Choir/Voice

Honor Choir/Voice/SATB Chamber Singers/Symphony Chorus

How can I determine my playing level?

LAYP Playing Level	CM Level	RCM Grade	ABRSM Grade
5-6	4-5	4-5	3-4
7-10	6-8	6-8	5-6
11-12	9-11	9-10	7-8

Our Playing Level 5-6 are similar to RCM Grade 4-5 or ABRSM Grade 3-4
Our Playing Level 7-10 are similar to RCM Grade 6-8 or ABRSM Grade 5-6
Our Playing Level 11-12 are similar to RCM Grade 9-10 or ABRSM Grade 7-8
CM syllabus can be purchased at the MTAC Teacher Portal store.
Click here to see RCM syllabus.
Click here to see ABRSM syllabus

Q: I am participating in a certificate or competition program other than CM, RCM, ABRSM, ASTACAP, SYMF, Satori, WMCF, etc. How can I determine my playing level in this case?

A: Discuss this playing level information (above) with your private instructor, teacher, or director. They will easily determine your playing level by referring to this chart.

	LAYP Singing Level 5 – 10 Choir	Length
Scale Arpeggio Chromatic	1. Sing scale & arpeggio of the key in which your selected song is written. 2. If the song is written in the minor key, sing the melodic minor.  3. If you play multiple pieces in different keys, choose one key. 4. Sing the chromatic scale above (if it is too high or low, use a movable “Do” which fits your vocal range). 5. Sing a cappella (without accompaniment). It is acceptable to receive your starting pitch from the piano or tuner.	15-60 seconds
Audition Song	Sing a vocal solo piece. It may be a song selected from Christian hymns, folk tunes, or theater musical songs. For example, you may select a song from an anthology like: –Easy Songs for Beginning Singers’ edited Joan Boytim –Twenty-Four Italian Songs and Arias of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries –Vocal Library Series You may select a solo piece from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th Century/Contemporary period including theater musical songs. It may be a solo piece from operas, oratorios, cantatas, Lieder, or concert works (for example, you may select a song from an anthology like ‘The First Book of Solos’ edited by Joan Boytim or Vocal Library Series). A solo song renditioned from any other musical periods or a newly composed piece is acceptable. *Alternative: If the above requirements do not work for you, select and sing one of your current school/community choir’s repertoires written for SSAA or SATB (sing in your voice part: soprano, alto, tenor, or bass) **Piano or instrumental accompaniment is not required but optional.	1-7 minutes

	LAYP Singing Level 11 – 12 Choir	Length
Scale Arpeggio Chromatic	Sing scale & arpeggio of the key in which your selected song is written. If the song is written in the minor key, sing the melodic minor. If your solo piece is atonal or non-traditional, sing F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale. Sing the chromatic scale above (if it is too high or low, use a movable “Do” which fits your vocal range). Sing a cappella (without accompaniment). It is acceptable to receive your starting pitch from the piano.	15-60 seconds
Etude (Vocalise)	Sing one solo étude from Etude Melodiques Click here (high, medium, low voices), or any other vocal exercises.	1-2 minutes
Two Audition Songs	First, sing a solo piece selected from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th Century/Contemporary period including theater musical songs. It may be a solo piece from operas, oratorios, cantatas, Lieder, or concert works (for example, you may select a song from an anthology like ‘The Second Book of Solos’ edited by Joan Frey Boytim or Vocal Library Series). A solo song renditioned from any other musical periods or a newly composed piece is acceptable. As a second song, sing one of your current choir songs written for SSAA or SATB, singing in your voice part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bass). *Piano or instrumental accompaniment is not required but optional.	2-10 minutes

	LAYP Singing Level 11 – 12 Choir plus Vocal Soloist	Length
Scale Arpeggio Chromatic	Sing scale & arpeggio of the key in which your selected song is written. If the song is written in the minor key, sing the melodic minor. If your solo piece is atonal or non-traditional, sing F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale. Sing the chromatic scale above (if it is too high or low, use a movable “Do” which fits your vocal range).	15-60 seconds
Required Repertoire	Sing one solo étude (see Audition Level 11-12) First, select two solo songs in contrasting tempos from the categories by Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th Century/Contemporary period including theater musical songs, then select the third solo song in free tempo and style. A solo song renditioned from any other musical periods or a newly composed piece is acceptable. Solo Song 1: (slow tempo) Solo Song 2: (fast tempo) Solo Song 3: (free selection) *Piano or instrumental accompaniment required. *Sing scale, arpeggio, & chromatic before you sing each selected solo piece. *If a solo piece is too long, you may cut or skip some sections (need to mark on the score). *You may shorten piano or instrumental introduction, bridge, interlude, postlude, coda etc.	5-20 min