Please note there is NO SET REQUIRED Repertoire for Levels 1 through 3. Please choose appropriate pieces for the “Required Repertoire” based on the outlined expectations. The Festival Board reserves the right to re-level a student if their planned pieces are outside the parameters for a level.

Note the rubric is very simple for beginning musicians!  Judges will try and identify at least 3 highlights for each participant and 2-3 suggested goals (or even next steps) to help the participants recognize what they are doing well and then set goals for what comes next.

If you would like to help with the Student Assessment team (refining feedback rubrics, judges training, etc), please let us know!

Levels 1-3 (Beginner) Feedback Rubric

Level 1: New Beginner

Target Skills:

• Good Posture

• Correct Hand Position

• Basic Technical Facility

• Good Tone

• Placing - Clean on Turn-arounds (1-2-3-4-3-2-1)

• Correct Dynamics/Clear Contrast

Level 2: Beginner

Target Skills:

• Glissandi

• Accidentals - setting levers or pedals at the beginning

• Arpeggios - root and inversions, predictable pattern

• Scales - hand over hand

Level 3: Advancing Beginner

Target Skills:

• Placing/Scales - cross under and cross over

• Accidentals - lever changes mid-piece

• PDLT and other introductory tones