Klarinet Archive - Posting 000310.txt from 2004/04

From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Music exams in U.S.
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 14:08:15 -0400


<<<What about the kids who learn privately, and who do not want to =
participate
in the school system of music grades 1 to 6?=20

They stay in the classroom and regular classwork. Kids who take =
instrumental music are excused from regular class time to take their =
music class. There is a regularly scheduled music class for all grades =
during the school week, but it isn't instrumental. In the early grades =
it is mostly singing songs. When a child reaches middle school (grades =
6-8) then the choice to take any type of music class becomes elective =
(unfortunately).

<<<Is there an *outside school* system? (which is essentially what ABRSM =
is - i.e. nothing to do with schools). Or are these kids who learn =
privately away from school obligated
to come into the school system 1 to 6 whether they like it or not, due =
to
the absence of *outside* exams like ABRSM?

The only thing outside the schools are private lessons or the =
preparatory classes given through the colleges and conservatories. Here =
at the school where I teach, middle and high schoolers can take music =
classes that are offered for credit and non-credit with the =
authorization of the head of their respective schools (know as the =
principal) or their guidance counselors. While our orchestra, dance =
company and choirs have no secondary students, the band and jazz =
ensemble do.

<<<In UK, there is no school system of music exams. If you want a =
certificate
of proficiency, it`s all done outside of school with ABRSM and other
institutions.

It's funny about musicians, but we all know who can play well and who =
can't, regardless of what they say they can do. And I have a pretty =
good feeling that Lelia can do a lot better than her stage fright might =
indicate. You should hear her compositions. She isn't Mozart, but then =
neither was Leroy Anderson and there hasn't been another like him since =
either.

<<<By the way - totally off topic - sorry - - - - as an aside, which =
State
would you recommend as being the most accommodating and comfortable, =
(the
most English?) for a Limey to start living in, always assuming a Limey =
be
allowed in, in the first place. One at a time please.
I repeat - I will most certainly be living over here for the =
*far*-seeable
future.

Our states are all-American. If you are looking for English, go to Nova =
Scotia in Canada. I think you will find any state in the union =
accommodating and comfortable. We let Limey's in all the time. We even =
let Matthew in last fall. ;>) If you are a smoker, don't come to =
Maryland. If you are a smoker, you might want to quit anyway, before =
coming here to live. Smoking is being banned everywhere. It is =
probably the biggest difference between your society and ours. We have =
major pollution problems in a lot of places, but it is getting harder =
and harder for smokers to contribute to them.

Nancy

Nancy E. Buckman, CPO, AFO, Technical Assistant
School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD 21012-1895 USA
Phone 410-777-2316 Fax 410-777-2233
E-mail nebuckman@-----.edu

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