New LCM exams - "Performance Awards", - just post them a DVD!!! Options

[sbhoa]

I agree and have visions of, in the future, this being the way forward and no one being required to turn up for exams to save costs. Also - and I know you teachers on this forum would not do this - what is to stop someone else playing the pieces and passing it off as the candidate's. Obviously you can tell a grade 8 player from a grade 1, but I still think there could be problems.

I'm sorry, but I don't agree with this. The leisure play exams and the performance awards will account for a tiny tiny tiny percentage of people taking exams all over the world each year. They will not replace the traditional graded exams in our lifetimes, and I don't think any of us would want them too. They are different, they have a different emphases and they appeal to different people. I think that in some ways, it's not even worth comparing them to the graded exams.

The question of someone turning up and passing themselves off as the candidate could equally apply to the traditional graded exams - certainly with AB, there's nothing to stop this. LCM now ask for photo ID on the day, and this goes for the leisure play exams too... Even with the performance awards you're entry form has to be signed and witnessed.

They ask for photo ID for everyone?
That's bad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
I have a thing about places asking for this sort of ID when having photo ID is not universal in this country.
There are plenty of people with neither photo driving licence nor passport which are the usual forms of photo ID.

[Maizie]

Plenty of people seem to do the exams for the UCAS points, even knowing that points offers aren't all that common. As a result, the accredited exams that get you points will probably always remain a more recognised pathway than the alternatives. But, I think it is great that the alternatives are there for those who prefer them - for whatever reason!

[PianoNotes]

Don't apologise, Seer Green. It is nice to have healthy disagreement as that is how one learns from another's point of view.

[Seer_Green]

I agree and have visions of, in the future, this being the way forward and no one being required to turn up for exams to save costs. Also - and I know you teachers on this forum would not do this - what is to stop someone else playing the pieces and passing it off as the candidate's. Obviously you can tell a grade 8 player from a grade 1, but I still think there could be problems.

I'm sorry, but I don't agree with this. The leisure play exams and the performance awards will account for a tiny tiny tiny percentage of people taking exams all over the world each year. They will not replace the traditional graded exams in our lifetimes, and I don't think any of us would want them too. They are different, they have a different emphases and they appeal to different people. I think that in some ways, it's not even worth comparing them to the graded exams.

The question of someone turning up and passing themselves off as the candidate could equally apply to the traditional graded exams - certainly with AB, there's nothing to stop this. LCM now ask for photo ID on the day, and this goes for the leisure play exams too... Even with the performance awards you're entry form has to be signed and witnessed.

They ask for photo ID for everyone?
That's bad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
I have a thing about places asking for this sort of ID when having photo ID is not universal in this country.
There are plenty of people with neither photo driving licence nor passport which are the usual forms of photo ID.

Totally agree with this - I produce my Readers' Ticket for the National Archives for Photo ID - it's just about the only thing I have!

[Alicia Ocean]

I might have my first candidate! I have a pupil who was about to enter LCM grade 3 this term - but he's had to miss a few lessons due to work. He's cancelled again tonight. If he doesn't at least pay the exam fee in the next week then I won't enter him (just a policy of mine - I don't pay exam fees. Ever.)

Since his pieces are nearly there, if he doesn't enter for grade 3 then I'll be suggesting going down the DVD route and at least getting some exam feedback before moving on as we've covered all the technical work for the grade and it would be dull to wait until Easter.

[sbhoa]

When new ideas like this are implemented do people think that whoever first came up with the idea should get some sort of recognition/credit for it?

[BitterSweet]

Well, I have to say I was excited to see this as I have an adult singing pupil who is also a school teacher and therefore can't easily take exams she has to attend. She is also quite unsure about the concept of exams per se. However, I could see this suiting her because it means she could do the final performances when she's ready, in an environment that is comfortable, and most importantly on a day when she doesn't have to be in school teaching maths!

I still make her learn the aural and sight-singing aspects of music, and a good teacher could easily assess these on the same day as making the recording. (I actually have to say, I don't know how I would teach singing without teaching the "well-rounded" skills, but that's beside the point).

So, mostly, thanks to the OP for letting me know about this!

[linda.ff]

Well, I have to say I was excited to see this as I have an adult singing pupil who is also a school teacher and therefore can't easily take exams she has to attend. She is also quite unsure about the concept of exams per se. However, I could see this suiting her because it means she could do the final performances when she's ready, in an environment that is comfortable, and most importantly on a day when she doesn't have to be in school teaching maths!

I still make her learn the aural and sight-singing aspects of music, and a good teacher could easily assess these on the same day as making the recording. (I actually have to say, I don't know how I would teach singing without teaching the "well-rounded" skills, but that's beside the point).

So, mostly, thanks to the OP for letting me know about this!

Do they have to record all the pieces in the same sitting? Or is it possible to do them on different days? Maybe learn each one and the record it and go on to the next? They'd know, even if you carefully wore the same clothes all the time, because things lke the light would be different, or what you had lying on the sofa in the background etc.