Chorus Grading Information

Daily participation – Your grade in chorus is an earned one. It will be based upon the contribution you make to the success of the ensemble. Just like a sports team, your grade is based on what kind of a team player you are. This is a performance-based class, so please remember that much of your grade will be based on your attitude, your behavior, your effort, your attendance at concerts and rehearsals, including activity period and after school, and how hard you are willing to work for the excellence of our organization. The best choirs are people working together in a cooperative, positive way. I accept nothing less.

Your daily participation grade is based on the following criteria:

The student is on time and mentally prepared for each rehearsal.
The student is an active, focused participant in chorus rehearsals.
The student displays enthusiasm and a positive attitude in rehearsals.
The student gives a valiant effort at all times, regardless of whether they can match pitch or not.
The student is quiet and considerate while other sections of the chorus are rehearsing.

Daily performance – This has more to do with your execution of musical and non-musical concepts in class. Things like using appropriate singing technique (posture, breathing, diction, phrasing, etc); singing when it is time to sing; being attentive to the written music, being respectful to the materials distributed and being a part of class discussion.

Your daily performance grade is based on the following criteria:

The student applies his/her musical knowledge to the music being learned, and takes an active role in increasing that knowledge
The student uses appropriate posture, breathing, diction, and phrasing as learned in class.
The student is attentive to the written music and attempts to follow their part accurately.
The student is respectful of the distributed materials including sight-singing books and octavos.
The student follows directions, takes part in class discussion and responds constructively to feedback from the director.

Written exams – three written exams will be given throughout the year. Exam material will include subject matter discussed in class. Study guides will be given to all students one class before the test.

Constructive Criticism worksheets – all students will watch the winter and spring concerts on video and critique themselves and the other choruses. Each student’s grade is based on how well the student has followed the assessment guidelines.

iPad Unit – students will all take part in a 6-week iPad unit that will take place in the 3rd quarter. Each student’s grade will be based on how well the unit objectives have been met.

Keyboard/Guitar Unit - 6th Graders will follow the iPad unit with some keyboard training, while 7th Graders will follow the iPad unit with some guitar training. There are written and performance grades. 8th Graders will be composing their own original songs.

Rehearsal attendance – Activity rehearsals are very important to the overall progress of the chorus. The chorus is a team and cannot perform effectively with members missing. It is a Hempfield curriculum requirement that the entire ensemble meet once per six-day cycle, and since all chorus groups only meet once per cycle, students should try to attend all activity rehearsals. Other academic and athletic commitments may occasionally conflict, but avoidance of absences should be attempted at all costs.

There are only 7 or 8 rehearsals each grading period. Each student earns 5 points for every rehearsal attended. A student is permitted to miss one rehearsal each grading period without any adverse effect to his or her grade. Beyond that, a 5-point grade deduction per every 35-minute rehearsal will take effect. Conversely, students will earn 3 extra credit points every grading period for perfect attendance. Here are some examples based on 8 rehearsals:

- Student 1 attended 5 out of 8 rehearsals. 5 x 5 = 25. Student 1 will receive 25/35 points for attendance in that grading period.

- Student 2 attended 7 out of 8 rehearsals. 7 x 5 = 35. Student 2 will receive 35/35 points for attendance in that grading period.

- Student 3 attended 8 out of 8 rehearsals. Student 3 earned 3 extra-credit points for perfect attendance. Student 3 will receive 38/35 points for attendance.

Concert attendance – all work that we do in class all year culminates in two evening concerts, one in December and one in May. Because of the importance of the concert, it is worth 100 points of the student’s grade.

* Please Note

Homework, sports activities, dress rehearsals for other shows, and last-moment obligations are not considered valid reasons for being absent from a concert. The concert is considered a major exam.
Students who are in school on the day of the concert and on the day following the concert will not be granted an excused absence for illness without a doctor’s note.
Any anticipated concert absence due to travel, etc., must be cleared with Mr. Lauritzen, in writing, two weeks prior to the concert. Travel plans must be consistent with school policy.
Parents of students who anticipate transportation issues affecting their child’s participation in an upcoming concert should contact Mr. Lauritzen at least two weeks prior to the concert. The school will make every effort to help facilitate your child's participation in each scheduled concert event.
An excused absence from a concert (including a note from a parent, doctor, etc.) will give a student 75 points towards the 100 point concert fulfillment. Why only 75? The students who make it out to an evening concert put in a lot of extra effort by finding a ride to school and back, dressing up formally, and going on stage and singing their hearts out. I simply ask the students who missed the concert to put in some extra effort too if they want the 100 points. Most seem to be content with the 75 points, but if the student so desires, he/she may see Mr. Lauritzen to make up the 25 additional points.
An unexcused absence is like a ZERO on an exam. It is very difficult for students to make up 100 points in extra credit.