Conservatory Canada
This is a curriculum for classical music which is most flexible in terms of exam repertoire and contains a lot of Canadian content. It offers examinations in Levels 1 through 10 and then culminates in the final Associate of the Canadian Conservatory of Music (ACCM) Diploma.
Examinations are available any time of the year by participating in e-exams or at their examination centres 4 times a year: January, April, June, and August. Registration for these exams is normally available two months in advance.
In order to complete a CC grade in piano, students should be prepared for five components: Repertoire, Studies, Technique, Ear Training and Keyboard Skills.
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When I teach a student using this curriculum, I ensure that they have learned enough pieces to have a solid foundation to move on to the next level seamlessly. For most levels, students learn at least 14 pieces. Students are also welcome to choose one ore more optional books to learn from in the genre of their choice. I have listed a few ideas in each level below of possible supplementary books, but there are many more possibilities than what I’ve listed so I’m definitely open to other options as well. Have a look below for level specific expectations.
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1 piece: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2 pieces: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
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Optional Jazz, Rags and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 1 – Martha Mier
Connections 1 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Microjazz – Christopher Norton
Pianozazz – Christopher Norton
Jazz-a-Little Jazz-a-LOT – Catherine Rollin
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Optional Classical books
At Sea – Teresa Richert
Copycat Copycat – Teresa Richert
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Optional Pop and Rock books
Famous and Fun Pop Book 3 – Carol Matz
Famous and Fun Rock Book 3 – Carol Matz
American Popular Piano Book 2 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Book 3 – Christopher Norton
Microrock – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Piano Repertoire Level 1 – Hal Leonard
FunTime Piano Hits – Faber and Faber
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Optional Christmas books
FunTime Piano Christmas – Faber and Faber
Piano Adventures Christmas Level 3A – Faber and Faber
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
​
Optional Jazz, Rags and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 1 – Martha Mier
Connections 2 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Microjazz 2 – Christopher Norton
Pianozazz – Christopher Norton
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Optional Classical books
At Sea – Teresa Richert
Copycat Copycat – Teresa Richert
Days of Summer – Teresa Richert
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Optional Pop and Rock books
Famous and Fun Pop Book 4 – Carol Matz
Famous and Fun Rock Book 4 – Carol Matz
American Popular Piano Book 4 – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microrock – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Piano Repertoire Level 2 – Hal Leonard
BigTime Piano Hits – Faber and Faber
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Optional Christmas books
BigTime Piano Christmas – Faber and Faber
Piano Adventures Christmas Level 4 – Faber and Faber
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1 piece: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2 pieces: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
​
Optional Jazz, Rags and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 2 – Martha Mier
Connections 3 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Microjazz 2 – Christopher Norton
Pianozazz – Christopher Norton
​
Optional Classical books
Days of Summer – Teresa Richert
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Optional Pop and Rock books
Famous and Fun Pop Book 5 – Carol Matz
Famous and Fun Rock Book 5 – Carol Matz
American Popular Piano Book 5 – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microrocck – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Piano Repertoire Level 3 – Hal Leonard
Alfred’s Top Hits Level 3
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Optional Christmas books
Coming soon
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1 piece: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2 pieces: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
​
Optional Jazz, Rags and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 2 – Martha Mier
Connections 4 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Pianozazz 4 – Christopher Norton
​
Optional Classical books
Petals for Piano – Teresa Richert
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Optional Pop and Rock books
Famous and Fun Pop Book 5 – Carol Matz
Famous and Fun Rock Book 5 – Carol Matz
American Popular Piano Book 5 – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microrocck – Christopher Norton
​
Optional Christmas books
Coming soon
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1 piece: Choose 4 pieces
Group 2 pieces: Choose 4 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
​
Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 3 – Martha Mier
Connections 5 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microlatin – Christopher Norton
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Optional Classical books
Romantic Impressions Book 1 – Martha Mier
Romantic Impressions Book 2 – Martha Mier
Romantic Impressions Book 3 – Martha Mier
Petals for Piano – Teresa Richert
Canine Inventions – Teresa Richert
The Nutcracker Suite – Alfreds (Product 16876)
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Optional Pop and Rock books
American Popular Piano Repertoire 5 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 6 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 7 – Christopher Norton
Microrock – Christopher Norton
Alfred’s Top Hits Solo Book Level 5
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Optional Christmas books
Coming soon
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 3 pieces
Group 2: Choose 3 pieces
Group 3: Choose 3 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 3 pieces
​
Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 3 – Martha Mier
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 4 – Martha Mier
Jazz-a-little Jazz-a-LOT – Catherine Rollin
​
Optional Classical books
Romantic Impressions Book 3 – Martha Mier
Northern Menagerie – Teresa Richert
Petals for Piano – Teresa Richert
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Optional Pop and Rock books
Elton John Intermediate Solos arr. Carol Klose – Sir Elton John
The Beatles 18 Favourites – Keveren
Connections 6 for Piano – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 6 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 7 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 8 – Christopher Norton
Microballads – Christopher Norton
Microrock – Christopher Norton
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Top Hits Level 6
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 3 pieces
Group 2: Choose 3 pieces
Group 3: Choose 3 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 3 pieces
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Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Smooth Jazz, 13 Favorites – Philip Keverin
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 4 – Martha Mier
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 5 – Martha Mier
Jazz Preludes – Christopher Norton
Blues and Rag Piano – Hal Leonard
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Optional Classical books
Romantic Impressions Book 4 – Martha Mier
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Optional Pop and Rock books
Fifteen Cinema Classics – Philip Keveren
Connections 7 for Piano – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 7 – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 8 – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Movie & TV Hits – Hal Leonard
Movie Hits for Solo Piano – Alfred’s
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 2 pieces
Group 2: Choose 2 pieces
Group 3: Choose 2 pieces
Group 4: Choose 2 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
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Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
George Gershwin 14 Greatest Tunes – Hal Leonard
Twenty Ragtime Classics – Hal Leonard
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 5 – Martha Mier
Jazz Preludes – Christopher Norton
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Optional Classical books
Romantic Impressions Book 4 – Martha Mier
Seasons – Teresa Richert
Seascape – Teresa Richert
River Flows in you and Other Eloquent Solos for Piano – Hal Leonard
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Optional Pop and Rock books
Connections 8 for Piano – Christopher Norton
American Popular Piano Repertoire 8 – Christopher Norton
Rock Preludes – Christopher Norton
Contemporary Movie & TV Hits – Hal Leonard
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 2 pieces
Group 2: Choose 2 pieces
Group 3: Choose 2 pieces
Group 4: Choose 2 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
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Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Duke Ellington 17 Timeless Classics – Hal Leonard
Rediscovering Ellington – Alfred
Gershwin 14 Greatest Tunes – Hal Leonard
Twenty Ragtime Classics – Scott Joplin
Connections 9 for Piano – Christopher Norton
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Optional Classical books
Seasons – Teresa Richert
Seascape – Teresa Richert
River Flows in You and Other Eloquent Solos for Piano – Hal Leonard
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Optional Pop and Rock books
Rock Preludes – Christopher Norton
Popular Music Collection Volume 3 – Dan Coates/Alfred’s
Selections from Repertoire Book
Group 1: Choose 2 pieces
Group 2: Choose 2 pieces
Group 3: Choose 2 pieces
Group 4: Choose 2 pieces
Own Choice: Choose 4 pieces
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Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Note for Note 23 Classic Jazz Performances – Bill Evans
Gershwin at the Keyboard
Twenty Ragtime Classics – Lamb
Connections 10 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Oscar Peterson Piano Solos
Canadiana Suite – Oscar Peterson
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Optional Pop books
Popular Music Collection Volume 3 – Dan Coates
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Optional Christmas books
Charlie Brown Christmas
Selections from Repertoire List
Group 1: Choose 2 pieces
Group 2: Choose 2 pieces
Group 3: Choose 2 pieces
Group 4: Choose 2 piece
Group 5: Choose 2 pieces
Group 6 Choose 2 pieces