Junior High Band Syllabus Mr.

Maxwell Kestner
Princeville Band Director

Classroom Goals
• Students will continue to develop their technical skill on their instruments.
• Students will continue to develop their understanding of musical literature and concepts.
• Students will work as a team towards to communal goal of shared musicianship.

Classroom Expectations
Band students are expected to be…
• Punctual: Once the band period begins, students are given 4 minutes to get set up with
their required materials and expected to be ready to begin rehearsal at the conclusion of
those 4 minutes.
• Respectful: Students will show respect for their peers, their instrument, their classroom
materials, and to themselves everyday they are in class.
• Engaged: Students are expected to be active in participating to the success of the
concert band.
• Prepared: Students should have their music practiced, and bring their instrument, music,
pencil, and other required materials for their given instrument every day for class.

Classroom Discipline
If a student is being disruptive to the class; excessive talking, playing when they are not
supposed to, or anything else that is disruptive to the rehearsal process, the following steps
will be taken…
• Step 1: Verbal Warning
• Step 2: Ejection from Class to Hallway [Student will forfeit all points available for the
day, and have a meeting with Mr. Kestner after the period has ended]
• Step 3: Ejection from Class to Office [Student will forfeit all points available for the
day, receive a detention, and contact will be made home]

Grading Scale
A+ 100 – 97
A 96 – 93
A- 92 – 90
B+ 89 – 87
B 86 – 83
B- 82 – 80
C+ 79 – 77
C 76 – 73
C- 72 – 70
D+ 69 – 67
D 66 – 63
D- 62 – 60
F 59 – 0
Grading Breakdown
• (60%) Rehearsal Points: Students will be given 4 points daily for: arriving to rehearsal
on-time, being respectful towards their peers and materials, being engaged in rehearsal,
and having all materials needed for rehearsal. Failure to meet a given criteria will
result in the subtraction of that point.
o Failure to bring your instrument to rehearsal will result in a 2-point deduction
o Ejection from the class will result in a loss of all points available for the day

• (20%) Concert Points: Students will be given 5 points at performances for: arriving to
the concert on-time, coming in appropriate concert dress, having all materials needed for
the concert, following concert protocol, and being respectful audience members during
other ensembles’ performances. Failure to meet a given criteria will result in the
subtraction of that point.
o Attending concerts is a required part of being in band. If a student cannot be at
a concert, it is the responsibility of the student to notify his/her parents, and
for the parents to get in contact with me. If a student is unable to be at a
concert, an alternative assignment will be given to make-up the points. If a
student is going to be late for a concert due to outside obligations, I need to be
notified beforehand in order to not dock the student points.

• (20%) Performance Assessments: Students will be assessed in their technical performance

on their instruments through a quarterly skills checklist and periodic playing
examinations.

Concert Dress
• Guys: Collared Shirt, Dress Pants, Dress Socks, Dress Shoes
• Girls: Nice Blouse or Dress Shirt, Dress Pants or an appropriate length Skirt OR an
appropriate Dress