Absrm performance exam

I am reading through this thread. Would Performance exam be recognised by schools and other institutions the same way as the original one ?

Good question @lunar1. I can’t say I found a sufficient distinction between the performance result and awards given to individuals pieces. Much reference was made to the pieces and very little to the presentation of the performance as a whole so it did feel as though there were elements of double counting, positively and/or negatively...

I'm an instrumental teacher and I'm really happy with the results from the performance grades so far: 3 Distinctions, a merit and a pass. All justified. Got another 3 pending. Fingers crossed!

Out of interest what did you all think to the feedback for the performance aspect of the abrsm component?

For both children I think it was repeating the comments from the pieces, it mentions the need to improve dynamics but this is where they already dropped marks for the pieces.

Are the being penalised twice for the same things? I'm not planning to appeal results, I don't think they will do performance exams again though.

Well done to your dc @CatsAreAliens

My dc got grade 5 singing back - merit and happy. His voice is going down so a few more weeks and it would have been a struggle!

Thanks blue and lunar, and well done to your DC1 and Dc2!

Since last posting DC’s teacher has recommended the dip abrsm equivalencies on the trinity board. Need to go have a look at the difference between the two boards. Dc seems excited and has started to choose pieces. Just need to make sure switching to trinity won’t make any difference...

Well done to your dc @FiddleOnTheRoof!

We got our results today, both were awarded a merit. Ds2 is really happy with that. DS1 is not, he was two marks off a distinction and it's come down to the performance aspect which seems a little vague.

He said he's never doing another performance exam, but he really likes the interaction in the exam centre, and all the other skills.

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

Well done Fiddleontheroof, that's great. Arsm is a good bridge from grade 8 to the harder diplomas if you're looking for a new goal.

Results in at the weekend... DC passed G8 with distinction. So very relieved! Although DC received the news with mixed feelings. What’s next? Diploma? Follow own musical adventure learning a more varied class of music? Switch to trinity for more song choices? Maybe even do grade 6 theory?

What did your dc do after g8.

Hope you receive your results soon lunar1 x

Thanks @lunar1 will just need to get busy for the next week,,, and forget about it...lol....

All the best to you little one x

We submitted two weeks ago today, no results yet but their deadline wasn't until the 30th.

Just submitted DC video. Has anyone who has done the same received their results back yet? And if so, how long did you have to wait?

I have just submitted my daughter’s performance exam today. It really was very tricky. I am not sure we would opt to do them again and I’m now very worried having read that they are harshly marked!!

I didn't want to risk an in person visit in case it was cancelled again last minute. DS1 really missed going to the exam centre though.

Are there many centres not open as usual?

I've been lucky to tag students onto special visits at a local studio so we have had exams face to face as normal (with screens, distancing, air conditioning) in August, October and more planned in December.

They are looking for an overall feel so a few little mistakes are ok as long as the performance keeps going, things like faffing with the sheet music are penalised though in the performance as a whole mark. I would say if your dc get merits/distinctions normally then you shouldn't worry much, unless they were getting low piece marks and super high aural/sight reading/scales ones.

@FiddleOnTheRoof, listen back to the recordings, the mistakes don't sound as dramatic as they feel while they are playing the piece.

DS2 had a pause on one piece that felt like an eternity when we filmed, when I listened back it was nowhere near as long as I thought. Probably only a second.

I hope we get the results soon, I'm nervous for them.

@blueblueblue4 just getting our pieces ready and also worried about how it will be marked. Have yet to get a take without at lease 2 mistakes in ‘every’ song . When all played back to back without breaks, these mistakes sound compounded. Would you mind sharing how your DC did in the end?

My DC has only ever received merits and distinctions. Anything less will be a shock to the system and would deffo result to reverting back to old style once the centres re-open... will delay progress though...

They were some that were recorded a few weeks ago so we submitted early but they don't mark them till after the official submission day so no need to

Thats my worry @blueblueblue4, the trinity one my DS did was harshly marked. My children normally score very highly on the aural, sight reading and scales. I wonder how ABRSM will score it.

Did you submit yours on the deadline or early? Our deadline isn't until the 30th so I'm wondering if we will have to wait till after then for results.

I got two performance exams back only 5 days after submitting! Marking seems quite harsh without aural to fall back on for some though.

I submitted my boys piano exams today. Fingers crossed!

These performance exams are not as easy as they seem getting it all in one take and deciding which one to send off. I'm really hoping we can get them done by the end of this weekend!

I was reading the ABRSM guidelines on this today, it is done in one take with the emphasis on performance - it is preferred that you have a live accompanist but a remote person to accompany, playing alone or a recording is also acceptable.