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Individual and Ensemble Assessment in Choral Music

The key to a successful ensemble is a collective understanding of individual responsibility and accountability for the final product. Student assessment in either Concert Choir, Treble Choir, or Chamber Singers includes both assessment of the individual and assessment of the ensemble, of which the student is a vital component. Individual performance and ensemble performance are interdependent and must be evaluated as such. The overall goal of an ensemble is to give an outstanding public performance. Therefore, if the group is to be successful, each student must perform and prepare to the best of his or her ability. This includes individual practice and preparation, some of which can take place outside of rehearsals (i.e. score study, rehearsing individual parts with tapes). Individual assessment is accomplished primarily by choral exams, secondarily by solo or small ensemble performance during rehearsal, and by assessing the student's contribution to the ensemble. Attendance at performances is also required. Ensemble assessment is done through a variety of means, including adjudications in concerts and at festivals, and self assessments.

Individual Assessment

1. The student's grade for the choral exams as assessed by Mt. Ararat Choral Exam Rubric (pdf file) (20% each semester).

2. The student's individual contribution to the choir assessed by the Mt. Ararat Individual Contribution Rubric (pdf file) (40% each semester).

3. Attendance at all required performances (40% each semester).

Note: As Choral exams do not occur during 1st and 3rd quarters, Individual Contribution and Attendance each account for 50% of the grade during those two quarters.

Ensemble Assessment

The ensemble assessment will be done in several ways. First, rehearsals and concerts are frequently taped and reviewed by the director and by the students in the ensemble. Outside experts are used to evaluate the choir during rehearsals and /or performances. This could mean judges at festivals or guest adjudicators evaluating the choir at a regular concert, festival, or workshop. Ensemble assessments by students, the choral director and guest adjudicators are accomplished using the Mt. Ararat Ensemble Rating Rubric (pdf file).

Mt. Ararat High School Music Department Assessment Rubrics