NOTICE: NYSSMA Evaluation Sheets are the property of and are copyrighted by NYSSMA.

They are intended for use at NYSSMA sanctioned festivals. NYSSMA has created and
maintains the quality of the Evaluation Sheets at considerable expense. They may be duplicated for use in instructional settings without specific permission, but cannot be duplicat-
ed for use in other evaluation festivals which are not sanctioned by NYSSMA without the expressed written permission of the NYSSMA Executive Director.

NYSSMA — SPRING EVALUATION FESTIVAL Evaluation (Scale)

£ Outstanding (26-28)
BRASS/WOODWIND ENSEMBLE
(Please type or print all information requested below)
£ Excellent (21-25)
£ Good (13-20)
£ Needs Improvement (7-12)
Type of Ensemble:______________________________________________ £ Comments Only
Level of Difficulty

£ Level I £ Level IV
STUDENT INFORMATION £ Level II £ Level V
£ Level III £ Level VI
Name of Ensemble ________________________________________________________________Grade in School ______
School District and Building ___________________________________ / ____________________NYSSMA Zone ______
School Address _______________________________________________________________________________________
Street City Zip
COMPOSITION
Title ___________________________________________________________________________Required Movements _______________________________

Composer ___________________________________________________________Arranger _______________________Manual Page No. _______________

FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Location ________________________________________________Date______/ ______/ ______Audition Time _____________________ Room _________

Adjudicator’s Evaluation 4 Points = Exceeds Expectation Adjudicator’s Comments

3 Points = Meets Expectation
ENSEMBLE EVALUATION 2 Points = Developing
4 3 2 1 1 Point = Needs Improvement

TONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ££££
Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Control/Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Breath Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Vibrato (where appropriate) . . . . £
Embouchure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Posture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £

INTONATION . . . . . . . . . ££££
Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Individual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £

TECHNIQUE . . . . . . . . . . . ££££
Tonguing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Flexibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
ACCURACY . . . . . . . . . . . . ££££
Articulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Accuracy of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Accuracy of Rhythms . . . . . . . . . . £
Steadiness of Rhythms . . . . . . . . . £
Pulse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £

INTERPRETATION . . . . . ££££
Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Tempo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Phrasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Artistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £

BALANCE/BLEND . . . . . ££££
Balance of Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Blend of Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £

ENSEMBLE . . . . . . . . . . . . ££££
Entrances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £
Precision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £

TOTAL POINTS SCORED . . . . . . . . . . . . £

Adjudicator’s Signature Zone Representative’s Signature

The use of illegally copied music is prohibited BW16E – ©NYSSMA2013 Please read the reverse side of this form carefully
 New York State School Music Association
Spring Evaluation Festival
General Information
Dear Student:
Congratulations on your decision to participate in NYSSMA’s Spring Evaluation Festival. We are confident that you have found this
experience to be an important addition to your musical training. Your adjudicator has evaluated your performance by rating your
performance in each of seven major categories. Notable strengths (+) or weaknesses (-) in your performance are indicated in the
box next to each sub-category. An unmarked box next to a sub-category indicates that this aspect of your performance was
acceptable. If a concern should arise as a result of this evaluation, your teacher is encouraged to discuss your concern(s) with the
NYSSMA Representative. If your concern(s) remains unresolved, the NYSSMA Representative will inform you of further steps
which can be taken. In order to help you understand the basis for your evaluation, definitions for the various categories and sub-
categories in which your performance was evaluated are provided below. The Comments Only category is for evaluative com-
ments only. Study this form carefully. Take time to review it with your teacher(s) so they will be able to help you further develop
and refine your musical skills. Best wishes for your future success.

EVALUATION CATEGORIES
OUTSTANDING - Distinguished level of accomplishment
EXCELLENT - Above Average level of accomplishment
GOOD - Average level of accomplishment
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT - Below Average level of accomplishment
COMMENTS ONLY - No Numerical Score (must be requested prior to performance)

DEFINITIONS
ENSEMBLE EVALUATION
TONE– The sound produced by the instrument
Quality – The beauty and/or clarity of the instrumental sound
Control/Focus – The refinement of the instrumental sound in a musically appropriate and consistent manner
Breath Support – The physical process of producing the instrumental sound through proper use of air
Projection – The ability to project the tone into the performing arena
Vibrato (where appropriate) – The fluctuation of pitch used to enhance the instrumental sound in a musically
appropriate manner
Embouchure – The position of the lip, jaw and facial muscles in relation to the instrument and the performer’s physical
characteristics
Posture – The position of the body, arms, hands and fingers in relation to the instrument and the performer’s physical
characteristics
INTONATION – The accuracy of pitches in relation to each other and/or to a fixed standard
Tuning – (accompanied) The ability to match the pitch of a fixed standard
Individual – The ability of individual members of the ensemble to play in tune with themselves
Ensemble – The ability of individual members of the ensemble to play in tune with each other
TECHNIQUE – The physical ability and mechanical dexterity required to produce notes correctly
Tonguing – The correct use of the tongue in the attacking and releasing of notes
Facility – The smoothness of the dexterity of fingers and/or hand coordination
Flexibility –The ease of maneuverability throughout the range of the instrument
ACCURACY – The exact realization of the notated music
Articulation – The performance of the separation and/or connection of notes as written
Accuracy of Notes – The performance of notes as written
Accuracy of Rhythms – The performance of rhythms as written
Steadiness of Rhythms – The performance at a steady speed with regard to the metronomic and/or expressive markings
of the composition
Pulse – The performance of natural accents implied by the meter of the composition.
INTERPRETATION – The performer’s realization of the composer’s aesthetic intent and the performer’s artistic expression
Dynamics – The contrast between loud and soft
Style – The understanding of the composer/arranger’s musical intent consistent with the historical period of the
composition
Tempo – The speed of the music according to the metronomic, stylistic and/or expressive markings of the music
Phrasing – The shaping of a musical idea
Expression – The performer’s understanding of the aesthetic qualities inherent in the composition
Artistry – The performer’s musical and expressive involvement in the music
BALANCE/BLEND – The resulting sound produced when two or more instruments perform at the same time
Balance of Parts – The musical execution of the individual parts in relation to the overall volume of the ensemble
Blend of Sound – The quality of individual tone in relation to the overall tone of the ensemble
ENSEMBLE – The accurate and united coordination of the ensemble’s performance
Entrances – The accurate initiation of tone
Releases – The accurate cessation of tone
Precision – The coordination of individual parts with other members of the ensemble

BW16E – ©NYSSMA 2013