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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

ABRSM exams cancelled due to coronavirus as of today

27 replies

Frogusha · 17/03/2020 14:38

Is there anyone in the same boat? So gutted, as DD1's exam was tomorrow, the first day the cancellation is effective. What are people planning to do, just skip the grade and start playing new material? Or keep practising in the hope that at some point they will reinstate the exam (but we don't know when)?

OP posts:
Abrsm2020 · 17/03/2020 17:58

Hi
My child was about to sit grade 8 clarinet in order to do a level in music this September. I’ll email his school to find out details..and then the sixth form school I guess.

Totalshambles · 17/03/2020 21:21

I know, so gutted! Such hard work and practice had gone into it plus fatigue with the pieces had very nearly set in. We won’t now be able to keep the momentum on those pieces. We will be skipping it now and moving on. No way are we postponing until next term.

BearAusten · 17/03/2020 21:28

Ds was supposed to do his piano exam on Friday. Due to it being grade 1, and more than ready for it, he will just skip it.

If you look at Abrsm Facebook, they have stated that they 'have decided to suspend all Practical music exams outside the UK and Ireland from now until 1 July 2020' (after Scotland/NI Summer exam session, mid England/Wales).

If it was a Grade 8 exam (probably no exams below this), I would be inclined to do it at the next opportunity. I would expect any school to make some allowances for individuals in Abrsm2020's situation ( or something similar.).

raspberryrippleicecream · 17/03/2020 23:07

DS2 was doing Grade 5 organ which was a nightmare to set up, we had to find a suitable church and register it. He was already above the standard, teacher wanted him to do it, so I guess he'll just move on.

raspberryrippleicecream · 17/03/2020 23:08

ABRSM why did they need Grade 8 for A level?

ahagwearsapointybonnet · 17/03/2020 23:16

Drat, one of mine was JUST about to do theirs and I was hoping it might possibly be able to go ahead with some distancing, but evidently not. As it's just a grade 1 though we'll probably just skip it and move on. I think all their lessons will probably stop soon anyway (especially if schools close eventually), so we'll just have to muddle on for now. Luckily between me and DH we play or used to play all the same instruments, so hopefully we'll be able to help them keep going temporarily...

LynetteScavo · 18/03/2020 06:51

DD will be gutted. She wasn't due to take an exam until the summer, but I'm presuming they won't start up again until the autumn term?

LynetteScavo · 18/03/2020 06:59

I thought need grade 6 for A level.

I also thought grade 5 was equal to a GCSE. DD was looking at Grande 5 this summer. Looking long term maybe she'll just skip to grade 6?

ahagwearsapointybonnet · 18/03/2020 07:42

Hmm, I just checked the ABRSM webpage and they are saying exams are still ON as far as possible, as long as students have no symptoms and the venues are OK. So PLEASE CHECK before assuming they're off! Good luck!

raspberryrippleicecream · 18/03/2020 07:55

Are you in the UK Ahag? Because the UK website definitely says suspended until further notice.

ahagwearsapointybonnet · 18/03/2020 08:21

Weird, I'll check again later!

MirandaWest · 18/03/2020 08:36

DD’s Trinity exam has been cancelled - was due to do her grade 5 on 30th March. She seems resigned to it but along with theatre productions she’s in being cancelled she’s a bit downhearted

Hiphopopotamus · 18/03/2020 08:42

Horrible for the kids who have worked so hard but please also spare a thought for the examiners who have now lost out on three months work. They count as self employed so no exams mean no money!

ahagwearsapointybonnet · 18/03/2020 09:40

How odd, I checked the website on my phone earlier and got a COVID-19 update saying exams were still mostly on, but checking it on the PC it now definitely says they are off and they've tweeted the same. I must have somehow got an old version of the page earlier.

Totalshambles · 18/03/2020 10:05

Hipho good point. Hopefully they will come up with a Skype or other online platform for exams for next term.

raspberryrippleicecream · 18/03/2020 23:39

Hipho yes, I'd thought of that. Ds2's organ teacher is also an examiner.

I also have friends who mark GCSE and A level papers who I guess will be losing money this year

horseymum · 19/03/2020 07:05

Only good thing is you can use the time to get grade 5 theory work done in preparation for when they start up again.

GaraMedouar · 19/03/2020 07:14

Yes, really sad for all those who put in all the work and practise. For lower grades I’d suggest just moving on to the next one , but to retake Grade 8 when up and running again. I think I’d retake even down to Grade 5 possibly.

Thistly · 19/03/2020 08:49

Had just made a plan with dd’s teacher about her next exam! I guess we continue preparing for it and wait and see.

horseymum · 19/03/2020 11:18

Just playing lots of fun music, doing virtual concerts for family and enjoying music will be important at this time too, everyone in the same boat.

Mumof3andchicken · 20/03/2020 05:20

I saw this message online, and joined to answer.

FOr all those who had an upcoming exam, one option is to record the exam pieces (with accompaniment if required), and enrol in the exam through Con Brio Examinations. Con Brio Examinations accept pieces from any recognised syllabus. It allows you to get the certificate and move onto the next level.

I don't know what ABRSM will do about grade 8 pre-requisites for people who were hoping to do diploma in november this year, however. I do hope that they relax that pre-req for this year under the circumstances.

lanthanum · 21/03/2020 19:20

I don't know what ABRSM will do about grade 8 pre-requisites for people who were hoping to do diploma in november this year, however. I do hope that they relax that pre-req for this year under the circumstances.

The theory exams were hit by snow a couple of years ago, and I think they relaxed the prerequisites the next term.

MrsKypp · 14/11/2020 01:05

Sorry to re-start a zombie thread, but does anyone know what is meant by an ABRSM examiner writing there were 'rogue notes'?

It was in the exam feedback and we think it must mean either wrong notes, or extra notes that weren't supposed to be played.

I searched online, but couldn't find a single reference to rogue + notes.

It would be helpful if the examiner had said where they were, but they didn't really. Thanks to anyone who can answer this.

thirdfiddle · 14/11/2020 17:33

Phew, worried me a moment there for friends with exams scheduled this term! Another time - you can start a new thread, or there's a long running friendly (currently) Autumn term music thread that is great for this sort of thing as lots of music parents watch it and will spot your post.

As far as I know it could be anything really, it's not a technical term. Wrong note, out of tune, hit an extra note in passing. If they thought the student was struggling with a particular section they'd have said so, so I'd take this as a few random slips in different places that probably wouldn't happen again in the same place. DD often gets something along these lines, she plays beautifully and knows her pieces really well but she does get nervous and there are slips and they write something to acknowledge they noticed and had to knock off a mark or two.

thirdfiddle · 14/11/2020 17:34

Currently Autumn that is - not currently friendly, music threads are always friendly :)

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