THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC (RCM)

The RCM certificate program provides a recognized national standard of musical success through an effectively sequenced course of study - from elementary through advanced levels.

The certificate program provides a comprehensive path for musical development, encompassing three main areas:

  1. Repertoire - Students explore a variety of styles and periods, ensuring they gain a breadth of knowledge.

  2. Musicianship - A thoughtful and consistent approach to the development of ear training and sight reading provides students with a solid foundation for independent creative musical exploration. Musicianship skills support both practical performance and theoretical understanding.

  3. Assessment - A national standard for exams, with independent, third-party assessment provides students with goals to work towards and challenges them to perform at their highest abilities. The successful completing the exams builds confidence and offers students the opportunity to celebrate achievements.

Visit the website “rcmusic.com” for more information.

In-person examinations in Utah - December and May each year.

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC (AIM)

Testing dates for 2024-2025:
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Friday and Saturday, April 25 & 26, 2025

AIM is a program of education and evaluation for piano students in ten pre-college levels.  AIM is sponsored by the Utah Music Teachers Association (UMTA).  This chapter-sponsored testing is held annually, usually in the spring for the Salt Lake Chapter. 

The goal of AIM is to properly prepare each student in order to ensure success.  Participation in AIM helps students become more aware of their yearly progress in their music study.

A certificate will be awarded to every student who earns a cumulative score of 70% or above for levels 1-6, and 80% or above for levels 7-10.

There will be a fee for the AIM testing. Registration is in the fall.

There will be extra lesson fees if the student needs more preparation outside of their lesson times.

Goals of AIM

  • To prepare students to function in a variety of musical roles.

  • To help students acquire skills for a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

  • To provide an educational program for all students, giving them the opportunity to fully develop their talents.

  • To foster conceptual and functional knowledge or basic musical elements and their relationship.

  • To enhance the development of basic music skills, such as:

  • Fluency of sight reading

  • Adequate technical skills

  • Knowledge and mastery of repertoire

  • Sensitivity to musical style

  • Development of the ear

  • Creativity in expressing music

  • Ability to see, hear, play, say and write music

There are six areas in which the student will be tested in AIM (this is new for 2023-2024)

  • Performance (100 points): two memorized solo pieces for levels 1-6; three pieces for levels 7-9 (two of the three have to be memorized); four pieces for level 10 (two of the four pieces have to be memorized).

  • Technique (100 points): the mastery of scales, chords, cadences and arpeggios. Students will prepare 6 different keys. Level 10 is comprehensive of all levels.

  • Keyboard Skills (100 points): sight reading, lead sheets, play by ear, modulation, harmonization, transposition, improvisation and composition.

  • Theory (100 points): Musical knowledge - chord names and functions, interval and rhythm reading, form and analysis. Theory provides students with learning skills leading to intelligent and musical playing.

  • Ear Training (100 points): Effective listening skills, being able to recognize theoretical concepts by sound. This will prepare the student for more sensitivity in performance.

  • Music Listening (100 points): Must listen to 10 or more pieces, keep the listening in a listening log that will be provided.