• 6th Grade Band Information
     
    The grade for band comes from three weekly grades:
    • Attendance at band rehearsal
    • Attendance at group lesson
    • Completion of practice log
     
     
    Band Rehearsals
     
    Band rehearsals are on Tuesdays during 8th period, which is study hall.  Students should check in with their study hall teacher, and then come to the band room immediately.
     
    Simply remember to show up to band rehearsal with your instrument, and you'll receive a “100” for the class (note that drummers need to bring their own labeled sticks).  If you do not have your instrument, you will receive a “50” for the day, and if you do not come at all, you will receive a “0”. At the beginning of the year, I will be more flexible with the grading until the routine has been established.  However, once we hit October, I will expect students to show up without being reminded.  When a student has extenuating circumstances, he/she must talk to me ahead of time.  It is possible that he/she will be excused from that particular rehearsal.
     
     
    Group Lessons
     
    A copy of the rotating schedule is available on my webpage under "Master Schedule," indicating each student's lesson  group number, what day that group meets,and what period it will be each week. The lesson day and group number do not change.  6th grade lessons are on either Monday or Wednesday (depending on the instrument).  If you need help reading the schedule, please ask!  If a student shows up on time with his or her instrument, he/she will receive a “100” for the rehearsal grade.  Showing up without an instrument is a “50”, and an unexcused absence from the lesson is a “0.”
     
    6th graders should always have a copy of Accent on Achievement, Book 1 for their specific instrument.   You can get a copy from Elefante Music (on Springfield Ave. in New Providence, across from the McDonald's).  Their phone number is 908-464-5928.  If Elefante is out of stock, you can order the book online, but I urge you to try to purchase through Elefante first to avoid the cost and delay of shipping. The book retails for about $7.95.
     
    If a student has a test, quiz, important review, group presentation, etc. that directly conflicts with the lesson time, the student must come talk to me ahead of time, and I will try to schedule a make-up lesson.
     
     
    Practice Logs
     
    Each student will be given a practice log. The parent/guardian needs to sign the practice log every Sunday to confirm how much practicing occurred at home in the previous week. I am asking for a minimum of 90 minutes of practice time per week.  Check the left side of this website for a PDF with tips and tricks for practicing. Practice logs will be checked during your child's weekly lesson. Below is the grading scale for the practice log grade:
    • Practice log not signed = automatic “0”
    • Practice log signed but with 0 mins practiced = “50”
    • Practice log signed with 1-29 mins practiced = “60”
    • Practice log signed with 30-49 mins practiced = “70”
    • Practice log signed with 50-69 mins practiced = “80”
    • Practice log signed with 70-89 mins practiced = “90”
    • Practice log signed with 90-109 mins practiced = “100”
    • Practice log signed with 110+ mins practiced = “110”
     
    If your child is consistently putting in 90+ minutes of quality practice time, he/she will start to see results.  Please understand if your child is not asking you to sign his or her practice log every Sunday, then his/her grade is suffering.
     
    As always, if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding why practicing couldn’t happen (broken instrument, death in the family, vacation, etc.), I just need to know so we can make an arrangement that is fair and will not negatively impact your child’s grade.
      
     
     
     
     
     
    Please save these dates now! Attendance at the concerts is mandatory!!!
     
    Winter Concert, December 15th at 7pm
     
    Spring Concert, May 24th at 7pm