The Royal Conservatory of Music has released a new 2015 syllabus for piano examinations. Although changes to the exam requirements differ by level, a few of the important highlights are listed below:
Repertoire and Etudes (Studies)
- Many new repertoire, especially those from the modern period, are added to reflect the influence from jazz and popular styles, and to capture student interest
Technical requirements:
- Streamlined requirements that focus on quality over quantity
- Addition of chord progressions that encourages application of theoretical knowledge and develops harmonic awareness, which forms the basis of creative activities such as improvisation
Ear training:
- Clapback exercises are now given within a musical context and incorporated into playback exercises
- Harmonic and melodic intervals are both included to build understanding of the characteristic sounds of the intervals
- Identification of chord progressions is added to build harmonic knowledge
Sight reading:
- Rhythm exercises are now incorporated into sight reading exercises to better prepare students to play the pieces
- Rhythm exercises now require the students to tap along, to develop a strong rhythmic sense
While some of the changes are effective from September 2015, a crossover period of up to one year is allowed for certain portions of the examination. For details, please talk to your piano teacher or refer to the RCM website: Piano Syllabus 2015 cross-over plan.