Evaluation

The adjudication review and scoring

Certified adjudicators—many of them retired music professors—review candidates in their area of expertise using consistent instrumental and vocal rubrics. Knowledge tests are scored automatically.

When a candidate does not achieve the necessary score, the chair of the adjudicator panel reviews the submission to affirm or overturn the original decision.

Step 1

Knowledge tests

Music history, theory, and terms tests are scored automatically. A perfect score is required before advancing.

Tests checklist

Music History — passed test
Music Theory — passed test
Music Terms — passed test

Step 2

Eligibility review

The adjudicator verifies that the candidate satisfies the applicable eligibility and experience requirements.

Eligibility checklist

Basic eligibility
Honor ensembles and/or solo and ensemble festival participation
Basic extracurricular activities
Advanced extracurricular activities for Ovation and Hall of Fame
Positive reference for Letter and Hall of Fame

Step 3

Solo performance

The adjudicator scores demonstrated solo-performance abilities and reviews instrumental scales or percussion technical ability.

Instrumental solo performance

Each category is scored from one to ten. The table preserves the original NSMA performance thresholds.

Criterion	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent	Superior
Tone QualityThe sound quality of the instrument is properly produced	Uses appropriate tone <49% of the performance.	Uses appropriate tone 50–69% of the performance.	Uses appropriate tone 70–79% of the performance.	Uses appropriate tone 80–89% of the performance.	Uses appropriate tone 90–100% of the performance.
IntonationAccuracy of printed pitches	Pitches are played correctly and in tune <49% of the performance.	Pitches are played correctly and in tune 50–69% of the performance.	Pitches are played correctly and in tune 70–79% of the performance.	Pitches are played correctly and in tune 80–89% of the performance.	Pitches are played correctly and in tune 90–100% of the performance.
RhythmAccuracy of printed rhythms	Rhythms are played correctly <49% of the performance.	Rhythms are played correctly 50–69% of the performance.	Rhythms are played correctly 70–79% of the performance.	Rhythms are played correctly 80–89% of the performance.	Rhythms are played correctly 90–100% of the performance.
TechniqueAccuracy of attacks, releases, control of ranges, and mechanical skills	Demonstrates instrument-specific technique <49% of the performance.	Demonstrates instrument-specific technique 50–69% of the performance.	Demonstrates instrument-specific technique 70–79% of the performance.	Demonstrates instrument-specific technique 80–89% of the performance.	Demonstrates instrument-specific technique 90–100% of the performance.
InterpretationAccuracy of style, phrasing, tempo, dynamics, and emotional involvement	Expression markings are performed <49% of the performance.	Expression markings are performed 50–69% of the performance.	Expression markings are performed 70–79% of the performance.	Expression markings are performed 80–89% of the performance.	Expression markings are performed 90–100% of the performance.
ArticulationAccuracy of performance of style markings	Correct articulation is demonstrated <49% of the performance.	Correct articulation is demonstrated 50–69% of the performance.	Correct articulation is demonstrated 70–79% of the performance.	Correct articulation is demonstrated 80–89% of the performance.	Correct articulation is demonstrated 90–100% of the performance.
Performance FactorsChoice of literature, appropriate appearance, poise, and posture	Demonstrates performance factors <49% of the performance.	Demonstrates performance factors 50–69% of the performance.	Demonstrates performance factors 70–79% of the performance.	Demonstrates performance factors 80–89% of the performance.	Demonstrates performance factors 90–100% of the performance.

Instrumentalists must score at least 54 of 70 possible points. Scales and arpeggios—or percussion technical ability—must also satisfy the selected award’s requirements. Hall of Fame percussionists have no technical-ability requirement.

Vocal solo performance

Each category is scored from one to ten. The table preserves the original NSMA performance thresholds.

Criterion	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent	Superior
Tone QualityResonance, control, clarity, focus, consistency, and warmth	Uses appropriate tone <49% of the performance.	Uses appropriate tone 50–69% of the performance.	Uses appropriate tone 70–79% of the performance.	Uses appropriate tone 80–89% of the performance.	Uses appropriate tone 90–100% of the performance.
IntonationAccuracy of printed pitches	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune <49% of the performance.	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune 50–69% of the performance.	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune 70–79% of the performance.	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune 80–89% of the performance.	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune 90–100% of the performance.
RhythmAccuracy of printed rhythms	Rhythms are performed correctly <49% of the performance.	Rhythms are performed correctly 50–69% of the performance.	Rhythms are performed correctly 70–79% of the performance.	Rhythms are performed correctly 80–89% of the performance.	Rhythms are performed correctly 90–100% of the performance.
TechniqueFully resonant tone, proper breath control, and open rounded vowels	Demonstrates proper tone production <49% of the performance.	Demonstrates proper tone production 50–69% of the performance.	Demonstrates proper tone production 70–79% of the performance.	Demonstrates proper tone production 80–89% of the performance.	Demonstrates proper tone production 90–100% of the performance.
DictionAll lyrics are fully understandable	Demonstrates proper diction <49% of the performance.	Demonstrates proper diction 50–69% of the performance.	Demonstrates proper diction 70–79% of the performance.	Demonstrates proper diction 80–89% of the performance.	Demonstrates proper diction 90–100% of the performance.
ExpressivenessLyrics reflect proper style, tempo, phrasing, and dynamics	Demonstrates expressive qualities <49% of the performance.	Demonstrates expressive qualities 50–69% of the performance.	Demonstrates expressive qualities 70–79% of the performance.	Demonstrates expressive qualities 80–89% of the performance.	Demonstrates expressive qualities 90–100% of the performance.
Performance FactorsChoice of literature, appropriate appearance, poise, and posture	Demonstrates performance factors <49% of the performance.	Demonstrates performance factors 50–69% of the performance.	Demonstrates performance factors 70–79% of the performance.	Demonstrates performance factors 80–89% of the performance.	Demonstrates performance factors 90–100% of the performance.

Across all three vocal performances, students must score at least 94 of 105 possible points.

Step 4

Solfege exercises

Tonal memory, pitch accuracy, solfege syllables, and applicable hand signs are scored from the submitted exercises.

Tonal memory and pitch accuracy

Each category is scored from one to ten. The table preserves the original NSMA performance thresholds.

Criterion	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent	Superior
Key AccuracyAccuracy of staying in the starting key	Pitches remain in the starting key <49% of the performance.	Pitches remain in the starting key 50–69% of the performance.	Pitches remain in the starting key 70–79% of the performance.	Pitches remain in the starting key 80–89% of the performance.	Pitches remain in the starting key 90–100% of the performance.
Pitch AccuracyAccuracy of printed or understood pitches	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune <49% of the performance.	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune 50–69% of the performance.	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune 70–79% of the performance.	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune 80–89% of the performance.	Pitches are sung correctly and in tune 90–100% of the performance.
Solfege Syllables & Hand SignsAccuracy of syllables and hand signs	Syllables and hand signs are performed correctly <49% of the performance.	Syllables and hand signs are performed correctly 50–69% of the performance.	Syllables and hand signs are performed correctly 70–79% of the performance.	Syllables and hand signs are performed correctly 80–89% of the performance.	Syllables and hand signs are performed correctly 90–100% of the performance.

• Kodály hand signs are optional for Letter and Acclaimed levels and required for Ovation and Hall of Fame.
• Instrumentalists must score 114 of 120 possible points across four exercises.
• Vocalists must score 232 of 240 possible points across eight exercises.
• Students do not have to sing in a prescribed rhythmic pattern.

Step 5

Essay review

The adjudicator reviews the candidate’s own essay using the published writing rubric.

Essay research and writing rubric

The essay is reviewed for content and development, organization, style, and mechanics. Students must score at least 30 of 40 possible points.

Demonstrated mastery	Fair	Good	Excellent	Superior
Content and Development	No central idea or supporting details	Unable to find specific supporting details	Central idea is vague or lacks focus	A clearly stated central idea is supported by appropriate, concrete, original details
Organization	Ideas are unorganized and vague	Central point and flow are lost	The essay somewhat digresses and ideas do not logically follow	The essay has a logical beginning, body, and conclusion and demonstrates critical thinking
Style	Writing is confusing and hard to follow	Writing lacks creativity and focus	Sentences are slightly varied with adequate vocabulary	Writing is smooth, coherent, expressive, and consistent with the central idea
Mechanics	Persistent errors in usage, structure, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization	Several clearly noticeable errors	Relatively few errors with limited mechanical problems	No errors in usage, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization

Final determination

Award decision

After reviewing every required division and score, the adjudicator records whether the candidate is approved or rejected and dates the final determination.