Attainment Descriptions
Attainment Levels
The following attainment descriptions have been created to give a general indication of the levels of attainment likely to be shown by candidates with overall results classified as Excellent, Pass and Working Towards for each Music Medal.
In order to pass the Medal, candidates have to achieve a Pass in a minimum of two of the three sections, of which one must be in the Ensemble section. From Bronze level, to pass ‘with excellence’, all three sections must be awarded an Excellent result.
Excellent
Candidates demonstrate confident ensemble skills, with appropriate interaction and responsiveness to the group. They perform with a secure control of sounds, accuracy and intonation. They demonstrate consistent tonal control and play with an appropriate range of dynamics. They are able to sustain a suitable tempo and to play fluently within it, and are sensitive to musical details. Their playing has a good sense of rhythm, with well-shaped phrases and clear articulation. This results in performances that convey the mood and character of the music. Their musicianship skills are excellent at the level, being more than sufficient to meet the demands of the chosen Option test.
Pass
Although in their ensemble performance there may be some small problems – for example with tempi, phrasing or balance – candidates play with a sense of ensemble and are responsive to the group. They control their sound with general security, and their playing is mostly accurate in notes and intonation. They pay some attention to the dynamics and there is evidence of tonal awareness. They maintain a suitable tempo in performance and play with a sense of rhythm. Their phrases are mostly well shaped and their articulation is generally secure. They play with a reasonable sense of continuity and recover from slips promptly. The broad intention of the music they play is conveyed. They demonstrate musicianship skills adequate to the demands of the chosen Option test.
Working Towards
In ensemble performance candidates make some contribution but demonstrate only a limited or somewhat erratic response to the group. They have some control of sounds, but insufficient security of note accuracy, intonation, dynamics or tonal control. Their level of interpretative skill is undermined by rhythmic or tempo difficulties, and their phrases lack shape and appropriate articulation. They recover poorly from slips and so their performance lacks continuity. This in turn results in the mood or character of the music being inadequately communicated. They have a degree of musicianship skill, but it is inadequate to the demands of the chosen Option test.