Method & Philosophy: Child Chart - Adult Chart | Experience | References | Workshops

Performer's ARCT Piano
An Overview For Advanced Study

At the Performers ARCT level, a student is expected to reach the highest level of technique, have a great understanding of a variety of repertoire from many periods of music history, make many public performances on a regular basis and show a great love and passion for an art they have spent many many years cultivating. These are all attributes that a professional musician lives by and attributes that an ARCT level student should strive to attain in order to gain success.

What Does It Mean To Be Studying at the ARCT Level?
As a student at the ARCT level, you will have successfully completed 10 grades offered by the RCM. You have the choice of working toward an ARCT Diploma specializing either in Performance or Teaching, or both. Once completing the ARCT level in one or both of these specializations, a student will have completed all the Grades offered by the Royal Conservatory of Music and have attained credentials beneficial towards a professional career in music. For more information, please visit www.rcmexaminations.org.

How Does A Student Complete Their Performer's ARCT?
In order for a student to attain their ARCT Diploma in Piano Performance, a student must prepare a professional recital programme consisting of five pieces and one concert etude in contrasting styles from different historical periods; a programme performed by memory and not to exceed 60 minutes. This programme would be performed in an exam setting conducted by two RCME adjudicators at one of three times of the year: January, June, or August.

Why Should A Student Take A Piano Exam?
Completing a piano exam and receiving a diploma is a great reward and symbol for all the accomplishments that the student has achieved over the years. It forces the student to prepare very well for a specific objective; this elevates their playing. Completing Grade 7 and Grade 8 Piano Examinations can earn a student High School Credits. And finally, participating in these exams is very beneficial when applying for a job, college, or university, either music related or not since the Royal Conservatory of Music is a very respected institution by the community at large.

Why Should A Student Take A Theory Exam?
Apart from the obvious reason that you need the co-requisite in order to gain your piano diploma, a separate study of theory helps the student better understand how their music is structured and why it looks the way it does. The result is that their playing ability increases because their comprehension level of music has been expanded.

Lesson Time: 1 1/2 hour/week total - 1 hour per week for piano, 1/2 hour per week for theory

Books: To be supplied by the teacher. Student will reimburse teacher at a later date.

By this advanced stage, you will be requested to purchase additional books of piano repertoire that will be deemed as important and that are listed by the Royal Conservatory of Music Syllabus. It is crucial that at this stage, a student begin a collection of their own books to create a library.

Practise Time: minimum 3 hours a day for piano. 3 to 4 hours per week for theory study and homework.

Extras!

• Listen & Watch: Students will be given the opportunity to borrow recordings that will enrich their understanding and love for music.
• Ear Training & Sight Reading: Exercises to develop a student's ear, these activities will be conducted occasionally within the lesson.
• Composition: Using a step by step approach to help nurture musical ideas and learn how to map them out on paper. Additional book(s) may be required.
• Extra Pieces: Students will have an opportunity to pick extra pieces to play which they enjoy and are of their level of difficulty.
• Recitals: Held twice a year for family & friends, these performances encourage students to prepare a piece (or pieces) in great detail and by memory.
• Masterclass: At this informal gathering, held twice a year, weeks before the Recital, students play their pieces for each other, make comments, and ask questions. Often, students feel uncomfortable and nervous playing in front of others. The Masterclass is an excellent way for the student to try out their piece(s) in front of their peers in a less stressed atmosphere.
• Festivals: A festival is a music competition where young musicians gather and perform for a small audience and an adjudicator. Like the recital, a festival can encourage students to prepare a piece (or pieces) in great detail and by memory which greatly improves their playing ability. Two festivals that I often suggest that my students perform in are Contemporary Showcase in late November and the Davenport Festival of Music in April. Both these events offer a very relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
• Duets & Ensembles: One of the many joys of playing the piano is to play with other musicians. Frank welcomes the opportunity to coach students in their duet, accompanying, or band projects.
• ORMTA Auditions: ORMTA stands for the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association. This group organizes auditions where students develop their performance skills and receive helpful adjudication. If a student delivers a particularly fine audition, they will be invited to perform at a Recital and qualify to win a Scholarship.
• Mock Examination: A student is given an opportunity to see how well they have completed the requirements for a specific grade. Conducted by Frank one month before the actual exam, this will be useful for a student in their exam preparation.

In The Future...
Unlike earlier grades where the next step was clearly defined, once attaining the ARCT level of Piano, a student has many options. They can continue private study and complete the Teacher's ARCT, they can apply or continue advanced study of music at a university or conservatory, become a recreational player and assume another professional career, or become a performer, teacher, composer or accompanist. Whatever path one decides after these many years of study, a student will be able to recollect and see that all the many hours of practise, study, exams, recitals, joy and pain were worth it. Nothing in life can be more fulfilling than attaining your goals.

» Adult Chart