Celebration of Excellence FAQs | The Royal Conservatory of Music

Celebration of Excellence FAQs

Review the Celebration of Excellence Performance Ready Checklist

Use the Celebration of Excellence Checklist below to prepare for an Exam Quality Performance.

Only 1 piece per student is permitted.
Please be mindful of the time limit and select 1 movement.

Time limits must be strictly respected as follows:
- Performances at Preparatory Level – Level 4 may not exceed three minutes
- Performances at Levels 5 – 8 may not exceed five minutes
- Performances at Levels 9 – 10 may not exceed seven minutes

Your piece must be selected from The RCM Syllabus for your instrument OR the "Teacher’s Choice" piece for which you received this award. Please ask your teacher for guidance on your repertoire selection.
Please note Student's Choice will NOT be accepted for this Celebration of Excellence recital.
The selection does not need to be one of the pieces you performed at your practical examination.
You may choose a piece that is up to two levels above the level for which you received the award.
For those disciplines where examination memorization marks are offered (e.g. for piano, voice, guitar, strings, etc.), recital selections must be played from memory. For all other disciplines, recital selections should ideally be played from memory.

I am a National Gold Medalist and received an invite to both the Nationals and Regional Celebration of Excellence event. Which one do I attend?

As a National Gold Medalists, you have the choice to choose between attending the National or Regional event. The National event is a great honour; we invite you to perform at that recital if possible. If you are unable to attend the National event, you are welcome to attend the regional celebration of excellence event. Please choose one.
Do I need an accompanist for the recital?

An accompanist is required for any selection that requires an accompanist. This includes all levels. Recordings are not permitted. Please review the current RCM Syllabus for your instrument.
I have won a gold medal for two different disciplines. Can I perform a piece for each discipline?

Due to the number of students participating in the in-person recitals, you can only perform one piece however you will be recognized for both accomplishments at the recital. We invite you to submit a video for your second discipline to be included in the virtual recital that will be release this spring.
I have won gold medals in multiple levels for a single discipline. Can I perform multiple times?

Due to the number of students participating in the in-person recitals, you can only perform one piece however you will be recognized for all accomplishments at the recital. We invite you to submit a video for your additional awards to be included in the virtual recital that will be release this spring.
There are multiple recitals in my region. May I pick which recital I will perform at?

No, the recitals are built to balance instruments, levels, and pieces. If one collaborative pianist is accompanying several performers we will try our best to have all those performances in a single recital.

Please note regional participants will not be able to attend the National Event.
I've missed the RSVP deadline, may I still participate?

Please reach out to candidate services to inquire if you have missed the deadline. We cannot grantee participation.
Can I choose my performance time slot?

Performance time slots are assigned by the Academic Office based on your repertoire and performance level. Due to the large number of participants, we’re unable to accommodate individual scheduling requests.
How many tickets can I get for my Celebration of Excellence Recital?

Allotted ticket amounts will be indicated in the registration process. If more tickets are released, a communication will be sent to students, and they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
I am an award winner, but I have not received any email communication regarding my assigned Celebration of Excellence event.

All performers must keep their MyRCM profile contact details current, and ensure they are subscribed to RCM emails to receive all awards details. If you have not recieved any communication regarding your celebration of excellence event please reach out to Canidate Services.
I am an award winner, but I am unsubscribed from RCM emails.

To resubscribe to the RCM mailing list, please fill out this form. Please allow up to three business days for your resubscription request to be processed.
Do I need tickets to attend a Celebration of Excellence recital?

No, tickets are not required for Celebration of Excellence recitals with the exception of the US National Celebration of Excellence.

If you have RSVP’d to the US National recital, you will receive an email two weeks prior to the event with explicit instructions on where and when to collect the tickets you have reserved.
May I photograph and/or video the recital?

We ask that you respect the privacy of others, you may photograph and video YOUR CHILD / PERFORMER only. There is one exception to this, photography and videos of any kind are not permitted at US Nationals at Carnegie Hall.
Will there be programs at the event?

Yes, detailed programs will be available for the audience members at each recital.
How long will the recital be?

Recital lengths vary on based on the number of performers and the level of their pieces. Most last between 1.5 – 2 hours.
I am a Diploma Medalists, what events will I be invited to?

As a Diploma Medalists you will be invited to Convocation and your assigned National or Regional Celebration of Excellence event. At Convocation, you will receive your Diploma and at the Celebration of Excellence you will receive your medal. Please note that these are distinct events with different purposes.
I missed the event entirely, can I still be recognized with another event?

If you missed your assigned Celebration of Excellence event, you may still have the opportunity to participate in the Virtual Celebration of Excellence. Please check the details here.