Performance Assessment Rubrics

Figure 1

Recently my high school instrumental students completed a performance assessment that judged their current skill level at playing our Christmas concert music.  They complete these assessments once every three to four weeks and receive feedback on a variety of criteria.  The rubric expands as we cover more and more aspects of performance technique throughout the year. Figure 1 is the first rubric in the series and evaluates students on their ability to play the correct notes and rhythms with appropriate stylistic expressivity.  They are also evaluated on their contribution to the ensemble.  Students perform this assessment in small groups of four to six members so that I can hear and provide accurate feedback for individual students.  This performance assessment not only provides feedback for students, but it also guides my instruction immediate following the test as I respond to the concepts and techniques that need further improvement (Shermis & Di Vesta, 2011).  Moreover, students are able to better understand  the elements of a quality performance and strive for excellence if they have a rubric that identifies these criteria.  I know for my students, rubrics have given them the ability to see beyond the score or grade, and to focus on the real-life application of performance techniques within the music discipline.