Please refer to the Donna Shepard Band Handbook "Student Expectations" section for further information.
Practice Reports - signed by parent, will be due each Friday, with 150 minutes of practice per week being the minimum required.(Many students do much more.)
This is "band homework," and is 20% of the six weeks grade. Practice Reports turned-in late will be minus 10 points per day late unless the student has an excused absence from school.
An easy practice rule to follow is "practice on days that you eat." Regular practice - even a small amount - is better than a 2-3 hour "cram session" once a week before the test. Much of what we do is "skill" development very similar to athletics. Muscles AND brain must be trained on a daily basis. Just as a person must eat to survive and grow, so must a percussionist practice each day.
For more ideas on practicing and getting the highest yield on your investment, or to access print-out Practice Reports please visit our website:
You may also access print-out Practice Reports from this site if your student has forgotten to bring one home.
Metronome use is required on every exercise, routine, test and assignment
Weekly tests on mallet instruments (scale patterns) and on drum pad (snare rudiments), as well as assignments on actual "music" and on sightreading selections
"E" level behavior in every class. Success in any endeavor requires self-discipline. Students who do not follow instructions to the "E" level will lose all participation privileges until they can meet this requirement. This is not optional. "Immaturity" is not an exceptable excuse.
Marking and highlighting music and materials as instructed.
Student must have all materials at school each day and take all materials home each night. All materials and equipment must have the student's name on it.
Instruments and materials are NEVER to be left overnight in
the band hall, and are NEVER to be left alone anywhere at
school other than in assigned storage areas in
the band hall during the day.
Individual responsibility:
Percussion students must set-up and pack-up equipment and materials quickly and quietly each day.
In actual music, each student's part will often be completely different than anyone else's, with the only common factor being metronomic time.
No whining!! This is a VERY strict rule of band classes. If your child has a "whining" problem, we would ask that you address that problem with your child immediately. Band will be VERY demanding and taxing, both mentally and physically. Whining is an "off-task" behavior and is highly detrimental to the student's success.
