Hello Students & Parents,
Certificate of Merit deadlines are fast approaching, and students should now be preparing to record their first song. If you have not already contacted your piano accompanist to schedule rehearsal and recording time, please do so soon. Students should also be completing the practice theory and sight-reading tests in their CM portal.
Things to remember:
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Scales and at least one repertoire piece must be memorized.
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The 2026 cover sheet must be shown for all recordings.
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For scales: show the cover sheet and the technique chart from the CM portal (do not show the scale sheets I have provided).
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For repertoire recordings: do not show the pianist in the video.
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You must show the 2026 cover sheet and your original music at the start of each repertoire recording.
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If the piece is memorized, show the original music first, then turn the stand around so it is clear you are playing from memory.
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Keep the recording device steady—no zooming, moving, or panning.
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The student’s face and arms must be visible in the video.
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Students should wear performance attire: nice clothing, no sneakers or sandals. Barefoot or socks are fine.
All videos must be uploaded before March 3rd, and both the theory and sight-reading tests must be completed. With Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks approaching, the deadline will arrive quickly.
I will be uploading the PDF files for everyone’s pieces into the portals, so you do not need to upload them yourselves.
I’ll continue reviewing all video-recording guidelines with students during upcoming lessons. Once they record their first piece, they can focus solely on the next two. Recording the second piece frees them to focus entirely on the final one.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting your student through this process. I am proud of their hard work and commitment.
With joy,
Ms. Jill
