Grading Policy
Orchestra at Carl Sandburg is a performance-based class. However, throughout the
course we will be studying music theory. This class does have homework; it’s called
practice! Practice may be solely instrumental and at times it may involve small written
assignments.
Preparation in orchestra requires practice and students are expected to practice a 110 -
180 minutes each week. Practice records will be signed twice a quarter. Parents should
encourage and make time for your son/daughter to practice.
Students will be given playing tests in order to evaluate their individual/sectional
performance. Students may receive written assignments covering different aspects of
music theory and history.
PRACTICE CARDS 20%
Students will receive a practice card at the beginning and middle of each quarter. Students
will have one grace day to turn in practice cards. After the ‘grace’ day cards will not be
accepted unless a student is absent from school. Practice cards must be signed and dated
by a parent/guardian or I will not accept it.
180 min = A+ 80 min = C
150 min = A 70 min = D+
120 min = A- 60 min = D
110 min = B+ 50 min = F
100 min = B 0 min = 0
90 min = C+
CLASS PARTICIPATION/PREPARATION 20%
Students will receive a weekly grade of 10 points made up of class preparation, daily
participation and conduct. This includes having instrument, pencils, paperwork, being
musically prepared, and staying on task. Points will be deducted for the following
misconduct:
- talking / disruptive behavior
- not having instrument
- not having a pencil or your notebook
- disrespecting peers, instruments, classroom or teacher
- missing after-school rehearsals
PLAYING/WRITTEN TESTS/SECTIONALS 20%
Students will have several playing tests throughout the year. Students may have small
daily, weekly, or larger quarterly tests. Small playing tests may be administered in class
whereas lengthier tests may be administered by videotape. You are graded on the
following factors:
1) Tone - Factors that contribute to tone are bow hand shape, bow stroke, length of bow,
left hand placement, dynamics, and vibrato
2) Rhythm & Tempo - Correct rhythms and steady tempo
3) Intonation - Factors include correct note names, pitch is centered, Instrument and body
position
*Playing tests will be worth 60% for beginning, string ensemble and intermediate
orchestras for the first nine weeks because they do not have a fall performance.
PERFORMANCES 40%
Attendance at all dress rehearsals and concerts is MANDATORY! Remember that there is
no replacement for YOU in a concert; you are very important. Students with excused
absences due to illness or emergency must submit a note signed by a parent giving the
reason for the absence and must then schedule a make-up session with the me to play the
concert selections in class. Students who do not request a make-up session will receive a
zero for their performance grade. Students missing a performance due to unexcused
absences will need to complete a written assignment determined by the director. (This
assignment will provide the student partial credit.) Students failing to provide the director
with a note explaining any absence will forfeit the opportunity to make up the grade.
Future orchestra activities and privileges may also be suspended. Remember, dress
rehearsals and concerts are CURRICULAR activities and come before other EXTRA-
CURRICULAR activities. Please mark your calendars accordingly.
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
Every music student is expected to be a musician! Sandburg Orchestra members are
expected to maintain good grades, represent the orchestra well when working with
teachers and administrators, and succeed in the classroom. Music is an art form that
requires a person to be well organized and intelligent.
Practicing is your daily homework. You are expected to practice 120 - 180 minutes
a week.
This is approximately 30 minutes a day, 4-6 days a week. It is advised that you practice
every day, as the skills you are working on need to be kept up on a regular basis, so your
fingers start to remember what to do, and so you keep up your strength.
Practice Sheets Must Be Signed By A Parent To Be Accepted
Practice Sheets Should Be Turned In On The Monday They Are Due!
Late work will only receive partial credit. Please turn them in on time!
This is 20% of your grade. Missing one practice sheet a quarter will knock your grade
down one letter grade. Two will knock it down two, etc. PLEASE don’t let a little thing like
forgetting to turn in practice sheets tarnish your grade (and possibly the possibility of going
on our spring trip. If you lose your practice sheet try to remake it, but please make sure
you are honest. Make sure you start and end the sheet on the correct days. There are
also extra sheets on blackboard online, as well as on the bulletin board outside the
orchestra room.
If you go on a vacation or are very sick and can’t practice simply write “sick” or “vacation”
on those days and I will take that into account when grading. Practice sheets should be
filled out EACH TIME YOU PRACTICE, not all at the end; your memory may not be reliable.
Practice Sheet Due Dates:
October 5 – Four weeks
October 26 – Three Weeks
December 7 – Four weeks
January 19 – Four weeks
February 22 – Five weeks
March 22 – Four weeks
May 3 – 5 weeks
June 7 – Five weeks
Orchestra at Carl Sandburg is a performance-based class. However, throughout the
course we will be studying music theory. This class does have homework; it’s called
practice! Practice may be solely instrumental and at times it may involve small written
assignments.
Preparation in orchestra requires practice and students are expected to practice a 110 -
180 minutes each week. Practice records will be signed twice a quarter. Parents should
encourage and make time for your son/daughter to practice.
Students will be given playing tests in order to evaluate their individual/sectional
performance. Students may receive written assignments covering different aspects of
music theory and history.
PRACTICE CARDS 20%
Students will receive a practice card at the beginning and middle of each quarter. Students
will have one grace day to turn in practice cards. After the ‘grace’ day cards will not be
accepted unless a student is absent from school. Practice cards must be signed and dated
by a parent/guardian or I will not accept it.
180 min = A+ 80 min = C
150 min = A 70 min = D+
120 min = A- 60 min = D
110 min = B+ 50 min = F
100 min = B 0 min = 0
90 min = C+
CLASS PARTICIPATION/PREPARATION 20%
Students will receive a weekly grade of 10 points made up of class preparation, daily
participation and conduct. This includes having instrument, pencils, paperwork, being
musically prepared, and staying on task. Points will be deducted for the following
misconduct:
- talking / disruptive behavior
- not having instrument
- not having a pencil or your notebook
- disrespecting peers, instruments, classroom or teacher
- missing after-school rehearsals
PLAYING/WRITTEN TESTS/SECTIONALS 20%
Students will have several playing tests throughout the year. Students may have small
daily, weekly, or larger quarterly tests. Small playing tests may be administered in class
whereas lengthier tests may be administered by videotape. You are graded on the
following factors:
1) Tone - Factors that contribute to tone are bow hand shape, bow stroke, length of bow,
left hand placement, dynamics, and vibrato
2) Rhythm & Tempo - Correct rhythms and steady tempo
3) Intonation - Factors include correct note names, pitch is centered, Instrument and body
position
*Playing tests will be worth 60% for beginning, string ensemble and intermediate
orchestras for the first nine weeks because they do not have a fall performance.
PERFORMANCES 40%
Attendance at all dress rehearsals and concerts is MANDATORY! Remember that there is
no replacement for YOU in a concert; you are very important. Students with excused
absences due to illness or emergency must submit a note signed by a parent giving the
reason for the absence and must then schedule a make-up session with the me to play the
concert selections in class. Students who do not request a make-up session will receive a
zero for their performance grade. Students missing a performance due to unexcused
absences will need to complete a written assignment determined by the director. (This
assignment will provide the student partial credit.) Students failing to provide the director
with a note explaining any absence will forfeit the opportunity to make up the grade.
Future orchestra activities and privileges may also be suspended. Remember, dress
rehearsals and concerts are CURRICULAR activities and come before other EXTRA-
CURRICULAR activities. Please mark your calendars accordingly.
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
Every music student is expected to be a musician! Sandburg Orchestra members are
expected to maintain good grades, represent the orchestra well when working with
teachers and administrators, and succeed in the classroom. Music is an art form that
requires a person to be well organized and intelligent.
Practicing is your daily homework. You are expected to practice 120 - 180 minutes
a week.
This is approximately 30 minutes a day, 4-6 days a week. It is advised that you practice
every day, as the skills you are working on need to be kept up on a regular basis, so your
fingers start to remember what to do, and so you keep up your strength.
Practice Sheets Must Be Signed By A Parent To Be Accepted
Practice Sheets Should Be Turned In On The Monday They Are Due!
Late work will only receive partial credit. Please turn them in on time!
This is 20% of your grade. Missing one practice sheet a quarter will knock your grade
down one letter grade. Two will knock it down two, etc. PLEASE don’t let a little thing like
forgetting to turn in practice sheets tarnish your grade (and possibly the possibility of going
on our spring trip. If you lose your practice sheet try to remake it, but please make sure
you are honest. Make sure you start and end the sheet on the correct days. There are
also extra sheets on blackboard online, as well as on the bulletin board outside the
orchestra room.
If you go on a vacation or are very sick and can’t practice simply write “sick” or “vacation”
on those days and I will take that into account when grading. Practice sheets should be
filled out EACH TIME YOU PRACTICE, not all at the end; your memory may not be reliable.
Practice Sheet Due Dates:
October 5 – Four weeks
October 26 – Three Weeks
December 7 – Four weeks
January 19 – Four weeks
February 22 – Five weeks
March 22 – Four weeks
May 3 – 5 weeks
June 7 – Five weeks
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| Latoya Lamons Director Orchestra Room Voice Mail (703) 799-6225 LCLamonsSloc@fcps.edu |
(Some important stuff parents and
student might want to know directly
from the student handbook)
Orchestra Awards Program
Rehearsal Expectations
Dress Attire for Concerts
Attendance Policy
Grading Policy
student might want to know directly
from the student handbook)
Orchestra Awards Program
Rehearsal Expectations
Dress Attire for Concerts
Attendance Policy
Grading Policy
Carl Sandburg Middle School
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
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| © 2009-2012 The Carl Sandburg Orchestra Boosters |
