| Repertoire Orchestra Grading
Policy |
| Orchestra
grades will be based on quarterly individual performance evaluations,
daily class attendance and contribution to the rehearsal process,
and performance grade. |
| |
| Daily
rehearsal grade and folder checks (50%) |
| Students
are required to attend orchestra class four times per week unless
there is a schedule conflict. Rehearsals begin five minutes after
the second bell. Students not seated and prepared to play by that time will be
considered tardy. Students will be expected to actively participate
in the rehearsal process, following directions, making appropriate
musical markings and demonstrating the ability to improve playing
skills. Failure to attend class fully prepared with music and instrument
in good working order will result in a lowered daily grade. Most students
will receive a B for their daily grade. You must show extraordinary
effort to achieve an A. |
| |
| Quarterly
evaluations (25%) |
| LHSRO students'
performing skills will be evaluated each quarter in class. Students
will be asked to perform in small groups, excerpts from the performance
repertoire and scales. Students will be asked to demonstrate grade-level expectations. Since ability levels
vary, overall participation in class and effort shown to develop skills
will be factored into the performing grade. |
| |
| Ensemble
performance grade (25%) |
| In each quarter
that has a performance, students will be given a grade for the group's
overall performance. Concert attendance is mandatory.
Only extreme personal illness (with a note of explanation within 48 hours from a parent) or sudden family emergencies (i.e., death in the family) will be considered
legitimate excuses for failure to attend a concert. All absences must
be followed up by a parental note of explanation by the next
rehearsal. Without written explanation, at the director's discretion, your grade will be lowered
by one letter because of your absence and you will lose your member-in-good-standing status for the remainder of the school year. |
| |
| Member in Good Standing |
| All orchestra members have good-standing status by virtue of signing up for orchestra and meeting the basic competencies. Good-standing status means you may be eligible to audition for and participate in any competitions and festivals. If at any time during the school year, you lose your member-in-good-standing status, then you will no longer be eligible to participate in auditions or festivals (even if you have already been accepted to the festival). This is in accordance with the Northeast District policies governing audition and festival participation. |
| |
| Seating and Section leaders |
| Section leaders have been chosen based on audition. They may rotate by concert. The concert master seat may be changed by concert. If the conductor observes during the rehearsal process that the section leader is not playing responsibly, she will replace her/him. Section leaders will be expected to offer bowing and fingering suggestions and lead at least one sectional during the rehearsal process. Students may challenge ahead in the section anytime during the rehearsal process until two weeks before the concert. Information about challenges may be obtained from Mrs. Haas. |