Attendance Policies:

Additional Rehearsals/Activities
Students will be given adequate notice of all additional rehearsals and activities outside of the regular class period. these rehearsals and activities are course requirements and are vital to the success of the choral program. every effort will be made to minimize the amount of out-of-class time required. therefore, unexcused absences from these activities will be treated in the same manner as an unexcused absence from class, and will affect the student's grade. Unexcused absences include work!
In the event of a conflict with another scheduled school activity, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the sponsors of the activities. the sponsors will then determine the student's obligation.

Concert Attendance
Concerts are the ultimate evaluation of many weeks of preparation and class work. Choir members are expected to be present for the entire time of each concert. An unexcused absence from a concert will lower the student's grade dramatically. Absences and tardiness will be excused for cases of medical emergency or death in the family. Prior notification of any conflict with a required concert or rehearsal is required. Students are held responsible for keeping up with the dates and times of scheduled activities.

Singer's Checklist

Eyes - At the top of the list is a reminder of where the student is looking at any given time during the rehearsal. The two acceptable places are the director or at the music being rehearsed.

Posture - Every choir member is responsible for maintaining good singing posture. Just as an athlete would not try to play basketball while lying down, a good singer does not try to sing wile slumping in their chair, crossing their arms and legs, or any thing else which inhibits them from their best performance. Correct posture allows the singer to develop and exercise a healthy and beautiful tone.

Hands - While sitting or standing, the position of a singer's hands is important. Acceptable places are holding music, placed on one's own legs, or by one's side.

Feet - While sitting, a singer will have their feet squarely placed on the floor. Singers do not rehearse with their legs crossed. While standing, weight should be evenly distributed on both feet.

Breathing -This factor precedes singing because air intake is the basis of all healthy singing. preparing to sing by taking a deep, relaxed breath will greatly improve a singer's tone and stamina.

Singing - The ultimate goal of any rehearsal is to maximize the amount of time spent singing. It is imperative the singers are demonstrating attention to Items 1-5 before the director will proceed to No. 6.

Grading Policies

The students' nine week grade will be averaged as follows:
I. Daily Grade - 50%
II. Concert & Rehearsal Attendance - 30%
III. Assignments & Tests - 20%

I. Daily Grade 50%
Each weeks is worth a total of 100 points. therefore in a nine-week period there is a total of 900 daily points. The poitn value for any given day is 600 divided by the number of days in the nine weeks. the daily grade is determined by the student's:
     1) Level of participation during class (on-task behavior, posture, singing, etc.)
     2) Following the classroom rules.
 

Common deductions from the daily grade:
Tardiness(10 pts)	Gum (10 pts)
Bathroom (10 pts)	No Music (15 pts)
No Pencil (10 pts)	Time out (15 pts)
Food (10 pts)	Sent to office (all points)
Unexcused absence (all daily points)

II. Concert & Rehearsal Attendance - 30%
Participation in rehearsals and performances outside normal school hours is a necessary part of choir courses. Attendance is required for the entirety of all performances and pre-scheduled rehearsals. Performances are listed on the Calendar of Events. Rehearsals either before or after school will be few and scheduled with plenty of advanced notice. An excused absence from a choir rehearsal or concert will require the same criteria as an excused absence from school -- personal illness where the student has been absent from the entire school day, death in the family, or family emergency. The absence will not be excused if the parent has not communicated with the director PRIOR to the event. It is imperative that the parent contact the director regarding the absence, as these rehearsals and concerts are a part of the student's grade. The choir office number is 479-750-8784. Our e-mails are rhawley@sdale.org and mpeters@sdale.org. AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM A PERFORMANCE WILL RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF THE NINE WEEK GRADE.

III. Assignments & Tests 20%
Assignments will be completed and tests administered to monitor progress in the subject. Special emphasis will be placed on monitoring individual sight reading skills through recorded testing.

*In the case of a nine weeks which does not include any concert or extra rehearsals, the nine-week grade will be averaged with this formula:
Daily Grade (70%)
Assignment/Tests (30%)