ILCHESTER ELEMENTARY:  INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC GRADING POLICY

Creativity and Composition - 20%

Students will complete assignments demonstrating their knowledge of note reading and music theory to further their understanding of music notation and creative processes.

·       Theory/Composition Assessments:  Minimum of two/quarter.  Theory assignments will be evaluated by the creating rubric provided by Howard County Public Schools. Any assessment receiving a D or below will be sent home and require a parent signature.

Musicianship - 15%

Students will complete assignments that explore musical works performed in the class to further their understanding of performance practice. Assignments will include listening to personal, ensemble, and professional recordings and describing what they hear using appropriate vocabulary and completing playing assessments that demonstrate their mastery of these musicianship skills.

·       Musicianship Assessments: Minimum of two/quarter:  one written listening evaluation and one playing assessment.  Written assignments will be evaluated by the responding rubric provided by Howard County Public Schools.  Formal playing assessments are evaluated based on a rubric provided on the back of the scoring sheet. Any assessment receiving a D or below will be sent home and require a parent signature.

Applied Skills & Technical Development - 50%

Students will receive graded performance assessments and skills tests throughout the year. These tests may be live or video /audio recorded.

·       Performance Assessments:  Each formal assessment is worth 25 points, minimum of two/quarter.  Formal playing assessments are evaluated based on a rubric provided on the back of the scoring sheet.  Any assessment receiving a D or below will be sent home and require a parent signature.

Reflection - 15%

Students will receive written reflection assignments over the course of the year. Students will evaluate their performances and performances by other groups in the following categories: tone, technique, intonation, musicality, balance, interpretation, musical effect, and other factors.

·       Reflection Assessments: Minimum of one/quarter. Written reflection assignments will be evaluated using the responding rubric provided by Howard County Public Schools. Any assessment receiving a D or below will be sent home and require a parent signature.

Procedures and Practices - Represented in Learning Behaviors

Students are learning to perform on their instruments, as well as learning to conduct themselves in a large ensemble rehearsal.  This class will put the student in the role of a professional instrumental musician.  As such, they will be asked to show their understanding of rehearsal and performance behavior.  Students are observed and assessed on their instrumental performance and rehearsal conduct on a daily basis. This includes attendance to classes and concerts as well as being prepared for class and their completed practice logs.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS- 

·       Shows respect to peers and adults- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by being courteous and polite when interacting with others during class discussions, activities, rehearsals, and concerts.

·       Shares opinions respectfully- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by being positive and polite while discussing other’s abilities or performance and giving constructive feedback.

·       Contributes positively to the classroom and school community- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by participating in school events and performances.

RESPONSIBILITY-

·       Follows established schoolwide and classroom procedures- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by attending all scheduled instrumental music classes on time unless absent from school or the absence has been approved by the instrumental music teacher.

·       Follows oral and written directions

·       Exhibits self-control and manages emotions - Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by being gracious when given constructive feedback on a performance

·       Participates actively in learning- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by being an active member of their class and ensemble and attending lessons, rehearsals, and concerts.

·       Manages time effectively to complete work- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior completing all written assignments on time and utilize their practice times and charts to make sure they are achieving performance goals.

·       Organizes and manages materials- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by bringing all of their materials including instrument, music, accessories, and pencils to each rehearsal.

·       Accepts responsibility for actions- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by acknowledging that they are part of a team and their actions including practicing an appropriate amount of time and attending all performances are integral on the team’s performance.

PERSEVERENCE--

·       Works through challenges- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by practicing new material without giving up or compromising effort

·       Attempts new strategies when needed

·       Solves problems- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by be utilizing canvas, email, and before school time, as well as class time to find the answers and solutions to problems they encounter during their practice time at home or during lessons/rehearsals.

·       Asks questions and seeks information

·       Accepts and learns from feedback- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by taking constructive comments and applying them to their performance through practice.

·       Demonstrates stamina- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by utilizing practice time and practice charts to achieve performance goals assigned in instrumental music class and persevering through challenges.

COLLABORATION-

·       Works cooperatively in a variety of settings- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by being polite and respectful in lessons, rehearsals, and concerts.

·       Thinks flexibly

·       Acknowledge others’ ideas- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by being respectful when discussing another student’s performance or interpretation of a piece of music.

·       Demonstrates ability to reach compromise- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by listening to the opinion of both the teacher and other students and working on a solution on how to play certain songs and pieces.

·       Shares responsibility- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by acknowledging that everyone in an ensemble is important and needs to be prepared and on time for all lessons, rehearsals, and concerts.

·       Contributes to conversations and group discussions

INITIATIVE-

·       Takes appropriate academic risks- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by working on their own advancement through self-directed “belt” testing. 

·       Begins task without prompting- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by coming into their lessons and rehearsals quietly, putting their instruments together, tuning, and warming up.

·       Demonstrates self-advocacy- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by asking questions when they do not understand a concept and requesting extra help when needed. 

·       Uses technology to demonstrate learning- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by completing all Canvas assignments and submitting them on time.

·       Seeks to improve work- Students in band and orchestra will demonstrate this behavior by utilizing practice time and charts to master concepts taught in lessons and rehearsals.

According to Howard County Public School policy, attendance at the two main concert events is required for anyone participating in instrumental music. Children are excused if they have an excused absence from school the day of the concert, there is a death in the family, or an unexpected documented illness/injury.  Any reason not included as an excused absence by Howard County Public Schools, is not an excused absence from a concert (i.e. vacation or sporting event).  Dates for the concerts are listed well ahead of time and can be found on the music website.  www.ilchestermusic.org

Lesson Books

      All students will be required to purchase an instrumental music lesson book.
Beginning Band students use the "Accent on Achievement" book 1 for their instrument
Advanced Band students use the "Accent on Achievement" books 1 and 2 for their instrument
Percussion students use "Accent on Achievement" book 1 for mallet percussion only and "Rhythm Reading for Drums" book 1 by Garwood Whaley
Beginning String students use the "Essential Elements" book 1 for their instrument
Intermediate and Advanced String students use the "Essential Elements" books 1 and 2 for their instrument