The Pennsbury Schools

• Middle School Instrumental Music

• Middle School Co-Elementary Instrumental MusicCurricular Ensembles

• 9th grade Concert Band

• 10th grade Concert Band

• 11th & 12th Grade Concert Band

• High School Co-Curricular Ensembles

• 9th - 12th Grade String Ensemble

• County and PMEA Festivals

At the elementary level, the Pennsbury School District offers group lessons on violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, french horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and percussion. The purpose of the elementary instrumental music program at Pennsbury is to give as many children as possible the opportunity to receive instruction on a musical instrument. The emphasis of the instruction at this level is on developing good executive skills (proper holding position and tone production), music reading, rhythmic and pitch acuity, and basic ensemble and solo skills. Care is taken to counsel students and parents on their selection of an instrument in order to provide maximum opportunities for the child in the future and to take into account any physical difficulties. Students interested in percussion are required to take lessons on both bells and snare drum. The music staff tests students interested in percussion lessons in order to determine their rhythmic acuity. Since percussion students take lessons on two instruments, enrollment is limited to two students per grade level.

1. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Reading and notating music.
3. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
4. Evaluating music and music performance.

1. To give the student the ability to musically perform his/her instrument in a solo or ensemble situation with a characteristic sound and accurate rhythm and pitch.
2. To gain an appreciation of the concepts of music theory, musical form, music terminology, and music history through the mastery of one’s instrument.
3. To learn to appreciate many different types of music and musical styles.
4. To make music an important part of one’s life whether as a profession, an avocation, or a learned listener.
5. To learn that gratification is not immediate particularly when pursuing an artistic endeavor.
6. To learn time management particularly as it relates to lesson schedules, rehearsals, and dealing with missed academic assignments.
7. To learn how to deal with assignments given over long periods of time without teacher input.
8. To learn how to care for and be responsible for an expensive piece of equipment.
9. To learn music as a foreign language.
10. To learn that one’s individual pursuit of excellence directly affects the success of the group as a whole.
11. To learn leadership through peer coaching and accepting responsibility for both yourself and others.
12. To experience the joy of being able to express oneself with a musical instrument.

The program at this level is centered around a thirty-minute group lesson, which meets once every six days on a rotating time schedule. Students are grouped homogeneously by instrument. Lesson times may be adjusted if there is only one student on an instrument in the class. There is small band and string ensembles in each building which perform as part of the school’s spring concert.

1. How do I properly play a musical instrument in both a solo and ensemble setting? (Skill)
2. How do I become an independent achiever on a musical instrument? (Problem)
3. What do I like about music and why do I like it? (Appreciation)
4. What are my goals and how do I work toward them both in music and in life? (Personal)
5. Do I display a sense of responsibility both to myself and to those with whom I interact? (Personal)

At the middle school level the Pennsbury School District offers group lessons on violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, french horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. The purpose of the middle school instrumental music program at Pennsbury is to give as many children as possible the opportunity to receive instruction on a musical instrument. The emphasis of the instruction at this level is on developing good executive skills (proper holding position and tone production), music reading, rhythmic and pitch acuity, in addition to ensemble and solo skills. Care is taken to counsel students and parents on their selection of an instrument in order to provide maximum opportunities for the child in the future and to take into account any physical difficulties. Students interested in percussion are required to take lessons on both bells and snare drum. The music staff tests students interested in percussion lessons in order to determine their rhythmic acuity.

7th and 8th Grade Concert Band

6th Grade Concert Band

These ensembles are made up of all sixth, seventh and eighth grade wind and percussion players who meet basic technical requirements. Rehearsals take place in the morning during M-periods on Days 3 and 7. Students do not miss class for rehearsals.

7^th and 8^th String Ensemble

6^th Grade String Ensemble

These ensembles are open to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade violin, viola, cello, and string bass students who meet basic technical requirements. Rehearsals take place in the morning during M-periods on Days 3 and 7. Students do not miss class for rehearsals.

Music Lessons

Forty-five minute group music lessons, which are grouped homogeneously by instrument and ability, are given once every five days in order to develop skills necessary to participate in the ensembles. All lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis in order to minimize class disruptions.

Bucks County Music Festival, Bucks County Youth Orchestra and String Day

The Bucks County Junior High School Band, Bucks County Youth Orchestra, and the Bucks County Festival Orchestra are open to 7^th and 8^th grade members in good standing of the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program. Selection for the festivals is determined by competitive audition.

PREREQUISITE: Students are required to be members in good standing of their school ensemble in order to participate in the Pennsbury Middle School Honors Band and the three middle school jazz bands. Exceptions to the jazz band prerequisite are made for guitar and piano students.

Middle School Honors Band

This ensemble is open to all qualified sixth, seventh, and eighth grade wind and percussion students. Students are recommended by their band director and are selected by competitive audition only.

Weekly rehearsals take place in the evening. Several performances occur in the spring.

7th and 8th Grade Jazz Band

This ensemble is open to qualified saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, guitar, and percussion students. Participation is determined by competitive audition only.

These bands rehearse once a week and perform several times a year.

1. To give the student the ability to musically perform his/her instrument in a solo or ensemble situation with a characteristic sound and accurate rhythm and pitch.
2. To gain an appreciation of the concepts of music theory, musical form, music terminology, and music history through the mastery of one’s instrument.
3. To learn to appreciate many different types of music and musical styles.
4. To make music an important part of one’s life whether as a profession, an avocation, or a learned listener.
5. To learn that gratification is not immediate particularly when pursuing an artistic endeavor.
6. To learn time management particularly as it relates to lesson schedules, rehearsals, and dealing with missed academic assignments.
7. To learn how to deal with assignments given over long periods of time without teacher input.
8. To learn how to care for and be responsible for an expensive piece of equipment.
9. To learn music as a foreign language.
10. To learn that one’s individual pursuit of excellence directly affects the success of the group as a whole.
11. To learn leadership through peer coaching and accepting responsibility for both yourself and others.
12. To experience the joy of being able to express oneself with a musical instrument.

PLANNED COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is designed for all 9^th grade brass, woodwind, and percussion students who wish to develop their ability to perform instrumental music. Included are studies in instrumental technique, music reading, expressive playing, critical listening, diverse instrumental literature, and performance skills. Students are required to attend all performances and lessons. Lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis to minimize interference with other subjects.

Bucks County Music Festival and Bucks County Youth Orchestra

The Bucks County Junior High School Band and Bucks County Youth Orchestra are open to 9^th grade band members in good standing of the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program. Selection for the festival is determined by competitive audition.

Co-curricular Courses

PREREQUISITE: Membership in the 9^th Grade Concert Band is a prerequisite for participation the Pennsbury High School Marching Band, the Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band, the Pennsbury Orchestra, the Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra, and the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band. (Piano, guitar, and students attending technical school are exempt from these prerequisites.) Musicians for the Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band and the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band are selected by competitive audition from the membership of the Pennsbury High School Marching Band. Piano, bass, and guitar students are exempt from this prerequisite. All members of this ensemble are required to participate in the jazz improvisation lab. Students who wish to appeal the marching band prerequisite for jazz band must inform the directors in writing in May of the preceding school year.

Pennsbury High School Marching Band

The marching band performs at all Pennsbury Football games, numerous parades, and travels extensively throughout the United States and around the world. The band’s regular season runs from mid-August until mid-November and includes two community performances in the spring.

 Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band

The Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band performs at numerous local and national jazz festivals and has traveled throughout the United States and around the world. The band’s regular season runs from mid-November until May and includes hosting two major jazz festivals at Pennsbury High School.

 Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band

The Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band’s regular season runs from mid-November until May and includes performances at two jazz festivals at Pennsbury High School and locally in the Pennsbury community. All members of this ensemble are required to participate in the jazz improvisation lab. 

Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra

The Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra performs for the annual musical at Pennsbury High School. Rehearsals take place after school and on selected Saturdays from November through February. Musicians are selected for this ensemble by the instrumental director of the school show from the membership of the curricular performing ensembles

Jazz Improvisation Lab

The Jazz Improvisation Lab gives students the opportunity to develop their understanding of spontaneous jazz performance. Improvisation Lab is held weekly at both Pennsbury High School and Pennsbury High School West. Any musician enrolled in a curricular instrumental ensemble is eligible to participate in this activity.

Chamber Ensembles

A variety of small instrumental ensembles rehearse and perform for specific community and school functions throughout the year. The instrumental and orchestra directors choose musicians from their curricular instrumental ensembles.

1. To give the student the ability to musically perform his/her instrument in a solo or ensemble situation with a characteristic sound and accurate rhythm and pitch.
2. To gain an appreciation of the concepts of music theory, musical form, music terminology, and music history through the mastery of one’s instrument.
3. To learn to appreciate many different types of music and musical styles.
4. To make music an important part of one’s life whether as a profession, an avocation, or a learned listener.
5. To learn that gratification is not immediate particularly when pursuing an artistic endeavor.
6. To learn time management particularly as it relates to lesson schedules, rehearsals, and dealing with missed academic assignments.
7. To learn how to deal with assignments given over long periods of time without teacher input.
8. To learn how to care for and be responsible for an expensive piece of equipment.
9. To learn music as a foreign language.
10. To learn that one’s individual pursuit of excellence directly affects the success of the group as a whole.
11. To learn leadership through peer coaching and accepting responsibility for both yourself and others.
12. To experience the joy of being able to express oneself with a musical instrument.

1. How do I properly play a musical instrument in both a solo and ensemble setting? (Skill)
2. How do I become an independent achiever on a musical instrument? (Problem)
3. What do I like about music and why do I like it? (Appreciation)
4. What are my goals and how do I work toward them both in music and in life?(Personal)
5. Do I display a sense of responsibility both to myself and to those with whom I interact?(Personal)

PLANNED COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is designed for all 10^th grade brass, woodwind, and percussion students who wish to develop their ability to perform instrumental music. Included are studies in instrumental technique, music reading, expressive playing, critical listening, diverse instrumental literature, and performance skills. Students are required to attend all performances and lessons. Lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis to minimize interference with other subjects.

Bucks County Music Festival and Bucks County Youth Orchestra

The Bucks County High School Band and Orchestra and the Bucks County Youth Orchestra are open to 10^th grade band members in good standing of the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program. Selection for the festival is determined by competitive audition.

Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Music Festivals

The Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Music Festivals are open to 10^th grade band members in good standing of the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program. Selection for the festivals is determined by competitive audition.

Co-Curricular Courses

PREREQUISITE: Membership in the 10^th Grade Concert Band is a prerequisite for participation in the Pennsbury High School Marching Band, the Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band, the Pennsbury Orchestra, the Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra, and the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band. (Piano, guitar, and students attending technical school are exempt from these prerequisites.) Musicians for the Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band and the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band are selected by competitive audition from the membership of the Pennsbury High School Marching Band. Piano, bass, and guitar students are exempt from this prerequisite. All members of this ensemble are required to participate in the jazz improvisation lab. Students wishing to appeal the marching band prerequisite for jazz band must inform the directors in writing in May of the preceding school year for the appeal to be considered.

Pennsbury High School Marching Band

The marching band performs at all Pennsbury Football games, numerous parades, and travels extensively throughout the United States and around the world. The band’s regular season runs from mid-August until mid-November and includes two community performances in the spring.

Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band

The Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band performs at numerous local and national jazz festivals and has traveled throughout the United States and around the world. The band’s regular season runs from mid-November until May and includes hosting two major jazz festivals at Pennsbury High School.

Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band

The Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band’s regular season runs from mid-November until May and includes performances at two jazz festivals at Pennsbury High School and locally in the Pennsbury community. All members of this ensemble are required to participate in the jazz improvisation lab.

Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra

The Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra performs for the annual musical at Pennsbury High School. Rehearsals take place after school and on selected Saturdays from November through February. Musicians are selected for this ensemble by the instrumental director of the school show from the membership of the curricular performing ensembles

Jazz Improvisation Lab

The Jazz Improvisation Lab gives students the opportunity to develop their understanding of spontaneous jazz performance. Improvisation Lab is held weekly at both Pennsbury High School and Pennsbury High School West. Any musician enrolled in a curricular instrumental ensemble is eligible to participate in this activity.

Chamber Ensembles

A variety of small instrumental ensembles rehearse and perform for specific community and school functions throughout the year. The instrumental and orchestra directors choose musicians from their curricular instrumental ensembles.

1. To give the student the ability to musically perform his/her instrument in a solo or ensemble situation with a characteristic sound and accurate rhythm and pitch.
2. To gain an appreciation of the concepts of music theory, musical form, music terminology, and music history through the mastery of one’s instrument.
3. To learn to appreciate many different types of music and musical styles.
4. To make music an important part of one’s life whether as a profession, an avocation, or a learned listener.
5. To learn that gratification is not immediate particularly when pursuing an artistic endeavor.
6. To learn time management particularly as it relates to lesson schedules, rehearsals, and dealing with missed academic assignments.
7. To learn how to deal with assignments given over long periods of time without teacher input.
8. To learn how to care for and be responsible for an expensive piece of equipment.
9. To learn music as a foreign language.
10. To learn that one’s individual pursuit of excellence directly affects the success of the group as a whole.
11. To learn leadership through peer coaching and accepting responsibility for both yourself and others.
12. To experience the joy of being able to express oneself with a musical instrument.

1. How do I properly play a musical instrument in both a solo and ensemble setting? (Skill)
2. How do I become an independent achiever on a musical instrument? (Problem)
3. What do I like about music and why do I like it? (Appreciation)
4. What are my goals and how do I work toward them both in music and in life?(Personal)
5. Do I display a sense of responsibility both to myself and to those with whom I interact?(Personal)

This course is designed for all 11^th and 12^th grade brass, woodwind, and percussion students who wish to develop their ability to perform instrumental music. Included are studies in instrumental technique, music reading, expressive playing, critical listening, diverse instrumental literature, and performance skills. Students are required to attend all performances and lessons. Lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis to minimize interference with other subjects.

Bucks County Music Festival and Bucks County Youth Orchestra

The Bucks County High School Band and Orchestra and the Bucks County Youth Orchestra are open to 11^th and 12^th grade band members in good standing of the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program. Selection for the festival is determined by competitive audition.

Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Music Festivals

The Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Music Festivals are open to 11^th and 12^th grade band members in good standing of the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program. Selection for the festivals is determined by competitive audition.

Co-curricular Courses

PREREQUISITE: Membership in the 11^th and 12^th Grade Concert Band is a prerequisite for participation in the Pennsbury High School Marching Band, the Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band, the Pennsbury Orchestra, the Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra, and the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band. (Piano, guitar, and students attending technical school are exempt from these prerequisites.) Musicians for the Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band and the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band are selected by competitive audition from the membership of the Pennsbury High School Marching Band. Piano, bass, and guitar students are exempt from this prerequisite. All members of this ensemble are required to participate in the jazz improvisation lab. Students wishing to appeal the marching band prerequisite for jazz band must inform the directors in writing in May of the preceding school year for the appeal to be considered.

Pennsbury High School Marching Band

The marching band performs at all Pennsbury Football games, numerous parades, and travels extensively throughout the United States and around the world. The band’s regular season runs from mid-August until mid-November and includes two community performances in the spring.

Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band

The Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band performs at numerous local and national jazz festivals and has traveled throughout the United States and around the world. The band’s regular season runs from mid-November until May and includes hosting two major jazz festivals at Pennsbury High School.

Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band

The Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band’s regular season runs from mid-November until May and includes performances at two jazz festivals at Pennsbury High School and locally in the Pennsbury community. All members of this ensemble are required to participate in the jazz improvisation lab.

Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra

The Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra performs for the annual musical at Pennsbury High School. Rehearsals take place after school and on selected Saturdays from November through February. Musicians are selected for this ensemble by the instrumental director of the school show from the membership of the curricular performing ensembles

Jazz Improvisation Lab

The Jazz Improvisation Lab gives students the opportunity to develop their understanding of spontaneous jazz performance. Improvisation Lab is held weekly at both Pennsbury High School and Pennsbury High School West. Any musician enrolled in a curricular instrumental ensemble is eligible to participate in this activity.

Chamber Ensembles

A variety of small instrumental ensembles rehearse and perform for specific community and school functions throughout the year. The instrumental and orchestra directors choose musicians from their curricular instrumental ensembles.

1. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Reading and notating music.
3. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
4. Evaluating music and music performance.
5. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
6. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
7. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and discipline outside the arts.
8. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

1. To give the student the ability to musically perform his/her instrument in a solo or ensemble situation with a characteristic sound and accurate rhythm and pitch.
2. To gain an appreciation of the concepts of music theory, musical form, music terminology, and music history through the mastery of one’s instrument.
3. To learn to appreciate many different types of music and musical styles.
4. To make music an important part of one’s life whether as a profession, an avocation, or a learned listener.
5. To learn that gratification is not immediate particularly when pursuing an artistic endeavor.
6. To learn time management particularly as it relates to lesson schedules, rehearsals, and dealing with missed academic assignments.
7. To learn how to deal with assignments given over long periods of time without teacher input.
8. To learn how to care for and be responsible for an expensive piece of equipment.
9. To learn music as a foreign language.
10. To learn that one’s individual pursuit of excellence directly affects the success of the group as a whole.
11. To learn leadership through peer coaching and accepting responsibility for both yourself and others.
12. To experience the joy of being able to express oneself with a musical instrument.

1. How do I properly play a musical instrument in both a solo and ensemble setting? (Skill)
2. How do I become an independent achiever on a musical instrument? (Problem)
3. What do I like about music and why do I like it? (Appreciation)
4. What are my goals and how do I work toward them both in music and in life?(Personal)
5. Do I display a sense of responsibility both to myself and to those with whom I interact?(Personal)

TITLE OF COURSE AND NUMBER: 0826 Instrumental Music (String Ensemble)

CREDIT: 1.0 unit

LENGTH: 1 Year

GRADE LEVEL: Grades 9,10,11,12

PREREQUISITE: The prerequisite for participation in the string ensemble is membership in the string ensemble the previous academic year or audition by the director. Membership in the String Ensemble is a prerequisite for participation in the Bucks County Music Festival, Bucks County Youth Orchestra, and the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Music Festivals.

Bucks County Music Festival and Bucks County Youth Orchestra

The Bucks County Festival Orchestra and Bucks County Youth Orchestra are open to 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade string ensemble members in good standing of the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program. Selection for the festival is determined by competitive audition.

Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Music Festivals

The Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Music Festivals are open to 9^th, 10^th 11^th, and 12^th grade string ensemble members in good standing of the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program. Selection for the festivals is determined by competitive audition.

This course is designed for violin, viola, cello, string bass, and harp students who wish to develop their ability to perform instrumental music. Included are studies in instrumental technique, music reading, expressive playing, critical listening, diverse instrumental literature, and performance skills. Students are required to attend all performances and lessons. Lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis to minimize interference with other subjects.

Co-Curricular Courses

PREREQUISITE: Membership in the String Ensemble is a prerequisite for participation in the Pennsbury High School Marching Band, the Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band, the Falcon Strings, the Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra, and the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band. (Piano, guitar, and students attending technical school are exempt from these prerequisites.) Musicians for the Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band and the Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band are selected for these ensembles by competitive audition from the membership of the Pennsbury High School Marching Band. Piano, bass, and guitar students are exempt from this prerequisite. All members of this ensemble are required to participate in the jazz improvisation lab. Students wishing to appeal the marching band prerequisite for jazz band must inform the directors in writing in May of the preceding school year for the appeal to be considered.

Pennsbury High School Marching Band

The marching band performs at all Pennsbury Football games, numerous parades, and travels extensively throughout the United States and around the world. The band’s regular season runs from mid-August until mid-November and includes two community performances in the spring.

Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band

The Pennsbury Concert Jazz Band performs at numerous local and national jazz festivals and has traveled throughout the United States and around the world. The band’s regular season runs from mid-November until May and includes hosting two major jazz festivals at Pennsbury High School.

Falcon Strings

The Falcon Strings perform at numerous local and national music festivals throughout the United States. The ensemble’s regular season runs from mid-November until May.

Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band

The Pennsbury High School West Jazz Band’s regular season runs from mid-November until May and includes performances at two jazz festivals at Pennsbury High School and locally in the Pennsbury community. All members of this ensemble are required to participate in the jazz improvisation lab.

Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra

The Pennsbury Theatre Orchestra performs for the annual musical at Pennsbury High School. Rehearsals take place after school and on selected Saturdays from November through February. Musicians are selected for this ensemble by the instrumental director of the school show from the membership of the curricular performing ensembles

Jazz Improvisation Lab

The Jazz Improvisation Lab gives students the opportunity to develop their understanding of spontaneous jazz performance. Improvisation Lab is held weekly at both Pennsbury High School and Pennsbury High School West. Any musician enrolled in a curricular instrumental ensemble is eligible to participate in this activity.

Chamber Ensembles

A variety of small instrumental ensembles rehearse and perform for specific community and school functions throughout the year. The instrumental and orchestra directors choose musicians from their curricular instrumental ensembles.

1. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Reading and notating music.
3. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
4. Evaluating music and music performance.
5. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
6. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
7. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and discipline outside the arts.
8. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

1. How do I one properly play a musical instrument in both a solo and ensemble setting? (Skill)
2. How do I become an independent achiever on a musical instrument? (Problem)
3. What do I like about music and why do I like it? (Appreciation)
4. What are my goals and how do I work toward them both in music and in life?(Personal)
5. Do I display a sense of responsibility both to myself and to those with whom I interact?(Personal)

From grades 9 through 12, instrumental music is offered for a full credit with a full range of grades.

Grades for 9^th and 10^th grade string ensemble members are based on Three 44-minute Group Lessons per Marking Period (33% of Final Grade) - Grades are based on the successful completion of the assigned work each lesson. A marking period for instrumental music will be nine weeks in length. There will be a total of four marking periods for the year. Orchestra Skills (33% of the Final Grade) - Students are required to attend all orchestra performances. In case of illness, a doctor’s note is required. In the case of special performances and trips, the director reserves the right to pick only selected students based on their performance ability, deportment, and willingness to cooperate with any fund raising efforts that might be involved. Participation (33% of the Final Grade) – This grade is based on class participation preparation, and cooperation. Students are required to maintain their personal instrument in good working order.

Grades for 11^th and 12^th grade string ensemble members are based on Three 15-minute Private Lessons per Marking Period (33% of Final Grade) - Grades are based on the successful completion of the assigned work each lesson. A marking period for instrumental music will be nine weeks in length. There will be a total of four marking periods for the year. Orchestra Skills (33% of the Final Grade) - Students are required to attend all orchestra performances. In case of illness, a doctor’s note is required. In the case of special performances and trips, the director reserves the right to pick only selected students based on their performance ability, deportment, and willingness to cooperate with any fund raising efforts that might be involved. Participation (33% of the Final Grade) – This grade is based on class participation preparation, and cooperation. Students are required to maintain their personal instrument in good working order.