Each level of Musician Test will contain music theory, aural skills, scales, music terminology, fingering charts, community and citizenship aspects specific to either traditional wind or percussion band instrument and/or visual performance.
In the past our musicians tests were kept on paper only and the student was 100% responsible for maintaining the sheet with all required signatures and proof of completion with director initials. If a sheet was lost, the student was required to retake all items on the test. From here forward, the student's responsibility is to maintain an online musical portfolio adding artifacts to show completion of requirements as well as uploading programs or other items demonstrating community and citizenship requisites. As the tasks are completed, the director will still initial and date the digital copy on this site so that all musicians tests are kept current, accurate and so they are not misplaced.
The director will establish when the first test begins then each student will work through the testing numbers. Customarily the third class musicians tests begin in 7th grade even though they are labeled as "High School" musicians tests. Even if you are not in high school band yet, which begins in 8th grade, your name will go onto the Musicians Test display on this site and in the GCHS band room as an "unclassified musician" as soon and you have accomplished the first task on your third class musicians test - regardless of your scholastic grade level.
Musicians tests should be worked on throughout the year. We suggest alternating between numbers you feel are more difficult and those you feel are easier so that you don't end up with all the more difficult numbers at the end of your testing on any particular class. High School band students are required to accomplish at least four and no more than six numbers per semester whether enrolled in the block class or not. There are no minimum requirements for Middle School band students however, they are asked to complete as many of their third class musicians tests as possible.
Each number requires a specific skill to be explored that has either social or musical attributes. The perceived difficulty of the tests vary from student to student. For example, one student, may have and easier time memorizing scales than another or may have more opportunity to attend concerts or other musical events making the tasks seem more difficult for one student than another. So, ultimately, perceived difficulty all depends on each individual musician. Each set of requirements on our musicians test build on the skill set established in the prior testing level so many students feel that the tests often seem to be easier over time as their musicianship grows.