ASSESSMENT IN ORCHESTRA

Orchestra, like other elective courses, evaluates student learning in ways that are often different from non-elective courses.  However, our campus-based initiative utilizing standards-based grading and proficiency scales applies in orchestra as well!  Assignments in orchestra generally fall into four categories:  performance assessments, practice journal logs, concert participation and performance, and performance evaluations.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS

The evaluation of performance skills and technique is a critical component of education in orchestra.  As a primary grade in orchestra, students will be required to prepare for performance assessments.  The performance assessment process serves many purposes, including providing students an opportunity to develop a level of comfort performing as an individual.  Typically students are informed of a performance assessment a week in advance to allow ample at-home practice time to prepare.  Students are evaluated on musical elements as well as physical performance techniques and tone quality, as are deemed appropriate for the playing level of the student.  It is, therefore, important that students perceive the orchestra performance assessment much like a test or an exam.  Students may expect to perform for on average two to three performance assessments per performance quarter.

For beginners performance assessments will take place at school with the option of recording assessments at home in the second semester.  Students in Intermediate, Advanced, or Sinfonietta will record their performance assessment assignments using the CAMERA App on their Chromebook and submit to the director for grading by a specified due date through Google Classroom.  Instructions regarding this process will be provided in the first few weeks of school.  Students who do not have access to the necessary technology to accomplish this task will be afforded opportunities to access school technology before or after school.  Students needing to do so must arrange a time with the director PRIOR to the assignment due date.

A Google Classroom rubric is used to evaluate performance assessments.  Students have real-time access to these rubrics when graded.  Once graded students are able to see the rubric and any comments made by the director.  For each performance assessment, five grades will be given:

• TONE QUALITY

• TECHNIQUE (posture, left hand and right hand fundamentals)

• PITCH AND INTONATION

• RHYTHM AND TEMPO

• MUSICAL STYLE AND EXPRESSION

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT TIMELINE FOR RECORDED ASSESSMENTS

1. Assessment Announced (an effort will be made to provide a week if possible) - students may record and submit work anytime between the announcement of the assessment and its due date/time; time before and after school will be available for students who need to record at school

2. Assessment Submission by 8 pm on Due Date (typically the first day of the week)

• Assessments submitted AFTER the due date/time will only receive a maximum of 90 point for each category grade

• Assessments submitted AFTER the due date/time will be considered for chair placement IF submitted before the end of day (5pm) on the very next Wednesday

• If a performance assessment tie results between a student who submitted on time and a student who submitted late, the tie will go to the on time submission

3. WEDNESDAY -- Chairs assigned by the end of the day; WIN Assigned for Missing Assessments

• Students assigned to WIN will be placed at the back of their sections regardless of their performance assessment results

Exceptions will be provided on a case-by-case basis for assessments submitted late due to emergency and/or uncontrollable circumstances.

PRACTICE JOURNALS and PRACTICE PEDAGOGY

The practice journal is an assignment designed to facilitate the development of regular, planned, strategic, and effective at-home practice.  Students in Beginner and Intermediate Orchestras are assigned practice journal entries every Tuesday during class (or most immediate subsequent class day following a missed Tuesday); practice journal entries are also due the following Tuesday.  Students in Advanced and High School Orchestras are not assessed on their practice, but it is an expectation that students maintain a regular practice regimen of at least 3 days of practice weekly.  Additional performance assessments will be utilized to encourage at-home practice for students at these performance levels.

Each week, Beginner and Intermediate students are expected to design three SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals aimed to achieve specific performance outcomes.  Students are required to identify (and utilize) at least two specific strategies or practice tools that may be used to achieve each specific goal.  Additionally, students must demonstrate in their journal that they practiced a MINIMUM of three days each week.

CONCERT PARTICIPATION AND PERFORMANCE

Orchestra students are required to perform at all concerts and performances for their ensemble.  Please take note of all performance dates and times.  Rarely will these factors change, but if they do, every effort will be made to communicate the changes as early as possible to allow students and parents to plan accordingly.  Additionally, students are required to attend the full duration of concert performances.  The opportunity to see and hear more advanced groups perform allows younger players to learn through MODELING; similarly, watching younger players perform allows more advanced students the opportunity SUPPORT music education and REFLECT on their own personal development, having at one point performed at the same level as their younger peers.

Learning to perform a musical instrument has two primary purposes: 1) to develop performance skills, musicianship, and musical understanding; and 2) to share one’s musical skills, musicianship, and musical understanding.  The sharing of music is a collaborative effort with one’s ensemble peers and can only be truly accomplished through concert performances.

PERFORMANCE REFLECTION

Following a concert or other performance, students are often assigned a Concert Debrief in which they critically evaluate aspects of their performance and respond to their learning and future performance goals.

LATE WORK POLICY AND CORRECTIONS

Students are strongly encouraged to turn in their assignments on time.  Most assignments are assigned and evaluated in class with the exception of recorded performance assessments (non-Beginner groups) and, therefore, students should have no difficulty turning in their work.  10 points will be deducted from late Performance Assessments and Practice Logs.  Additionally, students arriving to concert performances later than the established performer's call will receive a 10 point deduction from their Concert Performance grade.  An opportunity to correct or retake most assessments will be provided.  If the assessment was turned in on time, students may earn up to full credit; late submissions may only receive up to a 90 (late penalty applied). An opportunity to make up a missed Concert Performance grade will only be made available for students with an excused and communicated absence (See Attendandance and Tardy Policy below for more information).  For performance assessment grades that fall below a 75, students will be strongly encouraged to seek tutoring.  Students may resubmit performance assessments if needed; however, if chair placement was determined by the specific assessment, while the assessment grade may improve, chair placement will not be changed until the next chaired assessment.

TUTORING

Tutoring is made available to all students, whether the tutoring is assigned by the director to improve a perceived area of weakness or if simply desired by the student or parents.  Tutoring is available before school and after school on select days of the week.

Students in need of tutoring may sign up for tutoring by choosing available times posted by Dr. Allen.  In general, between 7:45 and 8:00 am and after school (4:10-5:00) are available daily.  Students or parents may email Dr. Allen to request tutoring.  Please provide as advanced a notice as possible so that Dr. Allen's may form an efficient and appropriate schedule for the day.

Occasionally, tutoring will be assigned by the director to help students correct any concepts or techniques that are found lacking in a performance assessment.  Failure to attend assigned tutoring by the given deadline will result in being assigned to lunch detention.

ATTENDANCE AND TARDY POLICY

1. Orchestra is unlike most other classes in that if you are absent, it affects the WHOLE class.  In most other classes, your absence primarily affects only you, but your attendance in orchestra directly affects the ensemble’s ability to play music well, or for that matter to create any music at all.  Therefore:

1. Participation at ALL orchestra performances and rehearsals, both during and outside of school time, is MANDATORY.  This includes all school concerts and other performances as specified by the director for each orchestra.

2. Additionally, students are expected to remain in attendance for the full duration of the concert; this includes the performances of ensembles in which the student may not participate (e.g., beginners should stay and observe the high school orchestra’s performance; this gives students perspective on where their perseverance and continuation in the orchestra program may eventually lead).

2. Students may claim exemption from concert participation if the absence is excused.  Excused absences include the following:

1. Illness of the student

2. Death of a family member or close friend

3. Other situations will be considered on an individual basis by the director.

Note:  Students needing exemption from concert participation MUST have a parent/guardian contact the director as soon as possible.  A 24-hour notice is preferred.

3. In the event of a pre-existing conflict, a parent must notify the director via email well in advance (no later than one day prior to the orchestra event).  In an emergency situation, please call 806.219.2203.

4. The campus tardy policy will be strictly enforced in all orchestra classes.

Any unexcused absence at a school concert may result in a very low grade and consideration of leaving the performing group.  An opportunity to replace the concert performance grade will be afforded to students with an EXCUSED absence only.  The replacement assignment will be a report over a subject relating to orchestra and will be of an appropriate length, to be determined by the director.  Students with an UNEXCUSED absence from a school concert will not be afforded the same opportunity.

Revised 7/30/2025