About The Programs

BAND

Jim Hughens - Director
623-376-3377
Jim.Hughens@dvusd.org
http://jhughens.myteacher.dvusd.com

Welcome to the band program at Hillcrest. We are looking forward to another year full of musical activities. Our goal is to constantly develop our instrumental technique as well as our understanding of the complex role of music in our society. This course applies the Az Standards for music that can be accessed at www.ade.az.gov. To ensure the success of students I would like to outline some of the policies of band.

ATTENDANCE

Daily attendance is beneficial to student development. Tardies will be excused only by a late pass. Excessive unexcused tardies will affect grades.

INSTRUMENTS

Hillcrest Middle School has some instruments available. These are distributed on a first come/first served basis. Please make sure all instruments are insured either through a renters or homeowners policy. Deer Valley School District does not accept responsibility for lost or stolen property.

CONCERT ATTENDANCE

The main goal of any ensemble is performance, so attendance at concerts is mandatory. I know I should not have to mention that , but please support your child!=s musical endeavors and make sure they attend. If there is an unavoidable conflict, please let me know as soon as possible. Our concerts will be held in the Hillcrest gym.
Tues. October 8th 6:30pm
Thurs. December 11th 6:30pm
March 12th Outdoors at Hillcrest Time TBA
May 5th 6:30pm

Any changes to this schedule will be announced as soon as possible.

UNIFORMS

Dress acceptable for the concerts is as follows:
Band T-shirt
Black pants (or knee length skirt for ladies)
Black shoes( shoes mostly black are acceptable)
Band T-shirts will be ordered in September. The price will be approximately $10.00. Creating a financial hardship on your family is not my priority here, giving the band a uniform look is. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

GRADING POLICY

Students in band are graded according to the following criteria:
Participation -
Concert Attendance-
Scale Tests-
Composer Reports-
Class Assignments-

Participation:
Students are given 100 participation points for the quarter. Students are expected to play their instrument every day in class. Each day without playing will lower a grade by 15 pts. This includes instruments forgotten at home, no reed for the instrument , music forgotten at home etc... If there are special circumstances please keep me informed.

Concert attendance:
Unexcused absence at a concert will result in a grade being lowered by two letter grades. Please notify me two weeks prior to the concert if your student can not attend.

Scale Tests:
Scale tests will be given over scales and scale patterns presented in class. These tests are no cause for concern as long as the student is finding time for the required practice. Scales are important fundamentals of music and require consistent practice for mastery.

Composer Reports:
Students will complete a report on a composer of whose music we are studying. These will be assigned once per quarter.

Class Assignments:
Various assignments may be given to reinforce class concepts. These may include tasks in musical notation and composition, preparation of a solo for in-class performance or quizzes over assigned music.

GRADE BUSTERS
Grade busters (progress reports) will be issued all students . If your child does not return a parent signed grade buster within 3 days they lose 5 participation point/day up to a maximum of 15.

DISCIPLINE POLICY
The band discipline policy is as follows:
First offense: Student receives verbal warning
Second offense: Parents and office notified / blue slip issued
Third offense: Parents notified / after school detention issued
Repeat offenders: Meeting with counselors and parents

CLASS RULES
1. No food, drinks, or gum allowed.
2. Be prepared and on time.
3. Respect school and others property.
4. Be respectful to peers and teachers.

GUITAR

Instructor: Jim Hughens
Room #: B-3
Phone: 623-376-3377
email: Jim.Hughens@dvusd.org

Welcome to Beginning Guitar class at Hillcrest Middle School. Guitar is an entire year class for eighth grade students. Students may bring their own guitars. 15 guitars are provided for the class. This course follows the Az Standards for music that can be accessed at www.ade.az.gov

Class Text:
We will be using the Hal Leonard Guitar Method Volumes 1,2 and 3. Class copies will be provided. Students that wish to practice at home may purchase their own copies.

Course Overview:
Vol. 1: beginning instruction (playing position, tuning etc.), 1st postion melody playing, chords, rhythms through eighth notes, solos and ensembles and strumming Vol. 2: studies and songs in the keys of C,G,D,Em and F, syncopations and dotted rhythms, more advanced strums, the most common 1st position chords, solos, bass runs,and a variety of styles from bluegrass to rock. Vol. 3: chromatic studies, 16th notes, playing positions 2-7, moving chords up the neck, finger picking

Grades:
Students will be given assignments and quizzes from the class text. Performances will be as solos and ensembles during class time. The grading scale will be as follows:
90-100%=A 80-89% =B
70-79%=C 60-69%=D 59% and below=F
Students will have 3 school days to make-up assignments missed due to excused absence. No late work will be accepted.

Class Rules and Expectations:
1. Be prepared and on time.
2. Food, drinks and gum are not allowed in the classroom.
3. Students are expected to display a positive classroom attitude at all times.
4. Remain QUIET during listening assignments or when the teacher or other students are speaking or performing.
5. Show respect for teachers, other students and yourself.
6. Follow all school and district policies set forth in the student handbook.

Suggested Materials:
Students are to bring a pencil/pen and notebook paper to every class session. Students should also have a binder in which to keep all class handouts and materials.

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Last update: Monday, January 5, 2009 at 8:18:43 AM
Copyright 2009 Mr. Hughens

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