MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Membership is open to:

(1)  Any person who holds a music teacher's certificate or diploma from any School of Music, recognized by the BCRMTA Provincial Council, or a University music degree with a major in the instrument of subject of instruction stated in the application.

(2)  Any person who holds a music performer's diploma or degree and who has a record of four years teaching of subjects recognized the BCRMTA Board of Examiners.

(3)  Any Registered Music Teacher from another province in Canada.

(4)  Members must be residents of British Columbia, be at least 18 years of age and pay official fees to the Treasurer of the BCRMTA.

 A) REQUIREMENTS:  Applicants are required to:

1. be a resident of British Columbia and a Canadian citizen or Landed Immigrant

2. be 18 years of age or over.

3. hold a recognized music degree or diploma as explained below

4. submit documentation for a) qualifications and b) teaching experience as explained below

5. pay a non-refundable registration fee of $30.

6. pay the current provincial and branch fees upon acceptance of membership

7. agree to abide by the regulations regarding advertising of teaching disciplines/subjects.

8. agree to return the BCRMTA Membership Certificate if membership is no longer required.

B) EXPLANATION OF REQUIREMENTS

 1. Members must be a BC resident at the time of application. If the member moves to another province in Canada, an Interprovincial Transfer can be made without further application. If the member moves outside of Canada, the membership is automatically resigned. If the applicant is not a Canadian citizen, photocopies of documentation showing "Landed Immigrant" status must be supplied.  (Persons living in Canada on a "student visa" are not eligible for membership.)

2. Proof of age does not have to be submitted, but the Board of Examiners reserves the right to request such documentation as part of the approval procedure. 

3. Qualifications: Applicants must be qualified in three areas,  namely:

·         an advanced level of performance in the discipline of registration

·         theoretical studies at a post-secondary level

·         pedagogical study OR 4 yrs. documented private teaching experience.

Specific examinations (by special application) are available for applicants who wish to upgrade their credentials. (The ARCT Teachers' Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, Canada is used as a comparative standard for the above requirements.)

4. Documentation:

a) Degrees and Diplomas

             ·         If the degree or diploma was earned at a Canadian, American or United Kingdom music school, conservatory,  university or like institution,  applicants are required to submit a photocopy of the degree or diploma earned. (If the credentials are based on a degree or diploma earned over 20 years ago, additional documentation may be required.) 

              ·         If a degree or diploma was earned at an institution in a country not shown above, additional documentation is required by the Board of Examiners.   
                            i) a photocopy of the degree or diploma (with translation if applicable)
                           ii) a photocopy of the official transcript from the institution (with translation if applicable)
                          iii) a list of repertoire (in the discipline) which was the applicant's highest level of  performance.(e.g. A graduation recital program or, if this is not available, a list written by the applicant)

b) Teaching Experience Documentation:

This can consist of any or all of the following:

·        a written statement by the applicant describing years of private teaching, number of students, programs taught.

·         copies of students' results in examinations and festivals

·         copies of student recital programs

·         letters of reference from students, parents or institutions that have knowledge of the applicant.

·         employment contracts

·         description of classroom teaching experience

As the BCRMTA is an association of private music teachers, the emphasis is placed on the teaching of individual students. However, applicants should be sure to include a record of classroom teaching experience as this will be considered in the application. It should be noted that specific Pedagogical courses and study which lead to a teaching degree or diploma are accepted as fulfillment of the "experience" requirement.

5. If an application is not approved, the association retains the non-refundable registration fee. However if the applicant upgrades and subsequently re-applies, the registration fee will not be charged a second time. The Provincial association and the local branch each assess annual membership fees.  While the provincial amount is the same throughout the province, the branch portion will vary according to the fee set by each branch executive.

6. Teaching Disciplines or Subjects:

The BCRMTA offers registration in the disciplines listed below. Applicants who wish to register for more than one discipline must provide performance documentation for each discipline. 

1. Piano
2.  Jazz Piano
3.  Organ
4.  Harpsichord/Clavichord
5.  Harp
6.  Accordion (free Bass)
7.  Voice
8.  Guitar/Lute
9.  Composition
10. Conducting
11. Theory Specialist***
12. Violin/Viola
13. Cell?Double Bass
14. Percussion
15. Woodwind Instrument-(name)
16. Brass Instrument- (name)

*** Please note that the designation "Theory Specialist" is only used  for applicants who are applying with advanced studies in  theory and/or musicology as their qualifications.  The performance qualification is waived for these applicants if they are not also applying in a specific instrument.

 7.Theoretical Courses and Specialty Courses

Qualified members of the BCRMTA  may teach and advertise individual theoretical courses and specialty courses within a discipline area (such as Suzuki violin, Kelly Kirby piano, etc.).  There is no Provincial Registration for these courses and they will not appear on the BCRMTA Provincial Website teacher listings. However, teachers may advertise specific theory and speciality courses within their own branch.  

 8. The BCRMTA Membership Certificate is the property of the association and must be returned on request.  If a member decides to resign their membership, the certificate is returned to the Registrar for safe-keeping until such time as a reinstatement of membership takes place.  During a period of resignation, no membership fees are payable, but a reinstatement fee is charged when the membership is re-activated.  Former members are not required to present their credentials for a reinstatement of membership.

C) APPLICATION FORM DETAILS

·         For Question #2 consult the list of possible disciplines for registration  (Item 6 above)

·         For Question #3,  please write the following information about your degree(s) or diploma(s) 

Degree Name            School                Major subject area             Year     e.g.   Bachelor of Music, University of Toronto, Flute Performance, 2001)

·         For years of teaching, calculate an academic year (September to June) as one year.

·         Be sure to include all documentation and fees with your application as explained above.

·         Some branches shorten the processing time by asking applicants to send all items (including payments) directly to the Registrar. Please consult with your Branch regarding the procedure being followed for your application                           

                                 How to apply:

Find the branch closest to you from information in the  Branch Directory and contact the membership or contact person listed on the site.  They will be happy to help you with any questions and arrange for your application to be processed. 

If you have any further questions contact our Registrar