The Dennis Frayne Ascent
How to Participate
Getting Started
Participating in The Dennis Frayne Ascent is designed to be simple, encouraging, and well organized. This page explains how students begin the Ascent, how participation works, how Demonstrations of Learning are submitted, and how achievement is recognized. If you are looking for an introduction to the philosophy of the program, please visit the Ascent Overview. To explore the complete progression through all eight tiers, visit The Eight Tiers.
Who May Participate?
The Dennis Frayne Ascent welcomes students of every age and ability. Students participate through eligible Teacher Members of The Dennis Frayne Association for Music Education who are certified in, or actively pursuing certification in, The Dennis Frayne Approach to Music Education.
At this time, Teacher Membership is available to music teachers in the United States. The Association was established specifically to serve American music teachers and their students, taking into account the educational systems, standards, organizations, and teaching environments unique to the United States. This focused approach allows us to provide a consistent, meaningful, and well-supported experience for participating teachers, students, and families.
Teachers may, however, teach students who live anywhere in the world. Students studying with an eligible Association Teacher Member may therefore participate in The Dennis Frayne Ascent regardless of where they live. Certificates and other recognition awards are mailed to the participating teacher, who celebrates each student’s accomplishment by presenting or forwarding the awards as appropriate.
Who May Offer the Ascent? (Who Can Be a Participating Teacher?)
Students participate through teachers who are members of The Dennis Frayne Association for Music Education and who are certified in, or actively pursuing certification in, The Dennis Frayne Approach to Music Education. This helps ensure that every student participates according to the published standards and procedures established by the Association.
Beginning the Journey
Every student begins at Trailhead Level 1. Levels are completed in sequence so that each achievement builds naturally upon the previous one. Levels may not be skipped. Students progress at their own pace, and there is no maximum amount of time allowed to complete the program. A minimum of 30 days must elapse between official level submissions.
Registering Students
Teachers register students for participation in The Dennis Frayne Ascent. Once registered, teachers prepare students for each Demonstration of Learning and submit completed demonstrations according to the Association's published procedures. (Students and families do not submit Demonstrations of Learning independently.)
Demonstrations of Learning
Each level is completed through one or more Demonstrations of Learning. These demonstrations provide students with opportunities to show meaningful musical achievement through authentic musical activities. To learn more about the educational philosophy behind Demonstrations of Learning, please visit the Demonstrations of Learning page.
Review Process
Submitted Demonstrations of Learning are reviewed by qualified certified teachers and Association staff to verify that all published requirements have been successfully completed. If a submission is incomplete or does not meet the published requirements, the teacher will be notified of the items that must be completed or corrected before the submission may be reviewed again. The review process is intended to maintain consistency, fairness, and integrity throughout The Dennis Frayne Ascent.
Demonstrations, Archives, and Public Recognition
Students who successfully complete a level receive an official Dennis Frayne Ascent certificate together with the recognition designated for that level. Recognition throughout the program includes certificates and a variety of physical awards, including pins, buttons, wristbands, ribbons, medals, medallions, plaques, and trophies. Accepted Demonstrations of Learning also become part of each student's permanent achievement record within The Dennis Frayne Ascent, and are published in the Association’s archives.
The Dennis Frayne Ascent is built on the belief that music is meant to be shared. Throughout the program, students demonstrate their learning through authentic musical performances, creative projects, and other public demonstrations that celebrate growth and encourage meaningful communication through music.
As a condition of participation in The Dennis Frayne Ascent, participants (or a parent or legal guardian for minors) grant permission for approved Demonstrations of Learning to become part of the Association's permanent achievement archives. These archives may include performance videos, recital programs, certificates, photographs, and other submitted materials that document a student's musical journey.
The Association maintains both an internal permanent achievement record for each participant and a public archive celebrating completed Demonstrations of Learning. Public archives may be presented through the Association's website, official YouTube channel, social media platforms, publications, educational presentations, and other Association resources.
To help protect the privacy of younger participants, minors are identified publicly by first name and last initial only. Adult participants are identified by their full names unless otherwise permitted by Association policy. Technical skill demonstrations and other materials submitted solely for evaluation are generally not included in the public archive unless the Association determines they have educational value and appropriate permission has been granted under the participation agreement.
Participation in The Dennis Frayne Ascent includes consent to the recording, archival, publication, and educational use of approved Demonstrations of Learning and related submitted materials in accordance with Association policies. Additional details are provided in the Participation Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Copyright & Permissions Policy.
Participation Fees
A submission fee applies to each level of The Dennis Frayne Ascent. Submission fees support program administration, the review of Demonstrations of Learning, student recognition, the production of certificates and awards, and the maintenance of the archives. Current fees are published separately on the Ascent Fee Schedule.
Availability
The complete Dennis Frayne Ascent, including all eight tiers and fifty levels, is currently available. Participation is presently limited to students studying with participating Association teachers within the United States.
Questions?
If you have questions about participation, teacher membership, registration, Demonstrations of Learning, fees, or any other aspect of The Dennis Frayne Ascent, we are happy to help. Please visit our Contact page to get in touch.
Continue Exploring The Dennis Frayne Ascent
The Dennis Frayne Ascent is a connected system that encourages lifelong musical growth through meaningful achievement, authentic assessment, and thoughtful participation.
Continue exploring the program:
Ascent Overview — Learn about the philosophy and purpose of The Dennis Frayne Ascent.
The Eight Tiers — Explore the lifelong journey through all eight tiers and fifty levels.
Demonstrations of Learning — Discover how students demonstrate meaningful musical achievement through authentic musical experiences.