Recognizing Achievement - US
Recognizing Achievement - US
Certificates
Certificates are awarded at every level to all candidates who have successfully completed the requirements for practical and theory examinations. Certificates are mailed in February, May, July, and October to eligible candidates. Please allow 2-3 months for delivery.
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Comprehensive Certificates - Requirements
| Comprehensive Certificates |
Examinations Required |
| Preparatory A Piano |
Preparatory A Piano |
| Preparatory B Piano |
Preparatory B Piano |
| Introductory Practical (non-piano) |
Introductory or Preparatory Practical |
| Level 1 |
Level 1 Practical |
| Level 2 |
Level 2 Practical |
| Level 3 |
Level 3 Practical |
| Level 4 |
Level 4 Practical |
| Level 5 |
- Level 5 Practical
- Level 5 Theory or Basic Rudiments
|
| Level 6 |
- Level 6 Practical
- Level 6 Theory or Intermediate Rudiments
|
| Level 7 |
- Level 7 Practical
- Level 7 Theory or Advanced Rudiments
|
| Level 8 |
- Level 8 Practical
- Level 8 Theory or Advanced Rudiments
|
| Level 9 |
- Level 9 Practical
- Level 8 Theory or Advanced Rudiments
- Level 9 History or History 1
- Level 9 Harmony or Basic Harmony or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony or Basic Keyboard Harmony
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|
Level 10
|
- Level 10 Practical
- Level 8 Theory or Advanced Rudiments
- Level 9 History or History 1
- Level 9 Harmony or Basic Harmony or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony or Basic Keyboard Harmony
- Level 10 History or History 2
- Level 10 Harmony & Counterpoint or Intermediate Harmony or Level 10 Keyboard Harmony orIntermediate Keyboard Harmony
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Theory Certificates - Requirements
| Theory Certificate |
Examinations Required |
| Level 5 Theory |
Level 5 Theory |
| Level 6 Theory |
Level 6 Theory |
| Level 7 Theory |
Level 7 Theory |
| Level 8 Theory |
Level 8 Theory |
| Level 9 History and Theory |
- Level 9 History or History 1
- Level 9 Harmony or Basic Harmony or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony or Basic Keyboard Harmony
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| Level 10 History and Theory |
- Level 10 History or History 2
- Level 10 Harmony & Counterpoint or Intermediate Harmony or Level 10 Keyboard Harmony or Intermediate Keyboard Harmony
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| History and Theory: ARCT |
- ARCT History or History 3
Two of the following:
- ARCT Harmony & Counterpoint or Advanced Harmony or ARCT Keyboard Harmony or Advanced Keyboard Harmony
- ARCT Analysis or Analysis
- Counterpoint*
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*If completed prior to January 2017.
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Pedagogy Certificates - Requirements
| Piano Pedagogy Certificate |
Examinations Required |
| Elementary Piano Pedagogy Certificate |
- Part 1: Level 9 Comprehensive Certificate
- Part 2: Elementary Pedagogy Viva Voce
- Part 3: Elementary Pedagogy Written or Teaching Elementary Piano (online course)
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| Intermediate Piano Pedagogy Certificate |
- Prerequisite: Elementary Piano Pedagogy Certificate
- Part 1: Level 10 Comprehensive Certificate
- Part 2: Intermediate Pedagogy Viva Voce
- Part 3: Intermediate Pedagogy Written or Teaching Intermediate Piano (online course)
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| ARCT in Piano Pedagogy Diploma |
- Prerequisite: Intermediate Piano Pedagogy Certificate
- Part 1: Piano Practical Examination
- Part 2: Advanced Piano Pedagogy Viva Voce
- Part 3: Advanced Piano Pedagogy Written or Teaching Advanced Piano (online course)
- Theory Requirements:
- ARCT History or History 3
Two of the following:
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- ARCT Harmony & Counterpoint or Advanced Harmony or ARCT Keyboard Harmony orAdvanced Keyboard Harmony
- ARCT Analysis or Analysis
- Counterpoint*
|
*If completed prior to January 2017.
Diplomas
The Associate Diploma (ARCT) and the Licentiate Diploma (LRCM) are the highest academic standings awarded by the RCM Certificate Program. The ARCT is available for Performance (all instruments), Piano Pedagogy and Teacher (non-piano). The LRCM is available for Piano Performance only.
Diplomas are either given at annual Convocation ceremonies or mailed to graduates who are unable to attend.
High School Credits
Many school systems recognize RCM Certificate Program examinations for credit towards secondary school graduation. Please check with your guidance counselor for more information. This document provides you with details on the RCM Certificate Program that will be helpful for school administrators in assessing the program for high school credits and excused absences for examinations.
RCM Teachers of Distinction
RCM Teachers of Distinction are leaders in the field of music education, recognized for their contributions of creativity, dedication, innovation, and passion. Through their years of teaching experience, they provide mentorship to other teachers and instill a lifelong love of music in their students. RCM Teachers of Distinction are an inspiration to others and are influential in creating a brighter future for music education.
Awards and Prizes
In recognition of the dedication and hard work of those candidates who achieve outstanding results in their examinations, a number of awards and prizes are awarded each academic year by the RCM Certificate Program. All examination candidates are automatically eligible for awards and prizes (i.e., an application is not required). All awards are based on examination results.
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National Gold Medal
A National Gold Medal is awarded to the student who has earned the highest mark on their practical examination for their discipline and level across the country. Students must have earned a minimum mark of 90% on their practical examination and have successfully completed the corequisites for their discipline and level. National Gold Medals are awarded for Levels 5 to 10 and include Elementary and Intermediate Piano Pedagogy. National Gold Medals are awarded for Canada and the US.
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Regional Gold Medal
A Regional Gold Medal is awarded to the student who has earned the highest mark on their practical examination for their discipline, level, and region. At the Intermediate and Advanced levels, students must have completed any applicable theory co-requisites in order to win the award. Students must have earned a minimum mark of 85% on their practical examination. Regional Gold Medals are awarded from Preparatory levels to ARCT and LRCM.
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State Awards
State Awards
These certificates are awarded in each State to the student in Preparatory A, Preparatory B, and Levels 1 to 10 who receives the highest marks for the respective Practical examination in the previous academic year. To be eligible, a student must receive a minimum of 85 percent in the Practical examination, have completed the Theory examination co-requisite (for Level 5 and higher) for the respective level prior to or within the same academic year in which the practical exam is taken, and have their RCM account in good financial standing.
2022 RCM State Award Winners
Award Qualifications
Below are the updated RCM Certificate Program Awards requirements effective September 1, 2019.
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Official Award Requirements / Celebration of Excellences Rules and Guidelines
Awards Requirements*:
| Award |
Awarded for |
Eligible RCM Levels |
Minimum Requirements for Eligibility |
| National Diploma Gold Medal |
The highest mark in the country for each discipline |
LRCM and ARCT (includes Pedagogy** and Theory) |
Practical mark of 90 and completed theory co-requisites*** |
| National Gold Medal |
The highest mark in the country for each discipline |
Levels 5 through 10 and Piano Pedagogy (Elementary and Intermediate levels) |
Practical mark of 90 and completed theory co-requisites |
| Regional Gold Medal |
The highest mark in the region for each discipline |
Levels Preparatory through LRCM**** |
Practical mark of 85 and completed theory co-requisites |
| State Certificate |
The highest mark in the state for each discipline |
Levels Preparatory through LRCM**** |
Practical mark of 85 and completed theory co-requisites |
* In addition to the requirements indicated above, a student's RCM account must be in good financial standing by June 30 in order to be eligible for consideration. Please also refer to your instrument's syllabus for specific requirements. Note that music teachers will not be eligible for consideration for examinations taken at the Elementary and Intermediate levels (Levels Preparatory to 8 inclusive)
** Pedagogy includes both Advanced Piano Pedagogy and (non-Piano) Teacher ARCT
*** In the instance of a tie for the highest practical mark, the higher average of the theory co-requisite marks will become the tie-breaker. If the theory average is also tied, the graduates with the tied marks will receive the award.
**** includes Elementary and Intermediate Piano Pedagogy levels plus Advanced Piano Pedagogy/Teacher’s ARCT
Disciplines:
Accordion/Organ/Harpsichord, Brass, Guitar, Harp, Pedagogy/Teacher, Percussion, Piano, Speech Arts & Drama, Strings, Theory (co-requisite ARCT level only), Voice, Woodwinds
Regions:
| Region |
State |
| West |
California, Hawaii |
| Northwest |
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington |
| North Central |
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin |
| Northeast |
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia |
| Southeast |
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia |
| South Central |
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas |
| Southwest |
Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming |