DATE/ LOCATION/DEADLINE: See calendar of events
FEES: $20 paid by online payment portal or mail-in check. (Please collect all fees from your students and make one payment for your entire studio. Make personal checks payable to your Local Association. Do not send individual checks from students.)
ELIGIBILITY: Open to all students.
PERFORMING MEDIA: Piano
THEORY AND SIGHT READING REQUIREMENTS: None.
SPECIAL KEYBOARD SKILLS TEST GUIDELINES: To access the VMTA Keyboard Skills requirements and syllabus, members should go to https://vmta-music.org and log into the membership area. If you need help with the password, contact VMTA.
LEVELS: Levels are outlined at the bottom of this page, as well as in the guidelines mentioned above. Students may come into the sequence at any level the teacher chooses. Levels may be skipped at the teacher’s discretion. This test is not required for district auditions.
The MTNA National Course of Study for Piano and the VMTA Theory Tests were followed very closely in setting the guidelines for Keyboard Skills. Examples, when available, were taken from the National Course of Study. Suggested fingerings are included in the new Syllabus for your convenience. Teachers should indicate deviations from suggested fingerings on the back of each student’s Test/Score sheet.
The indicated metronome markings are the minimum. They can be increased according to the student’s ability. Inform the judge by indicating increases on the back of the student’s Test/Score sheet.
Testing will be done privately between each individual student and a judge. The tests will not be based on school grade, but on technical development, and will include 12 levels of scales, chords, cadences, and arpeggios.
The metronome may be used in either of two ways:
- Set the tempo only and then be turned off, or
- Run continuously during the exercise
Material must be memorized.
APPLICATION FORM: Click here for the online form. Downloadable form available here.
AWARDS: All students who participate and pass will receive a “Certificate of Participation.” In addition, ribbons are awarded to students based on the following ratings:
- Superior—Blue Ribbon,
- Excellent—Red Ribbon
- Very Good—Green Ribbon
- Students who complete Level 12 will receive an engraved medal and ribbon
LEVEL I: Major scales and arpeggios through four sharps and four flats. MM Quarter note 60, in quarter notes.
LEVEL II: ALL major scales and arpeggios. MM Quarter note 60, in quarter notes.
LEVEL III A: ALL major scales and arpeggios. MM Quarter note 60, in eighth notes
LEVEL III B: ALL major and minor scales and arpeggios. MM Quarter note 60, in eighth notes.
LEVEL IV A: ALL major scales and arpeggios. Arpeggios in inversions. MM Quarter note 60, in sixteenth notes
LEVEL IV B: ALL major and minor scales and arpeggios. Arpeggios in inversions. MM Quarter note 60, in sixteenth notes.
LEVEL V: ALL major and minor scales and arpeggios. Arpeggios in inversions. MM Quarter note 92, in sixteenth notes.
LEVEL VI: ALL major and minor scales and arpeggios. Arpeggios in inversions. MM Quarter note 120, in sixteenth notes.
LEVEL VII THROUGH LEVEL XII: Scales in thirds, seventh arpeggios, and faster tempi.