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2025 Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) Results for

Proficient Reading:

Elementary: 29%

Middle: 26%

High: 28%

|

Distinguished Reading:

Elementary: 24%

Middle: 26%

High: 22%

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Proficient Math:

Elementary: 31%

Middle: 28%

High: 25%

|

Distinguished Math:

Elementary: 17%

Middle: 19%

High: 17%

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Vocal Music (Grades 6 - 12)

Audition Tasks

  1.  Performance:  Students will prepare two (2) solo songs to perform.

Required Song:

Select one (1) from the grade-level required list of prepared pieces. Learn and perform the piece from memory, using the provided accompaniment. Play the accompaniment track while recording your performance. Students should ask their school choir director for help as needed.

Note: Failure to perform a piece using the provided accompaniment tracks from the required repertoire list will result in a score of 0. 

Student Choice Song:

  • Perform 1 to 2 minutes of an additional piece to showcase your musical and vocal strengths and abilities beyond what is shown in the required piece, such as performing in a different language or style. This could include a song from your own tradition, musical theatre, vocal jazz, gospel, folksong, or art song, or pop, etc. You don’t need to begin at the beginning of the song. For time’s sake, your teacher will record a maximum of 2 minutes.
  • Use care if you select a pop or musical theatre piece that it is school-, age-, and range-appropriate for your voice. (You should not sing only in belt/chest voice.)
  • This song can be performed without accompaniment or using a recorded accompaniment track (instrumental only - must not contain other voices).
  • If you need help finding an appropriate choice song, choose a second piece from the above required list.
  1. On-Demand Aural Skills: Students will sing vocal exercises (warm-ups) to check range and determine voice part beginning with the low register, then up through the head voice. Students will also sing back short rhythmic and melodic patterns.

Rubric

 

Exceptional

4 Points Each

Outstanding

3 Points Each

Above Average

2 Points Each

Average

1 Point Each

Tone Quality

Tone is exceptionally warm, resonant, focused, consistent, vibrant, and full

Tone is consistently warm, resonant, focused, vibrant and full.

Tone is sufficiently warm, resonant, focused and full, with few inconsistencies

Tone is developing warmth, resonance and focus but is inconsistent

Intonation/

Rhythmic Accuracy

Accuracy of pitches and rhythms

Printed pitches are performed accurately and intonation is masterful

 

Printed rhythms are performed accurately and with precision

Exceptional flow with care to tempo nuances (with accompaniment recording and choice piece)

Printed pitches are performed accurately and intonation is consistent

 

Printed rhythms are performed accurately

Steady flow of tempo from beginning to end  (with accompaniment recording and choice piece)

Printed pitches are performed accurately and  intonation is mostly consistent

Printed rhythms are performed with accurately 

Flow of tempo is sufficiently consistent  (with accompaniment recording and choice piece)

Printed pitches are mostly performed accurately and intonation is developing consistency

Printed rhythms are performed with emerging accuracy

Consistency in flow of tempo is emerging  (with accompaniment recording and choice piece)

Technique

Breath, placement, diction

Consistency between head and chest voice demonstrates remarkable vocal facility

Breath management is effective & artistic

 

Diction is precise, enhances breath flow

Mastery of text enhances performance

Consistency between head and chest voice is appropriately demonstrated

Breath management is appropriate and sufficient

Diction is precise and clear

Overall mastery of text

Evidence of developing consistency between head and chest voice

Breath management is adequate but still developing

Diction is accurate

Mastery of text is adequate with few inconsistencies

Head and chest voice consistency is emerging but impacts performance

Breath management is emerging

 

Diction is developing accuracy

Mastery of text is developing but inconsistencies impact  performance

Musicality

Phrasing, expressive elements, nuance, dynamics, & tempo

Phrasing emphasizes the contour of the melodic line artistically throughout.

Dynamic are performed with finesse and artistic contrast

Overall expression is masterful, artistic, and nuanced

Phrasing emphasizes the contour of melodic line in context of the whole piece

Dynamics are performed musically

 

Expression is consistent and effective

Phrasing shows the basic contour of the melodic line.

Dynamics are performed appropriately

 

Expressive elements are apparent

Melodic phrasing is developing 

 

Dynamic contrast is emerging

 

Expressive elements are developing

Performance

Memorization, stage presence, expression, artistry, fluency, talent, potential

Musical selection is memorized and exceptionally well-prepared

Communicates masterful  interpretation of story via facial expression and gesture.

 

Posture and poise are exceptional and enhance overall performance

Demonstrates exceptional enthusiasm and potential

Musical selection is well-prepared and memorized with few inconsistencies

Communicates an artistic interpretation of story via facial expression and gesture.

Posture and poise are excellent

 

Demonstrates great  enthusiasm and potential

    [Intentionally omitted]

 

Communicates sufficient  interpretation of story via facial expression and gesture.

Good posture and poise are evident

 

Enthusiasm and potential is apparent

Musical selection is not memorized 

 

Interpretation of story via facial expression and gesture is developing

 

Posture and poise are developing but may detract from the performance.

Demonstrates emerging enthusiasm and potential

 

Total:

Total:

Total:

Total:

 

Aural Skills: ______/10 FINAL TOTAL: ______/70

 PERCENTAGE: __________%

Students must score 80% or above to be considered.