Grading Policies for Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Boulder Jazz, Landmark Jazz and Jazz Unlimited

• ATTENDANCE: The Boulder High School attendance policy is strictly enforced. All unexcused absences will result in a computerized phone call home. On the second unexcused absence, written notification is sent. Students will lose one credit for every unexcused absence after five. The School Improvement Team at BHS has set a goal of 90% attendance. Students missing more than nine days for any reason during the semester may lose credit. Following an absence, arrangements should be made for make up accordiing to the make up policy (listed in the MAKE UP section). Leaving class early or during class without permission will result in an absence.
• DAILY POINTS: These classes are participation classes. Students will earn five - seven points during each normal rehearsal day. Points will also be given for all concerts, scheduled field trips, performances, etc. Extra points will be given for the days immediately prior to and following a performance, trip or contest. Make up work will only be given to those students who have an "excused" absence AND only to those students who arrange for make up work in a timely manner following an absence. Grades will be based upon total points earned during each grading period.
• FOOD IN THE CLASSROOM: Food and drink are prohibited in the band room, practice rooms, music library and faculty offices. Any student bringing foold or drink into any of these rooms will forfeit their daily points for that day.
• PRACTICE: All individual practice will be done outside of class time. Class time is spent working on ensemble rehearsal. Students are expected to practice daily (suggested time is at least 30 minutes).
• MAKE UP: Make up work must be arranged with the teacher when the student returns to school. Once the class period is made up, full credit will be awarded. After five school days, if a student has not contacted the teacher regarding make up, all points for the days missed will be forfeited. (Also see section on DAILY POINTS). Make up options can include, but are not excluded to, extra practice, attending another music class
• TARDIES: A student who enters class late must personally inform the teacher of their lateness (after class, with an explanation) or the tardy will remain an absence. Tardies are disciplinary problems. Students make up this time by working in the band area, either before or after school.
• GRADING RULES: An "A" student is in attendance every day, practices every day, takes weekly lessons and participates in all performances of the ensemble. Any excused absences are made up in a timely manner. An "A" student does not have unexcused absences.
• LESSONS: All Students in Wind Ensemble, Boulder Jazz and Landmark Jazz must take private lessons. Students in Concert Band and Jazz Unlimited are encouraged to take private lessons. We will be happy to suggest teachers. Financial aid is available. Letter points will also be awarded to students who take private lessons.
• CONCERTS: As a member of a performing group, all students are required to attend all performances of the group in which they are a member. Missing a performance affects all members of the group in which they are a member and the quality of the performance. Students missing a scheduled concert can expect severe grading consequences.
• REHEARSALS: While all rehearsals are important, those immediately preceding a concert are imperative. Students with unexcused absences or absences resulting from a suspension may not be allowed to perform in a concert with resulting loss of grade.

Grading Policies for AP Music Theory

• ATTENDANCE: The Boulder High School attendance policy is strictly enforced. All unexcused absences will result in a computerized phone call home. On the second unexcused absence, written notification is sent. Students will lose one credit for every unexcused absence after five. The School Improvement Team at BHS has set a goal of 90% attendance. Students missing more than nine days for any reason during the semester may lose credit. Following an absence, arrangements should be made for make up accordiing to the make up policy (listed in the MAKE UP section). Leaving class early or during class without permission will result in an absence.
• TARDIES: A student who enters class late must personally inform the teacher of their lateness (after class, with an explanation) or the tardy will remain an absence. Tardies are disciplinary problems. Students make up this time by working int the band area, either before or after school.
• GRADING RULES: Daily assignments account for 50% of the students grade; exams and quizzes, 15%; mid-term and final exam (including projects), 10%; ear training, 15%; and sight singing, 10%.
• MAKE UP: Make up work must be arranged with the teacher when the students returns to school. Once the make up work is completed, full credit will be awarded. Students must contact the teacher to make arrangements for make up within two days after returning to school.

Grading Policies for Choirs

• ATTENDANCE: The Boulder High School attendance policy is strictly enforced; see BHS planner for details. In addition, students who are tardy will lose 3 of 10 daily participation points. Please note that students who are more than 5 minutes late will be marked absent, per BHS policy. Excused absences must be made up to retrieve points missed. Unexcused absences may not be made up.
• GRADING RULES: An "A" student is in attendance every day, on time. Any excused absences are made up in a timely manner (see ATTENDANCE). An "A" student is attentive, with a pencil at the ready, and does his or her best at all times. He or she participates in all performances with the group, as well as turns in his or her homework on time. Semester grades are computed as follows: 50% Daily points, 30% Performances, 10% Homework (worksheets) and Quizzes, and 10% Final Exams/Projects. All classes focus on individual musicianship, vocal technique, and ensemble singing. Students can earn up to ten daily points for each normal rehearsal day. Double points will be given for the five rehearsals prior to any performance. Students may earn points for punctuality, attentiveness, effort, leadership, and musicianship. Students may lose points for tardiness (3 points), absence (ten points), inattentiveness, class disruption, lack of effort, or failure to follow instructions (such as marking music with a pencil.)
• PERFORMANCES: Each quarter will culminate in a performance, generally in the evening, in which participation is mandatory. A small admission charge of $3-5 (no more than $10 per family) will be charged to the audience (not the singers!) Our quality concerts are well worth the price, and this money buys music, tunes pianos, pays for festivals and contests, pays for buses to performance venues, ETC. You must always arrive in the choir room, dressed, one half hour before all performances. The dates for these performances are listed on the attached sheet. Be sure to add them to your planner!
• MAKE UP: Make up work must be arranged with the teacher within five days of the student's return to class. Make-up options may include extra practice on tape (20 minutes per day missed) or participation in another music class. It is generally not an option for the instructor to run a private practice session with a student to make up points.
• FOOD IN THE CLASSROM: Food in the classroom is generally prohibited, with possible exceptions on special days. No beverages in the classroom except water, period. Expect to be asked to dispose of any pop cans or coffee cups I see in the room, and expect to lose points for the disruption. It is encouraged that students do drink plenty of water during the day, especially an hour or two before class. Research has shown that water drunk well before a rehearsal is far more vocally beneficial than that drunk during a rehearsal.
• LESSONS: Private vocal lessons are highly encouraged. A quality teacher will do wonders for your personal vocal technique and musicianship. I have a number of teachers I would be happy to recommend. Lessons generally cost $15-30 and are well worth the investment.