that cannot possibly be rescheduled. Please be aware of our required dates to avoid as many conflicts as possible, and make every possible effort to attend. Illness during the school day does not prohibit a student from participating in a scheduled band performance the same day. If health improves in time, come to the concert and perform as we rely on everyone to give our best performances possible. IV. Practice Cards (25% - Jr. High every week, HS as needed) Individual practice is the equivalent of “doing your homework.” I believe they are an excellent indicator of a student’s dedication to personal improvement. Practice journals are due EVERY MONDAY from Junior High band students, and need to be placed in the proper practice card folder before the end of the school day. High school band and choir students will be assigned practice cards as necessary, but will not be done every week due to the greater number of performances in their schedules. The time requirements for 100% (an A) are 45 minutes per week, and complete practice cards must be accompanied by a parental signature to keep everyone honest. Some practice cards are extra credit, so be sure to turn them in every Monday…you can definitely break 100% on your report card! Any practicing outside of the school day DOES count toward your practice card time, and Mr. Bickel can sign your card on the spot if you make an appointment to practice in the music room after school. “Exemptions:” Once per 9 weeks, each student will receive an exemption for a missing practice card IF AND ONLY IF at least one complete practice card has been turned in on time. “Late” practice cards: Practice cards turned in after Monday are still good for credit, but not necessarily full credit. A card turned in on Tuesday will still qualify for 100% of the minutes practiced, but will not qualify for an exemption. Cards turned in any time after Tuesday are worth 2/3 credit…but the more you practice, the more the card will be worth! To earn an A on practice journals, you must include: 1. The correct dates for the week, 2. Your name 3. A list of what you practiced (title of musical selection, measure #s), and 4. How long you practiced. 5. A Parental signature (or Mr. Bickel’s signature if you practice after school) Practice Cards are available from Mr. Bickel at any time. Missing practice cards can be made up by practicing extra! Every 15 minutes over and above the required practice time will be worth one extra credit point. So if you practice 60 minutes you will receive 46 points out of 45 (A+)! The other way to make up missing practice cards is to write a performance review. Simply attend a concert of any kind, especially a Michigan Center Music Department concert (but others are fine), write a one-page review of the concert and include a concert program. Specifics to look for in a concert are: pieces performed, dynamics, articulations, uniforms, audience reception/behavior, general effect, how well the group took the stage and exited, etc. This type of paper can be done once per 9 weeks and will replace a zero for a practice card. “After-School Band” practice time counts for weekly practice cards and takes place in the band room every Thursday from 2:30 to 3:15. Come one, come all! To sum up: Practice your part, be on time, practice your part, bring your materials, bring a positive attitude, come to every performance on time, and you will receive an A!! |
End-of-Year Awards Policy
(High School):
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