Ridge
The Ascent Tier 4, Levels 22-28
Ridge is Tier 4 of the Dennis Frayne Ascent and includes Ascent Levels 22–28. The requirements for each Level are listed below.
Ridge Level 1 (Ascent Level 22)
Dedicated to Edward MacDowell
Repertoire: Perform Edward MacDowell’s To a Wild Rose from Woodland Sketches, Op. 51, on piano. Perform additional works by MacDowell on any instrument or voice so that MacDowell repertoire, including To a Wild Rose, comprises at least 50% of the recital. Complete the recital program with additional student-selected repertoire on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play all sharp-key major scales and their relative natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. For each major key, play the I-IV-I-ii-V-vi-ii-V-V7-I cadence using common tones. For each corresponding minor key, play the i-iv-i-ii°-V-VI-ii°-V-V7-i cadence using common tones. Play the tonic arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the dominant seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the diminished seventh arpeggios in each inversion, two octaves ascending and descending. Play the chromatic scale on piano, hands together, ascending and descending, over three octaves and again over four octaves. Sing a major scale and natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales, one octave ascending and descending, followed by the Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-La-Re-So-Do or Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-Le-Re-So-Do pattern, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 3 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined major-mode, harmonic-minor-mode, and melodic-minor-mode vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping two written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing major- and minor-mode triads in inversions, ascending and descending. Sing dominant seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Compose an original musical setting of William Shakespeare’s “Full fathom five thy father lies” from The Tempest and perform the completed setting in the recital.
Performance: Present a 35–40-minute recital that includes at least 4 minutes total of singing, with both the student’s primary and secondary languages represented. Include at least one performance on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Ridge Level 2 (Ascent Level 23)
Dedicated to Carrie Jacobs-Bond
Repertoire: Perform at least three songs by Carrie Jacobs-Bond in collaborative performances that include piano. Participate musically in every required Jacobs-Bond selection. Roles may vary from selection to selection and may include singer, pianist, another instrumentalist, conductor, or another appropriate performing role. Complete the recital program with additional parlor songs and other student-selected repertoire for piano, voice, or other instrumentation.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play all sharp-key major scales and their relative natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. For each major key, play the I-IV-I-ii-V-vi-ii-V-V7-I cadence using common tones. For each corresponding minor key, play the i-iv-i-ii°-V-VI-ii°-V-V7-i cadence using common tones. Play the tonic arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the dominant seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the diminished seventh arpeggios in each inversion, three octaves ascending and descending. Play the chromatic scale on piano, hands together, ascending and descending, over three octaves and again over four octaves. Sing a major scale and natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales, one octave ascending and descending, followed by the Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-La-Re-So-Do or Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-Le-Re-So-Do pattern, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 3 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined major-mode, harmonic-minor-mode, and melodic-minor-mode vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping two written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing major- and minor-mode triads in inversions, ascending and descending. Sing dominant seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Compose an original musical setting of William Shakespeare’s “O Mistress mine, where are you roaming?” from Twelfth Night and perform the completed setting in the recital.
Performance:
Present a 35–40-minute recital that includes at least 4 minutes total of singing, with both the student’s primary and secondary languages represented. Include at least one performance on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Participate in the rehearsals and performance of a choir as a choral singer.
Ridge Level 3 (Ascent Level 24)
Dedicated to Whitney Houston
Repertoire: Perform The Star-Spangled Banner as an a cappella vocal solo. Perform at least one song associated with Whitney Houston in collaboration with piano and/or other instrumentation. Participate musically in each required Houston selection as a singer, instrumentalist, band member, or another appropriate performing role. Complete the recital program with additional student-selected popular repertoire for piano, voice, or other instrumentation.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play all sharp-key major scales and their relative natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. For each major key, play the I-IV-I-ii-V-vi-ii-V-V7-I cadence using common tones. For each corresponding minor key, play the i-iv-i-ii°-V-VI-ii°-V-V7-i cadence using common tones. Play the tonic arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the dominant seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the diminished seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the chromatic scale on piano, hands together, ascending and descending, over three octaves and again over four octaves. Sing a major scale and natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales, one octave ascending and descending, followed by the Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-La-Re-So-Do or Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-Le-Re-So-Do pattern, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 3 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined major-mode, harmonic-minor-mode, and melodic-minor-mode vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping two written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing major- and minor-mode triads in inversions, ascending and descending. Sing dominant seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Compose an original musical setting of Adelaide Anne Procter’s A Lost Chord and perform the completed setting in the recital.
Performance:
Present a 35–40-minute recital that includes at least 4 minutes total of singing, with both the student’s primary and secondary languages represented. Include at least one performance on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Participate in the rehearsals and performance of a gospel choir in both roles: as a choral singer on some selections and as an instrumentalist on others. Both roles may be completed within the same ensemble and performance experience, and any appropriate instrument may be used for the instrumental role.
Sing The Star-Spangled Banner as an a cappella vocal solo at a separate sporting or similar event before a live audience. Submit an audio or video recording as evidence.
The Star-Spangled Banner may also be performed during the recital, but the separate public performance is additionally required.
Ridge Level 4 (Ascent Level 25)
Dedicated to Louis Armstrong
Repertoire: Perform When the Saints Go Marching In as a vocal solo with any instrumentation. Perform eight additional selections: two associated with Louis Armstrong, two associated with Ella Fitzgerald, two associated with Billie Holiday, and two associated with Sarah Vaughan. A selection may qualify because it was composed by, notably performed by, or otherwise strongly associated with the designated musician. The student may participate as singer, instrumentalist, band member, or in another appropriate performing role. Complete the recital program with additional student-selected jazz repertoire, American Songbook standards, or related music.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play all flat-key major scales and their relative natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. For each major key, play the I-IV-I-ii-V-vi-ii-V-V7-I cadence using common tones. For each corresponding minor key, play the i-iv-i-ii°-V-VI-ii°-V-V7-i cadence using common tones. Play the tonic arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the dominant seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the diminished seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the chromatic scale on piano, hands together, ascending and descending, over three octaves and again over four octaves. Sing a major scale and natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales, one octave ascending and descending, followed by the Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-La-Re-So-Do or Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-Le-Re-So-Do pattern, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 3 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined major-mode, harmonic-minor-mode, and melodic-minor-mode vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping two written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing major- and minor-mode triads in inversions, ascending and descending. Sing diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Improvise the bass line from a chart of When the Saints Go Marching In on an appropriate instrument and perform or record the completed improvisation.
Performance:
Present a 40–45-minute recital that includes at least 4 minutes total of singing, with both the student’s primary and secondary languages represented. Include at least one performance on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Rehearse and publicly perform as a singer, in any vocal part, as a member of a four-person barbershop quartet. Submit evidence of the performance.
Ridge Level 5 (Ascent Level 26)
Dedicated to Scott Joplin
Repertoire: Perform Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer on piano. Perform two additional piano rags composed or co-composed by Scott Joplin. Collaborative works with Joplin’s students and colleagues are acceptable; examples include Sunflower Slow Drag, co-composed with Scott Hayden, and Swipesy Cake Walk, co-composed with Arthur Marshall. Perform George Botsford’s Black and White Rag, Felix Arndt’s Nola, and Zez Confrey’s Kitten on the Keys on piano. Complete the recital program with additional student-selected repertoire from ragtime, stride, novelty piano, related genres, related composers, or the surrounding historical period, on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play all flat-key major scales and their relative natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. For each major key, play the I-IV-I-ii-V-vi-ii-V-V7-I cadence using common tones. For each corresponding minor key, play the i-iv-i-ii°-V-VI-ii°-V-V7-i cadence using common tones. Play the tonic arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the dominant seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the diminished seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the chromatic scale on piano, hands together, ascending and descending, over three octaves and again over four octaves. Sing a major scale and natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales, one octave ascending and descending, followed by the Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-La-Re-So-Do or Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-Le-Re-So-Do pattern, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 3 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined major-mode, harmonic-minor-mode, and melodic-minor-mode vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping two written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing major- and minor-mode triads in inversions, ascending and descending. Sing diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Improvise the bass line from a chart of Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Ragtime Band on any instrument capable of realizing the bass line and perform the completed improvisation in the recital.
Performance:
Present a 40–45-minute recital that includes at least 4 minutes total of singing, with both the student’s primary and secondary languages represented. Include at least one performance on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Accompany at least six dance-rehearsal sessions. Piano is recommended, but any instrument appropriate to the dance tradition or rehearsal setting may be used. More than one instrument may be used across the six sessions.
Ridge Level 6 (Ascent Level 27)
Dedicated to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Repertoire: Present an all-Mozart recital. Perform the complete Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K. 331, including all three movements, on piano. Perform either the Fantasia in D Minor, K. 397, or the Fantasia in C Minor, K. 475, on piano. Perform Twelve Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman,” K. 265, on piano. Complete the recital with additional works by Mozart on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play all flat-key major scales and their relative natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. For each major key, play the I-IV-I-ii-V-vi-ii-V-V7-I cadence using common tones. For each corresponding minor key, play the i-iv-i-ii°-V-VI-ii°-V-V7-i cadence using common tones. Play the tonic arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the dominant seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the diminished seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the chromatic scale on piano, hands together, ascending and descending, over three octaves and again over four octaves. Sing a major scale and natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales, one octave ascending and descending, followed by the Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-La-Re-So-Do or Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-Le-Re-So-Do pattern, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 3 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined major-mode, harmonic-minor-mode, and melodic-minor-mode vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping two written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing major- and minor-mode triads in inversions, ascending and descending. Sing diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Compose an original musical setting of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Das Veilchen (The Violet) and perform the completed setting in the recital.
Performance: Present a 45–50-minute all-Mozart recital that includes at least 4 minutes total of singing, with both the student’s primary and secondary languages represented. Include at least one performance on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Ridge Level 7 (Ascent Level 28)
Dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach
Repertoire: Present an all-J. S. Bach recital. Perform one Two-Part Invention or one Three-Part Sinfonia on piano. Perform one complete Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I and one complete Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II on piano. Perform one complete J. S. Bach keyboard suite on piano, including every movement; the selection may be a French Suite, English Suite, Partita, or another complete keyboard suite. Complete the recital with additional works by J. S. Bach on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play all sharp- and flat-key major scales and their relative natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales on piano using the established grand-scale pattern, hands together, across a four-octave span. For each major key, play the I-IV-I-ii-V-vi-ii-V-V7-I cadence using common tones. For each corresponding minor key, play the i-iv-i-ii°-V-VI-ii°-V-V7-i cadence using common tones. Play the tonic arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the dominant seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the diminished seventh arpeggios in each inversion, four octaves ascending and descending. Play the chromatic scale on piano, hands together, ascending and descending, over three octaves and again over four octaves. Sing a major scale and natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales, one octave ascending and descending, followed by the Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-La-Re-So-Do or Do-Fa-Do-Re-So-Le-Re-So-Do pattern, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 3 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined major-mode, harmonic-minor-mode, and melodic-minor-mode vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping two written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing major- and minor-mode triads in inversions, ascending and descending. Sing dominant seventh and diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project:
Compose an original four-part setting of Psalm 23, “The Lord Is My Shepherd.” Perform the completed setting in the recital using piano, voices, or another appropriate ensemble. Participate personally in the performance.
Compose an original piece in the style of J. S. Bach’s Little Preludes and personally perform the composition in the recital.
Arrange The Star-Spangled Banner for piano and one solo instrument. Perform the arrangement in the recital with a collaborator, personally performing either the piano part or the solo-instrument part.
Performance: Present a 50–60-minute all-J. S. Bach recital that includes at least 4 minutes total of singing, with both the student’s primary and secondary languages represented. Include at least one performance on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.