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An Overview For Advanced Study
At the Teacher's 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 occasional
public performances, have a part-time position as a piano teacher
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 Teacher's ARCT?
In order for a student to attain their ARCT Diploma in Piano Teaching, they will have had to first attain their Elementary and Intermediate Pedagogy Certificates from RCM examinations. The Teacher's ARCT consists of the following:
- Part 1: a practical component featuring repertoire, technique and ear & sight, similar to a standard practical exam in an earlier grade. (January, June, or August)
- Part 2: Viva Voce, a practical/oral exam putting fundamental teaching principles into action. (January, June, or August)
- Part 3: Written Examination, involving more teaching principles. (May, August, December)
These three parts do not have to be completed all in one session. With the successful completion of the Teacher's ARCT, a student will be officially accredited by the RCM to teach all grades of piano.
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.
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| Student Notebook |
used to organize the student since
there are so many components that they will have to
remember to practise and study |
| Brown Scale Book |
a technique reference for the student,
detailing finger patterns and notes for all the keys |
| Essential Finger Exercises by Ernesto Dohnanyi |
exercises that develop finger strength,
co-ordination and speed; usually used for Grade 10
& ARCT |
| The Enjoyment of Music by Joseph Machlis |
textbook covering the following
RCM Grade of Theory: Grade 5 History (needed for ARCT
Piano) |
| Beethoven Piano Sonatas, Bach Well Tempered Clavier,
Various Music Anthologies |
a variety of books used in the following
RCM Grade of Theory: Grade 5 Analysis (needed for
ARCT Piano) |
The Well Tempered Keyboard Teacher
by Uszler, Gordon, and
McBride Smith |
a textbook delving into fundamental
concepts and principles important for a teacher of
piano. |
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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 2 hours a day for piano. 4 to 5
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 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 Performer'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
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