Students performing at Achievement level will play with general accuracy and evidence of adequate preparation.
Merit level students will demonstrate secure technical skills, a mostly accurate performance, evidence of effective preparation and an awareness of phrase shape, dynamics, rhythm and feel.
To perform effectively means that the performance is technically secure, stylistically appropriate and confidently communicated to the audience.
To gain Excellence, pianists will display technical assurance, fluency, accuracy and show evidence of careful preparation. Further, students meeting excellence criterion will provide a performance of any musical genre which pays attention to detail and convinces the listener.
To perform convincingly means that the performance is assured, musically expressive and demonstrates interpretive understanding.
students will be able to demonstrate independence between hands. For example, they will perform music where the interest, rhythmic or melodic, is shared between hands.
Students will also be able to use contrasting dynamics between hands (e.g. left hand p and right hand mf). The ability to demonstrate a range of dynamics, including cresc. and decres. should also be evident.
clean legato lines to demonstrate smooth melodic line
staccato may also appropriate and this should be cleanly articulated and controlled
accents, slurs and phrasing will increase your grade