Melissa Munafo

Instrumental Methods
Mark DeTurk
Assessment Plan
Grades 6-12 Instrumental Music Assessments
Overview:
The curriculum will be structured around the following criteria, which the students will be
graded on:
Pitches, Fingerings, Intonation, Key signature, Rhythms, Articulation, Technique,
Rudiments, Tone, Breath support, Dynamics, Phrasing, Vibrato, Endurance, Posture,
Hand position.
(Barden, 7)
8th Grade Middle School Instrumental Band Assessment
Grading: Students will perform playing tests throughout the year. These playing tests will be in
front of the ensemble.
Quarter 1 (First Semester)
1.

Attendance (40%)
a. It is crucial that students are present for all rehearsals
unless they are ill or have a documented excuse.
b. Tardiness and absences lead to confusion in rehearsals
and less success if achievement.
c. Too many absences will negatively impact a students
grade
d. ALL performances are mandatory unless of extreme
circumstances (family emergency, medical emergency
etc.)

2. Progress, Preparation and Practice (The three Ps) (20%)

a. While it is nearly impossible to know how much a
student practices, it is very easy to notice how much a
student does NOT practice.
b. Students will be assessed in this category by how much
they progress through the unit
c. This may require playing exams to see how much a
student knows their music
3. Participation (30%)
a. A significant effort will be required by students
b. Lack of attention and motivation during rehearsals
could negatively affect a students grade.

4. Playing Evaluation (10%)

a. Students will be tested on a passage of music taught in
the semester (10-16 measure excerpt from Band piece)
b. This will be performed in front of the ensemble
c. In addition students will be asked to play one of three
scales using a scale sheet (up to one flat and one sharp)
Quarter 2 (First Semester)
1. Attendance (40%)
2. Progress, Preparation and Practice (The three Ps) (20%)
3. Participation (30%)
4. Playing Evaluation (10%)
d. Students will be tested on a passage of music taught in
the semester (10-16 measure excerpt from Band piece)
e. This will be performed in front of the ensemble
f. In addition students will be asked to play one of 5
scales using a scale sheet (up to two flats and two
sharps)

Third Quarter (Second Semester)

1. Attendance (40%)
2. Progress, Preparation and Practice (The three Ps) (20%)
3. Participation (30%)
4. Playing Evaluation (10%)
g. Students will be tested on a passage of music taught in
the semester (10-16 measure excerpt from Band piece)
h. This will be performed in front of the ensemble
i. In addition students will be asked to play one of seven
scales using a scale sheet (up to three flats and three
sharps)
Fourth Quarter (Second Semester)
1. Attendance (40%)

a. 10% of attendance grade will be participation in the

Memorial Day parade. Students will be required to play for
one hour in the parade.
2. Progress, Preparation and Practice (The three Ps) (20%)
3. Participation (30%)
4. Playing Evaluation (10%)
a. Students will be tested on a passage
of music taught in the semester (1016 measure excerpt from Band
piece)
b. This will be performed in front of the
ensemble
c. In addition students will be asked to
play one of nine scales using a scale
sheet (up to three flats and three
sharps)
*SEE ATTATCHED Performance Evaluation (8th Grade)

High School Instrumental Band Assessment

Grading: Students will perform playing tests throughout the year. These playing tests will be in
front of the ensemble.
Quarter 1 (First Semester)
5.

Attendance (40%)
a. It is crucial that students are present for all rehearsals
unless they are ill or have a documented excuse.
b. Tardiness and absences lead to confusion in rehearsals
and less success if achievement.
c. Too many absences will negatively impact a students
grade
d. ALL performances are mandatory unless of extreme
circumstances (family emergency, medical emergency
etc.)
e. 10% of Attendance will be required home football
games in which the students must play in the marching
band

6. Progress, Preparation and Practice (The three Ps) (20%)

a. While it is nearly impossible to know how much a
student practices, it is very easy to notice how much a
student does NOT practice.
b. Students will be assessed in this category by how much
they progress through the unit
c. This may require playing exams to see how much a
student knows their music
7. Participation (30%)
a. A significant effort will be required by students
b. Lack of attention and motivation during rehearsals
could negatively affect a students grade.

8. Playing Evaluation (10%)

a. Students will be tested on a passage of music taught in
the semester (20-35 measure excerpt from Band piece)
b. This will be performed in front of the ensemble
c. In addition students will be asked to play one of seven
major scales and the relative minor by memory (up to
three flats and three sharps)
*Freshmen may use a scale sheet for the first
playing evaluation
d. Students must evaluate their own performance

Quarter 2 (First Semester)

5. Attendance (40%)
a. 10% will be continued participation in the school marching
band
6. Progress, Preparation and Practice (The three Ps) (20%)
7. Participation (30%)
8. Playing Evaluation (10%)
d. Students will be tested on a passage of music taught in
the semester (10-16 measure excerpt from Band piece)
e. This will be performed in front of the ensemble
f. In addition students will be asked to play one of nine
major scales and the relative minor by memory(up to 4
flats and 4 sharps)
g. Students must evaluate their own performance

Third Quarter (Second Semester)

5. Attendance (40%)
a. 10% will be participation in the school musical pit orchestra
6. Progress, Preparation and Practice (The three Ps) (20%)
7. Participation (30%)
8. Playing Evaluation (10%)
h. Students will be tested on a passage of music taught in
the semester (10-16 measure excerpt from Band piece)
i. This will be performed in front of the ensemble
j. In addition students will be asked to play one of eleven
major scales and the relative minor by memory (up to 5
flats and 5 sharps)
k. Students must evaluate their own performance
Fourth Quarter (Second Semester)
5. Attendance (40%)

a. 10% of attendance grade will be participation in the

Memorial Day parade. Students will be required to play for
one hour in the parade.
6. Progress, Preparation and Practice (The three Ps) (20%)
7. Participation (30%)
8. Playing Evaluation (10%)
a. Students will be tested on a passage
of music taught in the semester (1016 measure excerpt from Band
piece)
b. This will be performed in front of the
ensemble
c. In addition students will be asked to
play one of the 12 major scales and
the relative minor by memory (up to
seven flats and seven sharps)
d. Students must evaluate their own
performance
*SEE ATTATCHED Performance Evaluation (High School) and Self Evaluation Form