Outstanding musicianship, phrasing and style

Mostly consistent musicianship, phrasing and style

Inconsistent musicianship, phrasing and style.

Mostly inconsistent phrasing and style that detracted from performance

Notes were played with no phrasing or nuance attempted.

Consistent, high-quality tone throughout the entire range.

High-quality tone with some lower quality in extended ranges.

Acceptable tone quality with many range issues.

Occasional high-quality tone but often uncontrolled.

Usually unclear, low-quality tone.

Outstanding control of the instrument and technical expertise

Consistent control of the instrument with very few technical issues.

Few technical issues that detracted from the performance.

Many technical issues throughout the performance.

Severe technical issues.

Consistently accurate rhythms and appropriate tempo.

Most rhythms are accurate. Some inconsistencies or inaccurate tempo.

Some rhythm issues or insecure tempo.

Many inaccurate rhythms. Little sense of tempo.

Erratic tempo and consistently inaccurate rhythms.

Clear, accurate articulations throughout the piece.

Clear, accurate articulations with few articulation markings missed.

Inconsistent articulations that began to detract from the performance.

Unclear articulations with many articulations markings missed.

Severe articulation issues. Most articulation markings missed.

Consistently precise pitches.

Precise pitches throughout the piece with a few minor errors.

Some intonation issues and incorrect notes.

Frequent intonation issues throughout the piece.

Most notes were incorrect or out of tune.