Petaluma High School Varsity Jazz Ensemble

Cliff Eveland, Instrumental Director

Spring Course Syllabus

A. Class participation - participating fully in all class activities at all times, and demonstrating acceptable attitudes and behavior during class time and rehearsals. This includes, but is not limited to: attending class (cuts and unexcused absences will lower your participation grade), being on time, bringing the required materials (instrument, music, etc.), being attentive, being respectful to director and classmates, remaining quiet when not playing with group (not talking or playing), following directions first time asked, and proper playing, clean-up, and care of your instrument and music. 47% of the spring semester grade will be based upon the area of participation.

 

B. Attendance at performances (competitions, concerts) - attendance at all performances is mandatory. The reasons for this are many, but the most important is that the band cannot give its best performance when there are "holes" in the group. Performances are the only real "tests" in a music class; a "test" that cannot be reproduced.  All performances must be made-up. There are only three valid and acceptable excuses: PHS SCHOOL RELATED activities (PHS cheerleading, PHS basketball, PHS track, etc.), a medical doctor’s note, or a death in the family. Any performance or rehearsal missed may be made-up with extra credit work. It is the sole responsibility of the student to remember to make-up any missed performances or extra rehearsals. 48% of the spring semester grade will be based upon attendance at these events.

 

C. Bingo set-up - Each student is responsible to work one Bingo set-up during the course of the school year. All Bingo set-ups take place on Saturday at 4:00 PM at Casa Grande High School’s Multi-Purpose Room, and last approximately 30 minutes. 5% of the spring semester grade will be based upon Bingo set-up.  If a student has completed a Bingo set-up in the fall semester, they are not required to work set-up in the spring.

 

Spring Events	Point Value		Spring Extra Credit	Point Value
Class Participation (47)	1 point per class = 47		Extra Bingo Set-up	5 points
	Total = 47 points		After School Duty	30 minutes = 1 point
Mystic Theatre Concert	10 points		Load truck for Armijo Comp., Mystic Show, or Food Festival	2 points each
Armijo Jazz Competition	10 points		Set-up for Spring Concert or West Side Band Festival	3 points each
Spring Concert	10 points		Research Paper	1 point per page
Westside Band Festival	9 points		The paper must meet
Lion’s Food Festival	9 points		specific criteria - a
	Total = 48 points		handout with exact
Bingo Set-up	5 points		directions regarding
	Total  = 5 points		the research paper is
Spring Semester Points	Total Semester = 100		available from director

 

Attached to this form you will find a calendar of all the performance dates for the spring. Save this calendar to ensure that you are aware of all upcoming performances. It is important for you, and your parents, to recognize the commitment necessary to be in the Varsity Jazz Ensemble. By giving you the calendar at the beginning of the 2nd semester, I expect that you will plan your calendar around our performances. More information is available at www.petalumahighmusic.org, or if you need to reach me, the Music Office number is 769-9650. Parents, you are encouraged to get involved: work bingo, attend performances, chaperone competitions, attend Music Booster meetings.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!