This study was conducted with three purposes in mind: (1) to determine the utility of the Colwell Music Achievement Test 3 (MAT3) as an instrument for measuring student instrumental music achievement; (2) to determine the types of musical achievement exhibited by students in Tennessee's secondary music programs; and (3) to determine the utility of the notion of an instrumental music student's being musically independent. The concept of "musical independence" was conceived to provide a framework for studying student achievement or improvement. Musical independence implies the mastery of five specific musical skills: (1) think; (2) listen; (3) perform; (4) conduct; and (5) compose. The study compared outstanding secondary instrumental music programs in Tennessee (as nominated by post-secondary instrumental directors) with a group of randomly selected programs, based on student performance on the MAT3. Among the study findings were that the MAT3 can be used to differentiate between students and programs that contribute to musical independence and students and programs that do not. A reference list is included as well as a list of musical achievement tests referenced in the text. (DB)