Concord Conservatory of MusicConcord Conservatory of MusicDeeper music education for private lesson students.
Are you looking for a way to enhance your musical skills and knowledge beyond your private lessons? If so, you might be interested in the Music Achievement Program (MAP), a free musicianship program offered by CCM for all its private lesson students.
MAP is designed to help students grow as musicians in a comprehensive way. It sets clear goals and rewards for musical skills and offers a variety of activities to enrich their private lessons. Students can choose to participate in workshops, group classes, and performances that suit their interests and needs. MAP also fosters a supportive community of learners who share their musical journeys. Students can track their progress and achievements through MAP and improve their areas of weakness.
Students who complete MAP will be presented with their certificates at the End-of-Year MAP Celebration with refreshments.
Why is musicianship important?
Musicianship is the ability to perform, create, and appreciate music. It is the difference between learning how to technically play an instrument versus becoming a musician. MAP activities include the following skill development:
Ear Training: learning to listen actively, recognizing of pitch, intervals, rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics, and more, as well as the life skill of listening to each other
Reading: gaining fluency in the written notation of music, translating the symbols you see to your instrument or voice
Singing: addresses breathing, tone production, and musical phrasing
Improvising and Composing: making music spontaneously in the moment and developing the ability to write those ideas down
Expression: using phrasing, movement, dynamics, and other skills to make informed musical decisions for a more expressive performance
Performing: learning the steps and tools necessary to present confidently, such as ways to cope with nervousness
Creativity: learning to express oneself through music in original and innovative ways
There are two types of activities: Core and Elective. MAP students must complete all Core Activities and four out of the five Elective Activity categories.
Students who want to challenge themselves and GO FOR GOLD must complete all Core Activities and all five Elective Activity categories, plus a sixth Elective of their choice.
Music Theory: You will explore how music works and why it sounds the way it does. It involves learning about written music notation, symbols, terminology, and their aural equivalents, which are the sounds that correspond to these elements. Music Theory helps you understand how musical components are constructed and combined, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, form, and style. The Music Theory Workshops will enhance your musical skills, creativity, and appreciation by giving you tools to analyze, compose, and perform music in various genres and contexts.
Recital: When you have done a Musicale and are ready to perform your polished piece, you will sign up for a CCM student recital, where you can invite family and friends to be part of the audience and celebrate your accomplishment.
Practice Challenge: Held in October, January, and March, students practice 30 days in the month to earn a joint celebration with delicious treats such as pizza, ice cream, or pancakes!
The Listening Project: Through stimulating and eclectic monthly playlists curated by our own expert faculty, CCM offers guided listening to provide context and enrichment, accessible to everyone via Spotify. MAP students complete 3 entire playlists using our Listening Journal.
Musicale: When you are putting the finishing touches on your piece to perform in a Recital, you will practice your performance in a Musicale, an informal gathering with other students and a CCM faculty member, who will provide you with constructive feedback.
Community Event: A fulfilling opportunity for you to volunteer in our local community by performing your polished pieces, giving the gift of music.
CCM Grab Bag: An assortment of miscellaneous CCM activities that can count toward your MAP Elective Activities. Examples are participation in ensembles, such as Chamber Music, the Children’s Chorus, and the West Side String program. Other activities might include Honors Evaluations, performing in a master class, or a Creativity Festival workshop.
MAP Requirements and Checklist
Sign up for 2024- 2025 MAP Activities
View descriptions of the 2024 – 2025 Musicianship Workshops
We suggest you print out the MAP Activities Checklist and Schedule to track your progress at home.
Theory
Theory Assessment
Register for Theory Workshops
Your 2024-2025 Practice Calendars:
Practice for pizza in October, Pizza Party, Thursday, November 7, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Practice for Pancakes in January, Pancake Party, Thursday, February 6, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Practice for ice cream in March, Ice Cream Party, Thursday, April 3, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
How is my child’s progress tracked?
Families are responsible for reporting the student’s activities once completed through one quick and easy step.
Upon registering for MAP, you will receive a welcome email that contains a link to your own personalized chart where you will list the activity and date after the student has completed it. The MAP Coordinator Anthea Kechley will receive an automated notification anytime you’ve made a change to your chart. Within a few days, you will see a checkmark next to the student’s name on the second floor MAP wall chart!
An additional (and optional) way to track the student’s progress is to print this MAP Requirements Checklist and Schedule, which can also serve as a useful reference for dates and times of upcoming Activities.
What does it mean if my child is assigned to the same theory class in a subsequent year?
Each session of Music Theory is only 4 weeks and therefore does not typically cover all of the material in a given level. It is often necessary for students to remain in a level for more than one 4-week session. Levels are based on the written Theory Assessment that each student completes for placement.
Can I get help in guiding my child through MAP?
Please feel free to speak with the MAP Coordinator Anthea Kechley and your child’s teacher.
How is MAP completion recognized?
A MAP award ceremony is held at the end of each school year to celebrate our students and their achievements!