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Wendell Glick 1 year, 6 months ago.
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What suggestions/ideas do you have on how to grade students in choir?
Hi, Ryan! At Countryside Christian School the choir component of a student’s music grade comes from three different assessments: homework, attitude and musicianship. These three are weighted differently depending on the grade of the student (chart copied below). Following that are some excerpts from the syllabus. This is how I do it; there are pros and cons to various aspects, of course (the homework portion is determined by self-reporting on the honour system and requires honest students). Numbers below are for one quarter of the year.
[Table removed due to formatting issue]
MUSICIANSHIP: One of the primary objectives of choir is for the student to demonstrate and apply vocal techniques taught in choir. This includes singing with musicality and expression, as well as proper posture while standing and sitting. Students should cultivate a strong work ethic in their approach to improving their skills. The musicianship part of the mark will be determined by listening to the student sing in an ensemble test near the end of each term, and by observing the student (live or on videotape) during rehearsals and/or a performance.HOMEWORK: Out-of-choir homework minutes (see table above) may be done alone or with a group, with or without a rehearsal CD, but must be dedicated time (that is, not while doing other things like feeding the calves or washing the dishes or mowing the lawn). Students may log time that they spend at approved choral concerts during this term up to a maximum as listed in the table above; any concert time beyond the concert allowance minutes per term may not be logged. Acceptable out-of-choir homework activities include vocal warm-ups, numbering measures and writing solfege syllables, memorizing text, memorizing notes, dedicated listening to the rehearsal files (preferably along with the printed music) and attendance at approved choral concerts (logging up to the maximum per term).
ATTITUDE: Students will be observed regularly to determine their willingness to fully participate in the choir, including vocal and physical warm-ups. Students should show eagerness to help with setup and teardown of chairs for rehearsal, as well as risers and stage settings for programs. Students should both speak and act with respect.
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