Chorale, Core, Show, Honors Choir Grading Policies

Vocal Music Department Grading Policies:

1. All exams are oral and a capella.  Students will be graded on accuracy of pitch, rhythm, pronunciation, breathing and tone quality. Songs on which you are tested will be chosen at random, and dates when they are due will be announced at least two weeks prior to the due date.   Failure to turn recording in on time will result in the loss of one letter grade per day.  Students who do not turn in a recording by the final day of testing will receive no credit.  Students will receive a feedback sheet with their grade and comments.  Students who earn less than a B and who wish to retest to improve their grade may do so.  Retests are due one week after receipt of the grade sheet.  Retest grades will be added to the original grade and averaged.  Orals are worth 40% of each marking period's grade.  You cannot pass choir if you do not turn in a tape.  Failure to turn in two exams will result in non retention the following semester.
2. Daily grades are worth 20%  and are determined by participation and effort.  No points are awarded for an unverified absence.  Infractions of rules will result in point deductions.  Daily work is 20% of your overall grade.
3. Participation in concerts is mandatory, and accounts for 40% of your overall grade.  Working or not having transportation is not an excuse.  Concerts are part of the curriculum, and as such, take precedence over extracurricular activities.  Students who do not participate in a performance will forfeit their grade.  Students must be properly attired to perform.  (See below for required dress.) Students who have unexcused absences from two concerts, or who miss more than two concerts will not be retained.  Few exceptions are made for participation, and each is decided on a case by case basis.  Any accepted excuses must be provided in writing at least one month prior to (planned absences) or one week following (emergency absences only )the concert.  Grades are awarded based on overall sound and performance, which includes, but is not limited to, pronunciation, breathing, tone quality, decorum while not onstage, and attention to the director.  As the concert performance is a team effort, generally, each ensemble receives a single grade, i.e., each member of an ensemble receives the same grade.  However, if a choir member's individual performance is so flagrantly detrimental it negatively affects the concert, their grade alone will be adjusted.  Show Choirs are also graded on choreography and stage presence.  Infraction of concert rules will result in point deductions.