Grading and Attendance Policies
This section lays out expectations for grading and attendance. It is the overriding philosophy of this department that if a student attends rehearsal and performances, acts professionally and does their job musically or otherwise, they should receive an “A” grade. The grading policy is discussed later in this section. First, of primary concern is attendance.
A musical organization can be compared to a delicate interrelated ecosystem: when a part is not present, the whole decays. Excellent attendance is critical to the success of our organization. It is Grossmont Union High School District policy that all students enrolled in performance classes (as all instrumental music department students are), must be required to attend all rehearsals and performances. These out of class rehearsals and performances are considered curricular (versus extra-curricular) and therefore taken into consideration for grading. Please refer to the grading tables later for specific deductions.
Band, Percussion, & Guard Grading:
A musical organization can be compared to a delicate interrelated ecosystem: when a part is not present, the whole decays. Excellent attendance is critical to the success of our organization. It is Grossmont Union High School District policy that all students enrolled in performance classes (as all instrumental music department students are), must be required to attend all rehearsals and performances. These out of class rehearsals and performances are considered curricular (versus extra-curricular) and therefore taken into consideration for grading. Please refer to the grading tables later for specific deductions.
Band, Percussion, & Guard Grading:
Grades are distributed as follows all year long: |
|
Classwork/Attendance |
50% |
Music/Performance Improvement |
50% |
1. Attendance Grading:
Generally speaking, attendance grades are figured by the following matrix. All grades are figured accumulatively within each semester. During school convention performances are not counted for grading. Having correct equipment, instruments and accessories, sheet music, and attire all is factored into the attendance grade. A student may not receive credit or full credit (at a director’s discretion) for attending if they do not have all required items or concert dress (black socks!). This is part of the professionalism that is expected of all students in this department. The following describes the deductions made for absences:
Generally speaking, attendance grades are figured by the following matrix. All grades are figured accumulatively within each semester. During school convention performances are not counted for grading. Having correct equipment, instruments and accessories, sheet music, and attire all is factored into the attendance grade. A student may not receive credit or full credit (at a director’s discretion) for attending if they do not have all required items or concert dress (black socks!). This is part of the professionalism that is expected of all students in this department. The following describes the deductions made for absences:
Occurrence |
Consequence |
One unexcused missed performance |
“F” attendance grade |
Two unexcused missed performance |
“F” grade in the class |
For every unexcused missed Tues. night rehearsals |
Drop Citizenship grades, and receive 0 in gradebook |
For every unexcused missed marching Rehearsal or sectional |
Drop attendance grade one letter grade (“A” to “B” etc.) |
For every tardy |
Drop rehearsal/ performance grade 10 points |
Point System:
Rehearsals (Tuesday & Friday) |
100 points |
Rehearsals (Saturday) |
200 points |
Performances (Saturday) |
200 points |
Performances (Friday) |
200 points |
2. Music grading:
50%of the final grade, based on the following point system.
50%of the final grade, based on the following point system.
Weekly playing/memorization tests |
20 points |
Rhythm Tests |
30-100 points |
Final performances |
100 points |
Scale tests |
100 points |
Theory tests |
points based off of year |
Scale and Theory Tests
For each year in band, there are scale and theory requirements. A student that completes all the scale requirements for their year will receive the total 100 points. A student that completes less than all requirements will receive partial points. Students are allowed to take the theory exams as much as possible until they pass. Students can start taking their scale tests at the start of the year. Testing ends the day before the last day of the semester.
Scales:
For each year in band there are scale requirements (listed below). A student that completes all the scale requirements for their year will receive an “A” grade for scales. A student that completes less than all scaled required but more than half shall receive a “C” grade for scales. A student that completes less than half Shall fail the music portion of their grade. This is part of the standards established for Steele Canyon High School.
For each year in band, there are scale and theory requirements. A student that completes all the scale requirements for their year will receive the total 100 points. A student that completes less than all requirements will receive partial points. Students are allowed to take the theory exams as much as possible until they pass. Students can start taking their scale tests at the start of the year. Testing ends the day before the last day of the semester.
Scales:
For each year in band there are scale requirements (listed below). A student that completes all the scale requirements for their year will receive an “A” grade for scales. A student that completes less than all scaled required but more than half shall receive a “C” grade for scales. A student that completes less than half Shall fail the music portion of their grade. This is part of the standards established for Steele Canyon High School.
First year, 1st term |
6 major scale exercises, all at quarter note = 80 bpm |
First year, 2nd term |
12 major scales exercises, all at quarter note = 80 bpm |
Second year |
12 natural minor scales exercises, 12 major scales and arpeggios, all at quarter note = 80 bpm |
Third year |
Twelve harmonic minor scales, all natural minor scales and arpeggios, all major scales and arpeggios, all at quarter note = 80 bpm |
Fourth year |
Twelve melodic minor scales. All above requirements passed off of the student shall fail the course |
Theory Tests |
For each year in band there is a theory test requirement. A student is allowed to take it anytime they wish and retake it as many times they need to in order to pass the test. There will be set days where the entire class will take a theory test together. A passing grade is considered an A for the test. Check the website for study guides for the test |
How to excuse absences:
Absences to rehearsals, sectionals, and performances must be excused using the following procedure, or deductions will be made from a student’s grade.
The following events qualify an absence as excused:
In an absence qualifies, fill out a Green Form (available outside Ms. Luck’s office) that is signed by a parent and turn is in within two days of the student’s return. Often the director will require a note from a doctor or other source of an absence in addition to the green form. If the absence is planned, the Green Form must be filled out before the absence occurs. Also, students should call Ms. Luck to notify her of an unexpected absence before it occurs, or the absence may not be excused.
Parents, I appreciate you help in teaching responsibility to your students.
Please fill out a Green Form for a music department absence even if a student is absent at school on the same day. Tardies must be excused with Green Forms as well. The same reasons listed above qualify tardies as excused.
Other Attendance/Performance Issues:
Because all musical groups rely heavily on having all of its members present for rehearsal and then performance, the following is the policy established for rehearsal absence and performance exclusion. Just like any athletic team, failure to attend practices by a member will result in the exclusion of that member from performance. It is noted that performance exclusion may and often does result from excused absences. Sick or not, a member who doesn’t show for a rehearsal, hurts the group in performance.
In general, if a student is absent two or more block periods the day of a performance, or if the student is absent two or more block periods on the Friday before a Saturday performance, the student will be excluded from performance. Assuming the absence from school is excused, the performance will automatically be excused as well.
Unless a student is excused, (by a Green Form) a student who is excluded from performance still must attend the performance or the students’ grade will be dropped accordingly.
Absences to rehearsals, sectionals, and performances must be excused using the following procedure, or deductions will be made from a student’s grade.
The following events qualify an absence as excused:
- Illness severe enough to preclude the student from playing (or marching)
- Death in the immediate family
- Family emergency (information regarding this emergency may be required by the director)
- Appointments that cannot be rescheduled (Parents: do not make appointments during rehearsals or performances; a grade deduction may be made)
- Court appearance
- Other school commitment that is deemed necessary by the director or other Steele Canyon teacher.
In an absence qualifies, fill out a Green Form (available outside Ms. Luck’s office) that is signed by a parent and turn is in within two days of the student’s return. Often the director will require a note from a doctor or other source of an absence in addition to the green form. If the absence is planned, the Green Form must be filled out before the absence occurs. Also, students should call Ms. Luck to notify her of an unexpected absence before it occurs, or the absence may not be excused.
Parents, I appreciate you help in teaching responsibility to your students.
Please fill out a Green Form for a music department absence even if a student is absent at school on the same day. Tardies must be excused with Green Forms as well. The same reasons listed above qualify tardies as excused.
Other Attendance/Performance Issues:
Because all musical groups rely heavily on having all of its members present for rehearsal and then performance, the following is the policy established for rehearsal absence and performance exclusion. Just like any athletic team, failure to attend practices by a member will result in the exclusion of that member from performance. It is noted that performance exclusion may and often does result from excused absences. Sick or not, a member who doesn’t show for a rehearsal, hurts the group in performance.
In general, if a student is absent two or more block periods the day of a performance, or if the student is absent two or more block periods on the Friday before a Saturday performance, the student will be excluded from performance. Assuming the absence from school is excused, the performance will automatically be excused as well.
Unless a student is excused, (by a Green Form) a student who is excluded from performance still must attend the performance or the students’ grade will be dropped accordingly.