An empirical study of a solo performance assessment model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test a hypothesized model of solo music performance assessment. Specifically, this study investigates the influence of technique and musical expression on perceptions of overall performance quality. The Aural Musical Performance Quality (AMPQ) measure was created to measure overall performance quality, technique, musical expression, tone, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, articulation, tempo, dynamics, tone character, and interpretation. The factors of interest were identified from previous studies on musical performance constructs, musical achievement, musical expression, and scale construction. Alpha reliability for the 44-item Likert scale AMPQ measure was reported at .977. Volunteer adjudicators ( N = 58) were recruited to evaluate four solo instrumental recordings (brass, woodwind, voice, and string). A path analysis of the 232 performance evaluations provided empirical support for the hypothesized model. Technique demonstrated significant direct effects on assessments of overall performance quality and musical expression. Musical expression also demonstrated a significant direct effect on overall perceptions of performance quality. The results of this study are consistent with hypothesized model of performer-controlled musical factors.