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Mr. Hay

email: bhay@rivervalleyschools.org

Phone: 756-9541, extension 1130/1131

RV Band on Beale Street in Tennessee

High School Band Attendance, Grading and Classroom Rules

Grading Policy

1. Students will be measured on their preparedness and performance in rehearsals and concerts.
2. Students will exhibit professional conduct and decorum in both rehearsals and performance.
3. Concerts represent the culmination of a rehearsal sequence and the actual creation of the art of music.  Therefore, attendance is mandatory.  An unexcused absence from a performance will result in failing the marking period.

60% Participation and daily class work
                       

Each student receives 10 points daily for participation

                                    The points are yours to lose.
                                    Lack of participation loses points on each occurrence.
                                    Ways to lose points:
                                                Tardy to class
                                                No pencil
                                                No folder/music/instrument
                                                Poor posture
                                                Gum/food/drink
                                                Inattentiveness/apathy/displaying disrespect
                                                Poor focus
                                                Talking at inappropriate times
                                                Inability to play your part
                                                Actual lack of participation

• Unexcused absence loses all points for the rehearsal
• Band is a lab and it is difficult to make up missed time.  You will receive credit/no credit on your first four excused absences.  Upon the fifth excused absence, time will need to be made up.  Upon the eighth absence, we need to determine what is best for the student.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange make up time with Mr. Hay.  A student missing more than four class/lab sessions will need to demonstrate knowledge of all music prior to being allowed to perform with the band.  Remember that not performing with the band may result in failing the marking period.
• Your best effort is always expected.
• Classroom rules must be followed.
• Homework completed and turned in on time.
• Demonstrate ability to sight-read (after it has been taught).

40%            Performance

• Attendance is mandatory

                                    On time for warm-ups and tuning
                                    Proper attire
                                    Music is mastered
                                    Focus during the performance
                                    Maximum effort is expected
                                    Demonstrate proper concert etiquette

• Absences do occur on emergency basis – see our policy on absences.

Attendance Policy

Attendance at all rehearsals and performance is required.  Failure to attend will result in a lowered grade.  Emergency situations will be dealt with as they arise.  An unexcused absence from a performance will result in an overall grade of an “F” for that marking period.  An excused absence not made up will result in an overall maximum grade of a “C” for that marking period.

Rehearsal-Performance Conflicts

Students will be required to attend band performances over other rehearsals/practices.  The student’s grade will be lowered to a maximum overall grade of a “C” for that marking period.  If a student has a performance in a varsity sport, the student may choose without penalty to his/her grade (even though some may think that the band rehearsal is important, you should really consider participating in the game).  The student must notify the director at least two weeks prior to a rehearsal missed outside of school.

Performance-Performance Conflicts

This applies to varsity athletes only.  This will be discussed on an individual basis.  Students must notify the director as soon as the conflict arises; this must be at least two weeks prior to the performance.

Bottom line:
                        Band rehearsal vs. sports practice – go to band rehearsal
                        Band rehearsal vs. sport game – go to sport
                        Honors Band rehearsal/performance vs. anything – Honors Band comes first
                        Band performance vs. any non-varsity sport – go to band
                        Band performance vs. varsity sport – you decide

Performances occur after an extensive rehearsal period.  Performances give the students a chance to highlight all of the skills they have acquired during that rehearsal period.  It is vital for a student to attend each performance but there is a realization that sickness and family emergencies do occur.  You must realize that it is impossible to recreate the missed performance.

An excused absence must be known of in advance and will be up to the discretion of the band director as to whether it will be considered excused.  If a performance is going to be missed, the director must be notified in advance if it is to be considered excused.  Notification after the concert will result in an unexcused absence.  Please contact Mr. Hay at extension 1131 to make the necessary arrangements for the missed absence.

• Funerals or illness may be considered excused.
• Shopping, a birthday party, had to go somewhere, and work are examples of unexcused absences.  Each student has our performance schedule well enough in advance to arrange his/her schedule.

Excused Absence from Concert

In an effort to ensure that all students meet the expectations of the class, there are two options to make this missed performance up.

The excused student may either:

• Play all pieces for the instructor upon returning to class following the absence.  (This will be done after school the first day back.)
• The excused student may perform at a nursing home or other performance venue within two weeks of the missed performance.  The person in charge of the venue will need to verify the performance.

NOTE:  The excused student may be given a different type of assignment at the discretion of the director.

It will always be the student’s responsibility to arrange with Mr. Hay on how the missed concert will be made up.  Then the student and Mr. Hay will work out the details of the make-up assignment.  Class time will not be given to make these arrangements.  Plan on meeting with Mr. Hay after school immediately to make said arrangements.

Some excused absences (ex. major illness) may complete an assignment or work as assigned by the director to make up the missed event and/or replacement credit.  This will be handled by the director and applied as necessary. 

Even though a student could be considered excused from a concert, it must be remembered that there was a concert, there was a hole created (both instrumentally and physically) because of the absent band member and the actual performance can never be made up

SPECIAL NOTE:  If you miss the bus to a performance, you will need to contact the office to arrange transportation or your parent will need to take you to the concert.  You may not drive yourself or ride with another student
.

Excused Classroom Absence Credit Redemption

As stated previously:  Band is a lab and it is difficult to make up missed time.  You will receive credit for your first four excused absences.  Upon the fifth excused absence, credit will not be earned for the missing class periods until time is made up.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange make up time with Mr. Hay.  A student missing more than four class/lab sessions will need to demonstrate knowledge of all music prior to being allowed to perform with the band.  A student missing eight or more class rehearsals will need to realize that it may be impossible to make up this missed time.  Time can only be made up ½ hour at a time after school with the director and some days the director will not be available.   Remember that not performing with the band may result in failing the marking period.

Any questions concerning this performance policy please contact Mr. Hay at extension 1131.

Classroom Rules

1.  Be in the classroom when the bell rings.  Be sure to have your instrument, folder, music, extra reeds, mutes, oils and a pencil with you at your seat.

2.  Doodle (Warm-up) while waiting for class to start.  Drummers do not need to doodle.

3.  Be attentive to the person in front, whether it is Mr. Hay or someone else.

4.  You are encouraged to lightly write in your music with a pencil.  Never use a pen.  However, you are responsible for erasing all of your rehearsal marks before you turn in your music.  Performed music will be turned in the first class following a concert.

5.  Those students who are assigned first chair in their respective sections are responsible for distributing parts, sectionals and collecting music. 

6.  Be determined. Talking during rehearsals, complaining, nonchalant behavior or poor attitudes are unacceptable.  Give band everything you have and then push yourself even farther.  You will not be disappointed.

7.  Be serious:       The time immediately following a cut-of belongs to the director!

No talking while rehearsing.
No gum, candy or drinks during any of our class time. 
No slouching in your chair while rehearsing. 
Never, ever, deliberately miss a concert.

8.  Be humane.  Support each other and any other musical group that we are around.  We are all in this together.  Life is not a contest, we can all be winners.  However, we can only be as good as our weakest member.  Everyone must know their part.

9.  Leave your problems at the door.

10. Know your student handbook.  We will follow all of its rules.

11. Take care of your instrument.  Do not leave it out or abuse it.

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