[Insert School Name Here] High School Band Program Syllabus

All Band Courses Mr. D. Keiser, Director of Bands Contact: 765-969-4613

Email: [email protected]

The High School Band Program consists of multiple ensembles, including the Wind

Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep-Band, and Marching Band. Students in these

ensembles will rehearse and work together to create music on many occasions throughout the

school year. These occasions will be concerts and performances, parades, home games, etc.

Students will be given opportunities and be pushed to grow their musicianship as well as learn

about different music genres and compositions. Community is very important in this band

program, and students are encouraged to go to concerts of other ensembles.

Course Objectives:
 Students will develop their musicianship through performing in ensembles, completing
projects, and receiving direction in the classroom.
 Students will gain knowledge of and develop skills associated with different music genres
and performing many forms of music.
 Students will learn to listen critically to not only music, but to each other. Through
shaping their own musical ear, and listening to new styles and genres of music, students
will hopefully garner a new appreciation for the art.
 Through a rich community formed by the different bands and their interaction with the
community outside the school walls, students will experience participating in a structured
community with a set of core values. In this experience, students will learn to cope with
differences, compromise, empathize, and work together.
Required Materials:
 Instrument in working condition*
 Instrument Accessories for respective instruments (reeds, grease/oil, mutes, etc.)
 Pencil – At EVERY rehearsal!
 Music Folders – Music folders will be provided to each student at the beginning of the
year. Students are responsible for keeping these folders neat and free of damage, and are
expected to bring them to every rehearsal.
 For performances, students will need to own:
o a pair of black dress shoes and black socks (at least to mid-calf long) for boys
o a pair of black dress flats and black stockings for girls
o Students in Pep-band will need to purchase a Pep-band T-shirt from the school
(any bottoms in compliance with the school handbook may be worn with the Pep-
band T-shirt).
o Students in Marching-band will need to purchase a pair of marching shoes
(Dinkles) and have black socks (at least to mid-calf long).

The rest of the dress apparel is owned by the band department and will be provided to
students before each performance.

*If an instrument appears to be non-functional, first see if the problem can be found. Once it is
found, notify your section leader of the problem and allow them to attempt a fix. If they cannot,
have them notify the director by raising their hand. If an instrument becomes non-functional
while practicing at home, DO NOT attempt to fix it yourself, and DO NOT have your
parent/guardian attempt to fix it. Bring it into the next rehearsal and follow the above procedure.

*If music is lost, notify the director as soon as possible and request a new copy.
Classroom Expectations
 Be on time and punctual – students are expected to act with urgency when transitioning
to a band course. Do not waste time. Students will be expected to arrive in the band
room expediently and be in their seats with instrument, music, and a pencil ready by 3
minutes after the bell.
o Students are also expected to arrive to after school rehearsals and performances
by the call times. These call times will be provided in the extensive calendar that
will be emailed to parents and given to students in class (hardcopy).
 Treat others, the room, and the equipment in a respectful manner. This includes caring
for your instrument, being careful with stands, chairs, and other classroom fixtures, not
disrupting the class with chatter, and using the words “sir/ma’am.”
 Be prepared for class – practice your parts, keep your instrument in good care, have the
necessary accessories organized and on hand, keep your music organized, and always
have a pencil! Most of all, come to class prepared to learn and with a positive attitude.
 No gum/other candy item, food, or drinks are allowed in the band room! The only food
item permitted is a water bottle.
 Abide by all rules in the student hand book.

Discipline Procedures
Should students fail to follow the classroom expectations outlined above or break rules in
accordance with the school handbook, this procedure will take effect:
1. Students will receive Verbal Warning that will include clarity on which expectation/rule
the student is not upholding
2. Should the student refuse to discontinue the behavior or fail to uphold the
expectations/rules again later in the same class period (could be the same behavior that
caused a warning), the student may lose participation credit for that day (at teacher’s
discretion) and will be asked to see the teacher after class for a Conference.
3. Should the student choose to not uphold the expectations and rules after both a warning
and a second offense, the teacher will Call Home in addition to a Conference after class.
4. Any infractions after the third may result in the following: listening and response
procedure, detention, or a referral to the administration.
*Should a student cause purposeful harm to another student, disrupt rehearsal in a wildly
inappropriate manner, choose to interact with another student or the teacher in a highly
disrespectful manner, or commit any other major infraction outlined in the school handbook, the
teacher holds the right to give detention to the student or remove them from class and refer them
to the administration. Other action may be decided after the student has been removed from
class.

Assessment
Students will be assessed in the following ways:

Attendance and Participation (50%)

Band courses are inherently participation heavy. It is imperative that students participate
in every rehearsal in productive, positive, and constructive ways. Students will receive 10
points of participation per rehearsal. These points will be deducted from for: not being prepared
as outlined in the expectations, receiving disciplinary action as outlined in the disciplinary
procedures, or from an unexcused absence.*

*See attendance policy

In Class Participation Points/Attendance – 25% of final grade

Students MUST attend each performance. The performance dates specified in this
syllabus are provided well in advance, and students and their parents/guardians are expected
plan around those dates accordingly. The band is one group, one voice; it will not be successful
unless all of its members are present, and is an experience that CANNOT BE MADE UP! The
credit students receive for Concert/Performance Attendance may be lowered if students: do not
arrive to prepare by the call time, do not have the necessary equipment (clothing as outlined in
requirements for course, their instrument, instrument accessories needed for that
concert/performance), or simply do not show.

Concert/Performance Attendance – 25% of final grade

Growth Cards (20%)

Students will be provided a Growth Card at the beginning of the school semester. The
growth card will be outfitted with grade appropriate requirements that each student must
complete before the semester’s end. Completion of the requirements may be completed at the
student’s discretion. The requirements are completed, or passed-off, by informing the teacher
that they are ready to attempt completion. This is followed by an individual playing test of the
required material. If the student performs to the expectations provided in the rubric (provided
upon request), the requirement is passed-off. Students are not penalized for not meeting
expectations, and may attempt to pass as many times as they need. Students are encouraged to
plan out their Growth Cards such that they do not have to “cram” all of the requirements into a
short amount of time; this will surely lead to disaster.

In Class Tests (20%)

Two in-class written exams will be administered to the students; a midterm and a final.
These tests will cover musical terminology, information about the pieces rehearsed throughout
the semester, basic music theory, and other topics covered throughout the semester.

Midterm Exam – 10% of Final Grade

Final Exam – 10% of Final Grade

History/Biography Project (10%)

Students will complete a biography project on a composer/musician (classical/jazz) of

their choice (a list of possibilities will be provided). This project includes writing; a brief
summary of the composer’s/musician’s life, a discussion/analysis on two of a composer’s pieces
or two of a musicians performances (if the person in question is both a performer and composer,
students could write one of each!), and a reflection of the students thoughts on the
composer/musician and their works. More information will be given in class.
Attendance Policy

Your attendance during class and at performances has a direct effect on your grade. Band is a
participation/performance based course. Attendance is mandatory to all rehearsals and
performances unless otherwise noted.

Excused Absences Include:

• Extreme personal illness with Doctor’s Note (or absence from school)
• Family Health emergencies verified by family
• Approved Academic conflicts
• Required Religious observances (with notice)
• Extra-Curricular School conflicts approved by director in advance.

Again, communication with the director is crucial when an absence is known. The director
should know about any conflicts at least TWO weeks prior to the event in question. The best
method of communication would be via e-mail or through phone contact, preferably by the
parent or guardian of the student. Absences that are excused will be subject to a make-up
assignment. The assignment will fill in for the daily 10 participation points.

Note: Even if the director is informed about the conflict with ample time, it does not guarantee
that the absence will be approved.

Grading Scale
93 – 100 A 74 – 79 C
90 – 92 A- 70 – 73 C-
84 – 89 B 64 – 69 D
80 – 83 B- 60 – 63 D-
0 – 59 F
Brief Calendar
Pep-Band Game performances follow the home game schedule of both the basketball and
football teams. To see those dates, view the sports calendar on the school website.

Marching Band will perform in parades on these dates:

Homecoming Parade – Sept. 20
Veterans Day Parade – Nov. 11
Mardis Gras Parade – Feb. 13

Fall Wind Ensemble and Concert Band Concert – Oct. 6

Jazz Dinner Dance – Nov. 15
Winter Extravaganza Concert (Wind, Jazz, Concert Band) – Dec. 10
Spring Contest (Wind Ensemble) – Mar. 20
Spring Concert Band Concert – Mar. 13
Jazz Concert – Apr. 15
Summer Extravaganza – May 10

Solo & Ensemble

Students are heavily encouraged to participate in Solo & Ensemble each year. Though it
is not a requirement, Solo & Ensemble is an incredibly valuable experience. Students, through
Solo & Ensemble, have the chance to push themselves to be the best musicians they can be,
accomplish self-made goals, learn to critically evaluate their performances (and others) with help
from judges, and so much more. If students are unsure about S & E and its benefits after an in
class discussion about participation, please feel free to ask the teacher to talk more in a one-on-
one situation. If students are worried about not being able to participate for any reason, let the
teacher know those reservations and a solution will hopefully be found.

Private Lessons

Students are encouraged to seek private lesson opportunities, especially if participating in

S & E. If unsure where to start, ask the teacher for advice. Director Mr. Keiser provides lessons
private for saxophone, and can provide starting private lessons for any instrument.
Instrumentalists who perform on other mediums can be referred to a multitude of highly
respectable musicians and teachers for lesson opportunities.