670 Standard Essay 7

Standard 7: The teacher of PK-12 music demonstrates professional

responsibility and reflective practice.

Being a music teacher has more to do than simply standing up in front of an

ensemble waving a stick in repetitive patterns. A band director must teach music,
life skills, an accountant, and an administrator. I believe that with my experiences in
college, I have learned how to do these aspects of the job of a music teacher. I have
heard about all the hard word and dedication toward budgeting and fundraising the
Director of Bands did. Our budget, relative to other schools our size, was miniscule.
We would run out of money part way through the season, and the Director of Bands
would have to fundraise just to finish out the season. Another thing that I saw more
of was the administrative side of the job of a music teacher. The teacher keeps the
organization moving forward and has to do the operational tasks of a band. This
includes finances, organization, and operational parts of a program. Before my later
years of high school, I had thought the school district handled those responsibilities,
but I soon realized that those decisions lie with the music teacher. Another aspect of
what a music teacher does is repair instruments. The tech classes I took in college
equip me with the skills to repair common problems found with instruments.
In addition to those responsibilities of a music teacher, a music teacher has to
teach music education. Music is part of the human experience. We all experience
music at some time or another, and its important for the music teacher to teach
more to music than the surface. Music is filled with emotion and impacts students
livelihoods. Teaching different kinds of music is also important in teaching diversity.
There are hundreds if not thousands of different kinds of music. Music can be as
broad as European style (as an example), or it could be broken down into Germanic
style or French style. Music brings communities together with the diversity that
each style offers, which is one of the great things of the musical profession.
All of these things are important because I must have these skills to equip my
students for the best chance of running a successful music program. The students
expect administrative duties to happen, even if they dont know everything that that
entails. If the band is taking a trip, the students expect to be staying in a hotel, and
its my job to set that up. The students also expect that I know how to teach music
education. The skills of a music teacher include not only music related knowledge,
but also administrative tasks.
 Artifact 1:

Competitiveness [in an argument or disagreement] will likely only make things

more difficult and escalate any tensions. Also, much like was said in a previous class
period, I have nothing but the best interest for my students. If a parent ever doubted
that, I could go into defense mode while dealing with an angry parent and saying,
Im right and youre wrong, however, that will not solve anything. I will work
collaboratively with an angry parent for any meeting to be productive, and any
problems to be solved.

Rationale: This is an excerpt from a Conflict Resolution paper I wrote in college. It

is important to be open to ideas that are not yours and work with the other person
in as calm and professional matter as possible.
 Artifact 2:

Attendance Policy

Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required. Being early is to be on

time, and to be on time is to be late.

Tardiness will result in a deduction of daily attendance points.

Exceptions: School approved absence, absence approved by a director, serious death

or illness in the family, emergencies. We understand that circumstances of life
happen, but we must be notified at the soonest possibility for an unexpected
absence. If the student knows they will be absent from a rehearsal or performance
in advance, the student must fill out a pink sheet and turn it in to a director. Student
leadership does not have the authority to grant permission for an absence.

Unexcused absences will result in the loss of daily participation points and daily
attendance points.

Grading Policy

Daily attendance/participation. Being tardy or missing any required items for

rehearsal will result in a loss of these points.

Students will lose participation points if they are caught swearing in uniform.

Preparedness, attitude, and work ethic (included in the participation points).

Grades will be determined from effort, not ability.

Proper rehearsal/game day attire will also be graded.

Grading scale: 90-100 A

80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
59 and lower F
Rehearsal Expectations

Rehearsals begin at 7:40 A.M. every morning. Early morning rehearsals will start the
first Tuesday in September at 7:20 A.M. These rehearsals will be Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday for the remainder of the season.
Students are expected to be standing on their dot (when rehearsals are outside),
warmed up and ready to go. Students are expected to be in the band room (when
rehearsals are inside), warmed up and ready to go by the start of rehearsal.

Students are expected to have all necessary materials for rehearsal (applies toward
participation points).

Rehearsals will be fast paced and intense as we strive to get better each and every
day.

Friday afternoon rehearsal will begin after school and last for 90 minutes, beginning
at 3:30 P.M. NOTE: THIS MEANS THAT THERE ARE TWO REHEARSALS ON
FRIDAYS; A MORNING AND AFTERNOON REHEARSAL.

Dress Code

The schools dress code applies during rehearsals and all band functions.

Students are expected to be dressed appropriately for marching rehearsals. No

sandals, flip-flops, or other open-toed shoes are allowed.

Be prepared for cold rehearsals early in the morning.

Do not wear cold weather clothing that interferes with your playing. For instance,
clarinet players should not wear gloves that keep their fingers from covering the
tone holes and wind players would not wear masks or scarves that cover their
mouths.

Dress Code for Trips

During school-sponsored trips, the schools dress code still applies. Students are
responsible for adhering to this code. The attire for concerts remains the same
unless otherwise specified.

Concert Attire- Required to Participate in the concert

Concert Dress Women: Long black tea length/floor length dress or long black tea
length/floor length skirt and matching black top, black stockings, black shoes (not
flip-flops). No spaghetti straps or bare midriffs. No slits above the knee. Optional:
Black dress pants (not jeans or tight fitting pants), black dressy blouse (not a tee
shirt), black shoes as above (not sneakers).

Men: Black slacks, white shirt, black socks, black shoes. Black jacket optional.

Concert Etiquette

Students will sit as an ensemble during the concert when they are not performing,
and will sit in the front 5 rows of the auditorium. Cell phones must be turned off
during the concert and may not be accessed until the end of the concert (this
includes the ensemble on stage and band members in the audience).

Marching Band Performance Requirements

Performances are required, which include:

All home games, 2 away games, playoff games (TBD), 4 band nights, 3 pep rallies, 4
parades (one of these is during the Disney trip), and an end of the year concert.
Dates will be announced later as more details become known.

Code of Conduct
There will be absolutely no use or possession of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal
drugs while associated with the liberty high school marching band. If a
student is caught purchasing, possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco,
alcohol, or illegal drugs, the proper authorities will be notified and the student
will face the disciplinary action of the liberty high school student code of
conduct handbook, as well as immediate dismissal from the ensemble. All
state and federal laws apply at all times.

The LHSMB is a respected organization that prides itself on a clean and reputable
image. We follow these rules at all times:

There is a zero tolerance policy for the possession, use, or distribution of tobacco,
alcohol, and illegal drugs while associated with the LHSMB. If a student breaks this
rule on a band trip, the student will be sent home at their parents expense.

Be respectful at all times.

No profanity is allowed while doing anything associated with the LHSMB.

Students will be held responsible for damage to school property.

Rationale: This is an excerpt out of my handbook. This explains professional
responsibilities I am accountable for in my classroom, and making sure my students
know what they need to do in order to be able to participate in activities and earn
their grades.