Grading Policy

Achievement grades will be determined at least twice weekly on the basis of performance in class.  Class performance will include:

Conducting private conversations, passing notes, applying cosmetics, combing or brushing hair, or reading or perusing other materials will not be tolerated during rehearsals.  Such activities will prevent the student from fully participating in the class and will lower the daily grade.

The amount of written work and the number of concerts and performances for each choir will vary from one grading period to the next.  Written and vocal tests will be given throughout the semester as well as grades for sight-reading.  These will be averaged in the achievement grade at a percentage appropriate to their inclusion in any given quarter.

If you have an excused absence from class, you are required to do some kind of make-up work.  You must speak to the Director to set up the kind of make-up work you will do.  If you do not make up an excused absence, your daily grade will reflect the fact that you did not do the required work.  Only excused absences can be made up.  Make-up work should be done within one week of the absence.

Concert attendance is required.  Concert grades are weighted.  Unexcused absence from a performance will penalize the achievement grade for that grading period.  Since all concert dates are announced well in advance of performance, students are expected to adjust their schedules to include these events.

Circumstances do develop which would necessitate an excused absence.  In the case of a prearranged absence from a concert, a written request from the parent for an excused absence must be submitted to the Director no less than two weeks before a scheduled event.  In the case of emergencies, the parent should contact the Director for notification of absence.  This can be done by calling the Choral Music Department at 703.287.2822.  A written excuse from the parent must be submitted to the Director on the day the student returns to school after the emergency absence.

After an excused absence, the student is responsible for arranging a make-up performance time with the Director within one week of the concert and/or the students return to school, in order to receive a grade for the missed concert.  On outside concerts or field trips where singing the music for a grade may not be feasible, a written report on a composer or some aspect of music may be assigned.  The amount of time spent on the report should reflect the same amount of time that other students were involved in the event.  Reports should be written in standard MLA format and include a bibliography.  They should be emailed to the Director at mllambert@fcps.edu for verification on Turnitin.com. 

Dress Rehearsal attendance is required.  Dress Rehearsals before the Winter and Spring Concerts will be used to practice those songs that will be performed by the entire Choral Music Department.  It is important that all students are present in order to place all students on stage.  Students who are not present at all the Dress Rehearsals may not be able to perform on stage in the combined numbers.  Excused absence from a dress rehearsal may be made-up with some type of written report.  The time spent on make-up work should reflect the same number of hours that other students were involved in the dress rehearsal.