Music Box school has 10 grade levels for each instrument we teach: Rising Artist, Initial, 1st, 2nd (beginner), 3rd, 4th, 5th (intermediate), 6th, 7th, 8th (advanced). Each student has to master 100% of concepts and applications from their current grade level curriculum, in order to be nominated for Testing into the next grade.
Each grade level curriculum requires students to sight read, improvise, compose and play on a certain skill level. Curriculums, as well as the testing sheets are always available for your review before and/or after the Testing event, and can be provided upon request.
The student will test during their regular lesson time, following the receipt of the Testing Invite. Testers will be testing on the Music Box stage (or on-line, if distant-learning) in front of a panel of Music Box educators, in addition to their lead educator. Final scores will be averaged across judges in each category and shared with he student and/or their parent/guardian (if applicable) shortly after the Testing event.
PASSING GRADE is 60% in each Test section (session skills: reading, improv and composition AND songs: 3 songs, one of which is a technical focus song)
87–100 EXCELLENT (PASS)
75–86 GOOD (PASS)
60-74 SATISFACTORY (PASS)
0–59 NEEDS IMPROVEMENT (REPEAT GRADE)
Graduating students will be featured in the next monthly Performance Workshop (usually on the last Sunday of the month) where they will be invited to perform one of their favorite sons from the testing event and receive their Graduation Certificate.
Test scores, educators’ comments and videos (if applicable) will be discussed with each student in the lesson, following the testing event.
Students with ”unsatisfactory” scores will also de-brief their results and comments, develop improvement tactics and subsequent instruction plans in the lesson following the testing event, and test again during the next testing cycle.
Music Box holds the testing events to offer an experience resembling auditions and exams that are customary to the music studies. We strive to make them celebratory and fun in nature, while allowing the Artist to explore their own behavior under pressure, & build onto the essential emotional intelligence skills and their self-confidence.
Even though family and friends are not allowed in the testing event, the atmosphere during the Test is very encouraging, positive and supportive: the goal is for our students that worked really hard to do their best, showcase their progress, technical and performance skills. After the Testing events, we celebrate each Tester, reflect on their success and opportunities and aspire to the next grade level.