WELLESLEY HIGH SCHOOL CHORAL DEPARTMENT GRADING POLICY
Concerts, Dress Rehearsals, and Sectionals 50%
· Attend all required concerts and dress rehearsals
· Participate in sectionals each quarter organized by the choral intensives.
QTR 1:
a. Vocal Range Check
b. Minimum of 3 sectionals
c. Acatober
d. District Preauditions
QTR 2:
a. Winter Concert Dress Rehearsals
b. Winter Concert
c. Minimum of 3 sectionals
d. Vocal Assessment
QTR 3:
a. POPS Dress Rehearsal
b. POPS Concert
c. Minimum of 3 sectionals
d. MICCA/SAENGERFEST/OTHER
QTR 4:
a. Select Ensemble Auditions
b. Minimum of 3 sectionals
c. Spring Concert Dress Rehearsals
d. Spring Concert
Class Participation 25%
· Students should participate in rehearsal on a daily basis as described under the policies and procedures.
· If a student is unable to sing due to health reasons, it is expected that the student is active in class, by looking at the music and taking notes on the lesson.
· If a student is unable to sing 3 out of seven class meetings, the student will be sent to the nurse for an evaluation.
· If a student is unable to sing in four lessons over a two week period, the student will be asked to provide a doctor’s note.
· Students are expected to bring their music and a pencil with them each class meeting and rehearsal. The music is our textbook and is necessary for effective choral rehearsals and group learning
ABSENCES
· As stated in the student handbook…
“Classroom learning cannot be duplicated and constitutes a valid and crucial part of the course work. Each student is expected to contribute to the daily activities of his/her class. When s/he is absent, the educational experience of all students in the class is diminished.”
This is especially applicable to Choral Ensemble participation.
Classes meeting 5 x’s per cycle will meet approximately 30 times in a quarter. 3 excused absences will be allowed per quarter. Each additional absence, excused or unexcused, may result in a lowered class participation grade. Note that in the school grading policy, 11 absences in a quarter, excused or unexcused, may result in a N for the quarter and reduced class credit.
Classes meeting 3 x’s per cycle will meet approximately 20 times in a quarter. 2 excused absences will be allowed per quarter. Each additional absence, excused or unexcused, may result in a lowered class participation grade. Note that in the school grading policy, 6 absences in a quarter, excused or unexcused, may result in a N for the quarter and reduced class credit.
Classes meeting 2 x’s per cycle will meet approximately 13 times in a quarter. 1 excused absence will be allowed per quarter. Each additional absence, excused or unexcused, may result in a lowered class participation grade. ANY absence in a 2 x’s per cycle course results in a 7-11 calendar day span, in which, the student has not been in the choral classroom and greatly diminishes the educational experience of themselves and others. Note that 4 absences in a quarter, excused or unexcused, may result in a N for the quarter and reduced class credit.
Also in the school handbook:
“In order to participate in an extracurricular activity sponsored by Wellesley High School, a student must be present for ALL assigned blocks during the school day, unless excused by the Assistant Principal for extraordinary circumstances. This includes, but is not limited to, drama and musical rehearsals or productions, athletic practices or competitions, and club and class activities.”
Lastly, as major performances approach, class participation becomes increasingly more detailed and important to the ensemble success. Therefore, more than two absences in the 7 school days prior to a major concert, may affect the students participation in the performance.
Written and Singing Assessments 25%
· Students should complete all assessments as assigned.
· These assessments may include, but are not limited to, part-checks, aural skill activities, performance reviews, listening assignments, written assignments, and singing tests.
Senior Projects and Choral Participation
Senior projects are a unique opportunity for independent study in an area of personal or career interest during the fourth quarter. The choral department is supportive of seniors taking advantage of this opportunity. However, senior projects require a teacher’s signature indicating that all class requirements for the year have been completed. The final requirement for the school year is our final concert, which takes place during the fourth quarter. Therefore, students are expected to stay in the choral classes until the concert has been completed. This leaves seniors with the option of doing a partial senior project allowing them to stay in the choral classes during the fourth quarter or participating in class until the final concert date at which time they will be excused for the remainder of the fourth quarter.
Students in Keynote Singers and Rice Street Singers must remain in the course until all performances and special projects are completed including CD projects, outside gigs, and graduation preparation. After the final concert, seniors are expected to attend rehearsals as needed in order to prepare the National Anthem, Choral Selection, and Senior Song for the graduation ceremony.
Seniors not taking advantage of the Senior Project are expected to remain in class until the end of the fourth quarter.