Excerpts
Tone
Tone is characteristic and performers match within their sections
Definition: Tone quality. Matching within sections.
Students make individual, characteristic tone qualities (the instruments sound like what they are supposed to sound like) in all sections of the band.
Students match tone quality from person-to-person within each section of the band.
Excerpt: Mr. Joe March 8A
Definition: Tone quality. Matching within sections.
Students make individual, characteristic tone qualities (the instruments sound like what they are supposed to sound like) in all sections of the band.
Students match tone quality from person-to-person within each section of the band.
Excerpt: Mr. Joe March 8A
Tone: A centered, focused tone is evident
Definition: Resonance. Ring. Students make vibrations on their instruments in the center of the pitch.
Woodwinds: reeds are balanced, and vibrations are free from interference, causing the instruments to vibrate sympathetically.
Brass: lips vibrate the exact pitch center, not too high/low, thus causing the instrument to respond sympathetically.
Percussion: instruments are tuned properly and struck with good technique, causing them to vibrate sympathetically.
There is no extraneous noise in individual sounds/tone qualities.
Excerpt: Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs, I – In Yonder Valley; AA
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Definition: Resonance. Ring. Students make vibrations on their instruments in the center of the pitch.
Woodwinds: reeds are balanced, and vibrations are free from interference, causing the instruments to vibrate sympathetically.
Brass: lips vibrate the exact pitch center, not too high/low, thus causing the instrument to respond sympathetically.
Percussion: instruments are tuned properly and struck with good technique, causing them to vibrate sympathetically.
There is no extraneous noise in individual sounds/tone qualities.
Excerpt: Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs, I – In Yonder Valley; AA
View Sample Score Here
Tone: There is control in all ranges/volumes
Definition: The correct use of air. Air speed v. air volume.
Air speed controls resonance and response.
Air volume controls dynamic output.
Air speed and volume are balanced appropriately with embouchure’s tensile strength and voicing. Too little air speed, especially at soft dynamic levels, leads to an unsupported sound. Too large a volume of air in relation to embouchure/voicing leads to distortions in the sound.
Excerpt: Aztec Fire - A
Definition: The correct use of air. Air speed v. air volume.
Air speed controls resonance and response.
Air volume controls dynamic output.
Air speed and volume are balanced appropriately with embouchure’s tensile strength and voicing. Too little air speed, especially at soft dynamic levels, leads to an unsupported sound. Too large a volume of air in relation to embouchure/voicing leads to distortions in the sound.
Excerpt: Aztec Fire - A
Intonation
Intonation: The ensemble demonstrates an awareness of tuning within and between sections. Minor flaws occur, but adjustments are made quickly as performers have a good understanding of pitch tendencies.
Definition: Intonation.
Intonation within each section of the band or within one line of music.
Intonation among various sections of the band or among more than one line of music.
Excerpt I: Endless Rainbows - AA
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Definition: Intonation.
Intonation within each section of the band or within one line of music.
Intonation among various sections of the band or among more than one line of music.
Excerpt I: Endless Rainbows - AA
View Sample Score Here
Intonation: The ensemble demonstrates an awareness of tuning within and between sections. Minor flaws occur, but adjustments are made quickly as performers have a good understanding of pitch tendencies.
Definition: Intonation.
Intonation within each section of the band or within one line of music.
Intonation among various sections of the band or among more than one line of music.
Excerpt 2: Orion - AAA 2nd Band
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Definition: Intonation.
Intonation within each section of the band or within one line of music.
Intonation among various sections of the band or among more than one line of music.
Excerpt 2: Orion - AAA 2nd Band
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Intonation: The ensemble demonstrates an awareness of tuning within and between sections. Minor flaws occur, but adjustments are made quickly as performers have a good understanding of pitch tendencies.
Definition: Intonation.
Intervallic intonation within a melodic line.
Harmonic (chordal) intonation among several simultaneous parts.
Excerpt: Irish Tune from County Derry - AAAA
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Definition: Intonation.
Intervallic intonation within a melodic line.
Harmonic (chordal) intonation among several simultaneous parts.
Excerpt: Irish Tune from County Derry - AAAA
Download Score Sample Here
Technique
Technique: There is a uniform interpretation of rhythmic patterns
Definition: Rhythm.
Rhythmic accuracy – rhythms are reproduced accurately every time they occur.
Rhythmic precision – like rhythms are performed together; unlike rhythms fit together without disruption to the pulse.
Excerpt: Symphonic Dance No. 3 "Fiesta" - AAA
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Definition: Rhythm.
Rhythmic accuracy – rhythms are reproduced accurately every time they occur.
Rhythmic precision – like rhythms are performed together; unlike rhythms fit together without disruption to the pulse.
Excerpt: Symphonic Dance No. 3 "Fiesta" - AAA
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Technique: There is a uniform interpretation of rhythmic patterns
Definition: Rhythm.
Rhythmic accuracy – rhythms are reproduced accurately every time they occur.
Rhythmic precision – like rhythms are performed together; unlike rhythms fit together without disruption to the pulse.
Excerpt: La Tregenda - AAAA 2nd Band
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Definition: Rhythm.
Rhythmic accuracy – rhythms are reproduced accurately every time they occur.
Rhythmic precision – like rhythms are performed together; unlike rhythms fit together without disruption to the pulse.
Excerpt: La Tregenda - AAAA 2nd Band
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Technique: Performers adhere to key signatures and play correct notes without lapses
Definition: Pitch accuracy.
Students produce the notated pitches accurately and consistently throughout the piece.
Excerpt 1: Newcastle March - 8C
Definition: Pitch accuracy.
Students produce the notated pitches accurately and consistently throughout the piece.
Excerpt 1: Newcastle March - 8C
Technique: Performers adhere to key signatures and play correct notes without lapses
Definition: Pitch accuracy.
Students produce the notated pitches accurately and consistently throughout the piece.
Excerpt 2: Atlantis - 8C
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Definition: Pitch accuracy.
Students produce the notated pitches accurately and consistently throughout the piece.
Excerpt 2: Atlantis - 8C
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Technique: There is attention to correct interpretation and clarity of articulation that matches across the ensemble
Definition: Articulation.
Strength of articulation: The tongue touches the tonguing surface with the correct amount of strength and stays on the tonguing surface for the correct amount of time to create clearly articulated note fronts as indicated by the style, tempo, and musical demands of the piece.
Consistency of articulation: The tongue touches the tonguing surface in the same spot and with the same strength within a line of music, and among players in the ensemble, to create uniformity of note fronts from note-to-note and person-to-person
Excerpt: Children's March - AAAA
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Definition: Articulation.
Strength of articulation: The tongue touches the tonguing surface with the correct amount of strength and stays on the tonguing surface for the correct amount of time to create clearly articulated note fronts as indicated by the style, tempo, and musical demands of the piece.
Consistency of articulation: The tongue touches the tonguing surface in the same spot and with the same strength within a line of music, and among players in the ensemble, to create uniformity of note fronts from note-to-note and person-to-person
Excerpt: Children's March - AAAA
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Technique: Performers demonstrate manual dexterity and flexibility with only minor flaws in precision and clarity that recover quickly.
Definition: Technique.
Students re-create aurally what is represented visually on the score (manual dexterity and flexibility).
Notes across various parts move together (precision).
Every note clearly is heard (clarity).
Excerpt 1: Lincolnshire Posy Mvt. VI, The Lost Lady Found - AAAA
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Definition: Technique.
Students re-create aurally what is represented visually on the score (manual dexterity and flexibility).
Notes across various parts move together (precision).
Every note clearly is heard (clarity).
Excerpt 1: Lincolnshire Posy Mvt. VI, The Lost Lady Found - AAAA
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Technique: Performers demonstrate manual dexterity and flexibility with only minor flaws in precision and clarity that recover quickly.
Definition: Technique.
Students re-create aurally what is represented visually on the score (manual dexterity and flexibility).
Notes across various parts move together (precision).
Every note clearly is heard (clarity).
Excerpt 2: Nitro - AAAA
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Definition: Technique.
Students re-create aurally what is represented visually on the score (manual dexterity and flexibility).
Notes across various parts move together (precision).
Every note clearly is heard (clarity).
Excerpt 2: Nitro - AAAA
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Technique: Entrances and releases are together
Definition: Fronts of notes. Backs of notes.
Performers consistently start notes together by breathing in rhythm, touching the tonguing surface with the tip of the tongue, and releasing the air by dropping the tongue quickly.
Performers consistently release notes together without any distortion in the tone or the pitch by keeping the embouchure and voicing set while stopping the air instantly.
Excerpt 1: Russian Sailors' Dance - AAA
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Definition: Fronts of notes. Backs of notes.
Performers consistently start notes together by breathing in rhythm, touching the tonguing surface with the tip of the tongue, and releasing the air by dropping the tongue quickly.
Performers consistently release notes together without any distortion in the tone or the pitch by keeping the embouchure and voicing set while stopping the air instantly.
Excerpt 1: Russian Sailors' Dance - AAA
Download Score Sample Here
Technique: Entrances and releases are together
Definition: Fronts of notes. Backs of notes.
Performers consistently start notes together by breathing in rhythm, touching the tonguing surface with the tip of the tongue, and releasing the air by dropping the tongue quickly.
Performers consistently release notes together without any distortion in the tone or the pitch by keeping the embouchure and voicing set while stopping the air instantly.
Excerpt 2: Adrenaline Engines - 12F
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Definition: Fronts of notes. Backs of notes.
Performers consistently start notes together by breathing in rhythm, touching the tonguing surface with the tip of the tongue, and releasing the air by dropping the tongue quickly.
Performers consistently release notes together without any distortion in the tone or the pitch by keeping the embouchure and voicing set while stopping the air instantly.
Excerpt 2: Adrenaline Engines - 12F
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Technique: Performers display an awareness of pulse, control of tempo, and transitions between phrases
Definition: Pulse. Control of tempo.
Rhythmic consistency: A steady rhythmic pulse is demonstrated throughout a section/piece.
Control of tempo: Changes in tempo occur with precision and transitions occur without disruptions to the rhythmic pulse.
Excerpt 1: Caprice - AAAA 3rd Band
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Definition: Pulse. Control of tempo.
Rhythmic consistency: A steady rhythmic pulse is demonstrated throughout a section/piece.
Control of tempo: Changes in tempo occur with precision and transitions occur without disruptions to the rhythmic pulse.
Excerpt 1: Caprice - AAAA 3rd Band
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Technique: Performers display an awareness of pulse, control of tempo, and transitions between phrases
Definition: Pulse. Control of tempo.
Rhythmic consistency: A steady rhythmic pulse is demonstrated throughout a section/piece.
Control of tempo: Changes in tempo occur with precision and transitions occur without disruptions to the rhythmic pulse.
Excerpt 2: Florentiner March - AAAA
Definition: Pulse. Control of tempo.
Rhythmic consistency: A steady rhythmic pulse is demonstrated throughout a section/piece.
Control of tempo: Changes in tempo occur with precision and transitions occur without disruptions to the rhythmic pulse.
Excerpt 2: Florentiner March - AAAA
Balance
Balance: Performers achieve proper balance and blend within and across sections… performers show an awareness of melody
Definition: Blend within sections. Balance among sections. Balance among parts.
Blend: Students match tonal energy (volume, pitch, tone quality) from side-to-side within each section of the band (trio playing).
Balance: Volume/pitch/tone quality is matched from section-to-section around the band. Listening responsibilities have been addressed so the most important part (usually the melody) clearly is heard, the second most important part is heard secondly, etc.
Excerpt 1: First Suite in Eb, Mvt. 3 - AAAA
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Definition: Blend within sections. Balance among sections. Balance among parts.
Blend: Students match tonal energy (volume, pitch, tone quality) from side-to-side within each section of the band (trio playing).
Balance: Volume/pitch/tone quality is matched from section-to-section around the band. Listening responsibilities have been addressed so the most important part (usually the melody) clearly is heard, the second most important part is heard secondly, etc.
Excerpt 1: First Suite in Eb, Mvt. 3 - AAAA
Download Score Sample Here
Balance: Performers achieve proper balance and blend within and across sections… performers show an awareness of melody
Definition: Blend within sections. Balance among sections. Balance among parts.
Blend: Students match tonal energy (volume, pitch, tone quality) from side-to-side within each section of the band (trio playing).
Balance: Volume/pitch/tone quality is matched from section-to-section around the band. Listening responsibilities have been addressed so the most important part (usually the melody) clearly is heard, the second most important part is heard secondly, etc.
Excerpt 2: Enigma Variations, IX "Nimrod" - AAAA
Definition: Blend within sections. Balance among sections. Balance among parts.
Blend: Students match tonal energy (volume, pitch, tone quality) from side-to-side within each section of the band (trio playing).
Balance: Volume/pitch/tone quality is matched from section-to-section around the band. Listening responsibilities have been addressed so the most important part (usually the melody) clearly is heard, the second most important part is heard secondly, etc.
Excerpt 2: Enigma Variations, IX "Nimrod" - AAAA
Musicianship
Musicianship: Performers achieve meaningful and expressive phrasing through the shaping of musical passages
Definition: Phrasing. Shaping. Musical Line.
Phrasing – where breaks in the musical line occur for purposes of breathing or musical effect.
Shaping – the phrase moves toward or away from a point of arrival.
Musical direction – a note and/or combination of notes are given forward direction/movement to create musical interest for the listener.
Excerpt: My Jesus, Oh What Anguish- AAA
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Definition: Phrasing. Shaping. Musical Line.
Phrasing – where breaks in the musical line occur for purposes of breathing or musical effect.
Shaping – the phrase moves toward or away from a point of arrival.
Musical direction – a note and/or combination of notes are given forward direction/movement to create musical interest for the listener.
Excerpt: My Jesus, Oh What Anguish- AAA
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Musicianship: Dynamic contrast is obvious and effective
Definition: Dynamics. Changes in volume for musical effect.
Obvious – changes in volume, which clearly are heard.
Effective – changes in volume are tasteful and create musical interest.
Excerpt: Original Suite, I - AAA
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Definition: Dynamics. Changes in volume for musical effect.
Obvious – changes in volume, which clearly are heard.
Effective – changes in volume are tasteful and create musical interest.
Excerpt: Original Suite, I - AAA
Download Score Sample Here
Musicianship: Interpretation, style, and tempos are appropriate
Definition: Interpretation. Style. Nuance.
Interpretation: Subtle shifts in dynamics, style, and tempo are heard clearly, which create musical interest and convey the intent of the composer, which may not be notated in the score.
Style: The degree to which notes touch (legato) or do not touch (marcato; staccato).
Tempo: The correct tempo is chosen to convey the musical meaning and composer’s artistic intent of the piece.
Excerpt: Danzon No. 2 - AAAA
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Definition: Interpretation. Style. Nuance.
Interpretation: Subtle shifts in dynamics, style, and tempo are heard clearly, which create musical interest and convey the intent of the composer, which may not be notated in the score.
Style: The degree to which notes touch (legato) or do not touch (marcato; staccato).
Tempo: The correct tempo is chosen to convey the musical meaning and composer’s artistic intent of the piece.
Excerpt: Danzon No. 2 - AAAA
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Full Performances
Please download the modified judging sheet and complete as you listen to the full band performances. When complete, please email to [email protected]
Middle School Band (8C)
Liberty Eagle March, Michael Oare
Coventry Carol, arr. John Kinyon
Voodoo Dance, Elliot del Borgo
Liberty Eagle March, Michael Oare
Coventry Carol, arr. John Kinyon
Voodoo Dance, Elliot del Borgo
| Middle School Band Sheet |
High School Band (AA)
Boy Scouts of America, John Phillip Sousa
Chant and Jubilo, W. Francis McBeth
Cajun Folk Songs, Frank Ticheli
Boy Scouts of America, John Phillip Sousa
Chant and Jubilo, W. Francis McBeth
Cajun Folk Songs, Frank Ticheli
| High School Band Sheet |