Program Syllabus

Mission:

It is the mission of the Hillgrove High School Band Program to create functionally literate, independent musicians, who continually exhibit the highest level of character as school citizens.  This education shall take place through traditional concert band classes, as well as through extra-curricular activities, i.e. marching band, jazz band, small ensembles, solos, auditions, etc.

 

Class Offerings:

 

Wind Ensemble: The Hillgrove Wind Ensemble is made up of those students who display the

highest level of musicianship.  Admission is by audition only and may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the directors.  It is in this ensemble that students will experience the preparation of music of the highest level of difficulty.  Students will be required to participate in GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation in March.  The students in Wind Ensemble will also be required to prepare an audition for GMEA District and All-State (with attendance at said audition being at the discretion of the directors).

 

Symphonic Band: The Hillgrove Symphonic Band is made up of those students who display

a high level of musicianship.  Admission is by audition only and may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the directors.  It is in this ensemble that students will experience the preparation of music of an intermediate level of difficulty.  Students in Symphonic Band will be required to participate in GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation in March.  It is highly recommended that students in Symphonic also prepare an audition for GMEA District and All-State (with attendance at said audition being at the discretion of the directors).

 

Concert Band(s): The purpose of the Concert Band is to emphasize improving students’

musicianship and performance skills. Admission into the Concert Band(s) is by audition

only.  Students in Concert Band(s) will be required to participate in GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation.

 

Advanced Percussion Methods: The Advanced percussion class is designed to serve those

percussion students who display more advanced skills in the area of percussion.  Those students have likely served in the wind symphony prior to joining this class.  Admission to the advanced percussion class is by audition only.  The focus of the class will be on concert percussion literature, techniques, and audition preparation.  Students in this class will be required to perform on all concerts as a group, as well as audition for GMEA District and All State Band.

 

Character:

It is required of all Hillgrove Band Members to present themselves as students of the highest character.  Students will be continually educated on what it means to be good school citizens and band members.  Students who continually display a lack of necessary character may be removed from the band program at the discretion of the Directors.

 

Standard-Based Grading

 

In an effort to provide a more comprehensive approach to our students’ music education, the Band Program has adopted the Standard Based Grading system.  This method will make more of an effort to tie our grading procedures into the State Mandated Standards for Instrumental Music.  The categories listed below reflect the content and weight necessary to meet the state mandated standards:

 

Grading Categories:

 

         Performance Practices                                      50%

         Vocabulary and Theory                                    15%

Aesthetic and Critical Analysis                          15%

Historical and Cultural Connections          15%

Creation and Communication                   5%

 

Final Exam

 

The final exam will be reported and graded in each category, rather than having it as a category to itself.  Each section of the exam will be placed within its appropriate category.

 

Assessments

 

Each assessment will appear in Pinnacle, as well as the standard to which each assessment is related.  For Example, a Bb Scale Test will appear as follows:

           

MUS.BAND-A.2.4 Technique: Scales – Bb Scale

 

It will also have the standard attached in Pinnacle (note – these are minimum standards, we may elevate difficulty as we see fit):

 

The learner will be able to play, from memory the following scales, ascending and descending, in eighth notes (mm. quarter note = 120): 12 major scales, two octaves with corresponding arpeggios and their relative natural minor scales/arpeggios; a chromatic scale, full range of the instrument, in sixteenth notes mm. quarter note = 72.

Rehearsal Preparation Guidelines

 

Purpose:

 

Part of the musical education each student receives as a member of the Hillgrove Bands is how to be properly prepared for rehearsal and how to properly rehearse.  It is our mission to give each student a comprehensive musical education of the highest quality.  In order to do so, each student must follow one simple rule:

 

Be Prepared, In Place, On Time.

 

Rehearsal Preparation Standard:

 

MUS.BAND-A.1.8 Class Participation

The learner will be able to demonstrates contribution in a positive manner to the group effort of making music including attending class regularly with music and equipment, completing homework assignments, actively participating in class and all performances, and mentoring peers.

 

Expectations:

 

It is our expectation that all Hillgrove Band students attend all rehearsals and bring all materials to each rehearsal.  Of course, we recognize that conflicts arise, and, given the proper notification and documentation, excused absences will never count against a student.  The following is a list of what each student needs to bring to any and all rehearsals:

 

·      Specific to each instrument (valve oil, key oil, slide grease, etc…)

 

To be on time:

Being on time is paramount for our bands to run efficiently and to maximize the time we’re given to rehearse.  During class, students are given until 4 minutes after the final bell rings to be in place, warming up, getting “ready to play”.  For all other rehearsals, it is expected that the students will be in place and warming up at the time the rehearsal begins.  This, of course, means they will need to arrive prior to the rehearsal beginning.

 

Remember: Everyday is an Audition

 

Rehearsal Etiquette

 

Students are continually educated on the proper way to rehearse.  In order for the Hillgrove Bands to flourish, we must understand that each minute of each rehearsal is of the utmost importance.  Students are expected to be respectful of one another and the directors.  We do not speak unless spoken to during rehearsal.  Any reasonable instruction given by the directors must be followed to insure success.  This includes writing instructions into the music as directed, numbering of measures, sitting properly, holding the instrument properly, and any other non-musical aspect of being in the Hillgrove Bands that we feel is pertinent to our success. 

 

Rehearsal Preparation Grading policy:

 

Students are graded each week for rehearsal preparation.  This is not a behavior/conduct grade.  On Monday, each student is given a 50.  If the students are prepared, in place, and on time all week, then that 50 points will remain on their record.  If a student fails to meet expectations, their grade will be lowered incrementally.  We understand that accidents happen and everyone has a ‘bad day’, therefore the grading policy is set up to allow for that.  Only repeat offenders’ grades will be drastically affected.

 

The following are the point deductions for failure to follow expectations:

 

·      Missing Instrument (reeds included) – 10 pts per day

o   Instruments that are being repaired will not count against the student’s grade, provided that repair documentation is provided.

·      Missing Auxiliary Materials – 5 pts each (i.e. missing pencil and binder = 10 pts)

·      Failure to display proper rehearsal etiquette – 5 pts

 

We thank you for your support and understanding in our efforts to provide each student with a quality, comprehensive, and enjoyable musical education.  As we tell the students:

 

“Excellence in music is one of the most enjoyable experiences you’ll ever have. Becoming an excellent musician can be one of the least enjoyable experiences you’ll ever have.”

 

By this we mean that some of the things we ask of the students can be perceived as ‘no fun’ or boring, however, we would never require ANYTHING of a Hillgrove Band Student that we did not feel was absolutely essential to their musical and overall success.

 

 

Musically,

 

 

 

 

Christopher M Ferrell                                                                                    Patrick M Erwin

Director of Bands                                                                               Assistant Director of Bands

Christopher.ferrell@cobbk12.org                                                       patrick.erwin@cobbk12.org

 

Please detach, sign, and return the following page:

 

 

By signing below, I attest that I have read and understand the Hillgrove Bands’ Program Syllabus.  By applying my signature below, I am agreeing that I will do my part to insure the continuing success of the Hillgrove Bands.  I also understand that failure to return this form, signed, in a timely manner may result in band class being removed from my schedule.

 

Student Name:_________________________

 

 

Student Signature:______________________                       Date:_________________

 

 

Parent/Guardian Name:__________________________

 

 

Parent/Guardian Signature:_______________________       Date:_________________