Levels I - V Testing Date: March 15, 2025
Levels VI - XII Testing Date: March 22, 2025
New Location! Covenant Fine Arts Center, Calvin University, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE
Enrollment Deadline: January 17
Repertoire Selection Deadline: January 17 for all levels
Fee: $35
WHAT IS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT TESTING (SAT)?
The Achievement Testing Program is sponsored by the Michigan Music Teachers Association and administered by the various local associations throughout the state. The program is a systematic, graded study incorporating the following:
PERFORMANCE: Three memorized pieces of differing styles
THEORY: Written tests
TECHNIC: Scales, chords, arpeggios, cadences
AURAL AWARENESS: Hearing/labeling of musical components
SIGHT READING: Playing new music at sight
TRANSPOSITION: Transposing short melodies or pieces
The five elements of testing are representative of basic keyboard musicianship. The program is divided into thirteen levels to enable a student to participate from elementary through high school.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE S.A.T. PROGRAM?
Any school age student or adult studying with a teacher who is a member of Michigan Music Teachers Association may participate in the program. (Adults are not able to move on to Semi finals)
WHEN AND WHERE DOES S.A.T. TAKE PLACE?
Student Achievement Testing is scheduled annually in the spring, usually during March. S.A.T. Centers are located throughout the state, each Center being affiliated with a local MMTA affiliate.
IS THERE A FEE?
A fee is required to participate in the annual program. This covers the cost of test and curriculum printing, rental of facilities and equipment, performance judges, and certificates and trophies.
WHY SHOULD A STUDENT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?
Growth realized in preparing for the Student Achievement Tests is invaluable. The program offers the same kind of motivation for learning and recognition for achievement that students obtain for other parts of their education, encouraging a sense of accomplishment while developing commitment and self-discipline. Results of the program are sent to the student's school to become incorporated into his/her permanent academic record. Complete information is located in the Student Achievement Handbook.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT TESTING SEMI-FINALS AND STATE DAY: Local Student Achievement Testing is a complete event for students in Levels 1 through 5, and may be considered as such for those in Levels 6 through 12. However, a competition in PERFORMANCE ONLY is held for students in Levels 6 through 12 who wish to compete and who meet the eligibility requirements. Semi-Finals Day, which occurs a few weeks after local achievement testing, is held at three different sites in Michigan. Finalists from this event are chosen to compete at State Student Day at the Music School of Michigan State University.
AWARDS AND TROPHIES:
Local: Certificates are awarded to all participants. Graduated trophies are awarded every two years to students receiving a score of at least 70% each year. All five areas of testing must be at the same level each year. If a student skips a year or fails to qualify the second year, the next year will be considered the second year. If a student misses more than one year, the next year of participation will be considered the first year. The higher level of the two years of participation will be inscribed on the trophy. Any high school senior is eligible for a trophy providing the score is at least 70% and the student has participated for two years.
Semi-Finals: All Semi-Finalists receive a certificate with calligraphy writing, including the MMTA logo.
Finals (State Student Day): All participants receive a plaque with the MMTA logo, "MMTA Student Day Finalist", and the year engraved on the metal plate.
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