Alpine
The Ascent Tier 6, Levels 36-42
Alpine is Tier 6 of the Dennis Frayne Ascent and includes Ascent Levels 36–42. The requirements for each Level are listed below.
Throughout Alpine, the following definitions apply to the pentatonic, whole-tone, octatonic, and blues scale requirements:
For pentatonic scales, choose three different starting pitches. Major or minor pentatonic scales may be used, and the three selections may include either or both types.
For whole-tone scales, play both distinct whole-tone pitch collections. Each collection may begin on any pitch contained within that collection.
For octatonic scales, choose three different starting pitches. Either the whole-step–half-step or half-step–whole-step form may be used, and the three selections may include either or both forms.
For blues scales, choose three different starting pitches. Major or minor blues scales may be used, and the three selections may include either or both types.
The required sung pentatonic, whole-tone, octatonic, and blues scales may be chosen independently from the scales selected for instrumental performance.
Alpine Level 1 (Ascent Level 36)
Dedicated to Chuck Berry
Repertoire: Present a rock-and-roll concert using repertoire and instrumentation appropriate to the genre.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play three pentatonic scales, both whole-tone pitch collections, three octatonic scales, and three blues scales as defined above, two octaves ascending and descending, on any instrument. When these exercises are performed on piano, play hands together. Play a chromatic scale on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. Sing one pentatonic scale, one whole-tone scale, one octatonic scale, and one blues scale, one octave ascending and descending, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 8 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping three written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing fully diminished and half-diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Compose an original pop or rock song using any pentatonic scale and perform the completed song in the concert.
Performance:
Present a 55–60-minute concert in the style of a rock concert using repertoire and instrumentation appropriate to the genre. Perform on at least two instruments in addition to singing. Sing both solo vocals and backing vocals during the program.
At a separate event, perform with a band at an actual middle-school, junior-high-school, or high-school dance.
Alpine Level 2 (Ascent Level 37)
Dedicated to Louis Moreau Gottschalk and John Philip Sousa
Repertoire: Present a recital devoted entirely to music by Louis Moreau Gottschalk and John Philip Sousa. Perform Gottschalk’s The Last Hope, Op. 16; The Banjo, Op. 15; Souvenir de Porto Rico (Marche de Gibaros), Op. 31; and Pasquinade (Caprice), Op. 59, on piano. Complete the recital with additional works by Gottschalk and/or Sousa on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play three pentatonic scales, both whole-tone pitch collections, three octatonic scales, and three blues scales as defined above, two octaves ascending and descending, on any instrument. When these exercises are performed on piano, play hands together. Play a chromatic scale on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. Sing one pentatonic scale, one whole-tone scale, one octatonic scale, and one blues scale, one octave ascending and descending, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 8 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping three written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing fully diminished and half-diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Compose an original rhapsody based on a folk song and perform the completed work in the recital.
Performance:
Present a 55–60-minute recital devoted entirely to Gottschalk and Sousa that includes at least 5 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 public performance of a marching band at a sporting event or parade before a live audience. Participate as either an instrumentalist or drum major.
Alpine Level 3 (Ascent Level 38)
Dedicated to Cécile Chaminade
Repertoire: Present an all-Chaminade recital. Perform two selections from Album des enfants, first series, Op. 123, and two selections from Album des enfants, second series, Op. 126, on piano. Perform Chaminade’s complete Piano Sonata in C Minor, Op. 21, including all movements, and L’Ondine, Op. 101, on piano. Complete the recital with additional works by Chaminade on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play three pentatonic scales, both whole-tone pitch collections, three octatonic scales, and three blues scales as defined above, two octaves ascending and descending, on any instrument. When these exercises are performed on piano, play hands together. Play a chromatic scale on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. Sing one pentatonic scale, one whole-tone scale, one octatonic scale, and one blues scale, one octave ascending and descending, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 8 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping three written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing fully diminished and half-diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Compose an original choral work. Rehearse the ensemble and conduct the completed work in performance.
Performance:
Present a 55–60-minute all-Chaminade recital that includes at least 5 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.
Lead the music at an actual Catholic Mass as pianist/accompanist, choir director, or cantor. Participate in the necessary rehearsals before the Mass.
Alpine Level 4 (Ascent Level 39)
Dedicated to Franz Liszt
Repertoire: Present an all-Liszt recital. Perform Liebestraum No. 3, Un sospiro, one Étude of the student’s choice, one Hungarian Rhapsody of the student’s choice, and one Mephisto Waltz of the student’s choice on piano. Complete the recital with additional works by Liszt on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play three pentatonic scales, both whole-tone pitch collections, three octatonic scales, and three blues scales as defined above, two octaves ascending and descending, on any instrument. When these exercises are performed on piano, play hands together. Play a chromatic scale on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. Sing one pentatonic scale, one whole-tone scale, one octatonic scale, and one blues scale, one octave ascending and descending, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 8 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping three written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing fully diminished and half-diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Select either a complete movement from an orchestral work or a substantial excerpt from a larger orchestral work and create an original transcription for solo piano. Perform the completed transcription in the recital.
Performance: Present a 55–60-minute all-Liszt recital that includes at least 5 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.
Alpine Level 5 (Ascent Level 40)
Dedicated to Hazel Scott
Repertoire: Present a recital of boogie-woogie and related music. At least 50% of the program must consist of works that Hazel Scott is documented as having performed or arranged. Perform boogie-woogie selections on piano. The remainder of the program may include additional boogie-woogie repertoire and jump-blues repertoire performed with appropriate multi-instrumental ensembles.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least one additional instrument other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play three pentatonic scales, both whole-tone pitch collections, three octatonic scales, and three blues scales as defined above, two octaves ascending and descending, on any instrument. When these exercises are performed on piano, play hands together. Play a chromatic scale on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. Sing one pentatonic scale, one whole-tone scale, one octatonic scale, and one blues scale, one octave ascending and descending, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 8 minutes of technical exercises on an additional instrument other than piano or voice.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping three written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing fully diminished and half-diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project:
Select an existing recorded boogie-woogie performance. Transcribe musical material from the recording by ear, create an arrangement from the transcription, and perform the completed arrangement in the recital.
Select an existing recorded jump-blues performance. Transcribe musical material from the recording by ear, create an arrangement from the transcription, and perform the completed arrangement in the recital.
Performance: Present a 55–60-minute recital of boogie-woogie and related music that includes at least 5 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.
Alpine Level 6 (Ascent Level 41)
Dedicated to Serge Prokofiev and Alexander Scriabin
Repertoire: Present a recital devoted entirely to Prokofiev and Scriabin. Perform one complete Prokofiev piano sonata, including all movements; Suggestion diabolique, Op. 4, No. 4; and Toccata in D Minor, Op. 11, on piano. Perform both of Scriabin’s Two Poèmes, Op. 32, and Étude in D-sharp Minor, Op. 8, No. 12, on piano. Complete the recital with additional works by Prokofiev and/or Scriabin on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least two additional instruments other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play three pentatonic scales, both whole-tone pitch collections, three octatonic scales, and three blues scales as defined above, two octaves ascending and descending, on any instrument. When these exercises are performed on piano, play hands together. Play a chromatic scale on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. Sing one pentatonic scale, one whole-tone scale, one octatonic scale, and one blues scale, one octave ascending and descending, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 8 minutes of technical exercises on one additional instrument other than piano or voice and at least 4 minutes of technical exercises on a different additional instrument.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping three written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing fully diminished and half-diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project: Compose a complete original work for chamber ensemble or jazz combo using either a whole-tone scale or an octatonic scale. Rehearse the ensemble and either perform the completed work live or create a completed ensemble recording. Participate personally as a performer, conductor, or both.
Performance: Present a 55–60-minute recital devoted entirely to Prokofiev and Scriabin that includes at least 8 minutes total of singing, with the student’s primary language and two secondary languages all represented. Include at least one performance on each of the two additional instruments other than piano or voice.
Alpine Level 7 (Ascent Level 42)
Dedicated to George Gershwin
Repertoire: Present an all-Gershwin recital. Perform Rialto Ripples, by George Gershwin and Will Donaldson, and all three of Gershwin’s Three Preludes on piano. Perform the complete Rhapsody in Blue as the piano soloist using either the orchestra/ensemble version or the complete two-piano version. An abbreviated, simplified, or solo-piano arrangement may not be substituted. Complete the recital with additional works by Gershwin on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least two additional instruments other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Play three pentatonic scales, both whole-tone pitch collections, three octatonic scales, and three blues scales as defined above, two octaves ascending and descending, on any instrument. When these exercises are performed on piano, play hands together. Play a chromatic scale on piano in contrary motion, hands together, across a four-octave span, with each hand traveling two octaves in opposite directions, outward and back. Sing one pentatonic scale, one whole-tone scale, one octatonic scale, and one blues scale, one octave ascending and descending, a cappella or accompanied, using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Perform at least 8 minutes of technical exercises on one additional instrument other than piano or voice and at least 4 minutes of technical exercises on a different additional instrument.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Sing a melody on solfege while tapping three written rhythms. Conduct in 2, 3, and 4 while singing. Sing the chromatic scale ascending and descending on solfege. Sing fully diminished and half-diminished seventh chords in inversions, ascending and descending.
Project:
Compose a 12-bar blues for combo using appropriate instrumentation. Rehearse the ensemble and perform the completed work.
Compose a ragtime, stride, or novelty piece for piano. Rehearse and perform the completed composition.
Arrange a public-domain piano piece for a wind or brass ensemble, such as concert band, jazz band, brass quintet, or another appropriate ensemble. Rehearse the ensemble and perform the completed arrangement.
Performance:
Present a 55–60-minute all-Gershwin recital that includes at least 8 minutes total of singing, with the student’s primary language and two secondary languages all represented. Include at least one performance on each of the two additional instruments other than piano or voice.
Participate in one complete musical-theater or opera production as the keyboardist-conductor. Attend the necessary rehearsals and at least three complete performances. In this role, play the keyboard part while simultaneously conducting the production; serving only as conductor or only as keyboardist does not satisfy the requirement.