Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts - Central Conservatory of Music

NAFA Chinese Instruments Graded Exams Information 2024

About

The Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) is the leading music institution in China. To promote traditional Chinese music and culture, CCOM has carried out Chinese Instruments Graded Examinations in many countries and regions since 1989. In line with the mission to make music education universal, CCOM aims to provide professional and the highest examination standards for amateur Chinese instrumentalists around the world by utilizing a structured approach of learning and fine traditions.

Announcements

Please note that the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts - Central Conservatory of Music NAFA Chinese Instruments Graded Exams Information 2024 registration period has ENDED.

Late registration may be permitted on a case-by-case basis, with priority given to first time participants.

Please kindly email [email protected] to appeal for late registration, clearly stating your Name, Instrument, and Examinable Grade.

Please note that late registration candidates may be charged an additional $50 on top of the usual registration fee.

Registered candidates will receive an email by the end of September containing:

Admission Ticket Number
Video submission link
Video submission guideline

Please also note that Performance Grade Candidates will receive an email soon requesting for a copy of your Grade 9 Certification to be eligible for Performance Grade examination. Please ignore the email if you have already submitted your certificate, thank you!

Video submission date is as follows:
18 November 2024, 9am – 29 November 2024, 6pm

We understand that some candidates may be heading overseas for holiday and do not feel assured to upload their videos during their trip. Please email to us at [email protected] with your video submission link any time BEFORE 29 NOVEMBER 2024, 6PM.

Late submissions with no valid reasons will be rejected by NAFACCOM 2024 committee.

Please click here for 2024 CCOM Graded Exam Rules and Regulations.

All examinations are to be recorded and submitted online. Registration of CCOM 2024 will indicate Examinee's full consent to CCOM Graded Exam Rules and Regulations for video recording.

Important Dates to note

Event	Date
Registration Period	12 August 2024, 10am – 9 September 2024, 6pm
Submission Period	18 November 2024, 9am – 29 November 2024, 6pm

General Exam Information

Examinable Instruments
The Graded Examinations will comprise 10 main instruments, namely Erhu, Pipa, Guzheng, Dizi, Yangqin, Suona, Ruan, Sheng, Liuqin and Percussion (Snare Drum).

Main Examination and Registration Information

Examinable Instruments include: Guzheng | Erhu | Dizi | Pipa | Ruan | Yangqin | Liuqin | Suona | Sheng | Percussion (Snare Drum)

Examination Grades: 1 – 9*, Performance Grade**. (Total of 10 grades)

*There is no Performance Grade for Percussion.

**You must present with a Grade 9 certification to be eligible to register for Performance Grade.

There are no restrictions imposed on the age of the examinee. Examinees are expected to have a certain level of foundation in their chosen instrument.

Hard-copy certifications will be available for collection at NAFA by April 2025. Details will be provided via registered email.

Registration period: 12th August 2024, 10:00 – 9th September 2024, 18:00 via www.nafa.edu.sg/nafa-ccom
- Payment to be made online.
- Withdrawal from examination due to medical circumstances or act of God may be made 17th November. No refunds will be given but the Examinee may register to retake for the same examination grade and instrument in the following year.
- Valid reason and documentation are expected to be provided to NAFA-CCOM via email [email protected].
- Admission ticket will be sent via registered email by end of October 2024.
Video submission period: 18th November 2024, 09:00 – 29th November 2024, 18:00
- Late submissions will not be entertained.

Examination Fees
2024 Chinese Instruments Graded Examination Fees

Grade	Total Exam Fee Payable (incl. 9% GST)
1	S$70
2	S$80
3	S$95
4	S$120
5	S$160
6	S$200
7	S$250
8	S$300
9	S$390
*Performance Grade	S$500

* Performance Grade Examinees registering for the Performance Grade examination are required to attach a photocopy of their Grade 9 certificate jointly issued by NAFA and CCOM for verification.

Examination Requirements

For Erhu, Pipa, Guzheng, Dizi, Suona, Ruan, Sheng, Liuqin:

Examinees must prepare 2 pieces in total:
1. 1 Technical Study (memorisation is not required)
2. 1 Choice Piece (memorisation required, except for examinees ≥ 18 years old.)
For Percussion – Snare Drum:

Memorisation NOT required

Technical Studies = “基本功练习“

Practice Piece = “练习曲”

Memorisation and Book requirements

Examinee profile:	Memorisation
Percussionists	No
All other Instruments, where examinees are less 18 years old	Yes
All other Instruments, where examinees are 18 years old or more	*No

*Examinees age 18 and above are allowed to apply for exemption from memorisation but must provide documentation for verification of age. Examinees should state and show clearly in their recordings the documentations for verification of age.

Note: All pieces are to be chosen from the official CCOM Examination Syllabus (Overseas Version). Examinees must present clearly with a legitimate copy* of the relevant examination book in the video recording submitted. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification from the examination.

*Photocopied versions are NOT allowed.

Please purchase the NAFA Chinese Instruments Graded Examination Committee recognised syllabus from the following suppliers. Failure to produce certified examination syllabus during the examination registration will result in disqualification from the graded examination.

See Lian Enterprises
149 Rochor Road #03-28
Fu Lu Shou Complex
Singapore 188425
Tel/Fax: 6337 4734
Please contact See Lian Enterprises for price listing.

Exemption Requests

Examinees may request for extension or partial withdrawal from examination pertaining to serious illness or any acts of God. However, all requests with valid documentation must be submitted BEFORE 15th November 2024 to [email protected].

Accompaniment
Accompanying musician(s) or accompanying track are NOT allowed for the examination.

Repeat signs
All repeat signs are to be disregarded. At places where there are “1st ending” and “2nd ending”, the Examinee may proceed directly to “2nd ending” directly in the first playthrough.

Video Requirements

Examinees are to ensure the following video requirements are fulfilled:

Examinee’s face must be visible in the shot. (Must match the identification document as provided)

No editing, cuts or pauses are allowed for the recording. (One shot recording)

Examinees are recommended to set their recording device to airplane mode to eliminate potential disruptions to the recording.

Alternative versions or arrangements of the examination pieces are not allowed. Pieces must be taken from the NAFA Chinese Instruments Graded Exam Syllabus 2024.

Video sequence guide:

Set recording device to airplane mode.

Start recording.

Examinee enters the frame, with face and instrument clearly shown. The Examinee must not have any earphones or additional aids throughout the video.

After a short pause, the Examinee holds up their identification document while announcing*
1. Registered Name
2. Examination they registered for
3. Whether they are exempted from memorisation
4. FULL repertoire list, clearly stating the title of the pieces chosen and the sequence in which they will play it in.
5. Show to camera their legitimate copy of the examination book.

Proceed to their performing spot with their instrument(s) ready.

Examinee may sit slighted slanted for ease of playing posture, as long as the playing is visible as a whole. The Examinee’s face, hands and instrument must be shown clearly in the camera frame throughout

Perform the examinable pieces. (There is no need to re-announce the title of each piece)

*An announcement script template will be provided via email along with the admission ticket after registration.

All videos must be submitted in downloadable form in any of the following options ONLY:

Google Drive Link
Dropbox Link

Videos must be set to “public and edit” during the time of submission. Failure to do so will result in your entry being considered as late submission and may be rejected thereafter.**

**A checklist for video submission will also be provided along with the other documents stated above.

Certification collection and Examination Results

Review of Results/Re-examination

Examinees must NOT attempt to contact the organisers or nafaccom staff members for examination results or other requests unrelated to examination enquiries.

Please note that there will be no disclosure of examination results by phone or by email.

There will be NO review of results and NO re-examination. The examiners’ decision is final.

Certification will be available by April 2025, provided by CENTRAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC (CCOM).

Contact Us

You may contact us via [email protected] for any enquires. Enquires to any other emails will not be given any attention. Thank you.