6TH GRADE BAND

Description:

6th Grade Band is a course for 6th Grade instrumental musicians. Students will focus on technique, tone production, and theory. Fall classroom activity will focus on improving tone and technique skills as well as preparing for the Christmas concert. Winter and spring activities will continue developing prior skills and preparing for the Spring Arts Festival.  This ensemble performs in the NUMS Christmas Concert and the NU Spring Arts Festival. Performances and participation are major portions of the grading criteria.

What is 6th Grade Band?

6th Grade Band is open to all band students who have had at least 1 year of band experience or less.

Who is in 6th Grade Band?

Generally, 6th Grade students and 7th and 8th grade students with less experience.

What happens 6th Grade Band?

Most class work is whole-group work with an emphasis on a homogeneous sound.  Occasionally there will be homework or small group work.  The primary textbook is Essential Elements 2000 book 1.  The class will use supplemental materials with the Essential Elements book.

The Middle School Band Grading Policy

The grading policy for the middle school bands can be accessed by clicking the link below.  It explains the behavioral and academic expectations for the class.

     Middle School Band Grading Policy

The 6th Grade Band is currently playing pass-offs in class.  Pass-offs are short playing tests that the students play to gain short cycle assessment.  The students pick from a list of songs to play for Mr. Leavitt.  When they are ready to play a pass-off they sign up for a playing time.  They can play the same song until they pass it but are only given one time a day to play.  For the first and second nine weeks the students are required to pass 3 songs for each grading period.  The song requirement is 4 songs for the third and fourth nine weeks.  The students are graded on tone quality, rhythm, pitch accuracy, tempo, expression, and articulation.  The pass-offs are graded on a pass/fail system.  Each student is allowed up to 3 mistakes to pass.  When the student is done with the pass-off they are given a short description of what they did well and what they need to work on to improve.  If a student passes all of the required pass-offs for the first and second nine weeks then they will automatically receive a score of 100% on their exam for the first semester.  If a student passes all of the required pass-offs for the third and fourth nine weeks then they will automatically receive a score of 100% on their exam for the second semester.

For further information about the pass-offs click the link below.

6th Grade Pass-off list

What's the best part?

Usually a full group class.

Class every day.

Group bonding!