OBJECTIVE
Musicianship Evaluations encourage a well-balanced lesson curriculum for teachers and students, and provide incentive for goal attainment in areas of Music Appreciation, Theory, History, Ear Training, Technique, and Sight Reading.
TEACHER ELIGIBILITY
Any teacher who is a member of Encore may register students for this and all student events sponsored throughout the year. Annual membership dues are standard throughout the year and are not prorated.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
Any student may participate who has paid the registration fee and is studying with a teacher who meets the requirements above.
AWARDS AND INCENTIVES
Every participant will receive an evaluation and a certificate of participation. Those who earn a perfect score will also be awarded a 100 Club Ribbon. Students who complete all categories of Musicianship Evaluations will earn a composite score once all categories are completed. The Encore Medallion Award is given to students who have earned composite scores for at least two years, and have attained specified point goals. (See Encore Handbook under “Materials.”)
Scholarship Auditions will be held in May, and will be open to all seniors who have completed requirements for Ensemble Festival, Solo Festival, Concerto Festival, Musicianship Evaluations, and the Encore Keyboard Competition.
INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES
The Theory and Ear Training program for Musicianship Evaluations has been created for the average piano student. With consistent study and teacher guidance, a student should complete the material for one level each year. Both teacher and student should realize the importance of consistent theory drill and study. It is recommended that students be assigned regular theory work throughout the year, either from a standard method or the teacher’s own curriculum. It is also recommended that the student be exposed to aspects of music history and listening on a regular basis. These areas of musicianship can be effectively taught in group or class situations.
Questions from the actual Theory and Ear Training tests are included in the “Materials” section of the website. Samples of musical examples have been included in the practice tests. Teachers may use the practice tests and review sheets to prepare their students. If desired, teachers may wish to add appropriate musical examples, and create worksheets and practice tests for students.
Each year following Musicianship Evaluations, teachers will be given each student’s corrected test. These tests may be examined by teacher and student, but following review should be filed away or destroyed by the teacher. In no case should students have access to these tests. Skipping testing levels from one year to the next is permissible but not encouraged, unless the student has gained a thorough understanding of all the material in the level not formally tested.
Copies of Theory and Music History tests can be found under “Materials” on the website and are only available to Encore teachers. Teachers may print the practice tests, review sheets, and practice test answers for students, but may not give the actual test and actual test answers to students. While teachers may use the information from these tests to develop their own program of study sheets and practice exams, the actual tests should never be duplicated or given to students.
Teachers who use the Concepts of Piano Theory program by Craig Rees and Vivian Sadler (published by ReSa) will find it to be a significant aid in preparing students for Musicianship Evaluations. Listed below are the COPT (Concepts of Piano Theory) levels which best reinforce material covered in the corresponding levels of Musicianship Evaluations.
NOTE: Though the Concepts of Piano Theory program serves as an excellent guide in preparation for Musicianship Evaluations, it should not be the teacher’s sole method of preparing students. The Musicianship Evaluations: Theory and History tests require knowledge of some material not discussed in COPT.
- LEVEL I – No Corresponding COPT
- LEVEL II – Preparatory Level COPT
- LEVEL III – Level 1 COPT
- LEVEL IV – Level 2 COPT
- LEVEL V – Level 3 COPT
- LEVEL VI – Level 4 (first half) COPT Theory/History
- LEVEL VII – Level 4 COPT
- LEVEL VIII – Level 5 (first half) COPT
- LEVEL IX – Level 5 COPT
- LEVEL X – Level 6 COPT
- CHALLENGE LEVEL – All Levels COPT