Preparation for daily rehearsal

Students must have their materials present and in working order for every rehearsal.

Active participation in class 

Students must adhere to student conduct expectations.

Passoff assignments

Passoffs are assigned at the beginning of each week. Students are required to record their performance and submit by the due date (usually on Friday at midnight). These include scales, fundamental technique exercises, and excerpts from concert music presented in class. 

Students must achieve a MakeMusic score of 90 or higher to show mastery of the material. They have unlimited attempts to reach this goal before the assignment deadline. If met, they receive a final grade of 100 in Aeries. 

If they are unable to achieve the minimum MakeMusic score by the due date, students should submit their best recording. A temporary grade of 70 is entered in Aeries. The assignment is returned to them, and they are given an additional week to improve their performance and submit another recording to raise their official grade. 

If there are technical difficulties, students should make an audio recording with another device and submit it to Mr. Schubert by email. Overdue deductions still apply.

LATE WORK: According to district policy, the operational definition of late work is when a student has been provided adequate time and instruction to complete student work and has not completed it by the due date. 

• • If a student does not turn in an assignment by the due date, MSG (missing) will be entered in the grade book. This will average in as a zero.

  • Students with extended time accommodations written into their IEPs will be addressed on an individual, as-needed basis.

  • Students submitting late work are not eligible for reassessment opportunities.

Grade deductions are determined by district policy as follows:

• High School

  • After one class session late, the work may only be eligible to receive 70% of the original assigned points. 

  • Beyond one class session late, the work may only be eligible to 50% of the original assigned points with teacher discretion to assign a zero.

• Middle and Intermediate School

  • A maximum grade penalty may not exceed 10 points per day (class session).

Sectional Rehearsals

Attendance and participation are required. The same policies regarding excused and unexcused absences applies. There is a 20-point temporary deduction for excused absences with the opportunity to make-up the points by attending a different sectional. Absences must be prearranged with Mr. Schubert.

Extra Rehearsals

Because of the rarity and importance of these rehearsals, attendance and participation are counted the same as a performance grade. The same policies regarding excused and unexcused absences (as well as makeup assignments) will be applicable.

Concert Participation

Concert participation is required to be part of the orchestra program. In accordance with state standards, the grade is comprised of two equal parts: 1) as a performer, and 2) as an audience member (which includes demonstrating proper concert etiquette during the event). 

If the parent fails to notify the director in advance (see attendance policy), a make-up assignment to remedy the grade is not guaranteed. This will result in a zero for the concert grade. The concert grade will also be adjusted for the following infractions: tardiness, uniform violations, forgotten music, forgotten instrument, and lack of professional demeanor.

Makeup Assignments

For pre-arranged excused absences to performance events, students must video record themselves performing all the music from the event that will be missed. The recording will be graded on a standard scale using a performance rubric. This assignment is due before the date of the missed event. For illnesses and family emergencies, students must submit the recording within 3 days of the end of the absence. For every 24-hour period the recording is late, 10% will be deducted from the student’s grade.