This twice-yearly event gives students the opportunity to measure their theory and musicianship aptitude. Additionally, passing grades enable students to participate in other TMTA events such as Piano Ensemble, SA Performance Contest, Composition Contest, Chamber Music, and World of Music. Scores of 90-93 receive a bronze medal, scores of 94-97 receive a silver medal, and scores of 98-101 receive a gold medal.
- Make sure that your participating students are current TMTA Student Affiliates. (for more information, please visit TMTA.org or contact our SA Chair)
- Submit the online student registration form by logging into https://forummusic.org and visiting your dashboard. If you choose to add postage, we will mail your graded tests back to you; otherwise, you will have to pick them up in person. We recommend downloading and emailing the chair your form directly – the website doesn’t always save your work.
- Pay for your student’s registration:
- OPTION 1 (preferred): Send payments via Zelle to fmteftreasurer@gmail.com. Add a message to the transfer with the memo “Fall theory enrollment for #__ students.” Then forward the confirmation message to the treasurer AND the chair.
- OPTION 2: Mail your registration check to the appropriate chair. Your payment must be postmarked no later than the deadline.
- Make plans to work during the test days according to the FMTA Bylaws and/or arrange to pick up/return the tests from the chair if your students are testing in the spring. Specific instructions and work assignments will be sent after registration.
Teachers may organize a make-up test option for their students, in accordance with the TMTA rules for proctoring. It is the teachers responsibility to get the tests from the chair. All tests must be completed and returned no later than Oct 29th for fall and Feb. 19th for spring.
- Any student with a score of 90-101 is eligible for a medal. Those who test at their school grade level will receive a bronze, silver, or gold medal. Those who test below grade level receive a Theory Achievement Medal (TAM).
- SENIOR AWARDS: Please notify the Theory Chair before the March meeting if you have a senior who may be eligible for the Mansfield or Loving Theory Awards.
Log in to www.tmta.org and go to the Members dropdown menu. Select Resources and navigate to the Theory Resources section. Review updated changes to the test content and syllabi, practice tests, testing guidelines, grading policies, proctor guidelines, and procedures regarding out-of-state testers.
2023-2024 Changes and Updates:
- Test changes: please note there are significant changes to some of the testing materials for levels 8-12. Be sure to click on “Theory Practice Materials” and check out the “23-24 Theory Changes and Sample Tests.” The slideshow is great and particularly helpful.
- Adult students are now eligible to participate in both theory and World of Music testing. I have received multiple requests for adult students to be allowed to take the theory test, and I am so excited to see this allowed starting in the 2023-2024 testing year! Adult students must first join Student Affiliate in order to take the TMTA Theory test and may earn a Theory Achievement Medal with a score of 90 and above.
- If a student testing in the TMTA Theory program for the first time does not pass the theory test level attempted, the teacher may choose to move the student to a lower test level for the next testing period. For example, if a new student is entered at Level 6 and the student fails the test, the teacher may choose to lower the student to an easier level such as Level 4 for the next testing period.
- Long distance testing for students in the 48 contiguous states will be handled by the local association. Local theory chairs will no longer need to fill out a permission form and order long distance tests separately. Here are the new procedures for Long Distance Testing:
- The local chair orders the tests as part of their regular order no later than three weeks prior to the initial test date.
- Upon receipt of the tests, the local theory chair mails the long distance test to the student immediately via Priority Mail. The test must remain sealed until test administration.
- The proctor for the long distance test can be another MTNA member teacher, a public school teacher, or a collegiate/university faculty member. The proctor may not be the student’s TMTA teacher, parent, nor another relative of the student. The test may be administered virtually or in-person.
- The tests must be completed and mailed back via Priority Mail to the local theory chair by the local association’s initial test date. This will ensure tests for the association are able to be mailed to the graders within the one week deadline.
- For students who live outside the contiguous United States (i.e. another country, Alaska, or Hawaii), please contact the TMTA Office at office.tmta@gmail.com for an alternative testing option.
Forum Music Teachers Association