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

[Alicia Ocean]

I've just noticed LCM has brought out postal performance exams. I can think of several of my pupils who are too timid to take an actual exam who might be tempted to let me record them.

I think you just need to do the three pieces - see http://www.uwl.ac.uk/lcmexams/performance_Awards.jsp
They're much cheaper than exams in person too.

[lorraineliyanage]

Does it have to be an auto-run DVD I.e. You put it in the computer or DVD player and it automatically plays or even has a menu, or can it be a DVD disc with a movie file such as .avi or .mov on it that the examiner selects to view? I only ask as making a DVD is quite fiddly and time consuming, but burning a file straight off the camera onto a disc is no bother at all!

[Arundodonuts]

Does it have to be an auto-run DVD I.e. You put it in the computer or DVD player and it automatically plays or even has a menu, or can it be a DVD disc with a movie file such as .avi or .mov on it that the examiner selects to view? I only ask as making a DVD is quite fiddly and time consuming, but burning a file straight off the camera onto a disc is no bother at all!

If you download the syllabus you will see the notes say the DVD must be capable of being played on a standard DVD player (so not a .avi or .mov etc).

[JudithJ]

That sounds like a really useful option. I hope that AB start doing this.

[Alicia Ocean]

.. the DVD must be capable of being played on a standard DVD player (so not a .avi or .mov etc).

I'm sure that'll be a faff the first few times but it's something I'd like to learn how to do anyway. It would be wonderful to be able to send a home-made DVD of my family to some elderly relatives, for example.

[ExpressYourself]

I think it's fab. I've already altered my exam entry parent letter. I think for the kids who have lessons in school it will suit the parents to have it all done in lesson time. Plus cheaper, plus as many times as possible to get it right!

Also I'm going to use it myself to test the water on some of my minor instruments and styles! Fab!

[Arundodonuts]

Plus cheaper, plus as many times as possible to get it right!

Well, half the price of a grade exam so you might not want to do the same one too many times. I agree it looks useful for those who like the idea of an external assessment but don't want to do all the supporting tests and aren't bothered about getting the grade certificate. I'm sure it will suit a lot of adult learners.

[sbhoa]

Plus cheaper, plus as many times as possible to get it right!

Well, half the price of a grade exam so you might not want to do the same one too many times. I agree it looks useful for those who like the idea of an external assessment but don't want to do all the supporting tests and aren't bothered about getting the grade certificate. I'm sure it will suit a lot of adult learners.

It's ok if you have the equipment.
I'd be happy if leisure play was available on all instruments.
I was hoping to suggest this to a clarinet student who has clarinet as a second instrument. He doesn't particularly want to do exam on clarinet but his granddad is keen for him to have reasons to perfect pieces.

[ExpressYourself]

Plus cheaper, plus as many times as possible to get it right!

Well, half the price of a grade exam so you might not want to do the same one too many times.

I didn't mean enter lots of times, I meant re-record lots of times (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Seer_Green]

I think these are an excellent idea, and I can see that they would definitely appeal to some super-nervous adult candiates. I can also see their value for teachers who want an independent assessment of their skills, for example, on a second instrument. They won't suit everyone, but then no exam will do that. I think that LCM have been quite bold in offering this - I can't see it being anything the AB choose to do anytime soon!

OK, I'm a bit nervous about the technology, but I don't think it's impossible, and would be useful to learn anyway.

[linda.ff]

I think these are an excellent idea, and I can see that they would definitely appeal to some super-nervous adult candiates. I can also see their value for teachers who want an independent assessment of their skills, for example, on a second instrument. They won't suit everyone, but then no exam will do that. I think that LCM have been quite bold in offering this - I can't see it being anything the AB choose to do anytime soon!

OK, I'm a bit nervous about the technology, but I don't think it's impossible, and would be useful to learn anyway.

I have slight reservations about it at the moment. I'm sure we've all had pupils, and parents, who've found the sight-reading, aural and/or scales tedious and - to them - irrelevant, and have asked "why can't we have an exam which is just for how well you can play your music?"

Since it now seems you can, why would anyone bother to get themselves examined in the supporting tests? Maybe they're a vital part of showing yourself to be a well-rounded musician, but the pupils/parents I mentioned above are quite likely to say "but I don't want to be a well-rounded musician, whatever that is, I just want to be a violinist/clarinettist/pianist"

Particularly in the lower grades, what is to prevent the all-rounder music exam from falling out of favour completely? After all, you get a certificate for this Performance assessment just as you do for the "proper" grade. There may be certain institutions which will only accept the "all-rounder" qualification, but will this soon only be something people bother with if they are wanting to go on to further training?

'Tis the beginning o' the end, I tell ye! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[Roseau]

I'm sure we've all had pupils, and parents, who've found the sight-reading, aural and/or scales tedious and - to them - irrelevant, and have asked "why can't we have an exam which is just for how well you can play your music?"

Since it now seems you can.

But you have already been able to do this for some time with LCM with their "leisure play" exams.

[Seer_Green]

I'm sure we've all had pupils, and parents, who've found the sight-reading, aural and/or scales tedious and - to them - irrelevant, and have asked "why can't we have an exam which is just for how well you can play your music?"

Since it now seems you can.

But you have already been able to do this for some time with LCM with their "leisure play" exams.

Totally agree, and for the TG certificates. I'm not really sure where does one start in answering such a question. The simple answer is that all pupils are different, and for whatever reason, these other exams suit them better than others. I think this is particularly the case for adult learners who often have very different aims and aspirations. I think it's fantastic to have such a choice now. If you want to find out more about the Leisure Play exams and why they are so valuable (and I'm sure much of the same would apply to the Performance Awards), then there was an excellent article in a recent edition of LCM's Forte magazine. If it's any consolation to you linda.ff, the majority still opt for the standard graded exams, and those that don't always have a valid and positive reason for choosing something else. All the pupils I've entered for anything other than the standard graded exams have not opted for something else because they don't 'like' the supporting tests.

[PianoNotes]

['Tis the beginning o' the end, I tell ye! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)
[/quote]


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.

[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.