Students' Exams, Anyone attend? Options

[Beclarinet]

Would it be a complete stranger though?
Isn't it usually a good idea to have at least one (and preferably more than one) rehearsal with the accompanist?

Yes....he would have at least one rehearsal this week with the other accompanist and probably one next week too. Which I had explained to the parents... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[jenny]

However, I had a teenager do an exam recently with a couple of little ones as well... and when the girl was in doing the exam the mum said that they'd had a talk in the car on the way and when the girl realised that I was going to be there, she visibly relaxed.

So to quote a different thread, it's all down to the individual. But I think I shall enquire in future just in case pupils don't really want my good intentions.

I think I might follow your example. I've never thought to ask if they would like me to be there, but maybe they would.....

[Clari Nicki1]

I attend practical exams always. I help to create a happy and calm atmosphere in the waiting room and am on hand to answer any last minute questions. I do not go to the theory exam centre. They are on their own for those tests.

Yes, me too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I do that too..... I can ensure they all have the correct music- I help them warm up and tune before going in and give them a chocolate bar/ sweets (with parent's permission) afterwards. I find some of the parents get very nervous and wind the pupils up- so I see my role as calming them down!


Don't do theory exams unless it's one of my own offspring.....


Oh yes- and I have no choice this time- my first standard visit is happening in my house- so I have to steward..... have other teachers coming in on the visit too. I'm quite excited......

[Misterioso]

I attend practical exams always. I accompany my own simnging and recorder students but I never charge for doing so. I help to create a happy and calm atmosphere in the waiting room and am on hand to answer any last minute questions. I do not go to the theory exam centre. They are on their own for those tests.

Ditto - this is exactly what I do (apart from accompanying). On many occasions the child and / or parent/s visibly relax when they see me there. But it does depend on the individual.

My flute teacher is always there for me, as he stewards for the exams, and accompanies anyone who requires it. I find it quite reassuring. He's always there to run through pieces a final time before entering the exam room, and is a calm, competent presence.

But I also go to my students' exams for ME. I want to know that they got on okay, weren't freaked out, and that nothing went drastically wrong. I'm afraid I'm guilty of sneaking down the corridor now and again to listen to their pieces! If these, at least, go okay, then I can go away afterwards and worry slightly less than I otherwise would about the results. Although no-one has failed yet, there is always a first time, and with any student's first exam (whatever age or grade) you dont know how they will cope.

[BerkshireMum]

I have four students doing exams next week... two first timers (grade 1) and two who have done other exams.

I had a phone call from the parents of one of the g1s last week saying that unless I was there to accompany him they would pull him out! (Apparently he couldn't go into the exam room with complete strangers - which I think is a little odd - he is 8 after all...)

I had originally told all of them I wouldn't be able to accompany them and made arrangements for someone else to do it, but after that phone call, which somewhat threw me, I rearranged my schedule to fit them in. It means missing a few rehearsals, but I felt so guilty that the child wouldn't be able to do his exam that I couldn't see another way around it.

Did I do the right thing?!

I'm sure your grade 1 pupils will be relieved that you are to accompany them. Eight is not so very old, and some children are ready to face unknown situations earlier than others.

I accompanied my own children in the early grades partly to save money (their teachers didn't accompany so I would have had to hire someone) and partly because I knew they'd feel better with me there. By the time they were past grade 5 and I started to pay for accompanists, they were seasoned campaigners and didn't care whether I was there or not.

Once your 8 year old pupil has a couple of exams under his belt and knows what an exam involves, he will gain in confidence and no longer need your friendly face in the room. For now, for what it's worth, I think you did the right thing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[oldromola]

I always, always attend exams to support my pupils. As it happens, I am taking grade 2 clarinet in a few weeks time at Ripon Grammar School, and a few of my piano pupils from the school have said they are coming along to the exam center to calm me down beforehand!

On a slightly different topic, I accompany several of my piano pupils who are learning wind instuments and this I do for free. I do it for free as I enjoy doing it so much and feel it is something of a thank you to the parents who are supporting me as a piano teacher. I also am asked to accompany wind players who are not my piano pupils and this I charge for. Without exception I find I have to work on aural tests with these candidates. Is it my imagination, or do peripatetic wind teachers tend to duck out of aural test teaching?

[barbara]

I have always gone to the exam centre to meet my students there.
I think that is is very important to chat to them and the parent before the exam.The parent is usually more nervous than the student!
They have always appreciated it and I never charge them for my time there.
I usually request a morning session as I begin teaching in the afternoon so that I am able to get there.
The more support you give them, the better.

Barbara

I always, always attend exams to support my pupils. As it happens, I am taking grade 2 clarinet in a few weeks time at Ripon Grammar School, and a few of my piano pupils from the school have said they are coming along to the exam center to calm me down beforehand!

On a slightly different topic, I accompany several of my piano pupils who are learning wind instuments and this I do for free. I do it for free as I enjoy doing it so much and feel it is something of a thank you to the parents who are supporting me as a piano teacher. I also am asked to accompany wind players who are not my piano pupils and this I charge for. Without exception I find I have to work on aural tests with these candidates. Is it my imagination, or do peripatetic wind teachers tend to duck out of aural test teaching?