Lesson Structure
Your Music Junction teacher will cover the full Certificate of Merit (CM) curriculum every week in the students’ lessons in the areas listed below:
​
-
Technique - Scales, Arpeggios, Triads and Chords
-
Sight Reading - Student has 1 minute to look over and sight read a short piece, usually 8-16 measures long.
-
Theory Exam - Student has 45-60 minutes (depending on level) to complete a written music theory exam.
-
Repertoire - Depending on the student level, students have to perform 2 - 6 pieces. Pieces must be selected from an approved list in the MTAC syllabus catalogue. For higher levels, it is usually one piece per time period (i.e. baroque, classical, romantic etc.)
Evaluation and Awards
Parents love that the CM program provides evaluations and awards, such as:
-
Students participate in an annual Evaluation between mid-February and March and receive a musical assessment.
-
Students complete a written theory exam which includes an ear training component.
-
Students may choose to take their Evaluation at a Regional Testing Facility or online through the MTAC Testing Portal. Please speak to your MTAC Teacher at Music Junction about pricing for both options.
-
Upon successful completion of the Evaluation, students receive an official MTAC CM Certificate for their level.
-
Eligible High School students who complete the Advanced level of their instrument may move onto the Panel and Young Artist Guild Auditions.
-
Senior medallions are awarded to eligible high school seniors.
-
All CM students who meet the State Honors award requirements will receive a special seal on their certificate.
-
Students demonstrating exceptional skill during their Evaluation may be invited to perform live at annual MTAC State Convention Recitals.
About the Perks
Some of the perks of the MTAC membership include:
​
-
Certificate of Merit® program
-
Piano Concerto/Solo Competition
-
Practice Improvisation
-
Learn about Composers Today
-
Participation in state-wide programs
-
Exposure to competition, critique, and feedback from music educators
-
Opportunity for cash prizes and awards
-
Possible performance opportunity at the MTAC State Convention
Certificate of Merit Levels:
-
Each instrument has its own 10-level or 11-level syllabus, detailing a specific set of requirements. Teachers will decide the appropriate level for each student.
-
Students and teachers work together on level-appropriate selected repertoire, technique elements, sight reading, theory, and ear training.
-
Eligible High School students who pass the Advanced levels of their instrument can move onto the competitive Panel track, where students can compete for the coveted Panel awards and the inclusion in the Young Artist Guild.
-
All Certificate of Merit® Syllabi and supplemental testing materials are published by the Music Teachers’ Association of California® and are available for purchase exclusively through the MTAC State Office.
​
Joining the CM Program:
Certified MTAC Teachers!
Music Junction offers the full Certificate of Merit (CM) curriculum and preparation for Piano with certified MTAC (Music Teachers’ Association of California®) teachers from Music Junction.
​
Enrollment Requirements
-
Students must be age 5 or older by September 30 and added to their teacher’s MTAC Online Roster to participate.
-
Teachers create applications for their students in September and complete the student’s repertoire list by December 15.
-
Parents or Adult Students must submit their application fee by October 5.
-
Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
​
Registration
-
The Music Junction CM fee is $49 per month which is in addition to your regular Music Junction monthly tuition (either $194/mo for weekly 30-minute lessons or $379/mo for weekly 60-minute lessons). See below for more information on what the CM program entails and its benefits.
-
To sign up a student for CM, your Music Junction teacher must first create an account for them using the parent or guardian email address. Then the parent/guardian will receive an email with instructions on how to register. Registration is free, and then there is an exam fee ($84-$110/year) to sign your child up for the CM performance/exam that happens once per year to determine if the student will graduate to the next level. The syllabus is also free and available online.
-
The CM program performance/exam is now offered via online as well as in-person which happens in February and March each year. Most students choose online, although we do encourage students to perform in person. The online sight-reading and theory exams are on the website and timed. For Sight-Reading, Repertoire, and Technique, students have to film their performance. They are expected to dress up as they would for a recital. The website lists all of the rules for filming.
​
​
More About the Certificate of Merit and MTAC
The Music Teachers’ Association of California® (MTAC) sponsors the music study and evaluation program Certificate of Merit® (CM). Initiated in 1933, Certificate of Merit® provides a standardized music curriculum for musical excellence in performance, technique, ear training, sight reading/singing and music theory.
Through a standardized curriculum, Certificate of Merit® provides a uniform pathway for music student growth at each level. The Certificate of Merit® program is available for piano, violin, cello, viola, flute, French horn, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, euphonium, trombone, trumpet, voice, harp and guitar.
Consult with your child’s MTAC teacher for more information regarding enrollment and preparation.
The Certificate of Merit® program is exclusively taught by MTAC Teachers.