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WHAT ARE PASS-OFFS?
Pass-offs are fundamental musical studies which are assigned in sequence. Students must successfully perform one pass-off before advancing to the next. Pass-offs are pass or fail. A grade of "100" is assigned when a pass-off is passed, and a "0" is assigned when a performed pass-off does not demonstrate mastery of the content.
WHY DO WE HAVE PASS-OFFS?
Pass-offs are a quantitative way to measure a student's individual knowledge of musicianship techniques and skills. Pass-offs are performed in class in front of peers to address the AKS requirement of individual performance. Equal weight is given in the grading scale to this individual performance and ensemble performance.
DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE SKILL?
Just as any academic discipline seeks to develop individual skills, so does music. Performing individually is a skill that must be nutured, and in-class practice of this skill is vital. Many students complain of nervousness when performing, but nervousness gets better over time with the development of coping techniques.
WHY ARE PASS-OFFS "PASS OR FAIL?"
It is the philosophy of the music department that every student master the techniques and skills pass-offs measure, even if it takes numerous attempts. To that end, students will receive a "100" when the skill they are to asked to demonstrate has been mastered.
ARE "0's" PERMANENT?
No, pass-off "0's" are not permanent. A student may replace a pass-off zero on any given pass-off day. As soon as one pass-off is passed, the student may move to the next pass-off. In other words, a student is ever only one day away from a perfect pass-off average.
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