Rubric - Piano (Rock/Pop) Audition Rubric

A traditional 4-level, 100-point rock and pop piano audition rubric scoring touch and tone, part accuracy and voicing choices, groove and time, dynamics and balance, and style and presence.
4 - Exceeds Expectation 3 - Meets Expectation 2 - Approaching Expectation 1 - Below Expectation
Prepared Song, Chart Reading & Play-Along
100%
__________________________________________________________
Touch, Tone & Hand Technique
20%
20 Points
Confident, stylistically apt touch with fully controlled technique; the sound sits perfectly in a band texture....
15 Points
Good touch and secure technique; the sound is appropriate with occasional unevenness....
10 Points
Touch is heavy or timid and technique is inconsistent; the sound fights the band texture....
0 Points
Touch and technique are not established; the playing cannot function in a band....
Chord/Part Accuracy & Voicing Choices
20%
20 Points
Every part and voicing is correct and stylistically ideal; inversions and register choices are deliberate and tasteful....
15 Points
Accurate parts and appropriate voicings with isolated errors....
10 Points
Wrong chords recur and voicings are generic or cluttered....
0 Points
Parts and voicings cannot be executed accurately....
Groove, Time & Feel
20%
20 Points
Impeccable time with an authentic feel; comping and riffs lock to the drums and track perfectly....
15 Points
Steady time and good feel; slight drift at section changes....
10 Points
Time fluctuates and rhythmic placement is inconsistent against the groove....
0 Points
Cannot hold time; the playing does not align with the music....
Dynamics, Register Use & Sound Balance
20%
20 Points
Wide dynamic range with intentional register choices that leave space for the vocal and other instruments....
15 Points
Clear dynamic contrast and effective register use; balance with the band is good....
10 Points
Dynamics stay flat and register choices crowd other parts....
0 Points
No dynamic control and no awareness of balance within the ensemble....
Style Authenticity & Performance Presence
20%
20 Points
Authentically covers rock, pop, gospel and ballad idioms with tasteful choices and commanding presence....
15 Points
Handles the main styles convincingly with confident presence....
10 Points
One or two styles are approximated; presence is tentative....
0 Points
No stylistic authenticity and no performance presence....