Katrina Dubbs Assignment 2

Assessment Philosophy

2/10/13

I believe that the importance of assessment is often overlooked in all music classes, but especially in ensembles. Most of the assessment strategies that I know are applied best to general music. In ensembles, assessment could only consist of informal observations, bringing materials to class, and attendance at rehearsals and concerts. Ensembles spend the majority of class time preparing music for upcoming concerts, which allows little time for learning other things. However, if a portion of rehearsal time is spent teaching and assessing musical skills and technique, the students will learn music more effectively. Students may feel accomplished after performing in a concert, but at the end of the year, they may not have learned (or may not have been aware of learning) any musical or technical skills, especially if they are not assessed on these skills. Grading students in general music is more straightforward than grading students in ensembles. In ensembles, assessment should consist of more than observing students during rehearsal. Students should be graded on assignments related to the music, musical skills (sight-reading, progress on repertoire, technical growth), and attendance/preparedness for rehearsal. If I only graded attendance/preparedness, students who learned little from the class could receive high grades. To know what to expect from my students, I would begin the year by giving the students a diagnostic assessment. I want to know each students musical knowledge and abilities. After assessing, I would know what each student should learn by the end of the year. All students need to be assessed with the same criteria, but I would never assess comparatively. By beginning with a diagnostic assessment, I will expect a certain level of individual growth when assessed throughout the year. I believe in expecting a certain

level of proficiency from each student, and (ideally) this level would be determined by the students abilities at the beginning of the year. This may not be possible depending on the school districts curriculum. Ultimately, students should become better musicians and have greater musical knowledge/appreciation after taking music classes. Students should learn more in music class than how to attend class, rehearsals, and performances. Assessing is important for both teachers and students because teachers need to know what the students abilities are, and students need to know how to improve their skills and knowledge.