Band Accelerated

-Band Accelerated Course Outline- 

Rationale:

•    Provide highly-motivated individuals with a rigorous performance-based curriculum

•    Offer a program worthy of honors credited based on the standards of the Maloney High School Honors Program.

•    Attract individuals pursuing a high level of musical instruction and involvement

•    Give students a wide range of musical experiences in order to best prepare them for college level music studies.

•    Incorporate Project-Based Assessment and Applied Learning in ways that will benefit students in a variety of musical areas.

 

Band Accelerated is designed for:

·      Highly motivated student looking for a rigorous and highly demanding music program

·      Students planning to pursue music as a career.

 

Course Prerequisites:

·      The instructor must recommend all students enrolled.

 

Note: Band Accelerated meets at the same time slot as Band. It does not have a specific and separate meeting time other than occasional meetings and masterclasses at designated times. The course is designed with many components of a college-level independent study program. It is not based around a text, nor is there normal daily written assignments. Instead there are several components in which the students must adhere to, plan and budget time for, and take the initiative to carry out properly.

 

Components:

 

1. Solo Performance – Each student will take part in the CMEA Southern Regional Audition in the fall. Any student, who does not want to take part in this audition, must still attain the audition material and perform it for the instructor in a mock audition setting.

 

Guidelines:

a.    Students will acquire the audition material no later than the start of the school year. (This will incur a nominal fee, as originals are required)

b.    Students will prepare the music throughout the fall and have it to performance standards prior to auditions in early November.

c.    Students will review music with the instructor no less than twice before auditions. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule these meeting times.

d.    Students will participate in the CMEA Southern Regional Audition Process.

 

Note: Should the student feel that the audition piece is beyond their level of experience, they may elect to lobby the instructor for a different piece. Should the student be granted permission to perform a different piece, it will remain the responsibility of the student to obtain a copy of the alternative piece. In any case, this component of the course is a TERM II GRADE.

 

2. Committee Participation – Each student will take part in one committee as designated by the Band Booster Organization. Each committee within the Boosters will focus on one particular function of the bands year. Examples include but are not limited to: CMEA Committee, Publicity Committee, Bake Sale Committee, etc.

 

Guidelines:

a.    Each student will decide on a committee in which to be a part of.

b.    Each student will attend the committee meetings and the Booster meetings when the committee is on the agenda.

c.    Each student will participate in the event in which the committee is responsible.

d.    Once the committee involvement is completed, students must complete a write-up for this component. This sheet can be downloaded from the Band C page on our website.

3. Personal Musicianship Component – All members of Band Accelerated must participate in an additional musical performance experience throughout the year. This can include: Morning Choir, Chamber Groups, Pit Ensemble, Props & Paints and the Musical among others. This can also be fulfilled through outside program such as the Wallingford R Band and other community groups. Please state how you will fulfill this component. It is suggested that you have several options if pursuing audition- based activities. Jazz Ensemble does not satisfy this requirement.

Suggested Options:

•    Membership in Morning Choir

•    Membership in Winterguard

•    Membership in Props & Paints

•    Membership in an established performing group outside of the school which meets weekly. (Paperwork showing evidence of the groups specifics must be submitted to the instructor) Examples: City-Wide Band, The “R” Band, Neighborhood Music School Groups, etc.

Note: Jazz Ensemble may not be used as an ensemble to satisfy this component of the course. Jazz Ensemble is a separate course, which is above and beyond the Band and Band C courses. (Morning Choir is the only ensemble, which can be taken for course credit and still satisfy this requirement)

 

4. The Year-Long Project – This is the capstone of the course. Beyond the expectations listed above all Band Accelerated member must complete a year-long project designed to fulfill one or more of the following two goals:

•   Improve and enhance your band program

•   Give back to your community through your band program

•   Develop your skills as a mentor or leader 
Examples of this include:

•   Mentoring a new musician so they may join the band the following year

•   Start a collection for a local charity to benefit the community and others in 
need.

•   Develop something new to promote school spirit and a new connection to 
our school community.

 

 

Mentoring Guidelines – Students wishing to engage in a mentoring option must follow specific guidelines in order to satisfy this component.

 

Students must select a candidate whom they will mentor for the year. This candidate must understand that they are making a commitment to you and you must understand that your success and grade has much to do with their participation. – Pick your candidate carefully.

 

Guidelines:

•    Candidates must be selected by the middle of term I

•    Mentors and mentees must meet at least once a week for no less than 20 minutes

•    A log or journal must be kept, outlining each meeting time.

•    A monthly progress report must be submitted to the director to help map progress. – Journal entries and log should be relatively short but should clearly state the progress and what has been accomplished.

•    At the years end, the completed journal must be submitted. In addition to this, the mentor and mentee must meet with the director in order to view/hear the final product.

 

5. Participation and Program Involvement – Students enrolled in Band C are expected to perform at a level, which is above and beyond the expectations of the Band 5 course. Mentoring younger students, volunteering to work at the many events we take part in through the year and participating at a high musical level are all practices expected from the Band C student.

 

 

While this is not a text-based course, and daily written assignments are not a norm, there will be some reflective writing, evaluations and other assignments as necessary throughout the year. In addition to this, the instructor reserves the right to hold seminars and meetings at various points throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

Assessment:

 

Members of the Band Accelerated course are also members of Band and are bound by the requirements of each course. There is a percentage scale for each course, both of which they are responsible for. Students will be graded on two simultaneous 100-point scales. This means that if any portion of either scale is not met, that percentage will be deducted from 100% and not 200%.

 

 

 

General Band Grading Scale:

 

20% Sectional Attendance/Punctuality

40% Playing Exams/Knowledge of Music

30% Effort/Cooperation/Respect/Class Rules

10% Equipment/Needed Materials

 

Grading Scale:

 

Regional Audition/Solo Performance – 30% of total Term II grade

Year-Long Musicianship Component – 50% of total Term IV grade

Committee Participation – 30% of total term grade (term when presentation is completed)

 

Final Exam Grade – 50% - Evaluation Narrative to be submitted on day of final exam

The remaining percentages of the term grades will be determined in the same manner as the Band 5 course with adjusted percentages.

 

The instructor reserves the right to change or modify the requirements of the course and grading policies during the year, should the need arise.