Frequently Asked Questions

Who may participate?

The Ascent is open to music students of all ages and abilities who study with participating teachers. Participating teachers must be active members of the Dennis Frayne Association for Music Education.

Is The Ascent only for piano students?

No. The Ascent is designed for students studying many instruments, voice, ensembles, composition, conducting, and other areas of music learning. However, The Dennis Frayne Approach to Music Education promotes that all music students should learn piano, in addition to other instruments and singing, and therefore piano performance plays a central and strategic role in The Ascent for all participating musicians.

Can adults participate?

Absolutely. The Ascent is intentionally designed as a lifelong program. Whether someone begins lessons as a young child or discovers music later in life, every learner is welcome to participate. All participants must start at the very beginning of The Ascent, irrespective of their age or present skill level. Even advanced musicians who wish to work their way to the Summit must start at Level 1. They can progress rapidly but must achieve success at each level!

How long does the program take?

The Dennis Frayne Ascent is designed to accompany students throughout a lifetime of musical growth. Students progress at their own pace, and every completed level represents meaningful achievement.

The Ascent is intentionally different from programs designed to be completed within a particular school year, age range, or stage of life. It does not end at graduation, adulthood, or retirement. There are no deadlines, and there is no expectation that every participant will complete all 50 levels.

Some students may choose to complete only a few levels that align with their personal goals. Others may continue ascending for many years and eventually reach the Summit. Some may complete the journey while still in school or college. Others may reach the Summit later in adulthood after decades of musical growth.

Every level is worth celebrating, and every student's journey is unique. Whether a student reaches Trailhead, Crest, Summit, or any point in between, The Ascent recognizes meaningful accomplishment and encourages a lifelong relationship with music.

Are students expected to complete all 50 levels?

The program is designed as one continuous journey, but every completed level is a meaningful accomplishment in its own right. Students are encouraged to continue ascending as far as their interests and goals take them.

Are awards based on competition?

No. Students are recognized for demonstrating meaningful learning and personal growth rather than competing against one another.

What is a Demonstration of Learning?

A Demonstration of Learning is an opportunity for students to show what they have genuinely learned through authentic musical experiences. Demonstrations will include performance, musicianship, singing, creativity, improvising, conducting, composing and arranging, teaching, leadership, and many other aspects of comprehensive musicianship appropriate to each level.

Who evaluates Demonstrations of Learning?

Demonstrations of Learning are first reviewed by qualified, certified teachers and Association staff to verify that all required components for the level have been successfully completed. This review is based on completeness rather than artistic judgment or numerical scoring.

Once accepted, each demonstration becomes part of the student's official Ascent record and is published through the Ascent's public online channels. As a condition of participation, students and families agree that accepted demonstrations may be viewed by others as part of the program's ongoing celebration of musical growth and achievement.

Unlike many examination programs, The Ascent does not assign scores, rankings, or written critiques to individual demonstrations. Music is both an art and a form of personal expression, and thoughtful musicians often differ in matters of interpretation and artistic preference. Rather than asking a single evaluator to determine the artistic value of a performance, The Ascent allows each accepted demonstration to stand on its own as evidence of meaningful learning and accomplishment.

Knowing that their work will become part of the growing public archive of the Dennis Frayne Ascent naturally encourages students to prepare thoughtfully and present their very best work. Their demonstrations preserve an important milestone in their own musical journey while also encouraging and inspiring future learners. In this way, the emphasis remains where it belongs: not on earning a judge's approval, but on creating musical work that students are proud to share with others.

Are demonstrations standardized?

Each level includes defined expectations while allowing appropriate flexibility to recognize meaningful musicianship across different instruments, musical settings, and learning pathways.

How often are demonstrations offered?

Teachers and participating organizations schedule demonstrations throughout the year according to their own calendars and the needs of their students.

What if a student needs additional time?

There are no penalties for progressing more slowly. Students advance when they are ready. The emphasis is on meaningful learning rather than speed.

What happens if a student changes teachers?

The Ascent is designed to recognize the student's accomplishments. Students can transfer to another teacher who is an Association member. Additional details regarding transfers between participating teachers and organizations will be provided as the program continues to develop.

Can students begin after several years of music study?

Yes. Students may begin The Ascent at any point in their musical lives, whether they are complete beginners, experienced performers, professional musicians, or lifelong music lovers.

However, every participant begins at Trailhead Level 1 and progresses through each level in sequence. The Ascent does not include placement exams or allow students to skip levels.

This is an intentional part of the program's philosophy. Each level offers unique demonstrations of learning and experiences that contribute to becoming a well-rounded musician. While an accomplished pianist may already perform advanced repertoire, they may have had little opportunity to conduct an ensemble, improvise, compose, arrange, sing using movable-Do solfège, teach another student, explore unfamiliar musical traditions, or develop other aspects of comprehensive musicianship included throughout The Ascent.

For many experienced musicians, the early levels progress quickly because they already possess many of the required skills. Even so, every level offers meaningful opportunities to strengthen existing abilities, discover new perspectives, and enjoy the satisfaction of completing the entire journey from beginning to Summit.

The Ascent is not designed to identify the highest level a student can already pass. It is designed to invite every musician to experience the complete journey of becoming.

Are Demonstrations of Learning public or private?

Accepted Demonstrations of Learning are shared publicly through The Dennis Frayne Ascent's official online channels. As a condition of participation, students and families agree that accepted demonstrations may become part of The Ascent's growing public archive of musical learning and achievement.

This is an intentional part of The Ascent's educational philosophy. Music is meant to be shared, and preparing a demonstration for an authentic audience is itself a valuable learning experience. Students are encouraged to present work they are proud of while developing confidence, artistry, and effective musical communication.

The public archive also becomes a lasting educational resource. Students can learn from demonstrations completed by others, discover new repertoire and ideas, observe many different approaches to music-making, and gain inspiration from musicians at every stage of the journey. In turn, each accepted demonstration becomes a gift to future learners, encouraging and supporting those who will one day complete the same levels themselves.

Rather than remaining a private examination seen only by an evaluator, every accepted demonstration becomes part of a growing collection that celebrates meaningful learning, preserves important milestones, and reflects the remarkable diversity of musicians participating in the Ascent.

Will online demonstrations be available?

Yes. All Demonstrations of Learning are submitted electronically. For each level of The Ascent, students prepare a complete submission package that includes all required demonstrations for that level. Submission requirements vary from level to level and are described in detail throughout The Ascent documentation and on this website.

Once a submission package is complete, it is uploaded electronically for review. Qualified, certified teachers and Association staff verify that all required components have been successfully completed. After the submission has been accepted, it becomes part of the student's official Ascent record and is published through The Ascent's public online channels.

Because demonstrations are submitted electronically, students may participate from virtually anywhere while maintaining consistent standards throughout the program. This allows learners from many communities to participate in The Ascent while contributing to a growing public archive that celebrates meaningful musical learning and achievement.

How can teachers participate?

Teachers participate in The Ascent in two important ways.

First, teachers may become participating Ascent educators through The Dennis Frayne Association for Music Education. Association membership provides the training, resources, and support needed to guide students successfully through The Ascent within studios, schools, community music programs, and other educational settings.

Second, teachers are warmly encouraged to participate in The Ascent as students themselves. The Ascent is a lifelong journey of comprehensive musicianship, and music teachers continue growing alongside the students they teach. Many teachers choose to work toward their own levels while simultaneously guiding their students through the program.

Teachers participating as students progress through The Ascent in exactly the same way as every other participant, beginning at Trailhead Level 1 and advancing through each level in sequence. Their own Demonstrations of Learning are guided by a participating Ascent teacher who is also a member of The Dennis Frayne Association for Music Education.

One of the great strengths of The Ascent is that it creates a community in which everyone continues learning. Students become teachers. Teachers remain students. Together, they encourage one another while building lifelong relationships with music.

How does The Ascent relate to The Dennis Frayne Approach?

The Dennis Frayne Approach provides the educational philosophy that guides teaching and learning. The Ascent provides students with meaningful goals, demonstrations of learning, recognition, and motivation throughout their musical journey.

How does The Ascent relate to The Dennis Frayne Association?

The Association supports music teachers through professional community, encouragement, and ongoing learning. Together, The Approach, The Association, and The Ascent create a connected framework that supports teachers while encouraging students to grow into confident, lifelong musicians.

Why is it called “The Ascent”?

Learning music is much like climbing a mountain. Every step builds upon the one before it. Every new level offers fresh perspectives, new challenges, and new opportunities for growth. The summit is inspiring, but every stage of the journey is meaningful. The Dennis Frayne Ascent celebrates not only where students are going, but also every step they take along the way.