Achievement in Music (AIM)
The Achievement in Music (AIM) Program, which is sponsored by the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, is a comprehensive theory and performance curriculum comprised of 14 levels of achievement for piano students. The local associations are in charge of administering the exams in their areas. Over 3000 students from Illinois, as well as several other states, participate in these exams each year. Separate AIM programs have also been written for voice and strings.
NOTE: Examples of aural skills to be used with the sample aural skills test at each level in the Syllabus may be found at https://nsmta.org/aim/. Here is the direct link to their audio files: https://nsmta.org/aim/aim-aural-skills-practice/
Click here for the new version of the Aural Skills practice exam.
*Send checks to *names
January Exam: Sunday, January 30, 2022
(Backup Snow date: Sunday, February 6, 2022)
Registration Deadline: December 15, 2021
AIM Levels 3-12 Theory Exams
Fees: $30 for all levels (covers theory and performance exam)
Chairperson: Helen Chang*, Mary Anne Block
March Exam: Sunday, March 13, 2022
Registration Deadline: February 13, 2022
AIM Levels 3-9 Performance Exams
Co-Chairs: Vonnie Mrozinski: lmrozinski@sbcglobal.net
Helen Grosshans: thegrosshans@yahoo.com
April Exam: Sunday, April 10, 2022
Registration Deadline: March 10, 2022
Level 12 Recitals: By July 31, 2022
AIM Levels 1-2 Complete and Levels 10-12 Performance Exams
Co-Chairs: Suzanne Fleer*: suzannejf2@comcast.net
Suzanne Murray: smurraypiano@gmail.com
REPERTOIRE APPROVAL
All repertoire that is not on the AIM Piano Syllabus Repertoire List must be approved by January 15, 2022
Repertoire Approval Required for ALL Level 12 students (exams and recitals) by January 15, 2022
Approval for Level 12 is required even if the repertoire is from the Syllabus listings.
Email requests to Illinois Repertoire Substitution Chair Stephanie Myers at hisamimyers@gmail.com
PDF FORMS
AIM Levels 1 ABC and 2; Theory Levels 3 and 4
AIM News and Updates
♪ Theory students in Levels 5 and above will be listening to the pre-recorded aural skills portion of the theory exam on MP3 players or CD players. Listening independently in a listening room shortens the exam time required with a judge. On the day of the exam, the MP3 and CD players will be provided onsite along with earphones. Students do not need to bring their own MP3 or CD player. Although earbuds and headsets are provided and will be cleaned with a sanitary wipe after each use, students may opt to bring their own. (2013)
TEACHERS: Please remind students that the recording may be paused as directed for extra time; students are NOT to pause the recording during (in the middle of) the dictation example.
- General Information
- AIM Parent Letter
- CODA Online Piano Repertoire Search (Login required)
- OPERA ONLINE ENROLLMENT for all exams
NOTE: Examples of aural skills to be used with the sample aural skills test at each level in the Syllabus may be found at https://nsmta.org/aim/. Here is the direct link to their audio files: https://nsmta.org/aim/aim-aural-skills-practice/
Click here for the new version of the Aural Skills practice exam.
*Send checks to *names
January Exam: Sunday, January 30, 2022
(Backup Snow date: Sunday, February 6, 2022)
Registration Deadline: December 15, 2021
AIM Levels 3-12 Theory Exams
Fees: $30 for all levels (covers theory and performance exam)
Chairperson: Helen Chang*, Mary Anne Block
March Exam: Sunday, March 13, 2022
Registration Deadline: February 13, 2022
AIM Levels 3-9 Performance Exams
Co-Chairs: Vonnie Mrozinski: lmrozinski@sbcglobal.net
Helen Grosshans: thegrosshans@yahoo.com
April Exam: Sunday, April 10, 2022
Registration Deadline: March 10, 2022
Level 12 Recitals: By July 31, 2022
AIM Levels 1-2 Complete and Levels 10-12 Performance Exams
Co-Chairs: Suzanne Fleer*: suzannejf2@comcast.net
Suzanne Murray: smurraypiano@gmail.com
REPERTOIRE APPROVAL
All repertoire that is not on the AIM Piano Syllabus Repertoire List must be approved by January 15, 2022
Repertoire Approval Required for ALL Level 12 students (exams and recitals) by January 15, 2022
Approval for Level 12 is required even if the repertoire is from the Syllabus listings.
Email requests to Illinois Repertoire Substitution Chair Stephanie Myers at hisamimyers@gmail.com
PDF FORMS
AIM Levels 1 ABC and 2; Theory Levels 3 and 4
AIM News and Updates
♪ Theory students in Levels 5 and above will be listening to the pre-recorded aural skills portion of the theory exam on MP3 players or CD players. Listening independently in a listening room shortens the exam time required with a judge. On the day of the exam, the MP3 and CD players will be provided onsite along with earphones. Students do not need to bring their own MP3 or CD player. Although earbuds and headsets are provided and will be cleaned with a sanitary wipe after each use, students may opt to bring their own. (2013)
TEACHERS: Please remind students that the recording may be paused as directed for extra time; students are NOT to pause the recording during (in the middle of) the dictation example.