Re Music Grade Exam

[CheerMum]

Hi, my dd is taking her Grade 1 Flute exam tomorrow, this is our first experience of music exams. Her pianist says people tend to go dressed as if it were an interview i.e. no jeans.
AIBU to think this is a bit OTT and she should wear whatever she's comfortable in, surely it's her musical ability that is being assessed, not her clothing? Or is this the norm?

[cozietoesie]

I would wear something in which she feels comfortable but I wouldn't wear jeans, I have to say.

[RoleyMo64]

Mine have done multiple grades on multiple instruments and always worn what they wanted.

Usually school uniform tbh as the grades were in school time, but I've never heard of a music examiner caring about smart clothes v casual.

[honeytea]

I just wore normal clothes when I was taking grade exams 20 years ago. More often than not it would be my school uniform as I would have just finished school for the day.

[phantomnamechanger]

never heard such nonsense! Mine go in whatever they like - usually its during or after school they they are in uniform. - DD has played and won in her age group in a piano festival, wearing very casual top and jeans!

[CheerMum]

Thanks, dd is home educated so we have no uniform, she tends to live in her jeans so we'll dig out some leggings or something just in case.

[SunflowersSmile]

Any thing you want- jeans are fine. How odd her pianist thinks clothes are relevant!

[YDdraigGoch]

I think it all comes down to making a good impression. Wrong it may be, but examiners tend to be on the mature side, and I think more likely to give the benefit of the doubt to a well turned out candidate. No jeans - smart casual.
Though lots of kids attend in school uniform as they pop out of school for the exam and then go back to school.

[shouldbeironing]

Being comfortable is important. But perhaps it doesnt hurt to show some respect for the situation unless DD has no alternative clothes she is happy in. All the exams I have been to the examiner turns up in a suit and tie and the check-in lady who sits you down to wait etc is often a middle-age to elderly volunteer in the twinset and pearls or equivalent. If I turned up wearing jeans I might feel a little bit awkward although less so for a child. However you are absolutely right that whatever she wears she will be marked on ability not outfit.
My tip would be to get there in plenty of time to warm up. (Recalls panic over no parking near venue for DS exam with 10 minutes to spare).

[Justforlaughs]

My DD wore jeans for her guitar grading but maybe there's form for different instruments.

[ladygoldenlion]

I don't think it matters - DS2 did his grade 1 piano today and all the kids were wearing school uniform as it was at 2pm. However, it should be the playing that is graded not the clothes!

Good luck to your DD, DS absolutely loved doing his (grand piano in a hall), came out beaming! x

[3b1g]

Some of the examiners are quite old-school and a few might interpret jeans / trainers as disrespectful, even if the child or their parents didn't mean to be. I would avoid jeans / trainers if you can, just out of respect for the culture the more mature examiners grew up in.

[teacher123]

Normal clothes absolutely fine. I've entered hundreds and hundreds of children for ABRSM exams and its never even occurred to me to tell them what to wear!

[carabos]

DS2 went in whatever he was wearing - school uniform when younger, jeans etc once in 6th form. Nobody ever mentioned a dress code.

[freddiefrog]

Normal clothes is the norm here

DD1 has done prep, grade 1 and grade 2 piano and has never dressed in anything other than her normal clothes - jeans, hoodie. Although her exam she did dressed as a dragonfly (she was on her way to take part in a carnival parade)

[12ylnon]

I think i was asked to wear smartish clothes when i did mine. I.E. not punked up!
I would imagine it has something to do with the reputation of the music school.