SYLLABUS FOR JAZZ BAND
Fred Steiner
Room 102 - Music
377-4888 ext. 42609
steinerf@pvpusd.net
 

Jazz Band performance dates for 2026-2027:
September 24 - Jazz Band perform at Back-to-School Night (advanced)
November 6- Jazz Band Fall Concert
January 14 - Jazz Band presents an assembly at MIS (advanced)
February 19- Festival Concert – Spaghetti Dinner
February 27- Mayfair Jazz Festival
March 27- Music in the Garden (South Coast Botanic Garden) (advanced)
April TBD- Festival performance
April 23- Jazz Band Spring Concert
May 20 - Advanced Jazz Band Perform at Honor Society event (advanced)
 

*Please note, occasionally the calendar must be adjusted. Often performance
opportunities come along after the start of the school year. Sometimes they’re even
“paying gigs” or they’re opportunities that we really don’t want to pass up because of the
possibility of performing in a great venue or in front of a large, responsive audience. I try
very hard to respect your time and only add things to the calendar when it seems the
benefits outweigh the costs. If the calendar changes, I will communicate the changes
ASAP.
 

SUPPLY LIST: Jazz Band students are expected to have access to their own instrument and
maintain the instrument in clean, functioning condition. All miscellaneous items such as reeds,
mouthpieces, neck straps, mutes, binders for music, etc… are the student’s responsibility. Certain
school instruments, usually large or rare ones, are available for use.
 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the completion of the year, the
student will:
a. develop an understanding of rhythm, and apply this skill to individual and ensemble playing
b. learn to better recognize correct intonation within the ensemble as related to his/her own
playing
c. gain a greater understanding of musical style and historical context of the music being
performed
d. participate in a fulfilling musical performance
 

TARDIES: I do expect students to be in class on time. I understand our classroom is a
great distance from most other parts of campus however we still must have a rigid start
time or important minutes are wasted every day. I’m dedicated to making sure students
follow the school TARDY policy.
 

1st and 2nd Tardies – student reminded to be on time
 

3rd Tardy – parent notified
 

4th Tardy – Teacher issues referral to administration resulting in conference with student. Parent
notified. Student issued 3-4 days of lunchtime paper pick-up.
 

5th and 6th Tardies - Teacher issues referral to administration resulting in conference with student.
Parent notified. Student issued 3-4 days of lunchtime paper pick-up. Saturday school issued to
student.
 

7th Tardy - Teacher issues referral to administration resulting in conference with student. Parent
notified. Student issued 3-4 days of lunchtime paper pick-up. Saturday school issued to student
or student is dropped from the class.
 

HOUSEKEEPING: Gum is never allowed in our music room.
Food only during lunchtime.
 

Take care of the instrument you use (personal or school owned) including making sure they are
properly stored with cases closed and latched.
 

DO NOT TOUCH EQUIPMENT THAT DOESN’T BELONG TO YOU OR HASN’T
BEEN ASSIGNED TO YOU WITHOUT PERMISSION.
 

Always have your own music in rehearsal (not expecting to use your neighbor’s music) with
your PENCIL!!!
 

PRACTICE AT HOME: Yes, that’s right, you need to take time outside of class
rehearsal time to prepare your own individual part assignment. It is possible to do that extra
practice here in the music room during lunch time, during “free” periods if you have one, and
occasionally after school. But for most students, that means you need to practice at home. If you
put in extra practice on your own time you will surely notice that you achieve higher grades on
graded playing tests.
 

GRADING CRITERIA/GRADE SCALE
REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:
Regular attendance in rehearsal is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of the student to attend every scheduled class meeting. 40% of the students’
grades is based on daily participation.
 

40% of the students’ grades is based on participating in performances. Notice of an absence
from a scheduled performance must be given a minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled
performance. An example of a legitimate reason for missing a performance would be a family
event that can’t be rescheduled. An example of an unacceptable reason for missing a performance
would be an SAT prep class. Naturally, if a student misses a performance due to unforeseen
circumstances, we will plan a make-up assignment.
 

Occasionally the band will be tested for a grade on a portion of the music they have been
learning. In the event that we have these “tests” the students are given advance notice to prepare.
20% of the students’ grades are based on graded performance “tests”.
Final Grade is based on the following scale:
 

A= 90-100%
B= 80-89%
C= 70-79%
D= 60-69%
F= Below 60%
 

The following is an example of the scoring rubric for playing tests:
5 - No faults with great articulation and dynamics
4 - Excellent notes, rhythm, tuning, and tone quality
3 - All correct notes and rhythm with satisfactory tuning and tone quality
2 - Most correct notes and rhythms with some tuning problems and acceptable tone
1 - Some correct notes and rhythms with poor tuning and tone quality