RSCM Ireland

Royal School of Church Music in Ireland   ~   Scoil Ríoga Cheol na hEaglaise in Éirinn

Voice For Life ~ Administration

• Assessments for singing awards are offered at Bronze, Silver and Gold standards within the Voice for Life training scheme.
• Bronze and Silver Awards are administered by RSCM Areas and Branches, while the Gold Award is administered centrally.
• Every effort will be made to ensure examinations are accessible to all candidates, including those with disabilities or learning difficulties.
• The RSCM undertakes to:
  • provide clear, structured syllabuses and mark schemes
  • offer candidates a worthwhile, fair and positive examination experience
  • provide helpful written assessments
• We encourage Areas to facilitate local training events for those thinking about or working towards Awards. These will give candidates the opportunity to sing together and to receive advice on the standards required; choir trainers are encouraged to observe the training and to ask questions.
• Examiners are validated by the RSCM and undertake periodic review and assessment to help ensure consistency of standards. For this reason, there will sometimes be two examiners present at the examination and recordings, for training purposes only, may be made.
• All validated examiners are subject to the RSCM’s child protection vetting procedures.
• All Area examinations are conducted according to standard RSCM procedures for registering events, and include child protection and health and safety risk assessments.
• An appeals procedure operates, details of which are included in the syllabuses. An appeal may be made on grounds of:
  • a claim of irregular procedure on the part of the examiner, or
  • mismatch between comments and marks awarded.
• Bronze, silver and gold medallions are available to be worn by successful candidates and Areas are encouraged to make a formal presentation of awards certificates annually.