Rubric - Mallets Audition Rubric

A traditional 4-level, 100-point keyboard percussion audition rubric scoring mallet technique, note accuracy and sight-reading, rhythm, tone and dampening, and musical phrasing.
4 - Exceeds Expectation 3 - Meets Expectation 2 - Approaching Expectation 1 - Below Expectation
Marimba or Xylophone Solo, Scales & Sight-Reading
100%
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Mallet Technique & Stroke Quality
20%
20 Points
Efficient two- or four-mallet technique with a relaxed, piston-like stroke; intervals and independence are fully controlled....
15 Points
Secure technique and stroke quality; interval changes are handled with minor hesitation....
10 Points
Stroke is stiff or uneven; interval changes and mallet independence are unreliable....
0 Points
Mallet technique is not established; strokes are uncontrolled and inconsistent....
Note Accuracy & Sight-Reading
20%
20 Points
No wrong notes at tempo; sight-reading is fluent and accurate with confident eye-to-keyboard coordination....
15 Points
Accurate playing with isolated wrong notes; sight-reading is solid with minor errors....
10 Points
Wrong notes recur and sight-reading is halting; tempo drops to manage the keyboard....
0 Points
Note accuracy and reading fail; the written material cannot be performed....
Rhythm & Pulse
20%
20 Points
Rhythms are exact with a rock-solid internal pulse through subdivisions, hemiola and meter changes....
15 Points
Accurate rhythms with slight tempo drift in technical passages....
10 Points
Rhythmic errors and uneven subdivision recur; tempo is unstable....
0 Points
Rhythm and pulse collapse; the written figures cannot be identified....
Tone, Dampening & Dynamic Range
20%
20 Points
Beautiful, centered tone with ideal mallet choice and beating spots; dampening and pedaling are clean and the dynamic range is wide....
15 Points
Good tone and mallet selection; dampening is effective and dynamics are clearly contrasted....
10 Points
Tone is inconsistent, beating spots wander, dampening is late, and dynamics are compressed....
0 Points
Tone is poor, dampening is absent, and dynamics show no contrast or control....
Phrasing, Musicality & Interpretation
20%
20 Points
Sings through the instrument with sophisticated phrasing, direction and stylistically informed nuance....
15 Points
Clear, appropriate phrasing and evident musical intent; shaping is solid if predictable....
10 Points
Phrasing is literal and expressive markings are only partially observed....
0 Points
No phrasing or interpretation; the performance is note-by-note and expressively flat....