0800 687 392 | www.abrsm.org

2013:2

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Information about Additional Comments on marks forms Schedule of practical exams

for 2013 ABRSM online

What's inside

Putting myself in their shoes

As we work hard in the Auckland offi ce to ensure exam pianos are tuned, examiners’ travel

arrangements are streamlined, and results are delivered effi ciently, it can be easy to forget that all over the country exam candidates are practising hard, rehearsing with accompanists, and fi tting in last minute lessons in preparation for their exam day. So back in 2011 I decided to make sure the candidate’s experience is always at the forefront of my mind by putting myself in their shoes and beginning my own odyssey – Grade 1 on a different instrument every year.

Taking the fi rst stepDue to a fascination with less ‘mainstream’ instruments, I am no stranger to trying (and struggling!)

with new musical challenges, but I decided to start with something that was at least a little bit familiar. I learnt the cello for many years and continue to play casually, so felt that the viola would not be too much of a change. Also, my partner (Graham McPhail) is a violinist and agreed to teach me, and a friend (Wen Chuan Lin) had an instrument she was happy to lend me, so the logistics were easily managed. The process of learning the exam pieces and scales was fun, and a little bit of disciplined practice helped me to feel comfortable sight-reading in alto clef. The exam day arrived like any other and I took myself off to the venue at the appointed time, feeling confi dent and looking forward to taking the fi rst formal step on my journey. The exam went almost

Heather Gummer, ABRSM's National Coordinator, writes about her experience of becoming a Grade 1 student again… and again…

0800 MUSEXAM (687 392) | Text: 02 ABRSM 200 | offi ce@abrsm.org.nz | www.abrsm.org

without a hitch, with just one comical moment as I left the exam room and the examiner called me back to confi rm our usual weekly catch up over dinner! I was awarded a distinction result, and the examiner's general comments on the form were "Superlative playing sympathetic to the instrument. I enjoyed your performance very much – well done!". It was with some regret that I returned the viola and ticked that one off the list.

Time for a challengeAfter a relatively easy ride in 2011 I decided to try something a little different, so having never even attempted to play a brass instrument before, I chose the trombone as my challenge for 2012. I hired a trombone and signed up with an understanding teacher (Jillian Christoff), and stepped into the unfamiliar and unpredictable world of brass playing. As someone who is well educated in both music and science, I thought an understanding of these fi elds would stand me in good stead. However the art of producing sound, let alone music, on a trombone proved to be a little elusive! Jillian is a patient and encouraging teacher and soon the pieces and scales began to take shape. The most disconcerting aspect of the process was the fact that a phrase or technique practised to perfection one day was suddenly an impossible hurdle the next. I’m aware that the cry from students of “I could do it perfectly

at home!” is a common one, but I now believe this is never truer than for a brass player. The exam date loomed terrifyingly and I increased my practice to twice a day, but a beginner embouchure has limited stamina and progress continued to be slow. When the time fi nally came, it was a struggle just to put one foot in front of the other as I walked into the exam room. When after my fi rst scale the examiner asked “would you like to try that again?” I knew I wasn’t off to a brilliant start. But the ground didn’t swallow me up and I continued to battle on through the other components of the exam. I must say it is a sobering moment to have a masters degree in music and still have to ask for a second playing of a Grade 1 aural test, but such are the effects of nerves! A few days later I was delighted and relieved to receive a Merit result, despite the examiner's general comments being a little less glowing than for the viola: "An encouraging result. Embouchure (and, consequently, tone quality) was not quite equal to musical intention today, but it was a worthy all-round performance!". I have to admit that I didn't feel at all sorry to return the trombone and have no plans to ever play one again!

Facing your demonsJillian then encouraged me to consider the french horn as my instrument for 2013, and as a horn player herself said she would be happy to continue teaching me. Often said to be the most diffi cult

orchestral instrument, the french horn certainly seemed like one to get out of the way, so I accepted her offer of a short term loan of an instrument and had my fi rst lesson. Possibly because I am no longer completely new to brass, or perhaps because of the quite different shape of mouthpiece, I am fi nding the horn a much more natural instrument for me. The cost to hire a horn is extremely high, so when a cheap instrument came up for sale I took the plunge and have enjoyed the extra feeling of responsibility that comes with owning the instrument I play. I really look forward my practice times and have felt a sense of achievement as my range has increased slowly but surely. I have also attended some sessions playing in a band with other students (all much younger and much more capable!) and that provides the extra challenge of hearing and pitching your own part within an ensemble. As with the trombone, horn playing can still be very frustrating – but I try and take my teacher’s advice to “aim for optimum, not perfection”. I’m looking forward to my exam, although not without some trepidation, and this time I will be prepared to laugh off the unwritten extra notes that I’m sure will pop up in my performance.

Looking aheadThis journey so far has not only reminded me of all the things our candidates experience – achievement, discouragement, elation, anxiety, aspiration, and relief – but has also allowed me to see fi rsthand the wonderful professionalism and kindness with which ABRSM examiners treat candidates, and the benefi ts that can come from working within a system that has stood the test of time such as the ABRSM syllabus.

I would like to encourage all teachers to try their hand at something new this year – whether a new instrument or a new craft or sport – to feel what it is to be a learner and to strive and be rewarded.

And what’s next for me? Presuming the french horn exam goes well enough to pass, I rather fancy trying the oboe!

0800 MUSEXAM (687 392) | Text: 02 ABRSM 200 | offi ce@abrsm.org.nz | www.abrsm.org

Those additional comments

From time to time, we are asked why examiners sometimes write in the additional

comments box on a Practical Grade mark form, and sometimes the box is left blank. The guidelines for examiners only require that a comment be written for two bands of marks – fails, and distinctions – but if an examiner feels some extra comments would help to explain the marks given, then this can be done at their individual discretion. In many cases, the examiner will have incorporated all their feedback into the boxes related to each section of the exam, and therefore has nothing more to add at the bottom of the form. The most important thing to remember is that if a candidate doesn't have any additional comments on their form, they shouldn't feel the examiner didn't enjoy their performance or didn't fi nd it worthy of comment. If you do receive a mark form where you have concerns regarding the match between comments given

When will my exam be?

While our Practical exam sessions are quite long, we try and keep to a regular

pattern of dates so that candidates will have a good idea of when their exam will be. Of course we also do our best to process entries as quickly as we can, so you should always be notifi ed of your confi rmed exam appointment about eight weeks before the session begins. If you’re ever unsure about the possible dates for your exams, just get in touch with your local representative (contact details on the application form and on our website) or call the Auckland offi ce.

Dates for exams in 2013

Session 2 Session 3

Northland late August late October

Auckland full session full session

Waikato late August early November

Bay of Plenty late August late October

Hawkes Bay / Gisborne mid/late August late October/early November

Taranaki / Wanganui / Manawatu early September early/mid November

Wellington September November

Nelson/Blenheim late August late October

Christchurch September full session

Timaru late August late October

Southland / Otago mid/late August mid/late October

We occasionally use the email address you include on your application form to send you information about an upcoming ABRSM event in your area, so if you change your email address, don't forget to drop us a line so we can update our database.

If you're not sure we have your correct address, send us a message any time and we can check for you.

and marks awarded please get in touch with Heather or Carla in the Auckland offi ce, and we can pass your concerns back to the Quality Assurance offi ce in London for further investigation.

Keeping in Touch.

Heather GummerNational Coordinator | heather@abrsm.org.nz | (09) 480 1200 x2

Carla JohnstonAssistant Administrator | carla@abrsm.org.nz | (09) 480 1200 x1

UpcomingEvents

Dates for your diary 2013Session Closing dates Exams

Theory B 17 May 15 June

C 20 September 2 November

Practical 1 – Auck, Well, Chch only* 15 March 20 May – 12 July

2 24 May 12 August – 20 September

3 – including Jazz & Diplomas 9 August 21 October – 6 December

* other centres by special arrangement

Did you know ABRSM is on Facebook?

IRMT Conference 2014

The Taranaki Branch of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers invites you to join them in New Plymouth at the Devon Hotel for the next IRMTNZ Conference on February 7 - 9 2014. More information will be available through www.irmt.org.nz in due course.

PRACTICAL EXAMS 2013 APPLICATION FORM & TAX INVOICE

PO Box 34433, Birkenhead,Auckland 0746

129A Onewa Road,Northcote, Auckland

telephone (09) 480 1200freephone 0800 MUSEXAM (0800 687 392)fax (09) 480 1201text 02 ABRSM 200

email office@abrsm.org.nzweb www.abrsm.org/nz

Applicant informationThe applicant is the teacher, parent, or adult candidate, and must be 18 years of age or over.

Applicant number (Optional)

Title

First name

Family name

Qualifications

Address

Suburb

City/Town

Post code

Email

Home telephone ( )

Work telephone ( )

Fax ( )

Mobile telephone ( )

Examination options

Practical 1Closing date: 15 March Exams: 20 May to 12 July

Choose ONE centre only per form. Please contact us if you require additional forms.

AucklandRemuera / Mt Eden

Northcote

Howick

Other Auckland centre:

________________________

Pt Chevalier

Orewa

Drury

WellingtonWellington City

Lower Hutt

Kapiti Coast

Other Wellington centre:

________________________

HamiltonChristchurchDunedinOther centre:

________________________

Teacher/school to appear as presenter on certifi cate (if different from applicant above). See guidance notes for more information.

Please read the guidance notes regarding other commitments. Requests for preferred dates or weeks will not be considered without supporting documentation.

Practical 2Closing date: 24 May Exams: 12 August to 20 September

Practical 3 (including Jazz)Closing date: 9 AugustExams: 21 October to 6 December

No staples please

Applicant type Teacher School Parent/guardian Adult candidate

GST No. 30-296-524

Auck, Well, Chch, only. Other centres by special arrangement

PRACTICAL EXAAMMMSS 22013APPLICATION FORMM && TTAAAX INVO

Applicant informationThe applicant is the teacher, parent, or adult candidat

Applicant number (Optional)

Title

First name

Family name

Qualifications

Address

Suburb

City/Town

Post code

Email

Examination options

Practical 1Closing date: 15 March Exams: 20 May to 12 July

Choose ONE centre only per form. Please contact us if you requ

AucklandRemuera / Mt Eden

Northcote

Howick

Other Auckland centre:

________________________

Pt Chevalier

Orewa

Drury

Please read the guidance notes regarding other commitments. documentation.

No staples please

App

Auck, Well, Chch, only.Other centres by special arrangement

THEORY EXAMS 2013 APPLICATION FORM & TAX INVOICE

PO Box 34433, Birkenhead,Auckland 0746

129A Onewa Road,Northcote, Auckland

telephone (09) 480 1200freephone 0800 MUSEXAM (0800 687 392)fax (09) 480 1201text 02 ABRSM 200

email office@abrsm.org.nzweb www.abrsm.org/nz

Applicant informationThe applicant is the teacher, parent, or adult candidate, and must be 18 years of age or over.

Applicant number (Optional)

Title

First name

Family name

Qualifications

Address

Suburb

City/Town

Post code

Email

Home telephone ( )

Work telephone ( )

Fax ( )

Mobile telephone ( )

Examination options

Choose ONE centre only per form. Please contact us if you require additional forms.

AucklandEpsom

Takapuna

Pakuranga

Other Auckland centre:

________________________

Henderson

Orewa

Manurewa

WellingtonWellington City

Lower Hutt

Kapiti Coast

Other Wellington centre:

________________________

HamiltonChristchurchDunedinOther centre:

________________________

Teacher/school to appear as presenter on certifi cate (if different from applicant above). See guidance notes for more information.

Theory AClosing date: 15 February Exam: 23 March

Theory BClosing date: 17 May Exam: 15 June

Theory CClosing date: 20 SeptemberExam: 2 November

This application is made under the Theory Incentive Scheme for Schools

Workbooks already received

No staples please

Applicant type Teacher School Parent/guardian Adult candidate

GST No. 30-296-524

Need an application form?

If you’ve used up the forms posted to you at the beginning of the year, it’s really easy to print out your own application forms from our website. Type www.abrsm.org into your browser, and you’ll be automatically taken to the New Zealand page. Click on the fourth link on the left of the screen: The staff at ABRSM in London post daily

updates including quirky pictures and stories to do with music and learning. And if you ‘like’ the ABRSM page, you’ll also receive occasional reminders via Facebook about upcoming New Zealand closing dates.

then choose the form you need from the list on the right.

If you’re familiar with fi lling in our forms, you only need to print out the fi rst two pages – the third and fourth pages are guidelines and contact details which you don’t need to send in with your form. Of course if you would prefer to have a form posted to you, just call or email any time.