Should I Retake My Grade 8? Options

[dramallama]

I did my grade 8 singing before easter and passed (115).

However, my singing teacher and I were expecting a merit/distinction and I got much lower marks on my pieces than I was expecting and I have never got lower than a merit before. I was never expecting the aural to be that good as I found it difficult. I thought the sightreading went alright but I got 13 (fail mark), which is annoying as I know I can sight sing when not under pressure.

I really wanted to move on after this exam but if I want to further my singing, I probably need a higher grade 8 mark.

I was thinking of either retaking in july (slight problem of my AS exams) or perhaps waiting till next march, in which time I could improve my aural and sightreading skills - but then I definitely wouldn't be moving on!

Please help.....thanks

[Tixylix]

Firstly congratulations on passing grade 8! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I see you're doing AS levels at the moment - are you planning to apply to do music at uni? If so then retaking might be a good idea if you're aiming for a distinction to put on your UCAS application. If not, you've passed and even if the mark isn't as high as you would like, it's a comfortable pass. I think it would make more sense to look closely at the comments sheet for your exam to see which areas you need to focus on now - see the exam as a springboard for future progress, with the comments to give you an idea of which direction to face.

Remember the prerequisite for DipABRSM is a Grade 8 pass, not a Grade 8 distinction, so that would imply that getting a pass rather than a distinction is not a barrier to future musical progress. It sounds like the barrier is more in your head than anywhere else - applaud yourself for your success and channel your enthusiasm into where you want to take your singing next, rather than dwelling on your mark alone.

[kingsley13]

I've been wondering the same thing recently.

I did grade 8 clarinet last July and got a merit, which I was very happy with, but since then I've become fairly certain that music is what I want to do after I leave school. Would I need a distinction at grade 8 for universities to accept me to do music? I'm currently 15 and in year 10 so I have a coule more years before I need to start thinking properly about university, but I have just been thinking about it recently. Also, I will probably have one or maybe even two more grade 8s by the time I leave school, as I'm working on grade 8 on piano, and on grade 7 on the sax at the moment.

[dramallama]

Firstly congratulations on passing grade 8! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I see you're doing AS levels at the moment - are you planning to apply to do music at uni? If so then retaking might be a good idea if you're aiming for a distinction to put on your UCAS application. If not, you've passed and even if the mark isn't as high as you would like, it's a comfortable pass. I think it would make more sense to look closely at the comments sheet for your exam to see which areas you need to focus on now - see the exam as a springboard for future progress, with the comments to give you an idea of which direction to face.

Remember the prerequisite for DipABRSM is a Grade 8 pass, not a Grade 8 distinction, so that would imply that getting a pass rather than a distinction is not a barrier to future musical progress. It sounds like the barrier is more in your head than anywhere else - applaud yourself for your success and channel your enthusiasm into where you want to take your singing next, rather than dwelling on your mark alone.

Not planning on taking music at uni but definitely want to carry it on there at a high level. I suppose the mark just really knocked my confidence more than else because I felt that I really peaked for that exam.

Thanks for your advice though, I'll definitely take the comments into account even if I don't quite agree with them.

Firstly congratulations on passing grade 8! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I see you're doing AS levels at the moment - are you planning to apply to do music at uni? If so then retaking might be a good idea if you're aiming for a distinction to put on your UCAS application. If not, you've passed and even if the mark isn't as high as you would like, it's a comfortable pass. I think it would make more sense to look closely at the comments sheet for your exam to see which areas you need to focus on now - see the exam as a springboard for future progress, with the comments to give you an idea of which direction to face.

Remember the prerequisite for DipABRSM is a Grade 8 pass, not a Grade 8 distinction, so that would imply that getting a pass rather than a distinction is not a barrier to future musical progress. It sounds like the barrier is more in your head than anywhere else - applaud yourself for your success and channel your enthusiasm into where you want to take your singing next, rather than dwelling on your mark alone.

Not planning on taking music at uni but definitely want to carry it on there at a high level. I suppose the mark just really knocked my confidence more than else because I felt that I really peaked for that exam.

Thanks for your advice though, I'll definitely take the comments into account even if I don't quite agree with them.

just to clarify, it's the examiner's comments that I don't agree with. Yours were very helpful, thank you.

[sbhoa]

I really wanted to move on after this exam but if I want to further my singing, I probably need a higher grade 8 mark.

I not convinced that retaking an exam (especially one you've passed) is ever moving on.
You can move on without ever taking exams and sometimes exams can be more of a hold up than a move on.
There may well be times when a retake is more of a necessity but this doesn't always result it a higher mark.

What does your teacher think?

[Devonclari]

I retook my grade 8 a year after sitting it the first time, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, in the event I was ill on the day second time around and ended up getting one mark less the second time around 118/117). If you need to have a distinction then do it if not the time would probably be better spent on expanding reprertoire and working on technique etc.

[barry-clari]

Would I need a distinction at grade 8 for universities to accept me to do music?

No, not necessarily. Assuming you want to major on clari, you need to be playing consistently at grade 8 distinction-y (or, in many cases, higher) sort of level, but that doesn't mean you need the bit of paper to prove it. Most institutions will interview and audition you to ascertain what level you're genuinely at.

[dramallama]

I really wanted to move on after this exam but if I want to further my singing, I probably need a higher grade 8 mark.

I not convinced that retaking an exam (especially one you've passed) is ever moving on.
You can move on without ever taking exams and sometimes exams can be more of a hold up than a move on.
There may well be times when a retake is more of a necessity but this doesn't always result it a higher mark.

What does your teacher think?

You're probably right...it's just annoying as both my teacher and the person who accompanied me on the piano in the exam think I should have got distinction marks for my pieces (which I didn't). My teacher's leaving the decision to me but was definitely shocked at the mark.

[musicbox]

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat just wins out over Jesus Christ Superstar in terms of music. I haven't seen the stage show of Sweeney Todd but I love the film, although I also love Johnny Depp so that might help. Avenue Q is great fun and the songs are ridiculously catchy, especially the one about the Internet (if you've seen it you know what I'm talking about (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ). If I had to pick one over all the others though, it would have to be Rent - I never get tired of it and the ending just gives you a lovely warm fuzzy feeling. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)

Call me bizarre but I've never really 'got' Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables, can't really see what the big deal is supposed to be about them.

Would I need a distinction at grade 8 for universities to accept me to do music?

No, not necessarily. Assuming you want to major on clari, you need to be playing consistently at grade 8 distinction-y (or, in many cases, higher) sort of level, but that doesn't mean you need the bit of paper to prove it. Most institutions will interview and audition you to ascertain what level you're genuinely at.

I've been accepted at Cardiff and I haven't done my Grade 8 yet (doing it this summer) so providing your doing well in A Level music etc. you should be ok.

[kingsley13]

Would I need a distinction at grade 8 for universities to accept me to do music?

No, not necessarily. Assuming you want to major on clari, you need to be playing consistently at grade 8 distinction-y (or, in many cases, higher) sort of level, but that doesn't mean you need the bit of paper to prove it. Most institutions will interview and audition you to ascertain what level you're genuinely at.

OK, thank you! I know I could have got a distinction because I played my pieces pretty badly on the day, and I've definitely improved loads since then, and I still have two or three more years to improve as well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[elliewelly]

I got 117 for my Grade 8 clarinet and was worried I wouldn't get into university. In the end, I put the dates and marks from Grade 7 (132) and Grade 8 on the UCAS form, so that they could see I'd taken them only a term apart - my teacher's decision to take them so close together, not mine! I was also offering piano and viola at a lower level. I applied to 6 universities, and all of them called me for interview, and all of them offered me a place. It's as much dependent on the audition, interview and A level results as anything else, so please don't worry. I personally didn't re-sit, just moved on to the diploma (13 years, 2 degrees and 2 kids later though!!)

[denmark77]

elliewelly - wise words there.

dramallama and kinsgley13, you should be proud of your achievements at grade 8. As all musicians know - the mark you were given only reflects your performance at one particular moment , on one particular day, and does not in any way fix or set your future path. What is more crucial for those considering music at HE or even for a career, is your commitment to realise your potential through dedication to your future achievements. A-level grades, and your performance at interview and audition, combined with your practical results, give admissions tutors a general picture, and they are skilled at filtering out those having the certificates but not the motivation, from those having both the drive and aptitude needed to succeed.

So put your great results behind you and build on them, by applying your energy and time wisely - work on repertoire, technique and general musicianship, which will put you in a much better position for further musical studies, IMHO.

(From a Grade 8 re-sitter, who got Merit 1st time, and Distinction 2nd time ..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) )

"Do as I say, not as I do...."

denmark

[notmusimum]

This thread is really interesting.

As daughter is about to take her first Grade 8, and given the Flute result last session. I have wondered what might happen if she gets a pass or merit at Grade 8.

To be honest I don't know what is right or wrong. No doubt there isn't one.

My gut feeling is that it would depend on whether it was the instrument daughter wanted to persue at Uni level. I suspect if it was then she may well resit. Though I doubt it would be the same exam format as she took in the first instance. I agree with it being important to move on so we would definately be looking for a new challenge to achieve whatever was needed. I think work on designated weak areas would be top of the agenda.

If all you are going to do is more of the same then I think it's risky to depend on Diploma or the notion of improving.

I suppose how much time you have before auditions and interviews start is important in any decision. I'm not a teacher or in any way musical so this is a very personal viewpoint.

[Dulciana]

I agree with sbhoa that there's nothing to be gained from retaking, and that it might actually hold back genuine progress. I've seen people scrape through by the skin of their teeth at Grade 7 and then get distinctions at Grade 8, so the mark on the day isn't necessarily an illustration of what you could do on a different day with a different examiner, and it's not necessarily an indication of potential. A few marks lost here and there can take you down very easily from a low distinction to a high pass. I would take the examiner's comments on board even if you don't fully agree with them, and bear them in mind for the future; maybe your priorities were just elsewhere. If you want to prove yourself why not just look at a diploma syllabus and do it that way? Then again, if you don't mind shelling out the money again, and can take Grade 8 again at the next session with little extra effort, whilst working at other things at the same time, then why not, if this is really important to you? But do contemplate the prospect of the mark not improving - or going down. If you were to sing the same pieces next time they could go a little stale, and you might feel under extra pressure the next time round.

[beccaplaystheclarinet]

I had exactly this dilema! I just did my Grade 8 (clarinet) and I got 114, both me and my clarinet teacher (and my music teacher actually) were very disappointed and I'd been aiming for at least a merit. In the end I decided not to retake as I am so bored of my pieces and didn't really have enough time to learn new ones with my A level exams as well. I also decided that there are plenty of technique things that I can try and sort out, where as I might not have time if I redid my Grade 8, and at the end of the day, that will make me a better clarinettist in the long run, and that's more important than a very subjective mark!

If you're worried about unis then I really wouldn't, I applied with my Grade 7 mark (121) and hadn't even got my G8, but I still got 5 offers from Birmingham, Durham, Nottingham, Royal Holloway and Sheffield, so it really isn't the end of the world. I didn't even have to audition! It might be more problematic if you want to apply to conservatoires with more emphasis on performance, but I don't really know. Anyway, hope that helped (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)