Royal Conservatory Certificate Program

Online registration for May 2020 Assessments is open from January 7 to February 10, 2020.
Register at www.rcmusic.com

Congratulations to the 2018-2019 Academic Year Participants!

Academic (Theory) Assessments:  Koda Bauer, Stephen Carlton-Jones, Hannah Hoang, Gary Hoehler, Joseph Long, Amanda McCrea, Sara Sadjadi, Riley Schoch, Bryan SebaRaj, Megan Waller,Erin Welch, Katerina Yiannouris.

Practical (Performance) Assessments:  

• Piano: Koda Bauer, Ava Camille Bautista, Ashasie Darkwa, Amara Dean, Frederick Donahue, Nadeen Hassanein, Logan Heper, Dylan Hoang, Peter Jin, Isabel Long, Isabella Masone, Niharica Mukkamala, Ryder Myrick, Henna Parmar, Priya Parmar, Angela Quan, Emily Righter, Sara Sadjadi, Tanvi Thatai, Megan Waller.
• Voice: Isabel Long, Sydney Todorov, Alana Troxell,
• Violin: Guinevere Cockey, Isabel Cockey
• Violoncello: Elijah Cockey

Past Academic Year State and National Winners

Congratulations to our 2017-2018 Academic Year State and National Winners!

• Riley Schoch (picture featured left) - State Certificate of Excellence, Level 5 Piano (2017-2018 year)
• Isabel Long, State Winner, Voice Level 2

About the Program

The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program provides a recognized national standard and sequenced program for people studying music privately, from beginner through advanced levels. The program inspires excellence through individual students’ assessments and allows students to understand progress in relation to others across the country.

The Salisbury University Music Department is proud to host the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program. The department is currently the only MDP Assessment Center on the Eastern Shore and has been a Founding School Candidate since the fall of 2012.

For more information about the program and registration, please visit The Royal Conservatory website at (1-866-716-2223) or contact your local representative Luba Paskova

Practical (Performance) Assessments

Salisbury University will hold two assessment sessions each year: one in late spring and one in late fall.

Practical (performance) assessments evaluate the following areas of a student’s musical development:

• Performance of three to five pieces of repertoire (depending on level)
• Performance of one or two études that focus on an aspect of performance skill appropriate for the level
• Performance of technical skills, such as scales, chords, and arpeggios, which progress in difficulty from level to level in a manner consistent with the technical demands of the repertoire. Assessment includes a representative sampling from the published list of requirements.
• Evaluation of musicianship skills (appropriate for the level) through aural identification of intervals, chord qualities, cadences, and ear-to-hand playbacks of rhythms and melodies. A demonstration of rhythmic reading and sight playing ability further supports music literacy.

What instruments can participate?

Program inspires excellence with individual student assessments in all instruments including voice. Check available syllabi online.

Who are the adjudicators?

The Certificate Program is adjudicated by a professional body of distinguished teachers and performers from across North America, each of whom is a specialist in one or more areas represented in the program of study. Adjudicators undergo a competitive admissions process and must meet a minimum qualifying standard before being accepted as apprentice adjudicators.

Apprentices complete an intensive series of lectures, demonstrations, and a practicum, coupled with a full year of observation in the field before promotion to full adjudicator.

To ensure that the assessment is both a professional and comfortable experience, the assessment takes place in a one-on-one session between the student and the adjudicator. Occasionally a second adjudicator may be present for training and/or quality assurance purposes.

How are practical assessments marked and awarding system?

The adjudicator’s report will provide both number grades and written comments on each aspect of the assessment. Practical (performance) assessment results, which include a copy of the assessment form, are generally available four to six weeks after the assessment has taken place. Theory assessment results are generally available six weeks after the assessment. Students are then able to view their graded paper online. Assessment results are available to view and print for six months after being posted. Students are strongly encouraged to download and print a copy of their results for their personal records.

The Assessments grade according to the following scale:

• First Class Honors with Distinction: 90 – 100%
• First Class Honors: 80 – 89%
• Honors: 70 – 79%
• Pass: 60 – 69%

Certificates of Achievement

Certificates of Achievement are awarded to all students upon successful completion of an assessment.

Certificates of Excellence

These certificates are awarded to students in each assessment center and in each state who earn the highest marks for their practical (performance) assessment level. No application is necessary.

How to get started?

• If your child's teacher is not yet using The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program, ask the teacher to visit the The Royal Conservatory website to found out more about The Program.
• Work with your child's teacher to determine a plan of study and determine when your child will be ready for their first assessment. You can find official publications, including music and other materials for developing musicianship online.
• Create an account and register for an assessment. Registration typically takes place approximately 2-3 months prior to each session.

Information for teachers

The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program does not charge teachers any membership fees. You may register with to receive your personal Teacher Individual Number and have an access to Teacher Online Service. All administrative costs and responsibilities are covered by the program.

Teachers are not required to volunteer in any way before or during the assessments.

Academic (Theory) Assessments

Music Academic (Theory) Assessments are an essential tool in a student’s musical development, through which students complete a written assessment of their theoretical knowledge of musical rudiments in a classroom setting. All completed assessment work sheets will be returned to the RCM Certificate Program in a sealed envelope. Results and feedback will be available online. Certificates are also awarded when a student successfully completes each academic level.

Students will have an opportunity to complete one of the following Academic Certificates: Preparatory Rudiments, Basic Rudiments, Intermediate and Advanced Music Rudiments. Please, visit the The Royal Conservatory website for theory syllabi (PDF). Each assessment requires preparation with a qualified teacher.