PlatteCountyR-IIIHigh School
Jazz Ensemble
Dr. Matthew Bonsignore, Director
Course Syllabus 2016-2017
This syllabus is being provided to you in an effort to outline basic information pertaining to the day to day operation of the high school band program, including the determination of course grades. Please read the following and make sure that you understand what is stated as you will be expected to adhere to the policies and procedures presented within.
Contact Information:
Phone- 858-2822 ext.1270 – Band Office
Please call between 12:00PM -12:45 PM.
E-mail –
Grading:
Students will receive points in four major areas, with all four areas being assessed and totaled for the determination of the final grade each grading period. Those four areas are preparation, participation, performances, and written exercises. Each daily rehearsal is worth 10 points: 5 points for participation and 5 points for preparation. Performance grades are automatically given to all students and will only become a consideration if the student misses a performance for an unexcused reason. A more detailed explanation can be found on page 2 of this handout.
Written exercises may be a new component for you as an instrumental music student. These are not major English compositions and should not become a point of concern. Instead, these written exercises will focus on self-reflection and individual improvement.
Participation grades are a part of your overall grade (5%). We will spend an enormous amount of time in class learning style, technique, various genres of jazz, and improvisation. I will spend a great deal of class time rehearsing each tune, and various problem sections. You will be expected to put forth 100% effort each and every day.
A major portion of the rehearsal is putting all the parts together. Keep this phrase in mind. “You don’t come to class to learn your part; you come to class to learn all the other parts.” We can not learn your part if you are absent from the rehearsal. Mutual respect for each other will result in an enjoyable and productive working relationship. In order to know if you will receive all 5 points each day, ask yourself the questions found on the Grading page of this handout.
Preparation grades reflect the efforts which you put forward outside of class in order to be prepared for the demands of the daily rehearsal. Points will be deducted from your daily 5 points if you are not prepared for class. You will always know what is expected each day. At the end of each rehearsal I will tell you what to work on for the next day. This way you will not be able to say, “I didn’t know what to practice.” You will always know what to practice. I am not saying that individual improvement must be noticeable. As long as improvement is shown on your behalf, you will receive full credit for that day. Lack of preparation for class will result in a forfeiture of 2 to 4 points depending on the severity of your lack of preparation. In order to make certain that you are prepared for class and will receive all 5 points each day. Sectionals offer an opportunity for the members of a specific section to work together to achieve a higher level of ensemble performance. As we will be competing this year in Jazz Ensemble, sectionals will be a must. Sectionals can and will take place before and after school. Sectionals called by the director will be dealt with in the same manner as early rehearsals. Sectionals may also be called by the section leader and can take place in either the morning or after school. Some students feel that sectionals called by the section leader are optional. This is an incorrect assumption. If you are going to miss a sectional called by the section leader, you must still submit a Request for Approved Absence form for 48 hours prior to the sectional. If you fail to submit the approved absence form, you will not be eligible to perform at the next performance or competition until you meet with the Director where you will be required to perform all music covered during the sectional. This make-up session will not be at your convenience. Instead, it will take place when the Directorhas time to listen to you.
Performance grades are automatically given to all students. This grade is the major portion of your total grade – 95%. The only time this portion of the grading system will be enforced is if you miss a performance for an un-excused reason. Performing is the end result of all the countless hours of practice put in during school and at home. You should want to perform. When you miss a performance, your part is missing too. Your absence will not affect just you; it could undermine the efforts of everyone else to give an outstanding performance. You must submit a Request for Approved Absence form to the Director of Bands at least 48 hours prior to the performance. Extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis. If you miss a performance and have not had your absence approved beforehand by me be warned, your grade will be lowered 2 full letters when grades are being computed for the current grading period.
Additionally, if you have excessive absences or tardiness to rehearsals, you will run the risk of being benched for the next public performance as you will not be prepared to meet the performance standards set for all performances. If you are benched, your grade will not be lowered but you will miss out on the opportunity to contribute to the continuing development of the band’s reputation and tradition of excellence.
Written exercises will periodically be used in the instrumental music classes as a means of self-reflection and as a tool to promote further musical and technical development. These assignments are not major English compositions and should not cause concern on your part. Most of the time, these exercises will be complete in class. Should they require completion time outside of class, the time requirements will be minimal. These exercises will include performance critiques, rehearsal critiques, and practice journals. These written assignments will better assist you in setting personal development goals and will provide a vehicle for tracking your progress throughout the school year. Additionally, these assignments will help the instrumental music department meet the demands for increases cross-curricular writing as designated by the Outstanding Schools Act and the Missouri Show-Me Standards.
Competition and Festivals
In the beginning stages of 3rdquarter we will start to prepare for local jazz festivals. These festivals have a two-fold purpose. One, they are a source of education for you the student. You can experience many different jazz styles and different high school jazz groups. The second is for us to use those festivals as a measuring stick. We are growing as an ensemble, and therefor every year we must set our sights higher than the last. We can mature as an ensemble by every member taking an active role and BE a jazz musician. This means dedicating yourself to a higher standard and working to achieve something that we have not achieved yet. I believe we are in for an outstanding year, and I have plans on attending 3 or 4 competitions this year. It will be up to you as to what we achieve. Make this a great year!
This outline should answer any questions you might have about grading in the high school band program. However, if after reading the syllabus, you still have questions or concerns, I encourage you to talk to me. Open lines of communication are a must in order for our time together to be the most productive and enjoyable. I look forward to a wonderful year together and anticipate great things taking place. I want to remind you that the only obstacles we will face are which we create ourselves. Communication will prevent those obstacles from ever getting in our way.
Request for Approved Absence
Name______
Date of Request______
Date of Absence______
What is the event you want to be excused from?
______
Why do you need to be excused from this event?
______
Will your absence have a negative affect on the band? Yes No
Explain:
______
______
What will you do to make up for this absence?
______
______
Student Signature______
Parent Signature ______
To be Completed by Band Director
Absence is:Approved Not Approved