Music Teachers’ Association of California® CERTIFICATE OF MERIT® AND PANEL FINALS RECORDING GUIDELINES

Music Teachers’ Association of California

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AND PANEL FINALS

VIDEO RECORDING GUIDELINES

Certificate of Merit and Panel Regional Guidelines on page 1

Panel Finals Guidelines on page 3

 

Video Instructions for Certificate of Merit and Panel Regional Evaluations:

1. Video recordings should be good quality, but do not need to be professionally produced.  Recording with a smartphone is an acceptable method of recording.  Each video submission should not exceed 5 GB.  Accepted video file types are mov, mp4, and m4v.

2. Video recordings must be made with one fixed camera angle, focused on the performer with the face and hands of the student visible.  Please see the images of recommended views for each instrument type at the end of this document.

3. Students should dress as they would for a live, in-person evaluation; however, shoes are optional.

4. Students do not need to introduce themselves in their recordings.

5. Video recordings can be completed in a studio, home, school, or any location of the student’s choice, but should abide by any physical distancing recommendations.  Masks may be worn during the evaluation recording if necessary to comply with local recommendations; students will not be penalized for wearing a mask.

6. Students will submit a separate video for each of the following components of the performance evaluation.

• Technique
  • Only the official testing technique chart may be used, which is available in the Teacher Portal in the CM Resources or as a digital chart available in the Student’s Testing Portal.
  • The elements on the technique chart must be performed in its entirety in one video recording without stopping.
    • Exception – Strings – Students Level 4 and above must record the elements on the technique chart in one video recording and their prepared etude in another recording.

• • Piano students may only have the technique chart on the piano.  No written-out notation is allowed.
  • String, Wind, and Harp students must turn the music stand towards the camera to show that only the technique chart is on the music stand, then turn it back to play.  No written-out notation is allowed.
  • Voice students must perform technique from memory (no chart for reference).
• Sight Reading – The Sight Reading/Singing study period and performance must be included in the video recording.
• Repertoire – One recording for each piece
  • Each piece should be played in its entirety, without stopping.
  • All recordings do not need to be completed on the same day, but must be completed and submitted by the deadline.
  • Memorization – Students must meet the minimum memory requirement for their enrolled level.  Pieces performed from memory should have all music removed from the piano or the music stand removed (for non-piano students).
  • Voice students must introduce each piece, including the title, composer, time period, word the piece is from, and a brief translation for songs sung in a foreign language.

7. Video recordings must be unaltered and unedited.  Editing of videos is considered cheating.

8. For Strings, Winds, and Voice Evaluations:  To comply with social distancing recommendations, live accompaniment is not required.  The teacher and student may select the option best for the student from the following options:

• Live accompaniment – please adhere to proper social distancing.  Masks are recommended for all accompanists and String students, and a Plexiglass shield is recommended for Voice and Wind students.
• Pre-recorded accompaniment or accompaniment program, such as SmartMusic – please be sure the student’s instrument or voice is heard over the accompaniment.
• No Accompaniment – not eligible for Convention Recital performance.  To be considered for Convention, the Convention piece must be performed with live or pre-recorded accompaniment.

The student’s evaluation results will not be affected by the accompaniment choice.

9. For Piano: Students will be evaluated based on their performance, not on the type of piano or keyboard used, or whether it was recently tuned.  Students enrolled in Level 3 or above must perform on a keyboard with a pedal.

10. It is strongly recommended that you review your video files with your teacher to ensure they meet all requirements listed in this document, as well as the Certificate of Merit requirements for your instrument and level.  The MTAC State Office and CM Council are unable to review videos prior to submission.

11. It is strongly recommended that you retain the video files of your performance evaluation until you have received the results from your Certificate of Merit Evaluation.

 

Video Instructions for Panel Finals only – Panel Finals Video Submission Deadline is March 22, 2022:

1. Video recordings should be good quality, but do not need to be professionally produced.  Recording with a smartphone is an acceptable method of recording.  Each video submission should not exceed 5 GB.  Accepted video file types are mov, mp4, and m4v.

2. Video recordings must be made with one fixed camera angle, focused on the performer with the face and hands of the student visible.  Please see the images of recommended views for each instrument type at the end of this document.

3. Panel Finals video recordings must be made March 1, 2022 or after.  Students are required to hold an official MTAC cover sheet up at the beginning of the Finals Audition video recording.  The cover sheet can be printed from the Teacher/Student/Parent Portal starting on March 1, 2022.  Submissions that do not include the official cover sheet will be disqualified.

4. Video recordings must be unaltered and unedited.  Submissions that are edited will be disqualified. 

5. Students should dress in formal performance attire as they would for a live, in-person audition.

Performance Concert attire (Concert Black) – Nice dress that covers the shoulders and knees or dress pants with a modest blouse or a collared shirt that covers the midriff and back, and dress shoes.

1. Shoes must be worn for performance
2. No athletic shoes or backless sandals (flip flops).
3. iii. No denim (blue jeans).
4. Leggings are only allowed if opaque.

6. Students must not introduce themselves in their recordings.  Student names must remain confidential.

7. Video recordings can be completed in a studio, home, school, or any location of the student’s choice, but should abide by any physical distancing recommendations.  Masks may be worn during the evaluation recording if necessary, to comply with local mandates; students will not be penalized for wearing a mask.

8. Students will submit a separate video for each of the following pieces indicated for the Panel Finals audition.  Students applying for Panel Finals must submit 3 pieces and students applying for YAG Finals must submit the pieces for their entire 45-minute program.

1. Repertoire – one recording for each piece
   1. Each piece or movement should be played in its entirety, without stopping.
   2. All recordings do not need to be completed on the same day, but must be completed and submitted by the deadline.
   3. Memorization – pieces performed from memory should have all music removed from the piano or the music stand removed (for non-piano students).

9. For Strings, Winds, and Voice Evaluations: To comply with social distancing recommendations, live accompaniment is not required.  Repertoire that requires accompaniment must be performed with accompaniment.  Students who submit videos for the Panel Finals audition without accompaniment will be disqualified.  The teacher and student may select the option best for the student from the following options:

Live accompaniment – please adhere to proper social distancing.  Masks are recommended for all accompanists and String students, and a Plexiglass shield is recommended for Voice and Wind students.

Pre-recorded accompaniment or accompaniment program – please be sure the student’s instrument or voice is heard over the accompaniment.

The student’s evaluation results will not be affected by the accompaniment choice.

10. For Piano:  Students will be evaluated based on their performance, not on the type of piano or keyboard used, or whether it was recently tuned.

11. It is strongly recommended that you review your video files with your teacher to ensure they meet all requirements listed in this document.  The MTAC State Office and CM Council are unable to review videos prior to submission.

12. It is strongly recommended that you retain the video files of your performance evaluation until you have received the results from your Panel Finals Audition.

Please see the following section below for visual examples.