OBJECTIVE 

Musicianship Evaluations encourage a well-balanced lesson curriculum for teachers and students, and provide an incentive for goal attainment in areas of Music Appreciation, Theory, History, Ear Training, Technique, and Sight-Reading. 

TEACHER ELIGIBILITY 

Any teacher who is a member of Encore may register students for this and all student events sponsored throughout the year. Annual membership dues are standard throughout the year and are not prorated. 

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY 

Any student may participate who has paid the registration fee and is studying with a teacher who meets the requirements above. 

AWARDS AND INCENTIVES 

Every participant will receive an evaluation, certificate, and ribbon. Additional awards for Outstanding Projects may also be presented. Students who complete all categories of Musicianship Evaluations will earn a composite score once all categories are completed. The Encore Medallion Award is given to students who have earned composite scores for at least two years, and have attained specified point goals. (See Encore Handbook under “Materials”) 

Scholarship Auditions will be held in May, and will be open to all seniors who have completed requirements for Ensemble Festival, Solo Festival, Concerto Festival, Musicianship Evaluations, and the Encore Keyboard Competition. 

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES 

The technique curriculum for Musicianship Evaluations has been designed for the average piano student. With consistent practice and teacher guidance, a student should complete the requirements for one level each year. Students who move at a more rapid pace may wish to complete another level of requirements, or may be given other assignments at the teacher’s discretion. Both teacher and student should realize the importance of consistent daily technique practice. Students who hastily prepare for Evaluations the month or week before testing will not develop this important practice habit, nor will they benefit from the Musicianship Evaluations curriculum as it was intended. 

While skipping testing levels from one year to the next is permissible, it is strongly recommended that students thoroughly study the requirements for every level, whether formally tested or not. In other words, the student who tests in Level 5 one year and Level 7 the next year should have become competent in the requirements of Level 6 in the interim period. 

Minimum metronome markings must be met or exceeded. If the student plans to use a faster speed, that metronome marking should be indicated on his/her evaluation form. Students are encouraged to use the metronome during actual testing. 

The curriculum frequently calls for a student to be prepared with an exercise at a specific tempo for a given number of octaves. In such cases, students may either build up to the requirement by beginning with fewer octaves at a slower tempo, or omit preliminary octaves and perform only the final requirement. For example, if the requirement is a B Major Scale (MM 60 to a quarter note, four octaves of sixteenth notes), all of the following would be acceptable: 

• (1) Student plays one octave of quarters, two octaves of eighths, three octaves of triplets and four octaves of sixteenths. 
• (2) Student plays two octaves of eighths, three octaves of triplets and four octaves of sixteenths. 
• (3) Student plays three octaves of triplets and four octaves of sixteenths. 
• (4) Student plays four octaves of sixteenths. 

It is recommended that students use the third option, which effectively demonstrates the shift from triple to duple rhythm. However, points will not be deducted for using any of the other options. 

All exercises should be played hands together, ascending and descending, unless specifically noted otherwise. Standard fingerings (Hanon) are acceptable. An appropriate non-standard fingering will also be acceptable if the teacher has indicated it in advance on the evaluation form. The judge may deduct points for any fingering s/he finds to be awkward or inappropriate. 

In addition to the pure technique exercises for each level, students are required to perform a technical exercise or etude, which may be taken from any technique book (method or non-method, including Czerny or Hanon). Students may combine two short exercises if they would like. The technique selection need not be memorized. Students may bring their technique music with them to use in the evaluation. Because of strict copyright protection laws, Encore does not permit the use of photocopied scores. Should no score be available or should copies be used, the student will have 10 points deducted from his/her evaluation. 

Judges will be instructed to be positive and encouraging throughout the testing. However, points may be deducted for incorrect notes, incorrect fingering, poor tonal control, unsteady pulse, inadequate tempo, frequent unsuccessful attempts, etc. Please coach students to not restart elements. Each redo will be minus one point, up to a maximum of 5 points. Younger children will be given the benefit of the doubt by judges, but please reinforce the principle of mental preparation with your students so they can start technical skills with the same assurance that they begin a memorized piece. 

Students should use good hand position and form, as points may be deducted in this area if the actual execution of the requirement has been affected. Students will not be penalized for exceeding any requirement.

Every student will be asked to sight read a short piece and will be given one minute to prepare. Judges will deduct points for incorrect notes, incorrect rhythm, unsteady pulse, awkward fingering, stopping, starting over, etc. Judges will not deduct points if the student counts aloud or sets a slow tempo. 

Timings per level will be as follows:

• Levels 1A–6: 7 minutes
• Levels 7–10: 10 minutes
• Challenge Level: 12 minutes

While the technique curriculum for Musicianship Evaluations is a balanced, progressive program, it is not comprehensive. Students who move through the program quickly may be challenged by the “For Further Study” sections listed in addition to the standard requirements for each level. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate other supplementary technical drills into their lesson plans. 

Teachers who would like to see samples of sight reading test excerpts may access the samples below. They may not be shown to students at any time. If a teacher cannot access the samples, please contact the current handbook chair.

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS

Teachers will need to proctor and pre-record students for the online event. Once students are registered for the online event, the technique chairs will give instructions on how to test certain keys and the sight reading example. The video must be taken in one continuous setting with the teacher stating the keys aloud so the judge can hear it when watching the video.

Online submissions should have the following YouTube title, adapted to each student: “First name, last name, technique level, Encore Technique Festival, year” (Jane Doe, Level 9, Encore Technique Festival, (year).” 

The online videos need to include the full body view with head to feet, including hands. Good lighting and sound should be a priority. It is the teacher’s responsibility to make sure links work when putting the videos into AuditionWare.

Teachers who upload music on AuditionWare for the online event should fill out an “Online Copyright Rules” document and include it with the same music upload on AuditionWare. This document is found under “Materials>Encore Handbook>Online Copyright Rules.”