Band Proficiency Levels
Students should always try to sight read the music regardless of level
Level 1 proficiency : Exposure level (before practice)
Student knows fingerings and can play sustained pitches on most (if not all) of notes on page. Motor skill coordination, counting and embouchure need work. Student can play very few phrases without teacher assistance. Major hesitations are evident along with looking up rhythm and fingerings in book.
Level 2 proficiency : Practice level (after practice)
Student knows fingerings and can play sustained pitches on all notes on page. Motor skill coordination, counting and embouchure need more work but improvement has been shown. Student can play major sections without teacher assistance with few missed notes and some hesitations.
Level 3 proficiency : Refinement level (practice and review)
Student has few problems with minor hesitations. Students can identify problem spots and create exercises to improve them. Student can play all but the hardest phrases without hesitation.
Level 4 proficiency : Mastery level (review and maintenance)
Student has no hesitations, wrong notes or rhythm/beat problems. Motor skill coordination is evident and tone is normal for that student. Mastery is achieved after 4 times through the song without problem. Music must now be reviewed.
Level 5 proficiency : Sight Reading level
Student can sight read the music almost perfectly (with few if any hesitations) upon first trying to play it. Student can be allowed to study the music for a short time before attempting to play.