Assessment Portfolio

Anna Featherston

Individual Music Selection Playing Test

An individual plays a selection of music, either live or for a video, and is graded by the
teacher. This type of assessment shows individual practice and achievement. A rubric is best
to keep the test fair and valid among all students. This can also show achievement
throughout the academic year and among several years.

Group Assessment
An ensemble is rated and judged by an outside listener with knowledge of how an ensemble
should sound, but without experiencing the rehearsal process. In theory, a performance
should be the average of the achievements worked up until that point. Getting an outside
perspective that hears everything without the rehearsals prior to the performance can be
extremely helpful. There should be standards for how ensembles are graded and what to be
grading on.

Small Ensemble Playing Test

A playing test performance of large ensemble music in quartets. This type of assessment
shows individual practice and achievement and the ability to fit that within the ensemble. A
rubric is best to keep the test fair and valid among all students. Assessment is based on
individual and group achievement.

Written Test
An assessment where a student is given questions and writes responses. This type of
assessment shows the ability to explain knowledge. There should be clear right and wrong
answers for this type of assessment. Grades are based on the number of correct answers out
of the number of possible correct answers/points.

Scale Test
A student is to play any given scale with correct notes. Knowledge of scales is regularly
applied to key signatures within pieces. Scales can also be used to grade other playing
abilities, like tone. There should be a given accuracy expected for scales. A rubric is best to
keep the test fair and valid among all students.

Peer Assessment
Peers rate another peer’s individual performance based on a supplied rubric. Comments can
also be supplied from the peer. What peers hear and see can be much different that what a
teacher hears and see. Peers often comment on what they are also working on. Students
should have a guideline for what they are listening and looking for. They should also apply
their own knowledge when rating and giving comments.

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 Assessment Portfolio
Anna Featherston

Self-Assessment
Students assess their own practice and performance. Specifically, journaling practice helps
you track progress and what you’ve worked on. It also keeps you honest and usually leads to
more efficient practice. Students are required to be honest with themselves whether they
have achieved and/or practiced appropriately and/or efficiently.

Attendance
A grade is given purely based on showing up to rehearsal. If a student isn’t in rehearsals, they
miss a lot of important notes that are specific to the ensemble. A given amount of absences
should be allowed to make up for unforeseen circumstances, like illness. After a given
amount of missed rehearsal time, students will be missing a significant amount of rehearsal,
making contribution to the ensemble and ensemble growth ineffective.