Rubric - Piano (Classical) Audition Rubric

A traditional 4-level, 100-point classical piano audition rubric scoring touch and tone, note accuracy and technical facility, rhythm and tempo, pedaling and dynamics, and stylistic interpretation.
4 - Exceeds Expectation 3 - Meets Expectation 2 - Approaching Expectation 1 - Below Expectation
Prepared Repertoire, Scales & Sight-Reading
100%
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Hand Position, Touch & Tone
20%
20 Points
Efficient hand position and relaxed arm weight produce a singing, varied tone; touch is fully controlled in every texture....
15 Points
Good hand position and pleasing tone; touch is secure with minor unevenness in dense textures....
10 Points
Hand position collapses under demand and tone is harsh or shallow; touch varies unintentionally....
0 Points
Hand position and touch are not established; tone is uncontrolled and percussive....
Note Accuracy & Technical Facility
20%
20 Points
No wrong notes at tempo; scales, arpeggios, octaves and passagework are even, fluent and secure....
15 Points
Accurate playing with isolated slips; technical passages are secure with slight unevenness....
10 Points
Wrong notes recur and technical passages slow down or blur; fingering choices are inefficient....
0 Points
Note accuracy and technique are insufficient to perform the repertoire....
Rhythm, Tempo & Pulse
20%
20 Points
Rhythms are exact and the pulse is unwavering; rubato is stylistically informed and never destabilizes the tempo....
15 Points
Accurate rhythms and steady tempo with slight rushing in demanding passages....
10 Points
Rhythmic errors recur, subdivision is uneven, and tempo fluctuates unintentionally....
0 Points
Rhythm and tempo break down; the written figures cannot be identified....
Pedaling & Dynamic Range
20%
20 Points
Pedaling is clean, subtle and stylistically apt; the dynamic range spans a true pianissimo to a full, unforced fortissimo....
15 Points
Effective pedaling and clear dynamic contrast; the extremes are somewhat cautious....
10 Points
Pedaling blurs the texture or is barely used; dynamics stay within a narrow band....
0 Points
Pedaling is haphazard or absent and dynamics show no contrast or control....
Phrasing, Style & Interpretation
20%
20 Points
Deeply musical, stylistically informed interpretation with sophisticated voicing, direction and artistic nuance....
15 Points
Clear phrasing and appropriate stylistic choices; interpretation is convincing if conventional....
10 Points
Phrasing is literal, voicing is undifferentiated, and stylistic conventions are inconsistently applied....
0 Points
Playing is mechanical with no phrasing, voicing, or stylistic awareness....