Exam Syllabus

Overview

The Canadian Chinese Music Association (CCMA) is committed to promoting Chinese music education and supporting young musicians across Canada. Through its official grading system, CCMA provides an authoritative and professional platform for students to learn Chinese musical instruments, demonstrate their achievements, and receive recognized certification.

The CCMA Graded Examinations aim to cultivate well-rounded musicianship by evaluating both technical ability and musical understanding. The program reflects the unique characteristics of Chinese music education in North America, combining cultural tradition with academic rigour.

Examinations are available across Canada and are open to candidates of all ages. Successful candidates will receive official certificates issued by the Canadian Chinese Music Association.

Exam Categories

• Instruments: Erhu, Guzheng, Guqin, Yangqin*, Dizi*, Suona*, Sheng*, Pipa*

• Music Theory: General knowledge of Chinese instrumental music and fundamentals*

*These categories will begin in the 2026 examination period.

Levels and Requirements

• Levels 1–3: Beginner stage – focusing on foundational skills, tone, and rhythm. (no prerequisites, but recommend younger age students (below 6 years old) to start on level 1 )
  
  

• Levels 4–6: Intermediate stage – requiring greater fluency, expression, and technique.  (no prerequisites, highly recommend completing the level 3)
  
  

• Levels 7–9: Advanced stage – emphasizing artistry, interpretation, and stage presence. (requires candidates to have completed at least two grades from Level 4-6, candidates must complete level 7, level 8 to advance to level 9)
  
  

• Level 10 (Performance): Pre-professional – mastery of advanced repertoire, full performance readiness.  (requires candidates to have completed level 9 before registering for the performance level)
  
  

• Artist Diploma: Professional certification for comprehensive mastery and artistry.*

*This category will begin in the 2026 examination period.

Exam Content

1. Etudes & Technical Work – one required (not memorized).
   
   

2. Repertoire – one piece prepared (memorization required unless 25+ or have special needs).
   
   

3. Sight-Reading / Aural Skills – required at certain levels. (level 8, level 9 and performance level will include sight-reading component)
   
   

4. Music Theory – required in higher-level examinations (grade 7 and above)*

*The music theory component will begin in 2026 examination period.

Registration Guidelines

• Registration Period: August 15th – September 30th, 2025
  
  

• Processing Period: October 1st – November 15th, 2025
  
  

• In-Person Exam Date: December 7th, 2025  (U of T)
  
  

• Exam Submission: Video upload format (please see the online submission guidelines)
  
  

• Video Submission Deadline: November 20th – 25th, 2025
  
  

• Result Announcement: January 2026
  
  

• Certificates Issued: Approximately 2 months after results

Registration Method: 

• Online only via www.canadianchinesemusic.com/ccma-exam
  
  

• Candidates must provide:
  
  

  • Full name (English or pinyin, plus Chinese name if applicable)
    
    

  • Date of birth
    
    

  • Instrument/subject and exam level
    
    

  • Selected repertoire (from official syllabus list)
    
    

  • Contact email
    
    

  • Previous exam record (if applicable)
    
    

• Candidates under 18 must provide parent/guardian name and contact.
  
  

Note: The name on the certificate will be based on registration and cannot be changed after issuance.

Examination Fees (CAD $)

Level Fee

1 80

2 90

3 100

4 110

5 120

6 140

7 160

8 200

9 260

10 (Performance) 300

Artistic Diploma 380

Important Notes

• Except for etudes, all repertoire must be memorized (unless the candidate is 25+).
  
  

• Candidates must provide their own tuned instrument.
  
  

• No accompaniment or backing tracks are allowed.
  
  

• For repeats in the repertoire, candidates may go directly to the second ending due to time limits.
  
  

• All exams are recorded with a clear, front-facing camera view (for online submission).
  
  

• No make-up exams or refunds will be given for technical or personal reasons.
  
  

• Any change after registration requires a $20 administration fee.

• Candidates who have successfully completed equivalent levels in another recognized examination system may contact us via email to apply for an exemption from the prerequisite requirements. Applicants will be required to complete an official application form and submit video documentation of their previous examinations as supporting evidence. The Canadian Chinese Music Association (CCMA) reserves the sole discretion to approve or deny such applications.
  
  

The Canadian Chinese Music Association reserves the final right of interpretation of these regulations.

📍 Canadian Chinese Music Association (CCMA)
📧 Email: canadianchinesemusic@gmail.com
🌐 Website: www.canadianchinesemusic.com

概述

加拿大中乐协会（CCMA）致力于在全加拿大推广中华音乐教育，并支持青年音乐学习者。通过其权威的分级考试体系，CCMA 为学生提供一个专业的平台，学习中国乐器、展示学习成果，并获得认可的证书。

CCMA 分级考试旨在培养全面的音乐素养，既考察技术能力，也注重音乐理解力。本考试体系结合了北美音乐教育的特点与中华音乐传统的学术严谨性。

考试在全加范围内开放，不限年龄。考试合格者将由 加拿大中乐协会 颁发正式证书。

考试类别

• 器乐：二胡、古筝、古琴、扬琴*、笛子*、唢呐*、笙*、琵琶*
  
  

• 乐理：中国器乐基础知识与乐理*
  
  

* 以上类别将从 2026 年考试期 起开设。

级别与要求

1–3级：初级阶段 – 注重基础技能、音色与节奏。
（无先修要求，但建议6岁以下的低龄学员从1级开始）

4–6级：中级阶段 – 要求具备更高的流畅度、表现力和技巧。
（无先修要求，但强烈建议完成3级后再进入）

7–9级：高级阶段 – 强调艺术表现力、诠释能力与舞台表现。
（要求考生至少完成4–6级中的两个级别才可以报考， 7-9级不允许跳级）

10级（演奏级）：演奏前专业阶段 – 掌握高级曲目，具备完整的舞台演出能力。
（要求考生完成9级后方可报考演奏级）

艺术文凭（Artist Diploma）：专业认证 – 代表全面的精湛技艺与艺术造诣。*
此类别将于2026年考试期开始实施。*

考试内容

• 练习曲与技巧 —— 每级需准备一首（可不背谱）。
  
  

• 规定曲目 —— 准备一首（除非考生年满 25 岁或有特殊需要，否则必须背谱）。
  
  

• 视奏 / 听辨 —— 部分级别需考核。（八级，九级，十级考试会加入试奏部分）
  
  

• 乐理 —— 七级及以上考试需结合乐理考核。* 

*2026 年度考级开始实施

报名须知

• 报名时间：2025 年 8 月 15 日 – 9 月 30 日
  
  

• 处理时间：2025 年 10 月 1 日 – 11 月 15 日
  
  

• 现场考试日期：2025 年 12 月 7 日（多伦多大学）
  
  

• 考试形式：线上视频上传（请参阅线上提交细则）
  
  

• 视频提交时间：2025 年 11 月 20 日 – 25 日
  
  

• 成绩公布：2026 年 1 月
  
  

• 证书发放：成绩公布约 2 个月后
  
  

报名方式：

仅接受线上报名，请访问 www.canadianchinesemusic.com/ccma-exam

报名时需提供：

• 英文姓名或拼音（如有中文名请一并填写）
  
  

• 出生日期
  
  

• 报考乐器 / 科目与等级
  
  

• 报考曲目（从官方考试曲目单中选择）
  
  

• 联系邮箱
  
  

• 最近一次考试记录（如有）
  
  

• 未满 18 岁的考生需提供家长 / 监护人姓名与联系方式
  
  

注意：证书姓名以报名信息为准，证书生成后不可更改。

考试费用（加元 CAD $）

等级               考试费

1 80

2 90

3 100

4 110

5 120

6 140

7 160

8 200

9 260

10（演奏级） 300

演奏文凭 380

重要提示

• 除练习曲外，其余曲目均需背谱（25 岁以上考生或有特殊需要者可不背谱）。
  
  

• 考生需自备并调好乐器。
  
  

• 考试不得使用伴奏或伴奏音轨。
  
  

• 曲目中遇到反复记号时，可直接进入第二结尾，以节省考试时间。
  
  

• 所有线上考试需使用正面清晰拍摄。
  
  

• 因个人或技术原因未能完成考试者，视为自动放弃，恕不补考、不退款。
  
  

• 报名后如需修改信息，需支付 20 加元手续费。
  
  

• 加拿大中乐协会 对本考试细则拥有最终解释权。

• 如果考生已在其他考试体系中完成相应级别，可通过电子邮件提出免修申请。申请人需填写申请表，并提交以往考试的视频资料作为佐证。加拿大中乐协会（CCMA）保留对该类申请进行审批或不予批准的最终权利。
  
  

📍 加拿大中乐协会（CCMA）
📧 邮箱：canadianchinesemusic@gmail.com
🌐 网站：www.canadianchinesemusic.com

加拿大中乐协会

August 15th 2025