grading

We use three academic competencies and a number of work skills competencies to grade our ensembles. Students will receive grades based on playing and written tests as well as daily participation and sectional work. Students also receive a grade for performances attended each quarter - i.e., football games, concerts, parades, etc. Honors and Enriched students have additional requirements (described below).

Students must have their music and equipment at each rehearsal, and in good working order, or it will negatively impact their grade. Likewise they should be present at all required rehearsals and performances. For any anticipated or actual absence from one of these events, students should fill out an ABSENCE FORM. Please note: Submitting a form does not guarantee that the absence will be excused, but failure to submit one guarantees it will NOT be excused. All absences are considered on a case-by-case basis, with very few reasons qualifying as "Excused." Unexcused absences will negatively impact a student's grade.

ACADEMIC COMPETENCIES

Each ensemble has the same basic Academic Competencies: LITERACY, TECHNICAL SKILLS, and LIFELONG LEARNING. To see the rubric that breaks down the Performance Indicators and how they are applied to a particular ensemble simply navigate to the following documents for the respective ensemble:

BAND

CHORUS

WORK SKILLS COMPETENCIES

These are standard rubrics applied across all courses offered at Spaulding and represent skills that employers value highly in their employees. Aside from meeting the criteria for the Academic Competencies, all students are assessed on, and expected to meet the standard for the following Work Skills Competencies as well:

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

basic EXPECTATIONS to earn credit

FOR BAND & CHORUS

STANDARD CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

In the end, it all boils down to P.R.I.D.E. - PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN DAILY EFFORT.
ALL students must:
- - Attend required rehearsals and performances. If a student anticipates missing, or actually misses, one of these events, an Absence Form MUST be submitted ASAP. Submitting an absence form does not guarantee an absence will be excused, but NOT submitting one guarantee and absence will NOT be excused. Though certain events may not be required for various reasons, it's always best practice to make every effort to attend anyway.
  - Be consistently prepared with all required materials: music (marked appropriately), instrument (if applicable), pencil, method books, and any other materials regularly expected of performers within a given ensemble. Just because something is not listed here does not excuse you from not having it if it has been previously announced as being expected of you.
  - Regardless of title, strive to be a leader by consistently modeling best practices in behavior, work ethic, and technique at ALL rehearsals and performances. Whether you realize it or not, or want it or not, someone is always looking to you as a role model. Make sure it's for the right reasons!
  - Engage in regular practice sessions OUTSIDE of rehearsal, and complete all work assigned.
  - Meet the deadlines that are set. Whether it's turning in a form, learning or memorizing a piece of music, submitting a project, or being to rehearsal on time meeting deadlines is a skill that you'll need for the rest of your life. Failure to meet deadlines in an ensemble environment ALWAYS affects others. Think beyond yourself and use all the tools at you disposal to organize and meet the deadlines in your life.
  - Be respectful of directors, instructors, and peers. By definition, an ensemble is a team. We need to always be working as a team, and in the best interests of the whole ensemble. "WE before ME" is a mantra that every good ensemble member should take to heart. In a math class, failure to complete an assignment negatively affects only you. In an ensemble it negatively affects your whole section and perhaps even the entire group!
  - Communicate regularly, honestly, and effectively. Take ownership of your words and actions. People make mistakes - we're human. It's how we take responsibility for those mistakes, and whether or not we attempt to make amends for them that define us.
  - Remember that it's all about attitude. Come to a rehearsal with a bad attitude and you're guaranteed to have a bad rehearsal, and you'll probably cause others around you to have one as well. Every experience is what YOU make of it - good or bad. Garbage in, garbage out. When you're having a bad day try to remember the old adage, "Fake it 'til you make it." Force yourself to put a smile on your face and before you know it that smile will be genuine and you'll be bringing positive energy to the experience rather than negative!

Enrollment for Enriched and Honors Credit requires adds ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS ...

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