Objective: Students will be introduced to the concept of music grading systems and will learn why choosing the right level of music is important for performances and auditions. Students will practice identifying grade levels of music and matching them to their current skill level.

Student Assignment: "Finding Your Fit: Matching Music to Your Level"

Instructions:

1. Read the article Unlocking Music Grades: Your Secret Weapon for College Auditions (teacher will review key points in class).
2. Choose one solo piece or a concert piece you are currently learning or have recently played.
3. Find out (with the help of your director or using a music list or online resource):
   • What grade level your piece is.
   • What that grade level means (easy, moderate, difficult).
4. Write a short paragraph (5–8 sentences) answering:
   • What piece did you choose?
   • What is its grade level?
   • Why is it important to pick a piece at the right level?
   • Would you try a harder piece next time? Why or why not?

Rubric: "Finding Your Fit: Matching Music to Your Level"

Grading Scale for ‘Rubric: "Finding Your Fit: Matching Music to Your Level"’

Objective:Students will understand the concept of music grading systems and their role in selecting appropriate audition repertoire. They will learn to research, compare, and justify their choice of audition pieces based on graded difficulty levels and state standards, using reliable resources like the Accoladi Repertoire Directory.

Assignment: "Choosing the Right Piece: Understanding Music Grades for Auditions"

Instructions

1. Read the article: Unlocking Music Grades: Your Secret Weapon for College Auditions.
2. Research the grading of two solo pieces you might consider for a future college audition.
   • Use at least two different state graded lists (e.g., Maryland, New York, Texas, Virginia, South Carolina) and the Accoladi Repertoire Directory.
   • Note if the grades differ between states or publishers.
3. Write a brief analysis (300–500 words):
   • Introduce the two pieces you researched.
   • Explain the differences in grade levels across different state lists and publishers.
   • Justify which piece you would choose for a collegiate audition and why.
   • Mention how tools like the Accoladi Repertoire Directory helped in your decision-making process.
4. Submit your analysis with a bibliography citing:
   • The state lists or other resources you consulted.
   • The publisher information for the pieces.

Rubric: "Choosing the Right Piece: Understanding Music Grades for Auditions"

Grading Scale for "Choosing the Right Piece"

Unlocking Music Grades Early: Setting Your Student Up for College Success

Dear ______________________________ Parents,

When parents think about preparing their children for college, most imagine starting in high school. But in the world of music, college preparation begins much earlier — often as early as 6th and 7th grade.

One of the most important — and least talked about — factors in a successful college music audition is the grade level of the music a student performs. Unlike the academic A-to-F grading system, music is graded by difficulty — from Grade I (easy) to Grade VI (professional level).

Colleges expect high school seniors to audition with Grade VI-level pieces — and that level of skill doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of years of steady, strategic progress.

Why Start Early?

If a student only starts thinking about grade levels in 11th or 12th grade, it’s often too late to reach the required proficiency. Colleges expect to see a clear pathway of growth — and scholarship dollars are usually awarded to students who can confidently perform Grade VI-level works by senior year.

The Roadmap Starts in Middle School

Here’s what the early progression should look like:

• 6th Grade: Work toward performing a Grade I solo.
• 7th Grade: Perform a Grade I or ideally move up to a Grade II solo.
• 8th Grade: Aim for a Grade II or, preferably, a Grade III solo.

Following this progression sets students up for high school success:

• 9th Grade: Grade III or IV solos.
• 10th Grade: Grade IV solos.
• 11th Grade: Grade V or VI solos.
• 12th Grade: Grade VI solos — the level expected at college auditions.

Without early preparation, your child risk falling behind and may only be ready to perform a Grade IV piece by their senior year — which greatly limits both their college acceptance options and the scholarship dollars available.

A Tool to Help Guide the Journey

To help parents and students better understand music grading, I encourage you to read:
“Unlocking Music Grades: Your Secret Weapon for College Auditions” available at Accoladi.com.

This article explains:

• How music grades work,
• Why grade levels differ across states,
• Why many schools look to the respected Texas standards as a benchmark,
• And how the Accoladi Repertoire Directory is a reliable guide — one of the few tools that compares grading standards nationwide.

Read the full article here: [Accoladi.com]

In Short:

Success at the college audition table doesn’t start in 11th grade — it starts now, in middle school. By steadily building skills year by year and performing at the right grade levels, your child positions themselves for acceptance into top music programs — and for the scholarships that help pay for it.

Thank you for encouraging and supporting your child's musical journey — it truly is a marathon, not a sprint.

Respectfully,

______________________________________________________ [Director’s Name and Position]

_____________________________________________________________________ [School Name]

Unlocking Music Grades: Your Student’s Secret Weapon for College Auditions

Dear _____________________________Parents,

If your child dreams of pursuing music in college, preparing for auditions starts long before senior year. One of the most important — and often overlooked — keys to a successful audition is the grade level of the music your student performs.

Unlike the familiar A-to-F system used in academic classes, music pieces are graded based on difficulty — from Grade I (easy) to Grade VI (professional-level). For college auditions, the grade level of the music matters as much as how well it’s performed. It signals to audition committees the level of technical skill and musical maturity your student has reached.

And here’s the truth: Grade level is a strategy game.

The Goal

By the time a student auditions in their senior year, they need to be confidently performing a Grade VI piece. This is the level most collegiate music programs expect — and it’s the level that opens doors to larger scholarship opportunities and more competitive schools.

A Strategic Progression

To get there, students need a clear plan:

• 9th Grade: Focus on performing Grade III or Grade IV solo pieces.
• 10th Grade: Progress to solid Grade IV solos.
• 11th Grade: Prepare and perform Grade V or Grade VI solos.
• 12th Grade: Be fully ready to perform a Grade VI solo at the start of senior year.

Waiting until senior year to play at the proper level is risky. If a student’s proficiency only supports a Grade IV piece during their senior year audition, they’ll find themselves limited to less selective programs — and scholarship offers will typically be much smaller.

Top college music programs are highly competitive. Judges are looking for more than a good sound — they are looking for readiness to handle the rigors of a collegiate music curriculum. The grade of the audition piece tells them a lot before the first note is played.

A Resource to Help

If you want to understand this system even better, I highly recommend reading the article:
“Unlocking Music Grades: Your Secret Weapon for College Auditions” at Accoladi.com.

The article explains:

• How music grades work,
• Why grade levels vary by state,
• Why schools often lean toward the respected Texas standards as an unofficial benchmark,
• And how the Accoladi Repertoire Directory offers one of the best national references for music grading — helping students choose pieces that match their growth and goals.

Read the full article here: Accoladi.com

In Short:

College music auditions aren’t just about how well a student plays — they’re about what they play. Strategic planning over four years can make the difference between an acceptance with a generous scholarship and a disappointing offer.

Help your student start strong early — and stay on track to perform at the level colleges are looking for.

Thank you for being such a crucial part of your student’s musical journey!

Respectfully,

______________________________________________________ [Director’s Name and Position]

_____________________________________________________________________ [School Name]