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Middle School State Band Assessment Purpose:This is the time of year where we prepare new music to perform in front of 3 state adjudicators (judges) who use a detailed rubric to gauge the students’ music learning and proficiency. This performance is the music equivalent to the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. There are 7 captions on the Judge’s Sheets for Tone Quality, Intonation, Technique, Rhythm, Musicianship, Balance, and General Factors. The state’s rating system is as follows: I = Superior, II = Excellent, III = Good, IV = Fair, V = Poor. Each stage judge (3) gives a rating and is then averaged with the Sight-Reading Judge's score to get the Final Performance Rating. Each band will receive an A, B, C, D, or F for each of the 7 captions which are then averaged together to get to the final official rating of Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. Please see the "Rubrics" section below for all information.
After the stage performance, all students and Mr. Niehoff will walk to the Sandburg MS Auxiliary Gym to participate in the Sight-Reading Assessment. Please see the "Sight Reading Purpose and Procedures" link above. It is here that the students are assessed on their ability to sight-read/perform a brand new piece of music only after 7 minutes of study. This piece is written 2 difficulty levels below what they play on stage. (For example, if a band performs Grade 3 on stage, they sight-read a piece that is Grade 1.) The students may not play during the 7 minutes, but they can sing, count, finger, chant, pat, or tap their parts during that 7 minute time frame. Please see the "Sight Reading Rubric" and the "Sight-Reading Judge's Sheet" below for more information on what the judges will be assessing us.
After Sight-Reading, we then proceed back to the Storage Area, put away our instruments and go to the Cafeteria where we meet up with all parents, friends, and supporters to receive our official State ratings.
State of Virginia Assessment Rubrics.
Stage Performance Rubric Stage Performance State Judges Sheet
Sight-Reading Performance Rubric Sight-Reading State Judges Sheet
Interpretations of Ratings Sheet Sight-Reading Purpose and Procedures
Concert Band Blue and Symphonic Band will participate in this festival and is mandatory per FCPS Regulation 3866.
ASSESSMENT PERMISSION FORMS:
Due back to Mr. Niehoff by Friday, February 27, 2026.
Concert Band Blue Permission Slip
Symphonic Band Permission Slip
Middle School Band Assessment Logistics:
1.) Students/Bands who participate have specific and detailed times for Storage Room access, Warm-Up Room, Stage Performance, and Sight-Reading Performance. No two bands are in the same space together during the entire event unless they are in the Cafeteria receiving ratings and purchasing concessions after the performance aspect is over. Since the Sandburg Cafeteria is a big one, schools spread out having their own tables at which to sit if they want to eat. Students may leave with their parents as soon as we get to the Cafeteria but would encourage everyone to stay at least until we receive our ratings.)
2.) The only audience members in the Sandburg Auditorium are those parents/friends of the school performing and possible a few band directors. There will be no other people in the Auditorium for any other school's bands. Sandburg's Auditorium capacity is 746 so there is plenty of space to spread out.
3.) The 3 Adjudicators (Judges) will be sitting at tables in the back of the Auditorium (one on the left, one in the center, and one on the right) providing written and voice comments (into a microphone) that will be shared with each student in the next band class.
Virginia State Assessment Performance
Carl Sandburg Middle School
8428 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria 22308
Friday, March 13th, 2026
Detailed schedule will be known by January 25th, 2026.
Please know that the State of Virginia Music Association sets these dates and cannot be changed. 2026 Assessment occurs during the month of Ramadan, however steps have been taken where no band student would be needed to play on Stage during Sundown so the breaking of fasts are not impacted. We have put in a request to have Assessment happen during the actual school day this year so all families who celebrate Ramadan can do so without Assessment being impacted.
We are flexible and want to respect those families who this impacts. Please let Mr. Niehoff know ASAP if you have any questions.
CONCERT BAND SCHEDULE
SYMPHONIC BAND SCHEDULE
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