Kaitlyn Douthit

6th Grade Beginner Band Grading

Policies
Attendance/ Punctuality 15%
Students will attend class regularly (see school policies for absences)
Students will be in their seats with all materials by the time the bell rings/
rehearsal begins.
Students will attend full band rehearsals in the two (2) weeks prior to full
band concerts. These rehearsal dates will be available at least three (3)
weeks in advance.
Students will be required to attend concerts. (SEE PERFORMANCES)

Materials Check 10%

Students will have all required materials at every rehearsal.
Students will start off each day with 10 points and will loose one point per
item that they do not have, except for instruments which will cause the loss
of five (5) points.
Students will receive a materials check grade every two (2) weeks.
The list of daily needed materials:
o Instrument (5 Points!)
o Drum Sticks and Practice Pad (Perc Only) (5 Points!)
o Instrument Case
o Mouthpiece/ Reed
o Band Binder
o Pencil
o Swab (WW Only)
o Cork Grease (WW Only)
o Valve Oil/ Slide Grease (Brass Only)
o Current Music
o Mastery Skills Worksheet

Playing and Written Evaluation 20%

There will be a few written tests throughout the year. Students will always be
notified of these at least two (2) weeks in advance.
There will be weekly playing grades done every Friday. Students will always
be notified of the material by at least Wednesday of what material they will
be responsible for.
There will be a playing Midterm and a playing Final. Students will always be
notified of the material on these at least two (2) weeks in advance.
 Kaitlyn Douthit

Mastery Skills 25%

Every student will have a Mastery Skills worksheet of all the skills they
need to have mastered or passed off
These grades may be taken in class as we are working on a particular skill, or
as a Friday playing grade, or done thirty minutes before or after school in the
directors office.
For a skill to be considered passed off, students must master the skill and
will then receive an initial next to that skill on their sheet.
Mastery Skills are as follows:
o Embouchure
o Correct Hand Position
o Centered Tone
o Slur
o Articulation
o Pitch
o Rhythms
o Music Theory

Performances 15%
Concerts are considered MANDATORY events. These dates are already
available on the school/ band website and the Calendar of Events for the
year
Attendance will NOT be excused for extra-curricular activities. If you are
aware of any conflict, please notify the directors immediately.
If students must miss a required performance, they must have a parent/
guardian sign a Concert Excuse Form and turned in at least one week prior
to the concert. Emergencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Students concert etiquette is also a part of the students grades for a
performance.

Concert Viewing 10%

Each student will be required to view at least one musical performance each
semester. (Students are developing etiquette skills along with their
performance skills).
Students must bring a signed program by their parents/ guardian and one
paragraph explaining what they enjoyed/ disliked about the performance.
There will be one symphony concert [professional ensemble of the area] that
the band will provide transportation to during the school year.
Upcoming concert information will be available outside the directors office.
One extra concert, with signature and paragraph, may be attended per
semester for extra credit.
 Kaitlyn Douthit

I acknowledge that I have read and understand this grading policy.

5%
Student Signature_____________________________________________
Parent Signature______________________________________________