Band Grading Policy

Classroom Participation (45% of Grade)

Outstanding (20 Points): Actively participates at all times; on time; not chewing gum; has music folder, pencil, and drill coordinates; uses good playing posture; polices area; returns instrument to its case.

Satisfactory (17 Points): Occasionally not playing instrument; chewing gum; no music, pencil, or drill coordinates; poor posture, talking; tardy to class or in In School Suspension (ISS).

Unsatisfactory (14 Points): Frequently not playing instrument; excessive talking or classroom disturbance, failing to return instrument to its case at the end of the rehearsal; asked to leave class for a breach of conduct or while in Out of School Suspension (OSS).

Performances (45% of Grade)

Excused absences include personal sickness or death in the immediate family. Excuses must be in written form and will be verified.

Performance Make-Ups

Ideally the student attends all scheduled performances. There are occasions however, where a student must miss a performance due to sickness, a death in the family, or some other unavoidable circumstance. If the absence is an excused absence, the student may do the Performance Make-Up Assignment and receive performance credit for the event - thus remaining eligible for a year end responsibility award. If the absence is an unexcused absence, the student must do the Performance Make-Up Assignment to earn points toward that performance grade. The student will not however, be eligible for a year end responsibility award.

The Performance Make-Up Assignment is twofold:

1. Make and turn in a video recording of yourself playing the pieces that we played on the missed performance (auxiliary members must make a videotape of themselves performing routines for the pieces that we played on the performance).

2. Interview three people about the performance you missed, then write a review of the performance. Don't just turn in the interview notes, write a review!

Written Work and Playing Tests (5% of Grade)

Forms and Paperwork (5% of Grade)

Extra Credit

Occasionally, assignments or activities will be made available for extra credit.

Progress Reports

Individual student progress reports detailing attendance and tardiness, assignments, and grades are available at any time. Please contact me if you would like to have a progress report mailed to your home.

TeacherEase Online Gradebook

Students and parents with Internet access may check band grades privately and securely by visiting my online gradebook on the TeacherEase website. The website also includes attendance and tardiness records along with assignment details. Please contact me if you need a password or are having difficulty accessing the site.

Band Lettering Policy

Annual Awards Banquet

Varsity Letters are awarded at the Annual Awards Banquet in the spring of each school year. Liberty High School students may earn Varsity Letters in each of our performance groups (Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Competition Danceline, and Competition Flagline) by adhering to the following requirements:

Marching Band

In order to receive a letter in Marching Band, playing band members and auxiliary members must have a perfect attendance record for all scheduled performances and extra rehearsals, and must attend the WVU Keynotes Concert.

Symphonic Band

In order to receive a letter in Concert Band or Symphonic Band, band members must have a perfect attendance record for all scheduled performances and extra rehearsals, and must audition for All-State Band.

Jazz Band

In order to receive a letter in Jazz Band, band members must have a perfect attendance record for all scheduled performances and extra rehearsals, must perform an improvised solo at one or more Jazz Band performances, and must audition for All-State Band.

Basketball Pep Band

In order to receive a letter in Basketball Pep Band, band members must have a perfect attendance record for all scheduled performances and extra rehearsals.

Competition Danceline

In order to receive a letter in Second Semester Competition Danceline, members must have a perfect attendance record for all scheduled performances, competitions, and rehearsals.

Competition Flagline

In order to receive a letter in Second Semester Competition Flagline, members must have a perfect attendance record for all scheduled performances, competitions, and rehearsals.

*Band, auxiliary, and competition members who have met the above requirements but have already previously lettered will be given special recognition at the Annual Awards Banquet.