Royal Conservatory of Music
This is the curriculum for classical music and the organization that is the most widely recognized in North America. It begins with Preparatory A, followed by Preparatory B, then Levels 1 to 10, culminating in the final Associate of the Royal Conservatory (ARCT) Diploma. In order to complete an RCM grade in piano, students should be prepared for four components: Repertoire, Studies, Technique, and Ear Training. The full list of the requirements is listed in the RCM Piano Syllabus.
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: 10 repertoire selections and 4 etudes. 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.
RCM Repertoire selections
Choose 14 pieces
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Optional Jazz, Blues, and/or Ragtime books:
Connections for Piano, Preparatory – Christopher Norton
ShowTime Piano Ragtime – Faber and Faber
ShowTime Piano Jazz & Blues – Faber and Faber
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Optional Classical books
ShowTime Piano Classics – Faber and Faber
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Optional Pop books
ShowTime Piano Hits – Faber and Faber
ShowTime Piano Disney – Faber and Faber
ShowTime Piano Popular – Faber and Faber
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Optional Method book solos
Alfred’s Premier Piano Course: Performance 1
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Optional Christmas books:
ShowTime Piano Christmas – Faber and Faber
RCM Repertoire selections
Choose 20 pieces
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Optional Jazz, Rags, and Blues books
Connections for Piano, Preparatory – Christopher Norton
The Microjazz Collection, 1 – Christopher Norton
ChordTime Piano Ragtime – Faber and Faber
ChordTime Piano Jazz & Blues – Faber and Faber
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Optional Classical books
ChordTime Piano Classics – Faber and Faber
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Optional Method book solos
Alfred’s Premier Piano Course: Performance 2A
Hal Leonard Piano Solos 3
Succeeding at the Piano: Recital Book 2A
Succeeding at the Piano Recital Book 2B
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Pop books
ChordTime Piano Hits – Faber and Faber
ChordTime Piano Disney – Faber and Faber
ChordTime Piano Popular – Faber and Faber
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Optional Christmas books:
ChordTime Piano Christmas – Faber and Faber
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 5 peices
List B: Choose 8 pieces
List C: Choose 3 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 6 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
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 5 pieces
List B: Choose 8 pieces
List C: Choose 3 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 6
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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
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 3 pieces
List B: Choose 3 pieces
List C: Choose 4 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 4 pieces
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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
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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
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 3 pieces
List B: Choose 3 pieces
List C: Choose 4 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 4 pieces
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Optional Jazz, Rags and Blues books
Jazz, Rags & Blues Book 2 – Martha Mier
Connections 4 for Piano – Christopher Norton
Pianozazz 4 – Christopher Norton
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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
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Optional Christmas books
Coming soon
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 3 pieces
List B: Choose 3 pieces
List C: Choose 4 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 4 pieces
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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
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 3 pieces
List B: Choose 3 pieces
List C: Choose 4 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 6 pieces
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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
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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
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 3 pieces
List B: Choose 3 pieces
List C: Choose 4 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 4 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
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 3 pieces
List B: Choose 3 pieces
List C: Choose 3 pieces
List D: Choose 3 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 3 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
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 3 pieces
List B: Choose 3 pieces
List C: Choose 3 pieces
List D: Choose 3 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 3 or more 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
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 3 pieces
List B: Choose 3 pieces
List C: Choose 3 pieces
List D: Choose 3 pieces
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RCM Etudes selections
Choose 3 or more 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
RCM Repertoire selections
List A: Choose 3 pieces
List B: Choose 3 pieces
List C: Choose 3 pieces
List D: Choose 3 pieces
List E: Choose 3 pieces
Recent student Achievements:
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Level 1 Piano Exam: Achieved First Class Honours — Frederick (2024)
Prep A Piano Exam: Achieved First Class Honours with Distinction — Xiang (2023)
Level 8 Piano Exam: Achieved Honours — Juliette (2023)
Level 8 Piano Exam: Achieved First Class Honours — Yufeng (2023)
Level 6 Piano Exam: Achieved First Class Honours with Distinction — Yufeng (2022)
Level 3 Piano Exam: Achieved Honours — Nathaniel (2021)
Level 7 Piano Exam: Achieved Honours — Julia (2021)
Level 8 Piano Exam: Achieved Honours — Bob (2021)
Level 7 Piano Exam: Achieved First Class Honours — Bob (2021)
Level 3 Piano Exam: Achieved First Class Honours — Yufeng (2021)
Level 2 Piano Exam: Achieved First Class Honours — Nathaniel (2021)
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