Memberships & Affiliations

• Music Teachers Association of California (www.mtac.org)

• National Guild of Piano Teachers (www.pianoguild.com)

 

The National Guild of Piano Teachers

 

Westminster Music School is a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers.  A division of the American College of Musicians, the NGPT is the largest nonprofit organization of piano teachers and students in the world.  Since its founding in 1929, the Guild has grown to over 118,000 participants who enroll annually in NGPT-sponsored “auditions” which are held in over 800 locations throughout the U.S. and abroad.

​

The purpose of the auditions is to establish goals for the earliest beginner as well as the advanced student.  These goals attempt to give music study some definite direction and provide a measurement for progress.  As a result, a piano curriculum encompassing the best piano literature and stressing American compositions has been standardized. All piano student students have a yearly opportunity to attain these goals through non-competitive adjudication in the National Piano Playing Auditions.  Auditions are private (student and judge only) with well-qualified musicians serving as judges.  Students are judged on individual merit in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, tone, interpretation, style, and technique.  At the end of each

audition, students receive a detailed evaluation report, certificate, and pin.  We follow the National Piano Guild syllabus to prepare our students to achieve competency in the standard piano repertoire up to the college level.

 

The goal is that by the time they reach high school graduation, they may fulfill the requirements from the Piano Guild candidates to obtain the High School Diploma in Piano Performance.  At this point, they are prepared to audition with and apply to any college or university and pursue a degree in music.

 

The NGPT Auditions is by far our most popular program because it is flexible enough to meet the goals and abilities of all pianists.  It offers wonderful programs d3esigned for both the absolute beginner as well as the most accomplished and talented students.

​

Certificate of Merit (CM)

​

Westminster Music School is also a member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) which sponsors a music study program called Certificate of Merit (CM).  Initiated in 1933, the CM Program now involves approximately 30,000 students annually statewide.

​

The highlights of How the CM Program Works:

​

• There is a detailed CM Syllabus with specific set requirements for each of the eleven CM levels.  Your child’s teacher will decide on the appropriate level.

• Students work with their teachers on selected literature, technique elements, sight-reading, theory, and ear training for their enrolled level.

• Registered students participate in an annual Evaluation program.

• Based on the Evaluation, students receive a written musical performance assessment.

• Students will also complete a written theory exam, which includes an ear training component.

• Upon successful completion of all components of the Evaluation, students receive an official MTAC CM Certificate.

• Senior medallions will be awarded to eligible high school seniors.

​​

Music Study Programs

​

They can be called exams, tests, auditions, festivals, or other names, but all of these will involve students playing for a judge or examiner and receiving feedback on the performance.  Some key benefits for students are:

​

1. Meeting deadlines:  Having a specific date means certain pieces must be learned, memorized, and polished in a given time frame.  This teaches the students about time management and the importance of meeting deadlines – immensely useful skills to have in all aspects of life.

2. Handling pressure:  Coping with nerves, anxiety, racing heartbeats, and learning to perform one’s best under pressure is one of the most important life skills students can learn.

3. Accepting criticism:  To some extent, students can learn the above two skills by participating in informal recitals, where they play in front of an appreciative audience such as friends and family.  Playing the front auditions/competitions/festivals/exams where they are evaluated teaches them to accept comments and criticism and learn from different opinions.  Again, this is such an invaluable life skill, whether the student becomes a professional musician or not later in their life.

4. Learning the value of hard work:  Hard work will ultimately be recognized, and when students are rewarded with success in an audition/competition, they learn that it was all worth it – all the time and effort they spent practicing and polishing their performance.  The sweet taste of success motivates them to continue working hard and do well again next time.

5. Coping with unfavorable results: Should the student be unsuccessful in a particular competition, they learn even more from the experience.  The nature of competitions is that no one will always be the winner.  Sometimes the best is selected, sometimes not.  This is an element of luck in all competitive events: sometimes it is just not your day.  Who has not had a memory slip ever?  Who has given complete perfect performances every time?  Learning to deal with less than desired results teaches students to be mentally and psychologically healthy musicians and human beings.

​

Although participation is optional at the discretion of parents and students, we offer two different music study programs and assessment opportunities for students.

​