SYLLABUS | CCOM CHINESE INSTRUMENT EXAM
Exam Syllabus
Central Conservatory of Music of China Overseas Chinese Music Standard Grade Examination
U.S.A.
Central Conservatory of Music of China Overseas Chinese Music Standard Grade Examination
U.S.A.
Exam Syllabus
Year 2024
Year 2024
| 2024年海外考級簡章（美國舊金山）繁體.pdf |
I) Principles
The Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) of China is China’s most senior musical institute offering accredited examinations to applicants. Since 1989, the Standard Grade Examination Committee of the CCOM has the mandate of expanding musical education and its stylistic tradition, and it provides authoritative musical achievement level assessment for overseas Chinese instrumental musicians and students. The examination material is based on the assessment criteria utilized by the CCOM. The materials which are compiled by highly experienced experts have an increasing level of difficulty with an emphasis on the core techniques as the principles of the assessment. Students who follow the basic increments of the learning material will find themselves steadily progressing, reaching new levels of achievement. To expand the culture of Chinese music, the CCOM, in collaboration with Chinese Musicians Association of America and California Youth Chinese Symphony, will host a Chinese Instrument Grade Examination in the United States. Candidates will be tested by examiners from CCOM of Beijing on material compiled by the CCOM, and subsequently will be issued a Certificate of Accomplishment by the CCOM. The aim of this collaboration is to raise the professional quality of Chinese music performance, and to encourage the local development of Chinese music.
The Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) of China is China’s most senior musical institute offering accredited examinations to applicants. Since 1989, the Standard Grade Examination Committee of the CCOM has the mandate of expanding musical education and its stylistic tradition, and it provides authoritative musical achievement level assessment for overseas Chinese instrumental musicians and students. The examination material is based on the assessment criteria utilized by the CCOM. The materials which are compiled by highly experienced experts have an increasing level of difficulty with an emphasis on the core techniques as the principles of the assessment. Students who follow the basic increments of the learning material will find themselves steadily progressing, reaching new levels of achievement. To expand the culture of Chinese music, the CCOM, in collaboration with Chinese Musicians Association of America and California Youth Chinese Symphony, will host a Chinese Instrument Grade Examination in the United States. Candidates will be tested by examiners from CCOM of Beijing on material compiled by the CCOM, and subsequently will be issued a Certificate of Accomplishment by the CCOM. The aim of this collaboration is to raise the professional quality of Chinese music performance, and to encourage the local development of Chinese music.
- Subjects:
Erhu, Pipa, Yangqin, Guzheng, Dizi, Sheng, Zhongruan, Suona, Liuqin, Chinese Percussion - Eligibility:
Any candidates who have achieved certain proficiency on the subject, regardless of age and place of residence are allowed to register.
Level 1-9 and performance certificate levels are available for erhu, pipa, yangqin, guzheng, dizi, sheng, liuqin, zhongruan, and suona.
Level 1-10 and performance certificate levels are available for Chinese percussion. - Grade Levels and Requirements :
- For erhu, pipa, yangqin, guzheng, dizi, sheng, liuqin, zhongruan, and suona: Candidates need to choose from one etude/practice piece (not required to play from memory) and one music piece (play from memory except for those age 18 or above). All selected pieces should be selected from the examination song list.
- For Chinese percussion:
a) For level 1-10: Select pieces according to all categories listed for each level. All etude pieces should be played from memory. All song pieces need to be played from memory (except for those of age 18 or above).
b) For performance certificate: Select one piece between 《太陽》and《雲之南》. Select another piece between《夜深沉》and《花板鼓》. All pieces should be played from memory. - As examination takes place in recording format, oral examination will be omitted.
- Candidates applying for the Performance Certificate should have received certification for the highest level of the instrument practical exam. For example, candidates applying for performance certificate for guzheng should have already passed level 9 of guzheng exam. Candidates applying for performance certificate for Chinese percussion should have already passed level 10 of Chinese percussion.
- Candidates are not allowed to apply for more than one levels for the same instrument within the same year.
- For erhu, pipa, yangqin, guzheng, dizi, sheng, liuqin, zhongruan, and suona: Candidates need to choose from one etude/practice piece (not required to play from memory) and one music piece (play from memory except for those age 18 or above). All selected pieces should be selected from the examination song list.
II) Registration
- Submission timeline: 2024-8-1 through 2024-9-30
Register online - Exam Permits: 2024-10-1 through 10-15 via email
- Application Procedure:
All registration must be completed online with examination fees submitted at the same time. Information required include full name (in English), Chinese name (optional), gender, date of birth, mobile phone, examination subject, grade level, song names, parent name, address, teacher name and contact info. - Online payment or check is accepted. For check, make check payable to California Youth Chinese Symphony, to the following address before the application deadline:
California Youth Chinese Symphony, P.O. Box 4192, Santa Clara, CA 95056-4192, USA - If there is any request on examination dates and time, it must be indicated in the application clearly. We cannot guarantee the requested date and time will be granted but will try our best to accommodate. Once the examination permit is issued, it cannot be changed.
- Please submit the correct application fee according to the payment list, otherwise the application will be voided. Once submitted, the application fee will not be returned, nor can it be transferred to another applicant.
- Information on certificates will be taken from the data you provided during application, ensure all information submitted is correct and meet the examination criteria.
- Application fees:
Please see Grade Levels and Fees.
III) Examination
- Examination Dates: Recording Schedule:
11/2/24 (Sat AM/PM), 11/3 (Sun PM)
11/9/24 (Sat AM/PM), 11/10 (Sun PM)
- Examination Venue:
California Youth Chinese Symphony
4800 Patrick Henry Dr, Santa Clara, CA 95054 (enter from back of building) - Results Announcement:
Results are available in about two months. - Certificates Release:
Shortly after the results are released.
- Only the Examination book (Overseas version) published by the Central Conservatory of Music Examination Board should be used.
- All candidates (except of age 18 or older) are required to perform music pieces memorized except for the etude pieces. Candidate must bring CCOM published examination material into the testing area, regardless of the candidate’s preference to perform with or without their music. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from the examination.
- No accompaniments are allowed for any level of assessment.
- Candidates should complete all components of the testing. Omitting any components are considered not passing.
- Candidates should bring their own instruments. Candidates being tested on Yangqin and Guzheng may request an instrument be provided from the testing site but such request must be indicated during application.
- Instructors of candidates testing for Levels 1 to 4 of the assessment are allowed to help tune the candidates’ instruments. Candidates testing for Levels 5 and above are expected to tune their own instruments. In addition, candidates who bring their own Yangqin and Guzheng instruments are required to tune their own instruments.
- Candidates who do not arrive on time are considered to have forfeited their examination and are not given the opportunity for a re-test or a refund. If the candidate suffers from a communicable illness and is unable to attend, but is able to provide proper medical documentation within ten days of the end of the examination, the test fee will be refunded.
- The examination will be conducted in Mandarin Chinese. If the candidate requires translation services, please specify the request for translation services upon registration for the examination.
- CCOM and Chinese Musicians Association of America reserve the right to the final assessment.
