CHEVY CHASE
HIGH SCHOOL
A
INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC
HANDBOOK
Marshall White
Music Director
Dear B-CC Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band members:
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you
to a new and exciting school year at B-CC. This
instrumental music handbook will provide you with the policies and
procedures of how I will run things. Much
of this information will be "old hat" for most of you. I will carefully go through the information
in this handbook with you. I
also ask that you take it home and share it with your parents. Also,
the very last page is a consent form stating
that you have read and understood everything contained in the handbook.
Please bring this form back
signed by both you and your parents. In addition, I want you to keep this
handbook in your folder of music at all times for reference.
I have
included a calendar of our
performances as to the best of my knowledge up to this point. There
may be additions and/or deletions as the school year progresses. I will inform you as they happen with
enough advance warning. Please
mark these dates on your home or family calendar so you will not forget
them. If you are employed or are planning to
work during the school year, make sure that your supervisor is aware
of your performance obligations. It
has been my experience that employers who hire students are very cooperative
when it comes to school-related obligations. Most
managers will alter work schedules if
the student gives him/her enough advance notice!
If an individual member is not at a performance,
it has a negative effect on the entire ensemble. Each one of you has chosen to be a part
of the ensemble, and with that choice comes
the responsibility of respect and consideration to yourself, your
director and your fellow band members.
I am very EXCITED!!
to be here and be a part of this highly regarded
high school. I hope and wish
all of you a successful, exciting, productive, and, of course,
Sincerely,
Marshall White
Music Director
GOALS OF THE INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
To provide a safe environment in which students can learn about
music through performance.
To help develop creativity, self discipline, character and control.
To help students develop the desire to search for knowledge and
to appreciate music after their formal education has been completed.
To give fundamental understandings and develop advanced skills
to those desirous of pursuing a musical career.
BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE HIGH SCHOOL
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
GRADING POLICY
FOR INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ENSEMBLES
Instructor:
Mr. Marshall White
WebPages: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/academics/depts/music/index.html
Phone:
240-497-6335
60% Classroom Performance
All students will be graded on attainment of the outcomes listed on the course syllabus page as per ensemble class. Throughout the course of daily instruction, students will be required to demonstrate and/or actively engage in:
Appropriate posture when playing instrument
Appropriate breathing techniques
Appropriate listening skills when following directions from instructor
Appropriate tone on instrument (refer to the Performance Rubric)
Proper music reading skills
Appropriate support and understanding when working with peers and in small groups
Appropriate musicality skills (refer to Performance Rubric), i.e. – dynamics, accents, stylistic considerations
Students must always have their instrument
and music for class. Board
of Education guidelines on excused and unexcused absences will be
strictly adhered. Violation
of classroom rules will result in demerits.
Each demerit assigned will lower the student's grade
by three percent.
30% Performances, Concerts, and Individual
Performance Assessments
Instrumental music students are required to perform in a number of daytime, evening, and/or weekend performances to meet course objectives and outcomes. In addition, students will be graded on their ability to perform selected materials taken from music played or assigned in class. At all public performances and/or adjudications, students will be required to adhere to the guidelines for concert attire and call times for the performance (refer to the page outlining "Performance Grading Criteria".)
In regards to performances, instrumental music performances are covered by the same MCPS policy as class sessions. There are few reasons that can be considered valid for missing a required performance. A student's grade will be reduced by one full letter for not actively engaging in a mandatory event without proper notification. The instructor reserves all authority to grant or refuse an excuse for absence.
Family emergency, illness, or death in family will be excused. The student should bring a note signed by a parent or guardian explaining the emergency. This note is required as soon as possible after the absence. Remember that instrumental music is a curricular performance course and a performance is comparable to an exam; it demonstrates how well a student has achieved the outcomes of the course. In the case of an excused absence, a written report will be required as a substitute for the performance. (Please refer to the page "Absence Policy" in the handbook for more information).
Students are required to make up any class work missed due to special rehearsals or other Music Department activities. Such activities are designed to enhance the student's high school music experience and not to excuse them from schoolwork.
If questions
arise about possible conflicts, please consult with the teacher
and provide documentation as soon as such conflicts arise.
10% Preparation
of assignments
Music is rehearsed on a daily basis. Students are responsible for adequately preparing all materials assigned in class. It is strongly encouraged that students practice at home.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CALENDAR
| DATE |
EVENT |
TIME |
CALL
TIME |
PLACE |
COMMENTS |
| |
Pep
Band Performance |
|
|
B-CC
Stadium |
Sym.
Band only |
| |
Pep
Band Performance |
|
|
B-CC
Stadium |
All
Band students |
| |
MCPS
Honors Jazz Auditions |
4
– 9p.m |
|
Frost
M. S. |
Jazz
only |
| |
Pep
Band Performance |
|
|
B-CC
Stadium |
All
Band students |
| |
Fall
Concert |
|
|
B-CC
Auditorium |
Orch.
& Jazz only |
| |
Pep
Band Performance (Homecoming) |
|
|
B-CC
Stadium |
All
Band students |
| |
Pep
Band Performance |
|
|
B-CC
Stadium |
All
Band students |
| |
Jr.
All-County band/orch aud. |
|
|
TBA |
Band
Dir. Recommendation |
| |
Jr.
All-State band/orch aud. |
|
|
TBA |
Band
Dir. Recommendation |
| |
Sr.
All-County band/orch aud. |
|
|
TBA |
Band
Dir. Recommendation |
| |
Sr.
All-State band/orch aud. |
|
|
TBA |
Band
Dir. Recommendation |
| Nov.
30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 2007 |
Fall
Musical Production with Drama |
|
|
B-CC
Auditorium |
Pit
Orchestra volunteers |
| |
Mont.
Co. Jazz Festival |
TBA |
TBA |
Sherwood
H. S. |
Jazz
only |
| |
In-School
|
Morn.
TBA |
TBA |
B-CC
Auditorium |
All
instrumental ensembles |
| |
Winter
Concert |
|
|
B-CC
Auditorium |
All
instrumental ensembles |
| Jan.
24, 25, 2008, Th.., Fr. |
IB
Music Solo Recital Recordings |
7:30a
– |
TBA |
B-CC
Auditorium |
IB
Seniors only |
| |
All-County
Gala Performance |
|
|
B-CC
Auditorium |
By
audition only |
| |
Cabaret |
|
|
B-CC Cafeteria |
Jazz,
Sym. Orch., opt. for Band |
| Feb.
28 – |
All-State
Jr/Sr Band/Sr Orch |
TBA |
TBA |
|
By
audition only |
| |
Festival
Rehearsal for Orch. |
|
|
B-CC
Band Room |
Orch.
only |
| |
Festival
Rehearsal for Sym. Band |
|
|
B-CC
Band Room |
Sym.
Band only |
| |
Mont.
Co. Orchestra Festival |
TBA |
TBA |
B-CC
Auditorium |
Orch.
only |
| |
|
|
TBA |
Paint
Branch H. S. |
Not
req., but recommended |
| |
|
|
TBA |
Paint
Branch H. S. |
Not
req., but recommended |
| |
All-State
Jr. Orch |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
By
audition only |
| |
Mont.
Co. Orchestra Festival |
TBA |
TBA |
B-CC
Auditorium |
Orch.
only |
| |
Mont.
Co. Sym. Band Festival |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
Sym.
Band & maybe Conc. Bd. |
| April 3, 4, 2008, Th., Fr. |
IB Music Composition Recordings |
7:30a – 2:10p |
TBA |
B-CC Auditorium |
IB
Seniors only |
| |
Jazz
Band Recording Session |
|
|
B-CC
Auditorium |
Jazz
only |
| |
Music Dept. Trip |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
All
ensemble members welcome |
| |
Mont.
Co. Second Band Festival |