Certificate Program

The Community Music Division offers a certificate program in Piano and Voice for serious and motivated pre-college students. The DePaul Comprehensive Certificate Program is a three-level, multi-year program offering a structured, sequential music curriculum from early intermediate to advanced levels.  It is designed for students who are motivated, practice regularly and have an interest in acquiring a comprehensive music education.  Components of the program include individual instruction, performance, juries, theory, ensemble participation, and concert attendance. In general, students spend two to three years at each level and receive a certificate upon completion of the requirements for each level.

Students and parents should discuss their desire to participate in the Certificate Program with their teacher.  Teacher approval is required for enrollment.  The program is beneficial for students who:

  1. Practice on a regular basis and consider music to be an enjoyable and important part of their extra curricular activities.
  2. Recognize the value of setting and reaching goals.
  3. Look forward to receiving acknowledgement for their accomplishments.

We believe this program fills a need for students who are looking for a more intensive and demanding curriculum.

Contact the office to register.

Contact

Program Structure

The program is divided into three levels with a choice of two tracks at the third level:

Junior
Intermediate
Senior or Senior Honors

Each level requires a minimum of two years to complete. *Specific information for each level can be obtained from your teacher. Upon successful completion of all the requirements for an assigned level, students will be awarded a DePaul CMD Certificate and promoted to the next level of the program.  A special audition is required for the Senior Honors track.  Students will be recognized for completion of certificate levels at an end-of-year awards ceremony.

*Please note: Students applying during the inaugural year of the Certificate Program may petition for permission to complete a level in one year. Requirements for performance, ensemble and concert attendance will be retroactively applied.

Curriculum

General requirements for the certificate levels are as follows:

  • Junior

  • Intermediate

  • Senior

  • Senior Honors

Additional Information

Concert Attendance

Students may attend concerts of any type of music as long as they are not a performer in the concert. Proof of attendance in the form of a program or ticket stub signed by your teacher is required for credit.  Teachers may also require students to discuss the concert or write a short report on what they heard.

Off-site performances

Examples of off-site performances might include community, church or school events.

Applying for the Certificate Program

Prior to enrollment, students and parents should discuss their desire to participate with their teacher. Application forms may be obtained form the office. To help defray administrative costs, registration for the program includes a $20 fee per certificate.

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Theory Course

Students wishing to gain competency in music theory can work towards the completion of graded theory levels of the ABRSM internationally recognized Theory Course. Instruction in the form of tutorials is available in small groups, duos or private sessions. Students will study the required material and prepare for evaluations administered for each grade level. Students should be 8 years of age with at least two years playing experience to begin the ABRSM program.