Certificate of Merit Program
Updates and Notices from Our CM Chair
To Parents and Students,
The Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) sponsors a music
study program entitled Certificate of Merit (CM). 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.
Goals of Certificate of Merit:
- To provide a systematic and comprehensive plan to develop performance skill, technique, ear training, sight reading/singing and understanding of music theory.
- To develop practical goals to help students maintain a steady and focused approach to their musical studies.
- To encourage students to strive for musical excellence.
- To create opportunities in which students may share their music with others.
How the CM Program Works:
A detailed CM Syllabus has been created and designed for each of the
above-mentioned instruments. There are specific set requirements for
each of the eleven CM levels. Your child’s teacher will decide on the
level that is appropriate.
Student Registration takes place from September 15 through November 15.
Your child’s teacher will register your child through a secure online
database. Students must be age 5 or older as of November 15 (the CM
Registration Deadline) to participate in the CM Program.
Students work with their teachers on selected literature, technique
elements, sight reading, theory and ear training for their enrolled
level.
Registered students participate in an annual evaluation held from
mid-February through April.
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 CM 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 State Convention Recitals.
Your child(ren) will benefit tremendously from this wonderful
educational opportunity and experience. Please consult with your child’s
teacher for more information regarding registration and preparation.
General Information:
Any teacher who is an active, provisional, Cal Plan or student member of
MTAC may enroll students in the Certificate of Merit program. There are
two categories of enrollment. Path A and Path B. Enrollment in Path A is
limited to teachers in good standing who are California residents and
who are affiliated with a local branch of MTAC. Registration in Path B
is open to any MTAC member teacher in good standing. Path A students are
evaluated on an assigned date at a site determined by the local branch
of MTAC. These evaluations are administered by state-appointed
evaluators. Path B students are evaluated in their home studio by their
teacher. Path B evaluations are flexible and may be administered at a
time determined by the teacher. Both categories include all elements of
the CM program: performance, technique, ear training, sight reading and
written theory tests.
Syllabus:
The Certificate of Merit Syllabi are published by The Music Teachers'
Association of California and is available for purchase exclusively
through the MTAC State Office. To place an order for a Syllabus, go to
MTAC's
Online Shopping Page. You can also order with a credit card by
calling 1-800-834-3340 extension 1 (24 hour automated service) or send
check payment to: MTAC, 833 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA
94103. Member and non-member prices are listed for each Instrument
Syllabus.
Syllabi for other instruments and additional Certificate of Merit
publications are also available through the MTAC State Office.
Registration:
Certificate of Merit 2011 - 2012 Registration Instructions
Link to CM Registration Login on the MTAC State Website
March 10, 2013 - CM for Strings and Woodwinds at Valley College
March 16 and 17, 2013 - CM for Piano at the Valley College
March 24, 2013 - CM Honors Festival at Virtuoso Russian Academy
Updates and Notices from Our Branch Chair:
CM 2011-2012 Instructions for Entering Evaluation Information Online
CM 2012 Piano Regional Panel Auditions - Repertoire Information
CM 2011-2012 Teacher Work Agreement Policy
Certifcate of Merit Newsletters
MTAC CM Newsletter December 2012
Branch CM Info Newsletter and Calendar of Events 2012 - 2013
MTAC CM Newsletter October 2012
MTAC CM Newsletter August 2012
Branch CM Newsletter January 2012
MTAC CM Newsletter December 2011
MTAC CM Newsletter August 2011
Registration
October 1–31, 2012 Evaluator Choice Form posted at Teacher’s Home pageOctober 31, 2012 Deadline for Branch Chair to submit their Branch Theory dates/sites to Sue Scofield, Information Chair
November 15, 2012 11:59 p.m. Database closed for Registration for all branches. Branches may not make their own registration deadline. No late registration
November 16, 2012 Fees, one teacher and one check, must be submitted directly to the Branch Chair and must be postmarked no later than November 16.
Work Contracts (if required by Branch) MUST also be submitted at this time!
December 15, 2012 Branch CM fees due to State Office.
Check from Branch to State Office for the branch CM fees must be postmarked by 12/15 or a 1% late fee will be imposed.
December 15, 2012 Evaluator Schedules must be completed
Enter Evaluation Information Online - Evaluator Input – Panel Input
January 2, 2013 Database open for entering evaluation information andRepertoire online. Note: Individual branch will set its own deadline for teachers to enter evaluation information online.
January 15, 2013 Deadline for Panel students to enter repertoire online.
January 15, 2013 Last day for Evaluators to confirm assignments
January 15, 2013 Deadline for Panel students to revert to Non-Panel status
January 20-31, 2013 Days for Branch Chairs to verify Evaluator list
CM Evaluation Dates
Feb 16 –Apr 7, 2013 excluding Easter Branch CM Evaluations
North and South.
San Fernando East Valley Branch’s evaluation dates:
March 10, 2013 - CM for Strings and Woodwinds at Valley College
March 16 and 17, 2013 - CM for Piano at the Valley College
March 24, 2013 - CM Honors Festival at Virtuoso Russian Academy
Feb 23-24, 2013;
March 2-3, 2013
Piano Panel Regional South
Feb 23, 2013 Strings (Violin & Viola) Panel Regional South
Feb 24, 2013 String (Cellos & YAG for all Strings) Panel
Regional South.
Feb 24, 2013 Winds and Voice Panel Regional South
March 15, 2013 Deadline for Panel applicants to complete theory tests at
their own
branch.
Panel Finals
March 15, 2013 Deadline for Panel Final Application. No late applications.March 23-24, 2013 Final Panel Auditions North (Piano)
April 5-6-7, 2013 Final Panel Auditions South
April 6, 2013 Voice and Winds Final Panel
April 7, 2013 Strings Final Panel North and South
Convention and other year-end Deadlines
April 8, 2013 Theory test materials may be released statewide.April 15, 2013 Deadline for Convention Applications.
No late applications. $20 Convention Application Fee per student is due.
April 15, 2013 Deadline to apply for Make-up Evaluations for High School Students only.
April 25, 2013 Deadline for Chair to send MUP applications and fees to State Office.
May 3-4-5, 2013 CM Council meeting
May 15, 2013 Deadline for Completion of Make Up Evaluations, High School Students only.
May 17, 2013 Deadline for Convention Recital Programs due to State Office.
May 31, 2013 Deadline for teachers to report database entry errors. No changes made
after this date.
May 31, 2013 Deadline to enter MUP results.
June 1, 2013 Convention recitals schedules posted on the state website. Go to
Convention 2012, click on Student Performance Information.
Jun 28 – Jul 2, 2013 Convention 2013 at the Santa Clara Hyatt.
