Grading & Policies
Required Materials |
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Extra Practice Time & Tutoring |
Reading music is a skill, like learning a foreign language. It will take time, and practice, and diligence, and patience! If you are new to choir, new to music, or are competing in a solo competition like All-State or UIL Solo/Ensemble, I am available (by appointment) every day at 8:15, or after-school until 5pm. Please send me an email or ask me during class if you can make an appointment to come in and work on your music!
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Grading |
We utilize the 4 point Crockett rubric system and number grade conversion chart
The 4 Rubric levels are
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Assessment Types |
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Sacred Music |
Much of the wonderful choral repertoire available to us was created with the church in mind. For large portions of history, music and culture was centered around places of worship. Often the clergy were the only members of the community with the skills and resources to commission pieces, to keep physical record of them, and to teach them to others. AISD policy recognizes this history with the statement, "public school performances may include religious music, themes, or references if they enrich the curriculum."
For this reason, we will often perform music in choir with a sacred/religious text or background. The music does not necessarily represent views held by me or the Crockett administration, and is in no way an effort by me to influence students. If a student is prevented from participating in a song due to their personal religious beliefs, they will be given an alternate assignment and will not be penalized. However, students are asked to please communicate this need to me in a timely manner. |
Concerts |
Concerts are our summative assessments! They are our opportunity to showcase all that we have learned and worked on during the year. As such, parents and students alike should understand that they are incredibly important, and should want to attend! Concerts are mandatory, and are a crucial part of the performance aspect of choir.
Audience Members
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Make Up Work |
Due to the nature of singing in an ensemble, missed rehearsal time is irreplaceable. However, if a student must miss a rehearsal, it is expected that they will document the absence with the attendance office.
If there is a planned excused absence from a concert, students will be assigned a written make-up assignment, to be completed and submitted before the concert date. |
Academic Eligibility |
Choir members are subject to UIL guidelines with respect to any extra-curricular event. For the Crockett HS choirs, this includes UIL solo and concert contests. Students who are ineligible under UIL guidelines will not be allowed to perform or travel with the choir. Students must maintain passing a grade (70) to participate in all choir functions.
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Choir Fees and Money |
Austin Independent School District provides a small amount of money to the choir each year that pays for needs like buses and equipment. However, many of the things that make up the Crockett Choir Program and funded directly by the students through a fair-share fee. The fair-share fee is $40, and will cover music, partial entry fees, and supplies for the classroom or food during activities.
This fee can be paid with cash, money order, or check. Please make checks payable to Crockett High School Choir and include your driver's license number and phone number on the check. A receipt will be written for each transaction and returned to the student. If this fee will cause financial burden, please arrange a meeting with Mrs. Von Ahn to discuss scholarship availability. No student will be turned away from choir because of financial burden. Please communicate need with the director. FEES ARE DUE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th by 3:30 pm. |
Lettering |
Students wishing to letter in Choir and purchase a letter jacket may pick up a lettering requirement handout and merit point documentation form from the choir room. Students must participate in Region choir Auditions, UIL Solo and Ensemble, UIL Concert and Sight Reading, all Crockett Choir Concerts, and participate in 3 consecutive years of choir to letter.
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