ASTACAP Video Submission Guidelines

Welcome to the MD/DC ASTACAP Exams. We are pleased to offer your students this opportunity in order to continue motivating them for and encouraging their progress.

The online exam format will be as close to in person exams as possible, except there will be no sight reading.

The Examiner’s evaluation and the Certificates of Achievement will be sent to teachers by May 30th.

Submission of video recordings

Follow the steps below to make and submit your video recordings.

STEP 1: Setup

1. Set up your stand if you are using one. Have any music you are using ready on the stand.
2. Be sure your instrument is in tune.
3. Be sure that you do not have a light source behind you (window, lights). Instead, have any light behind the camera.
4. You will be uploading videos to YouTube, so you may use any device that allows you to do that.
5. Set up your recording device so we can see both arms and your entire bow while you are playing. (Think of how you would be positioned in a lesson and put your camera where your teacher would be.) 
6. Make sure your stand doesn’t hide you if you are using music. We must see your entire bow and both arms.

STEP 2: Make Video Recordings

1. You will submit a separate recording for each section of the exam (scales/arpeggios, etude, piece(s)).
2. Each section must be one take with no edits. Maximum number of recordings is 5.
   • Scales and Arpeggios
   • Etude (if required)
   • Piece 1
   • Piece 2 (if required)
   • Piece 3 (if required)
3. Record your required scales and arpeggios. Memorization is required; do not have a stand.
   • 1) Say your name, instrument and level
   • 2) Say the name of each scale and arpeggio requirement and then play it (Ex. G Major, 2 octaves). Do this with each requirement.
   • For young children, this information can be written on a card and recorded at the beginning of the video.
4. Record your etude separately. (If it is more than one page, record just the first page). You may use your music; memorization is not required. If you are taking a lower level exam (Level Foundation, 1 or 2) and substituting a piece, skip this step.
   • Say your name, instrument and level
   • Say the name of the composer and the name of the etude (Ex. Wohlfahrt: Op. 45, No. 2)
5. Record your first piece separately. Do not have a stand unless you are using music. There are points for memorization, which will be lost if you use music. (If you are playing two or more movements from the same work you may record them together or in two separate recordings, as long as the total time for each recording is under 15 minutes.) Exception: Works with short sections (like the Bartok Romanian Folk Dances) must be submitted in one recording.
   • Say your name, instrument and level
   • Say the last name of the composer and the title of the piece (Ex. Folk Song: Song of the Wind, Squire: Danse Rustique, Vivaldi: Concerto in A Minor, 3rd movement)
6. Separately record your second (and third) piece, if applicable, following the same instructions.

STEP 3: Upload Video Recordings to YouTube

1. Prepare a simple document to keep track of your video links. It should look like this:

STEP 4: Submit your videos

1. To submit your videos, CLICK HERE

If you have any questions, please email Mark Pfannschmidt at this email address: 

ASTACAP2020@gmail.com