Huntingdonshire Music School Association - Abrsm

The following article appeared on the ABRSM feed:

More than one million musicians worldwide have used this series to learn about music theory. Now fully revised and with attractive new covers, these workbooks remain the best way to prepare for the AB’s theory exams. Grade 1 is now available, with Grades 2-5 to follow in April and May. Grades 6-8 will have new covers, but the text will remain the same. clear explanation of music notation straightforward language throughout many examples and exercises definitions of important words and concepts helpful tips for students Music Theory in Practice is available from all good music stores or buy yours here.

Has anyone bought this? Is it any good?

External Link

Article on ABRSM Publishing Site

Introduction

Huntingdonshire Music Colege Students with Associated Board (ABRSM) passes at Grades 6, 7 and 8 will now benefit from official recognition for their qualifications from UCAS - the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

This means that it will be possible to count the results from practical and theory examinations at higher grades towards the points total needed for admission to colleges and universities. The UCAS siite has information on application to universities and colleges of further education.

Music Examination Points Equivalence

Following government accreditation of graded music exams last year, we asked UCAS to consider including our higher grades in the tariff for university and college entrance - allocating points as already happens for AS and A levels and other qualifications.

UCAS has agreed, and students applying for university and college entrance for courses starting in the academic year 2004-2005 and beyond will benefit from the following points recommendations:

Points awarded for AS levels are in the range 20 - 60 and for A levels in the range 40 - 120.

Associated Board (ABRSM) exams will attract points under the UCAS system.  As with all awards under this system, admission tutors may accept, or not, the recommended points for the courses for which students apply.

Recommended points are based on the highest grade taken; for example, a candidate with practical passes at Grades 6 and 7 and a distinction at Grade 6 theory would claim for the theory and for the Grade 7 practical - a total of 55 points.  This is in addition to points awarded for AS or A level Music.

Recognition

The inclusion of Associated Board qualifications in the UCAS Tariff provides further recognition of the considerable dedication and commitment required in order to be successful at these grades and confirms the educational worth of graded music exams.

Any student can take exams. The normal process is that your teacher will tell you when they think that you are ready to take an exam. You then get an entry form from reception, the teacher signs it and you then hand it in with the entry fee before the closing date for entries. Exams are normally taken at the end of each of the 3 terms. The closing date for entries falls at the end of the first week of each term. Once entered you’ll get confirmation of the time and date of the exam by post.

The college deals with the following exam boards:-

• The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) - used for most practical instrument exams and theory exams
• The London College of Music - used particularly for percussion and keyboard exams
• The Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Practical Exam Format

A practical exam lasts from just over ten minutes, at Grade 1, to possibly 30 minutes at Grade 8.

A Typical Exam has Parts requiring You to Play and Aural Tests of Your Listening Powers

It typically consists of the following parts:-

• playing scales. The examiner will choose some from the set that are specified for your instrument and grade.
• playing of 3 pieces (which you will have chosen and practised - endlessly - in the months beforehand)
• playing a piece provided by the examiner to test sight reading
• aural tests. These usually involve listening to a piece and describing it in musical terms that you’ve covered in theory lessons, listening to a piece played twice but with rhythmic and/or melodic differences and identifying what the differences were, and singing - either repeating a phrase played by the examiner or sight-singing (at higher grades)

Theory Exams

It is possible to take practical exams without theory up until Grade 5. In order to be able to take Grade 6 or higher you first have to have passed the Grade 5 theory exam. The good news is that there is no theory exam needed beyond this at Grades 6 to 8. The bad news is that the Grade 5 theory exam includes everything you’ve learnt from Grades 1 to 5 inclusive.

The Music College provides, if you want to, the ability to take theory exams at any level. We usually use the ABRSM board. Practice papers are available and can be bought from reception.

Using Music Exam Results for University and College Entrance

It is possible to use the results of ABRSM practical and theory examinations to count towards the total number of points needed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). [[ucas.htm]] More information is available….