{"id":25086,"date":"2024-08-20T15:46:13","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T19:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/?page_id=25086"},"modified":"2025-08-14T15:35:54","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T19:35:54","slug":"diplomas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/diplomas\/","title":{"rendered":"Diploma Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull alternating-colors is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4383d167 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><figure class=\"programs-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1796\" height=\"862\" src=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"A piano teacher works with an ECMS diploma student in an individual lesson\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram.jpg 1796w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-500x240.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-710x341.jpg 710w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-768x369.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-1536x737.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-150x72.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-335x161.jpg 335w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-250x120.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-100x48.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-200x96.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-170x82.jpg 170w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-240x115.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram-234x112.jpg 234w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1796px) 100vw, 1796px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-left has-source-serif-pro-font-family\" style=\"padding-bottom:0.65em;padding-left:1.15em;font-size:clamp(16.834px, 1.052rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.042), 26px);font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">Quick Links<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-df8428a5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><nav style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700;\" class=\"is-vertical no-wrap quick-link-list-style wp-block-navigation is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-ae0a1a14 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Useful Links\"><ul style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700;\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__container  is-vertical no-wrap quick-link-list-style wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">ECMS Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/lessons\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Lessons<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/registration\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Register<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/paybill\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Pay Bill<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/urstudent\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">UR Student Login<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/faq\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">FAQ<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/faq\/accompanist-contact-information\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Accompanists<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/faculty-handbook\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">ECMS Faculty Resources<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/employment-opportunities\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Employment Opportunities<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull alternating-colors has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-10dc9f38 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is an ECMS Diploma?<\/summary>\n<p>The Eastman Community Music School\u2019s Diploma Program represents a comprehensive musical training, encompassing a well-balanced blend of individual and ensemble instruction, performance, and academic coursework. The program allows for individualized flexibility while maintaining a rigorous standard of excellence. Students are required to fulfill requirements in the following areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Individual lessons<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exams, juries and performances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Academic coursework<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensembles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>High school and adult students are eligible for the Diploma and the same rules\/requirements apply for each group.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Why Enroll in a Diploma Program?<\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Become a better musician<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expand and deepen your understanding of music<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Challenge yourself<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthen your college application<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare for a career in music<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gain the satisfaction of achieving recognition from one of the world\u2019s great music schools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Diploma Options<\/summary>\n<p>Depending on the number of years of study at ECMS and the amount of classes completed, students can earn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Diploma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advanced Diploma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pre-Collegiate Diploma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><\/td><td><strong>Diploma<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Advanced Diploma<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Pre-Collegiate Diploma<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Private lessons<\/strong><\/td><td>2 years<\/td><td>3 years<\/td><td>4 years<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Examinations and Juries<\/strong><\/td><td>annually<\/td><td>annually<\/td><td>annually<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Performances<\/strong><\/td><td>one per semester<\/td><td>one per semester<\/td><td>one per semester<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Music Theory<\/strong><\/td><td>2 classes<\/td><td>3 classes<\/td><td>4 classes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Music History<\/strong><\/td><td>1 class<\/td><td>1 class<\/td><td>1 class<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Keyboard Proficiency<\/strong><\/td><td>required<\/td><td>required<\/td><td>required<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Ensemble participation<\/strong><\/td><td>1 year<\/td><td>2 years<\/td><td>3 years<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How to Enroll in the Diploma Program<\/summary>\n<p>Students who are interested in pursuing an ECMS Diploma can&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/diplomas\/diploma-program-registration\/\"><strong>click here<\/strong><\/a> to register as a candidate. &nbsp;Students and parents may also contact the Diploma Coordinator by phone: 274-1400 or by email: <a href=\"mailto:community@esm.rochester.edu\">community@esm.rochester.edu<\/a> with any relevant questions.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Tracking Diploma Progress<\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students can contact the ECMS Office for updates on their Diploma progress at <a href=\"mailto:community@esm.rochester.edu\">community@esm.rochester.edu.&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students will receive advising emails from the Diploma Coordinator at the end of their Junior Year and mid-way through their Senior Year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High school students can receive the Diploma only in their senior year (or the year declared as their final year of high school equivalent).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diplomas and Certificates are presented in person at the annual Commencement and Awards Ceremony.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Other Recognition for Academic and Performance Achievement<\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Instrument-specific Diploma: <\/strong>Awarded to students who satisfy all Diploma requirements and achieve curricular level 5 in a jury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diplomas with Honors: <\/strong>Students who satisfy all Diploma requirements and achieve curricular level 6 by their junior year are eligible to perform an Honors Jury. If the Honors Jury is passed the student can then receive a Diploma with Honors.\u00a0 This is the highest distinction that ECMS awards.\u00a0 For complete information on the Diploma with Honors <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/honors-jury\/\">click here<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Certificate of Advanced Achievement in Performance<\/strong>: is awarded to all students who achieve level 6 in a jury. Enrollment in and completion of the Diploma Program is not required to receive this Certificate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Certificate of Advanced Achievement in Music Theory<\/strong>: is awarded to students not enrolled in the Diploma Program who complete at least 4 years of theory coursework with straight A grades (at least one year has to include an Advanced Theory class).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull alternating-colors is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div>\n  <div id=\"diplomaImg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Eastman Community Music School Students holding their diplomas on the steps of Lowry Hall\" src=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/ECMS-Graduation-2023-Meredith-Hart-Photography-1868-scaled-1-2048x1365.jpg\" \/><\/div>\n<p>Beginning in Fall 2021 ECMS diploma requirements have changed to reflect the demands and needs of a 21st century musician.  Some students will continue to finish their diplomas in 2022 and 2023 based on the previous requirements.<\/p>\n<p>Students who should follow the policies and requirements currently published on this website include:<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>&#8226;<\/strong> Current high school sophomores or younger students\n<br \/><strong>&#8226;<\/strong> High school juniors who enrolled in the diploma in Fall 2021 and have not previously taken theory at ECMS\n<\/p>\n<p>Student who should follow the previous policies and requirements found in this brochure include:<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>&#8226;<\/strong> Current high school juniors and seniors\n<br \/><strong>&#8226;<\/strong> Adult students who enrolled in the diploma program in 2019 or before.\n<\/p>\n<p>View a downloadable version of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/20ECMS64462_Diploma_Brochure_MockUp_6x9_LV9.pdf\">Diploma Brochure \u2913<\/a> and requirements here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/diplomas\/diploma-program-registration\/\">Sign Up for the ECMS Diploma Program<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Beginning in Fall 2021 ECMS diploma requirements have changed to reflect the demands and needs of a 21st century musician. Some students will continue to finish their diplomas in 2022 and 2023 based on the previous requirements. Students who should follow the policies and requirements currently published on this website include: &#8226; Current high school [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":20401,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-alternating-colors","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-25086","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"mb":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/author\/rita-coulter\/","display_name":"Rita Coulter"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 2 years ago","modified":"Updated 9 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on August 20, 2024","modified":"Updated on August 14, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on August 20, 2024 3:46 PM","modified":"Updated on August 14, 2025 3:35 PM"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/files\/BecomeABetterMusician_ECMS_DiplomaProgram.jpg","series_order":"","mfb_rest_fields":["title","coauthors","author_meta","relative_dates","absolute_dates","absolute_dates_time","featured_img_caption","featured_img","series_order"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25086"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25086\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33086,"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25086\/revisions\/33086"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esm.rochester.edu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=25086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}