RCM Music Exams | Wandering Minstrel Music School

Lessons in music theory can make your music excel to great heights, as well as let you know what you’re doing, and why. We prepare students for the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Intermediate and Advanced Rudiments examinations in Mississauga. The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) is a well respected program is designed to both motivate students and challenge them at each grade level.

We strongly encourage parents to give serious consideration to following the RCM study program due to it’s comprehensive materials and high performance standard.

If you’re new to theory or need a refresher to prepare for an upcoming exam, we can help you improve your knowledge and understanding. You can start private lessons at anytime during the year to prepare for the next examination date.

Music exams are a method of formally assessing the accomplishments of students, and provides valuable feedback to the student, parents, and teacher.

RCM Theory Syllabus

Royal Conservatory of Music – Grade 1 & 2 Rudiments (Theory)

Just as understanding grammar is essential for appreciating literature, having a strong grasp of music theory has a key role in helping students perform with sensitivity and purpose.

Music theory gives students a broad understanding of the building blocks of music. After several years of having played a wide variety of music- the “practical aspect”- they now need to demonstrate the ability to write the intervals, triads and scales they have only ever played till now – the “theoretical” aspect. Students will also be tested on transposition, cadences, rhythm, pitch, analysis, musical terms and signs. Beginning at the Grade 5 Practical level, students must take an RCM theory exam in a formal classroom setting.

Practical Certificate	Examinations Required
Grade 5 Practical	Grade 5 Practical Basic Rudiments
Grade 6 Practical	Grade 6 Practical Intermediate Rudiments
Grade 7 Practical	Grade 7 Practical Advanced Rudiments
Grade 8 Practical	Grade 8 Practical Advanced Rudiments
Grade 9 Practical	Grade 9 Practical Advanced Rudiments Basic Harmony or Basic Keyboard Harmony History 1: An Overview
Grade 10 Practical	Grade 10 Practical Advanced Rudiments History 1: An Overview Intermediate Harmony or Intermediate Keyboard Harmony History 2: Middle Ages to Classical

RCM Examination Dates

We prepare students for the Intermediate and Advanced Rudiments Examinations. We use books and materials specifically written for the RCM examinations, and also provide students with mock exams as they near the exam date. The mock theory exams allow the teacher to flag any weak areas and review those sections with the student.

Private music theory lessons are available in 30 or 45-minute sessions at our music school. It may take several months to cover all the materials, so check the RCM website for examination dates and deadlines and plan ahead. The RCM theory exams occur three times per year – in December, May and August.

RCM Examination Dates:

Winter Session
Registration Deadline	November
Theory Examinations	December
Spring Session
Registration Deadline	March
Theory Examinations	May
Summer Session
Registration Deadline	June
Theory Examinations	August

darer101

20:00 28 Apr 20

Best music school.

Shilpa Belbeck

12:08 24 Sep 19

We have been with Wandering Minstrel for the last year and love it. The rapport with the teacher is excellent, we look forward to the lessons. It feels like a community as a lot of our friends also take lessons there.

Adella Peters

17:05 30 Aug 18

Friendly Teacher and staff . Great with new student : Judy look after the students . She and her staff are excellent . Best Place for Students

K Dollimore

23:58 24 Jul 18

I love this school! Judy has a knack for finding the best teachers! I took voice lessons, for many years, at Wandering Minstrel. Sadly, I had to stop my lessons as I returned to university to become a teacher. Recently, I came back, as I'd been asked to sing at my brother's wedding. My new teacher, Maciej, was wonderful! He helped me to get rid of bad habits and find ways to access different parts of my voice. Thanks to Maciej, I had numerous people approaching me, after the wedding to compliment me on my performance at the church. Friends, who are very knowledgeable about music/voice, were amazed at how my voice had grown, and matured, Maciej was kind but firm. He found ways to help me re-connect to my voice, and rid myself of bad habits that had crept in over the years. I cannot thank Judy, and Maciej enough for helping me to grow in confidence, and skill!

Brian G

16:57 24 Jul 18

Very friendly staff and great teachers. Learnt great tips about singing and showed great improvements from vocal lessons!

Heba ashtar

01:07 28 Jun 18

Best school ever with the sweetest teacher and receptionist.

tanwa adanlawo

17:48 13 Mar 18

As a university student this school is a Godsend! It's convenient and fits nicely in my schedule! My coach is patient and easy to talk to and I have so much fun and can hear the improvement in my voice. I have learnt so much and I am still learning about my voice. I can't praise this school enough.

Dominika Dittwald

00:49 14 Sep 17

I was hesitant to enrol my 5-year-old son in music lessons, because several musician-friends warned me he is too young to play an instrument like the violin or the piano. He insisted he wanted to play piano, so I tried the Wandering Minstrel. I am glad I did. He loves learning music and I do not need to ask him to practice - he spends hours at the keyboard all by himself. Now he composes his own pieces (with the 5 notes he knows) and spends more time playing piano than playing iPad. The teacher is great - very experienced and able to adapt to the young age.

Darren Bustamante

08:16 20 Jun 17

I strongly recommend this school to anyone who wants to excel in music or just for fun. The staff here are friendly, warm and professional. My son is taught by Richard (guitar), Stephanie (vocals) and I was blown away with the results. My son is now performing in shows and working on his first Cd. Thank you so much Wandering minstrel you guys rock!!

Diane Dobriansky

23:51 09 Sep 16

My daughter has been a vocal student of Laura's for the past 2 years. We just wanted to thank Laura for all she has done to help Natasha develop her vocal skills. From introducing new song material to mastering vocal scales, all the hard work has been truly appreciated. We are very proud of all Natasha's accomplishments. I would recommend the Wandering Minstrel music school as it is a wonderful place for people of all ages to express their inner music. Thanks for the entertaining year end concerts too.

Robert Campbell

14:05 19 Apr 16

Terrific music school for guitar lessons, piano lessons and singing lessons in the heart of historic Streetsville. The place is filled with musical staff and students seeking instruction on their own instruments. Professional singers come to learn the art of singing along to piano and guitar melodies. I felt like everyone in the joint was already YouTube famous or could be if they tried.