As Orchestra is an academic course, grades are carefully computed based on the following criteria:

  Attendance - 25%

How well a student performs ensemble music is directly related to that students attendance in class.  Orchestra is a team subject and requires all memebers of the team to be present in order for the team to be successful.  If a student is in school, that students is expected to be in class.  Students must obtain permission from the director in order to be excused from class for any reason other than students illness.  In the case of section classes, students are excused from sectionals for test or exams being given in their related arts courses.  Students with more than three unexcused absences in any given semester may be asked to not perform in the concert.  Students with more than five unexcused absences may be removed from the program.

  Practice Log - 25%

Just like every other class in school, Orchestra has homework. It is practice. A letter grade will be given based on the amount of concentrated practice completed each week. Practicing will be recorded on Practice Records, verified and signed off by a parent, and collected during sectionals each week. Some weeks will use a Practice Journal assignment, not based on time, but on effective goal-setting and practice techniques and the ability to describe them in writing. For most weeks, though, grades will be based on:

• 150 or more min./week = "A"
• 120-149 min./week = "B"
• 90-119 min./week = "C"
• 60-89 min./week = "D"

  Preparedness/Participation - 25%

Students receive a 100% in Preparedness at the beginning of each quarter. Points are then deducted whenever a student comes unprepared to a Orchestra performance, rehearsal or class. Examples would include, but are not limited to, forgetting one's instrument, not having a good reed, misplacing or forgetting one's music, not having a pencil in class, and not attending class.

  Playing Tests -- "Performance Quizzes" - 25%

Students will graded on a performance of assigned material at least once per semester. Letter grades will be given based on the following criteria:

A - The best conceivable performance of the material. Careful attention was given to the unique style of the piece, well constructed musical phrasing, steady tempo, accuracy of tone, pitch, dynamics, and articulation, and good intonation.

B - A good performance of the assigned material. All rhythms and notes were correct, but the performance was found lacking on additional musical devices as described above.

C - A fair performance of the material, with occasional mistakes in time, notes, and/or rhythm. Student may have had to stop and restart once.

D - A poor performance of the material, with frequent errors in time, notes, and/or rhythm. Students may have stopped two to several times during the performance.

E - Unacceptable performance. The student exhibited little evidence of effort or preparation. Must be brought up to a level consistent with the rest of the ensemble.