| MORE KEYS TO SUCCESS |
1.
Minimum of one hundred (100) minutes EACH week. That could be 5 days at 20
minutes each; 7 days at 15 minutes each or any other configuration. PLEASE
discourage cramming in all 100 minutes in one or two days. Retention of material
practiced in this manner is very low as well as being extremely tiring mentally
and physically.
2.
Select a regular time EACH DAY to establish the practice habit. Not only does
this help the student to establish
1.
Daily praise for practice is
wonderful! Your signature on the Homework Chart is essential.
2.
Have your child play for others
(family members, etc. – especially Grandparents!)
3.
I have set up an incentive
program to encourage practice above and beyond the 100 minutes minimum. 120-159
minutes = Bronze Blazer (name up on the LIS Team board); 160-199 minutes =
Silver Streaks (name up on board & mystery reward); 200 or more minutes =
Golden Great (name up on board, mystery reward and sticker for band folder).
4.
PRACTICE = SUCCESS!
I
am asking you and your child for an entire year’s commitment to this program.
Time and time again, I have seen students who start out struggling but; through
perseverance, patience, and practice, have blossomed into fine musicians. When
you learn how to play an instrument you are not only learning about music; you
are also learning about and developing life long skills.
I
assign grades based on the following criteria:
25%-
Lesson Material Preparation:
has the assigned material been practiced?
10%
-Band Music:
this becomes more important as we approach a concert.
15%
-Overall Performance:
benefits both those students who complete their homework each
week as well as those students who are not as consistent with practicing but are
still able to play the lesson material competently.
Lesson
attendance is expected each week. If there is a conflict with the scheduled
lesson time, the student needs to come
to see me AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY, so that I may have
an opportunity to reschedule the lesson for later on that day. Appropriate
reasons for lesson rescheduling include tests in the classroom, swimming,
assemblies, AIS help.
Concert
attendance is mandatory. Missing a concert without an acceptable
excuse will GREATLY affect grade.