Safety First

update 26–Nov–08: change “pass (40+ grade)” to “3rd (45-49)”.

Here’s my take on our marking criteria for the forthcoming performance. Please leave comments.

• 40% continuous assessment
• 60% exam/performance

Of this, I’ll deal only with the latter in this article. This exam/performance breaks down as follows:

• 70% tactics and interaction
  • of which 10% (10/70) is specifically dealing with volume/dynamics
• 30% stage craft

some hypothetical examples

1st (70+ grade)

• tactics and interaction: the performer…
  • deploys a variety of strategies,
  • imaginatively selected (generally avoids obvious responses),
  • each creating a complex group sound, and
  • dynamically tests/interacts with the group.
• stage craft: the performer…
  • exudes confidence and
  • there are few, if any, moments of uncertainty.
• volume/dynamics: the performer…
  • demonstrates the full dynamic spectrum of their instrument, but
  • is mindful of the capabilities of the others (though not hampered by them).

2.1 (60+)

• tactics and interaction:
  • a few strategies,
  • generally avoids obvious responses,
  • contributing intelligently to a group sound, but
  • often does not drive the group.
• stage craft:
  • mostly confident, but
  • there are moments of uncertainty.
• volume/dynamics:
  • mindful of the capabilities of the other, and
  • partially explores the dynamic range.

You get the idea, so I’ll skip down to…

3rd (45-49) pass (40+ grade)

• tactics and interaction:
  • one consistent strategy, which is
  • obvious, and
  • follows the group rather than driving it.
• stage craft:
  • appears largely uncertain or apologetic.
• volume/dynamics: the performer…
  • does not drown anyone out, but
  • plays mp/mf all the time.

fail (40- grade)

• tactics and interaction:
  • …strategy… er, what am I doing here?
  • where’s the rest of the group?
• stage craft:
  • really does not belong on stage.
• volume/dynamics: the performer…
  • drowns people out and/or plays at one dynamic level consistently…

For your reference, here is the marking criteria that the Safety First class used in 2006. This is for reference only: we are not using this criteria.

• 40% continuous assessment
• 60% exam/performance

this latter divides into

1. stage presence, presentation, etiquette, theatre
   • whether the student has convincing stage presence
   • is audience aware
   • can manipulate the audience
2. overall quality of the group improvisation (and demonstration of a sophisticated take on social structures)
   • was it good?
   • was it entertaining?
   • was it interesting?
   • was it crafty?
   • was it weird?
   • was it waaaaaaay out there?
   • can I get a recording of that?
3. individual musicianship
   • [musical responsibility]
     • [demonstrate an awareness of the consequences of actions]
     • able to adapt to unexpected stimuli
   • listening (stimulus and response)
     • student thinks outside the box (experimental)
     • their responses to stimuli is well judged, but is not-mannered
4. participation
   • amount of playing vs the quality of the contributions. in other words, you can play very little, as long as that little kicks butt

70-80 1st
60-69 2.1
50-59 2.2
45-49 3rd
40-44 pass
35-39 fail (near)
0-34 fail (abject)