Choir Grading Policies

GRADING POLICY-EVHS Choirs

Choir is a curricular class and will require homework and written assignments.  Most of the homework will be in the form of self rehearsal. CD’s and digital music will be given out to help students rehearse at home.  Additional work is done in class by participating and being a responsible member of the choral ensemble.  You are not graded on how well you sing. You are graded on how hard you try.

 

The student’s grade is based on the following:

1. Class Participation  (20%)

Students are expected to be on time, prepared with all materials, assignments, and note books, be on task, be respectful, have proper posture and singing.  Show Choir students are expected to have the proper attire for all dance days.

Daily Grade: (1 grade each day) The effort you put forth in this class is very important. Each time you enter the choir room and follow the classroom procedures you will receive 100 pts.  A calendar will be kept on each student, marking their points.

The daily grade system is as follows:

       - Enter class quietly, get folder, go to assigned seat and participate in class: 100 pts

       -Tardy to class (unexcused): -10 points

       -Failure to participate in class- -20pts

       -Failure to not dress out for show choir -20pts  

       -  No music, folder :-10pts

       - Folders not put away in the proper slot or music-5pts
       - Gum, candy, etc. In class: -10 points

       -Disrupting class: -10 points

 

Choir Service Hours

Every Choir student is required to give 2 choir service hours every 9 weeks. (2 grades) All students will need to fill out a choir service form found in the black literature file next to the library and have the supervising parent/teacher at the event sign the form.  The forms must then be turned into the choir mailbox for a grade.  Service hours include but are not limited to; setting up a concert, selling items or face painting at a football game, helping at the purse sale, running bake sale, staying after to help clean the music library or uniform closet, etc.  Additional choir service hours will receive extra credit and points towards lettering in choir.

 

Daily Grades are based on :

             ~short quizzes and classwork assignments

             ~daily participation grades

                        -Choir Service Hours

2.Homework (10%)- This category include all take home assignment.       

Show Choir- fitness cards will be graded under this category

Fitness Cards:  All Show Choir members will be required to participate in 100 minutes of outside class fitness physical activity a week (exercise).  Show Choir requires students to be in good physical condition for dance and singing. A fitness card must be filled out and turned into Mrs. R by the last school day of the month in the choir mailbox.  (Cards with no name will receive no credit.) The fitness can be achieved through exercise videos, swimming, hiking, or even walking, etc..   After school sport practices will count.  Students will receive up to 1point for each minute completed.  These cards will be on the honor code.   Students may participate in more activity if applicable, but are strongly advised not to go overboard (check with your doctor ).  All the student’s minutes will be added up for each month and the student with the most points at the end of the school year will be crowned the Show Choir Fitness Champ!!  Students who physically cannot participate in the fitness card due to illness etc.  will need a note from a parent or doctor to be excused from this activity.

 

3.  Written Test (20%)

   

Includes all material covered in class or projects assigned by the choral director

 This grade will include your performance portfolio. 

Portfolios- All artistic students will keep a continuous performance portfolio notebook to keep record of performances. 

 

   4. Performance Grade (50%)

Singing Test

 Sight reading  (1-3 grades each nine weeks) (taped or in class)

 Score Testing – announce and unannounced score testing will be administrated at least on two occasions during the 9 weeks

 Dance Tests- Show Choir – announced and unannounced testing will be administered at least  two times a month.

Required Rehearsals for Innovation Show Choir

            Show Choir members will have rehearsal every Wednesday (according to the provided calendar) from 3:30 till 4:45pm.  The rehearsals may go longer when they are closer to competition dates.  Communication or rehearsals will be posted on the EVHS choir blog and placed on the board in the choir room.  All Show Choir members are required to attend these rehearsals.  A grade will be given for each rehearsal.     

 Concert

    All members must be present at all public performances except in the case of personal sickness or other extenuating circumstances approved by the director or principal.   Students must fill out Reason for Absence form and turn it in to Mrs. R at least two weeks for a concert. 

 

When we perform we need to look our best. Outfits need to be pressed for performances.  Students will receive an outfit grade at every concert and competition. Students are to come to the concert dressed and ready at the meeting time. 

Every student will be responsible for a clean-up job and will be given a clean-up grade for each concert.

Any student who misses a concert must fill out Reason for Absence Form and complete the concert make up assignment within three weeks.  After three weeks the absence becomes unexcused and the student will receive a failing grade for the concert.

Full Choir After School Rehearsals- Those students that have conflicts with the after school rehearsals must notify the director as soon as possible (preferably two weeks in advance) with a Reason for Absence Form filled out.  If a student has a solo and has an unexcused absence from an after school rehearsal, that student may lose the solo.  Unexcused absences will result as a zero in the grade book.  Students who leave rehearsal early unexcused will have their grade lowered five points for every 10 minutes of rehearsal time missed.  

Concert Make- Up

Requirements:   Must have a written Excuse from a parent or a doctor with a completed Reason for Absence Form to Mrs. R two weeks prior to the event

Must have excuse and Reason for Absence form approved by Mrs. R

Assignment: Prepare to sing any part of each musical piece performed at the concert in front of the class. Mrs. R will choose the part of each song you will be required to sing.  Students will be required to sing your part alone. Students will be graded using the VMEA Honors choir adjudication sheet.  (Same sheet that will be used for Score Testing)

Assignments are due no later than three weeks after a concert or a predetermined date chosen by Mrs. R.  

Choir Competitions

All Choir members will be expected to participate in Choir competitions (Show Choir).  Students will receive a grade for participation in each competition. Any student who misses a competition must fill out Reason for Absence Form and complete the concert make up assignment within three weeks.  After three weeks the absence becomes unexcused and the student will receive a failing grade for the concert.

 

 

Graduation

All second semester choir students will be required to participate during graduation on May 31^st, 2012.  All Students will be required to wear their choir issued formal uniforms.

 

 

 

How Parents Can Help Make this a great Choral Year!!!

 1.       Show an interest in the music study of your child.

2.        Encourage your child to perform for others when the opportunity arises, whether at home, school, church, or the community.

 3.   Keep a record of the student's various music activities.

 4.  Notify the teacher if your child is to be absent or tardy at rehearsals or performances.

 5.   Teach your child to be punctual at rehearsals and performances.

 6.  See to it that your child keeps up with classroom studies and makes up missed work.

 7.   Discuss with the director anything that will help him to understand your child.

 8.  Attend concerts and other events involving your child.   Show your support !!!