Please review following 2023-2024 CM details in it's entirety. Details included are:
- New CM Technique Recording Process
- Recording Cover Sheet for all CM Repertoire Videos
- Using Photocopies for Page Turns
- All CM Evaluation components are completed in the MTAC Online System
- Practice Portal
- Ratings Summary
Memory Requirements
Technique (Scales) Requirements
Online Technique (Scales) Performances
Sight Reading Test
Online Sight Reading Performances
Theory Test
Ear Training Test
Live Piano Accompaniment Required
Online Cheating
State Honors Eligibility
Senior Award Eligibility
Appendix A: Online CM Video Recording Guidelines
New CM Technique Recording Process
All CM Online Students must use the Official CM Technique chart found on the MTAC Online System in their recordings. The students using the official CM Technique Chart need to show their technique chart to the camera at the beginning of their recording. Students who utilize any other technique charts (i.e. from the CM Syllabi) will receive an “Ineligible for Certificate” rating.
Recording Cover Sheet for all CM Repertoire Videos
All online CM Students will need to hold up an official MTAC recording cover sheet at the beginning of each repertoire video recording. The Recording Cover Sheet will be posted on the CM Teacher Resources and the CM Parent Resources page.
Using Photocopies for Page Turns
MTAC Policy states that students who use a photocopied score during their video recordings or live evaluations will receive an automatic Remain at Level rating for their evaluation. The only exceptions are copies to facilitate page turns (an original score must be on the music stand during the video recording or the live evaluation) and copies for confirmed out-of-print material. If the original score is not on the music stand, the student will receive the Remain at Level rating.
All CM Evaluation components are completed in the MTAC Online System
- Repertoire/Etude video recordings can be uploaded as soon as repertoire has been correctly added to the application.
- Technique videos can be uploaded before the testing period begins and as soon as the Technique upload button on the application page becomes active.
- Sight Reading test must be completed and video recordings uploaded during the ten-day testing period. This video should include the study time and the performance time.
- Theory Test must be completed during the ten-day testing period. The Theory Test includes Ear Training. All video recordings must follow the CM Recording Guidelines. Please see Appendix A below.
Practice Portal
Students can take practice tests (Theory and Sight Reading) in the Testing Portal in the MTAC Online System. The Testing Portal is available for students who will complete their upcoming Evaluation in person or online. The Testing Portal is available once the CM application is paid until the student’s testing period begins.
Ratings Summary
- Technique: Excellent, Good, Average, Weak, or Incomplete
- Sight Reading: Excellent, Good, Average, Weak, or Incomplete
- Repertoire: Excellent, Good, Average, or Weak
- Overall Performance: Pass, Ineligible for Certificate, No-Show, or Remain at Level
Memory Requirements
Technique (Scales) must be played by memory. (See technique requirements for further details. Students also must play at least one of the songs (repertoire) by memory. Memorizing both songs can result in a higher final score. Failure to meet the memory requirements will result in a Remain At Level.
Memory requirements for online CM evaluations are met by having the student turn the music stand towards the recording device at the start of the video recording so they cannot see the music.
Technique (Scales) Requirements
Students perform the Technique requirements set forth in the applicable Syllabus that correspond to their enrolled instrument and level. Students are required to perform their Technique memorized as one complete unit, including all elements from start to finish, in any order the student wishes, but uninterrupted and unassisted.
Students may look at a Technique Chart that is provided on the Testing Portal to help them remember all the elements to perform, but can only use the official Technique Chart that is on the Testing Portal or available in the CM Resources in the Teacher Portal.
Students may not use the technique chart from the CM Syllabi or other publishers, nor may the elements be announced to the student. Note that the official Technique Charts will have an “MTAC” watermark.
Online Technique Performances
Technique is pre-recorded by the student in accordance with the CM Video Recording Guidelines and uploaded to the student’s CM Application in the MTAC Online System by the assigned submission deadline. Students are required to show the official Technique Chart at the beginning of the video recording. If a student performs from an incorrect Technique Chart or the elements are announced to the student, they will receive an Ineligible for Certificate rating.
Sight Reading Test
The Sight Reading Test shall be administered through the MTAC Online System for in-person and online evaluations. Students are strictly prohibited from seeing the Sight Reading official Test materials in advance of the Evaluation. Students shall be shown the Sight Reading official Test materials when they log in to the Sight Reading Testing Portal in the MTAC Online System during their testing period. Students will be given a certain amount of time to study the Sight Reading excerpt, in accordance with the times specified in the applicable Syllabus. Students may put their hands on their instrument and “shadow play” during that time. Counting aloud or saying note names aloud is acceptable both before and during the Sight Reading Evaluation. Students should use a tablet or computer to take the test. Phones should not be used to take the Sight Reading Test for Online Evaluations.
Online Sight Reading Performances
The screen of the device the student uses to complete their Sight Reading Test must be shown in the entirety of the video recording. The student’s face must also be visible in the video recording. See the video recording guidelines for all details. If a student does not include the Sight Reading preparation time in their video recording, they will receive an Incomplete Submission rating for the Sight Reading Test.
Theory Test
The Theory Test is an online examination to test a student’s knowledge and skill regarding music theory, and includes a one-page Ear Training Test to be taken at the same time (see below). The Theory Test shall take place online in the MTAC Online System for online and in-person evaluations.
Students will have a specific time limit on the Theory Test depending on their level
CM Level Theory Test Time Limit
Preparatory Level - Level 2: 1 hour (60 minutes)
Level 3 - Level 5: 1.25 hours (75 minutes)
Level 6 - Level 7: 1.5 hours (90 minutes)
Level 8 - Level 9: 2 hours (120 minutes)
Advanced Level: 2.25 hours (135 minutes)
Students should use a tablet or computer to take the test. Phones should not be used to take the Theory Test for Online Evaluations. It is highly recommended that students use Chrome or Firefox browsers while taking the test for Online Evaluations. Once a student has started the Theory Test for their Online Evaluation, no one else should be in the room while the test is being taken. Students must be able to read the Theory Test (and Ear Training Test) independently without adult help or intervention.
Ear Training Test
The Ear Training Test is based on the specific requirements listed in the Syllabus by instrument and level. The Ear Training Test is part of the Theory Test, and occurs during the Theory Test. Students listen to an audio recording included in the online test of various melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic examples. Students may listen to the questions and excerpts as many times as they wish within the time limit of the exam.
Live Piano Accompaniment Required
Students in all levels must use live piano accompaniment for all pieces using piano accompaniment unless otherwise specified in the instrument syllabus. Students who do not use live piano accompaniment for pieces that require piano accompaniment will receive an Ineligible for Certificate rating.
Online Cheating
Cheating includes but is not limited to the following:
(a) The act of dishonestly, deceitfully, or unfairly obtaining, supplying, or changing student answers, by any person (including students, teachers, MTAC members, evaluators, CM Council members, and parents) during any component of CM Evaluations.
(b) Students attempting to leave the Theory Test page or the Sight Reading Test page while taking the test, which will result in the test freezing.
(c) Editing videos in such a way that affects the actual performance of the repertoire, sight reading/singing or technique.
(d) The Theory Test is a closed book test. Use of theory materials during the test is not allowed.
(e) Use of the instrument during the Ear Training test.
(f) Taking screenshots, photos or screen recordings of any component of the test and posting to social media.
State Honors Eligibility
To receive State Honors, students must:
(1) pass both the Performance Evaluation and written Theory Test for their enrolled CM Level that year.
(2) receive a “Good” or “Excellent” rating for Technique, Sight Reading/Singing, and Repertoire; and
(3) receive at least 80% or above on the Theory Test for their enrolled CM Level that year.
All students are automatically enrolled for consideration for State Honors, and CM Evaluation enrollment suffices for consideration without an additional application checkbox in the MTAC Online System.
Senior Award Eligibility
A graduating high school senior student is eligible for a Senior Award, in any instrument, if they:
(a) enroll in CM Evaluations at CM Level 7 or above;
(b) enroll in CM Evaluations for three (3) years during school Grades 9 through 12 (consecutive or non-consecutive years), including in their final year of high school; and
(c) pass all components of CM Evaluations (e.g., Performance and Theory) for each Level, in each of those three (3) years.
If a student has skipped a grade in high school, official transcripts must be emailed to cminfo@mtac.org for review in order for their grade to be updated in the system.
APPENDIX A: ONLINE CM VIDEO RECORDING GUIDELINES
Video Recording Instructions for Online CM Evaluations
- Video recordings should be good quality, but do not need to be professionally produced. Recording with a smartphone is an acceptable method of recording. Each video submission should not exceed 5 GB. Accepted video file types are mov, mp4, and m4v.
- Video recordings must be recorded for the sole purpose of their CM Evaluation. Students must show the 2024 CM Evaluation Cover Sheet at the beginning of each repertoire video recording. The Cover Sheet can be printed from the Teacher/Student/Parent Portal.
- Video recordings must be made with one fixed camera angle, focused on the performer with the face and hands of the student visible.
- Students must dress as they would for a live, in-person evaluation; however, shoes are optional.
- Students must not introduce themselves in their recordings.
- Video recordings can be completed in a studio, home, school, or any location of the student's choice, but should abide by any physical distancing recommendations. Masks may be worn during the evaluation recording if necessary; students will not be penalized for wearing a mask.
- Students will submit a separate video recording for each of the following components of the performance evaluation.
Technique
- Only the official testing technique chart may be used, which is available in the Teacher Portal in the CM Resources or as a digital chart available in the Student’s Testing Portal. Students may not use the technique chart from the CM Syllabi or other publishers, nor may the elements be announced to the student. No written-out notation is allowed for any student.
- Students are required to hold the official technique chart up at the beginning of the video recording. Students must turn the music stand toward the recording device to show that only the technique chart is on the music stand, then turn it back to play.
- The elements on the technique chart must be performed in its entirety in one video recording without stopping.
- Students Level 4 and above must record the elements on the technique chart in one video recording and their prepared etude in another video recording.
Sight Reading
- The Sight Reading/Singing study period and performance must be included in the video recording. Failure to include the study period in the video recording will result in an Incomplete Submission rating for Sight Reading.
- The screen of the device used for Sight Reading must be seen in the video recording.
Repertoire
One video recording for each piece.
(a) Students are required to hold the official 2024 Evaluation Cover Sheet up at the beginning of each video recording.
(b) Each piece should be played in its entirety, without stopping.
(c) All video recordings do not need to be completed on the same day, but must be completed and submitted by the student’s media submission deadline.
(d) Memorization - Students must meet the minimum memory requirement for their enrolled CM level. Students memory requirements for online CM evaluations are met by having the student turn the music stand towards the recording device at the start of the video recording so they cannot see the music.
Video recordings must be unaltered and unedited. Editing of videos is considered cheating. Students who submit edited video recordings will receive a Remain at Level rating. Repertoire that requires piano accompaniment must be performed with live piano accompaniment. Please be sure the student’s instrument or voice is heard over the accompaniment.
It is strongly recommended that you review your video files with your teacher to ensure they meet all requirements listed in this appendix, as well as the Certificate of Merit® requirements for your instrument and level. The CM Council is unable to review videos prior to submission and the MTAC State Office does not review videos for submission.
It is strongly recommended that you retain the video files of your performance evaluation until you have received the results form your Certificate of Merit® Evaluation.
