Music Performance Assessments (MPA) are formal evaluations where school music ensembles (bands, orchestras, and choruses) perform for a panel of professional adjudicators to receive feedback and a rating based on established state standards.
In Florida, these are overseen by the Florida School Music Association (FSMA). The FSMA recognizes three main organizations to sponsor these assessments for secondary schools: Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), Florida Orchestra Association (FOA), and Florida Vocal Association (FVA).
The components of an MPA Performance include two or three prepared pieces from a selective list, sight-reading of a piece of music students have never seen before. This helps to evaluate students' fundamental music literacy and the director's teaching effectiveness.
Adjudication: A panel of experts provides recorded and written critiques of a band's performance. They evaluate technical accuracy, tone quality, intonation, and musicality. Ratings include Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor.