Table of Contents Message from the President . .4 RCM Examinations at Preface . .5 www.rcmexaminations.org . .5 SECTION 1 — GENERAL INFORMATION Application Forms . .6 ARCT Examinations . .9 Application Procedure and Deadlines . .6 Credits for Musicianship . .10 Examination Schedules . .6 Certificates and Diplomas . .10 Examination Centres . .7 Secondary School Music Credits . .11 Fee Extensions and Refunds . .7 Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) Examination Results . .8 Eligibility . .11 The Examiner’s Evaluation . .8 Gold and Silver Medals . .12 Theory Examinations: Prerequisites and Co-requisites . .8 SECTION 2 — EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS Examination Repertoire . .13 Examination Procedures . .15 Da capo Signs and Repeats . .13 Instruments, Sticks, and Mallets . .15 Memory . .13 Music . .15 Syllabus Repertoire Lists . .13 Accompanists . .16 Editions . .13 Candidates with Special Needs . .16 Availability . .14 Table of Marks . .16 Anthologies and Collections . .14 Classification of Marks . .17 Orchestral Excerpts . .14 Supplemental Examinations . .17 Copyright and Photocopying . .14 Abbreviations . .19 Repertoire Substitutions . .14 Names of Publishers . .19 Substitutions from the Percussion Syllabus . .14 Other Abbreviations and Symbols . .20 Substitutions Requiring Approval . .15 Own Choice Substitutions . .15 SECTION 3 — PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS Technical Requirements . .21 Grade 6 . .38 Rudiments . .22 Grade 8 . .43 Table of Rudiments by Grade . .25 Grade 9 . .49 Grade 1 . .26 Grade 10 . .55 Grade 2 . .29 Performer’s ARCT . .61 Grade 4 . .34 Teacher’s ARCT . .65 SECTION 4 — THEORY EXAMINATIONS Rudiments . .69 Music History . .70 Harmony, Keyboard Harmony, Musicianship . .70 Counterpoint, and Analysis . .69 Classification of Theory Marks . .70 SECTION 5 — BIBLIOGRAPHY General Resources . .71 Orchestral Excerpts . .74 Sight Reading and Ear Training . .71 Rudiments and Rhythm Dictionaries . .74 Official Examination Papers . .71 Reference and Pedagogy . .74 Reference Works . .71 Associations and Websites . .75 Percussion Resources . .72 Sources of Percussion Music . .75 Snare Drum . .72 Drum Set . .73 Mallet Instruments . .73 Timpani . .73 THE SECOND CENTURY . .76 Message from the President The Royal Conservatory of Music was founded in 1886 with the idea that a single institution could bind the people of a nation together with the common thread of shared musical experience. More than a century later, The Royal Conservatory of Music has achieved this dream. The Royal Conservatory of Music is recognized in communities throughout North America for outstanding service to students, teachers, and parents, as well as a strict adherence to high academic standards through a variety of activities—teaching, examining, publishing, research, and community outreach. Students and teachers benefit from a curriculum based on more than a hundred years of commitment to the highest pedagogical objectives. The strength of the curriculum is reinforced by the distinguished College of Examiners—a group of fine musicians and teachers carefully selected from across Canada, the United States, and abroad for their demonstrated 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. As you pursue your studies or teach others, you become not only an important partner with The Royal Conservatory of Music in the development of creativity, discipline, and goal setting, but also an active participant, experiencing the transcendent qualities of music itself. In a society where our day-to-day lives can become rote and routine, the human need to find self-fulfilment and to engage in creative activity has never been more necessary. Dr. Peter C. Simon President 4 Message from the President The Royal Conservatory of Music Preface The 2005 edition of the Percussion Syllabus represents the work of dedicated teachers, performers, and examiners whose assistance is here gratefully acknowledged. This Syllabus replaces all previous percussion syllabi, and forms the official requirements of The Royal Conservatory of Music for percussion examinations conducted by RCM Examinations. The RCM Examinations Certificate Program for percussion consists of eight levels: seven graded levels (Grades 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10), and an Associate of The Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT) diploma. Each level represents a stepping-stone established as a logical assessment point for a developing musician. Five levels of theory examinations described in the current RCM Theory Syllabus are designed to complement practical studies and to ensure a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of various aspects of theory. Required theory examinations begin at the Grade 6 practical level and include the following subjects: rudiments, harmony, history, counterpoint, and analysis. RCM Examinations welcomes examination applications from all interested individuals. Applications are accepted by RCM Examinations on the understanding that candidates comply with the procedures and requirements outlined in this Syllabus . For more information, please visit our website at www.rcmexaminations.org or contact: RCM Examinations 5865 McLaughlin Road, Unit 4 Mississauga, Ontario Canada L5R 1B8 RCM Examinations at www.rcmexaminations.org Visit the RCM Examinations website for up-to-date information on the following topics: fees and dates for practical and theory examinations examination centres secondary school credit for music examinations RCM-authored publications the members of the RCM Examinations College of Examiners, with biographies the Music Matters newsletter for teachers A number of services are also available on-line, allowing candidates to: complete and submit Examination Application Forms verify the receipt of examination applications verify the time, date, and location of examinations look up current examination session results review scans of examiner’s comments for current examinations In addition, teachers can monitor key information about their studios, including: daily updates on students’ examination registrations exact dates and times of students’ examinations convenient one-page summaries of students’ results scanned copies of students’ practical examination marking forms unofficial transcripts of students’ complete examination histories Percussion Syllabus Preface 5 Section 1 – General Information APPLICATION FORMS Examination Application Forms are available at Examination fees are listed on the application form. www.rcmexaminations.org, at music retailers across Payment is accepted by cheque, money order, Canada, from the RCM Examinations Centre MasterCard, or VISA. Representative in your area, and from RCM • There are provisions for candidates with special Examinations. needs. For details, please contact RCM • A new examination application form is issued for Examinations. Inquiries must be received before the each academic year. Please use an application dated application deadline. for the current academic year (i.e., September 1 to • Candidates wishing to include a substitute selection August 31). on their examination should complete an • Complete a separate application for each practical Examination Substitute Piece Request Form and and theory examination. submit it before the application deadline. (For more • Each examination application must be information about substitute selections, see accompanied by the correct examination fee. “Repertoire Substitutions” on pp. 14–15.) Please note that an application may not be withdrawn after it has been received by RCM Examinations. APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINES • Application deadlines are printed on the • Mailed applications postmarked after the deadline examination application form and are also available will not be accepted. at www.rcmexaminations.org. Deadlines generally • Please apply early to ensure a smooth registration . fall in early November for the winter session, in RCM Examinations cannot be responsible for delays early March for the spring session, and in early June in mail delivery. Incomplete or incorrect for the summer session. applications will be delayed and subject to a • Application forms may be completed and submitted processing fee. at www.rcmexaminations.org. Payment for on-line applications must be made on-line by MasterCard Please address written inquiries and application or VISA. forms to: • Application forms may also be submitted by fax. RCM Examinations Payment for faxed applications must be made by 5865 McLaughlin Road, Unit 4 MasterCard or VISA. Current RCM Examinations Mississauga, Ontario fax numbers are printed on the examination Canada L5R 1B8 application form. EXAMINATION SCHEDULES Examinations are typically held according to the Theory Examinations following approximate schedule: Winter: the second Friday and following Saturday in December Practical Examinations Spring: the second Friday and following Winter: two weeks mid-January Saturday in May Spring: first three weeks of June Summer: a Friday and following Saturday Summer: two weeks mid-August in mid -August 6 General Information The Royal Conservatory of Music EXAMINATION SCHEDULES continued Examination Timetables • If you know that you will be unable to attend your Individual examination schedules are available at examination, please contact your RCM www.rcmexaminations.org. Examinations Centre Representative immediately. • Check the information on your examination (The name of the RCM