Music Performance
 Preparing the complete performer

The University of Colorado at Denver's Music Performance program is the ideal training ground for students with an interest in classical or jazz, worldbeat or electronic rock, rock bands or avant-garde explorations.  This program focuses on the development of of performance skills in classical, jazz, pop, commercial/contemporary and experimental styles.  Opportunities change rapidly in the diverse marketplace of today's music, and CU-Denver's program prepares students for a variety of professional paths in music performance.  At the same time, it establishes the foundation of general musicianship necessary for any musical endeavor.
 

Students choose from a variety of specialized courses, including small performance ensembles, lessons, contemporary improvisations and analysis, and music history and literature.  Music Performance classes introduce a unique education in current styles, interdisciplinary collaboration and technology. 

Music Assessment Glossary

Alternative Assessment
Any assessment technique that uses strategies for collecting and analyzing information different from traditional paper-and-pencil tests.

Assessment
The collection, analysis, interpretation, and application of information about student performance or program effectiveness in making educational decisions.

Authentic Assessment
Assessment techniques that gather information about students' ability to perform tasks that are found in real world situations.

Benchmark
The comparison of student performance against an established standard that provides information as to the student's progress toward attaining the standard.

Criteria
A description of the standard of performance for a particular task.

Criterion-Referenced
Determining the value of a student's performance by referring to criteria that were specified prior to the student's performance of a task.

Evaluation
The collection and use of information to make informed educational decisions.

Formative Assessment
On-going assessment within an educational program whose purpose is to improve the program as it progresses.

Norm
The midpoint in a set of scores taken from a large number of representative individuals where 50 percent of the scores are above the norm and 50 percent are below.

Norm-Referenced
T value of a student's performance determined by referring to a norm established by a large number of representative individuals that indicates how a student performed in relation to other individuals previous performance.

Performance Assessment
An assessment technique that determines a student's ability to perform on assigned tasks rather than on the ability to answer questions.

Performance Task
A student demonstration that shows ability to handle complex material in "real-world" situations.

Portfolio Assessment
A collection of student work used to demonstrate student attainment in a content area. Student progress is determined by reviewing the collected works in light of previously established criteria.

Program Assessment
The determination of an educational program's strengths and weaknesses through a well-conceived and implemented plan of data collection and analysis.

Reliability
The consistency of an assessment instrument to obtain comparable scores across time.

Rubric
A set of scoring criteria used to determine the value of a student's performance on assigned tasks. The criteria are written so students are able to learn what must be done to improve their performance in the future.

Self-assessment
Analyzing and making decisions about one's own performance or abilities.

Standard
The content, level, or type of performance expected by students at a particular point in time or stage of development.

Student Assessment
The determination of one or more students' capabilities in a subject matter made from information gathered on meaningful performance tasks that are referenced to well-defined, educationally sound performance criteria.

Summative Assessment
Assessment performed to determine the overall effectiveness of an educational program.

Validity
The ability of an assessment instrument to measure what it is supposed to measure. It is also the appropriate use of assessment information and results.

Assessment Artifacts

Audition
Alternative Measures
Capstone Courses
Common Multi-Sectional Course Exams
Communication
Concert/Gig programs
Ensemble playing
General Recitals
Instrumental/Vocal Technique
Internship
Interviews
Junior Recital Performance
Juries
Knowledge Surveys
Non-Course-Based Exams
Oral Presentations
Portfolio Evaluation
Post-Graduation Surveys
Senior Project
Senior Recital Performance
Sophomore Proficiency
Standardized Tests
Student Self-Evaluations and Applied Lesson Reflections
Written Papers or Reports

Showcase Artifacts

Digital Audio
Digital Video
Multimedia Presentations
Student-Centered Goals
Student Self-Assessment Reflections
Web Development Projects

Student Portfolio Links

Senior Capstone Portfolio links in the four MEIS program areas.
 

Assessment Artifacts