Grading in A Music Classroom

Grading in a music classroom is sometimes viewed as a difficult feat because music subjective. I feel that grading in music should be based upon many factors. Some of them being

-knowing techniques
-parts of the instruments
-history of music
-history of instruments
-participation
-attendance
-concert participation/ attendance
-playing tests

Playing tests are sometimes disputed because different students embody different abilities on instruments. For example, how do you grade a student who has taken private lessons for 5 years as opposed to a student who has only had playing experience in the public schools? The same rubric can't be used for both the students because they have both had different experiences with learning and playing music. I feel for playing tests, you should test the students on their ability to play the pieces for an upcoming concert. This way you can comment on their improvement and technique. You can also ask critical thinking questions like "how would you use your bow to play this passage with a staccato style?"

For your more advanced students, you could provide them with a higher level of music and use the same rubric, just more advanced music. This allows you to keep your students challenged and still working. Often times students get bored if the content it too easy for them, so applying higher level lessons and music is great way to keep them interested, working, and even provide them with great rep., and skills that will help them if they decide to go further with music in college.

Attached is a possible rubric for playing tests.

Rubric