Crest
The Ascent Tier 7, Levels 43-49
Crest is Tier 7 of the Dennis Frayne Ascent and includes Ascent Levels 43–49. The requirements for each Level are listed below.
Every Crest recital must be presented publicly before a live audience and recorded. The student must prepare and provide a recital program and is responsible for hospitality for the audience, such as an appropriate reception or refreshments. Beginning at the Levels indicated below, an intermission is also required.
Crest Level 1 (Ascent Level 43)
Dedicated to Franz Schubert
Repertoire: Present an all-Schubert recital. At least 50% of the recital’s performance time must consist of Schubert Lieder or art songs with collaborative piano accompaniment. Participate musically in every required Lied as either singer or collaborative pianist; roles may vary from one selection to another. When serving as collaborative pianist, music may be used. Complete the recital with additional works by Schubert on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least two additional instruments other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Perform 10 minutes of technical exercises on piano, 10 minutes on one additional instrument other than piano or voice, and 10 minutes on a different additional instrument.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers.
Project: Compose an original art song for voice and piano accompaniment. Rehearse the completed work and perform it in the recital.
Performance: Present a 60–70-minute all-Schubert recital that includes at least 10 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. Follow the Crest-wide requirements for a public audience, recording, recital program, and hospitality.
Crest Level 2 (Ascent Level 44)
Dedicated to Clara Schumann
Repertoire: Present an all-Clara Schumann recital. Perform the complete Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 7, including all three movements, as piano soloist with a full orchestra. Complete the recital with additional works by Clara Schumann on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least two additional instruments other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Perform 10 minutes of technical exercises on piano, 10 minutes on one additional instrument other than piano or voice, and 10 minutes on a different additional instrument.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers.
Project: Compose a complete original choral work for a cappella choir or choir with supporting instrumentation. Rehearse the work with an actual choir or vocal ensemble and perform it in the recital. Participate personally in the performance as conductor, singer, accompanist, or another appropriate musical role.
Performance: Present a 60–70-minute all-Clara Schumann recital that includes at least 10 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. Follow the Crest-wide requirements for a public audience, recording, recital program, and hospitality.
Crest Level 3 (Ascent Level 45)
Dedicated to Duke Ellington
Repertoire: Present an all-Ellington recital. Perform Soda Fountain Rag and one additional Ellington solo-piano work on piano. Perform at least one Ellington big-band work with an actual big band. Participate personally in the big-band selection or selections as instrumentalist, singer, pianist, conductor, or any combination of these roles. Complete the recital with additional works by Ellington on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least two additional instruments other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Perform 10 minutes of technical exercises on piano, 10 minutes on one additional instrument other than piano or voice, and 10 minutes on a different additional instrument.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers.
Project: Compose or arrange a complete big-band-style jazz work. Rehearse the work with an actual big band and perform it in the recital. Participate personally as performer, conductor, or both.
Performance: Present a 70–90-minute all-Ellington recital that includes both solo and big-band performance and at least 10 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. Follow the Crest-wide requirements for a public audience, recording, recital program, and hospitality. An intermission is optional.
Crest Level 4 (Ascent Level 46)
Dedicated to Florence Price
Repertoire: Present an all-Florence Price recital. Perform Price’s complete Piano Sonata in E Minor, including all movements, on piano. Perform all three works from Three Little Negro Dances—Hoop Dance, Ticklin’ Toes, and Cake Walk—on piano. Perform one Fantasie Nègre of the student’s choice on piano. Complete the recital with additional works by Florence Price on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least two additional instruments other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Perform 10 minutes of technical exercises on piano, 10 minutes on one additional instrument other than piano or voice, and 10 minutes on a different additional instrument.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers.
Project: Compose a complete original orchestral work. Rehearse the orchestra and present a live performance of the completed work, either as part of the recital or at a separate event. Participate personally as conductor, performer, or both.
Performance:
Present a 90–100-minute all-Florence Price recital that includes at least 10 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. Follow the Crest-wide requirements for a public audience, recording, recital program, and hospitality. An intermission is required.
At a separate event from the recital, rehearse the required ensembles and conduct complete live performances of Florence Price’s Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight and Song of Hope.
Crest Level 5 (Ascent Level 47)
Dedicated to Maurice Ravel
Repertoire: Present an all-Ravel recital. Perform at least one selection from either Gaspard de la nuit or Miroirs on piano. Perform Jeux d’eau and Pavane pour une infante défunte on piano. Complete the recital with additional works by Ravel on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least two additional instruments other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Perform 10 minutes of technical exercises on piano, 10 minutes on one additional instrument other than piano or voice, and 10 minutes on a different additional instrument.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers. Stomp the beat and tap the rhythm while singing the movable-Do solfege of Boléro for three iterations.
Project: Compose an original work using either mixed meter or compound meter, for any instrumentation. Rehearse and perform the completed work in the recital.
Performance:
Present a 90–100-minute all-Ravel recital that includes at least 10 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. Follow the Crest-wide requirements for a public audience, recording, recital program, and hospitality. An intermission is required.
Participate in rehearsals and a complete live orchestral performance of Ravel’s Boléro as an instrumentalist or conductor. This performance may take place as part of the recital or at a separate event.
Crest Level 6 (Ascent Level 48)
Dedicated to Charles Ives and Aaron Copland
Repertoire: Present a recital devoted entirely to Charles Ives and Aaron Copland. Perform at least one solo-piano work by Ives and at least one solo-piano work by Copland. Complete the recital with additional works by Ives and/or Copland using piano, voice, additional instruments, conducting, orchestra, or other appropriate performing forces. Both composers must be meaningfully represented in the program.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least two additional instruments other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Perform 10 minutes of technical exercises on piano, 10 minutes on one additional instrument other than piano or voice, and 10 minutes on a different additional instrument.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers.
Project: Compose a complete original theme-and-variations work based on an American folk song for an ensemble. Rehearse the ensemble and perform the completed work in the recital. Participate personally as performer, conductor, or both.
Performance: Present a 90–100-minute recital devoted entirely to Ives and Copland that includes at least 10 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. Follow the Crest-wide requirements for a public audience, recording, recital program, and hospitality. An intermission is required.
Crest Level 7 (Ascent Level 49)
Dedicated to Nadia Boulanger
Repertoire: Present a recital consisting entirely of works by Nadia Boulanger and documented students of Nadia Boulanger. Perform at least one work by Nadia Boulanger. Complete the program with additional works by Boulanger and/or her documented students on any instrument or voice.
Instruments: Piano, voice, and at least two additional instruments other than piano or voice are required.
Technical Skills: Perform 15 minutes of technical exercises on piano, 15 minutes on one additional instrument other than piano or voice, and 15 minutes on a different additional instrument.
Musicianship: Sing the defined scalar vocalises using movable-Do solfege and again using scale-degree numbers.
Project:
Compose a complete original work for solo piano. Personally perform the completed work in the Level recital.
Compose a complete original choral work. Rehearse the ensemble and perform the completed work in the Level recital. Participate personally as conductor, singer, accompanist, or another appropriate musical role.
Compose a substantial original work for orchestra or a larger dramatic or stage work involving orchestra, such as a symphonic work, opera, or musical-theater work. Develop and rehearse the work as a separate production from the Level recital and present it in a complete live performance. Participate personally as performer, conductor, or both.
Performance:
Present a 90–100-minute recital consisting entirely of works by Nadia Boulanger and her documented students. Include at least 10 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. Follow the Crest-wide requirements for a public audience, recording, recital program, and hospitality. An intermission is required.
Serve as guest conductor of a community orchestra at a public outdoor event.
Organize and host a recital at a retirement community featuring students the candidate personally teaches. Serve as the presenter or emcee for the event in addition to organizing it.
Deliver a 60-minute educational presentation or workshop on a music or music-education topic to a genuine external audience. The presentation must take place as an invited or institutionally hosted event, such as a music-education seminar or conference, school professional-development event, college, university, conservatory, or comparable educational venue. An event independently staged solely to satisfy the Ascent requirement does not fulfill this requirement.