Music Exam Grade Question: Grade 2 or something else??

[mmumoftwo]

I just found out my ds is taking his next cornet exam next week - but I'm confused as I just found out it's taking place at his school - with his own cornet teacher.
His last exam in March was grade 1 and this was with ABRSM at their test centre with an ABRSM examiner
I am confused! His teacher says he is doing this exam without a piano accompaniment but I thought you always needed one? Does this still count as grade 2?- could it be with another examining board? I know he has been learning Grade 2 pieces...
The only difference between now and then is his teacher has gone private and no longer works for the County music service..
Anyone any ideas why this is so different to his Grade 1 ??

[crazymum53]

dd did ABRSM trumpet grade 2 and played 3 pieces of which 3 were accompanied and one was not (jazz study).
ABRSM does offer an alternative jazz exam at grade 2 as well.
Are you sure it's the actual exam as don't think that teachers can examine their own pupils. Is it a mock exam perhaps?

[mmumoftwo]

Thanks for responding!
Well his teacher said he was going to do his Grade 2 before Christmas. Maybe she forgot to enter him but doesn't want to tell me?!
Last time he played two pieces with an accompaniment and one without. He is only playing one Jazz piece - The Nuthatch. His other pieces are 'Skye Boat Song' and Minuet (Jeremiah Clarke), a very old classical piece.
He is also practising scales and arpeggios..
I just wouldn't expect his own teacher to be examining him. If it's only a mock exam she should have told me as we have been stepping up the practice at a time when we have lots of other commitments!!

[sunnyweatherplease]

Could his teacher be the one accompanying ds? Many schools have an examiner come to them as long as they have enough candidates.
How old is ds? Could it be the teacher meant you don't need to find an accompanist or piano music as teacher has the music??
I don't know, but I would expect this to be the case. Best speak to teacher to clarify.
Good luck as well to ds!!!

[sunnyweatherplease]

Have you paid for the exam?

[crazymum53]

dd played "Skye boat Song" for grade 2 trumpet and it definitely has a piano part!

[mmumoftwo]

Well my ds is the only one at his level in the school (he is 9 years old - in year 5) it's a very small school and his teacher doesn't play the piano as far as I know..
No, on this occasion she didn't ask me for the fee.. That was what got me thinking she forgot to enter him as last time I had to pay the cheque quite quickly before the deadline was reached
I know two of the pieces have an accompaniment as we have been practising along with the recordings on the ABRSM Grade 2 Brass CD !!
I will have to ask the teacher directly, I just don't want to upset my ds, as far as he was concerned he was studying for his grade 2 and I don't want him to be disappointed or dispirited

[RaspberryLemonPavlova]

Could the teacher be doing her own 'exam' to say your DS is at that standard?

[Katisha]

It won't be the official exam. The teacher seems to be doing their own assessment. This happened to us - unbeknown to me the teacher asked ds whether he wanted to do the official exam or one with her assessing him. He made the decision without thinking to tell or ask me and I was annoyed with the teacher for not sending an explanatory note home.

[sunnyweatherplease]

Also, our music service has replaced grades 1 and 2 with their own in-house assessment levels. Could it be something like this?
Do you particulary want him to take the official exam?

[mmumoftwo]

Thanks for all your replies. It really does sound as if he won't be doing the proper exam. I just wish I had known about this.
Also I don't think my ds will be impressed when he doesn't get a certificate - children love certificates! He has told everyone he is doing his grade 2 so it will be a bit of a let down for him. His older cousin (15) has passed his grade 5 trumpet so ds is more aware of these music exams than others might be..

[RaspberryLemonPavlova]

There might be a certificate, she could design her own? Goodluck to your DS anyway

[AChickenCalledKorma]

DD1's piano teacher is an ABRSM examiner. She is definitely not allowed to examine her own pupils for official exams (as one would expect!)

[mmumoftwo]

My DS passed with a merit yesterday but assume it's not 'official' as it was carried out by his teacher. I just hope he gets a certificate or he will be gutted

[Theas18]

That sounds like a brilliant solution to the expensive exam treadmill!

Alternate grades assessed by the regular teacher and a teachers certificate issued. Then on to the next official grade.

Boys do like their "prizes" ! Hope he gets one. Otherwise y'know what? I'd make one saying "congratulations Mr X has assessed your playing and you are Y standard" with a bit of clip art.