Music Teachers’ Association of California
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT®

CM CALENDAR
2025-2026

Please refer to the MTAC Teacher Portal for more detailed information.

*Teachers and students should use the current syllabi for CM 2026

 

CM Registration OPENS on September 1

CM Registration CLOSES on September 30

CM Enrollment fees MUST BE PAID by October 5

CM Enrollment application online edit CLOSES on December 15

Online Evaluation Media Submission DUE on February 3

 

CM In-Person Evaluation Dates (Pre-Registration Required) 

January 10, 2026 – Claremont Community School of Music (All Instruments)

January 11, 2026 – Claremont Community School of Music (Piano)

January 18, 2026 – Valley Christian Schools, San Jose (All Instruments)

February 7, 2026 – Valley Christian Schools, San Jose (All Instruments)

February 8, 2026 – Valley Christian Schools, San Jose (All Instruments)

 

Questions? Email: cminfo@mtac.org

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State Honors

Students are automatically considered if they:

  1. Pass both Performance Evaluation and Theory at their CM Level
  2. Earn a rating of Good or Excellent in Technique, Sight Reading/Singing, and Repertoire
  3. Score 80% or higher on the Theory Test

Senior Award

For graduating seniors who:

  1. Enroll in CM Level 7 or higher
  2. Participate in CM for three years in grades 9–12 (consecutive or not), including their final year
  3. Pass all components (Performance + Theory) each year

Note: Students playing two instruments must complete requirements for each instrument separately.

Young Artist Guild (YAG)

  • Awarded by panel recommendation to the most gifted CM musicians
  • 5-year membership with semi-professional paid performance opportunities at MTAC branch concerts

Convention Recitals

  • Evaluators select students from the annual CM Performance Evaluations to perform at MTAC’s annual State Convention. Click here for more info.