Examinations
I am often asked whether or not I am happy to put students in for exams. My answer is always yes, where appropriate. Exams are not for everybody, and nor do they need to be; a good deal of time can be wasted in just jumping from one exam to another, and this is something I never encourage. The idea of an exam every year rules out so much "real" music-making, in the effort to learn 3 pieces and a set of scales. Many of my students do take piano and music theory exams, but they all do other things (as in ensemble playing, composition, accompaniment, different types of pieces) as well, so it is more usual to skip some exams and enjoy music-making in the large gap between.
Where exams are appropriate, I greatly prefer the Music Teachers Board (MTB) exams. This is a well-respected, fully-accredited examination board which has been running successfully for some years now and many people are using it in preference to the older examining boards. MTB exams are all taken online....we record the examination either in my music room or remotely in the student's home. There is no set exam day; entries can be sent in whenever it is convenient. This eliminates the "balancing act" of having performances ready "in time, but not too early" for the exam date. It also means that the candidate doesn't have to miss work or school, in order to take their exam.
Exams can be Regular or Performance. In the Regular exams, three pieces are performed, along with scales and arpeggios, sight reading, and aural tests.
Performance exams are exactly as their title suggests - there are no scales, sight-reading or aural tests, but extra pieces have to be performed, and the student's performance qualities are taken into consideration. In choosing the type of examination, I take the student's strengths into consideration, and choose appropriately.
Where exams are appropriate, I greatly prefer the Music Teachers Board (MTB) exams. This is a well-respected, fully-accredited examination board which has been running successfully for some years now and many people are using it in preference to the older examining boards. MTB exams are all taken online....we record the examination either in my music room or remotely in the student's home. There is no set exam day; entries can be sent in whenever it is convenient. This eliminates the "balancing act" of having performances ready "in time, but not too early" for the exam date. It also means that the candidate doesn't have to miss work or school, in order to take their exam.
Exams can be Regular or Performance. In the Regular exams, three pieces are performed, along with scales and arpeggios, sight reading, and aural tests.
Performance exams are exactly as their title suggests - there are no scales, sight-reading or aural tests, but extra pieces have to be performed, and the student's performance qualities are taken into consideration. In choosing the type of examination, I take the student's strengths into consideration, and choose appropriately.
Kent International Piano Courses (KIPC)
KIPC is a great way to spend the last 3 days of the February half term. It is an annual event, taking place in Tonbridge School. It is suitable for anyone from Grade 1 level to Advanced. Teaching takes place in small groups and it is an excellent way to learn, not only through one's own lesson, but also through observing those of other people in the group. Not only is it very educational, but it is also great fun; many people go there year after year because they enjoy it so much. Here is a link to the website: www.kipc.co.uk
Pupils' concerts
I try to put on one of these every term. They are informal concerts, and performers can play anything they want. We have used a variety of venues, and our current one is St Nicholas church, Poplar Grove, Maidstone. Performers can bring along as many audience members as they like. There is no entry charge, but I do leave a box by the door for voluntary donations. This money from this is used to cover the cost of hiring the church, and anything left over goes to the bursary fund that I run for financially disadvantaged students. It can be used to help fund their exam or festival entries if they can not afford this themselves. A concert typically lasts about an hour, and then there is a social event afterwards with cold drinks and cake.
Music Festivals
I am greatly in favour of music festivals. They serve as an excellent performance opportunity with the added benefit of the words of wisdom from an expert in the field of whichever instrument is being performed. My husband Robert and I were founders of the Maidstone Music Festival (which always runs on the last weekend of November) and we have always worked, with a team of volunteers, to support this. You can read more about it on the website www.maidstonemusicfestival.org.uk. The entries for this have to be in by early October and anyone who would like to perform, come along as audience, or join our group of volunteers is very welcome to do so. Just let me know. There are other music festivals in the area, too...Tunbridge Wells Arts Festival, and Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival. I work as a volunteer at both of these and am very happy to help you to enter them if you wish.
You can perform in a festival either in a competitive or non-competitive class. There is a small cost to enter, but it is well worth it. As well as the opportunity to perform, and the very useful adjudication, you will also receive a certificate and, if you win a competitive class, a medal.
You can perform in a festival either in a competitive or non-competitive class. There is a small cost to enter, but it is well worth it. As well as the opportunity to perform, and the very useful adjudication, you will also receive a certificate and, if you win a competitive class, a medal.
