Wharton Music Center
Founded in 1886 as the Toronto Conservatory of Music, the Royal Conservatory was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995 in recognition of the institution's significant influence on music education in Canada.
National Gold Medals are awarded to students achieving the highest mark in the country on their Music Development Program assessment and who have also completed the theory co-requisites for their respective level and discipline. Wharton Music Center New Jersey Youth Symphony student Mimi Kay was recently awarded the Music Development Program's coveted National Gold Medal and faculty member Kristen Wuest talks about her student's award and the Music Development Program.
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| National Gold Medal Winner and WMC NJYS Student Mimi Kay |
How long has Mimi been a student at WMC?
Mimi has been a student at WMC since 2008, but her family has been attending the school for nearly 15 years. Mimi has been my student for close to 7 years.
What area of studies is she pursuing at WMC?
Mimi studies flute and harmony at Wharton.
Is she a member of NJYS? If so, for how long and which ensemble?
She is a member of Flute Forum--the advanced flute ensemble. She is in her fourth year at NJYS.
What grade and school does she attend?
Mimi is a sophomore at Chatham High School.
When was she awarded the national award?
Mimi received the National Gold Medal after completing the Music Development Program assessments in December 2013.
What does winning this national award mean? Does she receive a certificate or trophy? Is there a performance for recipients of the award?
Mimi received a gold medal and will perform at Carnegie Hall as a result of winning on the national level.
How long have your students participated in the Music Development Program?
I have been sending students to the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program since 2008.
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| Mimi Kay with WMC faculty member Kristen Wuest |
Why do you think the Music Development Program is beneficial to your students?
I think it is beneficial because it gives them a path to follow and means to grow as a musician. My students have become so confident and proud of what they have accomplished. They are able to play for anyone with ease. They are well-rounded musicians in terms of being able to play technical studies (scales, arpeggios, triads) as well as a wide range of musical genres. Playing aside, they are also developing their aural skills through ear training. The confidence I see in my students is one of the biggest benefits of participating in the program. I see my eight and nine year old students, wholeheartedly LOVING to play for people. They have such poise and confidence at the piano or flute--it amazes me. They exude this confidence in everything else they do. They now know what they are capable of and apply that to every aspect of their lives.
The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program is a fairly rigorous program, and preparing for it takes prioritization and time management skills, aside from musical ability. Helping my students learn how to prepare for something like the MDP also helps them learn to prepare for exams or projects in school.
The registration deadline for The Music Development Program 2015 Spring Examination Session is February 17. Register for an examination time (theory exams and piano practical only) online at www.musicdevelopmentprogram.org.
If you have questions or would like to find out more about Music Development Program assessments at Wharton Music Center, please contact Education Coordinator Kristine Peters at 908-790-0700.
I think it is beneficial because it gives them a path to follow and means to grow as a musician. My students have become so confident and proud of what they have accomplished. They are able to play for anyone with ease. They are well-rounded musicians in terms of being able to play technical studies (scales, arpeggios, triads) as well as a wide range of musical genres. Playing aside, they are also developing their aural skills through ear training. The confidence I see in my students is one of the biggest benefits of participating in the program. I see my eight and nine year old students, wholeheartedly LOVING to play for people. They have such poise and confidence at the piano or flute--it amazes me. They exude this confidence in everything else they do. They now know what they are capable of and apply that to every aspect of their lives.
The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program is a fairly rigorous program, and preparing for it takes prioritization and time management skills, aside from musical ability. Helping my students learn how to prepare for something like the MDP also helps them learn to prepare for exams or projects in school.
The registration deadline for The Music Development Program 2015 Spring Examination Session is February 17. Register for an examination time (theory exams and piano practical only) online at www.musicdevelopmentprogram.org.
If you have questions or would like to find out more about Music Development Program assessments at Wharton Music Center, please contact Education Coordinator Kristine Peters at 908-790-0700.
