MTAC 2021 Guideline

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Dear Parents/Students,

The 2021 Certificate of Merit® Evaluations will open soon on the MTAC Online System. You will need to upload all recordings and PDFs from your parent portal (you don’t need to send them to us nor upload them to Google Drive).  As you continue to work with your MTAC students to prepare for the evaluations, here are some important reminders to help you prepare.

Instructional Videos

The CM Council has created instructional videos to go over the different aspects of the CM 2021 Evaluations. You can find the videos on the CM Resources section of your Parents Portal.

Media Submission Process

The performance videos and manuscript can be uploaded any time prior to the student’s posted deadline. Parents/adult students/teachers have access to upload recordings to the application. However, we recommend that parents/adult students complete the upload as it is more direct.

No late uploads will be accepted.

Click here for the recording guidelines:

Please note: Parents/adult students/teachers cannot select “Media Verification – I confirm that the uploaded media are correct and are viewable on the media page.” until the sight-reading and technique videos have been uploaded. This field can be checked after all the media has successfully loaded.

PDFs and Manuscript Marking

Applications do require a scanned copy of the student’s music to be uploaded for the evaluator. The piece requires the first measure of each line to be marked with the measure number. If your student has already uploaded the music and it is unmarked, you can re-upload it.

The Manuscript of the repertoire needs to follow the CM Policy, which would require the scan to have the front cover, authorized logo, or source be included as part of the manuscript upload. This addition was added to the Policies and Procedures for this year.

Sight Reading Information

Once the student’s testing portal opens, they will be able to take the Sight Reading portion of the Evaluations. Students will be provided the sight-reading information on the screen that they can then record themselves.

The student needs to use two devices for the sight-reading portion of the test, one for viewing the test and the other for recording.

CM Sight Reading Instructional Video

CM Sight Reading Instructional Video

Click here for the CM Sight Singing Instructional Video:

CM Sight Singing Instructional Video

Technique Recording

Technique recordings must follow provided video recording guidelines. The technique chart is available now on your Parent Portal. Please use the correct level so you can record their technique.

A digital technique chart will be available to students in their CM Application during their 10-day testing period.

Click here for the CM Technique Instructional Video:

CM Technique Instructional Video

Theory Testing

Students will be able to start their theory test once the testing portal opens. Students will not be able to start and stop the test once they start.

The time limits are as follow:

  • Preparatory Level – Level 3: 2 hours (120 minutes)
  • Level 4 – Level 7: 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
  • Level 8 – Advanced Level: 3 hours (180 minutes)

You can find more information about the question amounts for each instrument level located on the CM Resources section of your Parent Portal.

Click here for the CM Theory Test Instructional Video:

CM Theory Test Instructional Video

Dates and Deadlines

The CM Testing Portal will open 10 days prior to each student’s media submission deadline (deadline is 2/22/2021). This will allow the students to take their theory test and upload their remaining media, including the sight-reading and technique videos.

You can view the deadlines for your students on your Parent Portal. Parents can locate their specific dates and deadlines under ‘Events/Results’ on their student’s applications.

Students will receive a notification when their testing portal opens. Make sure that the email associated with their account is active.

If you require technical assistance, you can contact the MTAC State Office. They are available Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.