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CM 2012-2013 Teacher Training General and Piano Syllabus
CM 2012-2013 Teacher Training General and Piano Syllabus
Certificate of Merit
Teacher Training
2012-2013
July 31: MTAC dues must be paid to
qualify for CM participation
September 15: Registration Opens
August 31: Last day to transfer to a different
MTAC Branch for CM participation
September 15: CM database opens for
Registration
November 15: Registration Closes - No
exceptions
November 16: CM fees are due to Branch
Chair
January 2: Repertoire Entry begins. Branch
Chair will announce deadline
January 15: Deadline for Panel Repertoire
Entry
January 15: Deadline for Panel Applicants to
revert to Non-Panel status
March 15: Panel Applicants must have
completed theory tests at their home Branch
February 16-April 7: CM Evaluations
April 8: Theory tests may be returned to
teachers
April 15: Convention Application Deadline.
No exceptions!
April 15: Deadline to apply for MUPs, high
school students only who have valid
excuses
May 15: Deadline for MUPs to be
completed
May 31: Last day to report errors in
student results in CM database
June 1: Convention recital schedules
posted online
April16th and August 31st: Teachers
may transfer to another Branch
June 28-July 2: MTAC Convention,
Santa Clara
Go to www.mtac.org
◦ Log In with your username and
password
◦ Click Edit Teacher Info
◦ Make necessary changes
◦ Click Submit
State Board: President, Vice Presidents,
Treasurer, Secretaries, Directors
◦ Oversee all aspects of MTAC, including finances, State
Office, all committees and programs
State Office: Paid staff members
◦ Manage sales of items, contracts for paid work, collect
dues, collect and distribute program fees, etc.
CM Council: 21-member committee of volunteers
◦ Coordinate all non-financial aspects of the CM Program,
including evaluations, test writing, Convention recitals,
etc.
Parents ask Teacher
Teacher asks Branch CM Chair
Branch Chair asks CM Council
member for program in question
CM Council members ask CM
Coordinator
CM questions should not be directed
to the State Office or State Board
After
April 15, a teacher may
communicate directly with a CM
Council Recital Chair regarding a
student’s Convention Performance.
Parent to Teacher
◦ Teacher can answer most parent questions
◦ Teacher knows the student’s history and
details of problems
Teacher to Chair
◦ Chairs know most answers
◦ Chairs need to know the problems teachers
are facing
State Office and State Board may not be able to
assist you
Only Individual Members in good standing with
dues paid by July 31st may enroll students in
MTAC programs and these students MUST be
their own students.
The MTAC teacher must be the primary
teacher of all students they enter. The primary
teacher is one who personally teaches a
student for 75% of lessons.
Members who enroll students on another
teacher's behalf risk the following:
Forfeiting the privilege of participating in
Certificate of Merit and other MTAC
programs
Loss of membership
Student teachers in your studio
must be members
Each teacher at a school who enters
students in CM must be a member
New members must apply for
membership by July 31st to be
eligible for CM participation.
Current members’ dues must be
paid by July 31st in order to
participate in CM.
Teachers who pay dues
after July 31st and pay the
reinstatement fee are not
eligible for CM for that year.
Teachers who transfer to another
branch must complete the transfer
between April 16th and August 31st.
Complete dues, membership and
transfer information is available at
www.mtac.org
Piano: 2012 Edition (New!)
Voice: 2011 Edition
Strings: 2012 Edition (New!)
Winds: 2011 Edition
Harp: 2011 Edition
Order from MTAC State Office or online at
www.mtac.org
Download corrections and updates
for your syllabus at mtac.org
Write corrections into your syllabus
Students are enrolled at
www.mtac.org
Branch Chair has your username and
password
Student’s school grade and birth date
are needed
Students must be age 5 or older
as of November 15th
(registration deadline date) to
participate in CM.
Path B has been eliminated
Certificate of Merit Path A is now
simply called Certificate of Merit
Teachers may still use the CM
Curriculum for their non CM students
Teachers may set up their own in-
studio evaluations for non CM
students, but may not call it
“Certificate of Merit”
No certificates will be issued by
MTAC
Number of participants in Path B has
been declining
Parents did not understand the
difference between Path A and Path
B, which resulted in confusion.
Some Branches used Path B to decrease the
number of Path A students which caused
unfairness across the state by not allowing the
benefits of Path A to all students, such as
Convention Recitals.
Colleges and universities desire transparency
about the achievements of students who
participate in Certificate of Merit when listed on
college applications, and the parallel existence
of Path A and Path B reduced transparency.
Outsideorganizations have
attempted to replicate large portions
of the CM program from previous
Path B materials, in conflict with
copyright and trademark laws.
Log-in to your Teacher Home Page
Select CM Students
For new students, select “New
Student Registration”
Answer the questions about prior CM
participation
For returning students, even if they
skipped one or more years of CM,
select “Re-enroll Students”
žReturning students who do not
appear on a teachers’ Re-enroll list
can be “recalled” by teachers
žThe procedure is linked to 3
questions that appear when you click
“New Student Registration”
Registering Your Students
Make sure the instrument is correct
Enter or update all requested information. Levels do
not change automatically; you must enter the new CM
Level.
◦ Student name
◦ CM Level
◦ School Grade
◦ Birthdate (get info from parents)
◦ Parent email address (for Panel only)
◦ Panel or YAG (if applicable)
◦ Senior Award (if applicable)
◦ Theory exemption (if applicable)
After you register a student and select “submit,”
you will see a confirmation page. Check to see
that all information is correct:
Student Name
Student I.D. number
Instrument
CM Level
School Grade
Panel (if applicable)
Senior Award (if applicable)
Theory Exemption (if applicable)
Select “Confirm” if information is
correct, or “Update Student
Information” if incorrect
You are responsible for student
registration information, so check
carefully
Remain at Level (RAL) is for
students clearly not ready for
the evaluation, or who receive
an Automatic RAL
Overall
poor performance:
insecure, inaccurate,
and unmusical
Students who receive RAL or fail the
written theory test will not be allowed
to proceed to the next level until they
pass the same level.
If a student does not participate
in CM for one or more years after
receiving RAL or failing theory,
he or she still must take the
same level again and pass
before proceeding.
Once the student passes the failed
level, he or she may skip one or
more levels.
Sight Reading: Refuses to Attempt
(legally blind students exempt)
Technique: None prepared or cannot
play without notation
Piano Students: Required Advanced
Level Etude Not Memorized
Required number of
pieces not correct
Memory requirement not met
Any student who brings a
photocopy to evaluations or
brings music reproduced from a
CD or the Internet without an
authorized logo or source will not
be heard by an evaluator and will
receive an automatic remain at
level.
Evaluators reported many students who were
unprepared for evaluations, playing music
that was too difficult for them, or pieces far
below level
Some parents want to push their children
through the CM program at an unrealistic
pace
RAL restrictions give teachers a strong
reason to place students in a level that is
appropriate and in which they can succeed
Ineligible for Certificate is given to students
who give a proficient evaluation, but who
have non-performance related issues.
Students who receive Ineligible for
Certificate may advance to the next level.
IC does not affect Senior Award or Panel
eligibility.
Students who receive IC are not eligible for
Branch Honors or Convention recitals.
◦ Incorrect repertoire categories, incorrect
syllabus piece or no syllabus piece
◦ Played technique from incorrect syllabus
◦ Piano Advanced Level Etude not from
Etude list as provided in the Piano
Syllabus
◦ Performing any unacceptable repertoire
CM has specific rules and guidelines just like
any evaluation program or competition. These
guidelines give the program credibility and make
it well-rounded.
Students should not be penalized with Remain
at Level for a teacher error.
IC allows for the student to continue to progress
in CM, but also creates a consequence for not
adhering to the program’s guidelines.
In addition to receiving the required
Evaluation ratings and theory score, in
order to be eligible for Branch Honors or
Convention Recitals, students must:
◦ Provide original music scores for the
Evaluator, including a second original
score if the piece is not memorized (and
a third original score for a live
accompanist, if applicable)
Play the pieces that are listed on the Evaluation
Report Form
Provide a translation of the Title and Composer
for music published in a non-Romanized
language (Romanized languages use the
English alphabet; this allows evaluators to
determine that the music is eligible for CM, that
the student has music from each of the required
CM categories, and that the music matches the
Evaluation Report Form.)
Beginning on January 2, go to
mtac.org and enter your students’
repertoire
Your Branch Chair will set the
deadline for completion
Evaluation Report Forms are
generated from this information
Students must play the music that is
listed on the form
Check information carefully
◦ Syllabus piece is from the correct
Level
◦ All category requirements are met
◦ Correct number of pieces
Apply for Branch Honors and
Convention Recital consideration
Make sure proper CM requirements
are met:
Correct number of pieces
Correct CM Categories
Composers – check in the back of syllabus
for correct category (may differ
from repertoire books)
Memory requirements
All repertoire is at the student’s CM Level or
above
Check your syllabus for
acceptable and unacceptable
repertoire
“Permitted Repertoire” is defined as
original compositions written specifically
for the instrument being evaluated, and
any repertoire listed in the applicable
discipline Syllabus.
Repeats are not recommended
D.S. and D.C. al fine sections
may be performed
Check your syllabus for allowable
transcriptions and arrangements
Rules vary for different
instruments
Keep length of evaluation in mind
Multiple movements not allowed
for Convention Festival Recitals
or Convention New Materials
Recitals
Multiple movements OK for
Theme and Ensemble Recitals
Evaluators
will hear only one
movement of a Suite.
Exception: Student may
prepare more than one movement of
a Suite if applying for Convention
Theme or Ensemble Recitals
For longer works, prepare enough
variations to demonstrate the
student’s abilities and show the
varied characters, such as the theme,
two or three variations, and the finale.
Evaluators will hear only the
variations the student has prepared.
Prepare only one movement
Prepareeither the Prelude or the
Fugue, not both
Exception:Piano Panel
students may play both
the Prelude and Fugue
If in doubt whether a piece will qualify
for CM, don’t use it!
Begin repertoire early
iv
Private vendors have Technique
Books
MTAC Technique Books are available
from the State Office
◦ 4 new pages with changes
◦ New pages may be downloaded for
free at www.mtac.org
Theory stays the same except for the
following:
◦ Level 4 and above: Contemporary
Period now called 20th & 21st Centuries
Tests will use and accept both terms
until students are used to the change
Diatonic and Chromatic half-step
terminology removed
Page 85, Level 8: Terraced dynamics
re-introduced to Baroque
characteristics
Page 89, Level 9: Impressionism
re-introduced
More complete list of
requirements
Requirements based on existing
tests
New ear training tests have been
written
Preparatory Level students will now have an
Ear Training Evaluation
5 questions:
◦ Major and minor five-finger patterns
◦ Rhythmic pattern
◦ Identify a melody
◦ Legato and Staccato
◦ Loud and Soft
Designed to be approximately two
levels below registered CM Level
Required skills for each level are
listed
Preview time included
Students may play an improvisation at the
evaluation
◦ Not rated by evaluator
◦ Must be within time limit of 5-60 seconds
◦ Does not replace any segment of
evaluation
◦ Must fit within evaluation time
◦ May be from any resource
New format makes teacher’s job easier
Repertoire is limited to two CM Levels as
much as possible
CM Level listing has been removed from
individual Repertoire Lists
Levels are listed in the Composer Index
Repertoire is listed by category
(Levels 3 and above)
Four pieces must be performed.
Two pieces must be memorized. A
second original score is required for un-
memorized music.
One piece from this list is required for CM
Evaluations.
Remaining repertoire must be at or above
the student's enrolled level.
Each piece must be from a different category,
and by a different composer. (Some
composers are listed in two different
categories. These are transitional
composers and may be used for one of the
categories in which they are listed, but not
both.)
Repertoire listed as "not" may not be used for
the Level, either as a syllabus piece or as
another repertoire piece.
Editions are suggestions only. Any
edition may be used. Publisher
abbreviations are on pp. 159-160.
Photocopies are not allowed.
Downloaded music must include an
authorized logo or source.
At every CM Level, one piece
from the Repertoire List for the
enrolled level is required
Prep – Adv (10): All remaining
repertoire must be at the enrolled
CM Level or above
No category requirements for Levels
Prep-2; may use same composer
At CM Levels 3 and above, each
piece must be from a different
repertoire category
Students who do not follow the
category requirements will receive an
IC rating
Debussy,Ravel, Griffes and Satie are
in the Romantic/Impressionism
Category
Scott
Joplin is in the
Romantic/Impressionism Category
Gershwin is in the 20th/21st Century
Category
All music from Anthologies is acceptable
for the level unless a “not” is listed under
the book title
There is no need to compare Anthologies
with the Single Composer List
Pieces listed as “not” may not be used for
the enrolled CM Level, either as a syllabus
piece or as remaining repertoire
◦ These pieces are below the registered
CM Level, and all repertoire must be at
Level or above
◦ Students who use below-level music may
be given RAL
For Level 6:
◦ Baroque: J.S. Bach Short Prelude
◦ Classical: Clementi Sonatina Op. 36,
No. 6
◦ Romantic/Impressionism: Tchaikovsky
Album for the Young, Op. 39, #9
◦ 20th/21st Century: Khachaturian
Adventures of Ivan, #10
Level 6:
◦ Baroque: J.S. Bach - Dance, BWV 808/6 (has
“not”)
◦ Classical: Scarlatti - Sonata, L. 79 (Scarlatti is
Baroque; 2 Baroque pieces)
◦ Romantic: Schumann - Album for the Young,
Op. 68 #1 (this piece is Levels 2-3; too low for
Level 6)
◦ 20th/21st Century: Williams - Theme from Star
Wars (this is an arrangement)
Advanced Etude must be memorized, and
from the list on pages 153-158.
Level 10 Celebration Series Etude and
Snell Etude books have been moved to
the Etude List (p.158).
Some MacDowell Op. 39 Etudes are on
the Etude List (p.156)
Some etudes are not eligible for Panel
Auditions (p.154).
Etudes that appear on the Advanced Level
Repertoire List, but are not on the Etude
List, are not acceptable for the Advanced
Etude requirement.
◦ Page 147: MacDowell Etude, Op.39 #7
and Intermezzo (#9) are not acceptable
for required etude
2012 Panel students who were
chosen for Panel Finals: appx. 35%
(2011: 25%)
2012 students that were selected for
Panel Convention Programs 14.5%
Panel Applicants should choose repertoire and
etudes that are of the highest level
◦ The quality of the music, not the length, is what
matters
Balanced program
◦ Not all big virtuosic repertoire
◦ Variety of character (for example, lyrical,
humorous, grandiose, transparent)
◦ Demonstrates the student’s range of abilities
Consider carefully whether a student is
ready for Panel Auditions
◦ Attend a Panel Honors Recital, Panel
Master Class or Young Artist Guild
Concert at the Convention
◦ Make sure that parents understand the
high quality of Panel Auditions; this is not
the next level after Advanced
Receiving all ratings of Excellent does not
guarantee a student being chosen for
Panel Finals
Receiving 5+ for Convention Recitals and
Branch Honors Pieces does not guarantee
being chosen for Panel Finals
While Regional Panel Auditions serve as
the CM Evaluation, it is also a high level
competition
Artistic performance
Appropriate style and interpretation
Semi-professional quality
Emotionally involved in the music
Able to perform in a high-pressure
situation
Performance stands out from the crowd
Publisher abbreviations used on Repertoire lists
◦ Any edition is acceptable
◦ Dual listings (New/Old):
The company was recently acquired by
another company
The company is a subsidiary of or distributed
by another company
The music was recently moved to a new
publishing company
Composer Categories for Repertoire
Selection
◦ List of composers by CM Category
◦ Includes transitional composers listed in
two different categories
Suggested Reference Books (p.170)
◦ Includes CM related materials as well as
books for further study
Single Composers Index (p.178)
◦ List of all CM syllabus collections by composer
with acceptable levels
Anthologies Index (p.197)
◦ List of all CM anthologies by editor with
acceptable levels
Collections are listed specifically to match each
level
◦ 18 Short Preludes, BWV 924, 926, 927, 933, 934, 939 5
◦ 18 Short Preludes (not BWV 924, 926, 927, 933, 934, 939) 6-7