Recorded Assessments

All About Recorded Assessments (Playing Tests)

In Concert Bands, there are only 2 recorded playing tests students must submit all year, and an optional third assignment.

List A, Due December 21
List B, Due March 21
List C, Due May 21

You can tell if a student has submitted a playing test by looking at their PowerSchool or by logging into Charms and going to the Recording Studio to see what has been submitted. PowerSchool will also show which pieces your student selected.

List A and List B Pieces

Students selected their own pieces from the appropriate Royal Conservatory of Music Repertoire book for their instrument. These selections challenge the student to perform their instrument soloistically, and demands that they have strong skill on their instrument.

Percussionists choose a Snare Solo for their List A piece, and a Mallet Solo for their List B piece.

These pieces demonstrate the basic technique and skills students are expected to have at their grade level. Their marks are cumulative.

List C Piece

This is another piece students select, but they can come from any source (pop, movie theme, classical, jazz, etc.). They must not be too challenging or underwhelming. Mr. Windsor arranges the students' choices for their instrument.
If a student plays in Festival, that was their List C piece, and they need to instead complete their List B piece for a May 22 deadline.

Percussionists are encouraged to make any selection they wish, and are welcome to play their selection on the piano.

The List C pieces provides students with the opportunity to improve a List A or List B mark, or get a bonus mark. It is not a required assignment, but can make a big difference to a student's grade in Concert Band.

As you can see, the students select their own pieces to play as playing tests, not some arbitrary selection made by Mr. Windsor. The List A and List B pieces end up being comprehensive assessments that are universally understood as good measurement tools, giving students the opportunity to showcase their technical skill and their employment of volume and style in their music. The List C piece does the same, but opens up their musicking to selections that aren't classical in nature.

Every student is also given access in their "Shared With Me" folder in Google Drive to an mp3 Piano Accompaniment they can use to practice. Accompaniments are also available in Charms. Those accompaniments become unavailable after their due date.

Daniel Cheney performing a solo at Festival in the 2016 High River and District Lions Music Festival. This is the format of all Recorded Assessments, but done in the comfort of home.

Planned Practice and Late Submissions

At the beginning of the submission period, students worked on an assignment that helped them both connect to the music and organize their practice strategy. This assignment helped students make a step-by-step and goal-by-goal schedule for their practice. Therefore there is no reason for late submissions.

If a student does not submit their performance on time, they will be expected to perform their selections outside of school hours.

Can students resubmit their performances?

Absolutely, but within reason. No submissions, whether original or resubmissions, will be accepted after June 1. Resubmissions are only accepted from students who have already submitted on time. If a student wishes to have this opportunity, they must demonstrate their effort to begin with by completing work in a timely fashion. Resubmissions can still be submitted through Charms.
Opting to perform a List C piece is an alternative to resubmission.

How do students submit their recordings?

Using Charms. Students have had this tool demonstrated to them in class. They are recommended to play their piano accompaniment in their headphones, and record using any internet-connected device with a microphone (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.). I've even had one student submit through their X-Box, although I have no idea how they did so.
Students can also use the Charms Blue Android or iPhone/iPad app to help them complete these tasks.

How can I help as a parent or guardian?

Saxophone players practicing during Self-Directed Learning with a Proteus Saxophone Quartet Member.

Check out Charms yourself (you too can use the Charms Blue Android or iPhone/iPad app) to see if they have submitted their work. If it is listed as Late, resubmissions will not be accepted, but the initial submission still needs to be sent in.

You can also help by giving your student a regular space and time to practice their music. They should practice every day, but it shouldn't need to be more than 10 minutes each day. Even 5 minutes each day should work. This does not equate to over a half hour once weekly, as practice with lots of time in between is far less effective than making a regular habit.

Sometimes the greatest help you can give is to help your student get their assignments submitted. No student has had challenges with the technology for over a year, but just in case, I still recommend the use of Chrome over any other browser, and you must give your browser permission to use your microphone.

Music Education is in our schools because we value it.

Fifth and Sixth from the left, Kim Waddle and Jasper Favel accept their scholarships for their Distinction-rated performances at the 2018 Highwood Lions Music Festival, evidence of their hard work and practice.

These playing tests are ways your student demonstrates their musicality, their creativity, and their understanding of beauty. They must actively develop connections between both hemispheres of the brain to succeed. They must develop self-discipline, trustworthiness, and collaborative skill in order to succeed. These are the habits of Engaged Thinkers and Ethical Citizens with an Entrepreneurial Spirit. It is the only school-based activity that consistently exposes students to these growth mindset habits, habits that cannot be duplicated by any machine. Students must engage in these activities to reap the benefits. These recording assessments are just one way students do so.