GRADING

Students will be assessed and graded during each of the four marking periods.  Assessments will be conducted according to the High School Instrumental Assessment Rubric.  Categories include: Note (Pitch) Accuracy, Rhythmic Accuracy, Tone, Intonation, Playing Position, Musicality, etc.  Copies of this rubric are available upon request.  Marking period grades will be based on Attendance, Assessments, and Class Participation including Rehearsal Etiquette,.

Students enrolled in Accelerated Symphonic Band will be required to perform the audition solo for either District (PMEA) Band or All-County (BCMEA) Band.  Further details are listed in this packet.  Symphonic Band members will acquire the solo in September, and perform the first page of the solo for the October assessments.  By the last assessment in November, Symphonic Band members must perform the entire solo.  All band students are encouraged to audition.

ATTENDANCE

All scheduled rehearsals, performances, and assessments are mandatory.  Beginning in December, students in Symphonic Band, Marching Concert Band, and Concert Band will average 3 after-school obligations per month.  Rehearsals begin at 3:00 pm and conclude at 5:30 pm unless otherwise stated.  The calendar is provided in order to give advance notice and students are expected to attend rehearsals for the groups in which they are enrolled.  Non-school related work is not considered a valid excuse given the advance notice of rehearsals.  If a student is suddenly unable to attend a rehearsal due to a family emergency, please call me at school.

Please understand the following Attendance Rules.  Any infraction will result in an unexcused absence.  Two unexcused absences per season (Fall and Winter / Spring) could result in a letter grade drop:

1. Students who must miss a scheduled rehearsal must give at least one week’s notice in writing.
2. Students who arrive late to a rehearsal due to a clinic must present a note in advance and arrive by 3:05 pm.
3. Students who anticipate a sports-related conflict must present a note one month in advance so that the coaches can be contacted and a compromise worked out – usually splitting time.

REHEARSAL ETIQUETTE and STUDENT PREPARATION

Students are expected to be attentive, stay on task, and be respectful of each other and to the directors during rehearsals and performances.  Students are expected to follow the formal concert dress guidelines for concerts when students are to wear formal attire – this will be considered part of the student’s etiquette grade.  Practice parts will be given out during class to take home, while original parts will stay in assigned folders and remain in school.  Students are expected to practice at least 90 minutes each week, which is especially important in preparing for concerts!  If a student requires additional help with music preparation, they should speak with the director.  After Marching Band season is over, I can be available upon request for help during clinic.  Private lessons are highly recommended!  The Council Rock School district maintains a list of approved teachers at this url: https://www.crsd.org/Page/52300 

SEATING AUDITIONS

Seating auditions will be held during class and will be administered in a “blind audition” setting that is similar to County and Regional Band auditions.  Seating auditions may be held in September, and again in January or as needed in the spring.  All wind and percussion players must audition.  The results of seating auditions will NOT impact your grade!  Audition criteria will include:

1. Memorized Major Scales: To be performed in the quarter note, eighth note pattern in the practical range of the instrument at a minimum tempo of 100 bpm
2. Memorized Chromatic Scale: To be performed in triplet eighth notes at a minimum tempo of 100 bpm in the practical range of the instrument.  Slur ascending, hold the top note, and tongue descending. 
3. Sight-Reading: A short excerpt provided at the audition. Students will have 30 seconds to study the excerpt.  They may clap, finger parts, and blow air through the instrument, but they may not play or sing.  Once time is up, they will be asked to begin.  Only one attempt is allowed.
4. Prepared Selection: An excerpt from the concert repertoire to be prepared to the highest level of your musicianship. Memorization is not necessary.

The following ranges will be used as the “practical range” of each instrument:

Three Octaves                                           Two and a half Octaves                                     Two Octaves

Flutes    C – C                                      Low Clarinets E – Bb                                  Piccolo     F – F

Bb and Eb Sop. Clarinets F – F           Saxophones   Bb – F                                    Oboe        C – C

Mallets C – C                            Bass T-Bone   Pedal Bb to E above Staff             Bassoon   F – F

                                                                                                                                 French Horn G – G in Treble Clef

                                                                                                                                 Trumpet & TC Baritone   C – C

                                                                                                                                              Trombone & BC Baritone    Bb - Bb

                                                                                                                                  Tuba Bb - Bb

  Percussion

1. Snare drum students will be responsible for the 26 standard rudiments (Links to an external site.) from the Percussive Arts Society in lieu of scales.
2. All Rudiments will be performed open to closed and back to open.
3. Timpani students will be auditioned on a three drum set up. Students will be given the lowest pitch and be required to find the upper two pitches without the benefit of a pitch pipe for both their sight-reading and prepared piece.

DISTRICT 11 BAND AND ALL BUCKS COUNTY BAND

Students who are interested in pursuing more challenging musical experiences can audition for the PMEA Band (or Orchestra) and the BCMEA Band.  It is a special honor to make these groups!  PMEA District Band is open to students in grades 10 – 12.  All Symphonic Band members will be assessed on the District 11 solo.

Click Here for information on PMEA District 11 Auditions (Links to an external site.)

Click Here for information on BCMEA Auditions (Links to an external site.)

TUNERS AND METRONOMES

 Among the best attributes a band member can attain is the ability to play in time and in tune!  To assist you in this endeavor, all Accelerated Symphonic Band, Marching Concert Band and Concert Marching Band members are required to have a Metronome and a Tuner, and must present their own Tuner and Metronome (or a combo of both) by September 23rd.   Please put your name on your tuner and metronome or combo, and keep it in your instrument case (where possible).  The average cost is $15 to $30.  Students may instead opt to purchase the cell phone app "Tonal Energy."for $5.99.  This highly functional tuner/metronome combo is extremely versatile and is in use by many of the world's best ensembles.

The Official Tuner Check will be the week of September 23rd.  

I am looking forward to a wonderful year of making music!  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via e-mail me at jburns@crsd.org

Sincerely,

John Burns

Director of Bands

Council Rock South High School