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Piano Lessons
The Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC) sponsors a music program entitled Certificate of Merit (CM), which was initiated in 1933. The CM program now involves approximately 30,000 students annually statewide. There are evaluation opportunities for students of Piano, Violin, Cello, Viola, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Horn, Voice and Harp. Certificate of Merit exams consist of two portions - written (testing students' knowledge of music theory, music terminology, and music history), and performance (repertoire, technique, sight reading).
Why is Certificate of Merit so popular?
Each year, over 29,000 music students in the state of California enroll in Certificate of Merit annual exams. Many piano students choose the Certificate of Merit program in order to track their music lesson progress. Even adult students decide to enroll in Certificate of Merit to give themselves an additional external goal to keep up with piano practice!
The Certificate of Merit program was designed with the following goals:
• To provide a systematic and comprehensive plan to develop performance skill, technique, ear training, sight reading, and understanding of music theory.
• To develop practice goals to help students maintain a steady and focused approach to their music studies.
• To encourage students to strive for musical excellence.
• To create opportunities in which students may share their music with others.
How Certificate of Merit works:
• A detailed CM syllabus has been created and designed for each of the above mentioned instruments.
• There are specific set of requirements for each of the eleven levels.
• Student registration takes place from October 1 through October 31. Your teacher will register your student through secure online database.
• Student must be 5 years or older as of October 31 to participate in the CM program.
• Students work with their teachers on selected literature, technique elements, sight reading, theory and ear training.
• From the evaluation, students receive a written assessment.
• Students will also complete a written theory exam, which includes an ear training component.
• Upon successful completion of all segments of the evaluation, students receive an official MTAC Certificate
of Merit Certificate.
• Senior Medallions will be awarded to eligible High School seniors.
• Students who demonstrate exceptional skill at his/her evaluation may be selected to perform at annual MTAC Convention Recitals.
Certificate of Merit
IMPORTANT CM CALENDAR DATES
September 1- 31, 2024: CM Applications & Enrollments accepted.
CM level, school grades, instrument, Senior Award, Advanced Panel must be entered by September 31, 2024
September 1 - October 5, 2024: Parents and Adult Students will log into their Online Portal to select the Evaluation form and pay for the application. If a student's application is not paid by October 5 at 11:59 PM PT, they will not be eligible for the Certificate of Merit® 2025 exams and the application will be deleted.
No Application changes (such as students' name, CM level or school grade) can be made after October 5!
December 15: Repertoire Entry Deadline
December 15 is the last day to:
Submit Teacher Remarks to Evaluator
Enter repertoire information on the application
Submit a Change of Teacher request
Online Evaluation Media Submission Due Date - March 11, 2025
the music lessons studio
The Music Makers - Certificate of Merit