ABSRM violin grade 1 - is an accompanist needed?

[User181019]

Hi there, is an accompanist necessary for Grade 1 violin? We haven't requested one but out we've been automatically given one by our school which sorts out the admin for the ABSRM exams. That's fine only we've been asked to pay for a rehearsal slot (additional £40), which is extra to the exam fee already paid. On top of this, the accompanist is saying we need it because if my 7yo runs over her 12 min time slot on the day, we will be charged her time!

Personally, I don't think Grade 1 violin needs an accompanist. It's grade 1. I can't seem to find the policy on the ABSRM website. Does anyone know? That would mean the cost of taking Grade 1 would almost be £100! It seems so excessive. After several emails attempting to clarify, we've now discovered that the rehearsal is optional but strongly recommended by the accompanist (of course). Our violin teacher agrees with me that we don't really need it as child is used to playing the pieces with the piano anyway. My question is whether we actually need an accompanist on the day. Child is equally happy to play the pieces without a pianist accompanying.

Thanks in advance!

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Yes you will need an accompanist - two of the three pieces are accompanied. This is true throughout the grades.

[GaraMedouar]

All three pieces are accompanied, and yes you do need one.

[horseymum]

Yes, they have to be accompanied, that is integral to the exam. However, I have a vague thought that a cd might be allowed, but might be making that up. That's why my DD had gone straight in at Grade 5 as it costs so much! Hope your child enjoys the experience and their music making.

[ellesbellesxxx]

Does the£40 include the accompanist’s fees for the exam day? If so that sounds about right. You definitely need an accompanist tomorrow though yes

[Ribbityrib]

Alas whether you think an accompanist is needed or not isn't really the point
And yes, no question, you need one for every grade. All three violin pieces are accompanied (2 out of 3 for woodwind and brass). I'd be a bit horrified that any music teacher would say otherwise tbh!

[HumphreyCobblers]

I would definitely practice with the accompanist you are going to use on the day too, just to establish appropriate speed etc.

[Ribbityrib]

Or did the teacher mean the rehearsal was optional? Sorry if I misunderstood. Either way it's bad advice though. It would seem v foolish to go into the exam without a rehearsal if you've never met the accompanist before.

[Anywaythewindisblowing]

Teacher and accompanist here. Yes you definitely need one. They will fail without one, it is part of the exam and the pieces are designed to be played with an accompanist. You can skip the rehearsal if you wish but it wouldn't be fair on the accompanist to be expected to turn up to an exam without having a run through first.
For comparison I charge £45 for accompanying which covers 2 x 30 minute rehearsals and my attendance of the exam.

[Quartz2208]

All sounds perfectly normal - and yes pretty much expected.

For the music exams myself and my DD have done its always accompanied and we always have a rehearsal so that the accompanist knows the quirks of the individual and how to adapt accordingly

[TailsoftheManyPaws]

We must have been very lucky as the kids’ music teachers accompanied them without extra charge for everything before grade 8 (then we suddenly had to pay for two hours rehearsals at £80 each, plus another £80 for the day, which was quite a shock!).