Music is both an art and a science involving emotional appreciation and intellectual understanding. When music performances are assessed, appropriate criteria should be used by examiners who appreciate the art and understand the science. This study examined the effects of training and experience on the judgements made by individuals who possessed an understanding of music performance (i.e. qualified musicians and music educators), from observations on videotape of three piano performances (by the same pianist). The thirty three participants were required to observe the videotape and complete a separate music performance assessment (MPA)sheet for each piece, and then rank the three pieces in order of preference. The MPA sheet contained (a) thirty three descriptive statements, under five headings, to which the examiner responded on a . six point Likert scale, and (b) a section for recording an overall impression mark, with provision for comment. There were four examiner categories: (1) untrained and inexperienced, (2) trained and inexperienced, (3) untrained and experienced, and (4) trained and experienced. The term 'experience' was applied to those participants who had previous involvement as examiners in any formal music performance assessment situation. The term 'trained' was applied to those participants who attended a short preparation course presented as part of the study. The responses of the four categories of examiner were tested for significant difference (.05 level) through the use of multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures. One of the performances (piece 1) was recorded digitally by computer (using MIDI and the 'Vision' program) which provided a printout of what occurred during the performance. A comparison of the subjective analysis of the 'Vision' printout results with the examiner responses for piece 1, revealed that there was a link between the judgements made by examiners and the actual performance by the pianist. Results of the study indicate that (a) experience and training effects the criteria used by music examiners in the assessment of music performances, (b) training influenced the examiner responses more than experience, (c) in the 'best' performance, the effects of examiner training and experience were negligible, and (d) in the area of 'global' and 'specific' assessment of music performance, all examiners divorced the two approaches, however judgements of the untrained examiners were more obvious in their disparity. The results of this study suggest that the training a music examiner receives prior to the performance assessment session may be more important in producing consistent and accurate reports than the amount of previous examining experience. The criteria used by the music examiner should be clearly presented with appropriate dimensions for the musical instrument on which the student performs.

Examinations administered by the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) play a major role in the musical education of many individuals across Canada. The evaluative process needs to be a constructive one in order to ensure its positive impact on students’ musical education. Examiners who are confident and comfortable in their roles as assessors are more likely to provide this ideal environment for the students. Individuals at the dawn of their examining careers are prone to lower confidence and comfort levels due to their inexperience. Yet all music students deserve an optimal examination situation, even from new examiners. Ensuring that an examiner receives proper training will help to increase their confidence and comfort levels while assessing students. This study examined the elements of an examiner’s education, experience and preparation which contributed to higher confidence and comfort levels as they participated in the RCM evaluative process. Ten individuals participated in surveys and interviews. Seven were recent apprentices of the examiner training program and three were senior examiners. Their experiences and insights given in a narrative form shed light on which elements of their background and training benefited them as examiners. According to the participants, varied and extensive pedagogical training, taking exams as students and intensive performance education gave them the most advantages during their early careers as examiners. Regarding the examiner apprenticeship program, participants felt that they would have benefited from more practical experience during the early classroom seminar, additional opportunities to observe students at varying performing levels and more time for discussion with their mentors. These recommendations for background preparation and enhanced training are intended to give examiners greater confidence in their evaluative roles early in their careers, enabling them to provide constructive and effective assessments for students and their teachers.

Examinations administered by the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) play a major role in the musical education of many individuals across Canada. The evaluative process needs to be a constructive one in order to ensure its positive impact on students’ musical education. Examiners who are confident and comfortable in their roles as assessors are more likely to provide this ideal environment for the students. Individuals at the dawn of their examining careers are prone to lower confidence and comfort levels due to their inexperience. Yet all music students deserve an optimal examination situation, even from new examiners. Ensuring that an examiner receives proper training will help to increase their confidence and comfort levels while assessing students. This study examined the elements of an examiner’s education, experience and preparation which contributed to higher confidence and comfort levels as they participated in the RCM evaluative process. Ten individuals participated in surveys and interviews. Seven were recent apprentices of the examiner training program and three were senior examiners. Their experiences and insights given in a narrative form shed light on which elements of their background and training benefited them as examiners. According to the participants, varied and extensive pedagogical training, taking exams as students and intensive performance education gave them the most advantages during their early careers as examiners. Regarding the examiner apprenticeship program, participants felt that they would have benefited from more practical experience during the early classroom seminar, additional opportunities to observe students at varying performing levels and more time for discussion with their mentors. These recommendations for background preparation and enhanced training are intended to give examiners greater confidence in their evaluative roles early in their careers, enabling them to provide constructive and effective assessments for students and their teachers.