2020 Certificate of Achievement Emails/Letters:
5-14-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
The 2020 COA Trophies & Medals are separated by teacher and ready for you to pick up at Dunkley after "Noon" tomorrow (Friday May 15, 2020).
Thank you Kristie Rue for taking care of that for us!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2020 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
4-30-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
Today is the last day for feed back for Certificate of Achievement. If you have not taken time to fill out this survey please do so TODAY!
Some of it is for feedback this year AND some of it is for discussion items that were going to be covered at the follow up meeting. The discussion will be compiled and sent to the membership. Then some decisions will be made through a vote. COA 2020 Teacher Survey
Thanks!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2020 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
4-22-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
I just wanted to let you know that the final scores have been entered for COA 2020. You should be able to log into your teacher account and find the evaluations online. Thank you for your patience with this whole process.
We will order trophies and medals for the Advanced level students and let you know when those are ready for you to pick up and where to pick them up.
Thanks!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2020 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
04-22-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
COA 2020 is almost finalized this year. Thank you for your understanding with all the changes and adjustments we have needed to make this year. We will not be able to meet to have a follow up COA Discussion meeting. Here are a couple things we need from you.....
1. There is no COA 2021-2023 Chair or Vice Chair. There will be an event only if someone volunteers to be the Chair for this event next year.
2. Take a few minutes to fill out the following survey. Some of it is for feedback this year AND some of it is for discussion items that were going to be covered at the follow up meeting. The discussion will be compiled and sent to the membership. Then some decisions will be made through a vote. COA 2020 Teacher Survey
We will take feedback through April 30, 2020.
Thank you!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2020 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
4-14-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
As students begin taking their theory tests and ear training tests you will find errors. We have not reviewed these tests, answer keys, or audio files.
If you find a problem please send me the problem and your suggestion for a solution.
I will post all of the changes HERE that have been submitted and will update it regularly.
Thanks!
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
ahpianostudio@cableone.net
(208) 250-9885
3-28-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
I received word today that we will be receiving the theory tests, answer keys, sight reading/technique, & ear training all via digital files. As soon as we have them we will email them to you so send to your parents/students.
All video recordings and live video chats should be done between April 13-17th and uploaded by April 18th. Judges will have April 19-22nd to complete their adjudication. Theory tests & Ear Training need to be administered by the parent and then scanned (or take pictures of) and sent back to the teacher to be graded. All theory tests should be taken between April 13-17th and scores should be submitted by April 18th.
Several more teachers have made arrangements with judges today. Thank you for doing that so quickly. There are a few still left.
Thanks!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
3-28-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
Things are still changing rapidly in our world and in the state of Idaho. We have been given a "Stay at Home" order. TVMTA will NOT be doing live in person judging this year. There are only 2 options available right now. You may choose to have the student do a recorded video (please do not do it at your own home) and send it in or you may choose to do a live Zoom video chat with a judge.
There are over 1/2 of the students that have not been assigned to a judge.
Teachers....please, we need you to contact a judge a get those students assigned to judges. There are many, many moving parts and things that are going to have to be changed and routed differently during this COA 2020 Event. I need your help to make this thing run smoothly. Please take the time to schedule with a judge. Please spread the judging around. Del Parkinson has a HUGE amount of students already. Please consider using some of the other judges as well.
Recorded Only
Judges Name Email Address Phone Number Levels
Halimah Brugger bubrugger@gmail.com 208-297-0110 All
Anna Chapman annachapmanmusic@gmail.com 208-697-3229 YB, Prep, L1-L7
Suzy Clive clivepianostudio@gmail.com 208-286-2829 All
Luann Fife idahomusicacademy@gmai.com 208-703-8702 All
Bronwen Godfrey bgodfrey@cableone.net 208-863-7706 YB, Prep, L1-L4
Andrea Hansen ahpianostudio@cableone.net 208-250-9885 YB, Prep, L1, L2
Suzanne Haynes suzanne@lyricpiano.org 805-368-1210 All
Tawna Love lovin88@cableone.net 208-631-2099 All
Svetlana Maddox svetlanamaddox@boisestate.edu 208-695-3454 L6-Adv
Del Parkinson dparkins@boisestate.edu 208-426-3300 All
Nadine Reece nadine.reece@gmail.com 208-861-3786 All
Tonya Robertson tonya.j.robertson@gmail.com 208-284-9120 YB-L6
Kelsey Webb kelseywebb07@gmail.com 208-859-8688 All
Cindy Wells bcwells@caldwellfam.net 208-608-9709 YB-L6
Rebecca Wren rebeccawren1@gmail.com 801-690-3260 All
Live Online
Judges Name Email Address Phone Number Levels
Halimah Brugger bubrugger@gmail.com 208-297-0110 All
Anna Chapman annachapmanmusic@gmail.com 208-697-3229 YB, Prep, L1-L7
Luann Fife idahomusicacademy@gmai.com 208-703-8702 All
Bronwen Godfrey bgodfrey@cableone.net 208-863-7706 YB, Prep, L1-L4
Suzanne Haynes suzanne@lyricpiano.org 805-368-1210 All
Tawna Love lovin88@cableone.net 208-631-2099 All
Svetlana Maddox svetlanamaddox@boisestate.edu 208-695-3454 L6-Adv
Del Parkinson dparkins@boisestate.edu 208-426-3300 All
Nadine Reece nadine.reece@gmail.com 208-861-3786 All
Tonya Robertson tonya.j.robertson@gmail.com 208-284-9120 YB-L6
Cindy Wells bcwells@caldwellfam.net 208-608-9709 YB-L6
I will be sending instructions for both "online" options in separate emails.
This is what I foresee happening.....
1. Teachers choose a judge for each of their students, make those arrangements with the judge and then email treasurevalleymta@gmail.com with the judge.
2. I will add those students to the judges schedule.
3. Teachers will send the recording or live Zoom chat instructions to students.
4. We are requesting (AGAIN) from Mark Neiworth the option of sending us the digital file for the theory tests. If any of you have any pull with him, please request that he send the digital files for the theory tests so we do not have to figure out how to get the printed theory tests to the teachers who will need to get them to their students. We want to be able to email the theory test to the teacher to email to the student to print. I will let you know what happens as this develops.
5. Ear training files are digital this year. We will send links to those tracks to the teachers who will forward them to their students.
6. We will send digitally a copy of the sight reading example to the teachers. Teachers will need to devise a way to get that to the student so it is a 'real' sight reading example for the student. Having them open a sealed envelop on camera would be ideal, but may not be feasible. Any ideas would be appreciated.
7. Students will video record their evaluation in 'one take' and upload the video to Youtube. They will send the link to their teacher who will forward it to the judge that will be doing the judging with the student's name and level. OR they will arrange the live Zoom video feed with the judge.
8. Students will print the theory test at their homes and take the written theory test.
9. Students will access the online link for the ear training that has been sent by their teacher. When both parts of the test have been completed they will scan or take a picture of the theory test and send it back to the teacher to grade.
10. The teacher will grade the test and then submit the score with the student's name and level to treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
If you have any questions please let me know.
Thanks!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
3-28-2020Instructions for Judging via Zoom
The judge:
- On a Laptop:
- Download https://zoom.us/download
- Create an account
- Sign in to your account
- Click “Schedule a new meeting”
- Name the “Topic” the students name and COA2020
- Set the date & time
- Set the duration of time. They are in 15 minute increments. You can end the meeting anytime.
- Click “Save”
- Click “Copy Meeting Invitation”.
- Email to the student/parent
The student:
- On laptop, tablet, or phone that has access to the email you gave the judge
- Download https://zoom.us/download
- Open your email
- Click on the meeting link the judge has emailed to you.
- Enter the meeting room and follow the judges instructions.
3-28-2020
Students Remember:
Speak Clearly and slowly, take your time.
Smile!
Sunday dress
Start with Sightreading, then scales, then your pieces.
Parents Remember:
Upload videos to Youtube. Go to the YouTube app and sign in. Then touch the videocamera icon at the top of the page and select your video. Post it as “unlisted (anyone with a link can see it)” and make the title the full name of the student playing and the level. For example: “Clark Kent, Level 4”
Teachers Remember:
Hand the students their envelope with sightreading after the recording has begun and let the student open it on camera. Make sure videos have both the head and feet visible, as well as the hands. It must be all in one take. No stitching together of separate videos. Be sure to submit your video by this deadline: . Correct the theory exams and administer the ear training exam. Submit this score for your student’s Certificate to be complete.
Script:
Hello! (*SMILE) My name is (state full name). I will be playing Level ____ today.
I will start with Sightreading. (Teacher hands student envelope. When music is ready on the music desk, teacher will set timer for 2 minutes.)
*PLAY YOUR SIGHTREADING EXAMPLE
(teachers may leave paper on music desk as it has the table with the scales and chords for that level on it)
Next I will do the Technique part of the exam.
*PLAY YOUR SCALES AND CHORDS*
(*SMILE*) My first piece today will be __________ by _________ (use composer’s full name)
*PLAY YOUR FIRST PIECE*
My second piece today will be _____________ by _________________
*PLAY YOUR SECOND PIECE*
(If you have additional pieces, use the same format as above).
*SMILE*
Thank you for listening to me today!
3-22-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
I am attaching a list of teachers who have agreed to judge. Some agreed to one category and some agreed to more than one category. You will find the judge contact information as well as which levels they feel comfortable judging.
It is your responsibility to contact the judge directly and make those arrangements. Once those arrangements have been made you will need to send me the teachers name, students name, level, and the judge that has agreed to judge them. I have to add the student to the judges list or they won't be available for the judge to do the adjudication.
You may choose when you administer the theory test and ear training between April 13-April 23rd.. ALL theory tests with ear training need to be graded and the scores submitted no later than April 24th.
Thank you!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
coa_judge_selection.pdf
Download File
3-22-2020
Today (March 21, 2020) at midnight is the last day/time to cancel students for COA 2020 and receive a full refund. We will get that money refunded to your teacher Paypal account sometime next week.
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
3-18-2020
We have several options that we are making available to teachers this year with judging COA. Click on the link. Read the options. Fill in the form. Please consider making yourself available for some these options. Teachers will contact you directly to make arrangements. When you have been asked to judge specific students please contact me to I can make that student available to you on your judging list or you will not have access to judge the student.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iMBK01MV0zsN58UQ6rSaWORY3GouRXKjLSjETvJtgh4/prefill
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
3-17-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
Thank you so much for taking the time to voice your opinions about COA 2020. With this ever changing situation and world that we live in we have had many things to think about, discuss, and priorities to reconsider. The vote was really pretty even across the board with wanting to cancel, do online only, or modify. Taking all of those things into consideration I believe that teachers and families should be able to make their own choices in what they feel most comfortable with.
Those teachers who have families & students that wish to cancel for a full refund need to log into their teacher account at https://www.treasurevalleymtaregistration.org/ Click "Add or Edit" registrations and click "Cancel this student". This will email us and we will refund the money to the teacher's Paypal account. You will receive a full refund as long as we have received your cancellation by Saturday March 21, 2020. Any cancellations after that day will not receive a refund. We will be ordering the tests, and as soon as we do that we cannot refund any fees.
The remaining teachers and students will need to make some choices based on their preferences. We cannot meet together as a group at BSU or at the Idaho Music Academy. We believe that students and teachers have prepared and worked hard and want to offer them the opportunity to complete the event the have been preparing for. We have several options available.
We will order the theory tests and the ear training tracks. Teachers will receive a theory test with ear training along with a sealed envelop that contains the sight reading & technique sheet for each student who elects to participate in COA 2020. The teacher will be responsible to administer the theory test and ear training to each of their students as they see fit. Teachers will need to grade these tests and submit the scores to treasurevalleymta@gmail.com Be sure that you include the teacher's name, student's name and level and the score as a percentage. All theory/ear training tests are to be completed between April 13th-April 18th and submitted no later than April 18, 2020 at midnight.
The sight reading, technique, and repertoire will still need to be performed before a judge. These are the following ways you can do that....
1. Make a video recording of your student including the sight reading, technique, and repertoire. The video recording is to be done in one session with no retakes, cuts, or edits. The student's full body and hands need to be visible to the judge. The student will be provided a sealed envelope with a copy of the sight reading & technique that they will open on video when they are ready to begin that portion of the judging. This video will be uploaded to Youtube and a link will be emailed to treasurevalleymta@gmail.com a judge will receive the link and judge the student. More instructions will be sent in a separate email for this option. Video recordings are to be done between April 13-April 17th. All video recordings have to be uploaded and links submitted no later than midnight April 18th. Judges will review these recordings April 19-22nd. Scores will be finalized by midnight Saturday April 25, 2020.
2. Teachers may make arrangements with a judge to come to their studio and judge the sight reading, technique, and repertoire. Students will be provided a sealed envelope with a copy of the technique & sight reading examples to be opened in front of the judge when it is time for that portion of the judging. This is to be done between April 13-April 18th. All scores will be finalized by midnight Saturday April 25, 2020.
3. Teachers may make arrangements with a judge to judge their students via a live feed such as https://zoom.us/ or another video conferencing app the judge, teacher, & student feel comfortable with. Teachers need to provide an email address for the student and the student would need an internet enabled device with video & sound available for this option. The judge will need to be able to view the entire student's body and hands. The teacher will give the student a sealed envelope with the sight reading example and technique sheet in it. The student will open the envelope in front of the judge on the live feed so the sight reading portion will be as authentic as possible. More instructions will be sent in a separate email for the Zoom option. This is to be done between April 13-April 18th. All scores will be finalized by midnight Saturday April 25, 2020.
There are no extra fees for any of the judging. Judges will be asked to keep track of the time they use and submit it to the COA 2020 Committee for payment.
If you are interested in being on the list of people willing to judge please reply to this email with your name, email, & phone number and which kind of judging you are willing to do (recorded videos, live in person, live video feed) and I will add your name and contact information to a list that will be available online for teachers to choose from.
All teachers need to submit their choice for their students no later than midnight Saturday March 21st. Each teacher needs to submit one email per studio with the teacher name, student name, level, & judging choice they will be using. If there is any other information that is needed I will reply to the teacher individually.
After Saturday March 21, 2020 no changes to judging choice will be allowed. Student cancellations after March 21, 2020 will not receive a refund.
We realize that this will put more responsibility on the teachers to work out solutions that will work for their studio. We will not be requiring you to provide volunteers this year nor will you be required to volunteer yourself. The teacher will be 100% responsible for administering the written theory test, the ear training test, & grading & submitting all scores and making all judging arrangements within their own studios.
All scores will be finalized and certificates available after midnight April 25, 2020 on the teacher's account. Trophies will be available sometime after that at a location yet to be determined.
Thank you for helping us make this event possible under the current circumstances. We appreciate your support.
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
3-13-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
I'm sure most of you have been watching the news and hearing all the things that are going on with the virus. We now have a confirmed case in the state of Idaho. We want to be as professional as possible and good community citizens. There have been suggestions from the CDC and other officials that are limiting large gatherings. Certificate of Achievement most definitely fits within this category....214 students, 33 teachers, 11 judges, plus volunteers and parents. That's a lot of people. Colleges in the state are going to an 'online only' format after this week until April 30th.
The COA Committee has been discussing this for the past couple of days. We want to offer 3 options to you. We will take a vote. Whichever option has the highest votes will be the decision that the COA Committee will stand behind for COA 2020.
Option #1 (CANCEL): Cancel COA 2020 and refund the full fee to the student. Along with this option...if there are any students that wish to complete this year it will need to be done as a "Path B" Option where the teacher hires a judge on their own and pays them. The teacher also administers the ear training & theory tests, grades these and then submits the information.
Option #2 (ONLINE ONLY): Teachers would administer the ear training & theory tests. They would grade those and submit the grades. The teacher would be given a 1 week time period to video record the sight reading, technique, and each repertoire piece and upload the videos to YouTube. The teacher would submit the link to the committee and those would be sent to the judges to adjudicate within a few days period of time. Everything would be finalized by a specific date to be decided later. Teachers would pick up trophies at a later date. This option eliminates the need for volunteers and scheduling issues as well as eliminates the need for a make up day. However, there will be some drawbacks. It will require a lot more from the individual teachers. The judges would not have scores in front of them. Video recordings may not be as high quality as they could be. Keeping the teacher's studio anonymous will be much more difficult, as well as several other things. This would be an 'online only' option for this year. We would discuss returning to a face-to-face event in 2021. Students that have been quarantined may have the option to record at home or via a Zoom Meeting with the judge.
Option #3 (MODIFIED): Teachers would administer the theory tests and ear training to their students. Those would be submitted to the committee to be graded and have scores entered. This would be done 1 week prior to the students performing. April 18th students would arrive at BSU and perform repertoire, sight reading, & technique for the judge at their scheduled time. After each student performs the keys would be disinfected. We would ask that only the student and possibly 1 parent (if it is a young child) arrive at the judges door. The judge would invite the student in when they were ready. Scores would be finalized and trophies would be picked up at a later date. As a backup plan in case BSU completely closes and does not allow us to hold this event Luann Fife has graciously offered us the use of The Idaho Music Academy. This is a smaller space, but could still be utilized. Exceptions for students that have been quarantined would be made on a case by case basis. Those decisions would be made at a later date.
If you have concerns, ideas, or other thoughts regarding COA 2020 you have until Monday (March 16, 2020 at midnight) to reply to this email with those items. All discussion will be taken into consideration.
Please submit your vote before midnight Monday, March 16, 2020
Option 1--Cancel
Option 2--Online Only
Option 3--Modified
We will make every effort to adhere to the decision that comes from this vote. However, as a Professional Organization we will follow the guidelines that are provided by the CDC, Idaho State, & Local Authorities which will continue to be change and be adjusted as necessary.
Thank you for taking the time to help us make a decision. We look forward to your vote, thoughts, & ideas.
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
3-9-2020
TVMTA Teachers:
Add to your calendar Saturday May 2, 2020 10am-Noon @ Dunkley Music. This will be our "Wrap Up" Certificate of Achievement Meeting. I will send you an agenda before the meeting with some items that we will be discussing. Plan to attend so your voice can be heard in making decisions about Certificate of Achievement 2021.
Thanks!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
3-6-20
TVMTA Teachers,
As promised the Certificate of Achievement schedules are now available online. Thank you Cindy Wells!! Log into your teacher account and click on 2020 Student Schedule.
Do the following things ASAP....
1. Check to see that all of your students are listed.
2. Check to see that all of your students are in the correct level. Even if you have already checked this twice please check again. We will be ordering tests soon and if they are listed as the wrong level we will not have a theory test for them.
3. Add the correct number of volunteers that you need for the number of students you have registered.
- Log into your teacher account
- Click manage volunteers
- The text at the top of the page tells you how many students you have registered. You are required to provide 1/2 day volunteer for every 5 students. (1-5 students=1 half day volunteer, 6 students=2 half day volunteers). You as the teacher MUST fill one of those 1/2 day volunteer slots.
- If you have been asked to judge you will not need to fill one of those slots yourself, but you must still provide the full number of volunteer slots required.
- You may use students that are 16 years old or older. Please select only responsible, reliable students.
- If you have parents that want to volunteer during the same time their student is playing please request "morning" or "evening" based on their student's schedule. DO NOT just list "when student is playing", look at the student's schedule first and list morning or afternoon based on that.
- ALL volunteers must be entered on or before March 21st.
- We will need a couple of volunteers for Make Up day on April 25th. You may request that as well.
Thank you!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
2-7-20
TVMTA Teachers,
We are getting ready to begin scheduling students. If you have siblings within your studio double check to see that they are marked as siblings. This is how we know to schedule them close together.
- Log into your teacher account....http://www.treasurevalleymtaregistration.org
- Click "Manage Students"
- You will be able to see the list of your students. Double check that all siblings are marked.
- If you need to mark siblings: Click "Edit" by the student's name.
- Scroll through your list of students and click the other sibling.
- If you have multiple siblings in the same family: Click 1 sibling, hold down the ctrl key, and click all the remaining siblings.
- Then click "Save Changes".
Entering Repertoire will end February 15th. Schedules should be ready by March 6th.
Please begin arranging for your volunteers. You need a 1/2 day volunteer that is 16+ for every 5 students. This means if you have 6 students you must provide two 1/2 day volunteers. We can use other volunteers as door monitors and to help in the theory and ear training room, but we need teachers to be in the audit room to grade theory tests. Be sure to enter yourself as a volunteer.
Thank you!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
2-4-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
Phase 2--Enter Repertoire is now open for Certificate of Achievement 2020. Log into your account and enter your repertoire here....http://www.treasurevalleymtaregistration.org
You will need to enter your student's repertoire before February 15, 2020 at midnight. You can make scheduling requests online during that time as well...(moving a student to make up day or path B, or requesting morning or afternoon if absolutely necessary).
Thank you!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
1-16-2020
Just a quick reminder that Certificate of Achievement Registration & payment closes this Saturday (January 18, 2020) at midnight. No late registrations! Please be sure that you pay for the students you have registered as well.
Thanks!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
1-7-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
COA 2020 Registration is now open until January 18, 2020 (Saturday @ midnight).
Register student for COA 2020!
No late registration. Be sure that you register and pay for your students by then.
Thanks!
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2019-2021 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
TVMTA Teachers,
I wanted to send out an update about Certificate of Achievement 2020 with some important dates and changes listed.
Important Dates:
- January 6-18, 2020---COA Phase I--To Register/Edit Student
- February 3-15, 2020---COA Phase II--To Enter Student Repertoire
- March 6, 2020---Student Schedules Available
- March 9-21, 2020---COA Phase III--To Enter Volunteers
- April 18, 2020--Certificate of Achievement @ BSU
- April 25, 2020--Certificate of Achievement--Make up Day @ Idaho Music Academy
- April 30, 2020--Certificate of Achievement--Path B Completed
Participation Fees:
- Young Beginner---$28
- Prep-Level 2---$32
- Level 3-Level 5---$36
- Level 6-Level 8---$42
- Level 9-Advanced---$50
Changes to Certificate of Achievement 2020---This is different from previous events. Please make note!!
- 2-4 pieces of repertoire is required based on the student's level. Teachers will select a repertoire program based on varying styles and techniques. Different composers must be selected. You may use the "Suggested Repertoire List" list on Musicians West as a guideline for leveling, but you DO NOT have to select a piece that is on this list. ALL songs selected for each student must be 'at or above' the respective levels represented in this list. Each level will still have a set time limit with the judges and students will be asked to stop playing if they go longer than the allotted time.
All requirements and information are listed here….COA Requirements.
Things to Remember:
- No “required repertoire” and/or time periods. Select a program based on varying styles & techniques.
- Select repertoire at or above level within the allotted time allowed for the level (times are listed online at the above link)
- All levels have sight reading even the Young Beginners.
- COA is April 18, 2020—if your student cannot play this day they have 2 options available….Make up day (limited space) and Path B. Both options required an additional fee of $20/student.
- Level 10-Advanced---has an etude required in place of technique. It must be approved by the committee before the student begins working on it. Please submit requests to the COA 2020 Chair--Andrea Hansen @ ahpianostudio@cableone.net All other levels have a specific set of technique requirements listed at the above link.
We look forward to having you participate with us this year!
If you have any questions please let me know.
Thanks!
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
ahpianostudio@cableone.net
(208) 250-9885
2020 Certificate of Achievement Chair
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
9-30-19
TVMTA Teachers:
Certificate of Achievement 2020 guidelines have been updated. There are some changes made to the repertoire portion this year. Please review them and be sure you understand the changes! You can review them here. http://www.treasurevalleymta.org/2020-certificate-of-achievement-piano.html
5-15-2020
TVMTA Teachers,
We had only 11 teachers who responded to the COA Feedback link that was sent out.
Here are the responses to the questions:
Did you participate in COA? 9 out of 11 said yes, 2 did not participate this year
Did you have students cancel COA? 8 of 11 said yes
Reasons for cancelling included: didn't want to increase stress during quarantine, family medical problems, didn't want to participate virtually, wanted to be able to record before COA week and submit sight reading separately later, no work for 'non-essential' businesses/Dad lost job, face-to-face lessons cancelled earlier.
Type of judging used: 6 of 11 used "recorded and submitted", 2 of 11 used "video chat", 1 of 11 used both recorded & video chat, and 2 did not respond (those that didn't participate).
What did you like about "Digital COA"? Responses included: didn't have to come up with volunteers, no chaos, quick & simple, able to choose my own judges, able to hear the adjudication, students could still participate even with the lock down, teachers with more students had more responsibility, families could record at a time that was most convenient for them.
Challenges with "Digital COA"? Responses included: logistical problems with parents video recording & transmitting files, technology problems, YouTube upload had a big learning curve for some, Advanced student files were really big to upload, running practice theory tests, sight reading & ear training, tripled the teacher workload, time consuming, frustrating.
Feedback from Parents/Students....responses included: interesting experience, everyone was considerate & helpful, frustrated over the entire process but grateful to find they passed their level, liked it but would have preferred face-to-face for the repertoire portion, event was well organized, worried about zoom meeting being set up right at performance time rather than earlier.
The next questions were about COA 2021.
Repertoire selection: The instructions stated that "Teachers will select a repertoire program based on varying styles and techniques. Different composers must be selected." Should we continue to use this criteria? 7 of 11 teachers said yes, 3 said no, 1 didn't answer.
Other Repertoire feedback included: prefer a fixed list of repertoire, keep requirements in place and let teachers use any syllabus they have available to justify leveling, guidelines don't allow impressionist & romantic selections to both be on the program (two different teachers commented this), really important that the "period" versus "style" difference be observed-Joplin & Debussy are not the same style even though their birthdays put them in the same time period.
Advanced Level Etude--What criteria should be used to determine if an Etude is 'hard' enough to qualify for the Advanced Level technique? Responses included: There should be a fixed list of etudes or books/opuses to reduce disagreements on difficulty (8 of 11 teachers selected this), teachers should be trusted with selecting etude, allow students to do the "Level 10" technique instead of etude
Other discussion items--theory test errors, length, or aural skills (4 teachers listed this), the remaining teachers did not list any additional items.
Should a "digital submission" option be available next year for students? 8 of 11 teachers said yes. 3 said no.
Conclusions on Digital COA 2020: (From my point of view)
- Not enough teachers replied to the survey. They were given 2-3 weeks to reply with a couple of reminders and still only 11 teachers replied. In the past when we have had a 'follow up' meeting we have only had between 3-10 teachers there.
- If teachers are not willing to give input they should also not criticize the decisions that are made.
- If teachers are not willing to volunteer to be on the committee they should not criticize the decisions that are made by the committee
- Digital COA 2020 worked well overall. It reduced the volunteer commitment on the day of the event. Teachers with more students carried more of the load as they made arrangements for each of their own students. There were challenges with technology. This option was ideal for some, but not for others. It did not require there to be a Make Up Day or Path B.
- COA 2020---Judges liked that they were able to judge on their own time. They liked being able to back up the recording and re-listen/re-watch portions of it. This did increase the time that judges put in to the judging. There were longer, fuller comments from the judges that did the video recordings. Some judges ended up with a HUGE list of students to judge. Some only had 1-2 students. Judges were able to select which levels they were most comfortable with. Teachers were able to select the judge that they wanted to judge their students.
Conclusions on Digital COA 2021: (From my point of view)
- Next year COA 2021---Luann Fife has agreed to chair COA 2021. She will begin putting her committee together soon.
- There needs to be an additional survey done and/or meeting to discuss decisions for COA 2021.
- There needs to be a general TVMTA vote on decisions made for COA 2021, probably sent via email so all teachers have the opportunity to vote.
- The website for COA 2021 needs to be updated no later than August 1, 2020 with all the guidelines and decisions made so that teachers can prepare.
- Repertoire guidelines should stay the same this year with teachers making selections based on different styles not time periods
- There needs to be a select list of "Advanced Etudes" for teachers to choose from. Maybe consider making it a very specific list with 5-8 choices of Advanced Etudes. All Advanced students should select 1 Etude from the specific list. Then there are no questions on 'difficulty' and no pre-approvals need to be made.
- Add "Digital Submissions" as one of the options along with Make Up Day or Path B. I would suggest that if this option is selected by a specific date that there is not an extra $20 fee for participation this way. Make Up Day and Path B require additional time and effort on the committee/webmaster and should still have a fee to discourage use of this option especially if it is used because students are not prepared on time.
- Consider having teachers still administer the theory and ear training tests on their own at their studio, grade them, and submit scores sometime during the week previous to students performing for the judge. Only schedule students to see the judge for sight reading, technique, & repertoire. We would need fewer rooms and fewer volunteers if we use this option.
- Theory Tests still remain a hot topic. We have discussed with Mark Neiworth @ Musician's West multiple times for multiple years the option of allowing a panel of teachers to edit the tests before they are sent. He refuses this option every time. At this time there are no better options for theory tests. I would suggest having someone approach Musician's West again to help with editing tests. To do this Musician's West would need to have the tests completely written and ready for editing by February 28th each year. If Musician's West is not willing to do this, then I suggest we still use the tests and that a panel of teachers plan (The first week of April, while they are still preparing their own students for participation) to take each test, compare it to the answer key, and make all corrections necessary to each test and answer key before the test is given. They would need to verify points on the front of the tests as well as content for theory and aural skills.
Thank you for the support you have each shown while we made changes from LIVE COA to DIGITAL COA this year. I especially appreciate my committee that completed the tasks they were delegated so quickly and efficiently.
--
Andrea Hansen, NCTM
2019-2020 TVMTA Secretary
2019-2020 TVMTA Webmaster
2020 Certificate of Achievement Chair
treasurevalleymta@gmail.com
(208) 250-9885
