Modern Band

Syllabus
Meets M/W (every other F) 10:50-12:20
Teacher: Mikaela Lange mikaelalange@ksu.edu
 Purpose

The main goal of our program is to not only produce excellent musicians, but students who care
for each other and strive to be their best selves both in the classroom and outside the
classroom.

Modern Band Objectives

The main goals of class are to:

- Explore a variety of cultures through music
- Develop performance skills
- Encourage cooperation, responsibility, and respect through group participation in
learning and performance of finished music products
- Create lasting relationships with peers and enforce a positive learning environment

Equipment

Instrument Rental
- Each student will have a guitar assigned to them at the start of the semester, it is theirs
to use the whole semester, however it is also their responsibility to take care of it.
Instrument Care
- Instruments should always be in proper shape
o If students believe theirs is not, the situation will be assessed by the director and
a recommendation of a repair shop will be given
- If a string breaks:
o For personal instruments: If students have a spare string, the director will either
help put the new string on or have the student put the string on depending on
the students’ comfort level.
 If student does not have a spare string, one from the school will be
placed on free of charge
o For school instruments: a string school provided string will be placed on the
instrument free of charge
o If a string breaks at home: If you are comfortable changing it there go ahead and
do that. However, if you are not please bring the new string and instrument to
the director in the morning to ensure it is on for rehearsal.
Storage
o During the school students are allowed to keep their guitars in the classroom as
it is a safe space to store it.
o They should also make sure to bring it home on the weekends and during breaks
 Rehearsal Expectations

The following need to be brought to class daily:

1. Instrument
a. Guitar
2. Music/Method Book
a. Classroom copies of the method book and other textbooks will be provided for
class use. Concert music will be provided in class, and practice copies will be
posted on the classroom page on Canvas in the Files section.
3. Pencil

During class:
1. Make sure all electronics (cell phones, iPads, computers, etc.) are turned off and put
away
2. Ensure Instrument is tuned to the best of your ability before tuning begins as a whole
class
3. While any teacher is on the teaching make sure any conversations not pertaining to the
music has stopped

Before students leave:

1. Make sure that your instrument and music is put away in your locker, and cellos and
basses have put their instruments up in the designated area.
a. If music is left out, the folder will be placed on the whiteboard, and it will be
labeled so students will be able to get music after school.
2. Take all belongings with you to your next class
a. If something is forgotten the item will be in the director’s office to make sure
that the student will be able to retrieve it after school
.
Attendance Policy

Attendance Expectations: It is a requirement that all orchestra members attend required

events listed on the calendar. All required concerts are graded. The orchestra’s events calendar
is on our website and attached to the Orchestra Handbook. Students are expected to arrive 30
minutes early to concerts to unpack, warm-up, and get ready. They are also expected to stay for
the entire performance. Students who have after-school jobs are expected to communicate
with their employer and request that their work schedules be arranged to accommodate all
performances. Employers should be informed that orchestra is a class, not an extracurricular
activity

General Absences: Please remember that an excused absence must always be requested by a
parent (not a student) by phone, voicemail, e-mail, or written note. Absences from
performances will only be excused under extreme circumstances and must be requested well
before the performance.
 Students Assessment and Evaluation

Each students’ grade will be comprised of scores from:

25% In Class Performances and Playing assignments
20%. Daily participation
40% Projects
15% Written tests and worksheets

In-Class Performances: This is where students will perform in their bands to allow themselves
to get feedback from classmates before the projects are due. If a student is absent make sure
both the parent and student have communicated with the teacher and a make-up assignment
will be arranged.

Projects: This is the main percentage of the grade for students. Any project that is turned in up
to a week late will be counted off 25% by 2 weeks it will be 50%. If the project is over a month
late, unless discussed with the teacher prior to being late, there will be no credit

Daily participation: Points are earned daily in class for positive work in the classroom. Students
who are absent, tardy, or missing materials like music or instruments will lose points daily
participation points.

Written tests and worksheets: These are written assignments used to help gauge where
students need more or less help. This will be anything from reading tab to writing out a chord
progression

The semester grade will be determined by calculating the average grade of the combined
quarters. The scale is as follows:

100-90%: A 89-80%: B 79-70%: C 69-60%: D

Assignments and Course Overview

All assignments in the class will be given with plenty of time for students to work on.
Additionally, many are assigned to be worked on with their bands, so potential out of class
meeting times may occur.

Unit 1 Week 1-4: Introduction and One chord songs

Week 1: Guitar Identification worksheet
Week 2: One chord song playing video
Week 3: Band assignment, pick first short cover song (all guitars)
Week 4: Mini cover in-class performance
Unit 2 Week 5-8: Folk music
Week 5: Folk instruments and introduction
Week 6: Folk song selection and rehearsal
Week 7: Folk song rehearsals
Week 8: Folk song in-class performance

Unit 3 Week 9-12: Rock Bands

Week 9: Bass introduction and Final project introduction
Week 10: More Bass playing and Final song selected
Week 11: Drum set introduction
Week 12: More drum set

Unit 4 Week 13-16: Final project work

Week 13: Songwriting
Week 14: Final song rehearsals
Week 15: Final song rehearsals
Week 16: Final song performances
 Course Calendar

Week Course Overview Assignment Due

Week 1 Course introduction Guitar Identification

Guitar Checkout Worksheet due Wed
Guitar Basics at class time

Week 2 One chord songs Playing assignment

due Sunday
11:59pm

Week 3 More chords Meet with band and

Band assignments submit cover song
Idea by Wednesday

Week 4 Cover song work and Performances done

Performance in class Friday

Week 5 Folk instruments and None

introduction

Week 6 Folk Song selection Song Selection due

and rehearsal Wednesday

Week 7 Folk song rehearsals Folk song check in

playing
assignment due
Sunday 11:59pm

Week 8 Folk song performances Performances done in

class Friday

Week 9 Bass introduction None

and Final Project intro

Week 10 More bass playing Final song selection

due
Wednesday

Week 11 Drum set introduction None

Week 12 Drum set playing Meet with band at
least one time

outside of class

Week 13 Songwriting Song performed in

class

Week 14 Final Song performances Personal check in

playing
assignment due
Sunday 11:59pm

Week 15 Final Song rehearsals Full group check in

playing
assignment due
Sunday 11:59pm

Week 16 Final performances Final project due

class period

performing