2022
Certificate of Achievement
2022 CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
PURPOSE & OVERVIEW:
Purpose:
To provide a systematic and comprehensive plan to develop performance skills, technique, ear training, sight-reading, and understanding of music theory.
To develop practical goals to help students maintain steady and focused progression in their musical studies.
To encourage students to strive for musical excellence.
Overview:
Students who are enrolled in Certificate of Achievement participate in an annual evaluation. Experienced evaluators will hear students perform selected literature, technical elements, and sight-reading. Each student will receive a comprehensive assessment of progress that will be printed out by their teacher. Students will also complete a written theory exam that includes an ear-training component.
Each student will receive a certificate for successfully completing all four areas of the examination. Students can earn up to 4 points per year for successful completion of each area of the examination. When they have achieved 12 points, they will be awarded a trophy.
The fees for participation in 2022 range from $28 to $50, depending on the level of enrollment.
Repertoire Requirements (1 trophy point is earned if the average of combined repertoire scores is 6 or above)
2-4 pieces of repertoire is required based on the student's level. Teachers will select a repertoire program based on varying styles and techniques. Different composers must be selected. You may use the "Suggested Repertoire List" list on Musicians West as a guideline for leveling, but you DO NOT have to select a piece that is on this list. ALL songs selected for each student must be 'at or above' the respective levels represented in this list. Each level will still have a set time limit with the judges and students will be asked to stop playing if they go longer than the allotted time.
Young Beginner: 2 pieces by memory, 12 measures minimum, different composers, no arrangements, folk songs or hymns, use varying styles & techniques, at or above level. TVMTA requires Young Beginners to have 2 Repertoire pieces. This is different than the Musician’s West Website.
Preparatory through Level 2: 2 pieces by memory, different composers, no arrangements, folk songs or hymns, use varying styles & techniques, at or above level.
Level 3 through Level 5: 3 pieces, at least 2 by memory, different composers, no arrangements, folk songs or hymns, use varying styles & techniques, at or above level.
Level 6 through Level 10: 4 pieces, at least 2 by memory, different composers, no arrangements, folk songs or hymns, use varying styles & techniques, encompassing multiple time periods, at or above level.
REPERTOIRE LENGTH:
Each level has a set number of minutes allotted for the judge. All repertoire selected must be at the registered level or above. Repertoire cannot exceed the time limit set for each level. Judges will end the evaluation after the allotted time.
Young Beginner-Level 2 Repertoire Max Length: 5 minutes
Level 3-Level 5 Repertoire Max Length: 10 minutes
Level 6-Level 7 Repertoire Max Length: 20 minutes
Level 8-Level 9 Repertoire Max Length: 25 minutes
Advanced/Level 10 Repertoire Max Length: 35 minutes including Etude
Technique Requirements (1 trophy point earned if technique score is 6 or above)
Level 10 (Advanced Level)—Student will be required to play an Etude instead of the technique listed for Level 10. The Etude must be approved by the COA 2022 Committee. Please send your Etude selection to the 2022 COA Chair Luann Fife idahomusicacademy@gmail.com to have it approved BEFORE your student begins working on the piece. A decision will be made by the COA Committee in less than 1 week.
Theory Requirements (1 trophy point earned if the combined theory & aural skills score is 70% or higher)
We are working with Musicians West to establish a list of guidelines for what the theory requirements for each level will be. In the past students have prepared for the theory tests using the Keith Snell Fundamentals of Theory books for each level (except for the Young Beginners). We will continue to use that as the guideline until we hear something different from Musicians West. Young Beginner Requirements will include: identifying line & space notes, identifying high notes and low notes on a staff, steps & skips, the music alphabet, drawing notes including quarter, half, whole, dotted half, matching music symbols such as dynamics, tempo, bass clef, treble clef, staff, etc.
You can purchase past tests to use as practice tests at the following link: http://musicianswestregister.com You will need to create a new account if you haven’t created one previously. Click on “Online Store” to purchase past tests.
The theory test will include an Aural Skills portion. Here is the link to the Aural Skills syllabus
Here is the link to examples of the Aural Skills Test
Sight Reading Requirements (1 trophy point earned if score is 6 or above)
Sight reading will be required on ALL levels including the Young Beginner level starting COA 2020.
TROPHIES
1st Level Trophy = 12 cumulative points
2nd Level Trophy = 24 cumulative points
3rd Level Trophy = 36 cumulative points
Advanced/Level 10 Medal = Any student who completes this level will receive a medal
2022 IMPORTANT EVENT DATES
December 29, 2021 – January 23,2022---COA Phase I--To Register/Edit Student
February 1-12, 2022---COA Phase II--To Enter Student Repertoire
March 6, 2022---COA Student Schedules Available
March 8-19, 2022---COA Phase III--To Enter Volunteers
April 9, 2022--Certificate of Achievement, Boise State University
2022 PARTICIPATION FEES
Young Beginner---$28
Prep-Level 2---$32
Level 3-Level 5---$36
Level 6-Level 8---$42
Level 9-Advanced---$50
Certificate of Achievement will be exclusively online registration with payments through Paypal. Registration will be open from December 29, 2021 – January 23, 2022. No late registrations will be accepted. No refunds for cancellations.
2022 PARTICIPATION OPTIONS:
Students will have 2 options this year for participation.
Option 1: Live In Person with a judge at Boise State University for sight reading, technique, Theory, ear training, and repertoire April 9 at Boise State University, Morrison Center
Make up: If unable to attend on April 9, 2022, a video recording of sight reading, technique, & repertoire must be completed and sent to Luann Fife by April 2, 2022. Teachers will proctor and grade the theory and ear training tests and submit the scores by April 2, 2022. Please email the scores of the ear training and theory tests to Ethan Seegmiller
(seegmiller.ethan@gmail.com).
If there are any comments, questions, or concerns please contact....
Luann Fife
2022 Certificate of Achievement Chair
idahomusicacademy@gmail.com
(208) 703-8702