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Music programs in the US with level exams, competitions?


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I know music programs wth level exams are common in some countries, but I don't know what is available in the US. I have a child who I think would be motivated by exams and/or leveled competitions, so I am interested in those as well. Piano and strings are my primary interest, but I would love to hear of anything that is out there.

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The Royal Conservatory of Music (in Canada) was extending their exam program into the US, or trying to. I don't see as much about it on their website now, but they may still be doing it. Or, if you lived close to the border, you could come over to the snowy side :-}. It's a pretty comprehensive program of musical education. Here's their website:

 

http://www.rcmusic.ca

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The Royal Conservatory of Music (in Canada) was extending their exam program into the US, or trying to. I don't see as much about it on their website now, but they may still be doing it. Or, if you lived close to the border, you could come over to the snowy side :-}. It's a pretty comprehensive program of musical education. Here's their website:

 

http://www.rcmusic.ca

Thank you, I think I found the US program: http://www.musicdevelopmentprogram.org/

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I don't think US has one across the country. But in NY, we have NYSMMA that is a leveled exam. It has 6 level from voice to piano to string. Requirement is a solo , scale and sight read. Level 1-4 gives a max score of 28 and level 5-6 give a max score of 100. Senior on level 6 NYSMMA has a oppurrunity to participate a all state which is a pretty big thing for kids want to be music major. There is no age restriction on level.

Piano is March, this year violin 1-4 is March and 5-6 is in May.

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Thank you, I think I found the US program: http://www.musicdevelopmentprogram.org/

Glad you found it! 

 

Pretty much every kid who has taken music lessons seriously here has done the RCM exams. I have mixed feelings about them. I found them a bit traumatic as a kid, but my kids seem to quite enjoy them (they are very over prepared, which helps.) The resources the RCM have (books, syllabi, theory and history programs) are very, very systematic and really nice and well thought out. There is so much great material. My teachers stuck to them like gospel. My kids' teacher does the exams, but does lots of other material, too. And it really works well for her students. Anyway, hope these are available in your area. 

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If the string teacher is a member of a national teaching organization, like American String Teachers Association, they hold yearly exams/competitions. Also members of state music organizations (i.e. Tennessee State Band and Orchestra Association) can have their students compete in regional and state competitions to then participate in regional and state orchestras/bands/choirs. These are mostly geared toward public and private school students, but in our state homeschoolers can participate if their teacher/organization is a member of the association.

 

For piano, the National Piano Guild holds yearly exams and competitions.

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If the string teacher is a member of a national teaching organization, like American String Teachers Association, they hold yearly exams/competitions. Also members of state music organizations (i.e. Tennessee State Band and Orchestra Association) can have their students compete in regional and state competitions to then participate in regional and state orchestras/bands/choirs. These are mostly geared toward public and private school students, but in our state homeschoolers can participate if their teacher/organization is a member of the association.

 

For piano, the National Piano Guild holds yearly exams and competitions.

Thank you for this information.

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For piano, the National Piano Guild holds yearly exams and competitions.

This is what both of my two girls participate in each year. These are usually held in May.

 

My girls also participate in National Federation of Music Clubs Festival held in February. Both girls are participating in the Piano Solo event and the Theory Test. My younger daughter is also participating in the Piano Concerto event.

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We use ABRSM (Royal School). I just googled "ABRSM in the USA" and got their country-specific website. There is a link to the map of cities with exam centers. It is not super widespread, but perhaps you live in or near one of the locations.

 

They do all instruments, all grades. It is an excellent program.

 

http://us.abrsm.org/en/home

 

Ruth in NZ

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