American Band College Music Grading Chart Grade 1 2 3 4 5 c C c C c C Meter Simple: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, , 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, , , 6/8 (easy 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, , , 6/8, 9/8. Add: 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, asymmetrical Any meter or combination of compound) easy changing/asymmetrical meter (5/8, 7/8), changing meter meter.

One to three flats None to four flats None to five flats One sharp to six flats Any key Key Signature (Key of C-end of year)

Tempo Andante–Moderato (72-120) Andante-Allegro (72-132) Largo-Allegro (56-144) Largo-Presto (44-168) Largo-Prestissimo (44-208) ritard, accel. ritard, accel., rall. ritard, accel., rall. ritard, accel., rall.

As in Grade 1 plus simple 16th All values in duple excluding All values in duple Complex duple and compound Note/Rest Value w ˙. ˙ œ œ œ. note patterns and triplets complex syncopation plus easy All values in compound rhythms J compound rhythms. Simple; mostly unison rhythm Add simple syncopation & well- Basic duple and triple syncopa- All rhythms except complex All rhythms Rhythm (dotted rhythm end of year) prepared dotted rhythms. More tion, dotted rhythms. compound or complex 16th use of non-unison rhythms. note syncopation. Dynamics p to f p, mp, mf, f pp to ff ppp to fff ppp to fff, cross dynamics, short cresc, decresc. cresc., decresc., sfz, fp broad cresc, decresc. broad cresc., decresc.

Attack, release, slurs, Attack, release, slurs, staccato, Attack, release, slurs, staccato, Two or more articulations simul- All forms of articulation. Articulation staccato, accent accent, legato accent, legato, tenuto. taneous in the ensemble.

None Simple trills and single grace Trills with entry or exit grace Trills, turns, mordents Trills, turns, mordents Ornaments notes. notes, double or triple grace note figures.

Limited color combinations Independent contrapuntal Solos (fl, cl, sax, tpt, bar) Full range of instrumentation, Full range of instrumentation, Scoring (clar-tpt, sax-tpt) Very limited lines, limited exposed parts, 1 Exposed woodwind or brass. exposed parts for any instrument. exposed parts for any instrument, part division within sections (possibly 2) horn parts. 2-part horns. mutiple solo/contrapuntal lines. Length 1 to 3 minutes 2 to 5 minutes 3 to 7 minutes 6 minutes + Any length Exposed solos, divisi tbn or Frequent key changes, frequent Extreme low and high regis- Extremes of range Limited only by player ability. 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 common non-pitched All instruments. Wide range of All instruments. Wide range Percussion Usage triangle, tambourine, cymbals, phone. Non-pitched: timpani. Latin and traditional percus- special effects. of special effects with diverse woodblock, snare, bass drum. Special effects on cymbals. sion. Limit range of special requirements for each mem- Limited use of special effects. effects. ber of section. Flute w ˙ ˙ b˙ ˙ Whole notes indicate end- ˙ of-year, advanced range. ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙5 5˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ Oboe b˙ ˙ b˙ b˙ b˙ b˙ 3 b˙ 3 b˙ Bassoon w ˙ ˙ Whole notes indicate end- ˙ of-year, advanced range. ˙ ˙ b˙ b˙ ˙ b˙ ˙ Clarinet w ˙ w ˙ Whole notes indicate end- b˙ of-year, advanced range. w ˙ ˙9 ˙ ˙ ˙ w ˙ ˙ ˙ Alto/Bass Clarinet w ˙ Whole notes indicate end- b˙ of-year, advanced range. w ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ Saxophones w ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ Whole notes indicate end- ˙ of-year, advanced range. ˙ ˙ ˙ b˙ b˙ Tr umpet ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ Whole notes indicate end- ˙ w of-year, advanced range. b˙ ˙ # #˙ #˙ #˙ Horn bw ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ Whole notes indicate end- ˙ ? of-year, advanced range. ˙ & w ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ b˙ Trombone/Baritone ˙ b˙ ˙ b˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ b˙ Tuba ˙ ˙ ˙ Revised 3/1/00 b˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙