GHS Band | Syllabus


			Here you can find the Syllabus, Dress Code, Scholasitc and Behavioral Expectations and other important class specific information. Check back often to make sure you are up to date!

			Dress Code Grant High School Bands Concert Dress Code 2008-2009 All Groups: Gentlemen: polished smooth black dress shoes (no sneakers, sandals, open toed shoes etc.) black socks Ladies: smooth close-toed black dress shoes black hose, or socks (when appropriate) Jazz Lab Gentlemen: Black slacks White button down shirt Necktie Ladies: Black skirt (or slacks) White blouse Jazz Ensemble Gentlemen: Black slacks Black dress shirt w/collar. (no polo shirts) Ladies: Black dress shoes All black dress, skirt and blouse or slacks and blouse Concert Band Gentlemen: Black slacks White button down shirt Necktie Ladies: Black skirt (below the knees) White blouse Symphonic Band Gentlemen: Black slacks White dress shirt or tuxedo shirt (button down, with collar) “Royal blue” cummerbund* “Royal blue” bow tie* Tie and cummerbund can be found at Mr. Formal Ladies:* Black skirt White blouse Wind Ensemble Gentlemen: Black tuxedo slacks Black tuxedo jacket White tuxedo shirt Black Vest and Bow Tie Ladies: Black skirt and blouse. We will be ordering dresses so we match. A FEW OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER: Please note that if you perform with more than one ensemble you will be expected to follow the dress code for the group you are performing with. This may require a change of dress during a concert. We want to look as good and as uniform as possible. Anyone wearing an article of clothing that is believed to be distracting will be asked to remove or replace it. All skirts and dresses must be below the knee. NO HATS, NO SCARVES, NO LARGE JEWELRY…Behavioral Expectations Classroom Rules • Students will follow directions the first time they are given. • Students will behave in a manner that does not disrupt the educational process. • Students will not bring food or drink into the classroom, except water. Food and drink are allowed in the band room during lunch on the condition that the room stays clean. This privilege can be suspended at any time. Rehearsal Rules • Students are required to attend all rehearsals and performances. • Students will be on time, with music, pencil, instrument, and in their seats when the bell rings • Students are not allowed to chew gum during rehearsal. (Gum can be a health hazard in instrumental performance.) • Students will not touch or deface equipment in the band room, or performance venue. • Students will not do other homework or write notes while other sections are rehearsing. • Students will show respect for themselves and others in class by being attentive when instruction is being given. • Students will remember their proper performance attire for all performances. • Students will act responsibly, by returning all permission forms and other materials on time. Participation, or Yes, you are expected to show up. Participation in rehearsals is the focus of most instrumental music courses. For this reason participation is a very large portion of a students grades. It is impossible to recreate rehearsal time for students. Tardiness and absences result in an inability to participate in class. • Every tardy (please see the section on tardies) a student receives will result in the loss of one percentage point of there final grade for the semester. • A grace period exists for the first week of school. • Every unexcused absence will result in the loss of three percentage points for the semester. • If a student comes to class without the proper materials it will be treated as an unexcused absence. • If a student asks to leave class so they may return to their locker and pick up the necessary equipment it will be treated as a tardy. Participation in performances is the most important activity that occurs in instrumental music courses. Missing one of these events is equivalent to not taking a final in Math or English except that it is impossible to make up this event. Missing an event (i.e. concert, festival, parade) may result in the lowering of a students grade by 20%, or two letter grades. If a student does miss one of these events the following are the only acceptable excuses: • The student was in an urgent or emergency care facility. The doctor or nurse must sign a note. The note, which should include information about the hospital, and time admitted, must be turned into Mr. Budge • Death in the family. Once again, a note or letter explaining the situation should be turned into Mr. Budge • Athletic events, having dinner with family (even family from out of town), “not feeling well”, “A lot of homework”, family vacation or any other excuses are not acceptable. • Some Pep Band performances are excused for students who are participating in a school sport. (including school club sports) • At the beginning of the year, juniors and seniors should make sure that SAT and ACT testing dates do not conflict with event dates during the year. Tardiness has been a severe problem for many of the bands at Grant High School. As a result I would like to take this time to clarify what the expectations are for band members regarding tardiness. It is my understanding that Grant High School students are expected to be in their seats, with all materials, when the bell rings. I also understand that band requires some extra measures for students to get ready. For this reason I have in the past given a grace period from when the bell rings until the start of class. This grace period has been taken advantage of in the past. For this reason and for the purpose of maximizing rehearsal time I am setting up the following expectations. • All students should be in the room before the bell rings. • Upon entering the band room a student should begin setting up their chair and stand. (every student should have their own chair, stand, instrument, music, and pencil) • The student should then begin assembling their instrument. • After this is done the student may use the remaining time before the bell rings as social time. • When the bell rings the student should be engaged in warming up. (Playing long tones at a low dynamic) Practice at Home All students are expected to practice a minimum number of minutes at home. While schedules can become busy the best way to insure that students practice is to make sure that practice time is scheduled. With as little as fifteen minutes a day a student can show marked improvement in tone and technique. • Fifteen minutes a day, five to seven days a week is much better than two hours, one day a week. • Students need not always practice performance pieces. It is much better to spend time at home working on tone production. • Make sure the student has recordings of quality musicians. It is much easier for a growing musician to hear what they should sound like, than for them to read it out of a book. • Practice sheets may be required for students unable to meet minimum standards on playing tests. Expectations Being a part of a band is different than almost any other course offered in high school. You are not here just for your own good. You are here for everyone else in your band. If you do not understand this concept or believe it to be untrue you should probably find somewhere else to go. Pit Orchestra is an entirely optional group. However, a student who makes a commitment to the pit orchestra is making a real commitment. It is intended that as many students as possible will be given the opportunity to participate in the pit orchestra. However, not everyone who wishes to participate will be able to. If a student misses rehearsals or a performance they may be disqualified from membership in the pit orchestra. Pit Orchestra membership requires a large time commitment outside of the regular school day. For this reason, members of the Pit will be given time during band classes to catch up on homework for other classes. This will occur during the last week or so of pit rehearsals. Concert Bands (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble) perform at various venues throughout the metro area. (Due to school board policy students are not allowed to ride with other students to or from these events) In the past the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic band have had transportation provided by the Grant Band Boosters. Occasionally band fees also pay for transportation. All concert groups will perform at the in house concerts. The Wind Ensemble and possibly the Symphonic Band will also perform at festivals and competitions in the metro area. Grant’s Wind Ensemble traditionally goes to the following events. Warner Pacific Band Festival (first Friday in April) PIL Championships (second Tuesday in April) Other possible performances may occur. It is required that students perform at all performances. If a student misses a performance, it may result in a failing grade for the semester. Jazz Ensembles (Jazz Lab, Stage Band) perform at various venues throughout the metro area. It is occasionally required that students provide their own transportation to and from these events. (Due to school board policy students are not allowed to ride with other students to or from these events) Outside of the normal in house concerts Jazz ensemble members will be required to participate at four or more festivals/competitions. Grant’s Jazz bands traditionally go to the following events. Skyview Jazz Festival (first Saturday in Dec.) Clackamas Jazz Festival (second Saturday in Mar.) University of Portland Jazz Festival (second Thursday in Apr.) Northwest Jazz Festival at Mount Hood Community College (first Saturday in May) The Jazz Celebration (January) Other possible performances may occur. It is required that students perform at all performances. If a student misses a performance, it may result in a failing grade for the semester. Pep Band is a requirement of all Grant Band Students. The Pep Band performs at Football and Basketball games throughout the fall and winter. While we usually do not perform in the rain it is best that woodwind players use a secondary horn to protect their instrument. These can be rented through the school district (while supplies last) or at a local music store. Marching band Every member of the Grant Band Program is a member of the marching band. The Grant Marching Band has become a symbol of pride for our program. The Marching band will have one performance this year. Nov. 11th is the Veteran’s Day Parade This is not an optional performance. Drum Line is an entirely optional group. However, a student who makes a commitment to the drum line is making a full year commitment. If a student misses rehearsals or a performance they may be disqualified from membership in the drum line. Members of PYP, MYS, PYJO and other community ensembles need to understand that membership in the Grant Band program must remain your first priority. You may miss a reasonable number of Grant rehearsals for community concerts but you should not plan on missing Grant performances for community rehearsals or performances. Performance conflicts can usually be avoided, especially with advance notice. Please check all of your schedules at the beginning of the year.

Scholastic and Behavior Expectations of Band Members

Membership in the Grant Band Program is based on the highest standards of behavior, and musical achievement. All band members are ambassadors and role models for their school and the community. Each member is expected to meet the requirements as established by the director, and fellow students.

1. The highest levels of student behavior are required. Swearing, smoking, drug use, alcoholic beverage consumption, and acting in a wild and unbecoming manner will not be tolerated by the director.

2. Work for other classes must be completed or made-up following a field trip or activity. When possible arrangements should be made with the proper teacher prior to the activity.

3. All students should be passing all of their classes. Membership in Wind Ensemble and/or Jazz Ensemble may be compromised by poor grades (i.e. failing one or more classes, or 2.0 GPA).

4. If the director is informed that a band member is not attending classes, the director will determine the exact probation the student will be required to follow. Probation, in this case, may include not participating in performances or rehearsals and following a daily report card procedure as established by Grand High School.

5. If the above expectations and requirements are not met, the director has the option to remove the student from the band(s). The director has the final decision in any action taken regarding the removal of the student from the group(s).

6. All members of every band should do everything possible to take lessons during the school year and the summer.

SYLLABUS | MUSICIANSHIP | BAND CAMPS | ARCHIVES | CONTACT INFO