Juries is The Music Circle’s practical assessment, reviewing a student’s progress by our selected panel of faculty members.
Each student receives detailed comments from the panel with suggestions on areas of improvement that will help both the individual teacher and child chart their learning progression. Juries aid the tracking and planning of students’ progress as well as assessing their capabilities.
Students are assessed in the following categories.
Piano Academy
- Tone Production
- Pulse and Rhythm: Evenness
- Technique: Balance, Voice-Leading, Pedaling
- Note Accuracy and Fluency
- Stylistic Adherence: Articulation
- Musicality: Dynamics, Phrasing
- Overall Performance
Violin Academy
- Intonation
- Pulse and Evenness/Fluency
- Left Hand Technique
- Bowing Technique/Tone Production
- Stylistic Adherence: Articulation
- Musicality: Dynamics, Phrasing
- Ensemble
- Overall Performance
Juries
- Selected Scales/Arpeggios from the Stage Scales List
- 1-3 Pieces/Etudes (at least 1 Etude) of an appropriate level
- Students are highly encouraged to memorise all their pieces/etudes. At least 1 piece/etude MUST be memorised.
Juries for stage competition
- All Scales/Arpeggios from the Stage Scales List
- 3 Pieces/Etudes (at least 2 Etudes) of an appropriate level
- Students are highly encouraged to memorise all their pieces/etudes. At least 1 piece/etude MUST be memorised.
- Quick Study – Students will be given 30 minutes to prepare a short excerpt which will be performed for the jury.
Juries Fees
Piano Academy
| Stages | Time Allocated – mins | Fees ($) |
| Stage 1-3 | 5 | 45 |
| Stage 4-5 | 8 | 55 |
| Stage 5-6 | 12 | 80 |
| Stage 7-8 | 15 | 90 |
| Stage 9-10 | 20 | 120 |
Violin Academy
| Stages | Time Allocated – mins | Fees ($) |
| Stage 1-3 | 8 | 55 |
| Stage 4-5 | 10 | 70 |
| Stage 5-6 | 15 | 90 |
| Stage 7-8 | 20 | 120 |
| Stage 9-10 | 25 | 150 |
Sign Up Period
| Juries | Deadline |
| 5th March ‘23 Sun | 20th Jan ‘23 Fri |
| 27th Aug ‘23 Sun | 14th July ‘23 Fri |
Registration Terms and Conditions – Juries Form and Payment
Students will be confirmed and scheduled for Juries upon submission of the Registration form and payment of the Juries Registration fee. The registration deadline for Juries is 6 weeks before the Juries date. Please ensure your child is available for the full session timing on the date of Juries before signing up.
The Juries date will be announced and made available for sign-ups at least 2 months before the event.
Once registration has been completed and paid for, there will be no refunds.
Juries Schedule
The final Juries detailed schedule will be released at least 4 weeks prior to the assessment.
Juries Certificate and Progression to next Stage
Students who fulfil the requirements of each stage will receive a certificate of completion and progress to the next stage post-juries.
On the Day of Juries
All students are required to wear formal performance attire and arrive at the venue at least 30 mins prior to register and warm up. Students will have to bring their student pass for registration.
Students may choose to start with their scales/arpeggios, etude or repertoire. Scales/arpeggios will be chosen at random by the panel.
The TMC Aural and Theory Assessments assess students’ understanding of aural skills and music theory according to TMC’s Music Progression.
The TMC curriculum emphasises the importance of developing theory and aural skills alongside the student’s practical abilities to ensure a holistic musical growth.
These assessments include a variety of topics from rhythm, musical terms, notation, key signatures as well as composition. Students will be assessed according to the following categories:
Theory
Notation
Musical Notation, Intervals, Fingerboard and Keyboard Geography, Sight Singing
Rhythm
Time Signatures, Rhythmic Syllables, Sight-Rhythms, Rhythmic Notation, Rhythmic Composition
Key Signatures
Key Signatures, Scales, Triads, Chords, Cadences, Melodic Composition
Musical Terms
Ornamentation, Orchestral Instruments and Music in Context
Aural
Notation
Absolute Pitch, Intervals, Instrument Playbacks, Sight Singing or Quick Study Singing
Rhythm
Time Signatures, Rhythmic Syllables, Sight-Rhythms, Rhythmic Notation, Rhythmic Clapbacks and Identification
Key Signatures
Solfege, Key Signatures, Scales, Triads, Chords, Cadences
Musical Terms
Ornamentation, Orchestral Instruments and Music in Context
It is crucial for students to keep their theory and aural levels on par with their practical skills, as it elevates their performance and musical understanding. A steady progression of theory and aural skills will ensure students have a strong foundation in each aspect and are able to apply them to their instrument. Having these skills form part of a strong musical foundation and aids in their playing such as the ability to identify rhythms and sight-sing.
Fees
| Theory Assessments | Time Allocated | Charges |
| Stage 1 | 45 | 40 |
| Stage 2 | 45 | 50 |
| Stage 3 | 60 | 60 |
| Stage 4 | 60 | 75 |
Results and Awards
| Marks | Award |
| 96-100 | High Distinction |
| 91-95 | Distinction |
| 86-90 | Merit |
| 76-85 | Pass |
| 75 and below | Retake |
2023 Theory/Aural Assessments Schedule
| Date | Assessments | Sign-up Deadline |
| 15th April ‘23 Sat | Theory Assessments | 1st April ‘23 |
| 21st October ‘23 | Theory/Aural Assessments | 1st October ‘23 |
On the Day of Theory/Aural Assessment
All students are required to bring their student pass for registration and arrive 15 minutes prior to assessment. Students will be required to bring their own stationary.
Music is a performance art that helps students to develop and express their own unique voice.
Performance Classes play a big role in music education as they provide students the platform to perform the pieces they have been learning, for both musical and personal growth.
Performance Class Schedule
| Class | Date | Timing |
| IA Perf Class | March 11th, Sat | 5pm |
| IA Perf Class | May 20th, Sat | 5pm |
| IA Ensemble Perf Class | May 30th, Tues/June 1st, Thurs | 5pm |
| EC Showcase | July 29th Sat | 5pm |
| IA Perf Class | Sept 23rd, Sat | 5pm |
There are several opportunities throughout the year for Instrumental Academy students to perform including Performance Classes and the year end showcase Spotlight.
Student progress is evaluated through Juries as well as Theory and Aural Assessments.
Students also enjoy holiday programmes like the Instrumental Academy camps and Academy Days or Workshops.
Instrumental Academy students also participate in various performances such as Performance Classes and Spotlight throughout the year, internal assessments – Juries and Theory/Aural Assessments, as well as Instrumental Academy camps
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