National Music Certificate Program.

Amy Rose Immerman and Sheila Vail from Cincinnati, Ohio, gave a comprehensive overview of the National Music Certificate Program (NMCP). This Certificate Program has been in effect in the United States for several years and is based on the curriculum of The Royal Conservatory of Music. The program consists of 11 grades of music evaluation in mostly piano and theory subjects, although the evaluation of other instruments may be arranged. Successful candidates receive internationally recognized certificates for levels achieved up to Grade 10 and the Associateship of the Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) Diploma for Grade 11.

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Examinations take place two times per year at more than 80 pre-designated Examination Centers. The National Music Certificate Program has a website, www.nationalmusiccertificate.org, where interested teachers, parents and music students can browse for further information on the materials available and register for examinations.

For those not already familiar with the program formerly called Royal American Conservatory Examinations (RACE), this session introduced a very exciting program that offers great benefits and growth opportunities for both teachers and students. Both clinicians have been offering these certificates to their students since the inception of RACE/NMCP and openly shared their knowledge and ideas to help others take advantage of this wonderful opportunity now available throughout the United States.

This session provided a wealth of information that included the structure of the program and the details of participation from both the teacher's and student's perspective. It included the values and benefits of the program, a complete overview, the exam components, and how to get started. It also reviewed "Practices and Procedures" and an actual Grade 5 "Mock Exam" with sample commentary, typical of what students would receive from an examiner.

The Values and Benefits--Students

Students can flourish in this gently progressing curriculum and enjoy a clearly published path that always commends success. NMCP provides a well-paced, structured curriculum that balances skills and repertoire. It includes a varied selection of repertoire and styles and offers clear benchmarks of progress through periodic examination. One of the most impressive aspects of this program is that it uses professionally trained adjudicators referred to as "examiners." The result is a clear experience of success and accomplishment for both teachers and students.

The Values and Benefits--Teachers

One great advantage is the NMCP prepared curriculum. It is a comprehensive, clear and well-organized program with leveled goals. A great benefit is the office management and support, including online teacher services that allow teachers to monitor their students' participation in activities and the results. It offers professional growth opportunities through the College of Examiners and requires no teacher obligations to participate. Another terrific advantage is that the program is managed by trained professional office staff, not volunteers.

Teachers also benefit from the clarity of the program and operating framework, especially the program management with permanent, accessible archives. The RCME offices and staff are full-time employees that "work the program." They schedule and coordinate the exams, liaise with the candidates and handle any problems that may arise. All materials are updated frequently, including the theory exams, which are newly created for each exam session.

Affiliation with the Royal Conservatory

The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, has been one of the world's most respected musical institutions for more than 125 years. Royal Conservatory of Music Examinations (RCME) has centers in more than 300 communities in Canada and more than 100,000 candidates annually. They train and manage the prestigious College of Examiners and manage the ever-present needs of executing the program.

Program Overview

This is a comprehensive, developmental curriculum created for students of all ages--children and adults. The curriculum starts at the very beginning levels of study (Preparatory A & B) and works through ARCT, which is a level high enough to prepare careers. Examinations are available at all levels on a flexible schedule making participation easy for students to manage. The exam results are permanently archived at the Royal Conservatory of Music Examinations (RCME).

Components--Practical

The practical exams consist of repertoire performance--one from each style period--one or two etudes (depending on the level) and technical skills (scales, chords and arpeggios). There are also ear skills, such as interval and chord recognition, "Rhythm Clap Back" and "Melody Playback." The exams conclude with sight-reading tests in both rhythm and music.

Components--Written

The written co-requisites begin at Grade 5 with Basic Rudiments and move through Advanced Rudiments, Harmony and History requirements designed to complement practical study and help develop complete musicians.

Practices and Procedures

This section dealt with assessing entry levels, preparing for the exams--including lesson time management--exam registration, recommended materials and general information that would be helpful to teachers. When assessing entry levels, it was suggested that an assessment of technical skills, sight reading and ear training be considered, along with repertoire level.

General information

Despite the fact that the curriculum is syllabus based, it has built-in flexibilities. For example, the second etude is a "free choice" work. Students may play one etude from one grade higher or play an etude of their own choice. Students may also play another repertoire selection if they submit a "special request" form for a work that is not included in the syllabus.

Fee schedules

Though NMCP exam fees are higher than local event fees, they represent a plethora of valuable components that--together--complete the program. Exam fees reflect the costs of the program--not a one-time adjudication. When families see the enormous effort involved to create and maintain this stellar program, they can easily understand why the fees are actually a bargain! There are no fees for teachers, there is nothing to join--the only cost is the exam fee that students pay at registration.

How to get started

The first suggestion made was for teachers to gain familiarity with the program. Preparing an introduction and presentation for students and their parents was also discussed so that those unfamiliar with NMCP could clearly understand both the program and its value. A review of the materials and a workable calendar for preparing were also presented. Ear-training needs are easily met with a variety of software that can be used both at a teaching studio and at home. Samples of the many theory, sight-reading and other skill-developing books were presented.

Students can register on their own for examinations at www.nationalmusiccertificate.org. With their ID number they can schedule their own exams, review their results and monitor their own curriculum. And, of course, practice! They will be able to see their own progress as they move through the advancing grades, gaining the strong sense of accomplishment and greater insights into their own playing.

Concluding

This session concluded with a Grade 5 "mock exam" with Amy Immerman playing the part of the average 12 year old taking her first exam, and Sheila Vail playing the part of the always pleasant and professional examiner. The candidate was taken through the exam step-by-step, playing her repertoire, technical skills, ear skills and sight reading. Sample commentary was then put up for all to see, along with a mark for each piece played.

For those not yet familiar with this certificate program--now is the time. Already present in 28 states, the future is bright for this rising star.

Sheila Vail and Amy Immerman, presenters