Grading
VOCAL MUSIC BENCHMARKS: 50%
(Cooperation and Participation in Rehearsal and Performance/Attendance)
You will receive up to 2 points for each day's rehearsal (10 points per week). Each time that you do not follow the rehearsal guidelines, you may loose 1 of your points for that day.
1. REHEARSAL TECHNIQUE- To maintain a top quality performance choir, each member must realize and use excellent rehearsal technique. We can only be as good as our weakest members. So - the success of the ensemble rests with you. If you've read and understand the choir policies then apply them faithfully to every rehearsal and you will be successful and you will result in full points being given. If you follow them faithfully, you'll have an "A."
2. ATTENDANCE- We are all part of a team. We need every member present at all times. A chain missing a link or two is no longer a chain, but links or metal that serve no purpose. They are weak. Choir is an elective that you have chosen. You have chosen to become part of this award winning program! So except in extreme cases, your grade will be affected if you have excessive absence of any kind, excused or unexcused in a marking period.
Because this is a participatory class, you are graded on your participation each day. If you are not present, you will receive no points for the day. You can't participate if you're not there. In the advanced choirs, you will be asked to leave the ensemble so that the other students will not have to struggle without the right voicing and balance.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: 20%
Performances are tests.
Cooperation and attendance are graded as tests. If you want receive 100 points (A) for each performance and dress rehearsal, these two things are required.
Being a good audience member while other groups are on stage is another way of actively participating. You can learn a lot from other performers, no matter what their age. That is why you are required to remain throughout the duration of the concert even if you have finished performing.
Our goals this year include self improvement as a musician as well as excellent public performance. Sharing our music is a privilege as well as a learning experience. Each choir member is expected to attend every public performance of the choir(s) in which s/he sings.
Lack of participation will not be tolerated and your grade may be lowered as much as two letter grades for a missed performance. Absences are NOT excused for any reason except. Contact Ms. Harman as soon as possible if you do have an Extreme Emergency. - Your presence is crucial. (An alternate assignment may be provided, due within two weeks of the concert date)
NOTE: Our policy regarding Choir & Sports:
A Sports Game takes precedence over a Choir Rehearsal and a Choir Performance takes precedence over a Sports Practice. If there is an occasional conflict, notify the director and coach early so that you will be in attendance at the concert. Early notification is essential in these cases. You have schedules way ahead of time. No surprises are necessary.
TECHNIQUE: 30%
(Sight-reading, Music Theory, Learning/Memorization Tests, Written Assignments)
1. SIGHTREADING: The ability to read music is crucial and a valuable tool for every musician. Reading allows you to be independent. Reading music allows the choirs to spend more time making music beautiful: Balancing, blending, diction, phrasing, dynamics and less on pounding out notes and learning parts to sing. Because we want music to be a part of your life always, it's important that you are not dependent on a piano player or a tape. You can read music so you'll be able to carry music into your adult life.
We use the "Moveable Do" sight reading system in our choirs. It is used most often in the Universities and colleges in the US. You will be tested and graded on your progress.
2. MUSIC THEORY: We will learn the theory behind the notes as it applies to a singer in a choir. You will need to know rhythms, note names, keys, key signatures, terms, symbols: the language of music the whole planet uses and you'll even learn to find your way around a piano keyboard, again, with your independence in mind. You too can run warm ups! Written and playing tests will be given to monitor and grade your progress.
3. CHORAL TECHNIQUE -We know that not every singers is a soloist, but we all can enjoy choir because it is a group experience. Therefore, each singer must be held accountable for knowing his/her part of the choir music. Each singer will be tested both individually and in small groups to see if you know your music. You will be graded individually in each of the following areas: Tone Quality, Diction, Note Accuracy, Intonation, Breath Control, Phrasing, correct Rhythms, Correct Words and Memorization.
4. MAKEUP OPTION: It is the student's responsibility to make an appointment for the make up on the day s/he returns to school. | 
