DipABRSM - Extra pieces, How do I know if the off syllabus music I pick is up to diploma standa Options

[Fatissimo]

Hello everyone, it is me again. Thanks for your contributions on my last post. My programme is going well but I think I should add some extra more interesting pieces off-syllabus songs to it.
The only problem is, how do I know if they are up to the dipABRSM standard?
I thought of doing Che faro by Gluck and Di Tanti Palpiti from Tancredi but I found out they are both from LRSM and FRSM list. Is this possible?
What do I do???
Kindly give me suggestions on pieces you think I can add for the Contralto?Mezzo-soprano range.

Thanks,

Yours sincerely again,

Fatissimo

[fsharpminor]

I do not think they would worry if you choose a piece that is on a higher Dip syllabus, though own choices have to be approved I think

[corenfa]

Only thing I'd look out for is if you do something from a higher exam list, would you re-enter that piece if you take the higher level exam. Trinity will not allow you to do that but I have never looked at the requirements for AB.

[Lucysop]

Hi Fatissimo
Having done Dip and LRSM, I have included own choice. It does not need to be approved in advance but you must ensure that your own choice does not take up more than a certain percentage of the total programme - I think for Dip it is a third (approx 10min) but please check the syallabus. They can penalise you for it if they choose. My own choice was slightly higher for Dip but I did it to vary the mood, style and also finding pieces to suit my particular voice type. The examiners didn't appear to mark me down because my own choice content was slightly over - they just complimented me on the variety of the programme, which they enjoyed.

You can take any piece you wish even if it if from a higher list - and you can include it again for the higher exam if you wish.

I'm afraid I can't offer much help on the mezzo lists as I'm not so familiar with the repertoire for this yet.

I hope you find this info helpful.

Are you doing your exam this coming session in Lagos?

Good luck, I'll be interested to hear how you get on.

[Invidia]

I think it's about how you play them. If you can perform something from a higher level to a professional standard, then there is no reason why you shouldn't use it. I would perhaps just be aware that, for example, to play an LRSM piece to "professional standard" is to play it to a standard that would earn you an LRSM pass. So you would have to have it totally in your control; they would not think "well it's a hard piece, so we will make an allowance".

[Fatissimo]

Thank you all for your invaluable contributions. I find them very useful and will act accordingly.

[Lucysop]

I think it's about how you play them. If you can perform something from a higher level to a professional standard, then there is no reason why you shouldn't use it. I would perhaps just be aware that, for example, to play an LRSM piece to "professional standard" is to play it to a standard that would earn you an LRSM pass. So you would have to have it totally in your control; they would not think "well it's a hard piece, so we will make an allowance".

There is a degree of validity in the point you are making, however, I think that they expect a certain standard of performance (technical, performance, delivery etc) for each level of diploma. I did in fact take a piece from the LRSM list in my Dip and from their comments they appeared to have been satisfied with what I presented, however I included the same piece in the LRSM 2 years later (for balance of programme, not because I didn't want to learn other rep, honest (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ). There is no doubt that I performed the piece infinitely better than during the Dip technically etc, and the comments recieved were similar in nature - had I given the same delivery as I had in the Dip they would have not been satisfied - as their level of judging is much higher - as is suggested by each stage of the diplomas.
Sorry....a bit long winded, but hope it makes some sense. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fatissimo]

One more question please. The songs where you have for instance eng/ital written on it, does this mean that
I can do the song in either language?
Would this help me to balance the language issue?

[Lucysop]

One more question please. The songs where you have for instance eng/ital written on it, does this mean that
I can do the song in either language?
Would this help me to balance the language issue?

Check the syllabus, but generally all songs should be sung in the original language - or the language conventionally accepted i.e. Haydn's Creation can be sung in either German or English. As far as I can remember the syllabus is quite specific. Hope that helps a little. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)