Dear Concert Band student and parent,

Just a quick note about your final first quarter grade.

At the conclusion of the quarter, all students completed a “grading rubric” where they recorded a certain number of points for various components of our “class” including their average “weekly grades,” completion of scale check-off sheets, rhythm sheets, etc.  When totaled, several of these students did not reach the “A” level (90’s) because they probably did not check-off enough of their scales and/or had many rhythm sheets missing/incomplete/or not corrected in a satisfactory manner.  In other words, although their “weekly” grade is high, they hit some “bumps” at the end because they did not submit the final forms (a life lesson here).

All this said, most students were just fine and I’m very pleased with the effort that they are expending.  I believe that most of our students have made significant progress as musicians this first quarter!

I’m always “tweaking” the system trying to find ways in which I can offer a more realistic snapshot of how everyone is doing at any given moment.

So… if your child’s final quarter 1 grade is lower than what the weekly grades add up to being–that’s the reason.  Ask them about their scale check-offs…and their rhythm sheets… you’ll get the answer!

Again, I’m so proud of all of them and we are beginning to build our program for the Grand Holiday Concert next month.

Thank you for all you support!