Students are expected to try to do their best in all music activities.  Wrong notes and other mistakes are a normal part of the path to developing good musicianship, but achievement requires effort.  Because participation and learning to work as a group/ensemble are such an integral part of developing good musicianship, students will be heavily graded on their extra-musical skills/participation expectations.  The grading policy reflects this emphasis on making an effort with 50% of the grade based on in-class activities to build knowledge and skills, 20% based on homework and quizzes, and only 30% is based on assessments (ex. projects, performances, tests) to demonstrate their mastery.

New York State Music Standards

Standard 1:

Creating, Performing, and Participating in the Arts

Students will compose original music and perform music written by others.

Standard 2:

Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources

Students will use traditional instruments, electronic instruments, and a variety of nontraditional sound sources to create and perform music. Students will identify opportunities to contribute to their communities music institutions. Students will know the vocations and avocations available to them in music.

Standard 3:

Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art

Students will respond critically to a variety of music, connecting the individual work to other works and to other aspects of human endeavor and thought.

Standard 4:

Understanding the Cultural Contributions of the Arts

Students will develop an understanding of the personal and cultural forces that shape music and how music in turn shapes the diverse cultures of past and present society.