Assessment Tools:

Rubric:

- A rubric is an outline of the parameters for an assignment. This should be a guide for the

students and give them information about the specific requirements of an assignment.

When making a rubric, it must give the students all of the information necessary to be

successful on an assignment and must be very specific and clear with its directions. It

allows for easy teacher assessment of student skills. A rubric is a standard component of

any assignment.

- Example: Rhythm Test Rubric

Score out of 5 Criteria

5 Rhythms are read and performed accurately, with consistent pulse.

4 Rhythms are read and performed accurately most of the time, with
consistent pulse.

3 Rhythms are read and performed accurately less than 50% of the
time, with consistent pulse.

2 Rhythms are read and performed accurately less than 50% of the
time, without consistent pulse.

1 Rhythm is attempted, but is not accurate or with a consistent pulse.

Playing Tests (In-Person):

- Playing tests are individual performance tests, usually with just the student and the

teacher, where the student is required to play a predetermined section of a current

rehearsal piece. This is done to assess students individually on challenging sections of a

current piece, allows teachers to hear their students individually and offer specific

feedback that would be difficult to offer in a group setting.

- Example: Playing test for Arabesque by Samuel Hazo, rehearsal markings A-C
 Scores out of Comments
10 points

Tone /10

Time /10

Rhythm /10

Pitch /10

Total /40

Journal Entries:

- Journal entries are written entries in a student journal in response to the given prompts.

These are designed for the students to self-reflect on different aspects of the rehearsal.

These can be assigned at the end of the week, or at the end of each day. The students

will turn in their journal for the teachers to read. This allows the teacher to read the

personal viewpoints of their students and tailor future lessons to their

comments/concerns. The teacher can also reply to the students’ journals.

- Example: Week 3 Journal Prompt

- Write about one moment this week where you felt proud of yourself or the

ensemble.

- Write about one moment where you felt frustrated with yourself or the ensemble.

- Minimum of one paragraph.

Video Assignments:

- Video assignments are videos recorded by the students where they play a

predetermined excerpt of the piece. This is similar to an in-person playing test, but is

done on the students’ own time outside of class. This can help facilitate individual

practicing outside of school since the students are able to record as many times as they
 want to in order to turn in a quality video. This has many of the same benefits as

in-person playing tests.

- Example: Video Assignment for Arabesque by Samuel Hazo, rehearsal markings A-C

Scores out of Comments

10 points

Tone /10

Time /10

Rhythm /10

Pitch /10

Total /40

Written Reflections:

- Written reflections are written by students in response to a video or recording sent to

them by the teacher. Some examples of these are recordings from that day's class or a

video of the concert. These help the teacher assess the listening and evaluation skills of

the ensemble. These can be implemented after each concert or after any rehearsal,

usually if a full run of a piece is performed.

- Example: Video of a full run of Arabesque by Samuel Hazo, performed in class that day.

- Prompt: Write about the blend, balance, melodic/rhythmic elements, time, and

timbre of this full run. Must be at least 2 paragraphs.

Checklist:

- A checklist is used to specify the specific criteria necessary for a quality performance.

The teacher assesses the students’ performance and marks whether or not this

performance aspect was displayed by the students. This is a more broad assessment

that looks more at the foundational aspects of a quality performance.

- Example: Checklist for drumline members in movement 1 of the halftime show.

 Movement 1

Correct posture

Correct grip

Effective legato strokes

Effective staccato strokes

Clear definition between accents and taps

Music marked with step offs

Practice Log:

- Practice logs are a personal log of a students’ practice throughout the week. This allows

the students to keep track of their practice times and habits, as well as allowing the

teacher to examine student’s practice times and habits, and make changes to their

instruction if necessary. This is usually designed to cover a week’s worth of practice.

- Example: Practice Log

Practice Music Practiced Tempos Reflections

Time

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Presentation Project:

- This presentation project would be designed to allow the students to gain more

knowledge about a piece in their concert. Students will be allowed to choose a piece
 from the current concert block. This allows the students to improve their knowledge of

the piece, which should lead to a more fulfilled performance. The teacher is also able to

gain insight in the thought processes of the students and see what information they were

able to find.

- Example: Presentation project guidelines.

- Guidelines: Choose a piece from the current concert block. Make a presentation

including the following information:

- When the piece was written

- Composer

- Historical context

- Meaning behind the piece

- Form

- Style

- Meter

- Key Signature

- Additional Pertinent Information