High school credit for applied music study.(Forum Focus: Arts Awareness and Advocacy)

Although many states have in place a high school credit program for applied music study, not all school districts are willing to grant credit for music study outside the school cirricula. The relationships that independent music teachers develop with public school music teachers are essential to school districts accepting high school credit for outside music study. Mutually supportive interaction between private music teachers and public school music teachers will greatly facilitate the growth and progress of high school credit programs.

Students in Washington state may receive high school credit for applied music study through the Washington State MTA High School Credit program. This arrangement with the state of Washington is endorsed by the Washington Music Educators Association, (the state MENC organization) and is in the State Board of Education Rules and Regulations.

To qualify for credit the student:

* Must study a balanced program of repertoire, memorizing at least one composition from each of the four historical musical periods

* May substitute one ensemble piece or one accompaniment of comparable difficulty in one of the four musical periods

* Must study material chosen by the teacher at the appropriate level for the student

* Must perform a minimum of two memorized pieces in the WSMTA annual Adjudications Program