Summer 2012 results Options

[barry-clari]

Hi everyone,


Congratulations to those who passed their exams and commiserations to Sdod and Coolh5000.


I haven't posted anything here about my Dip exam because I failed last year and was really discouraged, and only by 3 marks. However I passed this year and with a good solid grade. To those who are thinking of retaking, I retook the exam this year after and got 20 marks higher than last year. I learnt a whole set of new pieces and put a lot more effort in. I was actually expecting a fail because I had to learn a totally new sonata within a month! But I feel positive that I delayed the exam by a year and learnt completely new pieces, for me it wasn't just about 'passing' the exam, but about feeling accomplished and confident at this level before I move onto the next. Also, bear in mind how tired you get of the same pieces when playing them for a long time, sometimes it can actually be counterproductive because you don't hold the proper level of concentration needed to get through a good practice session because you've already practice the same pieces way too long! Or you could keep some of the same pieces and substitute your least confident piece for another.

Well done! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[vee]

Got my ATCL result today. Didn't make it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I'm feeling a bit low,but in my heart I knew that I wouldn't pass, so it didn't come as a surprise,although I'm at the pass border line. I've got a mix of good comments as well as indicators in areas of improvement so I guess I'll just move on from here.

Also got feedback like " page turns were distracting" and " drank water from a metal flask that distracted from stagecraft" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Next time, I'll simply leave my water at home even if I am dying of thirst. It just so happened that on exam day, there was total power failure and I had to shuttle between two blocks in blazing heat ( I live in the tropics).

Quick question- what are you supposed to do with page turns anyway? While I did play 3 of my pieces from memory, I just couldn't memorise my Sonata or my Schubert Impormptu which is as long as a Sonata. Well- it just isn't my day today.

I just hope I get the motivation to go through all of this again soon- right now I'm just feeling sorry for myself.

[sbhoa]

Quick question- what are you supposed to do with page turns anyway? While I did play 3 of my pieces from memory, I just couldn't memorise my Sonata or my Schubert Impormptu which is as long as a Sonata. Well- it just isn't my day today.

You have to learn to do them tidily.

Too bad you didn't make it. Sounds as though it was the container and not the drinking that they didn't like. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[Deborah]

Quick question- what are you supposed to do with page turns anyway? While I did play 3 of my pieces from memory, I just couldn't memorise my Sonata or my Schubert Impromptu which is as long as a Sonata. Well- it just isn't my day today.

What to do? Find a suitably qualified page turner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Sorry to hear you didn't get the result you wanted, but best of luck for the future. Now, pick yourself up, dust yourself down, and get playing again.

[mel2]

I delayed the exam by a year and learnt completely new pieces, for me it wasn't just about 'passing' the exam, but about feeling accomplished and confident at this level before I move onto the next.

I think this is absolutely what it is all about; congratulations on passing so well, and you will be better for the extra study you have done.
It's horrible to fail an exam, and I feel for those on here who have had the bad news but the best thing you can do is take the disappointment and annoyance (with self) and use it to fuel your determination to get it right next time.

[barry-clari]

Also got feedback like " page turns were distracting" and " drank water from a metal flask that distracted from stagecraft" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Next time, I'll simply leave my water at home even if I am dying of thirst. It just so happened that on exam day, there was total power failure and I had to shuttle between two blocks in blazing heat ( I live in the tropics).

Inclined to agree with sbhoa : I think it was the container that your examiner objected to rather than you drinking the water : you're better off with a plastic bottle or similar.

Quick question- what are you supposed to do with page turns anyway? While I did play 3 of my pieces from memory, I just couldn't memorise my Sonata or my Schubert Impormptu which is as long as a Sonata. Well- it just isn't my day today.

What to do? Find a suitably qualified page turner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Not withstanding that Deborah is very good at that sort of thing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) , she's absolutely right : get a page turner. Then you can concentrate on the music and the page turner can turn your pages nice and quietly.

Hard luck, vee (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) , but if you're right on the borderline, it won't take much to just get you over the finishing line. All the best.

[Hedgehog]

Also got feedback like " page turns were distracting" and " drank water from a metal flask that distracted from stagecraft" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Next time, I'll simply leave my water at home even if I am dying of thirst. It just so happened that on exam day, there was total power failure and I had to shuttle between two blocks in blazing heat ( I live in the tropics).

Inclined to agree with sbhoa : I think it was the container that your examiner objected to rather than you drinking the water : you're better off with a plastic bottle or similar.

Yes I agree too. If I were you, next time I would take water in a plastic bottle and a clear plastic "glass" so that you could pour water out and leave it to one side before you began, and then if you needed a drink you would appear to be drinking properly out of a "glass". That would be perfectly acceptable to anyone. It's all to do with appearances.

As a member of an amateur choir, we are told not to take even plastic bottles of water to our performances. Because of the staging and the venue, we have to remain in our seats even through the interval which is very short. As I sit on the back row, I disobey the rules because I find I need a drink, but I make sure that I have a straw inside my plastic bottle to sip through so I'm not seen up-ending the bottle - even on the back row. It's all a matter of appearance.

[sbhoa]

Also got feedback like " page turns were distracting" and " drank water from a metal flask that distracted from stagecraft" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Next time, I'll simply leave my water at home even if I am dying of thirst. It just so happened that on exam day, there was total power failure and I had to shuttle between two blocks in blazing heat ( I live in the tropics).

Inclined to agree with sbhoa : I think it was the container that your examiner objected to rather than you drinking the water : you're better off with a plastic bottle or similar.

Quick question- what are you supposed to do with page turns anyway? While I did play 3 of my pieces from memory, I just couldn't memorise my Sonata or my Schubert Impormptu which is as long as a Sonata. Well- it just isn't my day today.

What to do? Find a suitably qualified page turner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Not withstanding that Deborah is very good at that sort of thing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) , she's absolutely right : get a page turner. Then you can concentrate on the music and the page turner can turn your pages nice and quietly.

Hard luck, vee (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) , but if you're right on the borderline, it won't take much to just get you over the finishing line. All the best.

Having a page turner does depend on the exam board.
They don't all allow a page turner.

[barry-clari]

Also got feedback like " page turns were distracting" and " drank water from a metal flask that distracted from stagecraft" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Next time, I'll simply leave my water at home even if I am dying of thirst. It just so happened that on exam day, there was total power failure and I had to shuttle between two blocks in blazing heat ( I live in the tropics).

Inclined to agree with sbhoa : I think it was the container that your examiner objected to rather than you drinking the water : you're better off with a plastic bottle or similar.

Quick question- what are you supposed to do with page turns anyway? While I did play 3 of my pieces from memory, I just couldn't memorise my Sonata or my Schubert Impormptu which is as long as a Sonata. Well- it just isn't my day today.

What to do? Find a suitably qualified page turner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Not withstanding that Deborah is very good at that sort of thing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) , she's absolutely right : get a page turner. Then you can concentrate on the music and the page turner can turn your pages nice and quietly.

Hard luck, vee (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) , but if you're right on the borderline, it won't take much to just get you over the finishing line. All the best.

Having a page turner does depend on the exam board.
They don't all allow a page turner.

Trinity think that many page turns can be dealt with by photocopies, but will allow a page turner for ATCL soloists as well as accompanists.