Performance Standards for Stage 2 Solo Performance

Accuracy Technique
A highly developed and fluent performance. Excellent technical proficiency, including clarity of articulation and suitable posture. Excellently controlled tone and dynamics. Highly developed application and range of techniques relevant to the styles of the repertoire presented.

Musicianship
A high level of musical sensitivity, demonstrated through clear and appropriate phrasing and excellent balance. Highly proficient stylistic interpretation, including, where appropriate, mature improvisation. A highly confident, engaging, and well-sustained performance that demonstrates considerable depth of musical understanding through the chosen repertoire. Highly proficient demonstration of musicianship in completing a performance that meets time requirements.

Highly proficient accuracy of notes, rhythm, and intonation, with excellent maintenance of tempo and pulse and observation of score markings.

Proficient accuracy of notes, rhythm, and intonation, with good maintenance of tempo and pulse and observation of score markings.

A capable and mostly fluent performance. Well-developed technical proficiency, including generally clear articulation and suitable posture. Control of most tone colours and dynamics. Very capable application and range of techniques relevant to the styles of the repertoire presented.

A very capable level of musical sensitivity, demonstrated through appropriate phrasing and balance. Proficient stylistic interpretation, including, where appropriate, effective improvisation. A very engaging and well-sustained performance that demonstrates some depth of musical understanding through the chosen repertoire. Confident demonstration of musicianship in completing a performance that meets time requirements.

Generally competent accuracy of notes, rhythm, intonation, with appropriate maintenance of tempo and pulse and observation of score markings.

A competent performance with some fluency. Competent technical proficiency, including some clarity of articulation and suitable posture. Appropriate control of tone colours and some dynamics. Generally competent application and range of techniques relevant to the styles of the repertoire presented.

A generally competent level of musical sensitivity, demonstrated through generally appropriate phrasing and balance. Generally competent stylistic interpretation, including, where appropriate, some improvisation. An engaging performance that demonstrates some musical understanding through the chosen repertoire. Competent demonstration of musicianship in completing a performance that meets time requirements.

Accuracy

Technique
A basic performance with occasional fluency. A developing but not fully controlled technical proficiency, including occasional clarity of articulation and suitability of posture. Basic control of tone and limited range of dynamics. Inconsistent application of mostly simplistic techniques that have some relevance to the styles of the repertoire presented.

Musicianship
A basic level of musical sensitivity, demonstrated through some limited phrasing that may be appropriate. Simplistic stylistic interpretation. A performance that demonstrates some basic musical understanding, with attempted engagement of the audience through the chosen repertoire. Some evidence of musicianship in completing a basic performance that attempts to meet time requirements.

Some accuracy of notes, rhythm, and intonation, with some maintenance of tempo and pulse and observation of basic score markings.

Limited accuracy of notes, rhythm, and intonation, with attempted maintenance of tempo and pulse and attempted observation of basic score markings.

A limited, mostly hesitant performance. Mostly uncontrolled technique with little clarity of articulation or suitability of posture. Limited control of tone or dynamics. Limited application of relevant techniques.

A limited level of musical sensitivity. Limited stylistic interpretation. A performance that demonstrates limited musical understanding through the chosen repertoire. Limited evidence of musicianship in a limited attempt to meet time requirements.