Spring 2012 - RCM Examinations

a The Royal Conservatory Across Canada – The latest news about
Royal Conservatory music and arts education in communities across Canada.
THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY ACROSS CANADA
Spotlight on
Atlantic Canada
GOLD MEDAL CEREMONY
IN HALIFAX, NS
An enthusiastic crowd greeted participants
in the first ever Gold Medal Awards
Ceremony, held Saturday, November 26
in the Lilian Peircey Room of the Maritime
Conservatory of Performing Arts in Halifax,
Nova Scotia. Over 50 students and their
teachers, as well as proud families, were
addressed by Chief Examiner of Theoretical
Subjects Maria Case and awarded Royal
Conservatory Gold Medals. Several
recipients were invited to perform in the
Gold Medallists’ recital, which featured
performances from piano, voice, violin, and
speech arts and drama medalists.
As part of The Royal Conservatory’s 125th
anniversary celebrations, Silver Medals
were transformed into Gold Medals. The
recipients of these awards have achieved
the highest mark in their region in their
practical examination and have completed
all theoretical co-requisites. We were thrilled
to celebrate this significant accomplishment
with the medalists, their families, and their
teachers!
We extend our thanks to Frances Royles,
who performed the prelude, processional,
and O Canada. Thank you also to the
Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers’
Association, particularly Lexie Blackler,
who acted as the Reader for the ceremony,
and The Royal Conservatory’s staff and
volunteers, who planned and executed an
impressive event and set a high standard for
the next set of Gold Medal ceremonies in
Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT COMES
TO THE “ISLANDS”
The Royal Conservatory was pleased to
present Teacher Professional Development
Seminars in two new Atlantic Canada
locations this past fall. We travelled to St.
John’s, NF on October 26 and Charlottetown,
PEI on October 27. Master teacher Dianne
Werner gave two master classes featuring
each island’s best students. The discussion
following the student performances focused
on developing a healthy and effective physical
approach to the practice and performance of
technical skills, and transitioning those skills
into the study of repertoire.
Active conversations about these topics
continued through the lunch hour, and
these ideas were reinforced in the afternoon
session by Dr. Andrew Hisey. Dr. Hisey, a
senior examiner with The Royal Conservatory,
addressed the subject of practical
examinations. While students and teachers
may view examinations with apprehension,
Dr. Hisey reminded the seminar attendees
that examinations should provide a positive
personal experience that motivates students
to continue on their musical journey. His
y
‘insider’ perspective allowed the group to
look at the examination process from the
examiner’s point of view. Helping students to
do the same is one way to effectively prepare
them for examination day.
The closing discussions led by Dr. Hisey in
both St. John’s and Charlottetown brought
the main themes of the day to the forefront:
that the experience of making music should
be positive and affirming for all our students!
Presenting our first Teacher Professional
Development Seminars in Newfoundland
and Prince Edward Island was a wonderful
experience, and The Royal Conservatory looks
forward to returning to Atlantic Canada with
additional sessions in the spring.
The Royal Conservatory would like to thank
the PEIRMTA, Jean Taylor, and Jacqueline
Sorenson Young for their contributions to
the success of these two events.
The virtuosos of tomorrow are seated at Yamaha pianos today
We have been purchasing Yamaha pianos for over twenty years.
�e tone, touch, and consistency of Yamaha pianos have made them
the first choice of �e Royal Conservatory.
Dr. Peter Simon
President, �e Royal Conservatory
ca.yamaha.com
music MATTERS | Spring 2012 9