Snake River Band
Syllabus
Director:  Randall Brady
Email: bradrand@sd52.k12.id.us

            Welcome Back Snake River Band! I am excited for this year and the many things that we are going to be able to accomplish. This year is going to be great and we are going to improve more than ever. We have a lot of work to do so let’s get going right off the bat.

Grading
I feel that band is supposed to be a fun class but we have to work hard and learn. Band is not just about the music; it’s about life. I grade on three things:

Participation – 40%
Performances – 40%
Practice records/Playing Tests – 20%

Participation
Someone once told me that half of life is just showing up. I believe that to be true and that is why participation is graded so heavily. I expect students to show up to class everyday ready to learn. That means they must have their instruments, music, notebooks and a pencil (not pen). Absences can start to add up quickly so please be in class as often as possible. If you are well enough to be in class then I will expect you play your instrument. Our band is a team just like the football or basketball teams. We need all of our players to participate in order to have success.

Performances
Performances are the capstone to every semester. It is a final opportunity for students to learn how to work together when the pressure is on. Performances are the goal of this class and that is why it is graded so heavily. If a student fails to show up to a concert, then they are not only letting themselves down but they are letting down their team (the band). I will always inform students of performances long before they happen. I understand that there are emergencies and those will be handled between the student, parents/guardians and myself. Remember, we are a team and teams work together!

Practice Records
Practice records will start the second week of class. Just like in sports, we have to practice on our own. Do you think Michael Jordan became the best basketball player of all time by just practicing with his team? I would venture to say that there was a lot of personal practice that came long before team practice. Therefore we as a team will practice everyday here at school. Then, each individual will practice at home for at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week. That is only a total of 2 ½ hours a week. That of course is the bare minimum. Students can receive up to 30 minutes of extra credit a week. Practice records will be turned in on Mondays and must be signed by a parent/guardian. If records are received later than Tuesday, they will not be accepted.
Playing Tests
Playing tests will happen periodically throughout the trimester and are not scheduled assignments. Playing tests are announced according to need.

Make-up Work
Make up work is generally not accepted in my class. However, I understand that there are circumstances that are beyond our control. In such situations a meeting with the student and parents/guardians can be arranged with me to discuss the problem. IN NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL I DISCUSS MISSED WORK IN CLASS! Any issues must be resolved outside of class time. It isn’t fair to the rest of the class to use up class time on personal issues.

Cell phones/ MP3 players/ Electronic devices
Firstly, DO NOT USE THESE IN MY CLASS! Now, I use my IPod on a regular basis in class as a teaching tool. During the trimester I may ask students to share music that they like. In such a circumstance and ONLY in such circumstances will IPods or mp3 players be allowed in my class. It is school policy that cell phones are not to be used during class time. Cell phones WILL BE CONFISCATED ON THE FIRST OFFENSE if they are used during class time.

Disclaimer
I reserve the right to make appropriate changes to this syllabus and any other document pertaining to this class. Revisions to the performance schedule will be made in advance and students will be informed of such revisions. All changes and revisions will be announced with enough advance to make the appropriate accommodations.

 

Pep Band
Pep Band is incorporated with this class. Football games and basketball games are required performances. However, due to the number of basketball games, necessary absences can be discuss with me between the student and parents/guardians outside of class time. Below is a list of the required football games.

Friday, September 4
Friday, October 9
Friday, October 16

Read through this syllabus with your parents/guardians. Then, return the lower portion ONLY with the given names, signatures and dates by Friday August 21.

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I have read through this syllabus with my student and am committed to help my student work hard and succeed in this class.

Student name:______________________   Parent/Guardian Name:__________________
Signature:_________________________    Signature:____________________________
Date:_____________________________   Date:________________________________