Performance Assessment Summative Grading Form

Several times throughout the year, I assign playing skills tests as summative assessments. These are intended to reflect student achievement as they work towards mastery of their instrument. The assignments include excerpts from the band method book, concert music, and other sources. Selections are made based on the demands of each instrument family. These playing tests may be played live or submitted online, and are graded by myself or one of two other music faculty.

In 2019, as part of our PLC meetings, our music team did a grading exercise where we all separately graded recorded performances from students and each other. We found that the grades we gave any specific performance varied as widely as three letter grades.

In order to address this inconsistency, I developed a detailed grading rubric for these playing assignments, consisting of a Grading Worksheet for instructors to record their scoring, and an Expanded Rubric providing more detailed explanations and expectations.

When tested using a similar grading exercise as before, the new rubric reduced the largest variation in grading between any two instructors to a single point, largely eliminating subjective measurements and ensuring consistency of grading across our team.

Grading Worksheet for Woodwinds/Brass/Mallet Percussion

Exercise Number 109

Rhythm – One point per measure. (Circle measure if any part of the rhythm is not correct). Measure 8 includes the pick-up notes.

M1      M2      M3      M4      M5      M6      M7      M8

Note Accuracy – One point per measure. (Circle measure if any part of the rhythm is not correct). Measure 8 includes the pick-up notes.

M1      M2      M3      M4      M5      M6      M7      M8

Dynamics – Out of 2 points. Score: ____

Articulation – Out of 2 points. Score: ____ (NA for percussion)

Total _______/20 (Percussion ____/18)

Grading Rubric for Woodwinds/Brass/Mallet Percussion

Rhythm

    • One point is earned per measure if the entire measure is rhythmically accurate.
    • Zero points are earned per measure if there are one or more mistakes in the performance.

Dynamics

    • Two points are earned if all dynamic markings are accurately performed throughout the entire exercise.
    • One point is earned if some dynamic markings are accurately performed throughout the entire exercise.
    • Zero points are earned if no dynamic markings are accurately performed throughout the entire exercise..

Articulation

    • Two points are earned if all articulation markings are accurately performed throughout the exercise.
    • One point is earned if some articulation markings are accurately performed throughout the exercise.
    • Zero points are earned if no articulation change is heard throughout the exercise.

Grading Worksheet for Percussion

Exercise Number Combo Study p. 20

Rhythm – One point per measure. (Circle measure if any part of the rhythm is not correct).

M1     M2      M3      M4      M5      M6     M7     M8

Sticking Technique (grip, alternating sticks) = _____ / 2

Dynamics (added by student) = ____ / 2

Total = _____ / 12

Grading Rubric for Percussion

Rhythm

    • One point is earned per measure if the entire measure is rhythmically accurate.
    • Zero points are earned per measure if there are one or more mistakes in the performance.

Sticking Technique

    • Two points are earned if all sticking is accurately performed throughout the exercise.
    • One point is earned if one to two sticking mistakes are made during the entire exercise.
    • Zero points are earned three or more sticking mistakes are made during the entire exercise.

Dynamics

    • Two points are earned if all dynamic markings are accurately performed throughout the entire exercise.
    • One point is earned if some dynamic markings are accurately performed throughout the entire exercise.
    • Zero points are earned if no dynamic markings are accurately performed throughout the entire exercise..