SUPERIOR

EXCELLENT

GOOD

FAIR

Pitch/Harmony:

Melodic & harmonic intonation without fault throughout the entire selection.

Melodic & harmonic intonation very good.  Problems sometimes occur in extremely difficult passages but quickly corrected.

Intonation often good but inconsistent.  Difficult passages performed with partial success.  Attempted to correct obvious problems.

Melodic & harmonic intonation inconsistent. Difficult passages caused major intonation weaknesses.  Intonation problems seldom corrected.

Rhythm/Tempo:

Rhythmic accuracy & precision are exact. Tempo obviously under complete control.  Rhythmic interpretations/variations appropriate for the selection

Rhythmic accuracy & precision excellent.  Tempo under control most of the time. Faults infrequent & only occur in difficult passages.  Rhythmic interpretation/variations appropriate with only minor inconsistencies.

Rhythmic accuracy & precision good most of the time.  Demonstrate good awareness of pulse & tempo although occasional problems occur Rhythmic interpretation/ variations appropriate most of the time.

Basic rhythmic accuracy demonstrated in simple passages, although rapid & complex passages are weak.  Tempo not always controlled.

Dynamics:

Excellent use of dynamics throughout.  Full dynamic range "pp" - "ff" demonstrated.

Good use of dynamics throughout, with some lack of dynamic control.  Good "pp" - "ff" most of the time.

Some successful attempts at basic dynamic variation though limited in scope & range. 

Some attempts at altering dynamics but with limited range.  .

Tone Quality:

Excellent tone achieved throughout the entire performance.  Tone uniform, consistent & well controlled despite dynamic and range extremes.

Excellent tone achieved most of the time. Faults & problems infrequent.  Minor problems quickly corrected. Range extremes caused some distortion.

Strong basic approach demonstrated.  Harshness & distortion at upper volumes & registers.  Fuzziness &/or lack of resonance at softer volumes. 

Basic understanding of tonal quality concepts not yet developed. Volume & register extremes not well controlled, often harsh. 

Technique: (Articulation & Facility)

Flexibility excellent.  Difficult passages played without any noticeable stress. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of articulation styles.

Flexibility quite good.  Difficult passages played with only minor flaws. Demonstrates excellent knowledge of articulation styles.

Technical facility good most of the time. Problems & breakdowns occur during difficult passages.  Correct technique demonstrated most of the time. 

Technical facility fair. Faster, more complex passages force player(s) beyond ability.  Good technique demonstrated some of the time.

Style:

Stylistic accurate & consistent throughout. Seldom rigid or mechanical. Excellent & meaningful interpretation.

Musical phrasing is obvious throughout the performance

Stylistic accurate & consistent most of the time. Some passages may lack stylistic interpretation but do not detract from the performance.

Musical phrasing is natural most of the time.

Stylistic accuracy demonstrated some of the time.  Stylistic interpretation demonstrated some of the time, but often rigid & mechanical.  Musical phrasing is basic but not always consistent..

Very little meaningful stylistic interpretation of musical passages.  Style is undeveloped & inconsistent. Musical phrasing is mostly mechanical & non-musical.