WHAT WE DO
BCCM Examinations
At the British Columbia Conservatory of Music, we recognize that a key part of developing our students’ musical skills is helping them set ambitious yet achievable goals. Achieving a sense of accomplishment not only supports their musical journey but also fosters success in life as a whole. The ability to set, work towards, and accomplish goals is an invaluable skill in all aspects of life, and we are committed to nurturing it.
The BCCM piano and theory exam system was designed to instill the skill of goal-setting in students. Developed with input from local teachers who engage with students daily, this system provides a meaningful alternative to traditional exam formats and is recognized by the British Columbia Ministry of Education.
UPDATES
New Piano Syllabus 2022
Effective July 1st, 2021 and starting with the January 2022 piano examination session, there are new requirements for BCCM Piano Examinations including:
a completely new section called Performance - Keyboard Style
revised and updated “ear tests” now labeled Listening. The listening section involves: Intervals, Chord Progressions, Cadences, and Playback.
completely updated technique requirements.
There will be a one year transition period until the August 2022 piano examination session where the requirements from the 2017 BCCM piano syllabus will be accepted. After the August 2022 piano examination session, requirements stated in the 2022 Piano Syllabus will be in full effect.
Click here for a complete booklet of revisions of the 2022 piano syllabus. This booklet contains the updated sections only.
5 subject-areas will be required for a BCCM Piano Examination.
Repertoire
Studies/Technique
Performance
Listening
Sight Reading
Sections 3) and 4) are addressed on this page:
3. Performance – Keyboard style
This is a completely new section for BCCM examinations in which students will play progressions consisting of 4 to 8 chords for junior and intermediate piano, and up to 18 chords for the advanced grades. The purpose of this process is to develop an awareness and understanding of music based on harmonic progression.
4. Listening - Chord progressions, Cadences, and Playback
Further development of harmonic awareness is addressed in the listening section This section introduces new concepts for “Playback” in grade 7 to 10. For Grade 7, although a left hand bass part will be played with the melody, providing an harmonic accompaniment, only the melody is required to be played back. For grade 8 to 10, students will be asked to play back both parts of two melodic phrases with the left hand providing a single-note accompaniment. Click the following links for exam samples and practice questions.