RSCM Awards
To support the choir trainer and to affirm the VOICE for LIFE levels achieved within the choir, the RSCM provides a complementary system of awards designed to be assessed through formal examination: the Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. These awards affirm the VOICE for LIFE levels that have been awarded informally by the choir trainer. Light and Dark Blue levels prepare the chorister for the Bronze award, Red helps the candidate prepare for the Silver award, and Yellow helps the candidate prepare for the Gold award.
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Each formal award has its own syllabus, complete with guidelines to help prepare the candidate and the choir trainer for the standard expected during the examination. See below to download the entry requirements.
Syllabi & Entry Requirements
Bronze & Silver Awards |
Gold Award |
Examination fees are $50 for the Bronze award, $75 for the Silver award, and $125 for the Gold award and should be submitted with the entry form. Click below to download the appropriate Entry Form.
Entry Forms
| Bronze & Silver Awards |
Gold Award |
Bronze, Silver & Gold Medals:
Successful candidates are entitled to wear a prestigious medal cast in the appropriate colored metal worn on distinctive ribbons (green ribbons for Bronze, purple ribbons for Silver, and dark red ribbons for Gold). After the RSCM America Office has received confirmation of a successful exam, the candidate may purchase their medal from the RSCM America office for $25.
Examination Locations & Scheduling
All inquiries and requests for exams must be directed to Linda Buzard. Examinations are held at most Training Courses.
Examiners are located in many cities around the United States. To schedule an exam or to find an exam center close to you, contact Linda Buzard. Candidates will be advised of the specific examination venues and times once entries have been received. Candidates are responsible for their (and their accompanist's) travel costs to and from the examination. Where there are several candidates in one place, it may be possible to arrange for the examiner to travel to the candidates (in which case the candidates will still be responsible for any travel and accommodations expenses).
Examiners currently include *Garmon Ashby (Houston, Tex); Linda Buzard (Champaign, Ill.); Bruce Neswick (Bloomington, Ind.); Enid Oberholtzer (Glastonbury, Conn.); Linda Morgan Stowe (Wayne, Pa.); and *Richard Webster (Boston, Mass.)
* denotes a Gold examiner
How the RSCM Runs Its Singing Awards
In three articles from Church Music Quarterly, John Wardle, RSCM Awards Coordinator and Chief Examiner, offers advice about the awards to singers and choir trainers considering some of the following issues: “Why take the awards?” “How to prepare for your exam” and “Hitting the mark!” Click on the “More Information” tab here.
If you have any questions please contact:
Ms. Linda Buzard, The Chapel of St. John the Divine
1011 S. Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Telephone: (217) 344-1924
Email: lbuzard@gmail.com
To view names of recent RSCM Award Recipients click here.