Course Syllabus

CENTRAL ACADEMY BAND SYLLABUS

www.cataband.org

 

Course Description:  The CATA Symphonic Band strives to create strong, independent, disciplined band members in an environment that is both enjoyable and educationally sound. Our program is designed to help students gain a feeling of accomplishment through personal effort, experience a spirit of cooperation through group participation, and provide an outlet for emotional release and creative expression all while mastering technical execution on their given instrument.

 

This handbook reviews the policies of our program and our expectations of the students. Participants in the band program are expected to know and abide by the material in this handbook. Therefore, it is important that both students and parents or guardians read the handbook in its entirety. Once this is done, both parents and students are asked to sign a “statement of responsibility” acknowledging that they have read, and are familiar with, the policies and the expectations of the program. Please refer back to this handbook during the school year if you have questions or forget any of the procedures.

 

Goals and Objectives:  Please click on the following link to view our Music 9-12 Essential Standards

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/new-standards/arts/music/9-12.pdf

 

Resources:

https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/domain/2917



Communication The best way to support your child’s music education is to STAY INFORMED.   You are encouraged to check WEEKLY for announcements, event details, assignments, student progress and news in the following places:

  • Band Website (www.cataband.org) – updated weekly
  • CATA Band Facebook Group, Band Twitter (@catabanddirect)
  • Progress Reports – reported every 3 weeks (Check the Parent Portal on Powerschool)
  • Report Cards – sent home with students every 6 weeks

 

If you have a question about the band program in general, please reference the band website.  If you cannot find the answer to your question on the website or you have a specific question about your child’s progress, please use email.  If you wish to discuss something of a confidential nature, please call the school and leave a message for me to call you back.  

    • www.cataband.org
    • craig.retzlaff@ucps.k12.nc.us
    • 704.296.3088 x 7191

 

  • Tutoring 3:30-4:00 PM by appointment only

 

 

Supplies       

  •   Instrument and mouthpiece in good condition
  •   Three ring binder with a pocket inside (1/2” or 1” spine)
    •   Pencil pouch that can be clipped into a binder with PENCILS
    •   15-20 plastic page protectors for the binder
    •   Name tag for instrument case

 

Woodwind Supplies: cleaning swab, cork grease, cleaning rod (flutes only), 3 or more

working reeds - Vandoren, Hemke or Mitchell Lurie (2½,3, or 3½)

Brass Supplies: valve oil, slide grease, and a rag

 

Although not required, we strongly recommend the purchase of a music stand, metronome and tuner to aid in your child’s practice and musical development.   

 

Supplies can be purchased at Music & Arts Center in the Arboretum shopping center (704.341.0000) or online at www.musicarts.com or www.wwbw.com.



Rehearsal Etiquette

 

1) Be in the right place at the right time with the right materials when the director steps to the conductor’s stand to begin class

2) No gum, candy, food, or drinks in the band room, during rehearsal, or during performance (WATER IS ALWAYS ALLOWED)

3) Do not play your instrument unless instructed to.

4) Avoid equipment not assigned to you

5) Raise your hand to speak or to ask to leave your seat

 

Grading System Each 6-weeks grade will be determined by student performance in the following areas:

(Students that receive a 0 missed the deadline to submit the assignment and a 1% if it can be made up.

1) Rehearsal Technique 20%

   Independent Practice/Homework 10%

2) Tests and Quizzes 40%

3) Performances 30%

 

          Rehearsal Grade  The rehearsal grade is based on the formative assessment with of the director assessing the daily preparation for and performance during class. Work ethic, preparation and completion of daily goals are evaluated as part of this grade.  

 

Independent Practice/Homework     The independent practice grade is based on the director assessing the students warming up properly before the full band warm up and during independent practice sessions at the end of class on daily assignments.The majority of assignments will be submitted on our learning platform, Canvas.  Assignments can be submitted a variety of ways including, uploading files, typing into text boxes, and sharing Google documents/presentations.  Students not having used Canvas before should alert the teacher and they will be shown how to submit assignments on Canvas.  Individual assignments will indicate which method of submission on Canvas is expected.  If students need a refresher or have questions, they can access the Canvas Student Guide for specific instructions.  It is the student's responsibility to ensure assignments are submitted on time and to contact the instructor if there is a problem.  The Canvas Learning Platform logs every student log-in on Canvas which provides teachers with a list of when students log-in to Canvas using their user id.

o   Canvas is used to grade assignments as well, however, the grades in Canvas, while accurate to that assignment, are NOT the teacher’s gradebook.  The teacher’s gradebook includes categories of assignments that may be weighted differently and may include grades for assignments that did not use the Canvas Learning Platform.  Therefore, students and parents should always check their child’s true average on the Parent Portal on Powerschool.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due