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TheorySYLLABUS / 2016 EDITION

The Royal Conservatory of Music is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in theworld, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training,teacher certification, and arts-based social programs.The mission of The Royal Conservatory—to develop human potential through leadership in music and the arts—is based on the conviction that the arts are humanity's greatest means to achieve personal growth and socialcohesion. Advancing the transformative effect that music and the arts have on society lies at the heart ofeverything The Royal Conservatory does.The more than five million alumni of The Royal Conservatory have enjoyed the many benefits of music studyand carried these benefits into subsequent careers in a wide range of fields, including medicine, business,politics, education, science, and sports. Others, such as Glenn Gould, Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall, TeresaStratas, Sir Roger Norrington, and Jon Vickers have achieved international musical acclaim.The curriculum for the study of music developed by The Conservatory is considered the foremost musiceducation system in Canada, the United States, and many other countries around the world. Its broad use hasserved to bind together individuals from these nations with the thread of shared creative experiences. Similarly,The Conservatory has developed a system of accreditation and online professional development for musicteachers to strengthen the profession of music instruction and ensure a brighter future for music education.The Royal Conservatory is also a leader in the development of arts-based programs designed to address arange of social issues, such as youth at risk, the development of children in their early years, and wellness inseniors. The Conservatory’s Learning Through the Arts and Living Through the Arts programs, as well asThe Marilyn Thomson Early Childhood Education Centre, use the latest research findings in neuroscienceand the social sciences to address important health, social, and development issues.At its international headquarters, the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning in Toronto, The RoyalConservatory offers classes and lessons for all ages and stages, and an extensive set of training programs forgifted young artists through The Glenn Gould School and The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academyfor Young Artists. The Conservatory also presents and produces a wide range of concerts featuring the finestCanadian and international artists in its magnificent performance spaces, including the internationallyacclaimed Koerner Hall, as well as Mazzoleni Concert Hall in historic Ihnatowycz Hall.

SHIN SUGINOMessage from the PresidentThe mission of The Royal Conservatory—to develop human potential through leadership in musicand arts education—is based on the conviction that music and the arts are humanity’s greatestmeans to achieve personal growth and social cohesion. Since 1886, The Royal Conservatory hasrealized this mission by developing a structured system of learning and assessment that promotesparticipation in music making and fosters creativity in millions of people. We believe that thecurriculum at the core of our system is the finest in the world today.In order to ensure the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of our curriculum, we engage in anongoing process of revitalization, which elicits the input of hundreds of leading teachers. Thestrength of the curriculum and assessment system is further reinforced by the distinguishedCollege of Examiners—a group of outstanding musicians and teachers from Canada, theUnited States, and abroad who have been chosen for their experience, skill, and professionalism.A rigorous examiner apprenticeship program, combined with regular evaluation procedures,ensures consistency and an examination experience of the highest quality for candidates.The wide range of high-quality publications developed by The Royal Conservatory support theefforts of private music teachers across North America. The Royal Conservatory also enablesgreater access to music through digital solutions, with a focus on supporting and engaging theteaching community, cultivating and inspiring students and their families, and enriching andenhancing the future of music and music education.As you pursue your studies or teach others, you become an important partner with The RoyalConservatory in helping all people to open critical windows for reflection, to unleash theircreativity, and to make deeper connections with others.Dr. Peter C. SimonPresident and CEOThe Royal Conservatory

The Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate ProgramFor over 125 years, The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) has provided aninternationally renowned standard of music achievement through an effectivelysequenced course of study from beginner to advanced levels. The program inspiresexcellence through individual student assessments at each level, and allows students tocelebrate their accomplishments and track their progress with others across the countryand around the world.What is the Certificate Program?The Certificate Program is a comprehensive and effectively sequenced program ofmusic study and assessment, beginning with the Preparatory Level(s), followed byLevels 1 to 10, and concluding with the Associate Diploma (ARCT). A LicentiateDiploma (LRCM) in Piano Performance is also available. At each level, a Certificate ofAchievement can be earned by successfully completing a Royal Conservatory practicalexamination.Why Follow the Certificate Program of Music Study?The Royal Conservatory’s assessment program develops complete musicianship byincluding technical tests, etudes, repertoire, ear tests, and sight reading in each practicalexamination. The program accelerates the development of musical literacy, increasesunderstanding of the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of the musical language, andencourages an enriched understanding of stylistic and structural awareness.

Contents1: IntroductionAbout Us6Program OverviewThe Royal ConservatoryThe Royal Conservatory Certificate ProgramThe Frederick Harris Music Co., LimitedDigital LearningAdditional Programs66666Getting Started7Why Choose The Royal ConservatoryCertificate Program?Examinations OfferedContact UsRegister for an ExaminationExamination SchedulingTheory Certificates and Diplomas OfferedIntermediate CertificatesAdvanced CertificatesSpecialized Theory ExaminationsAcademic Qualifying Examination Associate Diploma (ARCT) in Compositionand/or Theory77788What’s New?89999101010Theory Requirements for Practical Certificatesand Diplomas11Elementary CertificatesIntermediate CertificatesAdvanced CertificatesDiplomas111111122: Level-by-Level RequirementsElementary13Advanced27Preparatory TheoryLevel 1 TheoryLevel 2 TheoryLevel 3 TheoryLevel 4 Theory1314151617Intermediate18Harmony & CounterpointLevel 9 HarmonyLevel 10 Harmony & CounterpointARCT Harmony & CounterpointARCT Analysis27293031Level 5 TheoryLevel 6 TheoryLevel 7 TheoryLevel 8 Theory18212325Keyboard HarmonyLevel 9 Keyboard HarmonyLevel 10 Keyboard HarmonyARCT Keyboard Harmony323436HistoryPreparing for Music History ExaminationsLevel 9 HistoryLevel 10 HistoryARCT History373942463: Policies and ReferenceExamination Regulations50Resources for Examination Preparation53Examination ProceduresWritten ExaminationsKeyboard Harmony ExaminationsCredits and Refunds for Missed ExaminationsStudents with Special NeedsCertificatesExamination ResultsClassification of Theory MarksRe-evaluation of Written Theory ExaminationsTransfer Credits and Exemptions50505050515151515152Celebrate TheoryOfficial Examination Papers5353Digital Courses53Appendix54Music Terms and SignsScale DegreesTextures and ScoresHarmonic VocabularyFormal Structure5456565866

CONTENTS1: IntroductionAbout UsThe Royal ConservatoryThe Frederick Harris Music Co., LimitedThe Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most respectedmusic education institutions in the world. Providing the definitivestandard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment,performance training, teacher certification, and arts-basededucation and social programs, The Royal Conservatory makes asignificant impact on the lives of millions of people globally.Digital LearningAs The Royal Conservatory’s publisher, Frederick Harris Musicproduces The Royal Conservatory’s renowned syllabi and relatedteaching and examining materials for individual instruments,voice, and theoretical subjects.The Digital Learning Program serves to broaden the reach of musiceducation through offering students and teachers online coursesand resources, ensuring ease of access, and maximizing engagementand interactivity to expand and deepen our relationship with musicmakers of all ages. Using the power of technology, and leveragingsome of the best musical minds available, the doors to learningwith The Royal Conservatory are now open to all.Notable alumni include: Randy Bachman Gordon Lightfoot Isabel Bayrakdarian Lois Marshall Russell Braun Sarah McLachlan Martin Beaver Oscar Peterson Measha Brueggergosman Adrianne Pieczonka Adrienne Clarkson Gordon PinsentAdditional Programs Bruce Cockburn Paul Shaffer David Foster St. Lawrence String QuartetAdditional programs of The Royal Conservatory are deliveredthrough the following divisions: Glenn Gould Teresa Stratas Angela Hewitt Shania Twain Norman Jewison Jon Vickers The Glenn Gould School provides professional trainingin music for gifted young artists at the undergraduate andgraduate levels. The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for YoungArtists provides supportive, comprehensive training forpromising young musicians aged nine to eighteen. Diana Krall* The Marilyn Thomson Early Childhood Education Centerdevelops innovative early childhood education programs,teacher certification, and digital early childhood educationproducts for use by parents and their children.The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program The Royal Conservatory School provides music classes andprivate lessons for people of all ages and stages of musicalliteracy. Visit rcmusic.com to learn more about the history of The RoyalConservatory.The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program provides a recognizedstandard of musical assessment through an effectively sequencedsystem of study and individual student assessments, frompreparatory to advanced levels. More than 100,000 examinationsare conducted annually in over 300 communities across NorthAmerica. Learning Through the Arts supports excellence in publiceducation programs by utilizing the arts to enhance learning. The Performing Arts Division programs superbperformances and events in The Royal Conservatory’s threevenues in Toronto: Koerner Hall, Mazzoleni Concert Hall inhistoric Ihnatowycz Hall, and the Conservatory Theatre.The College of ExaminersExaminers are highly trained professional musicians andpedagogues from across North America. All examiners completean Adjudicator Certification Program before being admitted to theCollege of Examiners. Professional development and performanceevaluation continues throughout each examiner’s career to ensureconsistent examination standards across North America.* Read about the College of Examiners, including examiner biographies,at rcmusic.com6