Orchestra Grading Policies for a 6-week Period
Rehearsal Procedures 20%
This portion of the grade is the bulk of the “activity” for an activity class such as orchestra. All students begin the marking period with a 100% grade in this category. Points are subtracted each day when these class procedures are not followed: Consistent poor playing posture:-5, No pencil: -5, No binder: -10, Nails untrimmed: -20, No instrument: -20.
Binders 10%
Orchestra Students are expected to maintain their binder. Every six weeks, your orchestra binder may be collected and graded on the following criteria:
10% the practice card is up to date and resting in front of all the tabs.
40% Working music only. warm-ups, soli, and concert music are sorted behind each divider tab.
Non- current orchestra music, or work from another subject will not be in the binder:
15% front cover of the binder must say clearly, “Thompson Orchestra” and has a design reflecting our team’s spirit. Nothing Else!
5% back cover only has pictures, drawings, notes of personal significance.
30% binder and dividers are unmarked and show no unnecessary wear. Marked, damaged, or missing binders must be replaced for $3.
Playing Tests 30%
Chair Tests played for the teacher are graded individually, anonymously, and in random order. If memorization is required it will be announced when the test is assigned. If a student is absent from a playing test for any reason, his / her test grade will be incomplete until it is made up before / after school within a one-week time limit. Chair test scores may not be challenged or disputed but can be re-tested. Chairs are only determined on concert music – other Playing Tests such as scales, warmups, region or solo music do not affect chairs. Students earning a test grade below 50 are required to attend tutorials and retest within one week of the due date.
Six Week Exam: 25%
Performances are the outcome and evaluation of the student’s efforts. Concert attendance is of the highest priority. Students receive a 100% grade as their six week’s test for being prepared and on time for each performance. UIL clinics also qualify as six weeks exams. Read “Making Up Missed…” if you miss a performance or clinic.
Section Rehearsal Attendance 15%
Sectionals occur during the year for region auditions, UIL, and for solos once a week either from 7:00 to 7:45 a.m. or 3:35 to 4:20 p.m. A 100% grade is earned for being prepared and on time for every sectional of the six weeks: 5% of the total grade is subtracted every ten minutes the student is tardy, totaling to -25 for a completely missed sectional.
Extra Credit
--You and your parent may sign the program to any musical performance you have attended to add 2% to your total orchestra grade.
--Wearing the orchestra shirt on spirit Fridays will add 1% to your six week average.
--Orchestra officers receive 5% for each 6-week term.
Making Up Missed Concerts, Sectionals, or Special Rehearsals
Dates for orchestra events outside of the school day except section rehearsals are carefully scheduled to be free of school conflicts and are given to the families in August. Students who for any reason miss a concert, sectional, or special rehearsal receive a 0 for that portion of their grade until the student brings a signed note or email from the parent explaining the absence, then comes to practice in the orchestra room outside of the school day for the missed number of minutes.
100% of the missed points will be recovered if the absence was for a section rehearsal or if due to major illness, immediate family emergency, or conflict with another school function of higher priority to be determined by orchestra director and principal.
70% of the missed points will be recovered if absent for any other reason. For example: a non-school organization’s athletic, dance, lesson/tutoring, church event, work, non-emergency doctor’s appointment, family function, divorced / separated parent custody, no transportation arranged, forgot, overslept, didn’t feel like going.
Your director will be more disposed to finding a solution if PARENTS CALL, EMAIL, or WRITE ABOUT THE CONFLICT IN ADVANCE.
Charmber Orchestra Eligibility
Chamber orchestra is a varsity UIL ensemble with a selective membership. In order to maintain its high standards, at each 3-week grade check Chamber Orchestra students must maintain a passing grade in every one of the six graded categories. Failing grades in other classes do not affect membership in Honors Orchestra but may affect contest eligibility.
Present Symphonic Orchestra (JV) members are eligible to join the Chamber orchestra if they maintain 80% or above in each grade category by the year’s end. Members who attend sectionals and the audition for region are very likely to be moved up at semester’s end.