See also Parent Information > AVHS Marching Band and Colorguard Handbook.

CONTENTS

• Forward
• Ensembles
• Grading
• Attendance
• Academic Probation
• Policies

Amador Valley has become a state and regionally recognized school of excellence in all areas of its instrumental music/pageantry arts program. Through decades of achievement in all performance arenas, members of the Amador Valley High School band program continue to turn in exciting and award winning performances throughout the state.

The main objective of this program is to provide a balanced comprehensive music/arts education to each of the participants. Students with exposure to and involvement in the fine arts are productive, creative and integral members of our society.

The two components of this program that are central to its success are student participation and parental involvement. The Amador Friends of Music (AFM) is the parent organization that oversees certain organizational and fundraising aspects of the band program. All of you are welcome to volunteer and participate in any and all facets of the program. From attending performances to signing up for hemming to chaperoning on trips, there is a place for each of you as a direct extension of the success of the band. AFM welcomes you!

Winter Percussion: Though not a class offered during the school day, Amador Valley does have an indoor winter percussion ensemble. This is a performing group that meets outside of the school day and performs locally and regionally. The staff will determine practice and performance schedules.

The grading scale used for all course offerings will be as follows:

Grading in all music classes will be based on a point system.

Points will be assigned as follows:

• Performances: 100 points
• Rehearsals (after school): 100 points
• Playing tests: 100 points
• Sectionals: 50 points
• Equipment check: 25 points/check (i.e. dot books, music binder, instrument, flag)

Written prior notice is required for an absence from an after school rehearsal, sectional or performance. Please use the pre-excuse form found on-line. In case of emergency or illness, please call the band room and leave a message prior to the rehearsal or performance.

Acceptable reasons for missing a rehearsal or sectional: illness, death in the family, emergency etc. Every effort is made to keep a consistent schedule for your convenience. A great deal of new information is dispensed at each rehearsal. Attendance is critical. Thank you in advance for your assistance! For those students with after school employment: work is not an excused reason for missing any band event.

Acceptable reasons for missing a performance: illness, death in the family, etc. Each performance in band is like a test in any other class. This is the outcome-based portion of our class. Failure to attend a performance is like skipping an exam. Other situations will be dealt with on an individual basis. Please contact me as soon as possible if you know of any conflicts with the performance schedule at this point. The bands performance suffers if people are missing.

Missed points earned for excused absences (excluding illness) must be made up at lunch or after school. Scheduling is the responsibility of the student. If the student does not make up the points within one week of the missed event, the points are forfeited. Missed points as a result of unexcused absences for performances and rehearsals cannot be made up.

Extra credit will be assigned at the discretion of the director and will not raise a student’s grade more than one-half letter grade (i.e. B- to B).

Academic probation is a serious matter for all students. When any student is placed on academic probation, a student’s participation in band as a co-curricular activity could be limited or restricted. The band adheres to the outlined district policy on academic probation. Members of the band are expected to balance schoolwork with band responsibilities; academic grade checks are a means to make sure that all students are succeeding in every area of his or her school experience.

In order to be eligible for participation in extra-/co-curricular activities, a pupil in grades 6 through 12 shall have earned a minimum 2.0 (or “C”) grade point average with no contributing grade to be less than a 1.0 (or “D”) grade during the preceding grading period

Pupils academically ineligible may seek a period of probationary eligibility…immediately following the grading period in which ineligibility occurs-provided the pupil’s grade point average falls in the 1.75 to 1.99 range, and that the pupil has no more than one contributing grade of “F”. Any pupil below this standard is not eligible for probation…

Copies of the district eligibility guidelines are available in the school office.

• There is no food/drink/gum in the band room (bottled water is acceptable.)

• Keep your instrument stored in your band locker with a lock that you provide. The school is not responsible for theft or damage as a result of your failure to place a lock on your personal belongings. Your locker combination must be turned in to the locker room manager and will only be seen by the manager and myself.
• Your band locker is to be used for your instrument and related musical accessories. Do not use your locker to store:
  • Books, papers, homework
  • Clothes, shoes
  • Food

• Private transportation to and from any band function is not allowed without advance notice. A parent must fill out a release form PRIOR to the function to provide a ride home for their child only. This must be cleared with the director before permission is granted.
• In accordance with school policy, any damages beyond normal wear and tear of any school equipment (uniform, school instruments, music, mallets, etc.) will be the sole responsibility of the student.
• During class, rehearsal and while traveling, school and district policies are in effect at ALL times.