Music Exam and Audition Preparation
In order for students to advance faster, be more skillful, and be ready to face different kinds of challenges and important events. AAM provides exams and competition preparation classes and programs to better prepare our students for different music level exams and music competitions throughout the world.
Certificate of Merit (CM Exam)
The Certificate of Merit is a leveled music curriculum designed by the Music Teacher's Association of California to provide students with a methodical approach to developing proficiency in the art of making music.
Certificate of Merit is a total musicianship program that delivers an unparalleled musical education. Registration with the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC) is required to participate. Students register and prepare for yearly testing with their private, MTAC-member instructor.
Testing is made up of two components: a written music theory portion and a performance evaluation that includes sight-reading for pianists or sight-singing for vocalists, technique, ear-training, and the performance of memorized repertoire. Offered annually and adjudicated by MTAC-trained evaluators, students who successfully pass the requirements for their registered level of music study receive an evaluation report and are awarded a Certificate of Merit for that level.
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM Exam)
As the world leader in its field, the Associated Board currently conducts over 600,000 music exams each year in more than 90 different countries.
The ABRSM provides an independent grading system for the aspiring musician looking for a standard to compare to. For parents and teachers, it is a system that can be utilized to show areas of improvement and merit. For candidates, it provides for a certificate and/or a degree that can be used anywhere to provide verification of musicianship. This alone sets apart ABRSM from all other testing standards because it is the largest and most well-known music examining board in the world.
As one of the largest music boards in the world, it offers greater advantages over other music exam boards, such as credits for university students. Steps are now being taken to further implement the ABRSM examinations into the collegiate system after Lipscomb University became the first university to require music majors to sit for the ABRSM examinations.
National Guild Piano Auditions (National Audition Exam)
The Piano Guild, as we are called (a division of the American College of Musicians), was founded in 1929 by Dr. Irl Allison. Forty-six entrants participated in the first audition (then called a "tournament") at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Since that time, the Guild has grown to more than 850 audition centers where thousands of students enroll annually in our international auditions, which are held throughout the U.S. and abroad.
The American College of Musicians provides this annual testing to students whose teacher must be a member of the organization. This is an annual, national exam for piano students. No theory is tested, but there is special emphasis on performance, as up to 15 pieces may be programmed each year. Certificates are awarded for the completion of each of its 15 levels. Students are judged on individual merit, by a well-qualified music professional, in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, tone, interpretation, style, and technique.
SCHEDULE A TRIAL LESSON WITH OUR QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS
*Please note that trials fees need to be paid before a time slot is confirmed with the teacher.