Royal Conservatory of Music (Canada)

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The Royal Conservatory of Music building at 273 Bloor Street West in Toronto, in the left background is the Royal Ontario Museum. The RCM is presently under major reconstruction, while the ROM had completed major construction of its crystal façade.
The Royal Conservatory of Music building at 273 Bloor Street West in Toronto, in the left background is the Royal Ontario Museum. The RCM is presently under major reconstruction, while the ROM had completed major construction of its crystal façade.
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The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) is a music school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that is noted throughout the country. It was founded by Edward Fisher in 1886 as the Toronto Conservatory of Music. In 1947, George VI, King of Canada, incorporated the conservatory through royal charter.

The conservatory was affiliated with the University of Toronto until 1991, at which time it became a wholly-independent institution. Its home, (originally called McMaster Hall, now called Ihnatowycz Hall), was the original home of McMaster University, now located in Hamilton, Ontario. The conservatory has currently embarked on a major expansion that will see the construction of the Telus Centre for Performance and Learning, which includes a new 1,140-seat concert hall, scheduled to open in 2008. The expansion has resulted in the temporary relocation of the music school to the former location of Toronto District School Board's Ursula Franklin Academy, which itself was renamed from Brockton High School, located in the Dufferin and Bloor West area, at 90 Croatia Street, formerly called Awde Avenue.[1][2] The nearest subway stations are Lansdowne (at the Emerson exit) and Dufferin.

The Royal Conservatory produces the most popular and comprehensive teaching method in Canada, encompassing strict guidelines for ten grade levels. The ARCT diploma for Teachers or Performers is the culmination of all the grades which is also recognized worldwide. Comprehensive theory and history co-requisites are required to obtain a certificate. Many Canadian provinces recognize completion of higher levels of the curriculum, awarding students high school credits upon successful completion.

The Royal Conservatory operates with six key divisions:

  • The Glenn Gould School is an internationally recognized centre for professional training in classical music performance.
  • The RCM Community School, the oldest division of The Royal Conservatory, is one of the largest community-based music schools in North America. It offers classes and lessons for people of all ages and levels of ability, in a wide range of musical traditions.
  • Learning Through the Arts is an acclaimed educational initiative that helps public school teachers motivate their students but using the arts to deliver core curriculum.
  • The Young Artists Performance Academy offers high-level performance training to talented classical musicians ages 9 to 18.
  • RCM Examinations set and support standards in music examinations that have made it one of the most highly regarded organizations of its kind in the world.
  • The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited, founded in 1904, is the oldest and largest print-music publisher in Canada. Its publications are distributed in more than 25 countries.

Contents

[edit] History of the Royal Conservatory of Music

The Conservatory was founded in 1886 as The Toronto Conservatory of Music by a young organist Edward Fisher. It was the first institution of its kind in Canada: a school dedicated to the training of singers and musicians.

The Conservatory grew at a rapid pace and in 1897 it purchased a new property at College Street and University Avenue to accommodate its expansion.

As the Conservatory's reputation for its professional training, national examination system and faculty of distinguished musicians continued to grow, it became one of the dominant musical institutions in Canada.

Some of Canada's most famous musicians studied at the Conservatory. Glenn Gould studied theory, organ and piano, graduating at age 12 in 1946 with an ARCT diploma, with highest honours. Teresa Stratas, Lois Marshall and Jon Vickers were also Conservatory students.

In 1947, King George VI awarded the Conservatory its Royal Charter, in recognition of its status of one of the Commonwealth's greatest music schools. The Toronto Conservatory of Music became The Royal Conservatory of Music.

In 1962, the University of Toronto sold the Conservatory's College Street property to Ontario Hydro. The Conservatory relocated to 273 Bloor Street West in Toronto, the original site of McMaster University.

The concert and recital halls of the College Street site were only partially replaced in the move, while the library, residence and all three pipe organs were lost.

In 1991, the Conservatory gained its independence from the University of Toronto and took over full control of its building and its diverse programs.[3]

[edit] Diplomas and Certificates Offered

The Royal Conservatory of Music offers the following Diplomas and certificates:

ARCT - Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto

The ARCT Diploma is awarded to candidates who have successfully completed all requirements for the ARCT through RCM Examinations. The Diploma is the highest academic standings awarded by the RCM and is an internationally recognized certificate for teaching or performing. It can can be completed as a Teacher or Performer on all instruments and voice listed in The RCM Syllabus. Recipients are entitled to the use of the postnomials "A.R.C.T."

Performance Diploma (Performance Diploma Program)

The four-year Performance Diploma in piano, voice and all orchestral instruments is offered by The Glenn Gould School.

Artist Diploma (Artist Diploma Program)

The Artist Diploma is a two-year program also offered through The Glenn Gould School for piano, voice, orchestral instruments, and in performance and pedagogy.

ECME Certificate

The Early Childhood Music Education certificate is offered by The Royal Conservatory of Music in partnership with Ryerson University.

Mentor Artist-Educator Certificate

This certificate is administered by the Learning Through the Arts program.

[edit] RCM Examinations

RCM Examinations makes the high standards of the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum available and accessible to students across North America through the RCM Examinations Certificate Program. It is a division of the Royal Conservatory of Music that is dedicated to administering the Certificate Program on the RCM curriculum. In this role it conducts examinations three times each year across Canada through a network of Examination Centres.

[edit] Chief Examiners

Three senior members of the college are appointed as Chief Examiners to provide leadership to the College of Examiners. They are responsible for all College members in the areas of Academic Standards, Training and Development, and Theoretical Subjects.

[edit] College of Examiners

The RCM Examinations College of Examiners is a body of more than 300 distinguished professional teachers and performers, carefully selected for their demonstrated skill and professionalism. Members of the College of Examiners have completed up to 3 years of initial training and participate in on going professional development sessions. Members are continually reviewed to ensure consistency with the well-established standards of RCM Examinations

[edit] RCM Examinations Certificate Program

The Certificate Program is a comprehensive program that encompasses all levels from beginner to certification as an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT), through a curriculum of up to 11 grades. Each grade is a stepping stone established as a logical assessment point for a developing musician.

Over 100,000 students participate every year across North America in the internationally recognized certificate program. Certificates are awarded to at every grade to all candidates who have successfully completed the requirements for practical and theory examinations.

[edit] Accreditation

Achievement in RCM Examinations is recognized for credit toward secondary school graduation in many school systems in Canada. For most provinces in Canada, a Grade 6 Certificate counts as Grade 10 credit, a Grade 7 Certificate counts as Grade 11 credit, and a Grade 8 counts as Grade 12 credit.

Standing in the Certificate Program of RCM Examinations also plays an important role in entrance requirements for professional music programs at many universities and colleges.

[edit] Notable teachers and students

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The RCM's notable teachers have included Healey Willan, Sir Ernest MacMillan, Alberto Guerrero, Boyd Neel (Dean of the Conservatory from 1953 to 1971), Lorand Fenyves, Boris Berlin and Nicholas Goldschmidt.

Many who attended the RCM classes and lessons or who took RCM music exams have gone on to success inside and out of the music industry. Two students starred together in the same TV show, Paradise Falls. Past students include:

[edit] References

  1. ^ Friends of Dufferin Grove Park Neighbourhood: Royal Conservatory Opens Up to Neighbourhood
  2. ^ Croatians in Toronto
  3. ^ History of the Royal Conservatory of Music

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 43°40′4.7″N 79°23′46.50″W / 43.667972, -79.39625

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