Instructional Focus
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Royal Conservatory Achievement ProgramStarting in the Fall of 2013, Katherine's School will be following the Royal Conservatory/Carnegie Hall Achievement Program for all students. The Achievement Program is a national standard for musical achievement that divides out musical skills and selected musical works into levels Preparatory through 10 with Preparatory being beginner and 10 being Master's level playing. This means that music will be chosen from each student's appropriate level and the student will focus on scales, technical skills and music theory required for that level.
Two times per year, assessment performances will be held for the entire studio. These will take place in the studio with only the student, Miss Katherine and perhaps one other musician/adjudicator present. At Katherine's School, the assessments will be used to determine the next goals for each student and as a goal point for completion of specific skills and music. Students may also enroll in official Assessment Dates in Rochester or Buffalo in order to receive official feedback from adjudicators in the program and to receive an official certificate for level completion. I am doing this because I believe that a leveled program like this can be a powerful generator of momentum in the progression of a music student. Having that sense of completion of skills and commencement of new ones can keep the daily practice routine from feeling like an endless monotony. I, personally, benefitted greatly from this type of program in my school years both as a participant in Piano Guild assessments for eight years and also as a participant in NYSSMA solo festival in Jr. and Sr. High School. I am optimistic that many of my students will go for the Official Certification for each level and that all students will enjoy this program! |