To: Grade 4 Band Parents and Students
From: Brandon Arzillo, Miller School Band Director
Re: Expectations and Rules of 4th Grade Band Members
Date: September 15, 2010
This memo is to give 4th grade band members and their parents a clear
understanding of the expectations and rules their child will encounter as a
member of the 4th grade band. If a child chooses to be in band, there are
certain expectations and rules that accompany this commitment. I have also
included in this memo the standards on which the students are graded. Please
feel free anytime during the year, to call, email, and/or schedule a
conference with me if you wish. Please consistently check The Miller School
Instrument Program web page for information regarding the instrument/band
program at the Miller school.
Class Preparation
• Students are expected to come to class prepared with their
instrument, music, agenda, & pencil. I recommend students having a pencil in
their instrument case so they always have one in class.
• Each class will end with Mr. Arzillo writing the assignment on the
whiteboard. Students will write the assignment in their agenda.
• Students are asked to take care of bathroom issues before, at the
very beginning, or after class. Because the band meets a limited amount of
time each week, using the bathroom during class should be reserved for
emergencies only.
• If a student misses a class, it is that student’s responsibility to
find out what he or she missed in order to be prepared for his or her next
band class. Suggestions are to talk to a (responsible) fellow band student,
stop by the band room and ask Mr. Arzillo what the assignment was, check the
4th Grade Homework page on the Miller School Instrument Program website.
Sheet Music
• Each student is given sheet music periodically during the year &
folders to keep it all in. Students are asked to put their names on their
folders and on each sheet of music. Each student is responsible for the
where-a bouts and condition of their music. If a student looses a piece of
music and needs a new copy, it is the student’s responsibility to get a new
copy at the soonest possible recess or after-school time.
Grading
• Students will be informally and formally assessed during the year.
During the first half of the 4th grade year it will be more common for the
students to be informally assessed with the resulting information being used
to help guide class direction and instruction. As the year progresses, it
will be increasingly common for students to have formal assessments, usually
after it’s been deemed that the class has spent sufficient amount of time
working on a piece of music. Students will have advanced notice to most, if
not all formal assessments by writing in their agendas as part of their
assignment to prepare for the upcoming assessment next week on whichever
piece of music will be assessed.
Practicing
• Band students are expected to allot 5 days a week, 15-20 minutes a
day to their band assignments. Each class will end with Mr. Arzillo writing
on the whiteboard, and the students writing in their agendas the specific
assignment that they should concentrate their practice time on. Parents:
please remember your child hasn’t completed all of his or her homework if he
or she hasn’t done their instrument practicing.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Learning Standards for 4th Grade Instrumental Music (Band)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Literacy
4IM.1 Recognizes and interprets notation.
4IM.2 Demonstrates ability to properly assemble and care for the instrument.
4IM.3 Uses correct fingering, sticking, or bowing.
Performance
4IM.4 Produces proper intonation and tone quality.
4IM.5 Uses correct posture and rehearsal techniques.
4IM.6 Demonstrates performance etiquette.
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Please sign and return to Mr. Arzillo
I __________________________________ & ____________________________have
read and understand
(parents & students signature)
the memo "Expectations and Rules of Band Members” dated September 15, 2010.
