KS3 Music Composition Assessment Criteria
Developing Musical ideas Demonstrating technical control/understanding Demonstrating musical coherence
Emerging An attempt has been made to input notes into the project. There is only one idea, or layers have been created but they lack any There is no clear melodic direction, notes are very randomly placed.
relevance or suitability to the project
0-2 pts Insufficient work has been submitted, or the work bears no relation to the brief There aren’t any clear phrases or sections, which takes away from
provided by the teacher. Notes used aren’t suitable for the composition e.g. are too high or too low, the continuity of the composition
and/or there are many errors (harmonic/rhythmic clashes) in the notes used.
Developing Correct harmonies have been used within the project The instruments and notes used are suitable, but there are some errors in The composer has demonstrated some understanding of melodic
the notes used. direction, but the direction is somewhat limited e.g. just up and down
3-4 pts The composition shows some understanding of the brief provided by the teacher. with no deviation
The composer has demonstrated some understanding of all of the musical
The composer has begun to compose a melody which shows some understanding elements, particularly; melody, structure, instrumentation, rhythm and The phrases and sections e.g. moving between idea A and B, don’t fit
of phrasing. texture. together well.
Securing The composition demonstrates a good understanding of the brief provided by the The instruments and notes used are correctly used, with no incorrect notes The composer has demonstrated some understanding of melodic
teacher. used. direction, but small changes could be made to create greater fluidity
5-6 pts
There is a demonstration of the ability to basically extend harmonies e.g. using The composer has demonstrated a good understanding of all of the musical The phrases and sections e.g. moving between idea A and B, make
inversions. elements, particularly; melody, structure, instrumentation, rhythm and sense together, but changes could be made to build greater
texture. continuity.
Securing+ The composition demonstrates a clear understanding of the brief provided by the The instruments and notes used are correctly used, with no incorrect notes The composer has demonstrated a strong understanding of melodic
teacher. used, instead the composer has begun to demonstrate an understanding of direction.
7-8 pts extended melodic and harmonic writing, through the use of devices such as
There is a demonstration of the ability to correctly extend harmonies e.g. using passing notes There is a good sense of flow between the phrases and sections of
inversions or adding flattened 5/7ths, in a manner which improves the harmonic music.
cohesion and flow of the composition. The composer has demonstrated a strong understanding of all of the
musical elements, particularly; melody, structure, instrumentation, rhythm
and texture.
Mastery The composition demonstrates a clear use of imagination and out of the box The composer has demonstrated an excellent understanding of all of the The composition is entertaining and successful when listened to. The
thinking to meet the brief provided by the teacher. musical elements, particularly; melody, structure, instrumentation, rhythm ideas and musical elements used throughout all add the composition,
9-10 pts and texture. allowing the composer and listener to gradually explore the
compositions musical narrative with ease and enjoyment
Task: Use the above assessment criteria and the Self/Peer-assessment worksheet to evaluate BandLab compositions
KS3 Composition Briefs
Year 7: Using BandLab compose a Pentatonic Call & Response piece of music.
Year 8: Using BandLab compose your own Blues melody structured around the 12-Bar Blues.
Year 9: Using BandLab compose an arrangement of the Minecraft Calm, which could be used for the next level of a game. The arrangement should
maintain familiarity for the listener but will have variations on the original theme.
Designed by A Wolfe Music
KS3 Music: Class Assessment Grid
Composer name Class Assessment Date
Developing musical ideas Demonstrating technical
control/understanding
Demonstrating musical coherence Total / Grade (e.g. 12 / Developing)
Emerging = 0 -> 6 Developing = 7 -> 14 Securing = 15 -> 20 Securing+ = 21 -> 26 Mastery = 27 -> 30
What Went Well:
What was good about the
composition and why?
In Order To Improve:
What could have been better in your
project?
Now Try This:
What would you do differently next
time to improve your level?
Designed by A Wolfe Music
KS3 Music Self-Assessment Grid
Your name Yelzhan Zhamanov Date
Developing musical ideas 2 Demonstrating technical 4
control/understanding
Demonstrating musical coherence 9 Total / Grade (e.g. 12 / Securing) Securing
Emerging = 0 -> 6 Developing = 7 -> 14 Securing = 15 -> 20 Securing+ = 21 -> 26 Mastery = 27 -> 30
The melody
What Went Well:
What was good about the
composition and why?
The bassline was random and it didn't have structure. There was no counter-melody
In Order To Improve:
What could have been better in your
project?
The melody
Now Try This:
What would you do differently next
time to improve your level?
Simple structure, idea making, and more Bandlab basics
What skills and ideas did you learn
during this project?
What keywords did you learn and/or Loop, structure, melody,
use during this project?
Designed by A Wolfe Music
KS3 Music Peer-Assessment Grid
Composer name Mohamad shazad Date
Developing musical ideas Demonstrating technical
control/understanding
Demonstrating musical coherence Total / Grade (e.g. 12 / Securing)
Emerging = 0 -> 6 Developing = 7 -> 14 Securing = 15 -> 20 Securing+ = 21 -> 26 Mastery = 27 -> 30
loops
What Went Well:
What was good about the
composition and why?
Melody, structure
In Order To Improve:
What could have been better about
the project?
Make the composition sound more like minecraft calm.
Now Try This:
What should the composer do
differently next time to improve your
level?
Designed by A Wolfe Music
KS3 Music Peer-Assessment Grid
Composer name Date
Developing musical ideas Demonstrating technical
control/understanding
Demonstrating musical coherence Total / Grade (e.g. 12 / Securing)
Emerging = 0 -> 6 Developing = 7 -> 14 Securing = 15 -> 20 Securing+ = 21 -> 26 Mastery = 27 -> 30
What Went Well:
What was good about the
composition and why?
In Order To Improve:
What could have been better about
the project?
Now Try This:
What should the composer do
differently next time to improve your
level?
Designed by A Wolfe Music
