All students enrolled under the Suzuki Track are to participate in piano exams with the Asia Region Suzuki Association (ARSA).
Exams are a great motivator. It strengthens the child’s performance skills, and allows them to play their pieces with a high standard of excellence.
In IBMS, we endeavor to make this process a positive and rewarding experience, not something to be anxious about. Here are some articles you can read as you help to prepare your child enjoy and successfully pass the exams.
- How To Help Your Child Prepare For Their First Piano Exam
- How to Know If Your Child Is Ready For Exams
Please keep reading the following information below if taking the exam for the first time. Otherwise, please click the button to apply for the examination.
Exam Fee:
- Examiner’s fee
- Level 1 & 2: Php 500
- Level 3 & 4: Php 700
- Level 5, 6 & 7: Php 1000
Membership Fee:
If you haven’t paid your membership dues at the beginning of the year, this is the time to do so. Exam entries of non-members will not be accepted.
- Php 1000 Suzuki Association Individual student membership fee
- Php 1500 Suzuki Association Family membership fee (for families with two or more students enrolled with a PSA teacher)
Shipping Fee:
Two certificates are given following a successful examination. The first one is a studio certificate from IBMS, and the 2nd is from the Philippine Suzuki Association. The studio certificate is released right after the exam is passed while PSA certificates are given after the annual National Graduation Concert. We use DHL to ship physical certificates. If you want to avoid shipping fees, you can opt to have the certificates emailed to you at no cost.
How To Pay The Fees:
Options on How To Pay the Examiner’s Fee
BANK ACCOUNT: To send money directly to the examiner’s bank account — email me directly for the bank account number.
MONTHLY TUITION: Charge exam fees to your account and get billed together with your tuition for that month.
How To Pay the Membership Fee
Click the button that applies and it will take you to the official PSA website.
How To Pay the Shipping Fee
If opting for a physical copy of the certificate:
***MONTHLY TUITION: Shipping fees will be automatically billed to your account together with your tuition for that month.
Examiner: Mrs. Carmencita Arambulo
Prof. Carmencita G. Arambulo is one of the leading musicians of the Philippines today. An accomplished pianist, she is also a well-known piano pedagogue, and educator.
She graduated magna cum laude in 1958 from Saint Paul College of Manila. She completed her Master of Music degree in piano and theory in 1961 at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society in the USA.
In 1979, Prof. Arambulo was awarded a grant by the Soviet ministry of Culture to observe specialized music schools in the USSR. She is the very first Filipino Suzuki method specialist, having received her training at the American Suzuki Institute at the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point and under Dr. Haruko Kataoka of Matsumoto, Japan.
Prof. Arambulo is the founder and directress of the Greenhills Music Studio (1968) which has has produced winners in national and international competitions.
She also owns and directs the Children’s Talent Education Center, (1984) the only Suzuki preschool in the country. Prof. Arambulo is a certified Montessori teacher and completed units for her Master of Education (thesis pending) at the University of the Philippines.
A recipient of numerous outstanding educator awards, Mrs. A, as she is fondly called by her students, is also the president of the piano division for the Asia Region Suzuki Association, which comprises of thousands of students from all Asia countries other than Japan.
The Exam Process:
- Submit a video of student playing the exam pieces (via YouTube or any video sharing platform)
- Comments and evaluations will be given to your teacher.
- IBMS certificates will immediately be shipped or emailed to you. PSA Certificates will be given after the annual National Graduation Concert (happens every February).
What Comes After Exams?
Solo Recital
Students who successfully pass the examination are encouraged to give a graduation solo recital. This allows them to perform for their family and friends.
The student performs from the Suzuki repertoire as well as other pieces they have worked on in their current level.
This is such a joyous occasion and many of the students really look forward to this event as it gives them the opportunity to share their achievements with their loved ones.
The recital is an open, flexible event, and you may share your ideas with the teacher how you want to host the recital.
Upgrade to the Next Level
After a successful recital, the students will be given new assignments to work on to fulfill the requirements for the following level. Depending on what book your child is upgraded to, fees and length of lessons will be adjusted.
Perform in the National Graduation Concert
Your child will be invited to perform in the annual graduation concert, together with other students who also graduated. They will be presented with certificates after the said event.
Exam FAQS
What should my child wear in the exam?
- Semi formal. Short sleeves, preferably, to allow the examiner to see the proper position of the wrist and arms.
What should be in the video?
- A recording of your child performing the required pieces in a noise-free, distraction-free environment.
Why do I have to play on an acoustic piano for the exam?
- Acoustic pianos are a must to have piano lessons. I give some leeway when it comes to digital pianos, given the economic status of certain families, but I highly discourage families to use electronics keyboards because they don’t give train the student to hear and produce beautiful tones. Exams help to bring on a standard of excellence in musical performance for the students, hence a certain standard in the choice of instrument is also required.
If you have more questions don’t hesitate to reach out to me!