The Spirit of Great Oak Band & Guard
Course Syllabus
Teacher: Mr. Jerry Burdick-Rutz, Director Room Number: 923
Great Oak High School jburdick-rutz@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Prerequisites: Previous experience in a high school music program, or
recommendation from their middle school band director. New
instrumentalists will be accepted by audition only.
Books & Resources: All course music and manuals will be provided. Students will be expected to have a 3 ring binder for storage of their materials. It will also be expected that students make efforts to purchase supplemental materials for quality practice (reeds, valve oil, metronome, tuner, etc.)
Rules: The Teacher and student will collaborate to respectively teach and learn to:
1. Listen
2. Observe
3. Practice
4. Complete Learning Objectives, and
5. Execute with Precision
Consequences: If a student is having difficulty mastering any of the above rules they will receive:
1. Constructive feedback from the respective leader, or coach.
2. Constructive feedback from the Band Director.
3. Collaboration between the teacher, student and parent to determine a plan for development and improvement.
4. Determining an alternative musical activity.
Purpose: The purpose of this course is to prepare students for performances. Students will learn standard music repertoire, performance & practice skills, marching skills (during marching band), and music reading & theory practices. These skills will be evaluated at several performance venues that require high levels of focus and performance.
Expectations To accomplish these goals students will be expected to meet the expectations of the class including the following: reading music; memorizing music; developing aural recognition & sight-singing skills; developing physical coordination to perform marching tasks.
Rehearsals, sectionals, class participation, and performances will make up a high percentage of practice used to achieve the goals of the ensemble. Refer to the course timeline or calendar to follow assignment responsibilities.
Because of the unique nature of this course, it is expected that students meet all social behaviors within, and especially outside of the Great Oak Community.
It is a privilege to be offered a course that meets outside of the normal class schedule (e.g. similar to a college schedule) to allow students the opportunity to fulfill their academic requirements.
Parents & students are signing up for this course knowing that they will need to schedule homework, projects, medical appointments around the Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Weekend practice schedules.
Students who do not meet these expectations will be subject to having their grade lowered.
Students will be graded on their achievement in the following criteria:
Grading: The following are the categories and percentages of how students are graded:
I. Projects (New Year Res. Or Concert Critique) 20%
II. Rehearsals (Attendance, Preparation, Punctuality) 20%
III. School Performances (given by the Director) 20%
IV. Competitive Performances (given by the Judges) 20%
V. Individual Tests (Also counting toward Varsity Letter) 20%
Once you have read through the complete course syllabi, please sign, date, and return this portion of the form to the director.
Forms are due: At F3 Day on Saturday, August 1st.
I have read, and I understand the information that guides the rules, consequences, objectives, assignments and grading procedures for the Spirit of Great Oak Band & Guard:
Parent Signature ____________________________________________ Date __________________
Student Signature ___________________________________________ Date __________________
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