I am Mr. EspinosaI am Mr. Espinosa

I would like to welcome you to the I would like to welcome you to the wonderful world of music. I'm looking wonderful world of music. I'm looking forward to educating your child on what forward to educating your child on what music performance has to offer both you music performance has to offer both you and your child. I look forward to meeting and your child. I look forward to meeting you and answering any of your questions you and answering any of your questions or concerns.or concerns.

GoalsGoals:: The goals of the beginning winds and The goals of the beginning winds and

percussion class are to introduce the percussion class are to introduce the students to performing on band students to performing on band instruments.instruments.

They will learn how to read and They will learn how to read and perform music in an ensemble as well perform music in an ensemble as well as individually. as individually.

They will progress as musicians and They will progress as musicians and continue their musical endeavors by continue their musical endeavors by auditioning for the advance band. auditioning for the advance band.

Subject content:Subject content: The content included in the beginning The content included in the beginning

winds and percussion class is winds and percussion class is reading and writing of melodic and reading and writing of melodic and rhythmic notation, technique, posture, rhythmic notation, technique, posture, musicality.musicality.

Warm-ups, individual and ensemble Warm-ups, individual and ensemble playing will be exercised everyday for playing will be exercised everyday for consistency.consistency.

There will be weekly evaluation tests There will be weekly evaluation tests and pop performance tests if I see fit.and pop performance tests if I see fit.

Each semester the final exam will Each semester the final exam will consist of performing at a concert. consist of performing at a concert. So don’t miss it!So don’t miss it!

Since this course is designed as a Since this course is designed as a year course, next semester will year course, next semester will consist of performing band literature consist of performing band literature and improving as performers. and improving as performers.

Required materialsRequired materials: : An instrument-rented, purchased or An instrument-rented, purchased or

from Nobel, you may not stay in the from Nobel, you may not stay in the class without one.class without one.

Woodwind players will need to Woodwind players will need to purchase a box of reeds to start(#1 purchase a box of reeds to start(#1 1/2 or 2 ). Kits are sold at any of the 1/2 or 2 ). Kits are sold at any of the music stores listed by Mr. Espinosa. music stores listed by Mr. Espinosa. They contain some cork grease, a They contain some cork grease, a swab, etc… for the clarinet or swab, etc… for the clarinet or saxophone. Flute will need a saxophone. Flute will need a cleaning cloth, metal care polishing cleaning cloth, metal care polishing cloth and cleaning rod. Brass players cloth and cleaning rod. Brass players will need a cleaning kit which will need a cleaning kit which includes valve oil, a snake and slide includes valve oil, a snake and slide grease etc… Percussion players will grease etc… Percussion players will need one or two pairs of 5B need one or two pairs of 5B drumsticks and a metronome. A drumsticks and a metronome. A percussion bell kit can be purchased percussion bell kit can be purchased at a music store.at a music store.

Recommended materials:Recommended materials: Mouthpiece for clarinets, saxophones Mouthpiece for clarinets, saxophones

and brass players. and brass players. A metronome and chromatic tuner A metronome and chromatic tuner

are required second semester. are required second semester.

Daily ProceduresDaily Procedures

Students must be in Students must be in their assigned seats their assigned seats when the bell rings.when the bell rings.

Once roll has been Once roll has been taken, students will taken, students will grab their assigned grab their assigned instrument, a music instrument, a music stand and assemble stand and assemble into concert formation into concert formation in 5 minutes.in 5 minutes.

Rehearse/tuneRehearse/tune

Swab out instrumentsSwab out instruments Put instruments away Put instruments away

properlyproperly Put music stands away Put music stands away

properlyproperly Straighten chairsStraighten chairs Remain seated until Mr. Remain seated until Mr.

Espinosa dismisses youEspinosa dismisses you

Tardy policyTardy policy

Tardies will be dealt with by the current Tardies will be dealt with by the current Nobel policy. Nobel policy.

Grading PolicyGrading Policy

Tests

The student will be asked to complete written tests as well as performance test: throughout the semester

In addition to written tests, there will be playing tests.

During the playing test the student will be

graded on note accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, playing posture

and instrument position.

If students are not practicing, it is my right to give a 24 hour notice test.

What do I do If I do poorly?What do I do If I do poorly?

Policies on Tests

If a test is missed, it can be made up within one week of the students' return

to class. This make up must be done on the student's own time

(before school, during nutrition or lunch, or after school)

not during a passing period or at the beginning or end of class.

If the student is not satisfied with a grade, the test can be retaken as many times as necessary within one week to raise that grade to a B. An "A" may only be

achieved on the initial attempt at the test.

When taking a performance test, everyone must remain quiet. This is a

common courtesy toward your classmates. If you are talking during a test you will lose one full grade for every violation.

These grade losses can not be made up!

Work Habits/CooperationWork Habits/Cooperation

The work habits grade includes:The work habits grade includes: PosturePosture, (sitting up straight, feet flat on , (sitting up straight, feet flat on

the floor!) the floor!) PunctualityPunctuality, (getting to class on time) , (getting to class on time) PromptnessPromptness in preparation for rehearsal in preparation for rehearsal

(getting stand, chair and instrument out in (getting stand, chair and instrument out in an orderly and prompt fashion). an orderly and prompt fashion).

The cooperation grade includes:The cooperation grade includes: The cooperation grade is based on a point The cooperation grade is based on a point

system. system. I will award the students 10 points a day. I will award the students 10 points a day. If the student has good work habits and If the student has good work habits and

contributes to the progress of the contributes to the progress of the rehearsal by not talking, participating and rehearsal by not talking, participating and listening to instruction, then the student will listening to instruction, then the student will keep the 50 points a week. keep the 50 points a week.

However, if the student breaks any of the However, if the student breaks any of the classroom rules a point will be deducted classroom rules a point will be deducted for every offense cited. for every offense cited.

Points will be tallied up after each grading Points will be tallied up after each grading period and E's, S's and U's will be given period and E's, S's and U's will be given out accordingly. out accordingly.

Points cannot be made up! If a student is Points cannot be made up! If a student is disciplined for disrupting a rehearsal more disciplined for disrupting a rehearsal more than once in a week, he or she will receive than once in a week, he or she will receive a "U" cooperation for the entire grading a "U" cooperation for the entire grading period. period.

Grading scale and manifestGrading scale and manifest

Grading Scale: 100% to 90% = AGrading Scale: 100% to 90% = A 89% to 80 % = 89% to 80 % =

BB 79% to 70% = 79% to 70% =

CC 69% to 60% = 69% to 60% =

DD 59% and below 59% and below

is a FAIL is a FAIL

Grade points: Performance Tests = 100 pointsGrade points: Performance Tests = 100 points Written Tests Written Tests = 100 = 100

pointspoints Performing Concerts = 500 points each date Performing Concerts = 500 points each date

TBATBA Daily Participation = 50 pointsDaily Participation = 50 points Homework (Practice logs) = 20 points per Homework (Practice logs) = 20 points per

weekweek

Classroom RulesClassroom Rules

You may talk only when permitted by teacher. You may talk only when permitted by teacher. You may not throw objects of any kind.* You may not throw objects of any kind.* You may not eat candy, food, and chew gum or drink liquids in You may not eat candy, food, and chew gum or drink liquids in

the music classroom.* the music classroom.* You may only touch the instrument that is assigned to you. You may only touch the instrument that is assigned to you. You may only practice or perform on your instrument; No You may only practice or perform on your instrument; No

mistreating the instruments. mistreating the instruments. You are to respect others, especially their right to learn.*You are to respect others, especially their right to learn.* The teacher, not by the bell will dismiss you from the class.*The teacher, not by the bell will dismiss you from the class.* Be seated before the tardy bell rings.*Be seated before the tardy bell rings.* Come prepared to class.* Come prepared to class.* Keep the music room clean and orderly. (Straighten chairs and Keep the music room clean and orderly. (Straighten chairs and

put stands away)put stands away)

* = Nobel School Rules

Thank You, and WelcomeThank You, and Welcome

Don’t forget to print out this page and Don’t forget to print out this page and return the tear-off signed by you and return the tear-off signed by you and your parents. You will not be allowed to your parents. You will not be allowed to participate in class without one!participate in class without one!

I have read and understand the rules and expectations of Mr. Espinosa’s I have read and understand the rules and expectations of Mr. Espinosa’s musicmusic class. I will be responsible and treat my instrument with care. If it class. I will be responsible and treat my instrument with care. If it should break, please inform Mr. Espinosa immediately so that he can should break, please inform Mr. Espinosa immediately so that he can recommend what needs to be done.recommend what needs to be done.

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What period does your child have music?________ What period does your child have music?________ __________________________________ _________ _________ _________________ _________________

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Student (Print)Student (Print) Date Date Parent (Print) Parent (Print) Date Date

__________________________________ _________ _________ _________________ _________________ __________________

Student (Sign)Student (Sign) Date Date Parent (Sign) Parent (Sign) Date Date

ThanksThanks