Highland Small-Group Lessons

Overview

Band Lessons at Highland Middle School are small, like-instrument classes. Mrs. Bollinger teaches all of the woodwind classes. Mr. Huff teaches all of the brass and percussion classes. Each grade level has a specific skills curriculum which is learned and assessed during these lessons. Students perform seven formal playing tests per-year. Each playing test is a three-week unit (except for the last test of the year, the "Scales Test"). The scales and songs for each test are learned the first week, reviewed the second week, and tested the thrid week. In addition to these seven skills tests students spend several weeks working on the music from their large ensembles (eg. "Gold Band"). There is also a 4-5 week Solo and Ensemble unit in the winter.

Grading -- Advancement

Students in sixth and seventh grade must have an overall average of 90% or higher on the seven playing tests in order to advance on to the next concert band the next year. Sixth grade students must have a 90% overall average on the sixth grade skills tests in order to be placed in Red Band for seventh grade. Sixth grade students who have an overall average below 90% will be placed into Gold Band again for seventh grade. Students may retake any scale or song from any test at any time in an attempt to bring up their average. Seventh grade students must have a 90% overall average on the seventh grade skills tests in order to be in Symphonic Band in eighth grade. Seventh grade students who have an overall average below 90% will be placed into Red Band again for eighth grade. Students may retake any scale or song from any test at any time in an attempt to bring up their average. Eighth grade students may also retake any scale or song at any time in order to bring up their average. Eighth grade students, however, do not have to be concerned with "advancement."

Report Card Grades

Report card grades are as follows:

First Trimester	90% Overall Skills Test Average 10% Pencil-Music Checks
Second Trimester	80% Overall Skills Test Average (including first trimester tests) 10% Solo and Ensemble Unit 10% Pencil-Music Checks
Third Trimester	90% Overall Skills Test Average from all Seven Skills Tests 10% Pencil-Music Checks

Extra Help & Recess Practice

Students may practice in a practice room on their own during lunch recess on any day. Students who want one-on-one extra help with one of the band teachers should sign up for extra help on the exit door to the band room. Times for individual practice and extra help are listed below. Students need to read the sign-up sheet carefully. Teacher availability is shown on the sign-up sheet. If both teacher's sign-up times are crossed out for a given day then the band room will be closed and locked. Students wishing to practice on their own will not be able to do so on those days.

Grade	Times Available
6th Grade	Second half of lunch. This means that students wishing to practice on their own or work with a band teacher must come to the band room earlier in the day and get a pass. The pass will allow them to eat during the first half of lunch (if they don't already do so), and it will allow them to walk from the cafeteria to the band room at the half-way mark of the lunch period.
7th Grade	First half of lunch. This means that students wishing to practice on their own or work with a band teacher must come to the band room at the beginning of fourth period. They will be given a pass half-way through the period which will allow them to walk to the cafeteria and eat lunch during the second half.
8th Grade	Both halves of lunch. Students wishing to practice on their own or work with a band teacher during the first half must simply come to the band room at the beginning of sixth period. They will go to lunch half-way through with a pass. Students wishing to practice on their own or work with a band teacher during the second half must come to the band room at the beginning of sixth period to get a pass which will allow them to eat during the first half of lunch (if they don't usually do so) and to walk down to the band room after eating.

Lesson Books

Students are issued lesson books at the beginning of the year. Students are responsible for replacing lost music books. Click here for a list of the lesson books by each grade level.

Testing Schedules

Below is a list of the testing schedules for each grade level. Click on the one you want to download. The scales and songs for each test are listed, in addition to the likely date each test will be tested.

These are not yet available for the 2008 - 2009 school year.

Testing Rubrics

Below testing rubrics used in lessons.
Winds and Brass -- Testing Sheet -- Rubric
Percussion -- Testing Sheet -- Rubric

Solo and Ensemble

The Solo and ensemble unit is a 4-5 week unit ending with the IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. Click here for more information about this unit.