American Band College Music Grading Chart printable pdf download

American Band College Music Grading Chart

Grade

c , C ,

c , C

c , C ,

2/4, 3/4, 4/4,

6/8 (easy

Add: 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, asymmetrical

Any meter or combination of

Meter

Simple: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4,

2/4, 3/4, 4/4,

6/8, 9/8.

compound)

(5/8, 7/8), changing meter

meter.

easy changing/asymmetrical meter

One to three flats

None to four flats

One sharp to six flats

Any key

Key Signature

None to five flats

(Key of C-end of year)

Tempo

Andante–Moderato (72-120)

Andante-Allegro (72-132)

Largo-Presto (44-168)

Largo-Prestissimo (44-208)

Largo-Allegro (56-144)

ritard, accel.

ritard, accel., rall.

. ˙ ˙ œ

œ . œ

ritard, accel., rall.

As in Grade 1 plus simple 16th

All values in duple

Complex duple and compound

All values in duple excluding

Note/Rest Value

note patterns and triplets

All values in compound

rhythms

complex syncopation plus easy

compound rhythms.

Simple; mostly unison rhythm

Add simple syncopation & well-

All rhythms except complex

All rhythms

Basic duple and triple syncopa-

Rhythm

(dotted rhythm end of year)

prepared dotted rhythms. More

compound or complex 16th

tion, dotted rhythms.

use of non-unison rhythms.

note syncopation.

p to f

p, mp, mf, f

ppp to fff

ppp to fff, cross dynamics,

pp to ff

Dynamics

short cresc, decresc.

broad cresc, decresc.

broad cresc., decresc.

cresc., decresc., sfz, fp

Attack, release, slurs,

Attack, release, slurs, staccato,

Two or more articulations simul-

All forms of articulation.

Attack, release, slurs, staccato,

Articulation

staccato, accent

accent, legato

taneous in the ensemble.

accent, legato, tenuto.

None

Simple trills and single grace

Trills, turns, mordents

Trills with entry or exit grace

Ornaments

notes.

notes, double or triple grace

note figures.

Limited color combinations

Independent contrapuntal

Full range of instrumentation,

Solos (fl, cl, sax, tpt, bar)

Scoring

(clar-tpt, sax-tpt) Very limited

lines, limited exposed parts, 1

exposed parts for any instrument.

exposed parts for any instrument,

Exposed woodwind or brass.

part division within sections

(possibly 2) horn parts.

mutiple solo/contrapuntal lines.

2-part horns.

1 to 3 minutes

Length

2 to 5 minutes

6 minutes +

Any length

3 to 7 minutes

Exposed solos, divisi tbn or

Frequent key changes, frequent

Extremes of range

Limited only by player ability.

Extreme low and high regis-

horn parts, clarinet crossing

meter changes, wide range for

ters, technical playing for 3rd

Things to Avoid

the break, frequent meter

3rd parts.

players. Difficult oboe or bas-

changes, key changes, chang-

soon solos.

ing syncopated rhythms.

Pitched: bells. Non-pitched:

Add: Pitched: chimes, xylo-

All instruments. Wide range of

All instruments. Wide range

All common non-pitched

triangle, tambourine, cymbals,

phone. Non-pitched: timpani.

special effects.

of special effects with diverse

Percussion Usage

Latin and traditional percus-

woodblock, snare, bass drum.

Special effects on cymbals.

requirements for each mem-

sion. Limit range of special

Limited use of special effects.

ber of section.

˙ w

effects.

˙ b

Flute

Whole notes indicate end-

of-year, advanced range.

˙ b

Oboe

˙ b

Bassoon

˙ b

Whole notes indicate end-

of-year, advanced range.

˙ b

Clarinet

Whole notes indicate end-

˙ w

of-year, advanced range.

˙ b

Alto/Bass Clarinet

Whole notes indicate end-

of-year, advanced range.

Saxophones

˙ b

Whole notes indicate end-

of-year, advanced range.

Trumpet

˙ b

˙ #

Whole notes indicate end-

of-year, advanced range.

w b

Horn

Whole notes indicate end-

of-year, advanced range.

˙ b

Trombone/Baritone

˙ b

Tuba

Revised 3/1/00

American Band College Music Grading Chart

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