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Original poster

ABRSM, Trinity etc Spring session exams - who's on the bench?

218 replies

Floottoot · 06/03/2018 09:32

DS is taking grade 5 cello ABRSM next week, and I have a flute pupil taking grade 5 this week ( both dates different exam centres).
Pupil is destined for a merit, I think. Her pieces are pretty good, scales could go well if she concentrates, aurals should be fine as she's already passed grade 7 piano, but sightreading is inexplicably weak; she really struggles with rhythm, despite my best efforts and her piano experience.

DS's pieces are great, his scales are pretty secure but he's finding legato arpeggios a bit of a chore ( made harder by changing from a 1/2 size to a 4/4 size cello this term), his sightreading has the potential to be good ( he does well when I'm standing over him, cheering him on!) but he's prone to forgetting the last sharp/flat in the key signature and making the odd silly rhythm mistake, and his aurals are ok...IF he would just sing!
He's taking the exam at school, which is very convenient but does mean I won't be able to hiss last minute reminders at him!

So, what grades are other people's children/ pupils taking, and how's it all going?
As a parent of an exam child, I can now fully empathise with my own mum, who had to endure 2 of us taking exams in 3 different instruments, plus theory - much easier to be the child doing the exams! 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Floottoot · 16/03/2018 08:27

ABRSM gives the dates for exam results in their website - so for each week of examining, there is a set of dates the results will be issued. I have several friends who are examiners and the whole process is seemingly quite involved; what they are able to say on the mark sheets is quite restricted, for example, an examiner can't say " You could have used a greater variety of dynamics" - because who's to say that that particular candidate WAS able to play more dynamics? Also, general comments in the bottom box are only allowed in certain circumstances, for example when a candidate has failed.

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Kutik73 · 15/03/2018 23:30

The ABRSM results take a week or two? Wow, that's quick. I thought it would take a lot more.

catkind · 15/03/2018 22:28

I'm intrigued by the ridiculous costume waffle, what and why? DC have two dress up days next week either side of exam - nearly had DS taking exam in full Viking getup!

Wafflenose · 15/03/2018 21:38

I played for four little ones on Monday (Trinity recorder exams) while wearing a ridiculous costume. We don't have any results yet. 1x ABRSM Grade 2 clarinet and 1x Trinity Grade 3 clarinet next week.

cantkeepawayforever · 15/03/2018 21:22

She will be MUCH more stressed, for much less cause. However, as she has an unblemished track record of distinctions, all the way from primary class test ballet up to the advanced vocational exams, it's almost as if the stress builds incrementally for each one just in case it is 'the one that gets away'.

cantkeepawayforever · 15/03/2018 21:17

DS has his Grade 8 the day before DD's Advanced 1 ISTD Modern Theatre exam.... the joys....

gillybeanz · 15/03/2018 21:11

Good luck to one and all.
I don't think my dd has any coming up but think both grade 8's before summer, not 100% sure.
I'm always the last to know.
Finally doing theory though, it's only taken her 7 years Sad

Madcats · 15/03/2018 21:01

Se22.. "Fine" in a grumpy tone usually means distinctions for the Madcat house. It is almost as if DD is upset we've dared to consider she was a bit marginal.

The ABRSM results take a week or 2, don't they?

Observing about how nice it is to have positive comments from an accompanist (DD's poor school class music teacher does all theirs). It really seems to motivate children if they get praise from somebody who isn't their instrument teacher or parent.

Original poster
Floottoot · 15/03/2018 20:56

Thank you, se22.
You sound like you're up to your ears in exams! Well done for the first 2 and lots of luck for next week's. I'm sure it's worse for parents than it is for our DCs!

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se22mother · 15/03/2018 19:37

Floor not loose

Original poster
Floottoot · 15/03/2018 19:35

musicaltheatremum, my DD is taking her first LCM musical theatre exam next month - grade 2. She only started lessons last term, so I'm not sure what to expect.
What sort of questions are they asked?
Which theatre school does your DD hope to go to after she finishes mainstream?

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se22mother · 15/03/2018 19:35

Well done mini loose. We have now done g3 Clarinet "fine " I'm told by dd. We shall see. Rad ballet exam today. Came out ecstatic. Just g5 violin to go next week . Not sure my nerves can take it

Original poster
Floottoot · 15/03/2018 19:32

Good luck to your DCs, Letlovewin - everything crossed for them tomorrow.

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Original poster
Floottoot · 15/03/2018 19:29

Thanks, Radio and Loose.
My husband picked up DS from school and he fell asleep in the car on the way home, so I think we can say he's worn out by the exam experience!
He seems happy with how it went. The examiner asked him which was his favourite piece - she is also a cellist, it transpires, and agreed with his choice.
We had a lovely email from his accompanist ( who we have never met), saying that he played beautifully and nailed it, so just have to hope he did ok on the supporting tests.
Time for a gin and a sigh of relief!

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LooseAtTheSeams · 15/03/2018 12:55

Good luck minifloot today! I'm sure it will go well!

Radiodependent · 15/03/2018 12:26

Cantkeepaway that sounds like an excellent attitude from the teacher. Good luck to Floot’s son. My DS is on Saturday morning and I am accompanying him so will have no illusions about how it will go but he is better prepared now so fingers crossed.

Original poster
Floottoot · 15/03/2018 11:30

DS's exam is today, at 3pm. He's doing at school (a first for him - he has always taken them at a local exam centre) so it's down to him to sort out all those things he needs to do before going in...Which is nerve wracking, given that he went on stage in an orchestra concert without his spike stop on Tuesday!
I am feeling much calmer than I have been - what will be will be and it's out of my hands now. Just hope he comes out happy with how it went, as he has worked incredibly hard to prepare and his pieces and scales sound great.

Any results for anyone yet, other than Japanese?

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Kutik73 · 14/03/2018 23:34

DS's piano teacher's approach really suits DS so I am very thankful for her. But there is nothing wrong to be motivated by exams/certificates. 10 different methods for 10 different people. Working hard and pushing boundaries are admirable no matter why and how. I also have massive admiration for adult learners.

cantkeepawayforever · 14/03/2018 23:29

First Grade 8 (Trinity Jazz) here at the end of March.

Teacher is a 'take exams that reflect your level, not use exams as a way as preparing for the level' type, so it'll probably be OK...

Kutik73 · 14/03/2018 23:22

Floot, your attitude is very similar to DS's piano teacher. So DS has never really worked towards exams.

He has done four exams so far (and zero for his first study), and he had learnt and performed some of the exam pieces one or two terms before each exam, so no panic nor cramming up but just a bit of shaping up prior to the exam day was all needed (though I must say I was nervous when he did his first exam as simply didn't know what to expect!).

I know the teacher varies her approach according to each pupil so she does uses exams for certain types. She said she would usually encourage to take exam for those who wouldn't practise otherwise.

I hear about teachers who enter their pupils for each exam diligently, or teach only exam pieces... I am so glad DS's teacher is not like that. DS doesn't mind taking exams as he likes any opportunity to perform for audiences (yes, even examiners are audience! Grin). But he doesn't really get motivated by the prospect of getting a certificate. He is probably not very aware of pass/merit/distinction neither. Pass is pass for him (which reduce my stress level thankfully....).

Musicaltheatremum · 14/03/2018 22:10

Tanks Floottoot. My daughter passed grade 8 abrsm piano aged 15 so I was determined to catch up. She is now teaching herself flute and guitar to make herself more attractive as a musical theatre graduate. (Guess where I got my username!)

Original poster
Floottoot · 14/03/2018 15:59

Musicaltheatremum, that is awesome!! I have huge admiration for adult learners, and actually anyone taking piano exams; I eventually got grade 8 distinction in piano as my second study, but my goodness, it was a Labour of love...and blood, sweat and tears!

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Original poster
Floottoot · 14/03/2018 15:56

I think fails are pretty rare for students who have previously done well, unless they go to pieces on the day, in which case a retake usually results in at least a pass.I
The way to handle it is to say that it in no way negates the work they've put in leading up to the exam and is only a reflection of one performance, not their entire playing or ability. The most important thing is to focus on the effort, not the outcome and emphasise what they have learnt and achieved from the process.
Good luck to your DCs, Letlovewin - I'm sure they'll be fine.

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LooseAtTheSeams · 14/03/2018 14:05

I have a positive tale of exam failure! A friend's dd took an exam (not sure which grade) and failed it due partly (but not only) to a scales disaster. She's a very able girl who doesn't fail things. She promptly put in for a retake, got some ad hoc lessons with another teacher to fix her scales and technique and got a merit on the second attempt!

LetLoveWin · 14/03/2018 12:55

We are doing ABRSM here. My DS has Grade III piano and my DD has Grade V violin, both on Friday. So far they have passed all exams, but do any parents have experience of their children failing one? As we move up the grades, I am wondering how to handle it if this did happen!