VOICE for LIFE Awards
To support the choir trainer and to affirm the VOICE for LIFE levels achieved within the choir, the RSCM provides a complementary system of awards designed to be assessed through formal examination: the Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. These awards affirm the VOICE for LIFE levels that have been awarded informally by the choir trainer. Light and Dark Blue levels prepare the chorister for the Bronze award, Red helps the candidate prepare for the Silver award, and Yellow helps the candidate prepare for the Gold award.
Progression Timeline:
White
Light Blue
Dark Blue
BRONZE AWARD
Red
SILVER AWARD
Yellow
GOLD AWARD
Examination for the formal awards is entirely at the option of the individual singer. Choristers may work through the VOICE for LIFE program and choose not to participate in the formal assessment for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. A chorister must be a member of an RSCM America affiliated choir or an Individual member in order to be eligible for the exam.
Each formal award has its own syllabus, complete with guidelines to help prepare the candidate and the choir trainer for the standard expected during the examination.
Registration protocol
EXAM REGISTRATION
Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals:
Successful candidates are entitled to wear a prestigious medal cast in the appropriate colored metal worn on distinctive ribbons (green ribbons for Bronze, purple ribbons for Silver, and dark red ribbons for Gold). After the RSCM America Office has received confirmation of a successful exam, the candidate may purchase their medal from the RSCM webstore for $40.
Examination Locations & Scheduling
All inquiries and requests for exams must be directed to Linda Buzard. Examinations are held at most Training Courses.
Examiners are located in many cities around the United States. To schedule an exam or to find an exam center close to you, contact Linda Buzard. Candidates will be advised of the specific examination venues and times once entries have been received. Candidates are responsible for their (and their accompanist's) travel costs to and from the examination. Where there are several candidates in one place, it may be possible to arrange for the examiner to travel to the candidates (in which case the candidates will still be responsible for any travel and accommodations expenses).
Examiners currently include:
Garmon Ashby* (Houston, TX)
Chris Brayne* (Locust Valley, NY)
Linda Buzard* (Champaign, IL)
Susan Jane Matthews (San Francisco, CA)
Robert Nicholls (Evansville, IN)
Enid Oberholtzer (Glastonbury, CT)
Patrick Pope (Charlotte, NC)
David Pulliam* (Darien, CT)
Linda Morgan Stowe (St. James, MD)
Anna Teagarden (Houston, TX)
Maxine Thevenot (Albuquerque, NM)
Andrew Walker (Orlando, FL)
* denotes a Gold examiner
How the RSCM Runs Its Singing Awards
For more information about the Voice for Life Awards framework, including an introduction for trainers, a singer’s guide, and more, visit this page.
If you have any questions please contact:
Ms. Linda Buzard
The Chapel of St. John the Divine
1011 S. Wright Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Telephone: (217) 344-1924
Email: lbuzard@gmail.com