Klarinet Archive - Posting 000379.txt from 2004/04

From: Tony Pay <tony.p@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Music exams in U.S.
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 08:53:34 -0400

In message <000601c42918$5b1b82a0$33062850@windows98>
<tony-w@-----.uk> wrote:

> Don't get confused with 'theory' and 'aural' tests. ABRSM instrumental
> exams do not cover theory at all, but they *do* emphasise theory just as
> much as playing! There are separate theory exams which do not include
> playing your instrument. Yes, one has to be grade 5 level in theory before
> going on to sit grade 6 instrumental exam - this is a separate exam.

Yes. Grade V theory is quite an elementary exam, though.

> And similarly for qualification to enter into the 3 - 4 year college study
> with instrument as first study, (including a second instrument study in
> addition, which can be voice) the student must have passed the grade 8 on
> instrument, *and* the separate grade 8 in theory. This covers traditional,
> 20 cent. and modern harmony techniques: counterpoint and fugue:
> composition: vocal writing: knowledge of other instruments and
> orchestration.

I don't think this is true. You submit evidence of musical ability when
applying for an audition for a Music College, but that's understandable. (The
evidence includes references, concert experience and practical examinations,
but nothing is *required*.) I don't think I've ever heard of anyone being
denied an audition, though unfortunately I've been on the wrong end of
several auditions that I'd rather *had* been denied;-)

If you get in, though -- and any audition panel will accept a talented
instrumentalist like a shot, I can tell you -- you do have to do a certain
amount of academic work in order to get your degree. Students who are not
academically inclined find this hard work, but it seems to me that a
well-rounded musical education *to degree level* should include some academic
study. And of course it happens the other way around: a student reading for
a music degree at Oxford is able to include instrumental performance as a
module, which used not to be the case.

> I`m a music writer in addition to my clarinet and piano playing, so I may
> be bashing my own corner here, but I believe that our exam systems need to
> be looked at in such a way so as to not prevent a promising instrumentalist
> from qualifying for entry just because their own instrument, say bass
> trombone is a million miles away from (and being forced to learn a certain
> amount of), say harp.

Well, as I say, I don't think it is a entry requirement. I just downloaded
the application form for the Royal Academy of Music at:

http://www.ram.ac.uk/programmes/ram-2004.pdf

....and there are no entry requirements listed.

I happen to agree with you that the music colleges were better off when they
were able to allow instrumentalists to avoid academic studies almost entirely
if they wished (so that they weren't doing a degree course, essentially) but
that's a matter of national funding policy. And given that a degree is in no
sense 'noticed' in the world of professional performance, a few people who
found that they *really* couldn't stand the academic side have been able to
drop out partway through the course and still have a satisfactory career on
the basis of their instrumental ability. But most people in that position
just do the minimum requirement to get their degree.

You can, of course, get into the music profession from another direction,
like the National Youth Orchestra and University in another subject, as I and
quite a few others in this country did years ago, thus avoiding *any* music
examinations. Here, in terms of orchestral training, I think the NYO scores
very heavily over the US system. And there are all these European Youth
Orchestra intitiatives now, too.

So, as far as the ABRSM goes, I am the proud possessor of an Grade V Diploma
for clarinet, for which I was awarded a Merit (barely -- I got 120 out of
150), and a Distinction in Grade II piano;-)

I did later, just before University, do an external LRAM, but that was 'just
for fun'.

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd tony.p@-----.org
| |ay Oxford OX2 6RE http://classicalplus.gmn.com/artists
tel/fax 01865 553339

... I'm in shape ... round's a shape isn't it?

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