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
The Kent International Piano Courses (KIPC) will take place, as usual, at the end of the February half term (17-19 February). It really is a wonderful opportunity to perform and learn in a friendly and fun environment. The location is Tonbridge School; it is non-residential and each day lasts from 8.45 - around 4.00, with concerts on the Friday lunchtime, Friday evening and Saturday evening. Tuition is in small groups and there are many tutors, of whom I am one. Here is a link to the website: www.kipc.co.uk. The course is for pianists of all ages and standards, from Grade 1 to Advanced.
