Grading Policy

Students will be allowed five minutes each Friday to calculate and record his/her class average and attendance. In accordance with the school policy, orchestra students will be held to the Academic Integrity policy of Richland District II. Grades will be updated regularly, no later than Monday of the following week. Grading will be based on total points in the following categories.
  • Daily Performance and Rehearsal Etiquette Displayed (20 points per 3 weeks)
      20 = always     18 = Most Often         16 = Sometimes           14 = Seldom    12 = Rarely
♫       Students are expected to be in their seats, with all materials ready for class, two minutes after class starts. They are expected to bring materials to class everyday (instrument, pencil, rosin, music binder/method book, shoulder rest or rock stop.) Points will be deducted for missing materials and/or if students are not ready for class within two minutes of the bell.
♫       Assume correct performance posture and instrument position at all times. Wear appropriate clothing and be sure finger nails are appropriate length as specified in the orchestra handbook.
♫       Do not talk during tuning/rehearsal/concert and/or without permission. Do not play your instrument out of turn.
♫       NEVER touch another person’s instrument. DO NOT give permission to another student to sure your instrument. If you are caught using another person’s instrument, you will receive an immediate referral to the administration. 


  • Homework and Tests (24 pts.)
♫       Written and Playing tests and quizzes will be assigned throughout the year. At times you will be asked to perform as a soloist or part of an ensemble to demonstrate mastery of an assignment. You will be notified of these in advance. It is your responsibility to practice your orchestra music outside of class and have your part prepared for class. Students regularly receive playing assignments that they are to learn at home. You may be required to submit video recordings of yourself; uploaded from your device to your school provided YouTube account.
♫       Students are expected to practice at least 45 minutes per day, though more time may be necessary for students in upper level classes.  Students with a regular time and quiet place to practice every day tend to perform better on tests and receive higher grades.

  •  After School Rehearsals (25pts.) and Concerts (25pts.) There is no alternate assignment in replace of a rehearsal or concert grade.
 ♫       Attendance to all performances and after school rehearsals is required. Rehearsals and performances depend on 100% attendance to be effective. Students that are tardy or leave early without permission will have their rehearsal grade reduced 25%. (drop letter grade from an A to C)

MISSING ALL OR PART OF A REHEARSAL OR PERFORMANCE: There are two excused reasons for missing all or part of a rehearsal or performance:
  1. Death in the family or comparable family emergency
  2. Student illnesses verified by a school readmit slip
For an absence or tardy to be excused, parents must send written notification to the teacher describing the nature of the emergency or illness. Excuses written by students are not accepted. Prior commitments and schedule conflicts must be approved well in advance of the absence.

*REMEMBER*
Orchestra members must pass the fall semester in order to continue in the spring semester.

Orchestra members must achieve an overall yearly average of “C” in order to continue the following year.

Grade                     1st Semester Average                                                           Year Average
A                             Stay in current level or *promoted*                                               Stay in current level or *promoted*              
B                             Stay in current level                                                           Stay in current level
C                             Stay in current level                                                           Moved to lower level class (orch. 1 stays)
D                             Moved to lower level class                                                                Removed from Orchestra program
F                             Removed from Orchestra program                                   Removed from Orchestra Program