GRADING POLICY

Choir students: you are now in high school and soon will be adults. Take control of your grades and be responsible. Discuss any performance conflicts, grade issues, etc. with Mrs. McKenzie in a professional manner.

The grading scale for choir is as follows:

A – 90 – 100  Superior (outstanding choir student)

B – 80 – 89   Excellent (can improve in minor ways)

C – 70 – 79 Satisfactory (doing fine, making progress)

D – 60 – 69  Unsatisfactory (needs improvement)

F – 0 – 59  Failing (not meeting minimum class expectations)

Students will earn their grade in the following seven categories:

1. CLASS ATTENDANCE – 30%

Daily attendance in choir is extremely important. It’s hard to make up a missed rehearsal, because you can’t really re-create that process. Please come to school! You will receive 10 points for each day’s class attendance. Missing a lot of class WILL negatively impact your grade, and you will need to practice at home to make up days missed. THIS INCLUDES MEDICALLY EXCUSED ABSENCES – they still need to be made up!

If you miss a day - check google classroom for makeup work. This is where makeup work will be assigned and turned in. If you can't find it, please check in with me!

       2. REHEARSAL SKILLS – 20%

Points are earned by singing out strong, being ready to learn and work, being positive, open-minded, and working well with other choir members, and by showing a constant desire to create and experience great music.

3. CONCERT ATTENDANCE – 30%

Choir is a performance ensemble. Participation at all scheduled performances is MANDATORY. Our performances are just like tests in other classes. It is your responsibility to attend performances and work out conflicts in advance (see “Performances” section of this handbook).

PLEASE CONTACT MRS. M BEFORE MISSING A CONCERT. This is just common courtesy. We need to know you’ll be missing so we can plan around your absence. DON’T JUST NOT SHOW – call, text, let us know before the show. This is the worst thing you can do.

Pre-arranged/excused absence from a performance: You’ll be given a makeup assignment.

Unexcused absence: Loss of full 30%, and grounds for dismissal from class

Tardy to a performance: Loss of 5%. Be on time!

       4. WRITTEN WORK – 10%

Written work will be mostly in-class, and will center around music theory and sightreading. If you miss class, make sure you check google classroom about any missed written work – this is your responsibility.

5. VOICE TESTS – 5%

Students will be tested in small groups or individually at least four times per year. These tests will be on choir music, sightreading, and music skills. They do not weigh heavily in the grade, but are important for feedback.

      6. ENRICHMENT – 5%

Enrichment is like the homework required in other classes, but you choose what you want to do – something which is fun for you. It is not “extra credit” or “busy work.” You can only earn enrichment through time spent outside of choir class, doing something that improves your musical skills and knowledge. You will need to earn 10 points (1 point = 1 hour of work outside of class) per quarter. This equates to about one hour per week. We’ll discuss the specifics of enrichment in class.