Grading
“30 years from now, it won’t matter what grades you got.
What will matter is what you learned and how you used it.”
I hope that I have made it clear that my goal for HMS chorus students is to create lifelong lovers of music. My hope is that these grading procedures reflect this goal. Unfortunately, this is a tough thing to place a letter grade on. The grade you receive in this class will reflect your progress as a musician.
Each student will receive a grade each marking period (four quarters).
The grading scale…
A = 93-100
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 64-66
F = 63 or below
The student’s grade is based on 100%, divided into different areas of importance. You start with 100% and work to maintain it. This breaks down as…
50% - Rehearsal skills
25% - Musicianship
25% - Performance Participation
Rehearsal Skills…
Rehearsal skills will be demonstrated by a student putting forth his/her best effort and attitude in daily rehearsals, as well as taking responsibility for rehearsal materials. This area is weighted with much importance because it reflects your citizenship and commitment to music and your ensemble.
We will spend much of the beginning of the year focusing on what is expected of you during rehearsal. Throughout this time, you will create your own set of rehearsal expectations. Keep these in your folder. This way, YOU take responsibility for understanding what is expected of you in class. Mr. Case will be very clear as to what things need to be added to this list so that your list does not become mysteriously and unfortunately incomplete.
As the year goes on, Mr. Case will assess your demonstration of these skills. You will also frequently be asked to submit guided, written assessments of yourself, so that YOU are aware of your rehearsal behavior, and we can make sure we’re on the same page with your rehearsal skills.
As suggested in rehearsal expectations, the folder will be a very important part of your grade. You will be given a choir number. This is your folder number. This is also the number that will be on every piece of music that will be loaned to you. You already know that you will be keeping a list of rehearsal expectations in your folder, here are the rest of your folder requirements:
- A sharpened pencil (This lives IN your folder. Not to just be brought everyday)
- At least 10 pieces of blank loose leaf paper at all times
- All music that is currently ON LOAN to you. If it has your number, it’s your responsibility
- Any other handouts or assignments Mr. Case tells you belong in there!
Musicianship…
Musicianship will be anything and everything that assesses your singing, listening, music reading or vocabulary skills. This area reflects your individual commitment to music. Here are the different ways that musicianship may be assessed…
- In-class performance checks. This is to make sure that all students are learning the music that we will study and perform. Since middle school is stressful enough, this will never be a surprise. Mr. Case will always announce these checks ahead of time. These should not be viewed as a grade punishment, but an opportunity to show what you have learned.
- In-class sight-singing checks. Same rules apply. These will always be announced ahead of time.
- Written music theory quizzes. To test the definable aspects of music that will be taught in class.
- Written performance summaries/critiques. To apply those definable aspects and put the vocabulary in context. This is critical for lifelong musicianship.
Performance Participation…
Performance is the ultimate goal of all choirs and its members. It is the true test of our rehearsal skills and musicianship, so it reflects your commitment to ensemble, as well as your individual musicianship. For this reason…
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED at every performance.
Students are also required to…
STAY FOR THE ENTIRE PERFORMANCE
Please see the Choir Calendar (click here) now for the dates and times of all performances and mark them on your own calendar if you have not yet. I’ll wait here for ya…
Performance Attendance Policy
Any absence, tardiness, or early dismissal from any performance must be submitted in advance for approval. They are otherwise unexcused. Here are examples of excused which are considered unexcused…
- “I forgot!”
- “I had to babysit!”
- “I had a soccer/football/basketball/polo/etc. game!”
- “I didn’t have a ride!”
- “Something came up!”
According to Fairfax County Regulations, excused absences include:
- Student illness on day of concert
- Death in the family
- Doctor appointments
- Suspension
- Religious holidays
- Prearranged absences from school
A written excuse from the parent or guardian must be received by Mr. Case TWO WEEKS BEFORE the concert date for doctor appointments, religious holidays and prearranged absences.
For all other excused absences, please give Mr. Case as much notice as possible. This means a note, voice mail, or e-mail from the parent of guardian the day of the concert, the day after the concert, or the day the student returns to school.
Phone: 703-904-4866 | E-mail: bgcase@fcps.edu
Concert Review
In the case of an excused absence, a Concert Review will be assigned to make up for the performance absence, and the grade received will take the place of the performance grade for that activity. This review will be due by the end of the present grading period. “Pop” & “Rock” concerts do not fulfill this requirement, and review of recording will not be accepted.
When working on a concert review, follow these guidelines:
- Must be TWO PAGES, TYPED, SINGLE SPACE.
- Include the following information about the concert: Who, when, where, what (music they played), and if you did or did not enjoy the concert and why you did or did not enjoy the concert. Did the performers adhere to the musicianship skills you have developed in our own rehearsals? How was the musical performance?
- Research at least one of the composers of one the concert pieces. Write four to five paragraphs about their life, their music education, and what kind of music they wrote. *Use more than one source (two different websites are fine), write the information using your own words, and list your sources on a separate page at the end of the paper.
- Attach the concert program and have parent/guardian sign and date it.
Performances are so important because they are the equivalent of a unit exam or test in other subject areas, but because it is an ensemble activity, it is difficult to be alternatively assessed. If it is at all avoidable, do not put yourself in the position to have to complete a concert review.
