PMEA District 7 Solo Scoring Guide

District 7 Band and Orchestra Qualifying Auditions

STRINGS SOLO (total of 25 points)

TONE QUALITY

5

tone quality is full, rich, and characteristic of the tone quality of the instrument in all registers

4

tone quality is characteristic in most registers, but distorts in a few passages (occasional lapses)

3

tone quality exhibits some flaws in production (i.e. slightly thin/unfocused or forced sound)

2

tone quality has several flaws in basic production (i.e. consistently thin/unfocused or forced sound)

1

tone production is of a quality that hinders the performance

INTONATION

5

intonation is accurate in all ranges and registers

4

intonation is mostly accurate; the student adjusts the few problem pitches to an acceptable standard

3

intonation is somewhat accurate but consistently includes out-of-tune notes; the student adjusts these pitches with fair success

2

a basic sense of intonation is evident, yet major errors occur; the student makes little attempt to adjust problem pitches

1

intonation is consistently inaccurate and hinders the quality of performance

RHYTHM

5

rhythms are accurate and precise throughout the performance

4

rhythms are nearly accurate; occasionally, rhythms lack precise interpretation

3

most rhythm patterns are accurate, but errors in precision are present (approximation of written rhythms)

2

many rhythms performed incorrectly or inconsistently, major errors are present in the performance

1

rhythms are consistently performed incorrectly; clarity and precision are essentially nonexistent

MUSICALITY

5

performance demonstrates full control of tempo, dynamics, phrasing, and expression in a dramatic performance consistent with the style of the solo

4

performance demonstrates good control of tempo, dynamics, phrasing, and expression in a performance often consistent with the style of the solo; the range of expression may be somewhat limited, but rarely detracts from the performance

3

performance demonstrates basic control of tempo, dynamics, phrasing, and expression; basic attempts at dramatic performance and basic knowledge of style are evident; limited/inconsistent range of expression prevails

2

major errors in control of tempo, dynamics, phrasing, and expression are present; the student demonstrates little attempt at dramatic performance; many stylistic inconsistencies are present

1

lack of control of tempo, dynamics, phrasing, and expression hinders the performance; attempts at dramatic and/or stylistically correct performance are unsuccessful or nonexistent

TECHNIQUE

5

performance demonstrates complete mastery of the technical demands of the music, including: precision, facility, and clarity of pitches and articulations

4

performance nearly demonstrates mastery of the technical demands of the music; minor inconsistencies in precision, facility, and clarity are isolated and rarely detract from the performance

3

the majority of passages are handled with reasonable technical facility; some passages include incorrect or unclear pitches and/or articulations; precision and/or facility are questionable at times

2

performance demonstrates basic knowledge of the technical demands of the music; consistent, major errors are made in pitch, articulation, facility, and precision

1

lack of accuracy of pitch, articulation, facility, and precision seriously hinders the performance; the student's technique is not developed enough to attempt the solo passage