Grades are an indicator of the quality of your performance.
Grades
All students who attend school deserve feedback on how they are performing so that they will know where they stand within the expectations of the class. Everything we do in this class will have a purpose with an end goal of making each student stronger as a musician and/or a person. It should be noted that by the nature of this being a performance based academic class that tests (or performances) have a high degree of visibility. Everything that the students will be asked to do will be things necessary for active, working musicians. The following are the types of tasks students will be asked to undertake and complete in order to provide the necessary proof that learning is occurring.
Performances (Summative): A performance could be a concert or a recital in or out of class and serve the purpose of giving students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of a particular technique or overall musical skill(s). This grade will be determined by performance skill and evidence of improvement on ensemble literature and assignments (etudes, scales, supplementary material). There will be one or two scheduled playing tests per quarter. When the Performance Assessment IS the concert, students will also be graded on proper concert attire and professionalism. These will be known well in advance so students may prepare and each student should prepare them well as possible as the ultimate expectation is that all aspects of the technique, or piece, be performed as close to perfectly as is possible.
Mini Performances: These are usually videotaped and submitted through Google Classroom and may be whole class or given to a specific student. The purpose of a mini performance is to get an idea of where a student is on their path toward mastery of a particular skill. Mastery is not expected at this level, but each student should demonstrate their best at the graded skill so that a plan may be made to further their studies toward mastery.
Homework and Rehearsal work: All students will be expected and required to develop skills outside of the block. In this respect, Orchestra is no different than any other class at West. All classes will teach the important skills needed during a class meeting time, then the students will be expected to complete tasks as home on their own. Home practice demonstrates personal initiative and dedication & class work (rehearsal) demonstrates the students ability to function as a productive member of a group. Usually completed either in class, at home, or via Google Classroom they serve the purpose of assisting the student in learning a new or developing musical concept or skill.
One of the following “grades” will be given to each student. Below is a chart describing the grade and more importantly what it means about their performance.
90%-100% = Student is highly proficient on this subject.
80%-89% = Student is proficient on this subject. Students may show higher and lower levels of mastery, but any student in this category shows competency.
70%-79% = Students are approaching proficiency but have not achieved those skills yet.
60%-69% = Students are below proficient and require more practice to bring up their grade.
0%-59% = Student has either not submitted performance for assessment or has performed in a way that is far below where it should be. Students in this category will have to work with the teacher to bring up their grades.
Any Performance, Playing Challenge, or other tasks will be sorted into the following weighted categories.
Rehearsal performance 25%: How well the student works as a team player in the orchestra body at large. Are they punctual, participating, and performing with quality? Do they consistently follow rehearsal expectations? (on time, no phones or other distracting behavior during the rehearsal, know their part and work toward greatness). A student's grade in this area is based on their ability to perform their role during rehearsal professionally. These grades are assigned weekly.
Online work 25%: As mentioned before, all students are expected to practice and develop skills on their own as well as in the group. Each week, there will be at least one task to complete on their own. This will always be turned in via Google Classroom. Compiled together, this constitutes proof of engagement outside of the class. Most will require more than one day of work to complete.
Performance Mastery 40%: How well a student performs on their instrument (technique, musicality, concerts, etc.).
Summative assessments are 30%
Formative assessments are given more frequently and are 10%.
Performances 10%: Performances should be their own reward. A celebration of the hard work that they've been putting in for months. Because they worked hard to get here, they deserve points for their work. All students who participate and perform their best will be given credit for their performances.
Students who turn in work late will be subject to a 10% penalty. Late work is not expected in classes at Millard West. As per school policy, all students will have 24 hours to make up late work.
Plagiarism is the willful copying of someone's work. Students caught plagiarizing will may be given a second chance to submit their work but for a 10% reduction in value as per departmental regulations. Students will also be subject to Millard West procedures regarding academic dishonesty according to the student handbook.