ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the skills involved in classical vocal performance by investigating the relationship between the performer and the audience in the context of student musical examinations. It argues that the criteria used by expert audiences when making judgements of young singers, in order that some insight might be gained into what experts expect of student performers. The chapter focuses on work, which gives detailed analysis of the assessors' questionnaires. To date there has been little research interest in the topic of how audiences assess classical music performance. Performers and audiences in completely authentic performance situations have rarely been studied. The chapter also explores the extent to which evaluative audiences consciously use this non-verbal information in their communication. In application, the results could inform practitioners about how best to assess musical performance and, moreover, how to design measures of musical performance suitable for a specific population.
