St. Regis School District

CONTACT INFORMATION:

- Mr Derek Larson

- Music Room or Superintendent's Office

- larsond@stregis.k12.mt.us

Introduction

Derek Larson holds a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Oregon, a Master’s Degree in Education from Montana State University, and is currently in the licensure program for Educational Leadership at the University of Montana. Derek is the Superintendent and the 5-12 Band teacher at St. Regis. Besides his school responsibilities, Derek loves to participate in various other community projects including community service, directing and participating in local and statewide music projects, and engaging in services that connect the community and the schools.

CLASS SYLLABUS:

               SYLLABUS

Music Performance Classes

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS 

Music is a life skill that incorporates many other important skills necessary for a healthy, productive citizen as well as individual benefits. The goal of these classes is to utilize and teach these life skills and then enjoy many opportunities to show off these talents in an increasingly wider scope of concerts.

Goals:

At the end of this course, you will…

• Know the importance of the individual in support of the whole ensemble.

• Be able to exercise responsibility individually and in a group setting.

• Understand the life-long skills inherent in musical performance.

NEEDS AND RESOURCES

Required Background

To successfully complete this course, you must… 

• Know how to take care of your instrument, mind, and body.

• Be able to show up, follow instructions, and be willing to experiment and create with artistic expression.

• Understand that no one sits on the bench in an ensemble. Everyone is necessary all of the time. Missing a session means that we are not at full strength and cannot perform as well as we could with you there.

Required Materials

To successfully complete this course, you will need… 

• A PENCIL. I provide extras at my own expense, as necessary.

• Your music. It is your responsibility once it leaves my hands. I will provide folders.

Online Resources

• Youtube is a wonderful resource with free lessons online.

• On Youtube, Hal Leonard Band has some sheet music that you can read and play along with good performance groups.

• Musictheory.net is a wonderful resource for learning music theory, keyboard skills, and some guitar theory.

• Online Academy of Irish Music has free videos for learning tin whistle and drum patterns
  

COURSE SCHEDULE

Concerts:

10/30 7pm St. Regis 6-12 Fall Concert

11/14 All Day Ronan Mission Valley Band Festival

12/11 7pm St. Regis 6-12 Winter Concert

12//13 7pm PST Mullan 6-12 Winter Concert

04/19 9am (usually) Sentinel HS District Music Festival

05/06 7pm St. Regis 6-12 Spring Concert

05/08 7pm PST Mullan 6-12 Winter Concert

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

General Rules:

• Cell Phones:  Are not allowed in class 

• Be safe, respectful, and responsible

Grading Policies:

Concerts are 5 points:

0 – no show

1 – showed up w/ minimal participation and/or preparedness

2 – showed up late, minimal participation and/or preparedness

3 – showed up on time, good participation but limited preparedness

4 – showed up on time, good participation and prepared

5 – showed up on time, participation and preparedness were exceptional

Daily Participation is 5 point:

0 – no show

1 – showed up w/ no participation and/or preparedness

2 – showed up w/ minimal participation and/or preparedness

3 – showed up on time, good participation but limited preparedness

4 – showed up on time, good participation and prepared

5 – showed up on time, gave their best effort

Bell Ringer is 2 points and 25% of the grade:

0 - did not complete

1 - completed

5-6th grade Band Scales – Concert Bb scale 10 pts, Concert C scale 10pts, 

Concert Eb, F scale 20pts

7-12th grade Band Scales – Concert Bb, C, Eb, & F scale by memory quarter note = 120 at semester

Extra credit: 7-12th Band and Choir choose between All-State audition materials and District Solo & Ensemble preparation. Graded according to Concert Rubric at end of year.

Late Work:

Points will be deducted from a student’s grade if work is handed in late.  For every day an assignment/project/power focus is late, points will be taken off.  Below is the rule for late assignments:

1 day late-10% reduction

2 days late-20% reduction

3 days late-30% reduction

4 days late-40% reduction

5+ days late-50% reduction

*For emergency purposes (Dr. notes/school events/etc) considerations for extending deadline may be made.

Grading Scale:

In order to promote uniformity and fairness in the academic letter grading formula for the St. Regis Public Schools, and to support our concern for Excellence in Education, the Board of Trustees, School District 1, has adopted a 4.00 grading schedule with the following percentile formula for grading standards to be applied in grade levels 4-12.

Percentile Scores

Letter Grades

100-93

A

92-90

A-

89-87

  B+

86-83

B

82-80

B-

79-77

  C+

76-70

C

69 Percent and below

INC

• This grading schedule specifically prohibits recording or awarding letter grades of A+ C- in any subjects in grades 4-12. 

• Pass or No Pass will be assigned for Teacher Assistance and Credit Recovery Classes

Students will be assigned an Incomplete (I) if a student has not completed the coursework, unless administration approves an extended period of time for extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances may include, but is not limited to medical conditions, death or severe illness of a family member, or military transfers or leave periods. The grade of incomplete will stand until the student has demonstrated mastery of the course.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Students may substitute a written report in replacement of a concert ONLY if it is pre-arranged with the teacher and administration or if there is an emergency/illness.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Derek Larson

• 406-649-2311 x.203 or 406-579-9114 if you need to get ahold of me immediately

• larsond@stregis.k12.mt.us