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Certificate of Merit

For Parents of the San Francisco Branch

 

Certificate of Merit (CM) is an evaluation program that was created and developed by the Music Teachers' Association of California in 1933, and continues to evolve over time to best meet the needs of teachers and students.

The CM program encourages and promotes consistent and conscientious effort on the part of the student, and rewards meritorious achievement with certificates and special recognition. The program is based on a solid foundation of systematic progression through eleven (11) Levels, from Preparatory through Advanced (Level 10).

The CM program includes students performing musical repertoire and technique based on requirements set forth in an applicable instrument Syllabus (e.g. Harp, Piano, Winds, Strings, Voice). Outstanding young musicians are afforded the opportunity to appear on State Convention programs and SF Branch Honors Recital.

 
Welcome!

We are so glad your child(ren) are participating in Certificate of Merit. All the participating teachers of the MTAC San Francisco Branch have worked hard to make sure that students will have a positive and rewarding experience. We hope this For Parents section will be informative and useful.

Please read a message from the CM State Coordinator, Judi Sands-Pertel.

CM 2012 Parents Brochure

Guidelines for Parents

CM 2012 Dates and Location
  • Evaluation Dates: Saturday March 24th or Sunday, April 1st.
  • Location: SF State University, College of Creative Arts, 1600 Holloway Ave. San Francisco, CA 94132
  • SB Branch Honors Recital on April 15, 2012 at Knuth Hall of SF State University.
  • State Convention 2012: June 29 - July 3, 2012, Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego. Convention recitals schedules posted on the state website on June 1st at Student Performance Information.
We appreciate that you are very involved in your child's musical life. However, on CM evaluation days, we need to keep a distraction free atmosphere so that all the students can do their best! Therefore, we kindly ask that you do not enter the evaluation rooms or testing areas. For your convenience there is a waiting room for parents, room 158 (The Casablanca Room).
 
What to prepare for CM Evaluation of Path A students:
  1. The CM evaluation has two parts, 1) perform for the evaluators, and 2) Ear-Training and theory exam. You may start with either 1 or 2.
  2. Students are not allowed to bring photocopied music in the evaluation room. A student who brings a photocopied score or brings music reproduced from a CD or downloaded from the Internet without an authorized logo or source shall not be heard by the Evaluator and shall receive an automatic RAL (Remain at Level) rating.
  3. Students' music must have measures numbered. Put a paper clip or "post-it" on the first page of each piece.
  4. Student should bring a bag to hold all their music and belongings, so they can easily check the bag in with the monitor OUTSIDE the theory room.
  5. The theory room closes at 5:00 PM.
  6. We also ask that you make sure your child does not bring any electronic devices such as a cell phone into the theory room.
  7. You may bring your own pencils although the pencils and erasers will be provided.