New Nat’l Music Achievement Program in the US?

I recently heard that Carnegie Hall and The Juilliard School are considering the possibility of implementing a National Music Achievement Program in the US.  Here’s the lowdown:

The program would include the following characteristics:

• Students would be evaluated by regional, reputable adjudicators using a pre-defined syllabus and repertoire list
• Evaluations would be available several times per year in each area
• Evaluations would be based on instrument performance
• The evaluation would consist of 8 different performance levels, from beginner to advanced students
• Students would receive a numeric score at the end of the evaluation
• Students would be able to access their ranking in relation to other students across the country

The achievement program aims to benefit students and teachers in several ways, including:

• Offer teachers materials to support their instruction
• Help teachers track the development of their students
• Enable students to understand their skill level on a national scale and gain recognition for passing each grade level
• Motivate students to continue studying music by offering clear development goals

It is an interesting idea to consider.  I wonder if it will be similar to the National Certificate Program (based on the curriculum of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada)?  It sounds similar in some ways.  I’m not completely convinced that we need another National Achievement Program, but I do like that fact that this one would be “American made.”  My hope is that it will be something easily affordable for all students, and available for students in suburban and rural areas as well as urban.

To participate in the survey that Carnegie Hall and The Juilliard School are conducting about this possible achievement program, click here.  (The above information was quoted from the survey.)

(via Music Matters Blog)

Joy is a pianist, piano teacher, and graduate student earning her Master's in Piano Pedagogy and Performance. She has been teaching piano for five years. She enjoys blogging about her teaching experiences at colorinmypiano.com.

Joy has blogged 259 posts here.

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