Music Department FAQ

Music Department FAQ

0 period Spectrum and Jazz Band meet from 7:15-8:05. Students are expected to be in the room setting up and warming up/tuning no later than 5 minutes before class begins. Students who arrive when the bell rings might not be technically late, but disrupt the beginning of class.
Occasionally when we have upcoming performances or missed days, we will flip Jazz Band and Spectrum days. I will post this on the web site home page. top

Music classes are participation classes, so if a student is late or missing he or she is not participating. At three tardies, students will be referred to the office for lunch or before school detention. Excessive and/or unexcused absences will have an impact on the student's grade. Students with unexcused absences in audition classes (chamber singers, Spectrum, and Wind Ensemble) may be dropped from the class. top

Students who 1) participate in class with good effort, 2)bring materials to class and are prepared, 3)attend all required performances and 4) attend required sectionals are doing above-average work and will receive a B grade. In order to raise the grade to an A, students need to do one of the following during each 9-week grading period:
+prepare and present a solo in class
+take private lessons and have their teacher complete and evaluation
+participate in a community musical ensemble
+prepare and present an approved project on a topic of musical interest
+attend 5 sectionals (Concert Band/Concert Choir) top

Unless noted in advance, all performances are required. In addition to being the culminating activity of study (equivalent to an exam), performances are important to all developing musicians. Call time for most performances is 1 hour prior to the concert. Most performances begin at 7 p.m. and last approximately 1 hour. top

Students must arrange for missed performances if possible at least 2 weeks in advance. Legitimate reasons for missing a concert include an athletic event that can't be rescheduled, a medical or family emergency, personal illness or injury. Missed performances in these circumstances will not impact the student's grade and they may do a make-up assignment.
Students who miss performances for work, vacations, lessons, shopping, etc. or are simply no-shows without reason, will not be allowed to make-up the performance and their grade will be lowered one letter grade. top

Although there is no formal accounting of it, band students should practice a minimum of 3-5 times per week for 20-30 min. Short, frequent practice is much more useful than long marathon sessions. It is obvious when students practice and are prepared, and obvious when they do not. top

Chamber Singers and Wind Ensemble students must attend one weekly sectional at lunch. Wind Ensemble sectional times will be announced. For Chamber Singers, tenor/bass sectionals are Tuesdays and soprano/alto sectionals are Wednesdays. top

By far the quickest way towards musical advancement is through private lessons. Email me about local private teachers who are available and qualified. Students who are preparing solos have a number of local, district, and league festivals and competitions they can participate in, as well as perform at school concerts. top

Auditions for these groups are usually held in late Spring. Students who are not selected may re-audition before school starts. Audition requirements are posted weeks before auditions. top

Students who wish to pursue advanced skills in performance or composition may elect to take Music IS. Instructor approval is required. Music IS is not available to freshmen. top

Two music classes (MUS 105 and MUS 110) are available through Columbia Gorge Community College. These are self-paced, online classes. top