Junior High Band
Grading Tips

Extra Credit, etc.

Extra Credit - Band is a music class. Anything that was musically beneficial or expanding counted as extra credit. Taking private lessons on the band instrument was the most beneficial extra credit activity and raised the grade five percent. Everything else, i.e., attending a concert and writing a report, playing a well-prepared solo or being in an ensemble, practicing another instrument regularly (at least two hours/week), being a member of another musical group, or composing music raised the grade one percent.

Good Equipment (2% of grade) - The students were expected to maintain their instruments in good working condition and to have the supplies needed to do so. (See Teaching Tips/Clean, Equipped Instrument for more details.)

All Fees and Fines Paid (0% of grade) - My main source of income for the band was the rental paid by the students who played district-owned instruments. It was often difficult to collect. Having it on the practice report where the students, their parents and I could see whether they had paid or not was very helpful. The money came in quickly when the parents saw a zero and an F on the progress report -- even though it had no affect on the student’s grade.

Video Disclaimer

The attached videos are not perfect examples of how each tune should be played. They are recordings of junior high students, some of whom have had their instruments for only a few months. Also, they are not professional recordings. They were taken by band parents using home equipment and naturally focusing on their own children.

I include them for two reasons: (1) To give you an idea of what the arrangements are like, and (2) To illustrate the kind of performance you can expect from your junior high students.