Proud Memoir: Certificate of Merit
I am proud of my Certificate of Merit scores. Certificate of Merit is a piano test that evaluates ones sight reading, theory, scales, arpeggios, musical vocabulary, and key signatures. One also has to play three pieces from different time periods steadily with color and texture. I am proud of my preparation, my performance, and my theory test score.
There are many things I had to do to prepare for Certificate of Merit. One of the first things to do was complete a long theory book, which averages out to about one hundred pages. There are many sections in the book. Some include key signatures, time signatures, vocabulary, time periods, and composers. If I completed five pages a week, it would take about five month to complete. I would spend about ten hours total to complete the book. I also had to learn a theory chart which would be performed in front of a judge. It includes scales in triplets, harmonic and melodic minor scales, arpeggios, minor and major chords in a key signature, inversions, and more. The chart takes a lot of time to perfect. I would need to practice everything for more than four months to get even close to ready. You are also given a sight reading book to prepare. The most important thing to do is prepare your pieces. These take a lot of time to memorize, get a steady tempo, add dynamics and color, and make it sound like a finished piece. Preparing for Certificate of Merit takes a lot of work.
The Certificate of Merit performance is very stressful. One has to perform things on their theory chart and it is very difficult when under the pressure. One also has to play their memorized pieces and make it sound lovely. The theory section is complicated becuase you have to move your fingers fast and evenly when they are still cold and stiff. Remembering dynamics and notes for one's pieces is hard. Overall, I did a very good job. I got fives in all sections of the theory except for sight reading, where I received a four, as expected. Five is the highest score. The judge proclaimed that I did a terrific job on my pieces.
The theory test went very well! I received 100%! I was very excited by this score. I knew the material after studying it for so many months. There was one question that I was not for certain with my answer, so I was very relieved when I got my score. I was not expecting such a high mark!
Although Certificate of Merit takes a lot of preparation, it helps improve one's diligence. I am proud of how I stuck with the program as it got harder over the five years I have participated. Although the levels get harder, I have stuck with the challenge. In conclusion, I am very proud of my overall Certificate of Merit scores. It has helped me learn just how far I can stretch if I try.
There are many things I had to do to prepare for Certificate of Merit. One of the first things to do was complete a long theory book, which averages out to about one hundred pages. There are many sections in the book. Some include key signatures, time signatures, vocabulary, time periods, and composers. If I completed five pages a week, it would take about five month to complete. I would spend about ten hours total to complete the book. I also had to learn a theory chart which would be performed in front of a judge. It includes scales in triplets, harmonic and melodic minor scales, arpeggios, minor and major chords in a key signature, inversions, and more. The chart takes a lot of time to perfect. I would need to practice everything for more than four months to get even close to ready. You are also given a sight reading book to prepare. The most important thing to do is prepare your pieces. These take a lot of time to memorize, get a steady tempo, add dynamics and color, and make it sound like a finished piece. Preparing for Certificate of Merit takes a lot of work.
The Certificate of Merit performance is very stressful. One has to perform things on their theory chart and it is very difficult when under the pressure. One also has to play their memorized pieces and make it sound lovely. The theory section is complicated becuase you have to move your fingers fast and evenly when they are still cold and stiff. Remembering dynamics and notes for one's pieces is hard. Overall, I did a very good job. I got fives in all sections of the theory except for sight reading, where I received a four, as expected. Five is the highest score. The judge proclaimed that I did a terrific job on my pieces.
The theory test went very well! I received 100%! I was very excited by this score. I knew the material after studying it for so many months. There was one question that I was not for certain with my answer, so I was very relieved when I got my score. I was not expecting such a high mark!
Although Certificate of Merit takes a lot of preparation, it helps improve one's diligence. I am proud of how I stuck with the program as it got harder over the five years I have participated. Although the levels get harder, I have stuck with the challenge. In conclusion, I am very proud of my overall Certificate of Merit scores. It has helped me learn just how far I can stretch if I try.
