Band/Strings Audition Rubric (Grades 5 - 7)

Exceptional

4 Points Each

Outstanding

3 Points Each

Above Average

2 Points Each

Average

1 Point Each

Tone Quality

☐ Tone is warm, resonant, controlled, clear, focused, consistent, vibrant, rich, full, and beautiful

☐ Tone has resonance and clarity with some apparent inconsistencies

☐ Tone is inconsistent but has occasional moments of clarity and resonance

☐ Tone is weak, breathy, forced, unclear, or uncontrolled

Accuracy of Pitch

☐ Printed pitches are performed accurately

☐ Printed pitches are performed accurately most of the time

☐ Printed pitches are performed accurately some of the time

☐ Printed pitches are occasionally performed with accuracy

Intonation

☐ Intonation is within or above the appropriate developmental range.  The student shifts cleanly if shifts are performed

☐ Occasional lapses in intonation, but generally within the appropriate developmental range

☐ Frequently out of tune but with several moments of developmentally appropriate intonation

☐ Occasionally plays  in tune most of the time and shows signs of developing intonation 

Rhythm and Pulse

☐ Gives notes and rests proper value and always maintains a steady pulse

☐ Gives most notes and rests proper value and keeps a steady pulse most of the time

☐ Gives some notes and rests proper value and sometimes keeps a steady pulse

☐ Gives few notes and rests proper value and seldom keeps a steady pulse

Technique and Articulation (Bowing, Tonguing, Sticking, Fingerings)

☐ Student uses appropriate playing technique

☐ Student uses appropriate articulation, including attacks and releases

☐ Some flaws in playing technique but does not detract from the performance

☐ Plays most notes with the correct articulation

☐ Some flaws in playing technique that detract from the performance

☐ Plays some of the notes with the correct articulation

☐ Frequent flaws in playing technique

☐ Occasionally  plays the correct articulation

Interpretation (Musicality, Phrasing, Expressive Elements, Nuance, Tempo, Range)

☐ Phrasing and dynamics are performed with nuance

☐ The style and tempo are appropriate to the musical selection

☐ The performance is expressive and sensitive to style

☐ Phrasing and dynamics are performed with nuance most of the time

☐ The style and tempo are mostly appropriate to the musical selection

☐ The performance shows expressive elements performed above grade level

☐ Phrasing and dynamics are performed some of the time

☐ Style and tempo are somewhat appropriate to the musical selection

☐ The performance shows some use of expressive elements

☐ Phrasing and dynamics are occasionally performed

☐ Style and tempo are occasionally appropriate. 

☐ Developing use of expressive elements in the performance

Sight-Reading and Scales

☐ Sight-reading and scales are performed accurately

☐ Sight-reading and scales are performed accurately most of the time

☐ Sight-reading and scales are performed accurately some of the time

☐ Sight-reading and scales are occasionally performed with accuracy