MUSIC EXAM TALK #4: What are in the RCM clarinet test?
- Feb 15, 2018
- 4 min read
There are various types of assessment opportunities for students. They are called exams, tests, auditions, festivals, or other names. They all involve students playing for a judge or examiner and receiving feedback on their performance.
If you take a festival type of audition, the requirement is very straight forward – one or two pieces memorized. Some include scales and arpeggios, some don’t. However, if you plan to take a certificate exam, you’ll need to prepare seriously a way lot more.
What is a certificate exam? For example, The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Music Development Program offers a comprehensive and sequenced program of music study and assessment, beginning with the Preparatory Level A and B, followed by Levels 1 to 10, and concluding with the Associate Diploma (ARCT). At each level, a Certificate of Achievement can be earned by successfully completing a Royal Conservatory practical examination.
Why follow the certificate program of music study? Because it provides a comprehensive study of music, with progressive sequence encompassing repertoire from different styles and periods, technique, ear tests, sight reading, music theory, and music history. The curriculum is well structured, the high exam registration fee is justified.
What are the available programs?
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Graded Exams (ABRSM), based in England, is very popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Trinity College of London, another British system, is less known in the US.
The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Music Development Program, Canadian system, is becoming popular in the US and the certificate is recognized throughout the states.
Based on my observation, the choice of the certificate program often land on teacher’s background and the city. In Cincinnati, OH, RCM seems to be more popular. But compare to piano, not many clarinet parents and students take the exam. I encourage clarinet students to take an audition, test, or festival when there is an opportunity because it will provide valuable learning experience.
What exams does the RCM Music Development Program offer?
Practical Examinations: Accordion, Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, Guitar, Harp, Harpsichord, Horn, Oboe, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Recorder, Saxophone, Speech Arts and Drama, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin, Voice
Written Examinations: Rudiments Theory, Harmony, History, Analysis
How is the exam conducted? Click here for the video examples provided by RCM. There are 3 clips: #1 is piano exam, #2 is vocal, and #3 is instrumental.
What are the requirements in a practical exam? How many points for each piece? The following is an example of the requirements in Preparatory, Level 7, and Level 10. YouTube video of the pieces is included for some selections.
Preparatory A Requirements
Repertoire----------Total marks: 50
List A: rhythmic piece in a faster tempo (25)
* Example: Paul Harris, Pony Ride
List B: lyrical piece in a slower tempo (25)
* Example: Song of the Volga Boatmen
Technical Tests----Total marks: 30
Technical etude (10)
Lyrical etude (10)
* Example: Au clair de la lune
Scales and arpeggios (10) * Must be played from memory. Metronome speeds are intended as a guideline.
Aural Skills---------Total marks: 10
Clapback (5)
Playback (5)
Sight Reading------Total marks: 10
Playing (7)
Clapping (3)
Total possible marks: 100 (pass = 60)
Levels 7
“Students in Level 7 should have a well-developed tone, technical fluency, clean articulations, and stylistic awareness...The introduction of orchestral excerpts offers further musical and technical challenges, encouraging students to listen to recordings and explore the role of the clarinet in the orchestra.”
Repertoire----------Total marks: 40
List A: rhythmic piece in a faster tempo (20)
* Example: Brahms, Sonata, op.120, no.1, 4th movement
List B: lyrical piece in a slower tempo (20)
* Example: Schumann, Fantasiestücke, op.73, no.1 (play on either A clarinet or B flat clarinet)
Orchestral Excerpts----Total marks: 10
3 excerpts
* Example: Beethoven, Symphony No.6, op.68, 1st movement: mm.33-54, 147-151
Mendelssohn, Die Hebriden,op.26, Overture: mm.202-217
Tchaikovsky, Symphony No.5, op.64, 1st movement mm.1-20; 2nd movement: mm.67-70
Technical Tests----Total marks: 30
2 Technical etudes (10)
* Example: Uhl, 48 Etudes, Book 1, no.11; Baermann, Complete Clarinet School, Division 2: Preparatory Studies, op.63, no.15 (no.5 in Hite: Melodious and Progressive Studies, Book 1)
2 Lyrical etudes (10)
* Example: Uhl, 48 Etudes, Book 1, no.20; Demnitz, Elementary School for Clarinet, IV: Chord Studies, no. 7 (in Hite: Melodious and Progressive Studies, Book 1)
Scales and arpeggios with various articulation patterns (10) * Must be played from memory. Metronome speeds are intended as a guideline.
Aural Skills---------Total marks: 10
Clapback (2)
Intervals (3)
Chords (2)
Playback (3)
Sight Reading------Total marks: 10
Playing (7)
Clapping (3)
Total possible marks: 100 (pass = 60)
Level 10
* The figures in parentheses in the repertoire section indicate the marks that will be deducted for any selections that are not memorized.
Repertoire----------Total marks: 40 (28)
List A: a piece from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, 14
* Example: Messager, Solo de concours
List B: 20th- and 21st-century repertoire, 13
* Example: Arnold, Sonatina, op.29
List C: unaccompanied repertoire, 13
* Example: Sutermeister, Capriccio
Orchestral Excerpts----Total marks: 10 (7)
5 excerpts
* Example: Beethoven, Symphony No.8, 3rd movement: mm.48-81
Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo: mm.11-48, 99-133, 145-153, 379-385
Rachmaninoff, Symphony No.2, 3rd movement: mm.6-27
Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade, 2nd movement: mm.162-165; 3rd movement: mm.20.24, 70-78; 4th movement: mm.190-206
Sibelius, Symphony No.1, 1st movement: mm.1-32; 3rd movement: mm.27-28, 113-119, 129-148
Technical Requirements----Total marks: 30 (21)
2 Technical etudes, 10
* Example: Cavallini, 30 Caprices, no.26; Jeanjean, 18 Etudes for the Clarinet, no.2
2 Lyrical etudes, 10
* Example: Bozza, Quatorze êtudes de mecanisme, no. 5; Jeanjean, Vingt-cinq êtudes technique et melodiques pour clarinette, no.25
Scales, arpeggios, and overlapping arpeggio with various articulation patterns, 10
Aural Skills----------------Total marks: 10 (7)
Intervals 2
Chords 2
Cadences 3
Playback 3
Sight Reading------Total marks: 10 (7)
Rhythm 3
Playing 7
Total possible marks: 100 (pass = 60)
I hope this article helps you understand the curriculum, levels, and requirements. I’m looking forward to your child’s achievement.
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